My pre-ordered copy of Sewing for Boys, written by Karen LePage and Shelly Figueroa, arrived just over a week ago, and the first thing I sewed from it? A romper for Gladys. I had been saving this college t-shirt for an extra special project and when I saw the “R is for Romper” pattern, I knew I finally found it.
Like their other “Patterns by Figgy” patterns, Karen and Shelly designed these projects with kid-friendly seam finishes. This romper is sewn seams out for baby’s comfort.
I think it adds to the rougher boyish look of it and which goes nicely with the geeky but still girly print. Don’t you think?
The only problem I ran into was trying to stretch the back neck binding onto the shirt. My t-shirt was too old to have the recommended 30% stretch. I ended up using the ribbing from the original tee instead and it worked out just fine.
Other things that are just awesome about the Sewing for Boys book:
- They don’t waste a lot of pages teaching about how to thread a sewing machine and the like. Not every sewing book needs to include a chapters worth of sewing lessons. Isn’t that what the internet is for?
I think they hit the sweet spot of “just enough”. - They have plenty of patterns for knits. My kids prefer their knit pants and shirts over any others. So why should I spend time sewing clothes for them that they won’t want to wear? Sewing with knits is not as scary as most people make it sound and you don’t need a fancy serger to sew them. Karen and Shelly’s directions and construction techniques included in this book will help you dive right in.
- The projects cover a wide range of skill levels – from the quickie short-sleeved raglan tee to the detailed “Henry” to a car play mat. And they are all such classics, I can see myself coming back to them again and again.
Excellent job, Karen and Shelly!!
(And just because I know Karen loves Gladys…)
Cutest Gladys picture! And nice review. I’ll appreciate the “lack of” sewing 101 stuff when I get my hands on the book. And, of course, adorable and very geeky romper. Love it! Geek’d!
It’s funny how much I appreciate things like that in a sewing book.
I LOVE it (and her)…what a great use of the romper pattern. You did a fabulous job!
I love that I finally found a good use for that t-shirt. It certainly doesn’t fit me anymore.
Thanks for the review! Patterns by Figgy linked to it from their Facebook page. I agree with the previous commenter, I’ll appreciate the lack of sewing lessons once I get a copy of the book.
Look at those cheeks!!! She is gorgeous! And I really like the geeky romper too.
Thanks.
So fun!!! Love your take on it! Ever since you mentioned the book, I have been desiring it
Small price to pay for an infinite wardrobe, no? Thanks for showing your handiwork… the romper and the girl!!
You could always try to win it? The Blog Book Tour has a lot of giveaways happening. http://www.patternsbyfiggys.com/2011/09/the-blog-tour-begins/ I never win giveaways though. I figure the book is $15ish dollars right now and has 24 patterns in it. That’s a better price than any of the Big 4 on sale… and they are better styled.
This is terrific! I love everything about it esp. the cheeks.
and I love everything about your book.
Thank you for putting all that love into it.
So cute! YOu did a great job Jodi!
GEECS lives on! So fun and cute…and made even cuter by the little model.
Great job.