Thank heaven for little girls!

Today is Gracie's 4th birthday. That means I have been sewing for a little over four years since my sewing began in the last trimester of my pregnancy with her. I had only sewn a couple of times (with my mom's help) making a baby bubble for two of my little guys. When I found out in November of 2006 that I was having a baby girl, I was so excited to look for little girl crib bedding. The more I looked, however, the more I realized that this stuff was too expensive and I was really picky. In early January of 2007, I ordered my Kenmore computerized sewing machine. I bought fabric for a crib set, but I decided to start by making flannel receiving blankets. I bought several yards of pretty flannel, cut them square and did a simple hem. Then I tackled the crib set (bumper and dust ruffle). I moved on to a bucket cover/storage basket project in addition to a baptism dress.



Once Gracie was born, I didn't take the sewing machine out for several months, but when she was about three or four months old, I made a couple of outfits. After all, she had a huge wardrobe I had purchased when I lost my mind found out I was finally having a girl. By the fall, I had discovered Elegant Stitches and gotten my first peek at Ottobre. By winter, I was buying fabric for decorating Gracie's room (we didn't finish converting the nursery to just her room until the boys were all fixed up with a double room for the three to share). Her first really fancy dress by mommy couture was for her first Easter, and my sewing really took off from there.

Now, I make more of her clothes than I buy and I also make a lot of my own clothing. I even sew for the guys, our home, and for lots of different projects. It is a true joy to be able to create wonderful things for my family.

Nighttime projects

I like nightshirts. They are so much fun to sew because I have access to lots of great knits (Patsy Aiken outlet!!) and they don't require major fitting issues. A couple of nights ago, I made my second version of Simplicity 2739. I reviewed it two years ago in a long sleeve version.

 This version is made from a Patsy Aiken knit and trimmed with a white ruffle trim I got from an online store. I didn't want to change thread just to sew the trim on, so I used an embroidery stitch to do it. The sleeves and ruffle are finished with a serger rolled hem.

This is my cap sleeve version:

Tonight, I have been stitching out cute little monkeys from Embroidery Library for birthday party outfits for Benjamin (6 on 4/1) and Gracie (4 tomorrow). They are having a joint birthday party in the afternoon. I stitched on a store-bought t-shirt for Benjamin and then decided to make Gracie a simple t-shirt knit dress. I'm currently stitching out her monkey and still need to sew the dress. Oh well, this is what I do...

Rainbow Bright

 Simplicity 2343 made up in a gorgeous rayon-poly woven from Emma One Sock. I fell in love with the fabric, got the last piece of it on sale and had enough for this beautiful skirt plus a few small pieces that I will save for the inevitable someday project.

The top I'm wearing is the Jalie sweetheart neckline top. I think I need to revisit that pattern. I forgot how much I liked it.

For tomorrow's sewing adventures, I have two nightgowns cut and ready to sew. One is from a Simplicity sleepwear pattern with a romantic peasant neckline gathered below the bust. The other was cut from a McCall's dress pattern that I am adapting to my nightgown desires. (Sounds like a steamy romance novel, huh?)

Once I get those done, I will make sure I have the perfect 4th birthday outfit for Miss Gracie who will be 4 on Saturday, then it's on to the Easter fashions.

I like my size

Allow my day job to creep out and share a poem with you (I'm an English teacher) - Maya Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman"

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies. I say, It's in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It's the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can't see. I say, It's in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say, It's in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, 'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me I'm 5'4" and a size 12/14 in RTW which makes me pretty darn average - except for my girls because I definitely have an above-average size bust. I used to care that my body wasn't perfect. Then I gave birth to and nursed (for a cumulative total of 7 years) four beautiful, healthy children. Things could be a lot worse.  As a sewist, I have come to realize I have a unique advantage. I'm right at the size where patterns tend to cross size ranges. I just picked up a La Mia Boutique Tagli Fortie because I'm only one size off (smaller than) many of the patterns. Plus, I already know they look good on models with figures more like mine than the size 2's modeling in the regular issue. If I sew it, it's about the final appearance, not vanity sizing. I make it fit me. Of course, I thumbed through the issue, identified several things I like and want to make and proceded to cut out two nightgowns and a skirt from big four patterns. The fabric for the skirt was Italian. Does that count? LOL ;-)

Pinkness, Cuteness - the epitome of an almost four-year-old girl

Modkid Emma in some of Amy Butler's newest fabrics - so pink and girly - even added pink princess Sleeping Beauty (an applique from my stash pre-Deco). I can't picture anything girlier!

