Project Run & Play Signature Style Plus a Review...Kind Of

Classic Gone Global...

That's what I'm calling my signature look for Project Run and Play.

This look takes a little global twist to a great classic of a pattern. And since we appear to be global with all of the things my globe trotting husband brings home from places like Africa and India, I thought it would fit to make this my signature look. I love the simplicity and longevity of a good classic garment, but it's always fun to spin it a slightly different way. 

I originally made this dress and posted about it here, as part of the summer FLIP series over at Frances Suzanne.

The original pattern is the Ethan Shirt by Sis Boom. 

It is a great pattern for a button up shirt that would work well for a boy or girl, that is well written and easy to follow. I would put it at an advanced beginner level. The pattern really does walk you through all of the steps, even if you haven't done a collar with a stand of sleeve cuffs you should give it a try!  So while I haven't sewn it up as is yet...I would still give this one 4 bolts for being a great pattern!  When I actually sew it up as is, I will give it a more thorough review, but I would highly recommend it if you need a button up shirt pattern!

 To get this look, I left off the collar and used the collar stand to create a Mandarin looking collar.  I obviously elongated the hem to make it a dress instead of a shirt and gave it more of an A-line shape. I also added 2 pockets instead of one, cuffed the sleeves with a tab and added black piping throughout. Oh and I put in one back pleat in the middle instead of the pleats on each side.

 We had visions of taking pictures at the botanical gardens here because there is a cool Oriental Gardens there, including some cool outer structures and bridges...but life happens and that didn't. I'm always in awe of the amazing 'photo shoots' people do to document the clothes they've created...then I remind myself they are usually little kids and those people don't usually have 2 teenagers going 2 different directions, a pre-teen with her own activities and a 6 year old as well. It's not that we have our kids in a lot of activities, it's just that as they get older those activities require more time, the kids require more running around and frankly taking pictures is not what they want to be doing with their free time...plus bribery at that age is a little more expensive. A lolly pop just doesn't cut it anymore. That being said, I love how these pictures turned out...she looks beautiful in them.

Costumes --> Steampunk style

Halloween is fast approaching and I am sure your tweens are trying to figure out what they want to dress as.  I (Major Moma) have never been especially a fan of Halloween as a holiday but I have always loved dress up and creative play.  When my kids were little, their Halloween costumes went straight into the dress up box and were used all year around.

But when the kids get older, it can get a bit awkward.  They still like to dress up and they definitely like getting candy, but they are starting to get too old for trick-or-treating.  And have you seen some of the older/bigger sized costumes?  I think the shortness of the skirts are more scary than the blood and gore.  And that is the beauty of a homemade or semi-homemade costume, you can adjust it to be age appropriate to fit your family's values.

The other issue with kids at this age is getting a more 'grown up' look to their costumes.  I would like to highlight a genre that I think can really help with this dilemma.  It is Steampunk.


According to the Urban Dictionary Steampunk is:

source

Star Wars done Steampunk

... a subgenre of speculative fiction, usually set in an anachronistic Victorian or quasi-Victorian alternate history setting. It could be described by the slogan "What the past would look like if the future had happened sooner." It includes fiction with science fiction, fantasy or horror themes. 

Medieval Steampunk: Speculative fiction set during the Middle Ages. 

Victorian Steampunk: A modern Science Fiction work (post-1930s) that is set in the early parts of the industrial revolution. 

Western Steampunk: Science fiction set in the American Old West. 

Western style Steampunk

Industrial/Modern Steampunk: Science fiction taking place in the late industrial age, early modern age; i.e. World War 1, World War 2

Examples of steampunk: 
Wild Wild West 
Final Fantasy 7 
Van Helsing 
The Time Machine 
Hellboy 
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

You can see from this definition and examples that the Steampunk genre really has a lot of variety.  And, you can take just about any character and make it a Steampunk version.  Like, you could take that old princess costume that still fits and add some gears, make the skirt a bustle and call it a 'Steampunk Princess."

source

Here is a tutorial on how to make a gear that can be added to clothing to create a Steampunk look.

gear tutorial

Goggles also are an accessory used quite frequently in Steampunk cosplay.  Here are several examples of DIY goggles that people have put together.  Some are quite elaborate, but you could get some great ideas from looking at them.

source

I have added a lot of Steampunk ideas to our Pinterest Costumes board and you could see if any of them work for your tween.  We have other Halloween costume ideas also pinned on that board, so feel free to check them out.  I hope you got some ideas on how to get creative with your tween's costumes this year!

What is your tween dressing as this year?

Linky Party Wrap Up

This week I thought we'd show case something a little fancy for a girl:

Tulle Skirt by Skirt Fixation

And something a little casual (and perfect for Fall!)

Peek-a-Boo Perfect Sweatshirt by Quizotic

As well as something a little more formal for the tween guys:

A BurdaStyle button down by Cari Homemaker

And something a little more casual:

Casual T-Shirt by Quixotic Pixels

Thanks to all for sharing! We love to see what everyone has made and come up with new ideas for out tweens!

Tutorial: conserving patterns

Do you use PDF or paper patterns?  I use both, and they each have their own draw backs and highlights.  But what I do like about a pdf pattern is that I can cut it to the size I need, and then, when my kids grow reprint and cut the new size.

But with paper patterns, if you cut out the size you need, you are pretty much stuck and would have to re-purchase the pattern.  If I want to save a paper pattern for future use, I will use the following technique.

First, I cut the pattern out using the outermost line, regardless of size.  On the straight lines, it is easy; fold on the size you want to use.  It is on the curved parts that things can get tricky.  I slice down to the size I want to use perpindicular to the cutting line.

This will make small wedges that can now be folded under smoothly.  Continue around all curved edges.

When you cut around the pattern, you will need to be careful to not snip the edge of the pattern.  That would cut the fold, and defeat the purpose of all that work for conserving.

Do you have any tricks to conserve your patterns?

Review--Shawl Collar Pullover by Greenstyle

 Remember a little while ago there was that Bundle Up sale for boys patterns?  Well I decided it just isn't for boys, so I'm set on trying out some of those "boys" patterns...but for my girls (mostly because my boys don't really want me to sew for them).

First up, the Shawl Collar Pullover from Greenstyle Creations and this one was a hit.

Sophia picked out some aqua micro fleece at JoAnn's and decided she didn't want anything else, no contrasts, no embellishments...just a simple pullover for those cool Fall days that are coming.

 For this pattern you don't really need anything special, just middle to heavy weight knit fabric. Check the pattern for fabric requirements, but I got mine out of 1 1/2 yards. I sewed up a size 10 and it's roomy enough for layering, but not with anything too bulky.

 Good: This pullover is a quick and easy sew, with minimal pieces, great instructions and details when needed. Plus it comes in a wide range of sizes (2-16) and would work for boys and girls.

 Bad: This is probably more user error than anything, but attaching the shawl collar got me. I really had to sit and think about how it went on there and even though there were pictures, my brain just wasn't getting it (do you ever have those moments?). And even after all of that puzzling, I still got little puckers on my corners. Next time I'll do better though.

Ugly: No ugly for this one...it's a great pattern!

I give the Shawl Collar Pullover by Greenstyle Creations 4 bolts out of 5. If you are looking for a great unisex pattern perfect for the coming months you should check it out!