Summer sewing projects

Here are some of the things that I've sewn this summer.

"Daddy shorts," as TongJie calls them, upcycled from an old pair of Jeff's shorts, using my trusty shorts pattern mentioned in an earlier blog post.  And a raglan shirt (pattern from "Sewing for Boys" that I checked out of the library) that says "it's green ahead" inspired by the book "Go Dog Go"

Jammies, using the raglan pattern from "Sewing for Boys" mentioned above, as well as the leggings pattern from the book "Growing Up Sew Liberated" that I also checked out from the library:

Two raglan shirts (using the same pattern mentioned above) upcycled from yard sale tee shirt finds, a pair of pinkish-orange shorts (using the same trusty shorts pattern mentioned above) upcycled from an ugly pair of yard sale men's shorts, and the "Basic Pocket Pants" from the above-mentioned book "Growing Up Sew Liberated"

A couple of ties from this free tutorial online, using some scraps of fabric that I had:

The "BBC Vest," a pattern that I actually bought online (but it was definitely worth it, and I'm sure I'll get lots of good use out of it, since it goes up to size 8).  The sweatshirt fabric is from an old homemade vest of mine that I tried to make when I was still not very good at reading patterns and it turned out really bad so I never wore it, and the green lining is leftover from my fabric stash.

And, finally, the "Small Fry Skinny Jean" pattern that is available online for free here in size 2T only.  I like anything free, so I wanted to try this pattern, but I was pretty sure that 2T would be huge on TongJie, since the other pants/shorts patterns that I sew for him are more equivalent to 12 month, even though he turns three next week.  So I used some rather ugly fabric that I really didn't care about as a test - it's from a once-black sweatshirt from a thrift store that I bleached and then tried to dye a dark bluish green color, but it didn't take the dye.  Anyway, I followed the pattern pretty closely except used 1/2" seam allowances instead of 3/8" like the pattern said.  The pattern is supposed to be for something like quilting cotton or stretch denim, so using the knit fabric that I did was already a "stretch" (no pun intended, ha ha!), but the pants actually turned out really good, except way too big.  The knit sweatshirt fabric looks really comfortable, and TongJie enjoys wearing them if I roll the waist over so they stay up better.  This was my first time making a half fly, though it was totally unnecessary in this case.  I wanted to practice the technique though, and I'm glad I know how to do it now because it makes it a lot easier than having to deal with a zipper fly, especially for little kids, but very functional to get over their hips if it's made with a woven material or for slim-fitting pants.  Another thing I like about these pants is that they include a back yoke, which I've never done before, and I think it makes them look much more professional.  These pants will fit him for a very long time.  They are also way too long and as you can see in the photos below, they're rolled up at the bottom.  I think the rolled-up look goes well with this style of pants.

As you can see, the pants are pretty big on him

You can especially tell how big they are in the back

He likes the pockets

Here's a picture of the back with the waistband rolled over

So, there are some of the fun things that I've made this summer.  Almost no cost involved (except for the vest pattern that I purchased, and 50 cents here and there at yard sales for fabric to use) but a lot of enjoyment sewing, and many new techniques learned!    

The rest of the summer

It's hard to believe the summer is just about over.  After Jeff officially finished all the work for his master's degree in late July (now he's completely done - yay!), our little family got to spend some quality time together.  Here are some of the things we did.


Working in the garden:

Camping out in the back yard:

Making trains and "long trucks" in the house:

Camping at Alta Lake with our friends Damon and Lauren:

Going for lots of walks and bike rides:

Reading:

Going camping at Fox Creek Campground with my parents:

And now we're getting ready for school to start up again.  Jeff and I have teachers' meetings all next week, then it is Labor Day weekend (and TongJie's 3rd birthday!), and school starts right after that.  It's always a little sad when the summer comes to an end, but it's neat to look back at all the fun things we got to do.

Summer fun

It's been a long time since I've updated the blog - almost a month!  We've been having lots of fun and enjoying the summer.  Jeff was down in Ashland, Oregon for about three weeks finishing up classes for his master's degree from American Band College, affiliated with Sam Houston State University.  This is his third summer of the program, but he didn't go last year because we had just adopted TongJie and we thought it would have been hard for TongJie's attachment and bonding to have Daddy suddenly gone for three weeks.  Jeff had an official graduation ceremony in Ashland, and we got to see it because TongJie and I, along with my parents and my sister and her kiddos, took a road trip down to Ashland for a couple of days.  We even got to see Ashland's annual 4th of July parade!  So it's a pretty big accomplishment that Jeff has almost finished.  I say almost because, even though there was a graduation ceremony, he still had more coursework to finish after getting home.  He's been working hard on his projects and getting close to being completely finished - we're proud of him!

Jeff receiving his graduation plaque

Ashland 4th of July parade - Jeff is conducting the band on the truck

TongJie blowing bubbles at the parade in Ashland

Evening concert put on by the American Band College wind band - Jeff is playing alto clarinet and is in the 3rd row back, about 7th from the left

Cousins on the 4th of July

Cousins showing their big muscles

During the couple of weeks that Jeff was gone, TongJie and I got to skype with him and talk to him on the phone every day.  TongJie had a hard time at bedtime and he would say "see Daddy?" and "miss Daddy" when I was tucking him in at night.  We tried to keep busy with doing lots of fun stuff though.  We rode on the little train at Riverfront Park, and TongJie loved it.  He was in awe and pretty expressionless the whole time, but after we got off he kept saying "fun train."

On the train at Riverfront Park

TongJie is showing which car we rode on

TongJie and I also went to the Mid-Columbia Challenge 5k, which is for PUD employees and their families.  Since my Dad works for the Douglas County PUD, we got to participate.  TongJie has been great about riding in the stroller when I go running, especially since he gets a little snack every time, and this particular 5k was no exception.  The morning of the 5k before we left, he saw me putting my running shoes on and he said "Mama, running.  You, snack."  He still calls himself "You," so he was pointing out to me that I was going running and that he would get a snack!  As it turned out, TongJie won 1st place in the stroller division and got a cool little trophy.

At the Mid-Columbia Challenge 5k

Crossing the finish line

Since Jeff's return home, he's been quite busy with finishing up his projects - it's a lot of work, and he's definitely been working hard!  I've been trying to keep TongJie busy and out of Jeff's way while he's trying to work.  We went to Smallwood's the other day:

We've been going for lots of walks and spending lots of time in our backyard playing in the sprinklers and with TongJie's water table.  Our poor dog, Albert, had to go to the vet because his paw got infected.  We thought a cheat grass seed had embedded itself in one of his paw pads, since this happened more than once to Albert last summer.  As it turned out, Albert apparently had stepped in chewing gum that worked its way between his pads and caused an irritation and infection.  So the vet cut it away the best he could, and Albert had to be on antibiotics for the infection.  I've never heard of any other dog having as many problems with getting things stuck in their feet as poor Albert.  We decided to order some doggie boots for Albert to protect his feet while going for walks.  They're also nice for keeping his feet from burning on the hot asphalt, and I'm sure they will be nice in the winter to protect against snow and ice.  Albert doesn't hate his boots as much as I thought he would, and he seemed to get used to them pretty fast.  He still walks a little differently while wearing them, but he's just as eager as ever to go for walks.

Albert sporting his new boots

TongJie going for a walk with his ever-present "Pastor Pat truck" in his hand

That's all for now . . . TongJie just woke up from his nap and it's time to go enjoy the hot summer weather.