Little Things To Sew: Explorer Vest

The March project for the Little Things To Sew-Along (LTTSA) at a little grey is either the Explorer Vest or the Red Riding Hood. I still do owe my older daughter a cape, and maybe I'll get it done if my machine cooperates, but I was determined to make the Explorer Vest for my little guy's 4th birthday!

My sewing machine has been misbehaving for most of 2012 it seems, and trips for repair seem to have it coming back even worse! I'll take it back in soon, but somehow it sews just fine on multiple layers of heavy fabric still. So, I took advantage of that and whipped up and Explorer Vest!

I was a bit nervous about the pocket bellows, but I really wanted them. There was nothing to be afraid of! It was so simple I felt silly for not trying it earlier!

I used a lightweight canvas for the outside and a fun construction truck print, Michael Miller Tot Town Dig It, for the inside. Kona solid for the bias tape around the armholes. The buttons are just decorative. I sewed Velcro squares on so it would be easier for my little guy to put on.

My little guy agreed to wear it only briefly, but I think it's really cute on him!

We made a deal that he'd wear it and sit for a photo if he could take a picture with my big camera. I love how the vest makes him look like a tiny photographer!

Head over to a little grey and see all the projects linked up from the sew along! 

Little Things to Sew: No-Tie Scarf

I've had a hard time getting around to posting about projects lately, so I'll be doing some catching up over the next days/weeks. The most recent project finished is a sweet little No-Tie Scarf from Oliver+S Little Things to Sew. 

The print side is Dena Designs McKenzie (also seen in her very purple Ice Cream Dress) and the strips are assorted purples from my stash -- there's another McKenzie print also in the dress, a ladybug print from Mo Bedell's Party Dress line I used originally in a Music Class shirt, the daisy print from Central Park that I used to bind my Suduko quilt, a dotty print I used for one side of her hooded cape, and a few other random fabrics. The reverse side of the scarf is a sweet pink felted wool from a thrift store sweater. I had to piece it together a bit, but it is super soft.

This scarf is especially for my purple-loving little girl. She hasn't been feeling well for a long while, and is often cold. As soon as I showed it to her she put it on, and hasn't taken it off. She even slept with it (but I made her unloop it). She wanted me to take a picture of her wearing it even though she's battling pneumonia, round 2.

Last month the sew-along over at A Little Grey was the cute play town, but the scarf was calling to be made instead. Head over there and peek at all the other great Little Things To Sew that have been made recently!