Name This Series!

First of all, thank you for the great response to my first pattern.  It's one thing to sew something up for one of my kids, but it's a whole 'nother bucket of ice cream for you guys to want to sew something I've created.  So, thank you.

I promised my big announcement, and then sat here in silence.  Well, not silence, because it's never silent around here except when everyone is asleep.  I guess I've been hesitant to announce it because once you tell someone, they'll hold you to it, ha.  There really is power in support groups.

I've decided to give up a year of buying new clothes for myself and my children!  You read that right.  I even just spent a weekend in New York and didn't give in to buying a single thing for them or myself.  What got me through is Grayline Linen.  Hands down my favorite fabric place in New York, because linen.

So, what does this entail?  I will be altering existing clothes and making new clothes, and I haven't decided if I'll permit clothes from Second hand shops.  Thoughts?  I have received some clothes given by a friend that my girls have picked a few things out. I've decided donated clothes are okay.  I'm also thinking of excluding underwear...and socks, of course.  

So far, almost two months in, I've made a few things.  Drummer needed some pants (that kid is getting taller by the second!) and this Valentine outfit for Clover.  I asked her if she'd like something out of this striped knit and she got busy drawing me what she wanted.  Very particular, down to the directionality of the stripes: she wanted stripes going up and down for the dress and sideways for the leggings. Never short of opinions around here.

I decided to do "knee patches" up the side and one tucked in the pocket just for fun.  I used a Megan Nielsen pattern, which I've never used before and they came out perrrrrrrrfectly!  (pst...they're on sale, too!) So many times leggings will be baggy on my girls, but these were just right.  There were very clear instructions and they were so simple.  I serged the whole pair up in minutes on my lovely Babylock serger, which I've yet to properly introduce, so stay tuned for that one.  She's such a beauty!

The top pattern came from the summer issue of Ottobre 2014.  Instead of doing ribbing around the neck, I found some lacy-like elastic and used my double needle to attach it. Instructions without pictures makes my mind work harder than it normally does, but I'm pleased with how they came out.  And so is Clover, which is more important. 

For the patches, since it's a bit tricky to work with knit on knit, I used an iron-on adhesive that provides stability to everything doesn't try to pucker up like a mouth full of lemon juice. ;)

Want to join my no-buy year?

• Commit to covering your eyes when you walk past the clothing section at Target.  You can't buy what you can't see...unless you have some sort of super power.
• Take an inventory of the clothes you and your children (and your husband, if he's willing to join) and alter or repair what is worth saving.
• Since you will be making everything for the year, you will more likely only make what is truly needed, instead of buying something because it was on sale.
• Get your kids involved to make it more fun.  Use their designs.  Add messages or interactive elements to some of the items.
• Get out of your comfort zone.  If you normally only sew with woven fabric, try knit!  Learn something you've always been hesitant to try, a new method like a welted pocket or an invisible zipper.  Maybe grommets or snaps! 
• Begin to whittle down that fabric stash...so you can buy more!  I've realized that my tastes change over time, and that once coveted piece of fabric isn't my style anymore.  I was afraid ever to cut into it, but then I didn't really care for it anymore. So, use it up: cut, cut, cut! sew, sew, sew! 
• Tag me on instagram (@nobigdillkaty) on things you've made this year for a chance to be featured...maybe with some prize benefits. ;)

What else?  This series needs a name and a hashtag, of course ;).  I thought it would be fun to open it up to you for your ideas.

• Either email me at nobigdillblog | at | gmail | dot | com (some people have mentioned they aren't able to leave comments, and I'll work on that) or leave a comment of your ideas for a title and/or hashtag.  
• If you've got some design skills, budding or developed, email me a logo along with it.
• I'll choose a name as soon as something appeals to me, or perhaps I'll narrow it down to a few and put it for a vote.

Are we crazy excited like Clover?! Or am I just crazy?  Just as we have become so removed from our food, I think so many people don't realize how involved it is to sew something to wear.  You'll have photos of your kids wearing something you made!  I don't think I've ever heard someone say, "Look at this photo of me, wearing a t-shirt from Target my mom bought me." Haha!

I am really looking forward to this.  A challenge I'm hoping to follow through for the whole year.  Reassure me that I'm not crazy.  Pearl has already asked for a pair of jeans.  Yikes.  We have the darndest time finding jeans that fit her properly, usually the length.  

Also, I never realized how long Clover's tongue was until now.