A Penelope Flora OOTD (handmade #MNminibriar tee and #MNminitania culottes) #seepennywear #penelopeflora

I was getting ready to cut out my kids 2020 Christmas PJs and realised I never shared my 2019 PJs! ⁠ ⁠ Today on the blog I'm sharing a few photos of the matching PJ's I made my kids last year, using @elliewhittakerstudio Sunburst Country fabric.⁠ ⁠ Link in profile! Let me know what you think in the blog comments :)⁠ ⁠ #MNminibriar #MNminieucalypt #megannielsenpatterns #handmadechristmaspajamas #sewing #sew #sewingcommunity #stayhomeandsew

More pyjamma making for my middle one - who requests yellow 99% of the time. These were so good, they were worn as soon as they came off the machine. Fabric: discounted +++ organic cotton jersey from @spotlightstores Pattern: hacked #mnminibriar nighty @megannielsenpatterns and #s9054 leggings @simplicitymccallsaustralia #sewersofinstagram #makersgonnamake #melbournesews #sewkidsclothes

Yesterday we wore orange for Truth and Reconciliation day. There are other important parts to this day but here's some details on the clothes. Fabric: pumpkin bamboo knit and white ribbing from #oursocialfabric fall leaves #rebeccareckart french Terry from #mimifabrics leopard cotton Lycra from #prairieloveknits Pattern: #mnminibriar #mnbriar #mnjarrah #brindilleandtwig cuff leggings and ringer tee

It's the last day of January so it just makes sense that I'm only now posting about my kids Christmas pajamas 😂 🤪⁠ ⁠ Today on the blog I'm finally sharing about my favourite kiddo Christmas pajamas featuring this gorgeous @maygibbsofficial Gumnut Babies fabric from @neridahansenfabrics x @elliewhittakerstudio⁠ ⁠ Link in profile! Any Q's or comments let me know in the blog comments!⁠ ⁠ #MNminieucalypt #MNminiopal #MNminibriar #megannielsenpatterns #christmaspajamas #handmadechristmaspajamas #sew #sewing #sewingcommunity

They're off to school, with smiles on their faces, so I'm happy. ☺️ Link in his Champion's Tunic and Stufful the Pokemon. Link: I hacked the Scout tee pattern by @grainlinestudio in its smallest size. I changed the neckline, reshaped the sleeve and added side slits. Broadcloth is from @fabriclandontario and as I mentioned, trim is drawer liner. I freestyled the boots and arm warmers, and the rest was thrifted. The pants are a size too big, and I'm really trying to let it go!! 🤣 The Sheikah slate was fun to do, I printed this outline I found online, stuck it on a cardboard box, and coloured it in. Easy peasy. @13ange took care of the sword and sheath, and the Hyrulean shield should be ready by the 31st. Stufful: another pattern hack, a mashup of @megannielsenpatterns Mini Briar and Mini Cottesloe. Fabric is the coziest fleecy knit also from @fabriclandontario (perfect for Halloween in Ottawa ❄️) It was an adventure to get this to work. I ended up adding many inches to the middle of the Cottesloe bottom till it matched the circumference of the Briar. I gathered the seams at the leg openings and added velcro at the crotch to get the darn thing on without a centre front zip. The neckline was too low, but I was able to self draft a hood using one of her RTW hoodies as a guide. Ears and white trim done by feel! 😄 The tail is my favourite part, I stuck a balloon in there to get the nice round shape. Then I had to make it detachable in case it caused her problems at school. Swipe through for details and inspo images. I love making costumes - it's 50% sewing and 50% problem solving. #OttawaSews #oggpom #youcanhackit #mnminibriar #mnminicottesloe #scoutteehack

A photo! Dave’s hot off the machine Sanders Button Up and Matilda and I in our new Staley tops—I hacked Megan Nielsen’s Mini Briar long sleeved top to match my Staley, with side splits and hem band. Clem’s got one too but she’s not feeling it. 🤷🏼‍♀️ . . . #josiebankswatson #josieswardrobe #isewformyfamily #winterinbrisbane #sandersbuttonup #staleytop #mnminibriar

