Cookies, Stockings and Tree Trimming!

 Sweet pea got her cast off last week and her first request was to make cookies with mama. I wpouldn't let her help bake while her cast was on so it wouldn't get anyhting on/in the cast so she was ready to go when it came off!

 She wanted to wear her apron. She told me that "the apron is mine not grandma's" I not sure why she said this, I guess she thinks grandma wants her apron, hehehe. I not sure how much it help though seeing she had flour everywhere. She though that if you sprinkled the flour it looked like snow. :) WE had such a blast cutting the cookies out!

I did the frosting she did the sprinckes. She put the sprinkels on one at time. I think she did a great job.  

 She did a few too. ;)

 These took a while to sprinkle. It was sure fun to watch her make them though!

 Sweet pea also wanted to "finish" decorating the tree with daddy. She loved to add stuff but only on one branch. I love toddlers!

 She worked really hard to decorate the whole house. This is her first Christmas that she has really got excited.

 And yes, those deer are in the house. Right where Sweet pea wanted them. She has been playing with them everyday. She is only little once. :)

 We are proud of our little helper. (Don't you love the peanutbutter face?)

 We are hiding the Advent stockings this year for the older boys. Kind of like Elf on the shelf but with stockings of treats.



 

If you would like to make them you can find the tutorial here for them. They are quite fun to make.

 

I also have been making stockings for the boys school friends. 70 in all. I have all them stiched together I just need to add the hanger and finish the tops. These have put me in the Christmas spirit. :) They should be finshed later this morning. Yippy!



Happy sewing!

 

 

Sharon

Christmas Baby

 Do you remember this outfit here for Mr W? Well this whole outfit was made out of left over fabric from that! (yep fussy cutting with no left over fabric at all!)

I used the Oliver + S Sail boat for the top. I used the charcoal corduroy for facings to make it warm and cozy for cold days, which I hope we will have! The winter sock monkey fabric is from Hobby Lobby.

 For the pants I used charcoal corduroy with the O+S After School pattern. I did make some mods on these, like I left off the front pockets. I seen this pair here on the flicker group that I just love! I had to copy!  You should see all her little boy clothing that she sews, I am so inspired by everything that she sews! (a bit jealous too!) I also made these a 12-18 month size with the 6-12 month length. With his nappies the old pair was getting snug in the waist.

These is nothing that says I love you like a label on your tush! Merry first Christmas baby boy!

 

 

Sharon

Pretty in Plaid!

 This is Sweet pea's new favorite outfit! She wore it all day yesterday and even to bed last night. I tried to talk her into to pj's but she said no with a smile. The fit is great and she loves the colors, even though it is not pink. The flannel is very cozy for the chilly days we are having.

 I used the Apple Picking Dress pattern from Oliver + S for the over dress. The blouse is a fast favorite of mine. It looks great with her skirts and great under her dresses! It's the Music Class blouse from Oliver + S. The shirt takes some time to make seeing it has pin tucks on it but it is so worth the time put into it!

 I am thinking about making her a hot pink plaid one next, I sure she wold love it!

 

If you own the Apple picking dress you can find a how-to here to make the pinafore dress for your little girl!

 

Happy Sewing!

 

Sharon

Holiday Bow Dress Tutorail

Sweet pea loves her Christmas outfit this year. She even helped pick out all the fabrics an buttons for this one. Both fabric and buttons are from Sweet pea's great-grandmother. I think just about everyone is my family sews. :) I though I would share with you on how I made Sweet pea's Christmas dress this year.

http://oliverands.com/oliver-and-s-patterns/OLV-OS028AP.html 

I used the Oliver + S Apple Picking Dress pattern for the pinafore dress. I have used this pattern a few times before, It's a favorite of mine! But what O+S pattern isn't?

 The pink pattern piece is the original pattern and the white is the changed pattern piece. (I made the 3T size here.) From the bottom edge of the pink pattern to the bottom edge of the white is an 1 1/2". I just then drew a line from top edge to the mark at eh bottom of the white pattern piece. This includes a 1/2" seam allowance. Cut two of the main fabric and two of the lining fabric out.

 I then took the Center button placket (the bigger one that goes on the top of the dress) and added a 1 1/8" to the bottom then drew a straight line down to make the angle. I also rounded the top corner of the bottom placket too. The longer straight edge needs to be cut out along the fold of the fabric. Cute one of the main fabric and one of the lining fabric.