Here's a bonus shot of the little darling modeling the green dress I finished earlier in the week.

I think she really likes the applique from my embroidery machine!

Fabric P@rn anyone?

Fun prints, pretty colors...this is one of the major reasons I sew (and also scrapbook). The top dress is Roxy by Farbenmix in coordinating prints I picked up at Elegant Stitches.

The green dress is Simplicity 3512 is a really adorable bright print with contrasting white trim and a little bug applique to keep her garden free of weeds. ;-)

The "peace" tie-dye splash print is a knit from Joann's that I had to have for a nightgown. The pattern I used is not sleepwear, but an easy knit dress - makes a perfect nightie, though! (McCall's 6074).

...and no fabric p@rn posting would be complete without a taste of some of the other lovely fabrics waiting to meet scissors and machines. ;-)

Off to sew up a ModKid "Emma" in some lovely new Amy Butler fabrics!

New Vogues - lots to like

New Vogues are out, and I'm excited

This is such a pretty dress with the draping and variety of fabrics! (V1244) I'm usually not a fan of the Koos patterns, but this one intrigues me.

This dress is simple, but has some lovely detail to it: (V1242)

as does V1241, another Kay Unger design:

This dress does not say "summer" to me, but the back is particularly lovely: (V1239)

This DKNY dress has some nice controlled draping: V1235

I also like this easy DKNY dress V1236:

Rachel Comey comes through with another cute skirt & top combo V1247:

Vogue Easy Options has a great halter dress pattern (V8727) that has some bra-friendly cuts to it:

This safari style jacket is cute and I love the hot pink they show it in (V8732):

I have absolutely no reason to make this dress, but I think it is super pretty (V8729):

This vintage design, however, is high on my list of dresses to make since it looks very big-bust-friendly (V8727):

This sundress is so cute and has sep. cup size pieces (V8723):

This dress is also from the Custom Fit (sep. cup size) group with a really interesting back (V8726):

Being Vogue, there are a few oddball patterns, but mostly this collection is wonderful. I can't wait to get my hands on some of these beauties!

Embroidering with Whimsy

Kari Mecca's two books, Sewing with Whimsy and More Sewing with Whimsy, are two of the most creative things I have seen for sewing for little girls - simply breath-taking eye candy. I'll admit that I haven't done as much with them as I'd like to, but have sampled a little from each book.

Last night, I dug into More Sewing with Whimsy and decided to make the square-yoked dress with wavy tiers. Directions for drafting the skirt of the dress couldn't have been easier (even if it does look complicated). I decided to alternate these two coordinating fabrics and embellish the dress with embroidery from Designs by Juju's "Tropical Blast" collection.

I cut the skirt pieces, attached them together and then began stitching.

Tonight I continued by adding the surfing monkey.

Currently, this is the skirt of the dress:

Gracie's little eyes bugged out when she saw the little girl and her surfboard! I'm still deciding what I want to do as far as further embellishment (if I want to do any at all). The print is really bold to begin with and I don't want to detract from the cute characters.

I do think I will construct a pair of bloomers/shorts to go underneath since my little monkey can't get enough of her swingset and I do want her to maintain a little modesty.

Spring flowers

Ever find fabric you love so much you don't want to cut it? That was this...I wanted to sew with this fabric, but I was afraid I'd end up not loving the final product because I was that into the fabric.

Anyway, I made Simplicity 2892 with this beautiful floral print, and I am pleased to say that I didn't disappoint myself. This turned out even better than I expected. Best of all, I didn't need to do an FBA, and I almost always need to do one of those.

