KCWC Day #3

Yesterday I spent the majority of my time working on the knot shorts.  A tutorial from Elsie Marley via Grosgrains free pattern month.  It's such a cute idea, I really wanted to try.

First problem, having to draft my own pant pattern piece.  Instead of drafting my own, I used our favorite pajama pant pieces, and thought I'd just turn them into shorts.

Second problem, in the construction of these pants, they make no distinction between the front piece and the back piece, and yet my front and back were different.  In real pant patterns, the back piece has a deeper crotch curve.  But I guess for these shorts, you're supposed to use the same piece for the front as you do for the back.  I didn't realize that until the very last step.  I kept thinking it mattered.  

Too bad.  They looked so cute!  I loved the green gingham.  Jane wanted to like them.  But she just said they felt funny on.  And I have no doubt she is right!  Will I try them again?  I might.  First I need to get over the loss of these one.  It takes some time to heal.

I managed to start my little tank dress.  This is such a simple project.  Just cut of a tank top, and piece together the stripes of fabric.  I think this one will be an easy win, when it gets finished.  Just need to do all of the finishing seams and we've got ourselves a dress.

I have a sewing friend coming over today.  We may be attempting another copy-cat dress.  Cross your fingers for me.  I really feel like I need only successes from here on out!

Gotta run.  I'm still a mom, and still have to do my regular volunteering this morning, and run to the grocery store, and hope that the laundry pile doesn't get as tall as our three story house.  Have a great day!!

KCWC Day #2

Friends, yesterday was a success.  First I finished my homework.  The green gingham shirt dress/tunic was completed.  It fits!  Yeah it's short, and kind of a pain that through the summer she'd need to pair it with leggings, but come on, it's cute, right?!

Ruby was a fan, so I guess that's all that matters.  She picked it to wear to school today, so that's a success around here!!

As soon as the shirt dress was finished, I had to get started on Tuesday's items.  First on the list was a red-thread mini skirt.  Liz recent use of this fabric gave me the idea of making a skirt for my girls so that we can one day do a matching mother daughter outfit day!  I never thought I'd see the day I wanted to do that.  It must be a sure sign that I'm officially getting old :)

Super simple pattern.  It's basically flawless.  I thought the fabric had enough going on, so I opted to leave the pockets off.  Doing it that way, this is probably about a 1.5 hour skirt.  Awesome!!

Please don't judge me.  Despite my very best efforts, I could not get the pink line to line-up from front to back.  The back piece is a straight cut, but the front piece is an angled cut.  I was at a loss, though I did valiantly try!!

Then, before calling it quits for the day, once I had all my babes settled in bed, I ran out, once more to the sewing garage and finished this Popover sundress that I had started right as they were getting home from school.

For some reason I ended up needing to gather the top of the dress a little bit, to make the front facing piece fit.  In the end, I liked that little detail.

I used pre-made bias tape to save time.  It's a little thin.  Let's hope it can hold up to the wear and tear of the summer.  This is such an amazing free pattern.  If you haven't made your little girl a Popover sundress, you really should.  It too takes about 1.5 hours to make.  That's my kind of project.

For day three, I have two new items on my list.  First up, I want to try the Elsie Marley tutorial for knotted shorts.  After that, I'm thinking of going for a stripe pieced tank dress.  Something along these lines...

And in case you're wondering if I'm getting tired of sewing yet, the answer is yes, yes I am.  But just a little bit.  Not enough to quit :)  I'm committed at least to see this through Thursday.  Friday I'm subbing, and who knows what will happen over the weekend.  Two days down, and at least two more to go!!

KCWC Day #1

Yesterday was day one for me of Kids Clothing Week Challenge.  I completely finished one dress, and got really close to finishing a second:

McCall 5966

I mostly followed the pattern completely.  However, the piping was my own addition.  It slowed me W A Y down and required me to unpick more than once!  And even I sewed a sleeve on inside out.  Apparently I was a bit distracted?!

Next, I attempted the MADE men's dress-shirt to little girls dress tutorial.  The most annoying part of this tutorial is the lack of a pattern piece.  It's fine to not include a pattern piece in a tutorial, but all users should beware that it's then a 50-50 chance that your end result will be similar to the tutorial's end result. Anyway, this is actually the second one I made, all in one day!  The first one was too narrow.  This one is going to be too short.  It will have to be a tunic, which will require some leggings.  Not exactly what I was hoping for in a summer dress.  But whatever, it's about learning and growing, right?!  I'll get it finished today.

My goal with KCWC was to sew two things each day.  Had I not messed up my sizing on the first shirt dress, I might have actually reached my goal.  Since I have left over "homework" from yesterday, I'm not so sure that I'll get two more things made today.  We'll see!  I better get out to the sewing garage.  I hope you're getting things done too.

A challenge

After finishing the quilt top, the next day I had to throw together a quick baby shower gift.  I remembered receiving a couple of sets of hooded towels at my baby shower when I had my little girls.  They were used from the day the girls came home, up until this very day!  A well used gift full of purpose is my favorite kind.  There are no less than 104 tutorials for hooded towels in blog land!  Just google it and you'll have your pick.  I borrowed elements from a few different ones.  I liked the finished product.  So did Ruby.  I might need to make a few more hooded towels...

