Gone Astray!

A few have you have noticed my absence. Please don't be worried as I am doing fine. If you've sold a house recently, you will understand when I tell you that I've been super busy getting my house ready to sell and, now, keeping it ready for those invisible buyers that come through every few days!

 I barely let my husband sit on the couch, poor guy. You never know when that next house shopper is going to want to stop by! No, we don't have a house in mind to buy. We have just decided that the time is right to move back to "town". It's an adventure!

 You may remember that I've been sewing in my bedroom for several years. Well, that might seem strange to potential buyers, so I've moved to this cute cubby in the basement. I love the lighting...so much better than the bedroom. It's also very cool during the hot summer days. Now, if I can just find time to sew!

 I did make my three year old granddaughter, Lois, a little dress a while back to welcome her home from Nepal. Do you see those words "easy-to-sew"?

 Well...Miss Simplicity lied. This placket was a killer. It looks simple, doesn't it? That's just what I thought. But, no! Trust me on that. The pattern was only a buck on sale, so no tears were shed when it landed in the circular file, let's just say!

 The result is cute and fits Lois perfectly, although it's hard to tell in this blurry photo! 

 And just to prove to you that I'm still alive and well, here is hubby and me with six of our grandies right before shooting off a bunch of really cool fireworks on the 4th.

We will miss that next year, I know. 

Thanks for sticking with me.

Maxi-Skirt

We called them maxi-skirts back in the '70's. Now they are popular again. Even kindergarteners want one, it seems! I used some double gauze fabric purchased recently from Sunny Day Fabrics to make Lula's dream come true...

I've used this Burda 9442 pattern before and knew that it was a great fit and cute style. The double gauze is so soft and drapey...perfect for a skirt.

This time, I used a coordinating fabric for the yoke, left off the bow and created the longer version.

 Some things never go out of style!

The Family Reunion Dress

 A few weeks ago I placed an order with Sunny Day Supply for some darling fabrics. Today, I want to show you what I made with some of the yardage, Snail Trail by Cloud 9 Fabrics. I've had the Family Reunion Dress pattern, by Oliver & S, for awhile now, but this was my first attempt at sewing it.

 You know that I adore the style and creativity of the O & S patterns. This one is a keeper for sure, and one that I'll be using over and over again for my granddaughters' little dresses. This rendition is size 4 and is the largest size included in the pattern. I may have to see if they make it in larger sizes.

 Jane, who is four, is petite for her age so the neck was perhaps a little bit wide on her. I could have made the size 3 and just lengthened it if I wanted a perfect fit. But, then again, little girls grow. Right!?

 As usual, the pattern instructions were clear and clever. I love the pin tucks on both the front and the back of the bodice. Buttons down the back are my favorite closing for little dresses. For some reason, I think that it looks classier than a zipper.

 An extra special touch is the faced hem which adds body and weight to the bottom of the dress making it hang nicely.

 Together, the super cute fabric and classic design of the dress make for a darling summer frock.

I think Janie likes it too!

Hide-And-Seek Tunic

 With Spring's arrival, I'm getting the itch to sew little-girl-size clothing again!
Cotton & Steel Horses paired with Peppered Cotton look really pretty on my red-headed Lula sewn up into the Hide-And-Seek Tunic by Oliver+S.

 Since this was my first attempt at the pattern, I wasn't sure about the sizing. Although the top is supposed to be "roomy", I might make the shoulders a bit narrower the next time on this size 7 for Lula. My experience with O+S patterns has always been positive and this pattern was no exception, going together quickly and effortlessly. The dress version with welt pockets would only be a little more complicated and easy enough for anyone with a bit of garment-making experience.

 I'm thinking of trying the top again using just one fabric and leaving off the sleeves for a summery version. It might be cute to shorten it a little to wear with shorts also.

Next up, will be a sweet little O&S Family Reunion Dress for Lula's sister, Jane. Stay tuned for that soon!

Cold November Stitching

Monday, I spent the day coatless as I cleaned up my flower beds and finished some painting on the exterior of our house. By Tuesday morning the temperatures were in the 20's. It's hard to adjust!

What's a girl to do but stay inside and sew, right!

 This cute little Stylin' tunic by Olive Ann Designs sewed up so quickly. I used a fun cotton knit fabric by Anna Maria Horner in orange.

 This is the second pattern that I've tried by this designer and am impressed with her directions and helpful diagrams. My only change was to add interfacing at the neckline, knowing from experience that the final result would look nicer if I used some on the facing. The back opening was easy to make using elastic cording as the loop.

