One By One

Circle Skirt Reviewed

I picked up this panel print from Joann's ages ago, and finally got around to sewing it together.

Pattern Description:
None. This was a pre-printed pattern panel directly on the fabric.

Pattern Sizing:
Small, medium, large. I cut the large.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? For the most part. The large was too small. In an attempt to "make it work", I added the white fabric panels on the sides, four of them at 2" each. I also made the waistband larger using the same white fabric as on the sides.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes. They were simple enough. I winged it on the attached waistband.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
It was simple to cut and put together since it was a panel print. It's a very flattering look on me.

Fabric Used:
Cotton panel print from Joann's.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
Besides the addition of the white side panels, I went out on a limb and did an embroidered buttonhole:

 

I purchased the design from embroidery.com. It stitched out very nicely. I also made a bias binding to finish off the hem. I fiddled quite a bit on how to finish off the binding on the wrong side, and ended up deciding to blind-stitch it by hand. I did a bit of cheating though, and used steam-a-seam prior to handstitching just so I wouldn't have to be bothered by a bunch on pins. FYI - it took almost 6 yards of bias binding to finish off the hem!

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I would. Yes, I would recommend this kind of panel print to others. I did trace off a copy of the panel prior to cutting so I have a template I can use in the future. In fact, I'm considering a future project using a vintage sheet. We'll see.

Conclusion:
I really love this skirt and have received a few compliments on it already. It's very flattering as well.

Of course I just had to include some in-action shots:

 

 

 

In the last week or so, Jake has become obsessed with his walker! We let him have at it in the backyard. It took a couple words of encouragement, but then he was off! We really think he'll be walking on his own, unassisted, any day now.

Smock Top and Capris

I've been sneaking out to sew as often as I can. My goal is to put together a very wearable summer wardrobe that fits into my baby-in-tow lifestyle yet is comfortable and fun.

These first two pieces where meant to be wearable muslins, so the seam/edge finishes are lacking (which is okay by me since I'm the only one who sees the inside anyway).

First up, a Smashing Smock from Seams to Me by Anna Maria Horner:

Pattern Description:
Sleeveless gathered smock top

Pattern Sizing:
Small, medium, large

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Slightly. Mine is missing the gathers underneath the yoke. Read on.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes on construction. No on pattern drafting.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I love the look of the pattern, the button closure on the back, the use of two fabrics, and how AMH describes making the pattern larger. I dislike the lack of finished dimensions/measurements. One person's large may be another person's small, without the numbers to look at it becomes a problem.

Fabric Used:
Cottons, from Joann's I believe. They've been in the stash for ages.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
Used AMH's directions for making a large. It was too small, so I re-cut yoke pieces adding two inches in the center center and extending the neckline (essentially moving pattern piece one inch from center fold). Since I did not have enough fabric to re-cut the body pieces, I re-purposed them hence losing the gathers underneath the yoke since the new yoke pieces become wider.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I will sew it again. And I would recommend it to others, with reservations. I do not think this is a good pattern for a beginner, especially someone without any pattern drafting and fitting experience.

Conclusion:
I really really like the resulting top, even though it is lacking the gathered look.

And to coordinate, matching capri pants:

Pattern Description:
Favorite Things, Everyway Pants. Fun & comfortable pants in 3 lengths: capri, cropped, and ankle. These easy to make pants have a side zipper, straight front waistband and elastized back waistband. Inseam length: capri-18 ½" cropped-23 ½" full length 30"

Pattern Sizing:
4-22

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Absolutely.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I really like the fitted front and the elastic back. I also really like the slit hem.

Fabric Used:
Cottons, from Joann's I believe. They've been in the stash for ages.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
None.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I will sew it again. And I would totally recommend it to others.

Conclusion:
I think this might become a TNT pattern. I could seriously have a pair in every color, then some!

And the entire look:

Baby Sewing - Take 2

Another wee-baby was born the middle of May, this time a boy!

Look familiar? Yep, it's another Jackie Clark romper!

I used flannel this time, and the larger size. Hopefully by the time this baby is ready to wear it it will be cool out!

And I just couldn't help myself...

Yep, a couple more onesies. I have no idea where I got these dinosaur designs, I must have had them on the computer for awhile.

