Merry Christmas & More Hand-Made Gifts

Merry Christmas! Yesterday I celebrated Christmas with Tim and my side of the family for lunch and his side of the family for dinner. It was a lovely day of family, food, spoils, and more food!

Eight pairs of MADE kid Shorts

This year I decided to make some Christmas gifts for my youngest nieces and nephews. In total I made eight pairs of MADE Kid shorts in a few variations and one Craftiness Is Not Optional reversible wrap-around top. I'd successfully sewn up the shorts pattern three times before for my niece but hadn't previously used the CINO top tutorial. 

Js Jedediah &Army Shorts

For two of my nephews (J and R) I made 2 pairs of shorts each, all in size 7. On three of the pairs I inserted zips as there had been a special request for shorts with zipper pockets to keep precious treasures in. I used the Ikat Bag tutorial to insert zipper welt pockets. The pockets aren't perfect but they'll do fine for the life of the shorts. For J, I made one pair up in left-over fabric from Tim's Thread Theory Jedediah shorts. This pair has a side zip pocket on the front and a back pocket (no zip). I also made J a pair shorts in army-man fabric with front pockets and a zipper pocket on the bum. I made R a matching pair of army-man shorts. They are a very similar size so two pairs mean there wont be any arguing over who gets to wear them. I also made R a light summery pair made from an old work shirt of the J and R's father (my BIL). I cut the back shorts piece where the shirt pocket was to act as the back pocket.

R's Army & Work Shirt Shorts

I made my youngest niece, V, two pairs of flat front MADE shorts, size 18 months. I lengthened both pairs about an 1" as her previous pair showed a little two much leg and looked more like bloomers than shorts. The lemon (or are they limes?) pair has front pockets. The second pair was made from a thin soft polka dot fabric (don't remember the exact type). I underlined the fabric with another one of my BIL's old shirts which my sister said was actually his wedding shirt!  

V's Polka-dot & Lemon Shorts

I also made V a matching reversible wrap around top using the CINO tutorial and free pattern which is posted on Birch Organic Fabrics. The top turned out really great. The written tutorial was quite brief but the photos filled in the gaps. The pattern in available in a few different sizes so I imagine I'll sew it up again in the future. 

Matching Shorts & Wrap-Around Top

I made two of my older nieces (A and A) a pair of shorts each using the flat front variation to go with a small gift I'd purchased at a recent crafts market. I used opposing fabrics for tags and to line the inside of their pockets so their shorts match just a little bit.

I can't recommend the MADE Kid Shorts pattern and tutorials enough! The size range is huge (1-10 years, boys and girls) with flat front and racer variations. It's also a really quick sew. I'm sure its a pattern I'll use time and time again. It would be great to make up as board-shorts or even summer PJ boxers/shorts.
The nieces and nephews seemed quite pleased with their gifts which is especially nice when you give young kids clothes!

I'm now ready for more selfish sewing! Speaking of which many thanks to my Mum for buying one of the items on my wishlist, the Colette Sewing Handbook. And thanks to all my family for gifting Tim and I some really special gifts and spending such as lovely day and evening with us.

Mini Measuring Tape

I got this cute mini measuring tape in a Christmas bonbon. Well, actually, Tim won it, but he generously swapped it for the shoe horn I won... Merry Christmas!