Sewing For Ethan

On June 3, 2008 at 3:45pm, my newest nephew, Ethan arrived.

I had some nice soft polar fleece in a very pale ice blue that I thought I would make a pair of overalls and a hoody out of.

I have been meaning to line overalls for a while, so I made a special trip to Spotlight to find some fabric to line the overalls and hoody with. I found some interlock in cream with a fine baby print on it in a pale blue. I got a metre, figuring it should be enough.


It was enough, I made the hoody, and the overalls and also a romper suit (long sleeves and legless) to go underneath. The overalls are very cosy, so I figured he really wouldn't be needing legs in the romper as well.

I appliqued a bear on the front of the overalls, to cover the front seam. I usually place a pocket here, but I photocopied the interlock print, enlarging it 300% to make my applique pattern. So the bear matches the print.

Orange Overalls - revisited!

I made Liam a pair of orange overalls last year, that everybody commented on. He has well and truly outgrown them by now, and he is starting to get a little big for his green and blue pair, so I made him up another pair of orange dacks!

I cut these out on Monday, June 2, and sewed them up on Tuesday June 3rd in time for a 1pm birthday party. He is wearing them here with the long-sleeved raglan t-shirt that I made on May 30.

I found these nice stripey buttons at Spotlight.

As you can see from the back detail, I did my usual adjustment of the pattern to join the straps at the back rather than having the crossover.

MUM - THESE BIBS ARE H-U-U-U-GE!

I put in a really good day of sewing today, I got heaps of stuff done. I managed to finish three grow suits, although I have only done the popper studs on one of them.

I also did the bias trim and neckband on two bibs, and I completely made a pair of overalls, including tracing and modifying the pattern. I had to do a last minute dash to Spotlight to get some bias and more poppers so I could finish the overalls. We listened to some Christmas music while I sewed. Liam seems to like the noises in the Crazy Frog music.

I made the green overalls a size bigger than the orange ones, and lengthened them too. I made them a medium size, but the length of the legs was the same as the Extra Large. They have an almost 3cm hem on them, and they fit nicely with the hems rolled up, so he should be able to wear them for awhile. I forgot to add extra to the inside leg seam to allow for the poppers, but there seems to be plenty of room.

I modified the back of the overalls as well. The orange overalls were straight across the back, where these are not. I think I will still change them a bit more for the next pair, I had to cross over the straps a little, and I would like it better if they were not crossed over.

I went looking for some buttons in my stash, and found a really nice one that went really well with these overalls, but there was only one - just like the orange overalls. Paige and I went through the button stash and found these brassy looking ones that we think look nice, so thats what he got. I thought I would have a quick look and see if I could find something for the blue fabric, and once again, found ONE LOVELY BUTTON. I think when I make the blue ones, I might go and buy some buttons to match. I haven't looked to see what matches the red.

Anyway, I had a really good day of sewing (probably the most productive ever), I feel like I have achieved so much! Just need to finish off the poppers on those other two growsuits!