Just finished: Capri set for Faith

I just finished this capri set for Faith.  I made my own pattern for it.  I have found that making my own pattern is a little easier than using someone else's.  Does that make me weird?  For some reason I seem to have issues following someone else's directions...

I made the straps ajustable.  They go through a little button hole in the front and then out another tiny buttonhole in the back.

And then the straps tie into a bow.    The pants have an elastic waist.  I'm a little concerned that the pant legs might be a tad too little.  My baby has some chunky little legs.  I plan to try it on her after her nap...

I have discovered that making a two piece outfit is more than double the work of a dress.  It's more like quadruple, in my opinion.  However, I have already promised Grace a matching capri set, so I guess I'll just have to work twice as hard.  Maybe outfit number two will go a little easier.  I will say that I am improving by leaps and bounds.  My hems are getting straighter and my insides are less messy.   Best of all, I'm having fun in the process and my girls have some really cute outfits to wear.  Outfits made with lots of love just for them.

Matching dresses

While both girls were napping today (Grace wanted to stay home from school again and I just didn't have the heart to make her go) I whipped these two dresses up for Grace and Faith in honor of Saint Patrick's day tomorrow.  And it only took about 3 1/2 hours total time - not bad since I also created my own patterns out of poster board.

 Both dresses are made out of white seersucker that I got at a garage sale.  And both dresses are lined...

I also made both sashes and flowers.  The center of the flowers are made with buttons that match the buttons on the back of the dresses.

I purposely sewed the buttons on backwards (I think) because they look sparkly.

I made these dresses to celebrate St. Paddy's day, but they just might double as Easter dresses.  It just depends on what else strikes my fancy...

Garage sale find of the week: Vintage fabric and vintage sewing patterns

Faith and I went to a garage sale today and this is what we walked away with.

Tons of fabric and patterns!  The gentleman holding the garage sale was doing so for his mother who has given up sewing.  He wanted 50 cents for each piece of fabric and each pattern.  Rather than sort through everything I asked if he would be willing to sell the whole lot.  And he offered it all for $5!  (A much better deal than buying pieces individually!)  So I snatched it all up.  The whole lot comprised of 4 garbage bags full of fabric and 1 garbage bag full of patterns. 

After I got home I sorted through it all and found this vintage fabric that I think will make a gorgeous skirt for me... I also found several yards of eyelet, seersucker, and even dark wash denim. 

 But best of all there were 26 patterns for children. 

In all sizes from 1 and up.  And these must be vintage - most are marked at 55 cents!  And you know vintage is so stylish now!

In addition to the children's patterns, there were 51patterns for women:  shorts, blouses, dresses, and skirts.  Even one for purses and handbags!  I must admit that I probably won't ever use some of the fabric or patterns, but there's so much left that I will use that I just don't know where to start.  I have enough in this stash alone to last months of continuous sewing.  Now I just need to figure out how to actually use a pattern...  and maybe make a quilt or ten...

Fish biscuit

Seeing Faith do this makes me think she's part chipmunk.  Or beaver.  Or something.

 But she's only teething.

 Her teething, however, is starting to damage my furniture.

So I whipped this up for her to use instead.   My emphasis was on its function not form.  And I needed something fast to save my furniture...  If you look closely, you'll see I didn't even bother changing out the thread on my sewing machine.  And I didn't bother hiding any of my stitches.  In fact, what looks like a nose or mouth was some practice stitches using different feet for another project.   Come to think of it, this actually pretty sloppy.  I should be probably be embarassed...but I doubt Faith will be much of a critic...

 Inside I put a little unfinished wooden oval.  I'm thinking it should help with my baby's need to gnaw.

I used all fabric remnants and sewed a quick (real quick) case for the little wooden block.    Then I stuffed the tail with wet wipes wrapper and tiny fabric scraps.  I decided this chew toy needed a crinkle factor like the expensive toys at the store.  So I took an empty wet wipes container and cut it into strips and then stuffed it into the tail before sewing it all up.  Like I said, this was a quick project to save my furniture, not win any sewing awards. 

 She actually seems to like it.  I've dubbed it Faith's "fish biscuit."

When I picked Grace up from school, she wanted to see it.  She bit down on it like Faith and said, "Momma, this fish biscuit is kinda hard."  Um, you're not supposed to really eat it darling.  Then Grace was kind enough to point out that it's missing an eyeball.   Fish have two eyeballs, you know, but I only had one pink button.  Now Grace wants me to make her a fish biscuit like Faith's but she needs two eyeballs on hers... 