Moving on to a couple of warmer kids makes - a sweatshirt and heavy weight top. These are also made using the Megan Nielsen Mini Briar (so same pattern) #mnminibriar but this time using organic cotton sweatshirting from @wearethefabricstore in Vanilla (and matching rib) and the rib long sleeve is in the Vintage Blush colour. They were kind enough to gift me some extra meterage which made these possible! These fabrics all sewed up just beautifully but the sweatshirting doesn’t have a lot of stretch - just something to be aware of in choosing patterns using it. #megannielsenpatterns #mnminibriar

Loved sewing with this cotton sweatshirting from @wearethefabricstore - simply a joy to sew! Bought in their recent winter sale and an extra wide fabric - it’s a bargain! Can’t wait to put this set on Eleanor. It’s the @megannielsenpatterns Mini Briar and Mini Viriginia in a sz 2-3 (no mods). Such a fab basic set - will definitely be making more of these. All patterns from @patternscissorsfrock Ribbing is a non matching rib from my stash from @maaidesign. #mnveronika #mnminibriar

New pjs! A happy banana in her pyjamas. She chose the fabric. What great taste. Pattern: #mnminibriar lengthened with side splits, size 8-9. An old kiddos leggings pattern for the pants. Fabric: organic cotton jersey from a local big box store. A recycled elastic waist band. Inspired by the #checkyourthreadpodcast to use something from my discard pile with lots of life left. #makersgonnamake #sewistofinstagram #melbournesews #sewingkidsclothes #sewist #sewersgonnasew

I offered to make my kids something for Valentine's Day. Z had a very specific vision. I got a drawing and everything. I didn't have the white initially requested but peach was an acceptable compromise. This is shorter than I would have made it but this was the length requested. I think the wide body shape with the short length ended up cute and interesting. Z has now requested leggings to go with... Fabric: peach fleece backed bamboo French terry (?) Red cotton sweatshirting, red ribbing all from #oursocialfabric Pattern: I added a gathered ruffle/skirt to the #megannielsenpatterns #mnminibriar sweatshirt cut off at the highest point of the curved front.

It's a Hallmark Holiday but I enjoy celebrating the love in our family. I decided to make these last night and was able to squeeze these out of 1m of fabric plus a grey scrap. Fabric: #blendedthreadfabrics french terry hearts, #thespoolsewingstudio grey sweatshirting #oursocialfabric ribbing Pattern: #megannielsenpatterns #mnminibriar

With a new season just around the corner we are starting to think about sewing some fresh basics. Our popular colour bundles are back in stock in a variety of beautiful shades. Swipe to see some of the options we have in stock ➡️ you can purchase these fabrics individually as well but will save 10% when buying them in a bundle. #LamaziFabrics #LamaziColourBundles #SewingWithJersey #Sewing #Dressmaking #SewistsOfInstagram #SewingCoco #MNMiniBriar #ClosetCoreEbony #SiskoTop #TabotVNeck #LindenSweatshirt

So, it’s been a long time between posts! Lots and lots of sewing, but no posting. The last couple of weeks have included lots of kids sewing for Easter. These are almost all sewn using Good earth cotton jersey from @maaidesign and feature jersey remnant offcuts from @inkandspindle. Cannot recommend the Good earth cotton jersey and matching ribbing from Maai Design highly enough. Pattern is an old faithful - the Megan Nielsen Mini Briar #mnminibriar from @patternscissorsfrock. Hacked so it’s a straight hem for the blue version for a special boy. Blue leggings are the #miniridley from @tillyandthebuttons. I have to say was my first time making these leggings and I should have just followed my instincts for sewing the leggings up - some of the instructions, particularly the method for sewing the waistband I didn’t enjoy as much as my usual method.

