Simplicity 8614

How adorable is this pattern?  

That bow!  Those ruffles!  I immediately fell in love.  

I knew this would be adorbs on Elaina.  I had some leftover rayon fabric from I dress I made for me, and thought it was just enough for this little jumpsuit/romper.

 

It is really difficult to get a clear photograph of a busy little girl.  So bear with me.  

First thing you'll notice is that I left that big bow off the back.  I knew it would bug her.  And, I didn't have enough fabric for it.  It is still super cute.  Just a note on this outfit...there is no snap closure at the legs.  That means, yes, you do have to take the ENTIRE garment off to change a diaper.  WHAT???

How I wish I would have realized that prior to cutting this out as I would have immediately corrected that.  Plus, and this is minor, Simplicity baby patterns use a lot of zippers at the center back.  On a previous dress I made for Elaina, I redrafted the pattern so I could have snap/button openings at the front.  Has Simplicity not heard of the back to sleep campaign?  I used an invisible zipper as I think they are softer and more flexible, thus softer on your skin...should you need a nap.  Sleeping on a zipper or buttons doesn't sound very restful to me, just sayin!  

The bias tape at the neckline is vintage and from my stash--how else do you get vintage notions, right?  I will say that several years ago I was at an antique shop and found a treasure trove of rick-racks, bias tapes and assorted trims.  I have so enjoyed using them all!  Plus, this one was a perfect match.  

Any time I pulled out my phone to take photos, Elaina looked skeptical but also very cute.  If I ever make this pattern again I will put in snaps at the inseam to allow for easier diaper changes.  And, as cute as that bow is, unless it is for a formal event (wedding, etc.) I will leave it off.  

Elaina looks darling, as I knew she would!  

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Some spring dress sewing: Simplicity 8551

I need some new spring dresses and I am still smitten with statement sleeves.  This Simplicity pattern caught my attention!  

Did I mention too that I love using hardware on my makes?  I choose view D.

When I took these photos, we were in the midst of a blizzard and it was COLD outside.  Those aren't good combinations for taking photos outdoors.

I used this fun shirting fabric from Fabric Mart.  This is a Tori Richard shirting fabric in 100% cotton.  If you can find this fabric, it is lovely to sew with.  

This is an uneven plaid.  It was fun playing with the placement.  As you can see, I cut the front band on the bias as well as the lower half of the sleeves.  I also cut the ties on the bias.  

Too install the grommets, I folded the placket/yoke in half and used a leather punch (set on the appropriate sized setting) to punch the holes.  That way, they were perfectly matched up on both sides.  Can you tell I like precision?  

I did work hard to make sure the center back and front seams were on a prominent part of the plaid.  I chose the intersection of the blocks.  

I found this pattern runs really large in the mid-section.  I took it in a least 4 inches at the waist.  Since that never happens, I've dubbed this a 'must-use-again' pattern.  

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Unselfish sewing Simplicity 1082

I was able to spend last week in Baton Rouge, where my daughter and her family live.  There was a day that was deemed by them, "Too cold to go anywhere and do anything," so we decided to sew up this adorable Simplicity pattern, 1082

                

See what I mean?  It is darling!  Since we are still working on de-stashing we found these the two prints in my daughter's stash and all the other notions needed such as safety eyes, fiber fill, etc.  

If you've never sewn a three-D animal such as this I will give you some hints.

Cut and sew with precision.  All seam allowances are 1/4".  Any sloppiness will result in a finish that won't look as cute as it can.

Mark all the notches, dots, small and large circles as those are pretty integral in figuring out the design.

No matter how much fiber fill you have, you'll probably end up using more than your first estimation.  This guy takes a LOT to get him to look nice and plump and without lumps or bumps.  I probably should have used more but we didn't have any so we left her as is.

If you don't press as you sew, then don't create this guy.  Seams need pressed open flat so they look nice.  This type of attention to detail will also help you match seams easier as you are sewing.

Use a high-quality quilting cotton or fabric to make these.  I would believe a thin fabric won't hold the fiber fill as well and it will look lumpy.

Granddaughter Elaina actually gave this hippo an unsolicited kiss when we showed it to her!  I hope she cuddles with it a lot.  

This only took a few hours to make.  I enjoyed it and can't wait to make the flamingo and giraffe.

Thanks for reading!

Sue :)

Sewing for my favorite boys!

Sewing for little ones, so gratifying!  So fun!  These are my gransdons, Simon and Elliot.  They are 4 and 2.  The day these photos were taken, it was the little guys birthday.  You may notice in the picture that Elliot is holding a battery operated light switch.  His aunt and uncle got that for him and you can tell by some of the photos how thrilled his is that he can turn a light on and off all he wants.  

Here are the patterns I used: 

McCall's MP339

Both patterns are drafted well and easy to put together.  I used a super vibrant colored abstract dinosaur print I purchased in Omaha, Nebraska last summer.  I had so much from creating these little shirts.  My daughter wanted these make in short sleeves so that they can wear them all summer.  I certainly hope so as I think they look super cute!  Just my humble opinion as a grandma!  

The McCall's shirt has more details that resemble a classic dress shirt with a collar stand, separate cuffs and a shirtail hem.  

The Simplicity shirt is styled more like a camp shirt with no collar stand.  Although it doesn't really make a lot of difference for little fellas.

  

There were fun and fast makes.  Both shirts were completed in an afternoon.  I used lime green plastic snaps and my Kam snap pliers to adhere them.  If you sew a lot of children's clothing, this is a must have!  I even use the snaps on my own clothing and love the results!

Thanks for reading!  

What are you sewing?

Do tell!

Sue 

Vintage style sewing! Simplicity 8460

I was so drawn to this pattern--the style, shape, and probably also the color of the dresses on the front.  That pretty coral-ish red is one of my favorites.  

How cute, right?  Well maybe if you are a size 2 like the model!  

Here is my version:  

I used this pretty boluce-type fabric from my stash.  It was originally purchased from Fabric Mart.  Pink is fresh and screams spring to me.  However, we still have way below average temps and snow on the ground.  Did I mention it is April 5???  Hence the indoor photos!

With this super simple style, I decided to line the dress and use couture methods to finish it off.  I used a floral silk from my stash (and incidentally left over from a pink wool coat) to line the dress.  

I added the lining by sewing all of it in by hand.  It was relatively painless and so therapeutic!  Whoever says sewing isn't therapy has no idea what they are talking about.  Am I right?

This photo is of the inside neckline.  When you sew a lining in by hand you can make a little lip with the main fabric and have it slightly roll to the inside so none of the lining shows at all.  

Here is the zipper edge.  I used an invisible zipper but I believe the pattern calls for a lapped zip.  I enjoy invisible ones because well, they are invisible when you insert them correctly.  

Even with a heavier fabric you can still insert an invisible zipper.  

Seeing this silk I used for the lining just makes me smile.  Silk feels amazing when you have it next to your skin.  

I like how the back neckline is on this dress.  To fit this dress, I sewed the side seams and then pin fit it to me in the dart areas.  I like this technique so much.  I didn't make mine as fitted as the models as I am not a size 2 and I want to be more comfortable.  

Here is the cute little jacket that is part of the pattern.  This is the first cropped type jacket I've made.  I didn't have enough of the pink to have it match so I used this mid-weight denim.  The buttons are covered in pink garment leather.  

Oh yes, I did manage to have enough of the silk to line this.  The jacket does call for a lining, unlike the dress.  

I certainly had fun creating this dress and jacket.  

Thanks for reading!

Sue