delia creates

boys, kids, sewing ·

Project Run and Play Week 4: An Autumn Walk

Week four is boy week for Project Run & Play!

The leaves are on the brink of changing, the mornings are brisk and Fall is upon us, so I thought I would make an ensemble for Reid that is just perfect for…

For this challenge, I wanted to take some sewing risks and try things I’ve never done before.

That list of things includes:

*Making a double lined jacket with eyelet punched accents, and working welt pockets.

*Lined pants with a button fly (not zip fly), snaps, and back pockets with top flaps.

*A long sleeve tee with neck and wrist ribbing, made from a pattern I drafted using an existing shirt.

I also wanted to be sure that everything fit just right, so I enlisted the help of two patterns to help me make the jacket and pants: The Melly Sews Blazer pattern  (there is a giveaway going on for Melly Sews right now at PRaP- go here) and The Peekaboo Shop’s Skinny Pant pattern.

In keeping with the guidelines of the competition, I made some changes to those patterns which I’ll explain with each piece. (This is a pretty long post. If you want to skip the details and just go vote, scroll to the end for the link.)

Let’s start with the jacket. 

I took the blazer pattern and extended the front pieces so that it closes up as a jacket.

I then added a hood in place of the collar and lined it with a layer of fleece in addition to the layer of lining fabric it already calls for. The corduroy is from Joann Fabric and the cotton lining is from a large gauzy cotton scarf (?) I picked up at a yard sale. (That’s my phone playing Sunglasses at Night radio on Pandora. Eighties music makes sewing frustrations so much more bearable don’t you think?)

After reading Jessica’s post who is the guest judge this week, I decided that I was really lacking any sort of detail on the jacket and actually all of my garments.

Detail work is something that doesn’t come naturally to me but that I’ve been trying to improve upon. The more I do it, the more I like it, but I know I have a long way to go.

You can see that the leather pockets on the front were sewn on after the jacket was complete, but really make the jacket much better than it was before.

Having recently acquired a snap and punch tool from my mom (who was getting rid of it) I tried my hand at adding eyelet punches as design elements.

(The picture above shows me using it with snaps but I used it for the eyelet details as well)

What a fun, addicting technique! I will now always look at a finished project and wonder if I can slip an eyelet punch in it somewhere. It is way too fun, and easy, to use. Even though the eyelet details are small, they really make a great impact.

I was eyelet punching even after I took the finished pictures of the clothes (before Reid modeled them). After seeing everything on him, I felt that two more punches on the bottom right of the back were needed to balance the detail in the hood.

Now for the pants.

I kept the shape of the pants the same but changed the pocket details on the front and back. I liked the color of the corduroy material I got from Joann Fabric, but didn’t feel the weight of it was substantial enough to keep Reid warm. So I cut some knit fabric from an XXL men’s t-shirt and used it to line the pants on the inside.

I made the front pockets exposed and added eyelet punches in the corners. Then I made flaps with pearl like snaps for the back pockets. I omitted the belt loops and fitted the waist and legs to fit Reid perfectly. He is on the slim side and we always struggle to find him pants that fit his waist and his leg length. Even with adjustable waist pants, the waist can still get bulky for him if I buy him the size that is long enough. Being able to fit the pants to him exactly feels very rewarding.

The knit lining not only will keep him warmer, but will act as a protection to his skin at back of his knees. He is prone to eczema. In the winter, dry skin and rough pants aggravate the problem. Using a jersey knit lining should help alleviate that irritation a lot. I love to sew, but projects like these really help me feel empowered as a mom.

Last, the long sleeve tee. Using one of Reid’s shirts, I came up with a pattern, then adjusted the neckline to accommodate ribbing.

I have never used ribbing like this, but it is so fun! Really. It’s so much easier than I thought it would be. I even used my twin needle to sew around the neckline like store bought shirts have.

Using A Little Gray’s winning look from last season as inspiration, I embroidered a fake pocket on the front of the shirt.

I also embroidered a little love note in the bottom left of the back of the shirt.

When I first started making clothes for my kids, I would use scraps of knit as tags and write “Love Mom”on them. I now use tags I’ve made with stamps and a serger, but I still like that phrase because it represents the love I infuse into each piece of clothing. So, I couldn’t resist adding this detail.

Both the striped knit and the green ribbing are from Hart’s fabric.

