Sewing for the guys

I'm lucky to have some young men in my life that actually like home made things. I've been sewing for some of them for (shall I say it) decades years. First- dop kits and winter hats, then fleece pullovers, then PJ's, flannel pillowcases, more jammies (their moms feed them and they grow!- imagine that!!). Then, they go to college and still ask for PJ's….. makes me smile every time I think of that.

 So, this Holiday, I tried a pattern from Stitch Magazine, Fall 2011. This fleece pullover seemed like the perfect "stylish" (is that OK for young men too?), top that is both warm and comfortable. I ended up making 2 (Had this coupon for 50% off at Joann's and it's good on one cut of fabric- (are you following my train of thought???). It's a nice neutral medium grey, (like the fabric featured in the magazine). I used a grey zip on one and a black on the other.

Zip front Pullover by: Jill Cappuccio (directions in the magazine, pattern available for download on the website). I am a visual sewist, so my only complaint is while the written direction are beyond excellent, I could have used a few more pictures, especially when it came to the set in collar, which I ended up winging, and (luckily) it came out fine none the less. Had I never set in a collar before, I think this would have brought about a few choice words.  The pattern does call for some seam allowance changes, sometimes it's 1/2" others 1/4" and you have to pay attention to those. I had never ironed fleece, and this pattern does call for a stretchy type fusible interfacing to be ironed onto the fleece. I found my teflon pressing sheets vital, as I was uncertain at which temperature I would have success or utter failure. The pressing sheet and the middle temp on my iron (a Rowena) worked like a charm. Other than that, there are not many pattern pieces, and the sewing is rather straight forward. Overall, I enjoyed making them and would make others should anyone want more. I opted to make a Medium and that seems to be pretty true to size, but if your guy likes his clothing baggier, I'd go a size larger. My Joann's was low on zippers so if you want the contrast of the zipper and fabric you might have to order up the zips. My schedule didn't allow for a zipper order so I had to go with what was available.

One is for my son, 17; the other for his best friend, also 17. They don't go to the same school so I don't have to worry about any embarrassing clothes/fashion moments.  But, I forget- they are guys, even if they did go the same school and ran into each other in the hall, they likely would not even register they were wearing a similar top.

In addition, I came across this great earbuds tutorial and decided this, in the right fabric, would be a wonderful gift for another young man, who is a sophomore in college. Can you guess where he goes to school????

While I was at it, and because I miraculously got my sewing done with a few days to spare, I made a few more earbud cases for the girls in my life (there are more of them than the guys……).

I changed one thing from the tutorial. The pattern calls for a split ring (featured in bottom row of top photo and bottom photo); which I changed to a lobster type of clasp/hardware (top row, top photo). I used my Go! Baby cutter to cut all the circles for this project. (Saved TONS of time).

And because I was having boatloads of fun and because I had the Go Baby! cutter fired up, and it started to snow outside- I tried my hand at this cute tree.

Instead of a bow at the top I put a Jingle bell. I really like it, and if I find myself with a few hours to spare I may make a few more, if not, they are definitely on my list for next year!!!

I hope your Holiday sewing was successful and fun! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy 2012. I hope that the New Year brings lots of sewing inspiration and perhaps some cool fabric in your Holiday stash. (Yup, my husband went to my LQS and got me a gift certificate for the holidays- I did hint, and print up the directions for him…….. never hurts to be prepared)