Firefly Jacket & Hula Hoop Skirt

These two patterns from Oliver + S are in pdf format only.  They were very easy to print and tape together so I could trace out the size I wanted.

The skirt has only 3 pattern pieces: two for the skirt and 1 for the waist.  The skirt is completely reversible and putting the pattern together was quick, easy and painless.  It's size 4.

The jacket pattern was also easy to print out and then tape the pages together. Except I ran out of scotch tape and wasn't about to drive a half hour in to town to get more. So I used double sided carpet tape. That was mistake because when I folded the finished product to put it away, it stuck to itself making it impossible not to reopen without ripping the paper. Argh.

The jacket was easy to put together; it's 2 pattern pieces so all was redeemed.   I used piping around the edge but in hindsight I should have used thicker cord.  Maybe bigger buttons too.

Jacket is size 5.

Instead of ribbon as suggested in the pattern for the back fold, I used a scrap of fabric used in the skirt.

The jacket is reversible which is helpful if the wearer drops ice cream down the front.

The vent in the back is reversed. In hindsight, I should have put something decorative on that section too.

Since the skirt and jacket are both reversible I flipped them both to see what it would look like with the fabrics I chose.
Meh.

I prefer this side out.

Now I'm down to 2 remaining O+S patterns in my stash to make; Sleepover P.J.'s and Field Trip pants and shirt.
After that I have to purchase the 2 new patterns: Roller Skate and Pinwheel dresses and Forest Path Cape and then I have made all 37 the Oliver + S patterns!

Notes to self: use thicker cording in piping, larger buttons, perhaps leave off second flap on back of skirt.

Croquet Dress

Another Oliver + S pattern done!
Just 4 more to go that I own, and 3 more to purchase and I've done them all.

This one is called Croquet Dress.  Despite reading through the instructions I just wasn't sure how this dress was going to come together.

The instructions were clear, it's just that I haven't constructed any dress like this before.  In the end, it was easy and went together quickly.

There's one thing that's certain this time of year ......  a white background for a photo.

Size 3.
Linen.

Here's hoping it fits.

Book Report Dress

Well that was quick.
And easy too.
Time will tell if it passes the test though.

When I showed my daughter this Oliver + S  Book Report dress pattern when it first came out, she didn't care for it.
Outwardly I heaved a deep sigh.
Inwardly I knew I was going to make it.

Digging through my stash which incidentally is pretty much all over the sewing room floor these days, I came up with some blue and off white leafy fabric and paired it with blue poly/cotton.
"If she doesn't like this dress at all" I said to myself "at least I didn't use some treasured fabric."


But I like it.
I like how it buttons up at the shoulders and the dress front folds over the yoke back.

I like the fun pockets that are big and deep.  Perfect for little treasures.

I like the pleats on the front and back.

I like that the dress can be colour blocked....or not.  

And I like that it can be worn as a dress or tunic.
I have tunic in mind so just as soon as I can, I'm going to the fabric store to buy some stretch lace fabric to make leggings to wear with this dress.  Similar to the ones below.

I made size 4.

Note to self: fingers crossed she likes it because I want to make more.

Fairytale Dress trial run

Since I don't have the luxury of trying garment pieces on Caitlin as a project progresses, I simply make up the whole item using old fabric.
In a way, the trial run is a muslin of sorts.

Because I had a peach invisible zipper in my stash, I selected some peach with white fleck cotton fabric and went to work making Oliver + S Fairytale dress.

I've made many bodice dresses in the past. Maybe 50 of them. Or maybe 100. The point is, I am no stranger to this style of dress.
So you'd think as a veteran I could make it in no time even standing on one foot and with my eyes closed.

Not this time around. This dress took me f-o-r-e-v-e-r ...... and it's just a trail run!

Despite the time element, I have to say I am completely happy with the pattern.
I just love the small collar (in the past my collars have been larger), the tulle underskirt which gives it more fullness, the petal sleeves and the little belt.

But I'm not happy with the footprints in the snow beside the dress. Coywolf. It went through about an hour ago and Lucy let me know.  It must be a big bugger too judging by the depth of the print.

Back to the dress......
For the hem, I machined a tuck instead of handsewing as per instructions.

Nervous because Lucy kept barking and sniffing something in the air, I retreated indoors to get another photo.

The dress is size 4 but is fitting rather snugly on the size 2/3 dress form. My guess is it'll be too tight. No worries. It's just a trial run.

