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America’s Independence Day is almost here (yes, I am in a bit of shock still. Part of me still thinks it’s March 🤣), so to get in the spirit of things, I decided to make some patriotic outfits for each of my kids.
Each of these sews is from an American designer too!
My Boy – Oliver + S Sketchbook shirt and shorts
The Oliver + S Sketchbook Shirt and Shorts are a big staple in our home! I have been making this shirt for years now (here, here, and here) and was recently gifted the paper pattern in the larger size set, so I’ll be able to make it for many years to come!
The things that happen in the background when you’re trying to get all your kids to pose. LOL.
And I clearly need to stop thinking my son is wider than he really is! He’s 6 years old, but I’m always doubtful about making a 2T waist for his pants. Obviously, I need to stop doubting that measurement LOL.
For this outfit I used a cotton shirting (I think I picked it up on the $3 p/yard table at G-Street last year), and blue twill (I bought a bunch of it for $3 p/yard when a store closed down a few years ago and am gradually working my way through it!).
In terms of construction, I followed Five and Counting’s tutorial for the shirt collar. I also used Kenneth D. King’s trick for making nice sharp corners on my collar and pockets.
For the pants, I changed up the order of construction to sew these in the flat instead (join the fronts, then join the backs, then the inseam, then the side seams). I found it was slightly easier to make the faux fly when they were done in the flat too.
Girls – Mouse House Creations Lulah Tank
Both my daughters are wearing the Mouse House Creations Lulah Flutter Tank. I love this top! But not in rayon lycra (which is what I think this cotton lycra ACTUALLY is). Unfortunately the fit is totally off (and I know it’s the fabric’s fault, because I have made this top before and KNOW it fits!). I think I’ll save it by adding either some stretch lace or a strip of binding to the back of it.
To finish off the top, Katy from Thread & Grain sent me this American flag heart SVG file that she designed. I just love it! (I used matte HTV from Heat Transfer Source – they have some pretty great sales so keep an eye on their Facebook group for them!).
Miss 8 – Mouse House Creations Clover Shorts
The latest thing in pants for girls right now is the “paper bag” look. I wanted to be able to do that with my daughter’s shorts and as I was looking to see what I already owned that was by an American designer, I discovered that the Clover Shorts, that I’ve had in my collection for years, came with a ruffled waistband option. I had no idea! Not quite a paper bag look, but good enough for me!
These shorts are pretty easy to make – I did size up, just to ensure she’d get longer wear from them, but I cut the waistband elastic to her actual size.
I used quilting cotton from my stash (also purchased from the same store as the twill – by this point, she was clearing out each bolt for $5!).
Miss 4 – Jilly Atlanta Sadie Skirt
I’ve been hearing so many good things about Jilly Atlanta lately, so I wanted to give their patterns a try. The Sadie Skirt is free if you join their Facebook Group, so I figured I’d try that one first.
This pattern comes in 2 skirt lengths: vintage and knee. I went with knee: hello room for growth! It has optional sash and sash carriers, elastic waistband with ruffle, and comes in size 2T – 14.
The directions were very very long (this might be awesome if you’re a beginner, but I don’t need that level of detail for this type of garment anymore), so I ended up writing a half page summary of the steps before I got started.
The pattern itself went together easily though, and looks so cute! I love how well it coordinates with the clover shorts too!
Yay for new outfits! (and jumping for photos!)
auschick sews 
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