Hey all,

I am participating in the Handmade Boy's 3rd Season of  Boys Can Wear Pink. I am so happy to be sharing this project with you, and to have a place to express my feelings about a subject I feel deeply passionate about.
I don't know if it comes from being a mom of a boy, a girl, and another boy; or just part of my mom DNA that makes me happy to see my kids not be limited by traditional gender bias. I love seeing my daughter be proud of her strength and speed. I love seeing my oldest son show kindness and compassion. We have talked about how they can be whatever they want to be, and they are constantly and courageously pushing limits.
Shortly before little man was born we moved into a new neighborhood. One day that summer shortly after we moved, Ryder was cruising as fast as he could in his Cuddle Monster Motto Max (that I had made for Season 1 of Boys Can Wear Pink). When the self determined queen bee of the block, that is a few years older than him, asked him why he was wearing pink because that is a girl color. He came inside in full tears, we talked about favorite colors and how silly it would be for a gender to "own" a color and clearly his outfit wasn't a girl's outfit because I made it for him (one thing I know about Ryder is he has real courage and pride in my sewing ability, and if any kid makes fun of something I have made those are real fighting words).
I was doing dishes in the kitchen when he marched back out there and told Ms. Queen Bee politely and confidently that boys can wear what ever colors they want to; that this was his cuddle monster biking outfit. I was so proud. I continued to be proud of Ryder as he defied societal norms and proudly wore it until it was way too small. I am constantly amazed and so grateful for the example he is setting for Miss B and Little Man.
I knew with this project that I wanted to make something that would be flexible enough for Little Man to chase and play with his big brothers. I also struggled with a direction for a long time. The vest I had pre-cut  a few weeks ago but was unsure of what to pair it with. For the vest I used the Aztec Vest from See Kate Sew, I decided to leave out the zipper because I was worried about putting in a zipper with the softer Jersey compared to the sturdy sweatshirt fleece. I am digging the open feel of the vest because he is all about independence in dressing for the outdoors.
Then finally after looking at my knit scraps I decided on the Brindle and Twig Harem Coverall. I have to admit I own a few of their other one piece outfits but have never sewn them because of my fear of snaps. I loved this pattern from the first time I saw it, and being on kid number 3 rompers are my favorite (one thing to wash, no coordinating to worry about).
I thought about incorporating bright pink into the cuffs but then I remembered that Little Man, though not as bad as his sister, is a messy eater. So I went about assembling the romper not sure what exactly I was going to put on the front to help incorporate pink, I was about 95% percent done when I saw this small scrap of pink cuddle soft that Little Man always seems to find in my fabric stash. I knew it would make the perfect addition as an appliqué. When I thought over my struggles with regular appliqué two years ago, it seemed like a great time to try reverse appliqué. Though it definitely isn't perfect, I feel pretty good about it. This was my first time appliquéing on, and the thickness of the cuddle soft was a little difficult. I free handed the heart and liked the way the tilted heart looked (hearts are often reserved almost exclusively for girl's clothing, so I thought this was another stick it to the man).
We went out to our neighborhood park for pictures and for the kids to enjoy nice weather and clear air (something we have been really struggling in Utah the last few weeks). When a little 10 year old boy said,"Ryder, why is your brother wearing girl clothes?"
I went some what into Momma bear mode and used much the same logic that I had used before with the little girl.
Ryder cut me off quietly and said, "It is super cute and it is his Valentine's Day outfit," very matter of factly.
When we got home he was talking to another friend about it. How it is so dumb that some people think there is boy and girl colors, there are just colors.

He ran by me saying, "Mommy, Hi!"

It is such an amazing experience to see my kids grow up and see my boys practicing to be good dad's as they try to pack their baby dolls around. Having my oldest feel safe enough to ask for a Ken doll so he can play "husband" or nice guy friend to his sister's doll. I am so glad to have good kids that set example for their little brother...
...Well for the most part, but sometimes they do leave him in a lurch.

Note:Both Ryder and I were right there to catch him when I captured this picture, he really wanted to try the monkey bars so I figured the best way to help him move past this desire would be to give him an opportunity to try hang.

