so-cal sewing mom: September 2015

You know how sometimes a particular fabric screams at you, demands to be made into a certain pattern RIGHT NOW? Or is that only me?

Have you seen the new fabric line Four Corners by Simple Simon? It's their first fabric line for Riley Blake, and we sell it in our shop. Well, I was cutting some of this fabric for an order....a seriously bold print (right up my alley), black and white (also right up my alley) with gold metallic accents (right up Julia's alley)....so Julia saw me cutting this and asked me what I could make her from this fabric.

Lying on my table waiting to be used was the Butterfly Blouse and Skirt pattern from Oliver + S. Yes, that would work!

So, while I still should be sewing school uniforms as my child really only has two complete outfits, I decided to join in with the Oliver + S Monochrome Challenge...even though the gold probably really doesn't count....

The skirt is a size 5. I wanted a short cropped top and was looking at the Oliver + S Lunchbox pattern....but I knew I'd never make culottes. So, I remembered the old standy - the Sailboat Top. I made it in black ponte de Roma double knit from my shop. I shortened it into a crop top and used snaps for the shoulder closures. I used a size 6 to get the boxy look I was going for.

To get more use out of this adorable top, I decided to use some old gymnastics leotard fabric leftover from my leotard sewing days.....I used the Playtime leggings pattern from Oliver + S also. I only have this pattern up to a size 4 and realistically should invest in the size 5. This is a pattern I've gotten a TON of use out of if only for the leggings. So these leggings are a size 4 with about 4 inches added to the length.

These have a kind of Peg Bundy vibe especially with the zebra print clogs.....I've stopped using elastic at the waist of this legging pattern and lower the waist by about 2 inches at the front and add ribbing. Works perfectly.

Thanks for reading!!

I'm delighted to have the opportunity to participate in the world-wide fashion show being put on by Madeit Patterns to introduce their Fold 2 Collection.

Here's what they have to say about this collection:

Inspired by the Japanese art of origami our new collection brings you a fresh and modern range of patterns for stylish and adventurous kids.
Each piece incorporates unique detail; clever folds, beautiful pleats and concealed pockets.
We don’t think kids should save clothes for special occasions, we think they should look good everyday.

I chose to combine the Playsuit Top from the Supplement pattern with the Pocket Fold Skirt. I asked my child to model, and model she did!

Ok, so that's a lot of pictures! As the inspiration was origami, I used Urban Threads' Origami Crane to add detail to the center placket of the top. All fabrics are from Robert Kaufman - white shirting, the plaid accents, and the lightweight denim skirt.

But, here's a sad note....my sewing machine died while making this outfit! Luckily, I had - actually, Santa had - gifted Julia a Janome Hello Kitty machine last Christmas....so, this outfit was sewn on a Hello Kitty machine! It worked great actually....I highly recommend it both as a kid's learning machine, and as an emergency backup!

The top was a quick sew, but the skirt definitely takes a bit of thought....the pattern directions are very clear, and the result is really impressive. All seams are finished, the facings bound in contrast bias....very nice touches!

Definitely check out their patterns.....and giveaways on Instragram through tomorrow!