I spent less than $10 getting my towels from Sam's Club.  We've been wonderfully impressed with their large and fluffy bath towels this year.  I'm happy to have found another fun and simple go-to baby shower gift!

On Friday afternoon, after two long and exhausting days substitute teaching, imagine how delighted I was to receive an unexpected package, post marked, KOREA!

My sweet friend Karen Davis (be sure and check out her blog, and she's always adding treasures to her Etsy shop) had picked out a few of her recent favorites from my most cherished fabric store, and sent them my way!  For a moment I was transported back to Korea when on any given afternoon I would return home with a huge parcel of fabrics from Happy Quilt, and an expanse of possibility to carry me through. I wanted to begin cutting and sewing right away.  I had forgotten how new fabric can have that affect on you.

It was like a little package of spring time hope and cheer, delivered straight to me from Karen.  I am indebted Karen!

And, I am energized to sew.  So much so, I have decided to give myself a little challenge.  I have long enjoyed watching the excitement over at the Elsie Marley blog during kids clothes week challenge (KCWC).  I'll see entries popping up at all of my favorite sewing blogs.  With this recent delivery of new fabrics, I feel compelled to throw my hat in the ring, and sew-along.  This week, I'll be sewing everyday for my kids (probably mostly my girls, though I have at least one pair of promised pajama pants for a boy!).  The quilt is put off for another week.  But after sewing so many clothes, the quilt might in fact become a welcome relief.  Sew along if you feel so inclined.  Or cheer me on, if that is more your style.  Either way, I hope I will not disappoint.

P.S.  Since it was Mother's Day, and I was gifted with free time, I got a head start this afternoon.  I'm well on my way with THIS PATTERN.  Truthfully, I'm a little nervous if it's going to turn out.  

Oliver + S: FREE Popover Sundress

Presenting the Oliver + S Popover Sundress!

This dress speaks for itself if you ask me.  It's such a simple and darling style.  The pattern is written to perfection, and if you have a little girl, then I suggest you try this little number.

I also liked the way Annee finished her straps off when she made the Popover Sundress for Jane and Ruby last summer, so I had to try it.  I probably could/should have taken some pictures on how to finish off the ties, but if I'm being honest I just wasn't up to it.  All my extra energy is going towards making a little baby boy these days.  I will say that it isn't hard to figure out, so give it a try.

The fabric I used for Grace's Popover Sundress makes the dress if you ask me.  I have no idea who made it, designed it, manufactured it, or anything about it other than it's adorable.  I believe it was a remnant or stray fabric Annee found at Happy Quilt, and she used it to make herself a Schoolhouse Tunic.  I've held on to the fabric for over a year because I was saving it for the perfect project.

The Popover Sundress was the perfect project.  

You'll probably see this pattern from me again especially since it's warming up here, and I feel like Grace needs more dresses for summer time, and I have no energy.  I actually think I'll be able to pull off making one of these Popover Sundress even after my baby boy is born.  That's how simple this dress is.  Have I convinced you to try it yet??

WIP Wednesday

Friends, my quilt top is finished!!  If only this meant I was more than 1/3 of the way through this project. As it turns out, I totally love it.  I could have loved it more had it been all solid.  But at the time of fabric selection, I was stuck on including the paisley print.  But I'm loving it despite the paisley print now.  We live and learn.

Also, as it turns out, I have now completed my favorite part of this quilting project.  The remaining 2/3 are of very little interest to me, and represent the really hard parts!  I have to come up with 7 1/2 yards of fabric to back it with.  Sew some massive seams to piece it together.  Then I have to make the world's largest quilt sandwich, figure out how to bast that ginormous sandwich.  Then quilt it?!  Then bind it!!!  Friends, will this quilt ever be finish?  Or it is doomed to be a mear blankette at the foot of my bed?!

My quilt.  1/3 done.  Sigh. 

P.S.  I think I just invented a totally awesome word:  Blankette.  You may use it, if you like.

P.P.S. In case you are wondering, you're seeing my existing quilt showing through my new quilt.  My existing quilt was from Pottery Barn.  And the $250 or so that I paid for it is starting to feel like highway robbery!

Winner of the Scraps Giveaway

And the Winners are (according to random.org)...

#4 - Flori who said "Okay, if I'm honest, I don't NEED these, but you always have such great fabric choices--I would love to do something fun with these scraps!"

and

#18 Mandiegirl who said "I'd love to win!"




Congratulations, ladies!!!  Please email me (lizbalena@gmail.com) your mailing address, and I'll get your scraps in the mail ASAP!

Thank you for all of you who participated in the scraps giveaway.  I might just need to do this again, so stay tuned!

Hope you've got big plans for sewing this week.  I'm hoping to get some things off of my Sewing To Do List.  Here's to finding the energy to get them done!!