 I then took the center button plackets and added fusible interfacing to the main (plaid) piece then stitched the two together with right sides facing. (1/2" seam allowance) Trim, turn and press.

 I then edge stitched the outside and added my button holes. I used the pattern's guide for the button holes for this one but for the Christmas one I only used six buttons so I just evenly spaced them out.  

 Then stitch the lining bodice and main bodice at shoulder's only. I trimmed and pressed the seam allowance.

 Then pin main and lining together with right sides faces. Stitch only the arm holes and front center and neck line. (where the black lines are) Trim seams, turn and press.

 Now stitch together the sides of the bodice (where lines are). Open up the lining and main of wears left side. Pin the main and lining side bodice with right sides together. (see below)

 Stitch and then trim seam and press open. Turn bodice right side out and press bodice again.

 This is what you'll have! Repeat with other side. I then edge stitched around the arm holes and bodice outside edges.

 The pin the center placket on and stitch the whole bodice lining to the main fabric using a 3/8" seam allowance. I then finished the pattern as in the instructions for the skirt. (I did add a 2" to the length of the skirt though)

 To make the bow I cut out two 5"x7" and stitched them together leaving a 2" opening. I trimmed the seam allowance then hand stitched the opening closed.

 I then pleated the bow and stay stitched it in place in the center.

 For the center of the bow I  cut out a 2" wide strip of fabric and stitched it together using a 1/4" seam allowance. I turned and press it with the seam in the center. I just wrapped the tub of fabric around to fit it to the bow and added 1/4" for seam allowances. I did a narrow zig zag stitch on the raw edges to finish them, them stitched it together to make a circle. (see below) Then turn right sides out and place the seam in the back and thread the bow through.

 I then stitched the bow onto the very bottom of the bodice, centered, to the button placket. I moved back the center ring of the bow and stitched under this on both sides to hold it in place. Then add buttons and you are done!

 One new dress for Sweet pea! (thanks Grandma for the buttons and the fabric!!)

Happy Sewing!!

 

Sharon

Tiny Tots with Their Eyes All Glow

 It's Prince C's first Christmas and his 5 month birthday! This year it's Sweet pea's first Christmas that she knows it's Christmas so it's a special Christmas here at our house. (It's might be one of the last "Santa" years with the older boys. I know it will be here soon enough so I want to enjoy the magic of Christmas as much as we can.)

 I wanted to make Prince C a vintage style suit for him, nothing that looks to older boyish. I use the Oliver + S Sketchbook pattern to make his knickers, waist coat and shirt with. The suiting fabric is a lovely wool blend. It was wonderful to sew with! I made the hat pattern myself. I really wanted a little hat for him!  I have seen little bow ties like this all over the sewing blogs before. It was really quit easy and quick to make.

 

For Sweet pea's dress I used the Oliver + S pattern Apple Picking dress. I made it into a sleeveless pinafore that is fully lined with pink pearl buttons for my pink loving girl. I used a deep red corduroy fabric and kona cotton to line it with. I added some length to the skirt and bow to finish it. I made the Music class blouse for her to wear under in a simple white.

 I added suspenders to Price C's pants with little buttons so as he grows longer they will adjust. I love the way this looks on him. My little angel. :)

 Yep, picture taking makes him tired!

 I also made Sweet pea a Sunday Brunch jacket in a fun print. I added length to the bodice part so that I could add belt loops and belt to it. I also added length to the skirt so it would look great with her longer dress.

 It's hard to see but there is ruffle that goes the whole way around the bodice and down the front of her jacket. I had to make the sleeves wider on both the blouse and jacket in width for her because of a casted arm. So on the jacket I added a button tab to make pretty gathers so the jacket looks great now and after the cast comes off.

 We are so ready to have this cast off too! What a pain it has been for her.

Sweet pea has been so excited over this year Chrstmas outfit too. It makes all the hours put into this so worth while to this mama. :)

 No I didn't make the older boys outfits this year. They have some lovely shirts from Gymboree that look great on them that they love and I don't have enough time to make all they outifts before it's time to order Christmas cards. It works for me! This is the best picture I could get of this crazy bunch of kiddos. I think C is laughinhg at me for trying to do so. ;)

 

 Here's a peek at the inside of her jacket, yep there is pink in here! She loves her pink so I had to put it on her jacket somewhere. She was very happy with it.

 On baby C's I added a pocket to the front. I know he will not use it but it sure does look pretty cute! The hat has elastic on the back so I hope that it fits for a while. I know he has grow so much already.

Happy Holidays!!

 

Sharon