With Love,
Scary
PS. Before you go, check out these cool prizes and other awesome ideas. 

Hi,
It has been I while, since we are hardly ever here anymore I feel a little awkward talking to you about this fun pattern without telling you what is going on in my life. The last couple of months have been a little challenging but what is life without a few challenges. We had some changes that have been a bit of a challenge to our family's financial stability. I have been a stay at home mom for about 6 years and it looks like it is time for me to return at least part time if not full time to the working world. Some days I was sure the stress and the insecurity was going to swallow me hole.

One of those stresses has been looking at my wardrobe and knowing that my wardrobe is mostly "mommy clothes" of yoga pants and graphic tee shirts. I knew the Runway Skirt would be a great option for re-entering the work force. We seamstresses love when our vision is realized and everything turns out perfect but sometimes a project gives us experience and helps us be prepared for the next time we sew the pattern. I have to admit that this particular skirt fit more into the second category, it didn't turn out quite as I had imaged but I am here sharing my experience with you so that when you sew up the Runway Skirt it will be just as amazing as you imaged.

I had hoped that this skirt would have turned out a bit more business formal but my fabric choice of jersey and skirt length of midi reads a little more business casual, which will be great for some of the positions I am looking into where I would be working with children. I wasn't paying attention when I originally started cutting out my material but the godets need to be out of a light weight fabric with good drape, so keep that in mind when you are picking out your fabric.

I have been trying to deal with this stress in a more productive way that I usually do by cleaning up my eating instead of binge eating my stress numb. This has made my sizing a little different and I think that in the future I would go down a size and I would use for the main fabric one with much more recovery and spandex. It was one of those cases that using the fabric I had on hand really wasn't my best option.

I had a really hard time putting together this skirt because I kept getting back pattern pieces confused. I would line it up only to have little man (18 months old) run across them and make them into a big heap where I would have to reconfigure them once again. I am embarrassed to admit this but for you I am willing to be honest it took me probably 10 times before I realized the easiest way to keep the pattern pieces straight was to pin a number on the top of each pattern piece. Once I did that it sewed together so much faster and easier.

I must have stretched one of the outside pieces when I was putting it together wrong because the back right piece just seemed a bit longer than the rest and I know I cut it with the mirroring side. I tried to ease it in but when I put my leg up and bend just so it does show that slight pucker.

Aren't you so glad that I have troubleshooted this skirt pattern for you so that soon you can be walking the room like your own personal catwalk? The skirt is currently 20% off  through December 9th. No code needed.

If you need real inspiration here are just a few of the awesome skirts that have been made with this pattern:
Call Ajaire with a Knee Length Scuba skirt (So cute!Love the polka-dots she used for the godets)
Sew Mariefleur's with a Maxi Lace Skirt (Jawdroppingly beautiful, I want to walk down a beach looking like that)
Rebel and Malice with the Wiggle Midi Skirt (Microphone drop! This is hot!)

And don't forget to check out the other ladies on the tour:
12-5 Friends Stitched Together & Very Blissful Blog
12-6 Call Ajaire & Sew Mariefleur
12-7 Rebel And Malice & Inspinration & Shaffer Sisters
12-8 Paisley Roots & Feather Flights & Skirt Fixation
12-9 Enantiomerproject & My Sweet Sunshine & Sew Haute Blog

