Good morning, friends! Did you have a nice weekend? I hope so! Mine was spent sewing and sewing and sewing…you know, I always make these impossible lists of goals for myself and then I’m completely shocked when I don’t get through even half of the list. Such was the case for this KCW.
I am, however, quite happy with what I was able to get through. Warning: a mega-load of pictures to follow…First up, the adorable sleeveless top and shorts combo. I should mention that I completed the shorts on Saturday, so the post title should technically include “part of day 6”.
I know that the fantastic Elepants and Elegance bubble shorts pattern is all over the sewing blogosphere right now for good reason, but the ones I made are from this book. They’re called “Kabocha”, which means pumpkin in Japanese. I used a butter yellow cotton. I’ve had these shorts on my to-do list forever, though I’d love to try Heidi‘s version with the buttons – the cuteness slays me.
The top is from the same book and in fact, I sewed up the same combo shown in the book — something I don’t do too often, but I love how they look together. The fabric is the GORGEOUS Nani Iro “Peaceful Cooing” in grey (I made culottes with the green colorway). I want to be wrapped in this fabric when I die. I may have said this about other fabric, but I mean it this time. I cut against the grain because I wanted the effect of the fluffy, cloud-like bits falling.
Remember that K’s been really into sharks lately? Well, I made her some shark-themed clothing. I’m realizing now that I should have added eyes to the hoodie, but A for effort, I say. This is the same luscious mystery knit I used for the half-leggings here. Do you like her purple ankle socks? She was initially insistent about them but almost slipped and fell after trying the handstand, so took them off rapidly.
The teeth are made out of felt and hand-stitched in. I figured they’ll get funky pretty quickly and she’ll grow out of the shark phase in a minute so I wanted to be able to easily take them out. Friends, the piece de resistance is the zipper. It’s polka dot. I am beyond excited about this. I also got a black zipper with white polka dots. LOVE. They’re from here and I believe there’s also houndstooth.
If the hoodie and raglan tee look familiar, it’s because they’re the same patterns (and in the case of the tee, same fabric) as the outfit I made for Meg’s son. I had less tragic accidents with the hoodie this time but I used my sewing machine instead of my serger for the most part, which helped. The hoodie is from this book and the raglan tee is Oliver + S.
The tee was originally meant for Meg’s son, but the hem was so wavy and the neckline a total botch job, that I couldn’t stomach the idea of sending it. Because it was in my ‘fail’ pile anyway, I thought it would be a good canvas for a shark drawing. I did it freehand with a silver sharpie, then I outlined it with silver embroidery floss. It’s OK. Just OK. It looks a little too amateur to me. I do like the sun that K drew though. The important thing is that K loves it and couldn’t wait to try it on. (I know that photo is totally blurry, but I love it so much)
And the shorts! The same pattern as the madras ones here. Such a great pattern! The fabric is a green linen plaid from my stash – I believe my mom thrifted this one and the yellow cotton used for the kabocha shorts.
I have one last outfit that I’ll post tomorrow…oh, the bribes that needed to be wielded to get these shots! The photo shoots are always the hardest part, but I’m always so glad to be able to look back on all the photos, especially the super silly ones (there were some ridiculous and hilarious shots of K with half her clothes off, not post-able obviously…).
While I was sewing I listened to a lot of TED talks. Inspiring! Though I always feel bad for the speakers when their jokes fall flat. Much like it was for me when I was teaching art to fourth graders last week. A tough crowd, fourth graders.
Eep! That blouse is the bee’s knees — I want! You’re so talented
p.s. did you know Rebecca’s having a little giveaway? 
Thanks Janice! So cute that Rebecca is doing a giveaway – I entered!
Oh man… look at this deliciousness!!! Your kabocha shorts are super cute. I know, I’m seeing Heidi’s shorts everywhere. It’s a “MUST TRY” on my list. Your toothless wonder cracks me up with her poses. I could sure some of her energy right now.
