So I have searched, bought and started creating some wonderful boys sewing projects and ideas which I want to share with you all. So join me as I sew my way through some wonderful patterns and projects! I will attempt to take some awesome pictures (with my very pitiful camera and photography skills) and review the patterns I use so you can get an idea if it is one you want to try! I hope you enjoy and find some inspiration to create for your little men!
First cab of the rank and hot off my sewing machine at midnight last night are some Vroom Vroom Winter Jackets made from the Make It Perfect: Downtown Boy Jacket pattern RRP $13.95.
What you'll need for a size 3:
140cm for fabric a (for jacket exterior)
140cm for fabric b (for jacket interior)
200cm of light weight iron-on pellon
1 x 40cm open ended zip
matching thread, scissors, sewing machine, zipper sewing machine foot, pins, iron ruler, pencil.
I used Pinwhale cord from spotlight for the exterior of the jacket, on special it only cost me $3 per metre. If you use cord just be aware that it does fray easily so I suggest finishing the edges with a zigzag on your machine. You could choose to use a plain or printed designer cotton or even a nice light canvas that you can get from spotlight.
For the interior of the jacket and the contrasting material I used the Wheels design by Riley Blake which I bought off the lovely Sheen from Bubbamia Fabrics. I used this for the pockets, the outside of the hood and the inside of the jacket.
The most expensive part of making this jacket is the iron-on pellon. It cost between $9.95 to $19.95 a metre. I bought mine from spotlight while on special. You can find it in the quilting section. I have seen it for a good price on ebay so it is worth having a look around for it. If you are making a lighter weight jacket for maybe say Autumn or Spring seasons, you could get away with not using it, especially if using a cord or canvas for the exterior, however, I wanted to make some lovely warm ones for winter.
The finished product!
I wouldn't recommend this for a beginner sewer if they were just starting out, I had a little bit of trouble with it and I would consider myself to be a intermediate sewer. The pattern is fairly easy to follow and in true make it perfect style, produces gorgeous children's clothing. The biggest trouble I had was turning the jacket right side out through the sleeve, but I think that was simply due to the bulk of the jacket as mine are rather warm and also sewing the cuffs of the sleeve as the were very fiddly to sew since there are meant for small arms!
Overall, it is a great pattern and I am happy with the outcome, though next time I think I will make them from a nice canvas or designer cotton exterior and maybe with buttons instead of a zip.
You can buy this pattern as well as some lovely fabric from
Bubbamia Fabrics
The Oz Material Girls
Fresh Fabrics Australia