So, now I have a new (yet familiar) dilemma: what do I make next?

I have Easter dress shirts for all three boys and my husband to make, plus Gracie's dress, plus my dress...I think it may be the shirts.

A kick in the pants

I'm a step closer to my goal of making nice pants I can wear to work (fitted ones - obviously I took the elastic route for these). I made these Marci Tilton pants that are supposed to be cropped, but only if you have much longer legs than mine. Also, if you make these pants and you don't have a super-long torso, you might be like me and end up taking an inch off the top of the pants once you fit them at the waist. Do, I say, do, not get lazy and skip the fitting step in lieu of just making the casing and adjusting the length of the elastic. I almost did that and this might have been a disaster. Instead, I am quite happy with them.

I'm currently plotting my evening's sewing to coincide with the need to grade some student work (ah, the joys of teaching - homework). I think I'll grade the digital work while I sit beside my Deco and stitch out a few goodies. I think it's time for a couple of spring/Easter themed towels.

It's all in the details

Friends, this is what I made today! I am thrilled to say that it is all for me - not that I don't love home dec, or sewing for my family, but this was for me, and it was a treat.

My first project was this brown skirt from Simplicity 2261. It was a great skirt to fit (no alterations), but the best part is all of the fun details. The pockets, the side tab, and the interesting flap at the waist are all stitched in a decorative pattern. It was a great way to use this nice brown twill and still get a garment with great details. I'm kind of a pattern junkie (in many senses of the word) and the pattern in the stitching satisfied my need for flair as well as my need for a neutral skirt.

My second project today was McCall's 6324 with this neat zipper detail (it gets a bit lost in this photo). I was hoping it would turn out shorter since it was mid-knee on the model, but I forget that I am vertically challenged with or without the cute new shoes I'm wearing here. I found the fabric for this project at Mary Jo's in Gastonia while coming home from Cullowhee last month. The fabric screamed out "buy me!" for this pattern (which at that point I didn't even own, had only seen online). Luckily, my guesstimate of the amounts was dead on and I cut this with almost no room to spare. It was meant to be.

I pulled out a number of fantastic cotton prints that I intend to use for me. They will be going through the laundry tomorrow, so I can start cutting probably on Tuesday. I have some more things in mind for my spring wardrobe. I will confess that I don't always preshrink the fabric for my little girl, but for me...um, yeah. I'm not taking any chances with the amount of FBA's I usually mess with. I think my plan will be to sew up some of these fun prints and then fill in the wardrobe gaps with some knit tops since I have a decent knit stash in the stockroom (aka my garage).

At least I can look forward to a lot of great sewing time this spring and summer while watching my kids play in the backyard on their new swingset (seen in the brown skirt pic - hubby is working on staining/sealing the wood, but we paid someone to custom build it). 

The best part of today's sewing projects is that I can't decide what to wear to work first! That's a fun dilemma to have. 

Cuteness - it's a house specialty

We've lived in our house almost 12 years, and I finally have a window treatment for the second upstairs bathroom (aside from blinds). I made these like the ones in the living room (just flipping them over the rod and tying the ribbons). I cut the hems in a wavy pattern using the ruler on the couch in this picture and a rotary cutter.

There is the final product hanging in my kids' "Under the Sea" themed bathroom. I think it looks nice with the stenciling I did back in 1999!

While the fishies on the valance are cute, I thing this is even cuter. Gracie is modeling my go-to Ottobre basic tee pattern with an "If you give a cat a cupcake" appliqué on it. I also made a skirt to go with it out of some cute cupcake fabric I found at Joann's.

Winston, who looks like he's been given too many cupcakes, seems to like it.

Of course, she's cute no matter what she wears, but I'm glad she loves her "Mama made mine" stuff even if we do throw in some cuteness from Macy's along the way:

Cute...it's how we roll.

Negroni - completed

Negroni -

 my offering for the Male Pattern Boldness Men's Shirt Sew-Along ;-)

Collette Patterns' Negroni in black cotton batiste by Spechler-Vogel.