Fall Sewing, Part 1 (AKA Boy, I’m glad we didn’t use her favorite fabric first)

Simplicity 2436

We saw this dress made up and displayed at one of our local fabric chains. The Big Girl loved it. Maybe because it was bright purple cord.
We brought the pattern home and decided to give it a go. I only had 2 pieces of corduroy in my stash and she didn’t love either of them, but I convinced the BG that we were “just practicing” so she had to pick from the fabrics I had. (Now, I have a huge stash, but since we only need warm clothes about 3 days a year, I just don’t keep a lot of warm fabrics on hand.)

I sure am glad we didn’t go buy any fabric just yet because the fit is just weird for my tall, skinny, almost-9 year old. I cut an 8. She’s really slim. Unfortunately, I just went with the numbers on the back of the pattern envelope and didn’t actually measure the pattern pieces. While my BG is very slim, her shoulders are too wide for this dress (at least in an 8). Also, it needs more length. My finished length was about 1 1/2 inches shorter than the envelope listed. I don’t know how it happened because I used all the recommendations for seam allowances and hems and such.

On a positive note, the pattern was easy to follow. It made up quickly. And—my fashion-designer-wannabe loves all the detail variations.

Next time, I’ll cut a 10 and maybe add a little more to the length. I think I’d prefer an invisible zip. Also, I think I’ll use bias tape to finish the neckline rather than the facings the pattern includes.

And—I’m sure there will be a next time. Actually 2 more times. I’d like to see this made up in a cotton with a crazy rock-star type appliqué and, of course, we need to make it in purple cord!

You can see my review on PR here.

Shop Update

  Check out the new goodies I added to my etsy.com shop today:

A Market, of sorts

This is what I did last Saturday.

Yes, it was fun.

No, I don’t know if I’ll do it again.

Yes, it was totally worth my time.

What I’ve been up to…

A little while back, I tried etsy.com.

It didn’t work for me.

At least I thought it didn’t.

Now, I’ve decided to give it another go.

I’ve loaded it up (okay, so I’m slowly building it up) with some surefire sellers:

anything purple and gold or Who Dat.

Here are a few of the outfits I’ve listed:

I’m so excited!

You can find my shop at:

www.etsy.com/shop/personalitychildrens

It appears etsy.com might work for me after all.

It helps that the Saints are in the Super Bowl, but we’ll take what we can get!

WHO DAT!

I really have been sewing. I promise.

I haven’t posted about it, but I really have been sewing.  Here are a few of the jumpers I made recently:

It’s almost time…

It’s only

1

day until LSU football kicks off!

 www.personalitychildrensclothes.com

Answering a comment/question and still counting down to LSU Football!

It’s only

2

days until LSU football kicks off!

A post or 2 back during our countdown, Jess asked, “There are other teams??”

Why yes, Jess, apparently there are.  And in my willingness to make a buck, I’ve sewn for a few of their delusional fans:

All kidding aside—I’d love to sew for your little person, even if you have a different favorite team.

www.personalitychildrensclothes.com

 

More counting down…

It’s only

3

days until LSU football kicks off!

The BG and I have purchased purple and gold nail polish for the occasion.  It’s your last chance to order some purple and gold to be delivered by Saturday (for a ridiculous shipping charge!). 

www.personalitychildrensclothes.com

Still counting down to LSU Football

It’s only

4

days until LSU football kicks off!

Make sure your little one is ready for the season!

p.s.  I have designs for other teams too!

www.personalitychildrensclothes.com

Countdown to LSU Football

It’s only

5

days until LSU football kicks off!

Does anybody in your house need new purple and gold gear?

www.personalitychildrensclothes.com

Jumpers and Jonjons

Now that I'm feeling up to sewing again...

Who knew?

Who knew you could make a tie? Well, okay, I figured you could. But, until I googled it, I had no clue where to find a pattern. Certainly not in my stash.

I found a tutorial at Ottobre Design. The tie was super quick and easy--but I needed to make it much, much longer! I also had trouble printing to the scale they suggested, but that was probably the difference in European paper standards and ours. If (When) I make the LM a tie for his own I will use a lighter silk-type fabric. The left-over taffeta from his sister's Easter dress was a bit thick.

So now a question for any of you that sew: Do you like Ottobre patterns? I was browsing their on-line pattern magazines and wondering just how easy they are to use. How well do they fit? Do you have to add seam allowances?

