Corduroy, Cotton and knit for Fall

Sweet pea and I have more recently found this very inspirational little girl clothing website, Chasing Fireflies. She loves to look at all the pretty outfits online and in the catalogue.  This outfit pictured below is one of the outfits that she really liked and had to have mama make her. Lucky for me Ellie Inspired came out with a pattern so very similar this past month that worked out perfectly!

For her skirt I used the "School Days skirt" pattern with a few mods. The waist band in the pattern calls for one piece to be cut, I changed this to a four pattern piece part. All I did was dived the measurements by two and add seam allowance to only one side. (The side that would have been sewn has it in there still)  I made the waist band pieces 4 1/2" inched log as well to get this look. Next is to cut the front waist band down to size for a flat front. For this juts measure the waist line and dived that by half and add in your seam allowance. Cut two front and two back pieces, two for main and two for lining. The two sections on the main side is to put the big bow that ties at the back of the skirt. I then cut out the next two fabrics out according to the width of the first ruffle on the skirt.  I also added in flat 1" piping between the cotton and corduroy layers as well and finished it off with w yellow bias bow. (thank you so much Shelley for the advice!!)

I made shirt using the "The Sleepy bear pj's" pattern. I made  a size 4 with a size 6 length for her to tuck the shirt in easier. The only mods made to the top pattern was making it long sleeves and making it a rounded neckline, oh and I added a bias to the neck line instead of the ribbing. I did make the sleeves a little long but Sweet pea grows so quick that this will fit her much longer.

The skirt is full for lots of twirling too. See the two bows?! These are her favorite part of the skirt. This is one of those if she puts it on, she starts to dance outfits. haha!

This is my favorite part of her outfit, the shirt! It's made with an embroidery white knit. I had enough left over to make a matching head band. That was so quick and easy to sew too. I most of it on the serger.  

Here is the lovely back bow. I am thinking Sarah needs a pettie skirt to go under her skirt to give it some more "puff". She will need one for her costume this year anyway so why not make it sooner than later. When did her hair get so long too?!?I was going to have it cut this summer but she doesn't want it short so we let it grow some more.

I would say fall sewing is off to a great start! I have pretty much all of Sarah's sewing done, other than three pairs of pants and Jacob's is all done. Yep, I think I am back to sewing full swing now!

Happy Sewing!!

Sharon

Sewing for Me! Diplomat Top and More

 

At last at last, some sewing for me!

I spend all my sewing time on the kids so I thought it would be nice to sew for me for a change. I have gained a ton of a weight after having Prince C so I have not been to happy sewing anything for myself.  However I have been trying to lose weight by exercising and eating healthy these past couple of months so I thought it was about time I made me some new clothes. (The weight is coming of slowly but I am sure it will stay off this way too)

 

I made myself a Diplomat top which I have bee dying to make forever. My mom bought this fabric for me for another dress but I thought it would look great with this pattern instead. The pattern is lovely to follow and easy to sew. I am sure I will be using this pattern much more.

 

This picture is a work in progress. I tried to pattern match the front bodice pieces and to my surprise it came out nice looking. While I was working on this I though "How would Justine do this".  Her pattern matching is amazing!! It must have worked too. :)

 

I did change the zipper a bit. I kinda read the instructions but deiced to sew the zipper in like the Fairy Tale dress. Since there is no lining on the top I serged the raw edges first and hand tacked the zipper down after I sewn it in. It worked out just fine.

 

 

I had bought a Clothkits skirts too but I just traced off the pattern and made this skirt. The kit's skirt is a lovely cord that I am saving to the end of summer to sew in hopes of getting sown to a smaller size.  

 

 

I also made this chevron skirt from a McCall's pattern. I have been wanting to try this pattern out for a couple of years. I am sorry I didn't make one sooner. I just love the pockets on this skirt! I hope to make one or two more.

 

I have a few more things cut out for myself I just need to buy some thread and find some time. ; )

 

Happy Sewing!

 

Sharon

Music Class and Two plus Two

 Yes, another Oliver + S pattern or two!

I have wanted to make this skirt for Sweet pea for a while now. She seen on the O+S flicker a while ago and wanted one like it too.  In fact it's why I bought the 2+2 pattern in the first place! (I don't know why it's taken me this long to get around to make this skirt up, I have had the skirt cut out for months now) I tell you Nicole can you want more pattens than you ever though! She is so talented!

 The top is the Oliver +S Music Class blouse with a slight mod made to it. I had to add 2" to the center sleeve to add more room for her arm in the pink cast. I left the cuff the same by making the 1" pleat on the end of the sleeve to a 3" pleat. It work out pretty good too. It's a tad snug only when the cuff slides up a bit while she plays.

 I love the look of this outfit, it reminds me of a classic little girl look. The blouse has these very pretty pin tucks in the front and back and the pleated skirt is so girly! It beautiful enough for church but still comfy enough for play.  The fabric on the skirt is a black twill with the velvet ribbon around the waist band. The blouse top in made out of the Children at play line and finished with buttons from grandma. I wished that I did wait a a few more hours to make the button hole though. My aunt sent Sweet pea the perfect buttons to finish this outfit with. It's just as well though, Sweet pea thinks they are her new button bracelet and it matches her new outfit. :)

I am not to sure what I will sew next. Sweet pea has "order" a few things and there are some tops and a cape to sew her that she now needs and some tops and pants for the baby that I am dieing to make.....you get the idea. ;)

 

 

Happy Sewing!!

