Fall Fashion Fleece Frenzy

It began for two reasons. The first was because for years I have wanted to make a little fleece coat for one of my kids ( this was long before I was married). The second was that the clothes gravey train from showers and baby gifts had run out. I began with the urge to make a coat for AJ and when I saw that fleece was on sale I confess I went a little crazy and decided to make AJ's entire winter wardrobe.

Now I have to confess that it's been a few years since I've sewn anything. But I figured it would be a good way to dust off my sewing skills and it's not like AJ is going to say "Mother that button hole is not straight - I refuse to wear it, plus it isn't from Aeropostale". I still have a few years before I am likely to hear that.

I pulled out my trusty Bernina (over 16 years old and runs like it's brand new - thanks Mom and Dad for that great Christmas gift) and got to work. Along the way I discovered a few things to help anyone else who would like to make such an attempt.

1. Always buy it on sale. Whether it's fabric or the pattern - to make it cost effective to do your own sewing it needs to be on sale.

2. There are basic patterns on the internet. I found (and slightly modifed) two patterns/ instructions I found on the internet. Since the patterns are basically free this cuts costs significantly. You can find the pant instructions here and the skirt instructions here.


3. Be willing to rummage through the clearance bin. I found the piping for AJ's coat and skirt in the clearance bin at Walmart.


4. Forgive yourself and unpick it or sometimes just let it be. The outfits have flaws - even after unpicking. But for the most part they look good and will serve there purpose of keeping AJ cute and warm this winter.


5. Don't be afraid to modify the pattern. The hoodie patterns didn't have a lining in the hood - which I thought was stupid so I added a lining. The coat pattern didn't call for piping but I added it and I think it looks the better for it.


I had a lot of fun with my crazy sewing but I think I have it out of my system for a while. But I have to say that I am quite pleased with how it turned out:


For 6 yards of fleece I got:
1 long coat
4 pants
2 skirts
1 set of overalls
2 hoodies


(one pair of pants not shown because AJ was wearing them!) Including two patterns I bought (one coat pattern and one for the hoodies/overalls) with thread and buttons around $60. Which is amazing considering how much all of that would cost me at Walmart let alone Carter's. The best part is that it all coordinates so I can mix and match to my heart's content.


In addition to that I bought some Cordiroy that was on sale because I loved the pattern and made AJ one more skirt. I found a onsie at Old Navy that matched!