Mingling with the KCWC crowd: Sophie aka Cirque Du Bebe

I discovered Sophie and Cirque Du Bebe through stuff n’ stay for creative play tutorial, and I've been hooked ever since. 

The stuff she sew for her boys is always amazing. I've been known to sit and wait, nervously hitting the f5 button on my computer to see what her next entry for KCWC will be. And here she is now, mingling with us.

Why do you do KCWC? 

I love the buzz around KCWC and the sense of community. It's a great time to discover new blogs and generally be inspired by everyone's creativity! I think its really nice to have a bi-yearly event like KCWC to bring all these talented sewing mamas together to sew with a purpose.

How many times did you participate till now? 

I think this is my fourth time...

Were you ever featured on Elsie Marley blog during the challenge? 

I've been featured a couple of times and it's a pretty amazing feeling. Sewing thrills all the way!

Favorite KCWC project you've done:

My favourite project is probably the 'be friendly to the carnival folk' coat . I love the fabric!

Who do you sew for?

I sew for my two boys, age 2 and 4 and more recently started sewing for myself. I love the challenge of sewing for boys because you can't just jazz their clothes up with frills and lace. You have to look a bit further afield for inspiration but once you find it, and discover your boy style, it's really exciting.

Do you have favorites among the participants? Someone whose project you can't wait to see the next day?

I have so many favorites and the 'list' is never exhausted, in fact it gets added to every time KCWC takes place. When I come across something inspiring in the flickr pool, with a blog link attached, I'll always go check it out and I've stumbled upon some of my absolute favorite sewing blogs through KCWC.

So happy to have you here Sophie! Thanks!

Mingling with the KCWC crowd: Carla aka Small & Friendly

Meet Carla from Small & Friendly.

Why do you do KCWC? 

Because it gives me the extra push I need to complete a few of the many sewing projects on my ever growing to do list. And I feel so inspired by all of the amazing clothes people create for their little ones.

How many times did you participate till now?


This will be my fourth (I think).

Were you ever featured on Elsie Marley blog during the challenge? 

I was and it was such a boost to my sewing confidence!

Favorite KCWC project you've done:

That is a hard one! I think these shorts are my favorite because I learned to most from making them :

Who do you sew for?

I sew for my almost three year old son. I love creating cool outfits for him, especially because finding cute boy clothes at the store can be challenging. 

Do you have favorites among the participants? Someone whose project you can't wait to see the next day?

I always love to see what Sophie of Cirque du Bebe is up to. And Max California has great style. And of course, Meg of Elsie Marley never disappoints!

Thanks Carla for being here.

Mingling with the KCWC crowd: Jaqueline aka BEGINwithB

Hello there my KCWC friends, mingling is continuing with Jacq from BEGINwithB. I'd definitely let my people talk to her people. Her boys wear pink! My boys wear pink too! I love boys in pink!

For a year or so I followed KCWC, watching the things that people made and being so inspired but too intimidated to join in. It wasn't until I was home with my boys full-time that I began to actually participate. However, I still lacked the courage to actually post my things in the flickr group. When I began blogging this past January I started posting things to the flickr group and was excited to see these alligator pants featured over at Elsie Marley.

KCWC has become something that pushes me to stretch my sewing skills. I am daily inspired by the things that others create and try patterns I wouldn't usually choose. Usually I sew just for my two boys but this year I have a couple girl gifts on my list.

Last spring I created a few pairs of sarouel's for Case. These funky grey and turquoise were my favorite, with the hand stitching on the cuffs. He of course has outgrown them.  These pants were inspired by Sophie of Cirque du Bebe and she is definitely one I watch for daily during KCWC. Her clothes are beautifully made and encourage me to think outside the box as I design for my boys.

Come mingle with us, leave us a comment:)

Mingling with the KCWC crowd: Cherie aka you & mie

Why do you do KCWC?

Kids clothing is probably my favorite thing to sew and I do it all the time.  But KCWC is great because there's so much motivation knowing you're working along with hundreds of others creating clothes for our little ones all at the same time.  It's a great opportunity to set goals, challenge yourself, and get things crossed off your to do list.  Plus there's so much inspiration in the flickr pool and I love "meeting" new people and seeing what other people are creating.

How many times did you participate till now?

This is my second time participating in KCWC (last spring was my first).

Were you ever featured on Elsie Marley blog during the challenge?

Yes, this brown tee I made earlier this week from Rae's Flashback Skinny Tee pattern was just featured in Meg's daily round-up.  It made me so excited to see it up on her blog - she has a lot of photos to choose from in that flickr pool!

 Favorite KCWC project you've done! 