Putting Violet in Penny’s old mama-made hand-me-downs is my favorite. This is an old #mnminibriar dress hack. Swipe all the way to see little Penny wearing it. #seevioletwear #ourvioletwren #sewingforkids #mamamade #sewistsofinstagram

December sewing consisted of family Christmas gifts and then some #selfishsewing I'd give deets, but Instaslam keeps deleting my caption 🙃 Pattern designers are tagged #MyMakesForTheMonth with @sewmuchtodesign #MyMakesForTheMonthDecember #mnminibriar #seamworkturns10

I finally bought the @megannielsenpatterns #minibriar pattern and sewed up a sweatshirt for the three year old. Her review? “Can the next one have pockets?” But I think it’s adorable. #mnminibriar #sewforkids #elvelyckandesign

Summer sewing success no.1 Liberty towelling twinset for my most exacting customer: @megannielsenpatterns #mnminibriar and self drafted shorts Good enough for posing and cartwheeling 😉 (She's never seen Stranger Things but is pulling off Eleven in Season 3 with aplomb 😂) #summersewing #sewingforkids #libertyprint #twinset #holidays #isew #sewcialists #sewistsofinstagram

Sharing some Christmas joy on a wet rainy day… ⭐️ 🎄!! I finished our family Christmas pyjamas last weekend in the midst of covid isolation… they brought a lot of fun dancing to ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ 🎶 with cocktails and Top Trumps in our Christmas PJs! Fabric: Christmas doodle cotton jersey from @littlelegsfabrics Patterns Children: @megannielsenpatterns Mini Briar top and Virginia leggings Me: Juno pyjamas @tillybuttons #mommyandmechallenge #sewingjuno #mnminibriar #mnminivirginia #matchymatchy #memade #sewingforkids

Does everyone have a favorite season to sew for? I think mine might be fall since I can break out the sweaters but it's not toooo cold yet!🍂 . I made this guy from a @stylemakerfabrics double knit in my stash. After cutting out the pattern, I had just enough left over to ensure I'll be #twinning with my daughter in a few years... swipe to see the mini version 👯‍♀️ ➡️ . Patterns are @megannielsenpatterns #MNbriar & #MNminibriar . . . #stylemakerfabrics #megannielsenpatterns #sewingknits #mommyandme #mommymade #sewingforkids #childrensclothing #handmade #kidsclothes #girlsfashion #fallsewing #millenialsewing #sewsewsew #sewyourstash #garmentsewing #imakemyownclothes #workingmystashoff #sewcialists #sewing #bayareasewists #stayhomeandsew #thanksimadeit #sewingmakesmehappy #sewincolour

💫 M I N I B R I A R 💫 Now it’s the kids’ turn - in this gorgeous Australian native animal print by @lisacongdon jersey. ✂️ Pattern : #mnminibriar by #MeganNielsenPatterns, size 4/5 and 6/7. ✂️ Fabric : Remnant of Lisa Congdon jersey from @neridahansenfabrics.

My #mnminibriar over the last couple of years, my go to pattern 😊 thanks @megannielsenpatterns

Violet 2024 ———> Penny 2019 🥺 I just pulled out another bag of Penny’s old clothes for Violet, and there were so many of the handmade things I had made for her in there. I love that they get second life now with Violet. This is a #MNminibriar tee I made Penny when she was 3 1/2. Now Violet is 3 1/2 wearing it too! #seevioletwear #ourvioletwren #sistersister #mamamade #sewistsofinstagram

Loving these beautifully soft and snuggly @mindthemaker fabrics all from @patternscissorsfrock that I’ve used to make the Megan Nielsen mini Briar and Mini Virginia patterns. Soft and snuggly for Eleanor for winter. #mnminivirginia #mnminibriar

Loving this new set I whipped up for Eleanor with a couple of pairs of @megannielsenpatterns #minivirginia leggings I made on Friday night and a quick morning sew of the #minibriar. #mnminibriar #mnminivirginia Patterns from @patternscissorsfrock Material organic cotton jersey from @spotlightstores

