Anna’s Sundress

The other day Djeryd asked me if, now that I’m no longer teaching Seminary, would I start blogging again?  I said, “Probably.”  Then he asked me if I would start sewing again, too.  I said, “Probably.”  Then he said, “Good, because I like it when you blog and then you make all kinds of crazy sewing stuff so you can blog about them.”  I still don’t know how to take the “crazy sewing stuff” remark, but it was the right encouragement I needed to jump back into the blogging saddle.  However, before I head up to my studio to “make all kinds of crazy sewing stuff” I have some projects I actually managed to squeak in between Seminary lessons last spring that I’d like to share.

I made this dress for right at the tail end of the school year.  I wanted Anna to have a pretty little sundress and I found a pattern in Sewing MODKID Style by Patty Young.  All of the clothing in this book is designed for knits, but I figured all the elastic shirring in the bodice would make it friendly for wovens.  I worked great.  I used the basic measurement guidelines that were in the book and then tweaked it to add more fabrics.  I also added a little flutter sleeve because I think they’re cute and they polish up the dress a bit.

After she had worn it a few times, I realized it needed a little pizazz, so Anna and I picked some trims from the stash and bumped up the style on her little dress.  This was another collaboration for us (we’re getting better at those).  I  really like it when Anna shares the creative process with me.  With this one, I actually drafted it up after we picked out the pattern and fabrics:

Obviously, things changed.  I think that is such an integral part of the creative process – flexibility.  For Anna’s sake I appreciate her being able to see that most things do not work out exactly the way we plan them.  Often better ideas will come along, or you cut where you weren’t supposed to cut, or a planned length of fabric comes up short, or a combination just doesn’t look quite right.  And we change.  We adapt.  We make it better.  We make it ours.

And Anna has definitely made this dress hers.  She climbs trees in it, plays in the sand, rolls in the grass, she even went canoeing in it.  She wears it everywhere and she loves it and that makes us both very, very happy.

A Little Something for Anna

I don’t know what it is about fabric flowers, but I love them!  They make me so happy.  I had this little lovely all stitched up and waiting for a clip about three months ago.  I finally dragged out the glue gun and finished it just in time for school one morning.  I made it to match Anna’s butterfly skirt and I was starting to worry she would outgrow the skirt before I got around to finishing the darn accessory.  Of course, now it just makes me want to whip up some more.  ;>

Anna surprised me that morning by grabbing my hand on our way to school.  She told me her hands were cold.  Perhaps I should pick up some gloves for her.  However, there are very few things sweeter than holding hands with the people I love, especially the little ones.

In My Shoes

 

 

. . . sigh . . .

Apricot Picnic Skirt

My latest creation:

This is the same skirt pattern I used here.

I tried some different hemming techniques (mostly to avoid the traditional double-roll hem).

I added some button details (which Anna actually cried over while I was sewing them on – she likes them now, though).

 

(I love the spark of blue.)  

And here’s my bragging picture.  Check out this girly-girl – spelling her name all by herself! 

Love that girl.

Skirt Addendum

I have had many comments, both in person and on the blog, about that green stripe.  Let me just say I was all for the green stripe – I just didn’t like that particular fabric in that particular shade of green.  I found a couple of other green fabrics that I liked much better and felt were more versatile with my current fabric stash.  Alas . . . I should have just picked up a half yard of the stuff I liked as well, and maybe then I would not be so bitter.  ;>

My First Crazy Skirt

All right, everyone, here it is.  Ta-da!  This is the “18 mos.” skirt I started last post.  It is very large and actually fits Annaliese (4-years-old) perfectly.  I love it!  (Thankfully the finished measurements are included in my new little book, so I could make the dress in just the right size for Anna’s measurements regardless of what was supposed to be the right size for her age.)

The top-stitching is one of my favorite elements.

Anna picked out all the fabrics, after she agreed to the pattern I picked out.  I think she did an amazing job coordinating them.  I think there is some serious artistic potential in that girl.

 

Admittedly, the only part I do not like is that green stripe at the bottom.  I tried to talk Anna into a fabric that was a little lighter and a touch yellower.  She would not budge. Grrrr.  I did not buy very much of it (because I secretly hate it) and my original intention was to make a ruffle with it.  Consequently I cut it on the straight grain and not the bias grain.  Valuable lesson learned, although binding tape can be made on the straight grain, it should not be made on the straight grain.  The binding does not lie properly.  I also wish I would have chosen a more decorative stitch for attaching it – like a flower stitch.  I may go back and fix it, but probably not.  Chalk it all up to experience and move on to my new projects.

The bottom line is that it is adorable.  Just don’t look too close at that stupid green trim (look really close at everything else).  I love the ruffles, the contrast stitching, all the colorful fabrics.  It was such a fun skirt to make.  The pattern was very easy and went together quickly.  I want to make about five more, but I’m moving on to try my hand at pants this week.  I have been dreaming about these for a week-and-a-half, and should go together much quicker because I can see every last design detail in my head right this second.  I am so excited!