Toothless wonder indeed! Her permanent teeth are starting to grow in, and ouch, that does not look pleasant. And yes! Totally want to try Heidi’s pattern!
Oh, so those swatches (which I mentioned last week) turned to cute top and bottom! I intend to make this pumpkin short for JC’s summer outfit. You did many great jobs, beautiful and cool outfits you sewed. Although you can’t complete your list in one week, you have done very well, I admire you, talented lady!
Oh thank you, Yeka!! I always bite off more than I can chew, but I do feel pretty proud that I made most of the swatches into something wearable!
Gorgeous, as usual! I especially love that first outfit, In part because it’s in the one and only Japanese sewing book that I own! I hoped to crack it open during KCW, but probably didn’t because I wanted to be sure to have some successes this past week!
It’s a great book to have! I’ve sewn so many things from it. Let me know if you have any questions about any of the patterns
Oh my – you’ve been uber busy, Sanae! Such amazing additions to K’s wardrobe. Funny – as I’ve been seeing all the great bubble shorts popping up on KWC Flickr, I was reminded of the pattern in the book you referenced and have been inspired to give them a try. Love that they have such detailed instructions in the book for this pattern.
And that Nano Iro fabric . . . I can see why you love it so! Kudos for brave enough to cut into it:) My goal is to actually USE the fabric I love rather than just look at it:)
Love the photo shoot pics, esp. the one of K jamming with hands down and hood up:)
I’m prone to gaze at fabric too, and it takes quite a lot of deep breaths for me to cut into the nice stuff.
I haven’t had too many colossal fails yet and it’s awesome to sew with Japanese fabrics!
Oh, Sanae!!! I have never loved a post more, because I too, love to sew and listen to TED talks! (I mean, who wouldn’t…ha….most of my friends, for one…) Okay, but seriously, these are fantastic. Your creativity and productivity are quite the inspiration. Love your Monday posts!
TED talks rock! Thanks for the sweet words Monica – I love creating the Monday posts
Love the shark! I need to make some bug one for my 7 year old. I listen to TED talks while sewing too! So funny!
Ooo, a bug shirt would be so cool. K would like that too! I just recently started listening to the TED talks so I’m glad that I still have a ton to go through!
Both outfits are so amazing! I really love the nani iro top; it is as if that fabric was designed for this top! And the shorts… I also have that book, and they have been on my to-do list for ever, but now that I’ve seen Ana Sofia’s version (in the Belgian style series, last week) and yours, I really can’t wait to finally make them.
And I have been PLANNING to listen to TED talks while sewing – does that count too? ;-p
Thanks An! It’s funny, the print did fit perfectly with the pattern pieces. I think you’re right and it was meant to be!
Definitely make the shorts — I got a little confused at first, but it actually comes together really fast!
And planning to do something ALWAYS counts in my book
Fourth graders can be a tough crowd. I get lots of eye rolling from time to time and I want to scream that they are too young for that!!! I absolutely love the bubble shorts. Too, too cute.
Man, those fourth graders had me sweating bullets. I had so many deadpan looks and awkward silences – good thing I’m used to them
I love the bubble shorts too, though K thought they looked like diapers at first…
you are always amazingly productive in my mind, sanae! beautiful stuff, especially love how visibly excited K seems while wearing her shark duds.
Oh thanks Kristin! While I was making the shark gear, K kept asking me if I was done yet — a first!
and more gorgeousness! i’m trying to think up something to say that’s more creative than I LOVE IT ALL but it’s really late, so that’s going to have to do!
That’s way more creativity than I can muster in the wee hours of the morning. Thank you, Gail!
Well, thank you so very much for the shout out, Sanae! I admire your aesthetic so much…you’re amazing!
Hi Heidi, thank YOU for the shorts inspiration — I absolutely have to try your version!
I’ve made those yellow shorts too!! Love them! I’m dying to try the top as well. I love your fabric combo!
You should definitely make the top, Courtney – I just love the way they look together!
oh, the top and shorts are so incredibly cute together! am so smitten with both outfits and i love your designs and style!