March inadvertently became the Month of the Button. I am not one to skirt a difficult sewing project, because every sewing project is just a series of steps, followed logically one at a time, till voila, you have a placket or a zipper fly or a welt pocket. Still, there was a little bit of an inner pull-back any time I had to do buttonholes. So this month, as I sewed for Easter and started sewing towards going back to teaching in the fall, I ended up spontaneously having the chance to sew many buttons (would you like to count them?) @Seamwork Aster shirt (6 buttons) Seamwork Porter dress (10 buttons) Grey flannel @fibremood Charlie button up (4 buttons) Floral Charlie button up (4 buttons) Dark blue Charlie button up (4 buttons) ABB Men's tee with added henley placket (3 buttons) @littlelizardking Chelton dress (4 buttons) floral Seamwork Aster (6 buttons) When you add in one more buttonhole for each pattern as a test, that's 49 buttonholes! Woo-hoo! #perfectpracticemakesperfect In the non-button category, I made quite a few staple pieces this month, including: @sinclairpatterns Harper cardigan in duster length + 7 inches dolly sweatshirt and doggy sweatshirts color blocked dress from @unfetteredpatterns - this was supposed to be the midi tshirt dress, but it didn't work with the color blocking, so finally it became more like her basic relaxed tshirt dress Ribbed leggings from @ leggings and bike shorts from the free Bonny Leggings pattern @madeformermaids A few pairs of @megannielsenpatterns Acacia undie Speedy Pants - in their boxer version - for my boy #freepattern from @wavesandwild Megan Nielsen Mini Briar in a fabric I dyed terribly #mnminibriar @Fibremood Adam shorts in gray flannel to match the camp shirt. @seamwork Gretta tank Isn't it funny how some months breeze by with few makes and some months seem to stretch out and include so many? Or in my case: the month with my serger at the service and the month when I'm so excited it's home ! 😂 #mymakesforthemonth #mymakesforthemonthmarch with @sewmuchtodesign #seamworkturns10

Unicorn party pyjamas 🦄 🌈 These were a request from my 8 year old (and will be wrapped for Christmas!) I had forgotten how satisfying it is to make a simple pair of pyjamas! Pattern: @megannielsenpatterns Mini Briar top and Mini Virginia leggings Fabric: @guthrieghani #mnminibriar #mnminivirginia #memadeforkids

Rainbow stripe summer sweaters 🌈. I made the longer version of this pattern and it's kind of tunic length. Both kids like it though. I used stitch witchery/wonder tape to help stabilize sewing the hem on this light knit. Thinking if I have enough of this fabric for me... Pattern: #mnminibriar Fabric: cotton sweater knit from #oursocialfabric

Madame decided that she needed a matching tracksuit and quite fancied a fabric that I had in my stash. So here she is in a @megannielsenpatterns #mnminibriar and @truebias #minihudsonpants Fabric is a loop backed jersey from @minervadotcom . . . #makerclaire #frenchterryfabric #minervamakes #diywardrobe #memadeeveryday #matchymatchy

I mortified my family with matching #memades for a recent trip to the @sandiegozoo 😁 in the end they were all good sports. Matching shirts made spotting each other easy 👀 All shirts made with @blackbirdfabrics striped jersey I’m wearing a #stellantee by #frenchnavy Kiddos wearing hacked #mnminibriar @tomschaal wearing hacked #sagetee from #elbetextiles #handmadewardrobe #sewistsofinstagram #sewersgonnasew #makersgonnamake #diyfashion #imakemyclothes #memade #imakemyownclothes #sewyourown #millenialsewist #memadewardrobe #sustainablefashion

“Twirl one more time for mom to show off your new dress” And that’s exactly what she did. ☺️ Fabric: croissants by @eva_mouton Pattern: mini briar by @megannielsenpatterns Pattern hacked into a dress following instructions from Megan Nielsens blog. All available in our (online) store 👇🏽 @crossandwoods

Up in the online shop are these @megannielsenpatterns kid patterns! Mini Briar t-shirt and mini Virginia leggings would be so much fun in these patterned Jerseys. The bottom pattern is for woven fabric and though they look like a skirt they are flowy culottes. These patterns and fabrics are up in the online shop- link in the bio. #mnminibriar #mnminivirginia #mnminitania #sewforkids #jerseysewing #lovetosew#sewhappy #sew #sewing#sewingstore#indiepatterns