 

Actually, I guess the real bottom line is that Anna loves it – totally completely loves it.  I have not been able to get it off her and into the wash.  As far as lessons learned go, aside from the bias tape lesson, I learned the power of basting.  I always viewed it as an obnoxious, time-consuming, extra step, but it is not.  Let me tell you, things go together so much smoother with just a little extra basting – definitely a sewer’s friend.  Couture houses baste constantly.  Now I know why.

 

This is the only shot I could get of Anna in that skirt as she was being less than cooperative yesterday.  Love that swing.

More Girls

I only know how to post four pictures at a time without screwing up all of my alignment stuff. Sean has been trying to convince me to tweak the blog to make it more picture-friendly. I think I will take him up on it - maybe tonight. In the meantime, here are some more pictures form our impromptu photo shoot this morning. I think Anna looks gorgeous is virtually every shot. Alyx was kind of wiggly (read: blurry), but we managed to get a few good shots.

Alyx does actually smile now, but it is hard to capture on film. I will try harder. (I think Alyx is gorgeous, too. Can you tell these are my babes?) ;>

And I love sweet baby toes. Everyone who sees these beauties say they are definitely dancer's feet. Oh, how I hope.

My Gorgeous Girls

What can a mama say more?

Another Skirt

Don't you just love her toes?? Bright red in the rich green grass of spring. Love it!

I finally made it to my studio to actually make something yesterday. It was pure joy. I have been walking past my studio and occasionally stepping inside to retrieve or replace an item over the past month. Each time I set foot in it I wanted to stay and make something beautiful, but time and circumstances have not been in my favor. Yesterday, however, all the planets and stars aligned and a skirt was born.

I bought this fabric months ago because Anna insisted on it. I am not crazy about the material, but the shape of skirt and the use of the stripes has been haunting my dreams since February (it was supposed to be in Anna'sEaster basket, alas . . .). I whipped it up in a couple of hours. I did not have a pattern and I was in a hurry so the construction is actually quite sloppy, but the pure pleasure of making anything was intoxicating. I can't wait to get back in that studio!

Things I'm Loving

:: cooking, crafting, and cleaning hip-to-hip with my sweet Annabelle

:: pancakes for breakfast (instead of for dinner, for a change)

:: every single one of these people

:: my amazing, wonderful, gorgeous husband - you have no idea how good he is to me

:: daffodils blooming, and primroses, and camillias, and hyacinth, and . . .

:: the comfort of knowing there will be plenty of projects to work on once we adjust to our new life

:: the marvelous, glorious prospect of this little person finally coming into being

:: and most importantly - redemption - through my Savior, Jesus Christ

Wardrobe Wonderings

Can someone please tell me . . .

why a person who chooses to adorn herself as such . . .

would inform me that she cannot go to the store with me . . .

because she has does not have anything "nice" to wear?

Bits and Pieces

I feel something of a compulsion to note the little happenings of our lives on my blog. My kids love to go through and peruse past posts. So, in that vane, here are some bits a pieces of our lives this past week. Anna and I finally finished our ladybug counting project. They line the front hall and Anna works on her numbers whenever they catch her fancy.

We made fimo necklaces in Activity Days and the kids wanted to try out the clay when we got home. Sean was gone that night so it turned out to be a bit of a lifesaver for my sanity. The kids were engrossed, and it was very relaxing to fiddle around with the substance for me, as well.

Our lovely cat (the cat formerly known as Gigi) is settling down quite a bit and we are enjoying him ever so much more now that his claws are clipped (yes, you read right - he is a he - not a she). Why we did not trim-up Greyor's little scratchy things sooner is beyond me. Anna keeps walking around the house telling Greyor he is a very good kitty now that doesn't scratch.

And, as you can see, we are all anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new little sister. Clothes are washed and organized and hung; a quilt is planned and waiting to be started (maybe tomorrow!); a playpen is purchased to serve as her first bed; her newborn hat is knit, awaiting its final seam; and now we are waiting for the new carpeting that continues to be delayed (I think we are on our third revised delivery date) so that we can finally get the girls' room set-up complete with crib and a new bed for Annaliese. I am trying to get life as organized as possible to smooth this transition. But I hope I am wise enough to know that one can only do so much, and then one has to just accept things as they are. In the meantime, however, I do not wish to squander a single moment of time when I feel good enough to do something - anything. ;>

Glittering With My Girl

A couple of weeks ago Anna and I slipped some glitter into our shopping cart at the craft store, and a whole bag of cinnamon scented pine cones. By the end of the afternoon we had our first sparkle of Christmas magic. It was a very fun and easy project involving only pine cones, rubber cement and glitter.

Anna took her turn at all aspects and did a fine job (at least for a three-year-old). This is one of the biggest things I miss about the kids being in public school, instead of home with me. I miss the projects - all of us all together doing something fun and creative. Occasionally I will put out some art supplies and the kids will delve into it after school, but by the time snacks and homework are over they really just want to run and play for a while.

I hope we can do some fun things together over Christmas. I checked out some fun books from the library and I would like to add some homemade ornaments to the tree this year (kiddo-made, not mommy-made). However I have been forced to cut back on my ambitious projects this year. As my body enters this final phase of baby-making I just can't keep up with myself. So I will take it one day at a time - moment by moment - with a smile on my face. I'll just do what I can, and let the rest fall away. (Thank you, Sean, for picking up all the pieces I am dropping. I love you.)