Hello Melly Sews readers! I’m Rachel and I blog at nest full of eggs. I have 3 children, 2 of whom are boys. I enjoy sewing, but I have to admit that I mostly sew for my daughter, so I was thrilled to be asked to contribute to the Sew in Tune series because it pushed me to do more boy sewing and I enjoy a challenge. I picked “Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles because yellow is my 2nd son’s favorite color and the submarine part inspired me to create something water themed & sailor/nautical styled.
Let’s start off with the sailor pants… The pattern I used was the Oliver + S sailboat pants pattern. I found this gray chambray (it’s a very lightweight fabric) as a large remnant at a menswear fabric clearance table at a big fabric warehouse, I decided gray would be the perfect neutral to go with the yellow ~ that it would make the yellow really pop. I really liked the idea of adding piping around the button front pant detail which I saw from Gail at Probably Actually. So yellow piping (made out of broadcloth) it was and this being the first time I’d ever made (or even sewn with) piping I followed this tutorial on how to make your own piping. 4 yellow buttons with anchors (etsty to the rescue) were the perfect touch. The buttonhole function isn’t currently working on my sewing machine, so I used this tutorial for making a button hole using the zigzag stitch.
For the lining I opted not to use the gray chambray and instead I used yellow fabric with white rain drops (helping with the water theme going on here), it is from the Hoodie’s Collection “Raindrops” for Timeless Treasures Fabrics. I took extra care to make sure the thread color matched the fabric (gray thread on gray fabric and yellow thread on yellow fabric).
Now let’s move onto the yellow striped sailor shirt…
For this I repurposed an old adult sized long sleeve white t-shirt from my closet.
I reduced it to my son’s size and by doing this I got rid of those ugly underarm stains! I simply turned the shirt inside out, on top placed a t-shirt that fits my son well, and traced it with a purple disappearing ink marker. This purple line became my sewing line. After sewing it, I trimmed off the excess fabric, and turned it right side out.
I painted on yellow stripes by using yellow Tulip soft fabric paint, this was a technique that I learned from Justine from Sew Country Chick that she shared at Project Run&Play. The stripes are spaced about 1 inch apart from each other and I used rulers to help with the spacing and also for aiding in painting straight lines.
It took about an hour to paint the stripes on one side of the shirt, then it takes 4 hours for the paint to dry. Flip it over and repeat.
Lastly I sewed on 4 yellow buttons with anchors to the shoulders (2 on each shoulder).
I hope you will come over to nest full of eggs and have a look around. I offer a free tutorial for an Octopus Hoodie which is also available in the Aug/Sept/Oct 2012 issue of Altered Couture magazine (at newsstands now).
Thanks Melissa and Stacey for having me!
Thanks for the great outfit Rachel! And don’t forget to enter the Blank Slates Basics Giveaway now through August 16th.
Without Directions
Very cute! As I was reading I thought “wear did she get that great striped fabric.” Of course my question was answered; she MADE it. Fabulous!
gail
i love these pants on boys! the gray and yellow are so good together, and the hidden yellow raindrop facings are perfect! the shirt is awfully clever, too. what a great outfit!
nest full of eggs
Thanks for the opportunity to do more boy sewing ~ what a fun series !
Suzanne Winter
the pants are FAB! Of course I think I need to get past the diaper and potty training state with my boys before I can try them out ;op The painted fabric is great, and I love grey and yellow together! [email protected]
Christy
I love doing the handpainted stripes too – really fun!! Great outfit; love the yellow detail.
Christy.
christypintucks(at)gmail(dot)com
Stacy Sews and Schools
I have been thinking about experimenting with fabric paint and this post has pushed me over to “have to do”! LOL Thank you! 🙂
Joelle
love how the yellow piping pops against the gray!
joellemarie72 at yahoo dot com
kristin
Love it, Rachel! Great song choice, too – I love how you went nautical and got the yellow but it’s still so wearable.
KJ@letsgoflyakite
I thought the same thing as one commenter – where did you find that awesome striped fabric. Your piping is so professional. Great outfit and you can never go wrong with the Beatles !
lestra
you make the painting the stripes look so easy. I love this. My sewing list is growing by the second!. Thanks for the great ideas.
lestra77 at yahoo dot com
Cherie
So cute!! I love the colors and that yellow lining fabric for the pants is adorable!
Cherie
So cute!! I love the colors and the lining fabric in the pants is adorable!
Sparkle and Co
Just before, that was Elton John, now the Beatles! Yeah!
Sparklemarais at gmail dot com
Kristie
Painting stripes on a shirt, how smart!
[email protected]
Iemke
Love those pants! [email protected]