Christmas Stitching

After a short week of supposed tidying up in my studio and being highly distracted by all the interesting things that are in there to do, I finally got down to business this past weekend and started stitching up a few Christmas gifts.

Do any of the rest of you do your gift stitching in December?

For the 26 years I owned a quilt shop here in Northeast Ohio, from Thanksgiving through Christmas was a slow business period -- all we sold were gift certificates and a few sewing machines.

So I would spend those quiet days stitching up the family Christmas gifts.

Pleasant habits die hard!!

The minute I saw this delightful fabric with rows of vintage trailers, I knew I was going to make a shirt for my 8 year old grandson who loves to CAMP!!  If there's a gal in his future, she better enjoy sleeping outdoors and cooking over a campfire and paddling around a lake with a fishing pole.

Stuck at home by the very snowy weather on Friday (think 18" of heavy wet snow), I did a "google" search for "boy's shirt patterns" and found this gem!  The Keagan Shirt by ModKid.  It has four variations inspired by mid-century men's wear (yep, the 50's when we were kids). 

It's a PDF download that has to be printed and assembled -- I found the shop on Etsy HERE.  This is my second PDF garment pattern experience and this time I used my light table to align the pieces -- brilliant!!  The size range goes from 2T through boys 10.  Between the size range and all the style variations, the pattern is a great value!

One of the parts of making clothes that I still find intimidating are collars but this one went on beautifully.  The designer uses 1/4" seam allowances for the collar assembly and attachment -- what a sensible idea -- the narrower seam eliminated the "tucks and pinches" in the shaped areas!  

And there was no trimming of seams! 

I even realized before I cut out the collar pieces that I needed to consider the directional print so the trailers weren't upside down in the finished shirt! 

Easiest collar I've ever attached. 

Like most long time seamstresses, I have a good supply of this and that in the studio.  I keep a couple yards of lightweight fusible interfacing on hand (just in case) and lots of buttons (my second favorite sewing supply after fabric).

It took a little digging and sorting but there were two cards of the perfect buttons whose original purpose has long been forgotten. 

I love being able to shop in the studio!

Buttonholes done, hems stitched, buttons sewn on and it was ready to wrap before I knew it!  The serger was even called into action!

All his grown-up gals (aunts) think it's pretty cool so I hope he thinks so as well!

It won't be my last make of this pattern!

The fabric is On The Road from Robert Kaufman Fabrics.

The pattern is the Keagan Shirt from ModKid - it's Patty Young's pattern company - her name was new to me, but she also designs cute modern fabrics -- her current collection with Riley Blake is Acorn Valley.  You can check out more of her patterns HERE and read her blog HERE.

Back to the studio to knock out another FINISH!!

Hope your week is going smoothly!

Mary