Bibs for Baby

 With my younger brother and his wife expecting their third any day, I put together some bibs to send them.  

I used a pattern (my first time using a pattern to make a bib) and I can see the appeal.  

They turned out really well  Imagine that!

Sunday Art Bag

At the risk of ruining a surprise for someone, I'm posting this art bag Lucy and I put together for an upcoming birthday.

Those purple lines that mark the sections for markers is SUPPOSE to be disappearing ink.  I'm hoping that wasn't false advertising and that they'll be disappearing before long.

We filled it with things perfect for a Sunday afternoon of arts and crafts.  I don't want to give away too many surprises, but there's Sharpies...

apt utensils in more ways than one for the recipient.

And, a custom wrapping job fashioned by my own little up-cycling eight-year old.

Now, just to get it in the mail!

Sunday Skirt

A new skirt for Lucy, similar to her first day of school  skirt from first grade.

This time, I added a pocket.

Fabric: Amy Butler Daisy Chain 

Pattern: none

Portabello Pixie Part 2 or Shirring Madness

After my good experience with Portabello Pixies' Apron Dress from their Claire pattern, I decided to try another view from the same pattern-- an innocent and simple looking peasant dress. Before I knew what I'd gotten my self into, I discovered the instructions called for SHIRRING and it was too late to turn back. I've NEVER done shirring before, but have seen posts about it on some of the blogs I follow. It always seemed a little intimidating and now I know why! The actual technique on paper is fairly straightforward, but putting it into action proved a little more tricky. Tutorials I found online were helpful, but my machine was... not so much. After days, that's right, days of fiddling around with bobbin tension and different elastic threads and thread tension and stitch length and my beloved ironing board dying, I finished the dress. Hooray! Even with the trouble I had getting the shirring to come out right on my Brother machine, I still really enjoyed the process and think the finished product is really neat.

I did alter the pattern a bit. It called for a ruffle along the bottom, which I left off and for multiple rows of shirring around the waist. I decided to just do one row partially because of the trouble I was having getting the shirring to work right and partially because I thought it would be over kill on that small bodice.
The fabric I used is from Amy Butler's Daisy Chain line.

Amy Butler Tunic and Polish Arms

I'm hesitant to make clothing for myself because it takes twice as much fabric as children's clothing and my body is... lumpier... so, fit is always a bit of an unknown . Kind of a risky investment. But, I saw this Amy Butler pattern and it looked so tempting... like it would be perfect for the summer weather that's just around the corner. So, I thought I'd give it a try. This was my first time making something from Amy Butler's pattern line. Can I say how disappointed I am in the quality? The pattern paper seems thinner than the McCall's and Simplicity patterns you can buy for a dollar at Hancocks and the markings were minuscule and practically printed on top of each other. Aside from that, it was fairly easy to make. I chose the dress length option and used a light-weight almost linen like cotton polka dot and lined it with an ultra-thin cotton.


Once the whole thing was finished, I tried it on only to discover my little piping detail made the arm holes a bit.too.tight. Blast the matron arms I inherited from my great-grandmother Jadwiga! Oh, well, I guess my friend Holly will be getting an early birthday present. I'll definitely try this pattern again-- making sure to allow for my ample biceps. I only hope the tissue paper holds up for a second pinning.

Midwestern Modern Tunic

I am really loving this Simplicity pattern! It is so versatile and quick. I think what I love most is that there are no fasteners to put in-- no zippers, no buttons, no snaps! I made Lucy the tunic version using Amy Butler's Midwestern Modern line.