 

Sharon



Little Sewing

 I love to sew little things, and little baby things are even better! I made this vintage bonnet for our soon-to-be baby boy from an almost pattern that I have here. (Sweet pea's baby was happy to model this for you but it's a good thing she didn't see it or it would have been hers.)

 I had the main two pattern pieces but had to make the ties so I used 1/4" double bias tape and I also added a brim to it to keep the hot summer sun off his little face. The brim was so easy to add too. I fully lined the bonnet as well.

 Even though I didn't have any instructions at all it still sewn up in less than 30 minutes. Not bad if I say so.

 I used just some left over fabric to make this tiny thing too. I used the same fabric as his whale sun suit. I can't wait to him in it! {although I can totally wait until the labor part! ;) }

 Of course I couldn't forget my Sweet pea! I made her a reversible skirt from the Swing set pattern from O+S. The pattern is lined so I took the top skirt pattern and cut out the lining fabric from teh same pattern piece insted of the lining pattern piece. I left the button holes off the side and left the seam unfinshed in an inch space for feeding the elastic though. I then finished it off with pressing both top and under skirt up an 1/2" then sewing both together.  

I think she will like it. :)

Now onto baby boy's sailboat pants! I was lucky enough to find the paper pattern (it's another out of print) and hubby bought it for me for Mother's Day. Until then,

Happy Sewing!!

Sharon

Summer Dreaming

 I finished Sweet pea's Swing Set outfit! I loved the way the it came out! The fabric worked very well with this pattern too, just like it was made for it. 

The top and skirt are both fully lined, love that. I can slip the top over Sweet pea head with out even unbuttoning the back. She loves to wear it which is the biggest Yah! for me. She is so picky any more about what she will wear.

A simple button closer on the back.This will be great for summer.

This is what happens when a toddler gets to close to the camra! lol She is my little ham. :)

I cut the top for the "Summer" banner to be in the middle. This has to be my favorite fabric right now. The skirt has two rows of elastic with a draw string tie on the side. It fits very well and by useing the 1/4" elastic makes for a more cozy fit. I do have another outfit cut out with this pattern waiting to be sewn too.

Happy Sewing!

Sharon

A Sunday Brunch!

 Sunday morning at church or lunch out with mommy and daddy Oliver + S Sunday Brunch pattern is perfect for both! Sweet pea picked out the cord, some of her favorite fabric to wear and wooden buttons to finish the jacket.  Oh how she loves wooden buttons! It is so amazing how a 2 year old can be so picky about what she wears!?!

 The inside is has lovely finished seams and I added a size tag to remember what size it is this next fall. I love how quickly this jacket comes together too!

 Paired with her first favorite dress skirt, the outfit is complete!(daddy showed her that this skirt has some great pockets,lol) The top is the hopscotch for O+S  I made this past fall for her.

My favorite part of this outfit has to be the hem line, I am now trying to get the hang of the invisable hemming with my sewing machine. So far not bad. :)

Next some Easter sewing and summer sewing for all the kiddos!

(maybe somew more for mommy too)

Happy Sewing!

Sharon



Rock the Holidays!

Well after a month of me not being on here I am back with a fun skirt I made Sweet pea to go with her rockin' shirt! (Sorry for being gone so long!)

 A very simple drop waist skirt with to layers of fun star organza pink fabric for lots of twirling fun. She just loves this full skirt!

And a lovely Christmas pose by the tree.

 Our Christmas tree is still half done, maybe we will finish tonight. :) I have been sore and and a bit sick so no sewing for me but now that I am feeling better maybe I can still finish my long Christmas to do list in time still.

 I placed our Advent stockings on the tree this year. The boys are have fun everyday trying to find each numbered stocking. I think I will place the stocking on the tree every year now. If you would like to make the stocking here is the link to the tutorial.

They look great on the mantel too!

Happy Sewing!!

Sharon

Yay! She likes it!

Remember this tutu from here that Sweet pea didn't like....

 Well after some crying again she decided it's not so bad! She has wore it a bit now and it is growing on her but she doesn't like it when I put it on her. I not sure why that is. Toddlers can be so funny at times!

It's perfect for twirling in the summer breeze too!

Happy Sewing!

Sharon

The Market Skirt

 This past weekend I finally got around to make a few tutorials I have been wanting to try. Here is a cute Market Skirt I found the tutorial I found a while ago on Made. I used some scraps of fabric I had from my scrap bin. The blue fabric is a cotton seesucker, I just love this print!

 I bought this shirt last year at Wal-mart on the clearance rack for $1, I think it goes with the skirt nicely.

Happy Sewing!!

Sharon



The Quick and Easy Bubble Skirt

 I made Sweet pea this skirt last Friday in about 1/2 an hour or less while she was napping. I found the tutorial over at the Cottage Home last week. She has many wonderful tutorials! Sweet pea needs some skirts seeing most of her clothes are dresses now.

 I found this knit fabric in the clearance bin at Hobby Lobby for $2 for 7/8 of a yard on Tuesday, the same as she posted the tutorial on how to make this skirt, like it was ment to be! I think I will one or two more up for Sweet pea for this spring and summer.

Happy Sewing!!

Sharon