I started out the year wanting to sew equally for both kids but I have kinda failed miserably. I am trying to repent of my ways, it is honestly that we get asked to do more girl stuff than boy stuff. I wish this wasn't the case (though I love the girly stuff) Ryder totally notices and gets a bit bummed when Boston gets yet another pretty dress. He is in need of more clothes immediately so behind the scenes I am working on evening the score.
For the 4th of July I took the opportunity to give him a momma made he was so yearning for. I used E+M Children Pant Pattern No. 2. I tested this pattern early this spring because of mistakes I made when stitching them up they because I goofed on a few things (a good example of two many irons in the fire) even with my mistakes the tester pair of pants have been worn everywhere and I knew I needed to make another pair.
I love the seam finishes on this pattern, you don't need a serger. Honestly with the directions included in the pattern the seams will be stronger than simple serge and they look stinking awesome. Look at that durability of the flat felt inseam!
The pattern have both a short and pants length which is great when you fall in love with a pattern like this one to have it accessible all year long. Allison has even included a boy and girl line on the shorts so you don't have to worry about your husband teasing him about short shorts (not that we have ever had anything like that happen right after I spent all day working on some awesome euro inspired swim trunks).
You also don't have to have any special fabrics for these I did some Joann's exclusive quilters cotton and the last pair I made I used seersucker for the pants and cheap broadcloth for the pockets and six months later they are still going strong.
Another great feature of this pattern is the different pocket options, for the boys plain front and pleated back & for the girls ruffled front and gathered back. I love a good unisex pattern that has details that totally sell it as the right gender because I am the type of mom that I don't really want someone questioning whether or not it was meant to be a boy or a girl sew.
I opted to do color blocking on the pleated pockets I initially planned to do them all out of red and had picked up less of the star (accent) fabric than what the pattern called for because of my plan but then when I fell in love with the star fabric I knew I wanted to put it on the back too.
When I finally finished them (not a quick sew for suck a slow sewist like myself but totally worth it) and Ryder put them on he was so happy. He loved all the pockets in them and instantly started finding treasures to fill them.
I had told Ryder that he could choose the fabric with in reason. I was a bit nervous when he chose the red but soon I fell in love with the texture that was printed on it. I wish it showed more in the pictures but there are tiny itty bitty circles with every 4th one is a bit distressed and darker printed on the fabric (it is the grainy texture in the pictures). This print has been very forgiving for all the playground playing and the water fights these shorts have been involved in. In the future I will not be shying away from bright colors for pants for him because they are so easy to find even though he is constantly dashing from one end of the playground to the other.
Another favorite part of these shorts is the back waistband on them. With the way that the instructions are written you end up with two great casings for running 1/2" elastic through. I really like having two strands of elastic because if one fails than you won't have an instant wardrobe malfunction. I also think it makes it more comfortable than just the single strand.
I love the flat waistband on the front of the pants. Pretty cool detail for such a cool kid. I love as a mom that he can get the pants on and off by himself, they look nice and there are no fixtures to worry about. I think he loves that too, he always seems to be annoyed when he has to button something up.
The pattern is labelled confident beginner or intermediate sewist. Don't be scared if your not sure if you are at that level because the instructions and pictures are clear and the techniques are sound. Anyone could sew this pattern just make sure you take enough time (3 to 4 hours) and you will have a pair of pants/shorts that you will love.
Just so you know I have no reason to right this post except that I love this pattern. I think it is a great pattern to own. I know how over night a kid can grow out of their pants and it usually doesn't coinside with a pay day but with the recommended fabrics (light to midweight quilters cotton) you are sure to have a fabric in your stash that will tie you over.

What is your favorite unisex pattern? And why?

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You might have seen part of this project over at Frances & Suzanne Flip this Pattern Series. Today you are going to have all the details. When we did the Beachy Boatneck Giveaway{Closed} I was glad that I wasn't the only one that had big poolside plans this summer. If you are trying to figure out swimsuits for this year this post might be up your alley.

Alligator Aqua Shirt with Euro Inspired Swim Trunks

Patterns Used: Beachy Boatneck from Blank Slate Patterns , PAB Alex & Anna Summer PJ's  & PAB Classic Panties

My zig zagging wasn't perfect but we are going to pretend it was done on purpose like an alligators teeth.And I am going to admit that this fabric was very thin and difficult to get even.

