Building a Capsule Wardrobe: Kids Part 2 {Girls Printable Wardrobe Planner}

*This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission when you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. All views expressed are my own.*

Let's face it. I am not that great when it comes to figuring out the little girl's clothes. Planning her wardrobe? I seem at a complete loss. But I have a printable version like my little boy's printable planner, but for girls. 

Missed some of my other capsule wardrobe posts? You can read up on them here!

Check out the girls version here: Wardrobe Planner for Girls - Fall/Winter

This one has been a greater work in progress. Maybe because she is still little, potty training with regular accidents, and has to change her clothes 3-4 times daily. Really?!? What is up with that? She is so darn picky when it comes to her clothes! The child will pick something out and screech bloody murder to get it off with no idea why. This, of course, is when I can manage to get her into clothes in the first place.

But, aside from her strange wardrobe aversions (which I have yet to discover the specifics), I have created this bare bones idea of what a little girl needs in her closet. 

I may need to change the numbers to double just to account for her accidents, carrying extra clothes and daily wardrobe changes.

After going through her clothes (so far, I'm not even close to being done!), taking away what she refuses to wear, and boxing up what doesn't fit...

What I still need to create:

2 pairs of pants: Skinny Jeans by PAB (affiliate links), she loves her bootcut jeans from Old Navy - Looking for a pdf!
1 mid-heavy weight sweater: (haven't decided yet, suggestions?)
1 fancy dress: Holly and Ivy by GYCT Designs (affiliate links)
2 long sleeve: Tinley Tee and Rival Raglan by GYCT Designs (affiliate links)
(maybe) Blazer/dress jacket: Winter Wear Designs Phresh Blazer

Really, that's it. I could hold off on the dress and the sweater. I would like to do the blazer because it's nice to have, and she loved her old one (which she outgrew so fast!)

Honestly thought. I have 4 drawers of clothes filled (mostly shirts) with sizes 12 months to 3T, a closet filled with dresses 24 months to 5T, and a drawer that is for pajamas alone sizes 12 months to 3T. Granted some of the clothes don't fit yet and some of the 12 month stuff no longer does fit! I just need to be more diligent with taking things out that she doesn't wear and doesn't fit. So far I have removed a small diaper box of clothes... Just need to keep chipping away! :)

Share your thoughts:

Do you just shop/sew for your kids clothes? Or do you put together a plan before you start sewing/take a trip to the store?

Building a Capsule Wardrobe: Moving on to the Kids {Boys Printable Wardrobe Planner}

*This post contains affiliate links. I recieve a small compensation when you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. All views expressed are my own.*

So I have mentioned quite a bit about building a capsule wardrobe.

Read about what I have learned here, what I have been thankful for here, and my more recent post here.

After the joys that my capsule wardrobe has given me, and the release, I have come to conclusion that I need to be doing this with my kids clothes too.

I made a Capsule Wardrobe for Boys printable set to help me stay organized. Once I figure out girls clothes, I will work on one of those too!

I sort of started this not that long ago, which makes this part easy. But at the same time most of my son's clothes do not fit him. ( I haven't quite figured out the little lady's wardrobe yet, that will come later). So, he is in need of clothes.

Honestly though. I wait until last minute to that boy's laundry. And then there is a pile up because there are just so many! I am hoping that this will help with the laundry like it did with my clothes!

step one... Take everything out of the closet that doesn't fit. Just like if you were to do your own closet.

step two... categorize what you do have

step three... figure out what you need

step four... decide on patterns to use, fabrics to use then...

step five... sew!

Easy right? yes... well... easier said than done. I needed to go through clothes when the little was not watching and then promptly remove them from (or put them up in) his closet so as not to entice their little grubby hands to grab, play, and throw across the room.

But, in an attempt to organize the sewing that I need want to do I created this worksheet to use. Complete with outfit planning! It has a spread sheet to organize your sewing and write down the patterns you wish to use (1 with numbers of items and 1 without) and 6 sheets for planning the outfits and spaces for fabric swatches. taking into consideration that you may or may not need all of them. They can be reprinted for further planning purposes

So far what I have decided to sew?
2 GYCT Designs Rival Raglans, 1 Long Sleeve and 1 short sleeve Tinley Tee, Denali Jacket and Jean & Jamey Jammies (affiliate links)
Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop long Sleeve Classic Ringer Tee, skinny jeans, A&AWinter PJs (affiliate links)
Brownie Goose Butler Britches
Shwin Designs Number 9 Trousers
Momma Quail Patterns Timmy Top or Shwin Designs Maxwell Top
P4P Lumberjack Shirt as a jacket
Winter Wear Designs Aviator Pants

Any Suggestions? Maybe you have some pattern you love? ;)

check out my printable pages here! I have 2 different charts. one with numbers and one without so you can create more of what you want. I have up to 7 spaces so you can write down the pattern you wish to use. Then there are 6 outfit planning printables too. I don't think I am going to be using these much, but it was fun!

