A Sparkly Sunday Brunch

I cut out a bunch of stuff - mostly in sizes 3 with 4 length - at the beginning of "fall" in southern California.  Unfortunately, we really haven't had much of a fall, and my sewing got sidetracked with other commitments - like life, and holidays.  So, I realized that I'd better tackle these already cut-out projects before they get too small.

I may have been too late.

My kid has shot up lately.  I think she's about 44" tall now, which puts her at the end height-range of the size 5.  Oops. 

I tackled a Sunday Brunch jacket - one of my favorite styles from the Oliver + S patterns.  If there was an adult version, I'd definitely give it a try.

I used some fabric that I picked up in the Los Angeles garment district in a place that sells by the pound - $2.50/pound to be exact.  This fabric is definitely unknown content - it has metallic thread through it, but washed up beautifully and is very soft.  I have absolutely no clue what it could even be made of.  When Julia saw me cutting it up, she immediately loved it.

I did, however, have a heck of a time photographing it....

The buttons have some "bling" to them, and Julia loves them.  So, she loves the fabric and the buttons....perfect!

 Unfortunately, it's definitely on the small size.  This is a size 4, and I'll definitely have to make a 5 the next time.  It's like a perfect fit, but no room to grow whatsoever.  Luckily, I was smart enough to snag a paper copy of this pattern in the larger size a while ago.  At the time that I bought it, the idea of my little one being in the "big" size range seemed so far off....I'm sure I'll blink an eye and she'll be outgrowing this one altogether....WAH!!!

Stuff I've Been Working On...

Even though we're only 11 days into the New Year, I've already got 3 projects to share.

The first project was for Go To Sew.  They have a series of folks testing out the patterns that they sell - and they sell a huge variety - and showing what they've done.  Since my daughter generally hates to wear jackets, I chose the Aztec Hooded Vest by See Kate Sew.  Part of my New Year's resolutions are to challenge myself more in the sewing arena, and one of those challenges is to master the zipper.

For the project, I chose a deep purple corduroy from my stash, and lined it with some Yuwa fabric that I absolutely love - Can-Can by Anyan.  Here's a close up of the lining, as I didn't really get good pictures:

Here's a few of shots of the completed vest:

It's a nice pattern, but I definitely had some difficulty.  The pattern pieces didn't go together at all, but because I was on a deadline, I jimmied it together.  I did contact the designer - she's super nice btw - and she's going to check it out and see if the issue was the pattern or operator-error.  Either way, I'll use the pattern again, and hopefully do a better job on the zipper next time.  The pattern called for a longer zipper than the front of the jacket, and then you cut the zipper to size, and fold it over at the neck edge.  Next time, I'll order a zipper that's the actual length of the front, and won't do any cutting or folding over; I think that will make me happy.  On a very positive note, I found a great source for zippers - Zipperstop on Etsy.  I highly recommend them, and will definitely be going back.  Amazing prices and selection.

Next on my sewing list is my "flip" of the Clever Charlotte Chickadee pattern over at Frances Suzanne.  You can read about it over there, but here's some pictures in case you didn't see them already:

Voting will start after the next couple of flips are revealed - I'm not going to hold my breath, but I'd especially like to win some more patterns from Clever Charlotte - I was SO impressed with this one -  my first attempt of their patterns.  I will 100% for sure be buying some more from them!

The last thing on my agenda was a birthday gift for a one-year old.  Even though I've known for a month that the party was today, I've been crazy-busy and didn't have time to work on a gift.  But, I knew exactly what I wanted to make - I just NEEDED to make an Oliver + S Jump Rope dress.  I felt the need to make a pattern that is tried and true; that I can sew pretty much in my sleep, that gives the most amazing, professional result.

I used some fabric I've used previously - Kokka Paris Walk.  Since the mom of the baby loves polka dots, I used some red and white polka dots for the contrast.  I cut this out Thursday night, did the placket Friday night, and finished the rest Saturday morning.  The party was at 12:00, and we ended up being about 45 minutes late - I sewed on the buttons and clipped threads in the car!

I don't know what my next project is going to be, but I did buy 1/4" foot for my machine with the idea that I might actually make a quilt - another New Year's resolution!  We'll see!!

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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!

KCW - Day 7 - Go Bold or Go Home!

So, I absolutely didn't finish all that I had planned for KCW, but I definitely consider it a success.

I made one complete outfit (hopscotch skirt and top), a volcano costume, and today, I finished up a new pattern from Oliver + S - their Playtime pattern.

So, I can't even describe how much I like this pattern.  I used some extraordinarily bold fabric - from Zen Chic's Comma line from Moda.  I loved this fabric the first time I saw in, in fact, I have a couple of requests from the men in my house wanting shirts made from this line.

This is the tunic version, which matched perfectly from some leggings that I purchased.  Yes, occasionally, I do purchase clothes, but not too often.  I made this in a size 3 with 4 length, after actually measuring my kid and realizing that she still measures within the 2 for width, but is in the size 5 length-wise.  I think this size fits perfectly.  The dress version moved up rapidly on my to-do list....

I just love the topstitched details.  Seriously love.

The cut of the tunic is perfect for the budding ballet dancer's moves....

Yes, she likes it!!

KCW - what day is it??

So, I guess this is officially day 6 of Kids Clothes Week.  Somehow, a few days went past with NO sewing whatsoever.....

I jumped back in the saddle this morning after a failed attempt to go to work....oh, so sad, the freeway was closed, so I couldn't get on anywhere, and traffic was totally backed up....so, I made the command decision to turn around and spend some time at home! Good decision, I think!

I had completed a Oliver + S hopscotch earlier this week, and this morning was able to complete the matching top, and get some modeled shots from my fairly cooperative kid...I added a bit of lace between the neck binding and the top - I really like the look and will do it again, but next time will do a better job!!

I made a size 4 in both pieces....next time, I'm going to make a size 5 maybe in the top, and a size 3 in the skirt.  She's got a TON of room to grow in this skirt, in fact, she's now wearing the skirt below that is a size 2 - my goodness, she looks like such a baby in this picture!!!!!:

I'm still cranking away, hoping to complete one more thing by the end of KCW....we'll see!!!!

KCW - Day 3 - The Volcano!!!

My kid is obsessed with volcanoes.  We watch youtube videos of eruptions, we read books about them.  We talk about them.  And talk, and talk, and talk.

When I asked Julia what she wanted to be for Halloween, she wanted to be a princess.  I asked her again - and again I got "princess".  So, I kept asking until I got an answer that I liked!  Finally, she said, "how about a volcano costume?"  I immediately went to work....

I made this using the Oliver + S Bubble Dress pattern.  I used some very old black corduroy for the body, I used two pillowcases to cut the lining.  I lined the body with fleece.  All these things were from my stash.  I had some random gray coarse fabric that I used for the lava.

Julia and I worked together to paint the flame/lava running down the volcano.  Anytime I involve her in the process, it makes her that much more excited to wear what we've made.

I made a flame-crown out of several layers of fabric and used Wonder Under to stick them together.  There's also a layer of heavy interfacing between the layers that I had left over from some handbag making.

When the costume was almost put together, we decided that it needed more body.  I put a hoop made out of wire coat hangers in the bottom, but still it needed more body.  I tore the bubble hem apart, and stuck a bunch of bubble wrap we had lying around up inside the body.  It totally did the trick!

I'm so happy I was able to put this together for my daughter - who will NOT be the same as every fairy princess trick-or-treating this year!  Hopefully, she won't be in years of therapy as a result!!

I wonder if we'll see any other little volcanoes running around this Halloween!!

So, that's what I finished off on day 3 of Kids Clothes Week!!!