You know I like to sew right? On occasion I even like to sew clothing! I’ve been excited about the prospect of making a lot of clothes for Max, but I’ve quickly come to realize how hard it is to find good sewing projects for boys.

And this is exactly why I was so excited to have a chance to review this book. Sewing for Boys is written by Shelly Figueroa and Karen LePage (they also have a very popular pattern company, Patterns by Figgy’s), and is published by Wiley Publishing.

Shelly and Karen have done a wonderful job in creating fun and interesting patterns, and as I flipped through the photo portion in the beginning, I could imagine myself making many of these items to add to Max’s wardrobe.

I kept coming back to this page, and these fabulous Treasure Pocket Pants. I love the contrast side panels, those great gathered pockets, and the fun elastic waist detail. The smallest size for this pattern is 18 months, and even though I knew that would be too big for Max, I had to make them anyway. (As a side note, I’m thrilled that the pattern goes up to size 7 – hope Max doesn’t get bored with these pants before then!)

I’m not very good at following patterns, but I must say, I followed this one precisely (I think!) and I’m pleased to say that I learned some new techniques along the way. I don’t have a lot of experience making clothing from patterns, but even so, these directions were well-written and I found it to be a very manageable project. And I’m so very pleased with the results! These pants are adorable and have lots of great details and finishing techniques that make them look quite professional.

And even though they’re not a perfect fit quite yet, they still look pretty darn cute on him!

I’m really excited about this book, and I can’t wait to try out many of the other projects. Next on my list is the Raglan Tee – maybe a little something to pair with these pants?

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So, do you know a little boy (or girl! many of these patterns would be equally cute for little girls) who might need some new duds? Wiley Publishing is offering a copy of this book to one lucky commenter. Please leave a comment here (one per person, please!) for a chance to win. If you’d like, let me know what’s next on your sewing to do list! I’ll select a winner sometime tomorrow.

Edited to add: Comments are now closed. I’ll be announcing the winner shortly!

The blog tour continues on! Be sure to check out these other sites for more information about Sewing for Boys -

September 5 Made by Rae
September 6 Sew, Mama, Sew
September 7 The Southern Institute & Film in the Fridge
September 8 Elsie Marley
September 9 Noodlehead & Oh, Fransson!
September 10 I Heart Linen
September 11 Anna Maria Horner
September 12 Craft Buds, Pink Chalk Fabric , Prudent Baby , Sew Much Ado
September 13 Very Purple Person, Quilt Story & Sew Sara
September 14 The Long Thread
September 15 Susan Beal
September 16 True Up
September 17 All Buttoned Up & Bolt Fabric Boutique
September 18 MADE & Wiley Craft

I usually get the urge to make myself a few summer pieces, but this year it was all about Max! What baby couldn’t benefit from a few new pairs of shorts and pants? (especially a baby who goes through several outfits a day)

Plus, it’s certainly easier to make baby clothes, and it requires a lot less fabric! (though that may mean that you can talk yourself into “just one more pair!”, as is the case here)

I started out making him a couple pairs of shorts. I traced a pair he already owned that fit well.

I’ve been collecting Lilly Pulitzer fabrics for a long time now (maybe someday I’ll make a Lilly quilt!) – while most of those prints are pretty girly, I found a couple in my stash that work for Max.

And then, because I couldn’t resist, I made up a third pair out of this cute print I swapped for ages ago. Aren’t those little frogs cute? Rae just used some on one of her cute Charlie tunics (on my list to make once Max gets a little bigger).

After making several pairs of shorts, I thought he should really have some pants too… I used the same pattern I had traced and just extended the length.

This cute Heather Ross tadpole pair got a cute green trim at the bottom

As soon as I saw the new Heather Ross line, Far Far Away 3, I knew that I wanted to see that laundry print as pants! The lightweight linen/cotton blend is wonderful as pants, and I think they just keep getting softer with each wash. I think I actually woke up this morning thinking about how I’d like PJs out of this print (but it probably won’t happen, as I’d need a whole lot more fabric!)

For this pair, I added a cuff in a coordinating solid, which I hope will mean he can wear them a bit longer.

I did the same for this last pair – made out of this fun print, Swedish Forest, which is a great print from Jennifer Moore’s Anika line. I think this is it for now, but I’m sure that once he grows out of these, I’m sure you’ll see me making up a few new pairs!!

I’m so glad that you guys like strips quilts too (and that you don’t seem to mind seeing several others!)

This one is for sure an instant favorite – you certainly can’t go wrong with Heather Ross fabrics. Anyone who’s sewn with these fabrics know how supremely soft and lovely they are.

I went for an overly pink look here, using all the blush Mendocino prints, and adding in several other Kona solids in various shades of pink. (The little bit of orange is there to try and prevent this one from being too sugary sweet!)

And because the Heather Ross fabrics are so fabulous, I opted to not piece the backing and instead use one full piece of this octopus print.

As you can imagine, the result is a super soft quilt – one I wish was more my size and less baby sized!

Perhaps you already read this over on Heather’s blog, but if not, be sure to watch (or tape!) the Martha Stewart show on Monday, February 28th (10 am on the Hallmark channel). It’s a live baby shower show, and Heather will be there showing how to make these adorable baby bloomers from Weekend Sewing.

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how excited I was to have a chance to make up a few samples for Heather. I love this pattern – the bloomers are quick to make, and turn out perfectly every time. And how cute is that new print? Little girls and their horses… oh my!

These bloomers are definitely a great gift idea, and of course I can’t wait to see what other ideas will be shown on the show. We still have about a month before the baby should make his appearance, so I might have time for a couple additional projects!

Edited to add: Here’s a link for a clip of Heather’s bloomers segment. I made all the bloomers that were hanging on the line in the background – how fun to see them on TV!

