learning to let go

Riding home from school...NOT today :)

Four weeks ago, Alexander started school. Three weeks ago, he turned 6. Last week, he started asking if he could ride his bike home from school by himself.


Seriously, I just can't keep up. I mean, a month ago, he was still a little boy. Now he wants to ride home by himself. When did this growing up happen? How did it happen so quickly, so quietly? Over the last week, when I come to pick him up from school, he jumps on his bike and rides far ahead of me, as quickly as he can. Then he waits for me at the crossing. After we have crossed the road together, he takes off again, and is waiting for me when I get home.

Yesterday, something different happened. Yesterday his dad picked him up from school. Yesterday he was allowed to ride by himself while Christian watched to make sure he could cross the road himself. Yesterday, he grew up.

Today he wanted to ride home all by himself, but we agreed that I would meet him at school to make sure he remembered what he needed to do, then he could ride on ahead and meet me at home. When I got to school, we talked about the road rules again, then he told me to walk slowly and took off. I walked a steady pace, not too fast, and he was gone from sight. I didn't see him again until I arrived home, and he was playing with a ball in the front yard.

Today I had a lesson in letting go. In knowing when the time is right, to trust that you've taught your kids what they need to know, and to trust that they can do it. And you know what? He could do it.

Hugs, Fiona

Kids Clothes Week - Days 3-6

After three days of sewing, ironing, unpicking seams (and grumbling about it!), adjusting and sewing again, I have two lovely items to show off. The top is made from pattern 63011 from Stof og Stil (I gave you a sneak peek on Day 2) and the shorts are made from the new Bubble Pocket Shorts pattern by Elegance and Elephants in fine wale cord.

The top came together nicely and easily enough, which is nice, because it looks really cute on Isabel and is a pattern I will definitely use again. It's a little long, because when I cut it out, I forgot that I was planning on using the existing hem from the scarf, and didn't adjust accordingly. An easy fix.

The shorts, on the other hand, were not so easy. The pattern was easy enough to follow, but I had some trouble getting the inner lining and cuffs to match up. After some adjustments, I finished them up and they look really, really cute. And, Isabel really likes them (bonus!), so I'm sure I'll try them again, with the adjusted measurements. The great thing about this pattern is that it goes down to Lucy's size as well, so I can make her a pair too.

I managed to get Isabel to model the items, and she loved them. So much so, that she kept wearing them after the photo shoot was over. Score!

This is spring in Denmark - tops over long sleeved t-shirts and shorts over tights! Layers are the best! The best part of this outfit is that it's great for playing - running, twirling, falling, rolling, and having fun!

I'm not sure if I'll sew anymore this week. I'm pretty tired and sewed out, but overall I'm very happy with what I've managed to get done!

Kids Clothes Week - Day Two

I had a bit less time to sew today, but I still managed to get something done! Isabel has been asking for a scarf for ages, and when I went to see what fabric I had to make her a scarf from, I found an old scarf of mine tucked away amongst the pile of fabric. It didn't take too long to transform it from a scarf to a cowl style scarf for my three year old fashionista (side note: the other day she told me that she wanted to wear a black headband, because that's what all the cool kids wear. I asked who the cool kids are. The look she gave me suggests that she decided that herself!). I also "made" her a purple headband. I was making a cuff for a cotton beanie for her and had to test it on her head. She insisted on using it in her hair. Funny girl!

There was so much fabric left over from the scarf, and very thin, fine cotton, that I decided to use it to make Isabel a top. I cut out a top from a pattern from Stof og Stil, then got started putting it together. It was time to stop for the night (to avoid too many mistakes!), but I'm already half way done (thanks to using some existing seams for my hems!). It shouldn't take too long to finish it off tomorrow!

We are only 2 days into this Kids Clothes Week, and I have already made more clothes than I imagined I would have at this point. Hopefully I can keep it up!

Hugs, Fiona

Kids Clothes Week - Day 1

It's the end of day one of Kids Clothes Week, and I'm very pleased to say that I completed an item! I made a Geranium Top for Isabel in size 5 (which I think only just fits her!) with some colourful butterfly fabric that's been sitting in my cupboard for the last 3 years. It was my first time following the Geranium pattern, and I must say that this is proably one of the most professional looking garments I've made. There were a few new things for me in this pattern, so it was reasonably time consuming, but it turned out so beautifully that I'd definitely like to try it again (only, next time I will make the bodice bigger). I made up a tunic/top as lately Isabel has been wearing pretty much only skinny jeans (in a nice bright pink and yellow!), so I plan on making another couple of tops to wear with them.

I still haven't tried to put in a buttonhole. It's probably not as scary as I think it's going to be, but I worked so long and hard on this top that I didn't want to mess it up with a dodgy button job, so it's got press studs. Neat and sweet!

That's it for today. I'll have to see if I can get a few pictures of my little model in her new top, but first I'll have to wait for her to be co-operative. It might take a while!

Did you get anything made today? I'm getting such a kick out of seeing what everyone has made on the Flickr feed. This is so much fun!

Hugs, Fiona

London pants

For Alexander's 6th birthday last week, I made him a pair of pants. When he saw the fabric, he asked excitedly, "Is it London?", so I said yes :) He now calls them his London pants (or perhaps we should say trousers?). I used the same pattern as the robot pjs (elastic waisted pants from this book) and the fabric, a nice soft fine wale cord, is from Stof og Stil. I added pockets using Dana's pocket pattern, finished with yellow bias binding to make them stand out a bit.

The only problem with these pants? Alexander couldn't find Big Ben on them! Otherwise, they are his new favourite pants! 

Gearing up for KCW

Putting together the Geranium dress pattern!

Next week is KCW, or Kids Clothes Week. The idea is to sew for an hour a day during that week on clothes for your kids, along with hundreds of other people, and to encourage and inspire each other along the way. I have been trying to prepare myself for a sewing marathon, and have now purchased (or discovered in my pile!), washed and dried all my fabric, scoured the internet for great ideas and new potential patterns, and I'm now ready to start cutting. I've made an enormous list for myself, but we'll see how much gets done. At any rate, it's a good way to kick start making the spring wardrobe for the kiddos. Here's a sneak peek at a bunch of my fabrics. Hopefully you'll see them as finished creations soon!

I'm not sure how much blogging will get done during the week, but you can keep an eye on what I add to my Flickr account, or what others are doing. If you want to join in, head over to the KCW blog for inspiration and more information!

Happy sewing! Hugs, Fiona

Project Life 2013 - Week 15

After a couple of very busy weeks, I have finally managed to sit down at the computer long enough to put together some Project Life pages, from last week. The last week I completed was week 10, so I have about 4 weeks to catch up on, but I thought it was easier to just start with the most recent week.

This week was Alexander's 6th birthday, so lots and lots of birthday celebrations! Other than that, it was just a busy week with everyday life and fun as well.

I bought the digital PL Kraft Kit when it came out a couple of weeks ago, and I really like it. I love the colours and the fun cards (love the moustache card!). I'll probably start using mostly this kit from now on.

Supplies this week: Template A, Kraft Kit, Weekly Word Title by September Blue, Sunshine Sticker (6) by Sahlin Studios.

I'm linking up with the Mom Creative. Head over for more Project Life inspiration. Have a great week!