Have you checked out Rebel and Malice? She has started a capsule sew along for kids fall outfits for back to school!  There is a facebook group and some other planning tools available too. You don't need to sew, you could use if for purchasing back to school clothes too!

Building My Capsule Wardrobe: Month 2: What I Am Thankful For

Last month I posted about what I learned from my first month while trying to build my summer capsule wardrobe, you can read that here.

Month 2:
Now that I have reached the second month, I was originally going to share and expand on what I have learned. But...

1. I have come to terms with the idea that I still have no clue as to what I am doing.

2. I still don't fully understand what a silhouette is or how to go about establishing mine.

3. I still haven't figured out my magic number of items.

4. I am hyper aware of my ill-fitting, state of disrepair garments. I had to pull out a cardigan and wow.. holy holes batman! I became a little discouraged...

Since that first post I have removed 1 dress that is way too long (like, dragging on the floor long)
I have added 1 cami, 1 tank, 1 peplum top, 1 pair of pants, and 1 skirt.

I blogged those outfits. You can read about the tank, cami and pants here. You can see my skirt and peplum top here.

What I am thankful for:
Instead of sharing what I learned, instead I am going to touch on what I am thankful for since taking this up.

1. Laundry taking less time. I know I mentioned this before, but nothing can beat spending less time folding, sorting, ironing, hanging, etc... I need to apply this to the kids wardrobes so it doesn't take nearly as long just to do their laundry.

2. It takes way less time to put something on in the morning. Seriously. I grabbed a pair of pants and a shirt today, I didn't even thing about it. I knew I loved what I was wearing and that it was comfortable. I got a compliment, and I was like "wha? just jeans and a tee?" but hey! It was great!

3. Everything is in one spot. I don't have to hunt through my dresser for bottoms, then dig through my closet for a top. It's all right there, in one of the smallest spaces in my closet. I love it! (now I just need to get rid of everything I don't use)...

4. I have more time for other things. I actually did my toe nails the other day. I never do that. I spent some time of grooming that I otherwise felt there wasn't time for. Granted, I'm not doing the kids laundry (we can sift through their baskets for clean clothes, right?!?)... More free time is a bonus.

5. The fluidity of the concept. Like removing a dress. Replacing with something else. I want a different dress than the one I have, but it's just gonna have to do because... well... fabric is expensive. So, I just gotta make do with what I got right now... ;)

Be Intentional:
This word has been popping up all over the place with me lately. Intentional parenting, intentional about time, intentional in my marriage. And, by golly, it applies here too!

My mom offered me to go through some bags of clothes to see if I wanted anything. You know what? I didn't take one. single. thing.

I would have. I would have taken the bag to refashion, repurpose, make something for the kids. But, I didn't. None of the clothes fit with what I had, so I didn't take it. The kids have more than enough clothes, so I didn't consider refashions. I am so proud that I didn't take it.

Sure, I could have felt bad that my mom still has to figure something out with all. those. clothes... seriously, it was a lot. But, I don't need to take them because I feel bad that she has them.

so, intentional. Be intentional about the fabric you pick out. The patterns you use, and the clothes that you buy. FreeNotion.com has a great post on picking fabrics and patterns for your body type.

Everything requires thought and action. Passively working your way through is not going to guarantee success. I'm going through passively, and that's probably why I still don't know what a silhouette is. But I know my body type now. And, that's a huge step!

Jump In:
Want to, but not sure where to start? I those websites in the first capsule wardrobe post are still super handy. all you gotta do is start. It's not easy. Especially when it comes down to purging. I have the hardest time with purging. I still haven't made it to Good-Will and I so need to! But in the end, it is so rewarding!

What are your thoughts?
Is this a thing that can last, has lasted and will last? Or is this the latest fashion craze?

Whatever you decide to do...

Have Fun!

Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop Round Up: and their Semi Annual Sale!

This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commission for purchases made after following my links to her shop. All reviews and opinions are my own.