The project I was most proud of last spring was the Jump Rope Dress (pattern by Oliver + S).  I worked on it a little each day and finished it by the end of the week.  I learned how to make a button packet and collar and it was my first time sewing from an actual pattern, so those were big accomplishments for me.

Who do you sew for?

I sew for my daughter, Yuki, who just turned two.  She is a very active toddler who loves to climb and play with dirt, so as much as I love to make her cute little dresses, she spends 95% of the time wearing pants and t-shirts.  So this KCWC, I'm focusing on making her some comfy knit clothing that she can wear to preschool and get dirty.  She's also getting to that age where she has opinions about everything and can finally articulate them, so I imagine that she's going to have a lot to say about her clothes.  That should be really interesting and fun and, I'm sure at times, very challenging :)

Do you have favorites among the participants? Someone whose project you can't wait to see the next day?

Oooh, there are so many talented and amazing participants out there and I actually love looking through the flickr pool and finding NEW people whose style really speaks to me.  But some of the people I love to follow during KCWC (and always) are the ladies from elsie marley (the host of KCWC), skirt as top, probably actually, made by rae, trula:kids and cirque du bebe, along with about a hundred others :)


Thank you Cherie from you & mie! 

Mingling with the KCWC crowd: Jessica aka Me Sew Crazy

 My next mingleress is Jessica from Me Sew Crazy who can...listen to this...make a million dollar sweater for less than $4. Check how when you check out the rest of her Little Boy Tutorials. And now mingle on!

Why do you KCWC? (Yes, for me KCWC is a verb)

My passion is sewing for my kids - KCWC is such a great source of inspiration that really gets the entire blogging sewing community involved. You see it everywhere, whether it be Flickr, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter - you can't help but get swept up in the excitement and want to be a part of it!

How many times did you participate till now?

Spring 2012 was my first time really getting into it, I was able to do it every day for the full week - and loved every minute of the challenge!

Where you ever featured om Elsie Marley blog during the challenge

I was blessed in Spring to be featured on Day 2 with a vintage skirt I whipped together.

Favorite KCWC project you’ve done!

Would definitely be my Flower Tunic, I enjoyed the specialty stitches I was able to add to the neckline.

pattern & tutorial

Who do you sew for?

Mostly my kids, they are my biggest inspirations in the littlest packages. Occasionally I will sew for myself, but I don't get the same amount of joy from it. It was sewing for my kids that really brought the love and passion for sewing to me, and it is what continues to drive me on a daily basis. I love seeing them in the handmade creations knowing that I lovingly made every stitch.

Do you have favorites among the participants? Someone whose project you can't wait to see the next day?

Oh so many...There are just too many to mention. But I think what has really got me going this time is the mini-competition happening right now between Skirt as Top & Made by Rae over KCWC - their sew-off is just fantastic!

Thanks so much for inviting me Petra! Looking forward to seeing the mingle in full swing. I adore Celina of Petit a Petit.

No, thank you Jessica!

Mingling with the KCWC crowd: Yolanda aka Pandielleando

I am still mingling. As a matter of fact, I am mingling so much that its being reflected in my sewing. What can I say, I've always been easily distracted...

Here is Yolanda from Pandielleando. She has two boys, just like me...but my boys are smaller. So I was sort of thinking the other day that maybe I should try to become her very good friend, and she'd hand down those cool hoodies she makes to us when they don't need them anymore. I mean, I love sewing, but you might have noticed I am into simple pleasures. I don't think I could pull those round pockets off.. A-a!


Why do you KCWC? (Yes, for me KCWC is a verb)

Just for fun!

How many times did you participate till now?

This is the 3rd time

Where you ever featured om Elsie Marley blog during the challenge?

Never :(

Favorite KCWC project you’ve done!

Asymmetrical hoodie

Who do you sew for?

For my two boys aged 7 and 5

Do you have favorites among the participants? Someone whose project you can't wait to see the next day?

I adore Cirque du bebe

Thank you Yolanda for the short but sweet chat. 

Mingling with the KCWC crowd: Venus aka Suburbia Soup

Why do you KCWC? (Yes, for me KCWC is a verb)

KCWC is a great motivator for me. To see all the other lovely and talented women create inspires me.

How many times did you participate till now?

I've been participating over a year now. I believe the last KCWC I didn't participate only because I was in the middle of a move and my sewing machine was packed away.

Where you ever featured om Elsie Marley blog during the challenge?

A few of my pieces have been showcased in previous posts. Thanks Meg!!!

Favorite KCWC project you’ve done!

Hmmm... that's a tough one... I would say this last project. I created a cute hat/scarf for my girls and I love how it turned out.

Who do you sew for?

I sew for the whole family.

Do you have favorites among the participants? Someone whose project you can't wait to see the next day?

