Upcycled Boys Dungaree Tutorial

It's been awhile since I shared a boy project, right? Well, this is a project that I shared a little while back over on Cheri's blog, I am Momma Hear Me Roar. My husband had a pile of clothes sitting in our bedroom that had just shrunk or gotten kind of wonky after being washed tons of times. Being the good husband that he is, he knew to save those clothes for me and I could probably use them to make something for our little man, Caspian Finn.

Caspian is on the move these days. After having two girls, I had no idea how active boys could be. When I put pants on Caspian, I often find that they have slipped off his waist are are left behind in the dust. So overalls and one-piece outfits are great for him. I love vintage style fashion, so these are my modern take on traditional boys dungarees.

I used two pairs of my husbands pants as well as a small piece of one of his old flannel shirts. I lined the front of the bib with the flannel as I thought that would feel good as a lining.

Today I thought I would show you how I used an existing pattern to come up with these dungarees. I actually used my own printed sewing pattern called the Run Around Romper:

I knew I wanted a similar fit to the romper, but I wanted more of an overall feel. Using an existing pattern is a great place to start, especially if you know that the fit works really well on your child.

I folded down the top of the Run Around Romper pattern to use for the bottom half of the dungarees. The romper is typically lined, but for this version, I did the pants un-lined with a traditional hem. So I just cut 2 of the front and 2 of the back.

I cut two of the pants pieces out of each leg. If you were making these for a larger child then you might have to check to see if the pant legs of the adult pants are wide enough to accomodate your pattern pieces.

I noticed that the back of the pants already had an encased waistband which is perfect for the elastic back for the dungarees.

I simply cut the waistband off of the adult pants and cut it the same width as the back of the two romper pieces. The ends were left open for threading the elastic. I cut a 8" piece of elastic, threaded it through the back waistband and sewed some reinforcement stitches on both ends to hold it in place.

For the top of the dungarees, I used one pant leg and cut the piece on the fold. I used the top of the romper pattern.

I wanted to change the shape of the front of the romper pattern piece, so I just changed the curve on the top a bit. I also cut this piece out of the flannel shirt for the lining.

For the knee patches, I just cut two ovals out of some of the corduroy pants.

The straps were cut 11" long x 4" wide. I didn't have any pieces of the pants that were long enough, so I had to include a side seam, but I kind of like the look. To sew the straps, just place them right sides together and sew down one short side and one long side, leaving the other short end open. Clip the corners, turn right side out and press.

So here are all the pieces prior to constructing the dungarees. I also used the tab pattern piece from the Run Around Romper pattern. It's really fun to change up an existing pattern that you all ready own. And you want to know what's even better? These dungarees were essentially free since I used clothing that we already own!

I used two wooden buttons that I already had and the two smaller buttons on the tabs were cut off from my husbands' pants.

Caspian has been wearing these a ton and I really wish I had a picture of him modeling them. They are way cuter on than on the hanger, but the way that guy moves these days, I can hardly keep up!

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Guest Blogging: Refashionista at I am Momma Hear Me Roar

I am guest blogging today over at I am Momma Hear Me Roar for Cheri's 'Refashionista' series. 

Come on over for a mini-tutorial on how I turned two pairs of my husbands pants into some Dungarees for our little man, Caspian Finn.

Click HERE to view the tutorial.

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Free Tutorials Coming Soon ~ Vest, Shirt and Dress

Summer is in full swing over here and life has just gotten so busy, but I wanted to let you know about three new free tutorials that will be showing up on the blog towards the end of June, beginning of July.  You will find things like how to draft your own patterns and create a vest for little boys and a create and grade a little man shirt.  As well as a free PDF pattern for the Little Line Dress.

Dapper Vest for Boys

I will be showing you how to create your own pattern from clothing you already own.  I will also be sharing some of the tools I use in drafting patterns.  It's a lot easier than you think!

The Little Man Shirt

This will be another tutorial where I share with you a little bit more about drafting your own patterns.  I may offer the printed pattern in one specific size and help you to grade it up or down.  Or we may construct a pattern using clothing that you already own.  Not entirely sure yet.....

Little Linen Dress

Yes, I promised you this pattern and don't worry, I have not forgotten......it's coming soon!

Check back in a couple weeks and I will get the ball rolling on these!

So, what do you think.......excited?  I hope so!

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New Sewing Pattern from The Cottage Mama: Run Around Romper for Boys and Girls

It's finally time to start sharing my new set of printed sewing patterns!  It is really hard to keep anything from you all.  I wanted to share these pictures the second I received them!

It was also really hard to decide which design to share first, but I decided to start with the 'Run Around Romper' since this pattern is for boys and girls!

 Run Around Romper

Size 6 Month through 6 Years

PATTERN DESCRIPTION:
The Run Around Romper is the perfect one-piece outfit for your little guy or gal with three different design variations that can be made as pants or shorts. View A, the interweaving stripes variation, is a one-piece pants outfit that buttons at the shoulder, has a unique interweaving stripe pattern and side button tabs. View B is the shorts variation that buttons at the shoulder and has optional side button tabs. View C, the ruffle pants variation for little girls, also buttons at the shoulder, has side button tabs and has an adorable small ruffle at the bottom of the pants.

All design variations are fully lined with contrasting fabric for total comfort for your little one. View A and B can be made as pants or shorts. All variations can be made with the interweaving stripes and require two buttonholes. This is great pattern for confident beginner sewers and offers many ways to get creative with your design!

