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.

Lu’s Flower Pants

Here is pair #2 from Dana’s fabulous pattern (#1 is over here).

 

This pair began it’s life without any detailing, then I added a three layer reverse appliqué in the shape of a freehand flower after some prodding by my husband to put my signature on them.

I did not get a picture of it.  I loved it, but it was just too much.  The great thing about this fabric is it goes with practically anything.  That patch suddenly limited t-shirt options to those exactly matching the three bright colors in the patch.  And guess what?  Lu did not have a single shirt in any of those colors, and I did not feel like making any.

 

So, daydreaming in the car on our way to Sunriver I came up with the solution: Cut out a smaller version of the flower in the original black multi fabric and stitch it right over the top of the “too-much” flower . . . and . . .

viola!  It’s back to being completely versatile while still having a little bit of something special.

Lu’s Polka-dot Pants

It seems like it’s been forever since I’ve posted a sewing project (probably because I haven’t done any, ha!).  Last week Alyx picked out this polka-dot fabric from my stash for a pair of pants.  I used the pattern from MADE.  This is actually my second pair using Dana’s pattern.  The first pair I made out of a black double-knit cotton that made a terrific pair of yoga pants.  I wasn’t sure a straight weave would have enough wiggle room for Lu, but these turned out beautifully.

I originally intended to put a ruffle on the bottom, but it just wasn’t working with the fabric, so I slapped on a little polka-dot appliqué instead.  I love how it turned out.  I do not like, however, that my sewing machine, which badly needs servicing, kept skipping stitches.  Dah!

 

I have already pulled out two more fabrics to whip up a couple additional pairs.  Then this little lady will be all set for fall.  Yea!

(It looks a little funny in the back because we were just trying them on (now she won’t take them off) and the elastic casing was not finished yet.)

Movie Review: Secret of Moonacre

Secret of Moonacre  had been popping up repeatedly on my Netflix suggestions.  Yesterday I had the good fortune of being miserable enough to find nothing more enjoyable to do than sit on the couch and while away the entire day watching random movies.  This one finally had its day on my computer screen (we don’t have a television).  The film was absolutely delightful.  I will definitely watch it again.  It was humorous, dark, light, very colorful and quite charming.  I found the climax lacked a climax, but its lightheartedness made it a good choice for our whole family (in other words Annaliese found the ending plenty scary while the rest of us just bounced along pleased as punch to be watching a movie in the middle of the week).

My favorite, favorite part was the costumes.  They were gorgeous!  I loved how they took a period movie and made the costumes so very modern and magical.  The construction details were amazing, the fabrics were beautiful, and it was all so delightfully creative.  I seriously want every single one of those dresses hanging in my closet just to look at and be inspired by.  Wow!

If you haven’t seen this movie and have kids I highly recommend it.  If you love sewing I double recommend it.  And if you are like me, who has kids, loves sewing, and can’t soak up enough nineteenth century costume (and early twentieth century), then I triple recommend it.  Again, don’t hold your breath for an amazing ending.  But the journey is well worth the trip.

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.

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!

Redemption

This is what the quilt looked like from the back on Thursday night. The thought of that grid framing the face of my newborn child was more than I could bear (or is it bare?). After crying into Sean's shoulder when he got home from work, I trekked out to Jo-Ann's for backing that I loved. When I got home, Sean and I spent two hours ripping off the old binding and pinning the new backing.

With the spritely green binding I knew I needed to add a few spots of green into the quilt to "tie" it all together anyway. This provided a perfect solution to replacing the backing on the already quilted quilt - simply tie on the new one and re-bind it all. It took me about half of the day to tie and re-bind the quilt, but it was all so worth it!

