Sew it again

It has been said before, but I'll say it again, I love Oliver & S patterns. They released a few new patterns this spring. Yes, back in April. But I still ordered one, even though I didn't have access to a sewing machine. This one is called the 'Family Reunion Dress'. Don't ask me why; they have to name them, I guess. I would think that it's called that name because if a family had a family reunion and they all sewed & had lots of girls, then they could all make matching dresses. I don't care what they call this dress, I love it. It would be easy for a group sew-along. I am so in love with the pleats and neckline! Oh, and the top-stitched hem. *lots of love* It's a bit big for Jacqui, but at least it's not too snug. There aren't many things I despise more than laboring over a piece, only to have it fit "just right" and not for very long. She's right between a size 4 and a 5, so why not size up? I'm already working on another dress that will be white with red stitching. *swoon* I can't wait to finish!

Oh Frabjous Day!

Oh my, this fabric is a-mazing! And themed just for my neck of the woods! *stretching* *cracking knuckles* Let's get this fabric party started!

1001 Peeps; Fabric line by Lizzy House
Find it here!

Get ready explorers!

Presenting the project that has been my pain in the rear for the past 3 days! The first 'little thing' I have sewn from my new book "Little things to sew" by Oliver & S. It would have been a lot easier if I had used different fabric. This fabric is rough & tough, exactly what my boy needs. I could get into the details of what I should have done, what I will/won't do next time, but that will bore everyone but me.

Grant modeling his vest. Yes, he had spaghetti for dinner.

Aside from the struggles I had with the fabric, I love love loved making this vest! The directions were clear & easy to understand (once I wrapped my stupid brain around them) and I will totally make it again!

Yes, that's a narwhal on his shirt. They're the coolest mammal ev-ah.

He is showing off the inside of the jacket. I am especially pleased with the lining. The original pattern does not have pockets on the inside. But when I was putting the pieces of the vest on Grant (for sizing) he looked on the inside flap and said, "Where's the pockets on the inside?" It gave me an idea, and so the secret pockets on the inside were added. There was supposed to be a big pocket on the back of the vest. I didn't not add it. What is the point of a pocket back there? You know what would happen? He'd be constantly running to find me, "Mommy, can you put my army guy in that back pocket?" and in another five minutes, "Mommy, can you take my army guy out of the back pocket?" and so on and . . . you get the idea.

I'm also proud of these bellows pockets. There was a simple version & a 'more difficult' one. I chose the difficult one because I liked the idea of bigger pockets. Boy howdy, it took a while to wrap my brain around the concept, but now that they're done, they're so easy!

Here's a better up-close picture. This is a pocket on the inside. See how he can stick his whole hand in?

I left off any sort of buttons or snaps for now. He's flipping the vest inside out so that all the pockets get a turn on the inside. The biggest thing I'll change when I make it next time? If I use this duck cloth, I'll have a thinner fabric for the lining. (I broke two sewing machine needles on this project. yeowtch.)

Happy happy joy . . . frown!

There's nothing better than a package! A package that I picked out and mailed to myself. These wonderful patterns range from 5 to 12! Hoo-rah! That includes all of my kids! I have big plans for these patterns. I'm thinking something for Christmas.


About a week before we left, I ordered these Oliver + S patterns online & sent them to myself. Spence brought them home from work & it was such a bittersweet moment. See, I also mailed myself my most recent fabric purchases. A month ago, I was still delusionally plotting that I would just carry-on my machine, mail my notions & have instant sewing when we arrived. Once I came to my senses (meaning I wasn't going to wrangle 4 kids, 6 carry-ons, 8 pieces of luggage AND a sewing machine box. I told you I was delusional.) I had already sent off the fabric. Just in case. That way, when our stuff does get here, I won't have to hunt for it. Maybe I just wanted it around as a pseudo-security blanket. Nothing more calming than beautiful fabric. Nor is there anything more frustrating than not being able to do anything with it!!


Hence, my frown. I may just have to drum up a campaign to find someone's unloved machine, sitting in the closet here. Though that could present it's own set of problems, (old, unfamiliar, possibly antiquated) but still; a sewing machine. My kingdom for a sewing machine! Just leave me some air conditioning. And an electrical outlet.

I even sent myself a kid's apron I cut out! Just in case.

Apron Madness

If you hadn't noticed, I've been a bit busy. Keeping sane by sewing. This is my latest creation.

Another self-portrait attempt. At least I cut off my head. Not a good hair day.

And I made the pocket just a *teeny bit* bigger so I could slide my iTouch in. Truthfully, my iTouch is the biggest electronic accoutrement I like to carry on my person. My phone & anything else fits easily, too.

This is what the book's apron looked like. I didn't like the teapot, etc. applique. That's pretty much the only thing I altered. And I didn't use checks. This book is funny. It's got the aprons named for the fabric they used; this one is Domestic Diva's Checked Dream. Uh, what if I can't find checkers or tutti-frutti fabric? Dumb. But hey, the book has great patterns!

Sewing

I have never been much of a seamstress. I made the odd craft or quilt for 4-H in my teenage years. And I wasn't afraid of experimenting, like trying to make my 3 year old's Halloween costume.


*She was going to be a flower & her little sister, a bee. The bee costume came out fine. The flower costume came out looking like a Russian factory worker's uniform. Yes, those are sweats b/c that Halloween was cold in Provo! I didn't see the point in making cutesy fairy things if they had to cover it up with coats!*

But I digress. I have cut out plenty of projects. Just never finished 90% of them. {blame the ADD, whatever} I think I was also frustrated by the frustrations. Like how none of the angles on my tessellating quilt lined up. I truly had a lot to learn. I grew up with my Mom sewing a lot. A LOT. So I just always went on the assumption that Moms had to sew. Even though I didn't.

Fast forward 11 years into marriage. I haven't tried to sew, nor have I felt the lack. I've had a phobia of patterns. I tried one years ago, couldn't even get the thing cut out. For a New Year's resolution, I said I was going to try using a pattern. I've always just made my own patterns or winged it. I got an apron book. Wow! If you can't tell, I'm hooked. I can churn out a simple apron in one evening. So, if you couldn't already guess, my friends & family will be getting a lot of aprons!


And *drumroll* I attempted an actual complete dress pattern. I made my first 'piece of clothing' in March, when I made a church skirt for Jacqui. I had intended to make matching skirts & tie for the kids for Easter. Yeah, you can guess how that turned out. But I did get J's skirt done. I also made matching skirts for Jacqui & her cousin next closest in age, Emily. Aren't they cute in matchy-matchy clothes?

Here is my first 'goal piece', a real dress pattern. Not a complicated sleeve/bodice dress, but a dress nonetheless.

It's like a symphony; the aligning of seams and cloth!

I can't wait to make one for Jacqueline! Sadly, this pattern doesn't go up to Eliza's size, but I think if I make the dress a couple more times, I might be familiar enough with it to alter the pattern & make it for her. Listen to me, don't I sound deceivingly experienced? Ta-ta all, until our next seam in time . . .