Pattern Testing the Tuileries Dress

I have drooled over every post Kelly from Sewing in No Man's Land has ever written and jumped at the chance to pattern test her first graded pattern for the Tuileries Dress (you can read about the pattern release and see the other dresses made here).

I tested the 4T size.  My daughter is technically still 3, but will be 4 in April and so whenever I make a pattern I do a size up to be sure it can be worn more than once.

I ended up getting a cough the weekend after receiving the pattern which put me a little behind, and while I didn't have that many improvements, all the ones I thought of kept coming through in revision pdf's that Kelly sent us!  She's good. 

The dress turned out wonderfully and Abby wouldn't take it off after we took some pictures on Sunday!  Pardon the garage door, when it's barely 30 degrees and your model is not quite 4 years old, your photo shoot locations dwindle significantly. 

This pattern stands really well on it's own (you can get it here on Craftsy for a great price), I think I styled little girly face pretty well (pats self on back!) though the deadness of our yard kindof detracts...  I don't really consider myself "stylish" whatsoever, but I feel like she looks pretty excellently put together!!

The dark fabric I used for this hides the adorable pleats at the neck and skirt, but they're there!

There's also an exposed zipper which I managed to pull off, though I've got lots of room for improvement with zippers.  Heh.  They scare me...

 Isn't she adorable?!

Anyway, it was so fun, and my last addition for Kids Clothes Week Winter 2014 edition!  

Kids Clothes Week: the rest

I got a bit logged down with keeping up the blogging side of sewing for Kids Clothes Week so this is a sum up of the entire week. 

You already saw the leggings.  I ended up adding 1/4" to each side of the 9-12 month size leggings pattern and it was perfect for Sam.  Long, but that's good.

I was most proud of these Bimaa Sweaters I made for Abby.  I made one hooded version (that I apparently never took a picture of...oops...) and this one (above) with the cowl neck option.  She calls it an attached scarf and loves it too.

This pattern is awesome.  I LOVE it and knew I did because it turns out so professionally and I immediately cut out another after the first one was finished.  

I have fabric to make a hooded version or two for Matthew, since he kindof missed out on this sewing.  Boys seem harder to sew for.  It takes a bit more brain power for me to sew for him than for either of the girls.  But hopefully he'll have some good pieces in a few weeks.

Samantha got a new Geranium Dress (pattern here) and it definitely won't be her last.  You've heard it before, excellent pattern.  Go buy it. 

And finally, I made a Lucille Top for Abby that she is nuts for!  Hello strawberry knit!!  Love that print.  This was fun to put together (the combinations of fabrics you could use!!!), but shows me I do need to keep practicing.  There is some waviness to the hems.  Actually, the pattern calls for cuffs on the sleeves, but I put mine on and they wouldn't fit over her hands!!  Ha.  So I cut them off.  I plan to put something there, but haven't done it yet. 

I have one more to show you but that will turn up in the next post!

And, as usual I cut more than I got to sew up, so you're very definitely in for more kids clothes sewing for all of the foreseeable future! Yay!

kids clothes week day 1: baby leggings

Technically today is the end of day 2 of Kids Clothes Week, but I'm showing what I made yesterday so I'm pretty sure all these posts will be a day behind or so.

I made leggings last night (and this afternoon).  I have so many leggings patterns, this is the first I've tried.  Such a quick and satisfying project...unless you forget to buy enough elastic like I did...oops...

Anyway, I made this striped pair from the sleeves of a shirt I had that got into some unfriendly accident in the washer and ended up all bizarrely stained, but the sleeve pants (slants?) turned out great.  They are quite long on Sam but that's fine since they'll probably be pajamas for the most part anyway.

Then I made this pair of 6-9 month leggings from this pattern from Brindille and Twig.  Pretty much revolutionized the way I put in elastic.  No joke.

I made two pairs that I didn't have elastic for until we went to buy some more this morning.  They are size 9-12 months, because that's primarily what Sam is wearing these days, she's growing so fast! Besides this strawberry patterned pair, there is a purple polka dotted pair I'll show you tomorrow (She's sleeping in those right now).