We had two little guys join us for the photo shoot whose mama's were fans of The Cottage Mama Facebook page.  It was so fun to get to meet these mama's in person and get to have their little guys model this new pattern.  They are SO adorable and totally sweet.

All of the fabrics pictured above were sent over from Birch Fabrics.  They are 100% organic cotton and were just lovely to work with.  These four garments (plus one more) will be on display at their booth for International Quilt Market coming up in a couple weeks.

Spencer modeling the basic shorts variation - View B.

View C - Girly Ruffle Pants Variation.

Sweet Grayson modeling View A.

The Run Around Romper is a perfect Spring and Summer garment, but is equally as cute layered with a long sleeved tee and open sweater or sweatshirt for the Fall and Winter.  Generous length has been give so the pants can be cuffed to expose the contrasting lining fabric.

I hired Amy Tripple Photography for the photo shoot and I absolutely loved working with her.  I love taking my own pictures, but sometimes it's just nice to put it in the hands of a true professional.  We have a few more projects in the works and I'm so happy to be working with her.

All The Cottage Mama sewing patterns are professionally printed paper patterns (not a PDF) published by The Cottage Mama, Inc.. Patterns include a color front and back cover, full-sized pattern pieces as well as detailed step-by-step instructions with photographs.

The Run Around Romper is now available for pre-order in the shop and should arrive from the printer in 1-2 weeks and will ship upon arrival. 

Click HERE to order.

I hope you love this pattern as much as I loved creating it ~ there are so many fun design variations. 

Can't wait to share the other two patterns with you!

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Baby Boy's Room: A Nautical Nursery

One week and counting until our little bundle is scheduled to arrive!  I thought I would share some pictures of the nautical themed nursery that we've put together for our special little guy.

My husband, Brett, painted the room.  Surprisingly, he let both girls help for about 10 minutes.  That was enough time for them to get covered in navy blue paint from head to toe - he is a brave, brave man (and a super-wonderful daddy).  Brett had already put up the chair-rail and crown molding when we did the girls nursery, but he painted the navy blue and tan that I picked out from Home Depot.  Both paint colors are Behr and they are in satin finish.

This room has always been our nursery, but it's taken on a whole new look now.  No more pastel pink and green, we've moved onto navy blue, tan and red.  I definitely think it shouts "boy"!  All of this furniture was already in the room from the girls and I'm really happy that we went with a honey colored wood because it works just right for a boy or a girl.

We had this little round table in the nursery before, but I just changed out the overlay.  I sewed a large square of fabric from Riley Blake's "All-Star" fabric line and kept the cream colored tablecloth that was already on the table.

I've always loved our glider.  I just love rocking and gliding with little ones.  Occasionally I still take one of the girls in this room when they need some mommy cuddle time.  Both of them still love the soothing motion of the glider.  If you are debating on whether or not you might want one for your nursery, go ahead and get it, it's well worth the money.  Ours has an ottoman that glides with it as well.  We ordered this one through target.com and it has held up really well.

The pillow on the glider was sent from my mom.  As I'm sure you know by now, she's always making special, handmade things for the kids.  She made this pillow and matching quilt for baby boy's nursery.  She named the quilt "Oceans of Love". 

Here are some more pictures of the "Oceans of Love" pillow and quilt made by Grandma Jane......

I love that my mom puts a label on every quilt.  The beautiful thing about quilting is that these things can be cherished forever; therefore, a label with a date makes this a true family heirloom that can be passed down.

My mom was inspired by a quilt she had seen on "Moda Bake Shop" but she adapted it to make it her own.  I think I need to get Grandma Jane on the blog to do some quilting tutorials, what do you think?  Don't know if she'd ever do it, but you never know.....hint, hint.

I added a bunch of different nautical accessories around the room that I really think pull the theme together.  I wanted to do some accessories that were nautical, but not necessarily "baby".

This distressed wooden flag is probably my favorite piece in the room.  It is screwed into the wall above the crib so it is nice a sturdy.

The sailing ships rug was something my in-laws had in their basement that they had never used.  It even still had the tags on it.  It must have been there just waiting for us to have this little guy.

These three pillows won't stay in the bed during our little guy's first year, but we usually keep our newborn in a bassinet in our room for a little while.  So for now, they just look cute in his crib.  The polka dot sheet is from Pottery Barn Kids.

The "Welcome Aboard" steering wheel as to be another favorite of mine in this nursery.

Now this poster does not exactly go along with the "nautical" theme, but it's my husbands favorite childhood book and he really wanted it in the room.  This shelf is right above the changing table.  I think the poster looks nice and the colors match just right!

"Dream" is a word that I hope my children always keep in the forefront of their minds.  I want them to always know that anything is possible if they put their minds to it.  Life is so much more exciting when you have big dreams.  Hopefully this sign will remind our little guy of this always.

I ordered these three art prints from Finny & Zook on Etsy.  I love to support etsy sellers if I can and I fell in love with this shop when I found them through my etsy search.  They offer many, many different prints and you can choose any color you would like to match your room or nursery.  There are many different images from A through Z as well as alphabet signs and different sayings.  

I purchased these prints and then found photo mats and frames at my local Michael's craft store.  All three prints are next to the large mirror on top of the dresser (didn't get any good pictures of the dresser).

Our little baby boy should be here soon and we can't wait to meet him!  

I hope he loves his room........I think he will, don't you?

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