I can’t decide which I like more on this quilt – the random plus signs, or the shades of blue colorblock background. I had no real design in mind when I pulled out this stack of fabric – I was mainly thinking that I wanted to get a chance to use some of that cute Heather Ross gnome fabric. I didn’t want to cut it up too much, so I went with that large plus sign in the bottom left, and from there just started making up plus signs of various sizes.

The colorblock background came about because I didn’t have enough of any one blue solid, which is good, since I really like the mix of blues in the background. And those little squares and strips? Just a little something extra!

I used the dark blue solid for the majority of the backing, along with a wide strip of all the prints from the front.

As far as quilting goes – I was going to stipple it, but then, due to sheer laziness I went with the predictable random straight lines (the larger sewing machine I use for free motion quilting is put away, and I had no interest in dragging it out and setting it up. I’ve had my eye on a Janome Horizon for some time now – seems like I could replace my two machines with the one which would do everything I need…. if anyone has one and has opinions, I’d love to hear them!).

Anyway, for now this quilt will get added to the baby’s pile ‘o quilts. Though that pile is getting a bit too tall so some editing might be in order!

I pulled them out a while ago with the intention of making a baby quilt. They sat (right in that same spot!) for quite some time, until the other day when I decided to go ahead and cut into them. At the last minute I decided I wasn’t loving the red prints, so I replaced the red with orange. I also grabbed several solid blues for the background.

I wasn’t sure exactly how the design would come together. In my mind, I was just thinking about different sized plus blocks on a colorblock background. As I was piecing it though, I kept feeling like it needed a little more, so I added in random strips and little snippets.

This is the bottom 2/3rds of the quilt, so I still have the top portion to finish, but I think I quite like it so far!

And of course it was fun to use a bit of these fabulous Heather Ross gnomes. I think this is the first time I’ve used them in a quilt! (yay me for no longer hoarding them!)

Now here’s a quilt that’s taken me forever to finish! I started collecting these wonderful munki munki prints early in 2009 and then started making these fun improv blocks during that summer. Originally I had grand ideas to make it into a queen sized quilt, but after realizing how many blocks that would require, I sort of lost interest and set the blocks aside.

Now, many many months later, I decided the best course of action (or at least easiest course of action!) would be to just sew what I had together and make it into a cute little baby quilt.

And indeed it is cute, and really so appropriate as a baby quilt. The colors are soft and soothing and I love that it could lend itself as either a quilt for a baby boy or a baby girl. And of course, seeing all those wonderfully detailed munki munki prints makes me smile!

I kept the backing simple and used a great aqua solid along with a strip of the munki munki goldfish in bags print. The quilting is simple as well – straight lines running vertically and horizontally at varying widths.

It measures about 36″ square, and now, fresh from the dryer, is all soft and crinkly – just perfect for a new little baby! It’ll be in the shop later today. Sold, thank you!

I made four quilt backs, and Morgan basted them for me so hopefully soon there will be some finished quilts to show!

Remember this quilt? I started this one at the end of the summer, right around the same time I found out I was pregnant. For some reason, the colors in this one made me sick every time I saw it, so it was quickly hidden away in the closet. But now I’m happy to see it again, and it was fun to make up this bright colorblock backing for it.

And even though I have a stack of quilts that need quilting, that doesn’t stop me from pulling out fabrics for new quilts. If there’s time, perhaps I’ll make a start on this boy quilt. I’ve been hanging onto this gnome fabric for far too long and it’s time to actually sew with it!

Nido carries a great selection, including many of your favorite designers – Heather Ross, Denyse Schmidt, Anna Maria Horner, Etsuko Furuya, Nani Iro (to name just a few!) as well as lots of corresponding Kona solids. (They also carry lots of yarn, but since I don’t know much about yarn, I can’t tell you much about that portion of the store!) Shipping is just $5 for all orders under $50, and free for any orders over $50.

To celebrate the launch of the new shop, Phiona is offering up a great fat quarter bundle of Heather Ross’s Far Far Away II fabrics in the Meadow colorway. Leave a comment here to be entered into the drawing. If you have a moment to check out the shop, maybe you’ll leave a comment here letting Phiona know what you think – likes, dislikes, something you think might be missing… And if you don’t have time, then feel free to just leave a comment letting us know what your favorite handmade gift is (either to give or to receive!)

I’ll select a winner on Friday morning! Oh, and for those who don’t win, if you place an order of $50 or more through Nido on Friday, you’ll receive a free fat quarter bundle (randomly selected by Nido) with your order (and remember that any orders over $50 ship for free!).

Edit: Comments are now closed. I’ll select and post a winner shortly!

So when Spoonflower announced a giveaway for a FQ stack of Heather Ross’s newest line for Spoonflower, Macaroni Love Story, I entered immediately, even though I don’t often have good luck with giveaways. I didn’t realize that Morgan was still receiving emails from them as well. So apparently he entered too. I like to believe that he was entering in order to try to win this lovely stack for me, but I guess we’ll never know.

Anyway, fast forward to a couple days later, when he jumps up from his computer exclaiming that he was a winner. I didn’t even believe him until I saw the email for myself, and then I started getting excited, thinking that some new fabrics would be joining my stash. However, Morgan seems to have other ideas.

The fabric arrived the other day and since then he continues to remind me that it’s his (I’m allowed to look, but not cut!). And just yesterday he was busy drawing out quilt designs… I don’t know what will come of this, but perhaps you’ll see a little something out of Macaroni Love Story made by Morgan!

But regardless, Heather’s designs are adorable (as always!) and I’m thrilled that I got to see them in person. Perhaps I’ll have to buy myself a stack!