Ryder LOVES anything momma made, and he is always pushing the limits of my creativity.  He has a clear vision of what he wants and I try my best to catch up all the details that he gives me. When I get it right he gives me a big hugs, lots of hugs and I feel like Super Sewing Momma.
Last spring I found some yellow scaley swimsuit fabric in the 50% off red tag area. I knew it would be perfect for a swimshirt for Ryder. The black is a thicker performance knit, that I bought for this purpose and making exercise leggings for me.
The applique alligator on the bodice help pull the whole thing together (and it was requested by him). I cut a square of fabric out of the black fabric and then ironed Sewable Heat-n-Bond to the back. To make the applique I found an alligator silhouette then put it in the middle of a circle and printed it off. I then traced this on the paper portion of the Heat-n-bond by following the lines of the template with a pink sharpie over the top of the paper. I then tried my best to cut it out. Then I used a press cloth (so not to put a hole in the fabric) to apply it to the shirt and then finished it with a narrow zig zag (but longer than normal applique stitch because I didn't want it to stretch out the shirt).
Running with Scissors Euro Trunks were my inspiration for the swim trunks, I had originally thought about doing board shorts but couldn't find the right material and now I am glad because Ryder and I totally love these.  For the bottom I used the PAB Alex & Anna Summer PJ's. I color block appliqued across the shorts diagonally much like the Euro Swim Trunks. Instead of doing binding at the legs I just hemmed them at the leg bottoms and the top of the shorts I attached to the bottom of some gray elastic (kinda like you would do with a circle skirt). 
Then for the swimsuit lining I used the PAB Classic Panties, increasing the rise by 2 inches. This helped keep things in tight and modest (a blushing a bit, so I am moving on). I attached them to the top of the elastic right before the top edge.
For the moment I am pretty sure it is his favorite thing I have EVER made him. Today he asked me if we could go swimming again, I told him no. He asked if he could put on his swimsuit I said sure. I love sewing for him. It is smiles like this that make it so worth it.
By far this was his most favorite photoshoot. I think we would both agree it was the perfect way to end to a sewing marathon.

Paisley/Foil Poolside Pullover with Swim Bottom

Pattern Used: Beachy Boatneck from Blank Slate Patterns & PAB Classic Panties

Boston has unique sizing (tall and very slender) so sewing for her is almost a must. Feminine sewing is where I feel most comfortable, so I am always glad to be sewing for her. She has a bit of diva-ttitude and won't let me try stuff on her before it is done, so with the help of my measuring tape I have to get it right. The foil fabric I got from Walmart, I bought it to make a Elza dress, but then I looked at it and decided swimsuit. The paisley print was some that Momma Shaffer gave to me & the same with the fold over elastic (I love fabric handme downs).
I wanted to make Boston's two sided so we would have two swimsuits in one. Which I am glad that I had that in my mind when I started because both of these swimsuit fabrics ran like CRAZY! I was working against the clock, to get every fabric edged stitched before they would run and ruin it all (just say I learned the hard way).

Sorry I didn't get a picture of her in this side, but I don't think she would have been happy with me disturbing anymore of her swimming. I do think this side will get great mileage this summer as well.

The Beachy Boatneck pattern uses a facing to finish the neckline, which would have been alright if Boston didn't love to put her arm through neckholes. I knew after a few times the neckline would be stretched and all my swimwear work would be ruined. I used flat fold elastic at the neckline to keep it tight throughout the season. I used it at the sleeves as well to coordinate with the neckline. It was a crazy easy to way to finish the sleeve.
I knew I wanted to put a ruffle on the bottom because I am a sucker for toddler swimsuits with ruffles (or really anything with ruffles). I shortened the bodice to make room for the ruffle.The ruffle was made doubling over the foil ruffle and gathering. I then stitched it to the foil side. Then sewed the two bottoms together from the inside leaving a small whole for me to turn it. Then I hand stitched it close.

PAB Classic Panties were the base for the bottom. I used the size 2/3T because with a cloth swim diaper her hip measurement fit in that range. Instead of binding I used the same flat fold elastic I used at the sleeves. 
I increased the rise by 2 1/2" on each side so that it would go higher. I used regular elastic for the waistband. I stitched it to it and the folded it over one time & stitched over it with zig zag stitch.
She thought the swimming was awesome (she has always loved the water), but she didn't think too much of getting her pictures taken while trying to play. Through out the 2 hour swim she would put her hand on her shirt and say, "Pretty!"
I love seeing my little water babies in their momma made creations.

The Dirty Details of Rashguards

I made them smaller than the sizing chart said because I wanted them to not be weighed down by extra fabric. To determine the right size for a very slim fit, I measured their chest and then divided it by 4, then added 1/2" (seam allowance).