I found that these, even sized at 9-12 months, were super tight around the calves.  The 6-9 month pair wouldn't even fit over her knees... Maybe Sam just has super muscles, or chunky legs, but next time I make these (which will probably be soon), I'll use the 9-12 size, and cut at least another 1/4 inch around the pattern piece to make sure there's a tad more room in there.  The good news is they fit perfectly over her bum, and with the cloth diapers she has a big one.  It's so cute.  Anyway, other than that tiny fit issue, I loved these.  Definitely worth the adjustment.

a swap

Recently (close to a month ago now...?) I did a trade with Marika through Instagram for a pair of these adorable baby booties she makes and sells here for a grey polka dot flannel scarf that I made.

Sam has worn these almost nonstop since they arrived, and I LOVE that they stay on.  Seriously.  They are pretty darn good.  Our kids always seem to have extra long or extra slippery feet and usually can't keep socks or any kind of footwear on until they're walking so these are a welcome relief for that problem.

I'm going to try making my own soon but doubt they'll be as cute as these!

Felt Bows

I caught this through Pinterest, but you can find the tutorial here from Oliver and S so you know it'll be good. 

I had some leftover wool felt from making the stuffed lambs (almost done with those) and decided this would be the perfect way to use it.

Aren't they sweet? 

Luckily I have two little ladies with luscious heads of hair but even they don't need this many bows. 

I put the rest into my Etsy shop so you can go take a look.  I'll definitely be making more of these in more colors very soon!

I also wanted to mention, the pattern template printed regularly gets you the large bows. My husband figured out how to get it to print on half a page and that's how I got the smaller size. Either way they turn out amazing!

In 2014 I want to...

...focus

...be intentional

...organize, get rid of clutter and be mindful of what we add to our home and schedule

...explore and create with my kids (a little bit of homeschooling and good old family time)

...finish (books, quilts, cross stitch projects...the laundry...everything)

...use what I have first

...savor things (2013 seemed rushed and while it was a great year, I felt like we were always hurrying towards something.  I want to soak up every bit of 2014)

...read more.  At least 1 book per month. (I already have a nice pile to keep me busy - will share soon)

...keep track...of everything that deserves or requires recording

...DO more and make fewer lists about what I plan to do

...write (here, in my journal, with my kids, snail mail, start the novel I've been too chicken to start)

...be a better example of service

...take care of my body (eat whole foods, exercise regularly, get more sleep, drink more water - pretty much an always goal for me) 

...be more selective about the things I begin (do I really like it/want to do it? Or do I feel obligated?)

...less screen time (phone, computer, tv, the list goes on.  I love the progress and convenience technology brings.  I want to be more mindful that I don't waste too much time on these devices that I'm missing out on other things.)

There are some lofty goals here but I have big ideas, and big hopes for 2014.  

I love a blank year.  So full of potential! 

xoxo - Marian 

The Sunshine Dress

I wanted to make Christmas clothes for the Sunday before Christmas but never got around to it until Sunday morning.  I also wanted them to be a little matchy, but not in a barftastic way...

I have had The Sunshine Dress pattern for a while, and this was the first time I've used it. 

I omitted the drawstring on the bottom and just used the main fabric for the band at the bottom of the skirt instead of a contrasting fabric. 

You know what's super great?  This pattern has pockets, which always makes me and my kids happy.  I made polka dot pockets and you cant tell they're there unless Abby's hands are in them.

I love the box pleat detail in the front.  Yellow ric-rac wouldn't be my first choice to go with this, but we were in a use what you have situation, and I think it works.

From start to finish this dress took 2 hours to make.  I finished with 5 minutes to spare before church (even though it was safety pinned closed in the back). 

She wore a cardigan over it because winter sucks here and is really cold, and because I haven't messed with adding sleeves to things yet unless they're included already in the pattern options. 

I also made Matthew a bow-tie and but didn't get any good pictures of them together.  It's pretty cute though. 

I just finished the buttons before writing this, (I'm avoiding the inevitable chore of going to the post office today but alas, I will have to do that next...) and while there is none of this teal/aqua color anywhere else, I like it. 

Abby loved it, and approved it's excellent spin and poof factor.  This dress is an unexpected Christmas dress and (in my opinion) wound up looking pretty cool. 

Just like my little lady face.