KCW - Days 6 and 7 - Simply Sweet!

So, I purchased the Simply Sweet Tunic pattern on September 7, 2012.  I finally sewed one up as part of Kids Clothes Week.  Seriously, I need to do a better job of using patterns that I actually own!

I used some Kokka double gauze from my shop.  I've said it previously, but if you've never sewn with double gauze before, you owe it to yourself to give it a try.  It's such a pleasure to sew with.  It's soft like a knit, but with the stability of a woven. 

This particular print is kind of wacky, as some Japanese prints tend to be.  It's one of those prints that you can look at for a while and see new things - like the fact that there's a bear shooting a slingshot....

The tunic came together as nicely as I knew it would - the pattern designer tests her patterns thoroughly, and they're really well thought out.  This is a size 5 - I really can't believe my kid is a size 5 - I could definitely make a 4 and add length, but the fabric is super flow-y, and I'd imagine very comfortable to wear. 

In retrospect, this Kid's Clothes Week was definitely a success.  I made a dress, two tops and a pair of shorts.  Oh yeah, I also did some pattern testing for Heidi and Finn's new pattern release - I'll be showing off those photos soon!  So, if I include both versions of that, my kid ended up with 6 new pieces of clothing in just one week!

Back in the saddle....

I feel like I haven't made anything for such a long time....

For the past two months, I've been working a ton, and our little fabric business has been very busy.  Since I'm a person who definitely needs 8 hours of sleep, something had to give.  Unfortunately, that was my time for sewing....

But, I managed to find time this weekend to make a quick t-shirt for my kid to wear for the Christmas season.  I used the Oliver + S Field Trip raglan because I've made it previously and I know it fits perfectly.  I'm kind of a sucker for red and pink together, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to actually work in an embroidery design.

Had I given it more thought, I would have added about 3 inches in length in the hopes that she could wear this again next year.  This is a size 4, and there's plenty of room in the width, but the 4 is the exact right length now...after taking this lovely picture, we proceeded to make homemade fudge, so now the shirt is in the washer in hopes that chocolate will come off.

Next on my agenda was an outfit for another member of our family - our little terrier, Sadie.  Since the weather got freezing cold - 50's - by California standards, and it actually rained yesterday, Sadie needed a jacket.

I made her a little sweater last year, but it's no where to be found.  So, she gets a lovely pink one made from fleece remnants left over from last year's Christmas pants I made my older daughter.  The dog is less than impressed, and has spent the rest of the morning in my closet....

I finished off a skirt that I started about a month ago - a very clever pattern from Wink Designs.  It's a faux wrap as the inner skirt is all enclosed.  I made this in a size 4, and in this case, I think I'm going to re-make it in a size 3, as it's all over too big.  It's really, really clever, and I'm definitely going to make another!

Hopefully, this little bit of sewing will get me back on track!

Little Ellie Dress....Pattern Testing....

I got an opportunity to test out a really cute pattern for Wink Designs.  She has a shop on Etsy with a good selection of really well thought out patterns. 

This pattern is called the "Little Ellie" dress.  There's no buttons, no zipper.  Really, how easy can that be!  The round yoke collar is put together very creatively - with great instructions - so all your edges end up finished inside.

I used a chevron from Robert Kaufman that I had been hoarding for exactly the right project.  In fact, I had no idea what to do with this fabric until this pattern.  I used linen for the collar and hem.

While constructing the dress, I was certain that I had cut the wrong size, that the collar would never fit over her head.  In fact, I was halfway through, and I seriously considered picking out the whole thing and starting over.  Well, yeah, no reason for that.  It fit fine.  Goes over her head without a tug.  I guess I overestimated the size of my kid's head....

A very cute dress....easy to make and I'm sure we will get a ton of use out of this in the warmer summer months.