I love sewing up Peek-A-Boo Patterns Shop's patterns for my kids, and they are having a sale! I haven't been sewing too much for them lately though, as they really aren't in need of clothes for this short moment in time. At least until they have their next growth spurt and I am pretty sure at least one of them is preparing for one!

(head to Peek-A-Boo Patterns Shop and use the code "MDAY25" and get 25% off your purchase, ends on the May 25th!)

In honor of their sale (and the small frequency that a sale there occurs) I thought I would put together this round up of some of the creations I have made for your viewing. ;)
You can see most and a few more of my Peek-A-Boo creations here. I say most because there is more that I haven't blogged about.

My outfit for the Boy's Can Wear Pink Blog Tour (Maui Muscle Tank and Convertible Pier 49 Pants)...

Lullaby mixed with the classic ringer for little man's batman costume

This Alex and Anna summer pjs for a pj top for a friends son...

Lullaby line Bodysuit for a friend's baby shower

Aloha Burn Blockers for when I tested for little girl

Aloha Burn Blocker for Little girl's Harley Quinn Halloween Costume

Alex and Anna winter pjs for Little girl's thermal pjs

Lullaby line pants, bodysuit, hat and mitts for little girl when I tested them.

The cute owl overalls I made when I tested the Lullaby line overalls

Sweet Heart Halter top turned dress for little girl's first birthday

Little man's 3rd birthday classic polo

the Hangout Hoodie I turned into a onesie for flip this pattern

the classic footie pjs for the little girl

Have I inspired you to sew? ;)

(head to Peek-A-Boo Patterns Shop and use the code "MDAY25" and get 25% off your purchase, ends on the May 25th!)

I picked up some of her new Women's patterns and also hope to sew up some more things for the kids, once they've grown some more that is!

Happy Sewing!

Time to Travel Blog Tour {Sewing With Boys' E-Book: Review}

I am super excited that I get to share with you this e-book by a group of fellow bloggers, Sewing With Boys, called Time To Travel!

The book is pretty awesome, and perfect for the upcoming summer vacationing season where a lot of us go out and travel! So many great things from suggestions of fellow mommies, activities to do with the kids, patterns to sew.  I love it!

Just Like Papa Briefcase

Perfect with the spot for coloring utensils, pockets for toys, spots for coloring/working pages. so fun! and great for in the go to a restaurant, plane or car ride! (all of which we will be doing this summer, score!)

fabrics used: 

I repurposed dad's jean denim, hand me down quilting cotton. The only thing I had to buy was the zippers! I'm super stoked about that! Airplanes seem appropriate for it's purpose

modifications:
I used a stabilizer for the main/outer fabric to make it a little more firmer and add some strength to worn out jeans! I used Craft Fuse 808, as I always have some of this on hand (or the 809, but that's the same thing anyway just wider).

embelishments:
re-used one of the back pockets on the front. It holds the wallet perfectly!

The pattern: 

no need to be intimidated! It really was fantastic to put together, and the directions take you step-by-step! You would be so proud once it is complete! a perfect carrying case for any boy (or girl, I may need to make one for baby girl now!)

You can either cut by pattern pieces or use provided measurements. In this case, of the repurposed pants, I used the pattern pieces. But with yardage, it would be so easy to cut by measurements!

Ready Set Go Wallet

Seriously, they must have been reading my mind of what my son needed, and a wallet all his own was exactly the thing! 

Fabric used: Recycled daddy jeans, left over yardage, same as the briefcase! perfect combo!

Modifications:

none!

Embelishments: none

It's so great to use for play! I didn't get any pictures, but he used it for it's intended purpose! We put his commission money from chores in it and went to the store to make a purchase! He was telling everyone his mom made his wallet. :D Proud momma right here!

The Pattern: A great and fast sew, easy to follow directions. I love the use of the bias tape, especially around the curved edge!

Printables

We used the airplane ticket, drivers license and money to play, pretend and prepare for our future plane ride we will be taking in June and our driving trip in July! I'm getting spoiled this summer. It will be almost 3 years since our last vacation and here we are getting 2! Yay! but honestly, it was so hard to take picture because, well, I had to be the airplane pilot. Little man, and "definitely not" baby girl were too young to drive an airplane apparently... LOL!

Mom the ticket taker... "all aboard!"

practicing getting on a plane is so much fun!

Carry on goes under the seat...

Getting ready to take off and watching mom bounce to the turbulence... he was just amused! Ha!

Pretend store for gas, food, and other things is a great life skill! Yay life skill! we practiced counting by 5's and 10's too.... So many uses!