McCalls 5309 with a few tweaks

Here's the Big Girl's Easter Dress:Pattern: McCall's 5309
Fabric: Polyester Tafetta from the Clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby
Lining: Broadcloth
Trims: White Satin-y ribbon
Changes: I used the yoke from View B, but didn't use a contrasting fabric. I preferred the wide shoulder straps to the 2 spaghetti straps. I also shortened the skirt to make it a little less formal.
Process:

• My Big Girl has a slim build, so I started by paper-fitting the pattern to her. I had to take out some of the yoke so that the shoulder straps would actually fit on her shoulders! (Note: Obviously, from the pulls, I over fitted the dadgummed thing. Oh well!)
• I hate stitching on trims across the yoke. I always, always, always mess them up! This time, I used a little heat-n-bond to tack the ribbon first. That worked much, much better.
• I used a 2 inch white satin ribbon for the back tie as opposed to making one from the taffeta.
• I used ribbon for the hem, based on the method used in this skirt pattern. It worked like a charm and I have a beautiful ribbon hem with all my raw edges completely enclosed.
  

Tools: (Of course my Janome 9000 and my beloved seam ripper are not shown.)

Would I recommend this pattern?: Maybe. It was easy to follow. All the pieces were there. It did run a bit big, or maybe my child runs a bit slim. Who knows? Anyway, I probably won't make this again, but it did make a pretty dress.

Easter Finery

His: Walmart and a tie from this tute.
Hers: McCalls 5309 (review tomorrow)

Dolly Aprons

I've been using this book to make some sassy girls some aprons. I also made dolly aprons to match for my BG and Kit and her Favorite Friend and Kirsten.

Please ignore the hair! The girls had "pop-star" make-overs in honor of FF's birthday!

Speaking of Undies...

I was rolling on the floor laughing at this post earlier today. It appears my mom and two aunts have decided to start a new tradition at their regularly scheduled quilting weekend at the camp. They're dying their undies. Well, painting them to be more exact. Yup. That's what I said-painting their panties with spring colors!

And, that led me to remember that I haven't told you about these:

Do you know how hard it is to find cute boxers for little boys? I wanted Valentine's boxers for my LM and couldn't find any small enough. So, Simplicity 9958 to the rescue.

I used 100% cotton fabric and 3/4 inch elastic. I can't comment on the instructions, because I didn't really use them. I did follow along with the diagrams. I used an XS for LM.

I would recommend this pattern to anyone looking for boys' boxers. I think a beginner could easily follow along (with only the basic knowledge of finishing seams, hems, and elastic waistbands). The shorts took less than 1 hour from start to finish. Too cute!

Book Review: Little Retro Aprons for Kids

Little Retro Aprons for Kids
by Cindy Taylor Oates
published in 2007 by Taylor Made Designs
A link on Amazon

Contents:
General Instructions
7 Children's Aprons
1 Doll Apron
Master Pattern Sheet

I liked:

• The whole book--particularly aprons A-3 and B.
• The butcher aprons (Patterns A-1, A-2, and A-3) have adjustable straps that pull through loops to tie in the back, rather than a tacked neck strap and separate ties.
• The General Instructions are very thorough and designed for even the most beginner sewers (for example, the first set of instructions is "Tracing Your Pattern").

Dislikes:

None really.


Conclusion: This is the cutest book of patterns! I love creating aprons for gifts and these are so simple! The doll apron is designed for an 18 inch doll (and perfect for Kit K. who came to live with us this Christmas). The best part of these aprons--the flexibility! You can have fun with fabrics, embroider, and change out elements. This book would be a great addition to your library if you have little people to sew for.

The purple and yellow apron pictured above was made for a 4-year-old friend. I used pattern A-3, but I only used 1 ruffle. The size 4 was so small that the 3 ruffles originally in the pattern were too much.

Will's birthday suit.

Here's what the best dressed baby in Arkadelphia will be wearing to his first birthday:

This coffee bean brown long-all is made of uncut cord and lined with baby boy blue poplin.

Happy 1st Birthday, Will!

from left (and behind): the LM, Charlie, BG and Will

New on Etsy!

I've just added a few fun new items to my etsy.com store. Check it out at:

www.personalitychildrens.etsy.com