When I do make it again I will use medium weight interfacing for the collar. The lightweight was just too thin and bodiless. (is that a word?)
Also, I think using quilting cotton is going to be difficult to iron after washing. Next time around I plan to use a lightweight, heavy-on-the-poly type of fabric.

Basic Blazer...again

Not to be scuppered by my own poor choice of fabric for this pattern when I made it last week, I went back to the stash, chose a slightly stretchy twill type of fabric as well as Bemberg lining and then made the Basic Blazer again.

The outcome this time around was much better. 

Like before, it was really difficult to get a good photo of the jacket. However it fit perfectly and the
Bemberg lining made it easy to slip the blazer on and off.

For our photo shoot our model agreed to sport some funky leather high tops too.

The only change I made to the pattern was to leave an opening in the back of the lining of the jacket to turn inside out as opposed to leaving the bottom open. During construction I basted most of the back seam of the lining and then removed the basting threads to turn inside out.
Also, I didn't stitch around the outside of the welt pocket as indicated. And instead of having 3 buttons for the front, went with 2. In hindsight I should have made bound buttonholes.

His mom and dad loved the outfit: Basic Blazer Jacket, white t-shirt  O+S Sandbox pants, and brown leather high top sneakers.

Basic Blazer from Blank Slate. Size 2
Off to make more little outfits...........................

Photo shoot.

Getting kids to co-operate for photos can be most trying. One minute they are hams for the camera and the next, they want to hog the camera.

Here's Adam willingly sporting for the camera his new Sketchbook shirt and Sandbox pants.

His willingness to model is wearing thin but I can see that the pants hems are a little long as are the shirt sleeve cuffs.  Both are size 2 and next time around I'll make the necessary adjustment.

Okay so now he want to hold the camera.

Quickly I slipped on him the Basic Blazer pattern from Blank Slate; Melly Sews........

...but he was not going to co-operate by standing up for the photo.  He wanted to hold the camera, no ifs, ands or buts!

The blazer was easy and quick to make. Foolishly, I used a faux suede that doesn't have much body even with plenty of stabilizer.  It was impossible to iron and doesn't hold the front lapels properly.

Now our model is winding up to full tantrum because I'm not letting him have my camera.  But just look at those back pockets ... too cute, huh?

Here we are in full melt down.  I like the faux suede fabric because it doesn't crease so next time I'll use it for a dress, maybe the School Photo Dress.

Here I am offering my auxiliary camera .... it's a Canon ..... but no, he wants my Nikon.

I'm going to make this blazer again using a more structured fabric. Oh and with bemberg lining too.

I {heart} fabric

The theme for this week for Project Run & Play is Valentines Inspired Looks.

A few years ago I bought some pretty fabric called 'Blush' by Basic Grey for Moda with the intention to make a Feliz dress. I also made sure I had plenty of contrasting fabric to match for all the ruffles.

Well, that project didn't happen.

But when I read that one of this season's themes could use something with hearts on it, well, all of a sudden the fabric has a new use!

The pattern is Natalie by Childrens Corner.  Size 4.  Despite it being so snowy outside, this dress will be perfect for the summer.

I've made this pattern before and I just love how the back bodice folds back revealing a contrasting fabric.
Since I didn't have enough fabric for the main portion of the dress, I used the same contrasting fabric for the hem.

And I love the pockets too.  Big, deep pockets that a little girl could stash a whole lot of things in them.

I used another complementary fabric for the pocket flap lining.
Hmm, just noticed a few loose threads around the waist.

This pattern uses up a lot of stash fabric which is probably why I like it so much.

And yes there are deer in the background watching me take photos of this dress.

The pattern assumes the user has a fair bit of sewing experience. It's fairly straightforward but the illustrations are somewhat lacking. Overall, the pattern is fairly easy though.

Shirt and Pants

For my entry to Project Run & Play sew-along on Flickr for this weeks theme 'Boys Week', I made the Oliver + S Sketchbook shirt and Sandbox pants.

Something went wrong with the collar, though.  There wasn't enough room for a buttonhole plus the fabric was too thick even if there was room. Fabric is a pique.  I'm not sure what I goofed up on but something is amiss.
I will make another shirt using thinner fabric and maybe discover where I went wrong with this shirt.

On the pants, I used flat felled seams throughout.  I used a twin needle for the top stitching which I managed to goof up on the corners of the pockets.
I had already goofed up on the shirt so why not continue with the pants!

The topstitching on the back pockets also went a little off kilter too. Hey, at least I'm consistent!
The pants fabric is a stretch twill and it didn't iron well in terms of holding a good crease. Maybe thats the problem....the fabric....not the seamstress.