I also printed the lacing cards. We have been using lacing cards when we do preschool and Little man is so proud of himself when he finished one! Coloring though is so labor intensive for him. So I colored them myself.

As soon as he saw the belt, little man has been requesting it as a "batman belt!" perhaps birthday? 

Best part? It gave me some other ideas too for our trips that I will be sharing with you later ;) Probaby would not have if it weren't for the articles and travel tips in the e-book!

And now? the e-book is on sale for the duration of the tour!
It is 30% off during the tour and already marked down.
Buy on our site: http://sewingwithboys.com/time-to-travel-ebook/Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/230096393/time-to-travel-ebook?ref=shop_home_active_1

We all love Giveaways!!!

"Grand prize: $50 gift certificate to FabricWorm and a copy of Time to Travel*
2nd: 1 yard of fabric from Mabel Madison and a copy of Time to Travel*
3rd: a copy of Time to Travel*
*If you buy the eBook and win the giveaway, we will either refund your money, or send the copy on to a friend of your choice.
But that's not all! If you buy the eBook during the tour, you'll be automatically entered to win a $30 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop!"

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget to check out these other awesome ladies and what they created from the e-book and the patterns that are included!

April 20: Rachel at Once Upon A Sewing Machine || Michelle at Falafel and the Bee
April 21: Becca at Free Notion || Heather at All Things Katy!
April 22: Chelsea at GYCT Designs || Ula at Lulu & Celeste
April 23: Stephanie at Swoodson Says || Sherri at Thread Riding Hood
April 24: Meriel at Create3.5 || Sara at Made by Sara
April 27: Melissa at Oh Sew Boy! || Stacey at Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts
April 28: Teri at Climbing the Willow || Ajaire at Call Ajaire
April 29: Jessica at The Berry Bunch || Dana at Sew Thrifty
April 30: Stacey at From-a-Box || Maegen at Mae & K
May 1: Kelly at Handmade Boy || Roxanne at Pen, Seb & Rox

and some more pictures... ( the bag and wallet have not left him these last few days!) I can't wait to do the treasure map printed on paper. Really, there is so much in the e-book, you really need to check it out! :)

 http://sewingwithboys.com/time-to-travel-ebook/Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/230096393/time-to-travel-ebook?ref=shop_home_active_1

Brown and Pink Jelly Bean Inspiration: Handmade Boy's Boys Can Wear Pink Series {and a Giveaway}

Thanks for coming by to my stop on Handmade Boy's Boys Can Wear Pink blog tour! How fun are these posts? What is your opinion on breaking those 'gender roles" and color association?

Hubby is not much for having boys wear pink. It's a girl's color. I can say it is far from one of my favorites! But, it has been one of little man's favorite colors since he started really paying attention to colors. It started when we were potty training almost 2 years ago and his reward for using the potty was jelly beans (it was shortly after Easter). His two favorite colors? Pink and Brown. Since then, his two favorite colors? Pink and Brown.

Hey, it's a great combination! Enter: Brown and Pink inspiration...

For the pants I used the Pier 49 Convertible Cargos by Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop (affiliate links). I used some hand me down old sheets that was used as fabric for the brown and had the stripes sitting in my stash that was *supposed* to have been turned into a quilt for baby girl. Much better as pockets for little man's pants! :)

For the shirt I used the Maui Muscle Tee by Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop (affiliate links). I used an old light-pink tank of mine for the body and binding and the same brown sheet for the side panel.

I pulled most of my browns and pinks for little man to pick and these are his decision. I love how it turned out and *bonus* so does the Hubby! I cannot even say how excited that I am to hear him say it looks good! It helps that little man goes running up to him showing off his new outfit! :D

One extra bonus with this push of social norm boundaries? A giveaway! Some great designers and shops have shown their support! Check out these awesome prizes!

Stenzo Pit Stop Poplin in pink from Mabel Madison
$25 gift certificate, plus a surprise fat quarter from Phat Quarter Shop
One yard of solid cotton/lycra & one yard of coordinating fabric from Purple Seamstress
One pattern of choice from Paisley Roots
$20 store credit from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop
One pattern of choice from Patterns for Pirates
One pattern of choice from Mouse House Creations
Bottoms Up Pants Pattern from If Only They Would Nap
One Pattern of choice from Titchy Threads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Top: Maui Muscle Tee by Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop

Pants: Pier 49 Convertible Cargos by Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop (affiliate links)

Happy Sewing!