 Having a healthy collection of old buttons, I found some fun ones for the flaps on the pockets. I'm anxious to see how the fit is on my three year old grand daughter, Lois....she'll need a long sleeve tee under it in these temps!

 I also whipped up some rice bags for a friend suffering from severe shoulder pain. The small sizes were quick to sew up and will give her a choice of warm comfort when heated in the microwave for a minute or two.

 Velcro seemed a good way to close up the bags so that the amount of rice inside can be adjusted. Now I'm wondering if I should have put the rice inside of muslin bag first. Hmmm...

 I'll have to think about that over another cup of hot coffee!

How are you keeping warm?!

Classy Cargo Dress Pattern Review

As soon as I laid eyes on this pattern, I knew immediately that I had to have it. Olive Ann Designs is a new pattern line to me and one that I'll be looking out for in the future because it was so well done.

 The pattern packet contains tissue patterns with size marking from sizes 2 through 10 and even a size for an 18" doll. I made the size 6 for Lula. The fabric is called Littlest, by Art Gallery Fabrics, if you are wondering.

 My favorite part is the pocket detail. I added the bias edging to the pleated cargo pocket, but it would be cute without it as well. My one suggestion for improving the pattern would be to add interfacing to the buttoned front and neckline. I just automatically always add this important step when garment sewing to give more body and a professional look.

 The back is designed with a kick pleat and belt loop. I found the directions and photos to be well done for the most part, especially for anyone who has some garment sewing experience. The elastic belt was very easy to make and a creative alternative to the sashed belt featured on the front of the pattern.

 The dress design is so perfect for Lula's slender body type. Since the style is a bit grown up,  I'm not sure it would be as cute in the size two, but maybe with different fabric it would be great for younger girls. Lula loved the dress and so did her mommy...which is very important!

With leggings and a tee, it's perfect for a fall day at school.

Twirly Froggy Dress

 Three times is a charm, they say. It may be true as my third try at sewing up the First Day Dress, by Made, resulted in the best fit, so far, for Lula.

 Searching for a fabric that had a polka dot look, but a little something different, I decided on the cute little froggy fabric, called Hopping Along, from the Lotus Pond designs by Rae Hoekstra. The organic fabric is made by Cloud 9 Fabrics. For lining, a little cotton floral, found on the clearance table at Joanne's, seemed the perfect contrast as well as price!

 Cutting the neckline down about a half an inch and using the next size larger pattern made the dress a lot more comfortable for Lula to wear. It would fit a bit better with a little tapering at the waistline but would require a zipper in the back, I think, to make it easy to put on. A belt at the waist might do the trick, too, and look pretty cute.

 Lula loved the large turquoise flower shaped button at the neck. Again, I made a self fabric loop closure rather than the suggested elastic cording.

 When the weather turns cooler, later this week, Lula can pair the dress with leggings and a cardigan for a different look. She'd really like to turn the fully lined dress wrong-side-out and wear it that way as the lining fabric is her favorite part! I might have to think about how to do that next time!

 The best thing about this dress, really though, is how twirly the skirt is!

 And twirling is pretty important stuff when you are in kindergarten, you know.

Okay, I guess I better slow down on the Little Girl Wardrobe and get a bit of quilting done now. More on that soon!

Made By Lolly - Little Shift Dress

 Today was a picture perfect day....still summer for a few more weeks. Here's a cute pattern to ring in the new school year: Little Shift Dress by Favorite Things.

 The coral pink fabric, Children at Play by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller, has been in my possession for a couple of years. Called Hopscotch, it sewed up so darling in this easy to make dress pattern.

 The back features a placket opening with a button closing and self-made bias trim around the pleated neck-line and gathered sleeves. Add some tights and a sweater, and the shift will work well for cooler autumn weather.

I only made a few changes to the size 3 pattern instructions - adding interfacing to the placket, raising the elastic waist casing up 1 3/4 inches, creating a fabric button loop rather than cording, and making the sleeve openings a bit smaller.

 The dress sews up very quickly and is one that I'll be making again sometime for any one of my six grand daughters....the pattern includes sizes 2 through 10. The fit is true to size and the sewing directions are easy to follow.

 Tomorrow I will show you more of Lula's kindergarten wardrobe made by Lolly  using this cute frog fabric by Cloud 9 and the First Day Dress pattern.

Can you tell that I'm having a ball sewing up little girl's clothes?!