Equation looks like this:
(Chest measurement/4) + 1/2" = width needed across the pattern piece.
I measured the width across one front pattern piece and found the size that was just larger than that number.  To make sure it would have enough room in the arm hole I measured around their armscye and did a similar equation to the width except taking in account that there would be two seam allowances to factor in. I was safely within the limits so I didn't have to drop the armscye, on either one. To make sure it would be long enough I measured from the base of their neck down to their underwear line.

I also only used the front pattern pieces for both the front and the back. Ryder has a huge head and Boston freaks out about anything that is snug going over her head. I remember as a kid my least favorite part of swimming was trying to get the blasted swimsuit off. The wider neck hole really made it a breeze to come off but because the pattern piece has a very modest neckline they both had great coverage the whole swim through.

I also shorted the sleeve length for comfort and movement. I determined the length by measuring from the cap of the shoulder down to their elbow, then added 1/2" seam allowance for shoulder seam (and on Ryders 1/2" seam allowance for hem).
Equation looks like this:
Shoulder to elbow measurement + 1/2" (shoulder/sleeve inseam) + 1/2" for hem= length from top of sleeve arch to elbow.

I used polyester thread & simple zig zag stitch with a normal sewing machine to make these. I am really grateful to Delia, Abby,Katy, Heather & Rae for their advice on thread, seam finishes & fabric choices.

The Beachy Boatneck really does make the perfect rash guard pattern don't you think? I am excited to get lots of mileage out of these this summer in the apartment swimming pool. They have already worn them a few times on our family vacations this spring.

PS. We have been talking about a free spring pattern what would you like to see? Please leave your suggestions below or e-mail us at shaffer.sisters@gmail.com

Hello friends! When I was a little girl I dreamed of being a country singer but my love of music isn't enough to overcome my fear of performing in public. I tried and failed on multiple occasions, like the time I sang the national anthem before a high school game with Al and we were so quiet that the ASL signer couldn't follow because she couldn't hear us.
Next, I dreamed of being a politician. Love the process but I can't stand contention. Fighting makes me want to crawl up in a hole and hide. The American political system always clicked easily to my brain but it was learning about the international cultures and government systems that really made my heart race. Marriage & having children have put my world travels on hold for a little while, though Slim Jim has the same dreams so maybe when we are retirees we will travel the globe.
After I college graduation jobs were scarce everywhere and most especially the little college town of Rexburg, Idaho. After a month of applications and interviews I final got offered a job from a small web hosting company as technical support. I learn quickly how little I knew about the internet but I realized that I loved learning it all. I worked my way up company into various positions, but due to downsizing and the recession I never lost a title just gained one more. By the time I left I was doing tech support, website building and search engine optimization. 
I left my job to be a Momma to Ryder (who was almost 1) and a stay at home wife for the first time in my married life. It was so nice to be staying home instead of working. I was happy to be able to go out and play with Ryder. I really worked diligently on my cooking skills; collecting kitchen supplies, recipes and cooking knowledge.

When I was pregnant with Boston, I was very sick the smell of food or even seeing food would make me loose it. Instead of being a gourmet home chef went into full nesting mode, I was moving furniture trying to make room for a crib. I moved the large desk that had been in Ryder's room to the living room so I could sell it. When I did I had to move the sewing machine that my Momma had given me almost 2 years earlier. With in the course of that day, I changed my mind I decided that it would be a sewing table.

Then we found out our second child was a little girl, I remembered my love for organza, ruffles and creation (flashbacks came of years of designing barbie clothes & my senior prom dress). I bought my first ever PDF pattern and worked on her home from the hospital outfit. And then I began work on my daughter's blessing dress for a year re-designing and creating. Every time I picked it up I fell deeper in love with what I was doing.
I feel so blessed to have my sisters (Al & Jo) beside me and that together we are able to travel the world through our blog.
All the while, I am hidden safely within the walls of my own home. Squeezing in sewing between: cooking delicious food, raising and mediating the occasional argument by my two children, and discussing music with my sole mate. The Lord has given me voice through writing and a stage through blogging.
With Love,
Scary