I love when she wears things I’ve made her 😍😍 #mnminibriar

🎄 FESTIVE PYJAMAS 🎄 - swipe for the out-takes Finally got some photos of our family matching festive pyjamas 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧. They have been worn non-stop since they came off the machine! It’s a fun fabric and used a selection of co-ordinating ribbing - mainly to remember the sizes when washed. Enjoying the matching whilst my girls still think it’s fun…not sure how many years that will last 🤣!! Happy Christmas to you all xx Fabric: Christmas doodle cotton jersey @littlelegsfabrics Ribbing in ocean, navy and violet @littlelegsfabrics Patterns: Children - Mini Briar top and Virginia leggings @megannielsenpatterns Mum - Juno pyjamas @tillybuttons Dad - Movie Night pyjamas (free pattern from Sew a Little Seam) #christmaspyjamas #matchymatchy #sewingforkids #memade #sewingjuno #mnminibriar #mnminivirginia #megannielsenpatterns #tillyandthebuttons #littlelegsfabric

I sew for my kids a lot, and I really love taking their requests into consideration and making them things that they really want. But sometimes I miss the mark. ⁠ ⁠ This is the story of my sons simple request for an American flag tee and how I misunderstood completely and made this Mini Briar tee instead 🙈⁠ ⁠ Blog post link in profile! Any questions or comments let me know on the blog posts! ⁠ ⁠ #MNminibriar #megannielsenpatterns #sewingforkids #diy #maker #sewing #sewingpattern

Looking for a mommy and me outfit? The #mntania and #mnminitania are an adorable pairing. Fun, practical and classy for mommy (with pockets of course!!). Cute, practical and confortable (with an elastic waistband) for your unstoppable girl. Pair it with the #mnbriar and #mnminibriar for complete outfits! These patterns from @megannielsenpatterns are all available in the shop. The floral fabric pictured is the Robin crepe in navy - perfect for your summer makes. And it is on sale now! #memadeeveryday #sewyourown #indiesewingpatterns #sewing #memade #handmadewardrobe #makersgonnamake #diyfashion

Stretch extravaganza part 1 done. I bought these French Terries years ago to make exactly what I’ve just made but my previous machine’s tension unit died and they have lingered in the stash. They are #mnminijarrah, #mnminibriar and a pair of joggers from #ottobrekids.

Can’t wait to see my eldest daughters face tomorrow when she sees this is finished for her. Nice and easy to follow #mnminijarrah pattern from @megannielsenpatterns seen here with the heart appliqué it comes with on chest and elbows and with the funnel neck option. Sweater has loads of options from straight hem, round neck, cropped sweater, plus a variety of appliqué options. Works really well with a #mnminivirginia and a #mnminibriar . Made is a super soft fleece back grey jersey with ponte Roma appliqué pieces that were leftover scraps I’d saved from a sweater I’d made for my husband. All top stitching and appliqué done with a bright yellow thread for extra POP!!! I LOVE THIS SWEATER! #isewlation #handmadefashion #madebyme #sewmuchfun #ilovetosew #sewing #sewingpattern #widn #memadewardrobe #handmadewardrobe #sewersofinstagram #sewers #sewistsofinstagram #sewsewsew #sewcialists #sewersgonnasew #sewingismysuperpower #diyootd #sewistsofinstagram #mindfulsewing #slowsewing #sewingformyself #sewingformysanity #transitionalwardrobepieces #minervamakers #minervamaker #sewingforkids #sewingforgirls

Yes - she loves it and it fits ✅ ✅. It’s a winner!! Nice and easy to follow #mnminijarrah pattern from @megannielsenpatterns seen here with the heart appliqué it comes with on chest and elbows and with the funnel neck option. Sweater has loads of options from straight hem, round neck, cropped sweater, plus a variety of appliqué options. Works really well with a #mnminivirginia and a #mnminibriar . Made is a super soft fleece back grey jersey with ponte Roma appliqué pieces that were leftover scraps I’d saved from a sweater I’d made for my husband. All top stitching and appliqué done with a bright yellow thread for extra POP!!! I LOVE THIS SWEATER! #isewlation #handmadefashion #madebyme #sewmuchfun #ilovetosew #sewing #sewingpattern #widn #memadewardrobe #handmadewardrobe #sewersofinstagram #sewers #sewistsofinstagram #sewsewsew #sewcialists #sewersgonnasew #sewingismysuperpower #diyootd #sewistsofinstagram #mindfulsewing #slowsewing #sewingformyself #sewingformysanity #minervamakers #minervamaker #sewingforkids #sewingforgirls #sewdarnfast