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

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

Bikes for Baby C

Fabric bikes that is!

 

I made little guy a Oliver + S Sketchbook top and Ben & Mia pants inspired form The Cottage Home. I have seemed to make this top pattern so much that it goes together quit quickly now. It is a favorite boy pattern of mine, top and shorts! I made him a 6-12 month top in the Children at Play fabric line. This fabric was made for Oliver + S patterns!

 For the pants I made some changes. I changed the waist band pattern into one pattern piece instead of two. I slimmed down the pants leg and added a cuff with a button tab and button. This is such a quick and easy pattern to make too. I made him the smallest size which has some room for growth. I left the pants a bit long so he has some growing room in length. I do love the piping detail on these pants pockets! It a big reason why I bought the pattern. :)

 and Prince C loves the cuffs and buttons! I am sure he was thinking of how to put them into him mouth. Everything goes in his mouth!

 Then he tried to get off bean bag onto the floor...

 When he noticed the Christmas tree...

 He must have had a great idea because he got really giggly!

 Then tried to eat the tree, so picture time was over for today.

 This is one of my favorite outifts for him so far. I can see me getting lots of use out of this outfit a while. It even has wee little pockets on the back! :)

 

 

Until next 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



After School Fun!

 With the cold weather coming and chilly morning we are already having I had to make Sweet pea some new pants and tops. I have wanted to make the Oliver + S After School pattern forever for her. (I bought it last year) I am sorry that I didn't make it before now.

 It such a fun pattern to sew with too. The top comes together very quickly and the pants have these ever so cute ruffle on the front and back.I just love the ruffles on these pants! I also made this pattern for baby C too. The pattern works great for girls and boys both so big bonus!

 I love those tiny back pockets too.

The pants fit  really well, the top is a bit big not bad.  It nice and roomy for play time. I did leave the pants a bit long. My though is that I know she is tall and she will still keep growing so these will fit longer than a second. The pattern was easy to follow too. Everything I have come to love about the Oliver + S patterns. You can never go wrong with them!

 All the fabric is from my grandma. She found it at Joann's. The top fabric and brown pants are all left overs from the teddy bear jumper I made her the other day.  Even the tiny pink buttons are from my grandma. :)

 

So what do you think, does Sweet pea likes her new clothes? ;)

Happy Sewing!

 

 

Sharon



Ruffles and Pink Sailor Girl

 I love the Sailboat pattern from Oliver + S . I have made two tops for baby C and three bottoms. However, I wanted to make it a bit more girly for my little girl. This is what I came up with.

 I added flutter sleeves over the regular sleeve patten. I made the under sleeve in a white knit fabric so it's warm for colder weather. I also added a ruffle around the whole bottom. Sweet pea loves all the ruffles on the top! I used Sarah Jane Studios Out to Sea fabric for the top. Sweet pea calls it the "Pink Lemon-aid shirt".

 I made a 3T size for top and bottoms hoping that they fit all winter long. (Maybe a bit longer would be even nicer!) There is plenty of growing room too.

 The pants are the Ben & Mia pants from The Lily Bird Studio. I bought this pattern for my baby boy but it works wonderful for Sweet pea too. I am going to have to make my 6 year son a pair too. I love the fit of these. Very roomy for lots of running and climbing that this crazy girl does. These were so easy to make too. Lots of color picture to guide you through making them.

 Her pants are in a charcoal corduroy. These a have bit of stretch in them so it worked great for pants for her and oh so soft is the fabric to the touch!

 I always have a bit of stretching going on when I hem my knits so this time I iron on a bit of interfacing where I knew I would be stitching the hem before hand and had no stretching this time at all. :) It's about time too. ;)

 Here is a closer look at the pants, it has some great belt loops on these. I used buttons that my grandma sent.  (thanks grandma!) She sent this big bag of them. Sweet pea had a lot of fun searching through the buttons. She even slept with a little pink one all night long. :) The back of the pants I made heart pockets for girly, girl too. She loves these the most about the the pants.

I am so happy to finish a whole outfit. Lately I have been making a top here and another pants here but never the whole outfit. Maybe I can finish all the outfits I started this week....maybe.

 

 

 

 

 

Sharon

So Clever Charlotte!

 I sew mostly from Oliver + S patterns but another pattern I so love is the Finch top and shorts from Clever Charlotte. This is such an easy pattern and there are so many ways to change it up. This top is made in a 3T for my ever growing Sweet pea, I made it a 4T in length so she can layer it this winter and still wear it this coming summer. She is has been getting so tall!

 She totally loves the bow on this one! I made the bow with the hook and loop tape on the back so that the bow can be taken off easily. I did this for dear hubby who hates the bow on this top when he tries to buckle Sweet pea in her car seat. Problem solved!

 I added some pretty velvet ribbon to this pair, made just like the brown twill ones from Nicole's tutorial. They are finished off with some metal heart buttons.

 I also made Sweet pea a lace White top with pin tucks throughout the fabric. The fabric is light weight so I added a pink kona cotton for the lining fabric as to make the top a very pale pink color. (Pink is her favorite color right now!)I left the bow off this top and instead added a big button for a more "grown" look to it.

 I love the back on this top too, it's a racer back so very comfortable for summer time. I also made this top a 3T with the 4T length to layering for this winter and wear for the next summer too. Now onto some school sewing for Mr. J next and if I am very lucky maybe some good sleep too. ;)

Sharon

2+2 Top Fun!

 Another great pattern from Oliver + S! This one is made with Sweet pea's favorites of favorites-Strawberries!! If she could she would eat them non stop. So this top was well loved by her.

 I love the sweet tie on the front of this blouse and the buttons down back are just as lovely. I paired this top with the O+S Swing set skirt. I love how the O+S patterns can have the tops and bottoms paired different ways. Great way to make the most out of Sweet pea's wardrobe.

 This one was made with some of my favorite colors, she likes too. This is always a good thing. The shorts are the finch shorts from Clever Charlotte. These shorts look great with everything!

 I will have to make a few long sleeve tops for this fall and winter. Maybe a few boy ones for baby C too.

I just love summer sewing!

Happy Sewing!!

Sharon

Summer Time Sewing

 I know, I know I said that I was almost done with my sewing for a bit but how could I not make Sweet pea these cute little shorts? They go wonderfully with her Swing Set top and it is one of her favorite colors too. The shorts are the Oliver + S Puppet Show patten. It's now a PDF pattern on their web site.

 She is so happy lately when ever I make something new for her to wear too. (See that face?!?) I guess all the baby and boy sewing made her think twice about what I sew for her. ;)

"It's this big mama!" She seen a little orange kitten and boy does she love kittens.

 I love this sweet little face. :) Yep, I will probably still make a few more things for her for this summer. How could I say no to this face?

I have to share my 6 year's old photo you too, Mr G. He is just about ready to graduate from K5 this week. I can' believe that he has grown so much. I was just looking at some of his baby sleepers today and my how small was he. Where did the time go??

Have a Great Weekend!!

Sharon