And one last thing

A quilt! I saw this panel after I found out that wee-baby was going to be a boy, and I just couldn't help myself.

One Year!

We made it!! Jake turned one on Saturday!!

There are so many wonderful pictures from the celebration so I'm just picking (quite?) a few of my favorites.

 

 

 

 

 

As you may notice, Jake is wearing his rocket ship romper and that his party was space themed. Thank you to everyone who came and helped us share this huge milestone with our now "toddler" :)

Baby Sewing - Take 1

Baby sewing is so much fun. The pattern pieces are small, they don't require a huge amount of fabric, "fitting" usually isn't an issue, and it always turns out so cute!

A bebe girl was born the middle of May, and this wee dress is for her. It is Simplicity 2905. I dug the fabric up from the stash (been trying to make good use out of stash lately! go me!). The buttons are a purchase from Common Threads. The pattern was straightforward and simple. The only hiccup I had was with the gathering on the front where the bodice meets the dress. It was my own issue though, not one from the pattern. I took the simple route and used steam-a-seam to attach the ribbon details prior to stitching it on by machine (no pinning that way!).

While I was at it, I picked up some onesies and had some fun on the embroidery front! How cute are these?!

Two of the designs I got from Designs by Sick during a $2 sale. The one on the left I added the letters to as bebe's middle name is Starr, so I decided to be a little creative with a monogram.

The onesies can be a little tricky to embroider at first. But once I figured it out, it's addicting. I picked some up for Jake, too, now I just need to come up with some cute designs!!

Romper-crazy

So, I've got myself a new sewing space. A pretty awesome sewing space that is separate from the house and allows me to sneak away and make as much noise as I want.

But that's a post for another day. It has however allowed me the time to get more sewing done! Yay!

First up are a couple of rompers for Jake. I wanted to get as much use out of this pattern before he outgrows it (which will be soon I think).

This pair I started at my parent's house in TN when we were there the beginning of May. My mom actually had the fabric in her stash, earmarked for an outfit for Jake. Since she had not gotten to them yet, she gave me the fabric to make them instead since I really like the Jackie Clark pattern.

 

And a shot of them in action:

Check out my crazy-hair-day!

The second pair I started at home, and finished up in a couple of days

No modeled shot yet, someone will be wearing these to his first birthday party next week :)

Have I said how much I love this pattern? It has it's issues, but the results are just so cute! I'm already on the largest size possible - I am going to be really sad when Jake outgrows this.

Eleven (and a half!) Months

Our baby is growing up so fast! It's so hard to believe that he'll be a year old in two weeks!!

This is really a fantastic age. There are so many new things he is learning and discovering. It seems like there is something new each day. Some of the most fun ones:

Cause and effect. With toys and people. He's also more aware of his surroundings and what people (and a cat) are doing around him. He has also figured out that he can leave a room, to say chase a cat or play with a toy, and leave daddy and mommy behind!

Imitation. Especially with laughing. When we laugh, he laughs. It's hysterical!

Signing. We think he is signing "more" to us. Well, his adaptation for "more." Were not sure though because he does it when it makes sense from him to want more of something, but he also does it when it doesn't make sense. So, we're just going with it.

Finger-foods. This is a double-edged sword. Is some aspects it's great, because we don't have to actually spoon-feed him every meal. On the flip, it's very messy and it's just so much more fun to drop our food by the handfuls to the floor! Case in point...

Vocalization. Jake's voice is changing, less baby-like noises and more toddler-like noises, and he's practicing all kinds of new noises all the time. He says mama and dada, among other things, but not directed at anyone (we can't wait for that!).

Cruising. No walking yet, but lots of cruising. Jake is much faster a crawling too. He's a speed demon. One second he's there, the other he's not. I really can't wait for walking, I hope it comes on soon.

And we still can't wait to be able to flip that car-seat around. In addition to the fact that he doesn't like to ride in the car, he KNOWS he doesn't like to ride in the car, and he can MAKE IT KNOWN that he doesn't like it. Fun times. We know that there is a lot of literature out there about leaving babies rear-facing until age two, or until they reach the weight limit for the seat model (ours is 35lbs, we think Jake is about 26-27lbs). We're not sure what we are going to do yet - some days we want to flip it, other days we worry about the safety.

Twelve months in less than two weeks! We can't wait.