Both shirt and pants are size 2.  The pants fit Adam perfectly and while I haven't tried on the shirt, I'm sure it will fit just fine.

When I was changing feet during this project, I notice that the coating on the bottom of my 1/4" foot was wearing off and it's only 4 years old.

At any rate, I found the time during this busy past week to sew a shirt and pants.  Our little cottage is presently full of guests so my planned entry for next weeks theme for PR&P 'Love is in the Air' may not get done.

New Pattern

Looky, looky!

My friend Judith Marquis has come out with a new pattern for infants called 'Infant Tuxedo Jacket'.

It goes along with her other infant pattern called 'Infant Wardrobe'

I've made the pants and jacket from this pattern and not only is it easy to make but Judith includes a whole lot of design ideas to consider before and during construction. Plus that, she also has a lot of construction tips, tricks and how to's in all of her patterns.

To see the rest of her patterns go here. And while you're there, sign up for her newsletter.

To get to her blog that's full of tutorials go here.

Perfect timing!

I was thinking of an interesting way to present a Valentines craft, "glueing" as Caitlin calls it, other than plunking a painted fruit basket full of crayons, stickers and glue sticks in front of her.

Then last night I read through my one of my 'go-to' blogs: Oliver + S and low and behold there was exactly what I was looking for, a free pattern for a Valentine ornament.

In the past I've made little heart-shaped necklace type purses. In the ancient past I think they were called reticules and they were meant to hold small personal items for a lady. Anyway, I had completely forgotten about them until the free pattern post jogged my memory. Perfect timing!

So I downloaded the pattern, dug through my stash and found some 'Ginger Blossom' by Sandi Henderson fabric, a little cream coloured cotton for lining, red ribbon, and quilt batting.

And voila - two little heart shaped necklace pouches to hold crayons and crafty bits. For Adam, who is too young to sit for any length of time to do 'glueing' I have filled his with snack time cookies.

I think it will be fun to wear one's craft tools or in Mr. A's case, wear ones food which he can do well enough without the aid of a little pouch.

To make the heart shape into a purse, cut 2 pieces of fashion fabric (outside fabric) 2 pieces of lining,  2 pieces of batting too if you want it pouffy and mark a notch though all pieces as pictured below on the template.

If using quilt batting, stitch in place on lining sections with a 1/8" s/a.

On one of the fashion fabric (outside fabric) pieces stitch at the notch section a length of ribbon or cording.

Then pin a fashion fabric piece to a lining piece (right sides together) and stitch from one notch to the other, using a 1/4" s/a.

Do the same with other heart shaped pieces.

Then pull out the bottoms and pin with right sides together the fashion fabric (outside) pieces and the lining pieces. Make sure the ribbon is tucked inside.

Stitch all around pivoting carefully past the notched sections and leave a good size opening in the lining to turn the heart right side out.

Easy-peasy.

For Adams heart pouch I stitched the ribbon to the top of the heart 'bumps' and not at the notch so that the pouch will stay open and he can get his chubby little fingers easily inside.

Off I go babysitting with craft necklace pouches in hand!

Stripes and Polka Dots

For the past two years I have admired all the entries on Project Run & Play.   The themes are challenging and the entries creative and inspiring.

I have found patterns that I wanted to try out from some entries and even bought the same fabric in a few cases.

My favourite theme so far has been the June Bug re-mix and from that my favourite entry was from Cindy.  This pattern is on my very long to-try-out list.

Ashley and Emily, the notorious sewing sisters at FrancesSuzanne,  encouraged me to at least play along with PR&P but looking at my long list of UFO's and the aforementioned to-try-out list, I thought it wouldn't be a good idea....until the other day.
I happened to be in a Fabricland store and saw on sale a big polka dot print for $2.00/m. Wow, $2!!
Knowing this weeks theme at PR&P was stripes and polka dots I weakened, bought the fabric and whipped out a little basic bodice style dress.

For the stripes I spotted this rather loud Seuss fabric, except it wasn't $2.00/m.

So I did it. Stripes and Polka Dots.

As I was constructing the dress, it quickly became apparent that the fabric wasn't worth $2.00. Probably not even worth 50 cents either. It was thin, distorted and I dare say it will survive one wash.  But hey it was fun to whip out.

On the back I sewed on bright red buttons.  I suspect the bow will get changed to something less loud; maybe a plain red sash or a red gingham bow.

(the dress doesn't fit the mannequin that's why it looks distorted.)

When I got to the hem, I didn't bother lining up the dots for the tuck.  As I said, I doubt this fabric will survive one wash.

Size 4.