Oh gosh... every KCWC, there are more and more participants and the designs and creativity are just amazing. I don't have specific people that I can't wait to see.

Thanks for the chat Venus! Lovely having you here!

Venus blogs over at Suburbia Soup.

Mingling with the KCWC crowd: Celina aka Petit à Petit and family

I first started following Celina when she did this Neon shoes tutorial for La Petite Mag. Then I noticed she is following me back. Then I entered a giveaway she posted about and WON. And only after all that I also realized she is a passionate KCWCer...or is it KCWCist? She is also extremely nice and has immaculate taste. What is a person with 2 million followers on pinterest even doing talking to me?

Why do you KCWC? (Yes, for me KCWC is a verb)

I used to sew and create kids clothes as a livelyhood, after 8 years of doing so I've had to give it up and get a full time job. Just as I was about to start my new job, in May 2011, I discovered Elsie Marley's blog and her challenge and I was so excited to participate and keep my passion alive. So now, KCWC gives me a reason to keep on sewing, I hardly ever take the time to sew outside of this challenge, so I make a point of doing it. Also, my kids love it and are so proud to wear things I've made for them, that's my greatest source of motivation. And I have to say it's nice to be part of a little community as well and see what everyone is up to, I've met some pretty awesome people along the way.

How many times did you participate till now?

This year will be my fourth and not my last! The whole house knows something is up! I don't have a separate room to sew in, so my dinning room gets taken over and the whole house is a mess, but I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Where you ever featured om Elsie Marley blog during the challenge?

Yes, once last spring. Lucky me! It was so exciting seeing my kids pj's being featured and I was very honored to be amongst some very talented mom's.

Favorite KCWC project you’ve done!

Probably my organic pj's, I just love that my kids were part of the process, they choose the animals they wanted on their pajamas and then we made potato stamps and stamped the fabric together. I think it ended up being a great collaboration! I had to hide those pj's from them at some point, because it's all they ever wanted to wear, day & night!

Who do you sew for?

I really only sew for my kids now, my son is 5 year old and my daughter is 3. I love sewing for children, I find you can have so much fun with the the fabrics and styles, the possibilities are endless. And since I don't sew for a living anymore, I find it more relaxing and I can be more creative, more experimental, I don't have to please anybody else but me! Sometimes, I wish there was a week of sewing for me, I haven't made myself somethings in years.

Do you have favorites among the participants? Someone whose project you can't wait to see the next day?

No, no one in particular. I like to go through the flickr group and admire the amount of talent out there, I'm always so surprised!

Celina blogs over at Petit à Petit and family and Let's do sew and regularly contributes to Babyccino Kids and La Petite Mag.

Thank you Celina!

Mingling with the KCWC crowd: Frederieke aka Effie Maakt

As i said in my previous post, This is my 3rd KCWC. There are numerous reoccurring 'faces' there in the pool. People who for one week every six months share your destiny of sleepless nights, messy house and pizza eating family. So I decided to mingle. I decided to ask some of them a few questions.

Meet Frederieke from Effie maakt - I love her sewing and I am always utterly jealous of her fabric selection.

Why do you KCWC? (Yes, for me KCWC is a verb)

I love sewing and I love sewing kids clothes. But I am not in any sewing class so twice a year it is so nice (virtually) to sew with others. It bring me inspiration and stimulus to go on and finish what I started. I like looking at all the different creations and all the different fabric combinations. Also I made some blog friends thanks to KCWC

How many times did you participate till now?

I think this is my third KCWC. I started in autumn 2011, then spring 2012 and now autumn 2012

Where you ever featured om Elsie Marley blog during the challenge?

I was featured twice. First in autumn 2011 with my dog sweater  and then in spring 2012 with pants from hand painted denim. Especially the first time I was featured I was so very proud of myself .

Favorite KCWC project you’ve done!

It is very hard to name one favorite. Not that I am ever really, really, profoundly, satisfied with the way my clothes turn out. But if I have to choose I think I like the dog sweater best. And it was well worn last winter and maybe my daughter can still wear it part of this season. But I also like the monster leather slippers, my first entry of this year’s KCWC.

Who do you sew for?

Mostly I sew for my kids. But I am making more and more clothes for myself too, especially dresses, shirts and skirts. The reason I started sewing kids clothes is that is really hard to find nice, colourful, comfortable clothes at affordable prices. I sew a lot of knits: jersey, knitted velour and stretch terry cloth. Furthermore I sometimes sew for little friends, little neighbours, nephews and nieces for their birthdays. 

Do you have favorites among the participants? Someone whose project you can't wait to see the next day?

I really love the clothes from Trula kids, Cirque du bebe, Pandielleando and Sew An. But there are so many beautiful participants in KCWC !

Thank you Frederieke. Looking forward to you next project!