Hart’s is a great shop with a wonderful selection of knit fabrics. The striped knit is SUPER soft. It is so comfy that when Reid put it on, he start to dance around and rub his belly, remarking how much he loved his new shirt. 🙂

The contrasting green ribbing is my favorite touch. I wanted it to be thick and bold, which I think I accomplished.

I have to say, I’m so glad this was a boy challenge, because when Reid wrecked on his bike earlier this week and got a nice gash on his face I was bummed first that he got hurt and then that it was right before pictures (I promise in that order…ha ha). Then…I thought, “This is a boy challenge! Duh! What’s a boy without a battle wound of some sort?”

The best part of my ensemble this week is that Reid loves it. He was bummed that I didn’t let him wear it to preschool. We have him in an awesome preschool (not being sarcastic) that lets him get as dirty as he wants, so he often comes home stained with all sorts of paints and art supplies. For that reason we’ll be reserving these clothes for errands around town and of course, autumn walks with me. 🙂

Remember to go VOTE for your favorite look this week. 

Go HERE. 

The poll is on the left hand side at the top of the page and will remain open until 9:59 PM MST Sunday night. 

Have a blessed weekend!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Incredible! There aren't enough words to tell you how amazing I think you are. I cannot believe you made this outfit! The jacket completely looks like something you purchased at the Gap. WOW! Running over to vote now!

    Reply

  2. This is so adorable! You did a fabulous job! I love the total boy poses! My sons do the same "cool guy" stunts when I pull out the camera. 😉

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  6. Really amazing! And super thoughtful, too. The details are just right – I keep commenting everywhere that it's tough to make boy clothes that are interesting but not too hip or cutesy and you hit the nail right on the head. Great job – you got my vote!!

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  8. You did a great job! Love all the details you added into your outfit. That is what makes it when looking at fun boy clothes. 🙂

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  9. You did a great job! Love all the details you added into your outfit. That is what makes it when looking at fun boy clothes. 🙂

    Reply

  14. Amazing outfit and fantastic photos too. So many incredible details – I especially love the jacket lining. I've got to get one of those tools too – my last attempt at eyelets did not end well.

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  15. baby gap?! hello!! this whole look has baby gap written all over it! i absolutely love it! and now i want to replicate it for my son!!! i love the eyelets on the jacket, really adds a nice touch! i hope u win bc boys clothes are a bit harder plus u did a whole outfit!! good job momma!!

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  16. Such a great look! I have to thank you for trying new things and expanding your sewing skill set – if you are brave enough to try it in the middle of an intense competition, surely I can attempt it in my next no-deadline sewing project! Best of luck in the voting this week, not that you'll need it!

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  18. love your look! and i so get it about places you take your kids, why do they always come back stained? and I can never get it to wash out… oh well at least the kids are having fun!

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  19. I really, really, really, really love this look, Delia. Those rivets and the leather pockets are AWESOME! I think this whole outfit looks SO comfy cozy and your use of color is perfect, too – it's playful but still totally boy! Great work – that Reid is such a cutie!

    Reply

  20. It is difficult to sew boys outfits with "personality" and still be something they will wear and that will wear well. I love the little details (the hole punch especially)and even though you want it to stay nice for around town, I believe it will wear exceptionally well. Good job!

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  22. Ok, wow, I was just talking to a friend about how hard it is to sew for a boy. I have 3 girls, so I don't really worry about that too much, but this outfit is so awesome. Great job in pushing yourself to do something new. I have been wanting to do a lot of the things you did this week, so thank you for motivating me even more. Also, where did you take these photos? My husband wants to

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  29. Another job (really) well done! I love all the pieces, and the jacket especially gets better the more you look at it. I didn't even notice the eyelets at the pr&p site, and they are such a cool, subtle detail.

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  32. Delia, I just love this look. Well done! You are always so thoughtful with your details and the fit and proportions are just spot on. I love your color combos too. Great job as always. Hope you get some sleep this weekend;)

    Reply

  41. Oh I loved all of this! I’m using both the toddler blazer & the skinny jeans as bases for a few of my looks, but it’s SCARY since Amy who designed the jeans pattern is my competition! Eek.

    I love the little fake pocket on the shirt so much, very very cute. I’m going to use this on something of Vincent’s after PR&P!

    Reply

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