Project Run & Play: Week 2

Christmas In The Woods

Christmas in our house means relaxation and fun. We’re more the kind of family to hang around in our Christmas PJs than put on festive formal wear. This year we’re spending Christmas in a woodland lodge with most of our extended family in neighbouring lodges so my look this week is based on warmth, comfort and adventure.

Jack’s joggers began life as the Four Seasons pattern. I used a deliciously cosy brushed back sweat for warmth and comfort. I cut the front leg piece into three and added a zip pocket to one of the seams. I created a moto effect on the central piece by using a twin needle and adjusting the tension on my machine until the fabric ‘tunnelled’. I added a pop of gold to the waistband as a nod to Christmas.

Jack’s jacket is based on the Park Life pattern but I switched the original hood for the collar from the Hygge. I also moved the zip to create an asymmetric front. I lined the whole thing with teddy which is so squishy it makes Jack even more huggable than usual! Since we are spending Christmas in the woods I wanted to make sure the boys were well prepared and I had lots of fun equipping them with torches, compasses and carabiners!

We call Jack ‘Jack-Star’ so as a final detail I added a large star appliqué on one side. Jack LOVES collecting things in the woods, particularly rocks and pine cones! Lots of pockets were therefore essential and there are two zip pockets on the joggers and inseam pockets on the jacket.

Charlie’s sweatshirt is the Beep Beep Raglan – a perennial favourite thanks to the big pockets on each side. I added a little leather loop to the inside of one of these pockets to which I clipped a carabiner attached to a torch on a length of twill tape. This means Charlie will always have his torch to hand, can store it in the pocket when it’s not needed and he will struggle to lose it! I created the ‘Ho Ho Ho’ on the front by cutting the letters from tracing paper using my Cricut, using quilting glue to attach them to the fabric and then spraying the whole thing with bleach. This resulted in a subtle but striking effect that suited the overall theme.

Charlie’s joggers are based on the High Kick Harem pattern. I changed the pocket style from the original and added a metal eyelet to allow the addition of a carabiner and compass. I added a colour blocked strip down each outer leg seam and created an additional tiny pocket at the bottom of one leg to mirror the sweatshirt colourblocking and pockets. I used the same twin needle effect that I used on Jack’s joggers on the central leg piece here.

In the summer I discovered that one branch of our extended family are MacDonalds and they were very keen for me to sew for the boys using a MacDonald tartan. I sewed up a snood for Charlie with a tartan wool as the outer and teddy for the lining. I generally make these using stretch fabrics so changed the pattern to use snaps and an elastic adjuster instead. I added another gold accent to complement the one on Jack’s joggers.

I love sewing hats and the boys hate having cold ears so the AJ Aviator was the perfect solution! I used tweed for the outer (bought direct from the mill whilst on holiday in Scotland earlier this year) and the most luxurious faux fur for the inner.

To finish off both looks I sewed up a pair of Fireside Slippers for each boy (pattern coming later this week!). Charlie’s are made from the same tweed as the hats and Jack’s are made from the tartan wool of Charlie’s snood. I used water resistant, non-slip fabrics for the soles and whilst they’re not really intended for playing in the mud, they will be perfect for running down the paths inbetween the lodges as the boys dash from one set of Grandparents to the next!

A special thanks to Minerva Crafts who are sponsoring all the contestants in Season 22 of Project Run & Play and who provided all the cords, tapes and leather trimmings that I used this week. The boys couldn’t be happier with their Christmas outfits and can’t wait to get back out in the woods and start exploring!

Now it’s time for you to head on over to Project Run & Play and cast your vote. Don’t forget that public opinion counts for a huge 1/3 of the final result so you really do get a say in who wins!!