My work is never done.  Smile.

Grace's art smock

I finished another project today - an art smock for Grace!

 When she got home from school today, we tried it on and it fit her beautifully!

 And it has pockets on the front.  Grace adores pockets!  You can find the tutorial I used here.

"What next?"  On to painting, I suppose...

It's a nice start

For my very first sewing project, that is.

 I even got a smile from Grace when she tried it on.  Even if it was a forced smile.

 Actually, she seems to like it well enough.

But Grace insisted on taking it off immediately "Caws I need sum black shoes furst!" 

(Because I need some black shoes first!) 

While the dress is not exactly what I had in mind, it turned out okay.  I had planned to add a second tier to the skirt and cute little pantaloons but decided that called for way too much effort.  Especially for my first project.  I made those ruffles at the bottom of the dress by hand.  And let me tell you that was a lot of work.  

I also think the sash is too wide.  I probably need to sew it onto the dress.  Otherwise they'll never stay together.  I can't figure out how to hide the seams if I do that though.  Speaking of seams, mine are fairly straight and unnoticeable.  But the inside of the dress is a mess.  Threads are going every which way and little pieces of fabric are unravelling slightly from the cuts.  Next time I think I'm going to attempt making the outfit reversible so it will look a bit cleaner. 

I suppose it's a good thing I didn't expect perfection from my first attempt!  I'm glad I've decided that it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.  In the meantime, I need to figure out how to make buttonholes.  I made this dress so it would button up the back but I have no idea how to sew buttonholes.  So I have three cute little buttons on the back with no where to go...  I guess it's time to research!

Sew inspired

I have an idea for a feminine, vintage-inspired, boutique-y style dress for Grace that I am really excited about.  And a matching one for Faith, too of course, but I'm going to tackle Grace's first.  She's bigger and therefore easier (in my mind) to dress.  So I looked for a pattern at Hancock Fabrics but quickly gave that idea up.  Frankly, I don't particularly like digging for needles in haystacks - especially with children in tow.  In addition, I couldn't find any rhyme or reason to Hancock's pattern order which just gave me another excuse to stop looking.  Besides, I seriously doubt there's a pattern out there for what I want anyway. So I've decided to wing it.  I mean, I know in my mind what I want; so surely I can figure out how to make it without buying a pattern.  Furthermore, I'm not exactly the type that tends to follow directions anyway... 

So, instead of taking everyone's advice and starting with something simple, I'm diving in head first and going all out for my first sewing project.  And I'm sew excited about it!  My philosophy is simple.  Be fearless.  It's only fabric.  And since Grace is just 3 years old, she's hardly a discriminating critic.  As long as it's pink, somewhat girly, and a dress, she'll love it.  And that's all that matters to me.

I've already sketched my idea out on paper and cut the fabric for the top.  And I've cut the fabric for the first layer of the skirt.  And I just finished chopping up my polka dot fabric into strips for the sash.  After trying to tie the sash around Grace's waist I realize that I should have bought a longer piece of polka dot fabric...  But that's okay, I'll make it work.  Now, I just need to decide on the ruffles, straps, and the second tier skirt.  Then, I need to make up my mind if I'm going to put in the extra effort to hide all my seams like my friend Angela does.  She makes her dresses reversible.  I'm thinking that calls for more skill and ambition than I currently have...  At the rate I'm going I should be done with this tomorrow or the following day.  Not bad for a first timer.  Of course, a lot depends on the sewing.  I have a feeling that the cutting was the easy part...

I'm SEW excited!

This is my Christmas present from my parents.  We celebrated this weekend.  It's my new friend.

It's a brand-spanking-new sewing machine!!!  Words cannot describe how excited I am...

But these pictures should give you an inkling...

I made a trip to the fabric store this morning...

I now have polka dots

And stripes

Prints

And patterns

Ric rac, elastic, and buttons galore!

I have a whole list of fun projects I plan to tackle in the coming months:  I'm going to recover my nursery glider and ottoman, make new pillowcases for Grace's room, throw pillows for the family room, maybe even a quilt for our bed.  And that's not even taking into account all the mending I can do or the most exciting projects of all.  New boutique clothes for the girls!  Maybe even a matching outfit or two for their dolls and Chloe!  Dresses, and capri sets, and jumpers.  I can see my girls in them now.  I'm feeling sew inspired that I'm ready to dive right in!