Please note how that luscious new backing (very last photograph) compliments the quilt so perfectly. Now, no matter how the quilt is flopped over or wrapped around, it frames smiles beautifully. (The original backing material I purchased a month ago did not compliment the quilt once it was finished - it just didn't look right. Because I was stressed and in a hurry, I decided to just use the white backing and call it good. Well, it was not good, and only went to prove that doing things right the first time saves a lot of time. Moral of the story: you can never have enough beautiful fabric on hand - must buy more.) ;>

It's Done

Well, it's done. That's pretty much all there is to say. I am not crazy about it. It did not turn out the way I wanted, but I am coming to grips with it. I can't even take or crop a decent picture of it. I think I am out of my groove. The thing I hate the most about the quilt (and I mean hate) is I used a plain white muslin backing. It looks terrible and like it is only fit for hanging on the wall. I did all of the stitching with purple thread and so the back of the quilt is a grid. It looks terrible. I am too tired and annoyed to rip it all apart and start over with a different backing. I just keep having terrible visions of swaddling up my new baby girl in a quilt that has taken me months, and is so very lovely on the surface, and that nasty backing being what is curled up around her face. Let this be a lesson to me - always choose a fabric I like for the back - and one that works well with the quilting thread. Grrrrrrrr. Maybe in a month or two I will make a new one and just put this one on the wall over the crib. Until then I will deal with it, doing my best to hide the backing (especially when the camera is around), and move on to all those Easter presents.

In Progress: Sleeping

As we all know, babies spend most of the first three months of their lives asleep. I have been working here and there (not as steadily as I would like) on Alyxandria's quilt and some sheets for her first bed. I finished the quilt top last week (now it just has to be quilted), and I whipped up her first of two sheets this afternoon (must always have a change of sheets for babies).

I am so in love with this fabric! I want to buy a whole bolt and make bedding and curtains and dresses and skirts and capris and all kinds of other adorable things for my girls! I LOVE it!!

Sean set up the port-a-crib last night in our room. All of a sudden things are starting to feel very real and very soon. I can't help thinking of all the things I want to do or have done before the baby arrives; raised beds to put in, spring jammies made for the boys, books read, sheets made, crib set up, kids' bedrooms completely reorganized, Alyx's quilt finished, Montessori work areas set up for Anna in the living room, drapes hemmed, a floral photo collage on the landing, pictures hung, boxes sorted, flower seeds sown, etc., etc., etc. I know it is completely normal and natural to "nest" at this point. The challenge for me is trying to enjoy this preparation stage, instead of allowing myself to be stressed-out by it. Sean keeps telling me to breathe. The only problem with that is there is this baby in my stomach that is completely compressing my lungs. ;>

Alyx's Quilt

The sincerest form of gratitude for a gift is to use it, right? Here is my thank you to my husband (and everyone who worked on my studio). And here is my thank you to my in-laws. I am using my studio to make a beautiful quilt for my new baby. And I am using my new camera flash to document it (I actually use my flash for everything).

I found instructions online for a "Broken Dishes" quilt pattern (pictured in the background of the top photo) a month or so ago. I realized if I reversed the two half-blocks I could create a "Pinwheel" pattern, which I think is more cheerful looking. Anna and I hit the fabric store, and what you see above is our girly-girl inspiration. I think it is going to be beautiful.

We also picked up some fabric for sheets for the port-a-crib, which will be Alyx's bed for the first few months. So much to do in just six short weeks. ;>

First Project

Here it is: my very first project in my new studio. I made celebration bunting. By the end of today it will have been used three times already. We string it about for birthdays and such. It lends quite a festive aire. I got the idea from Amanda Blake Soule's book The Creative Family.

Before and After: Studio

We spent New Year's weekend in a very noisy mess of hammers and fancy nail guns and air compressors. It was a crazy, fun, wild ride, and I am delighted to be on the other side of it all this evening. The above room became my studio in earnest around the first of October. Halloween costumes had to be made and I needed a space to create three of them simultaneously. It was functional, but not ideal. I found it rather ugly and, so, did not take any pictures of it (a nasty habit of mine when it comes to before-and-after posts). Last Saturday Sean and I trotted off to Home Depot to take our first step towards making this room a beautiful creative space.

Upon removing the carpet we found press board. It all had to be ripped out and replaced with plywood. Sean painted for two evenings in the meantime. On Thursday the new plywood was nailed down and Sean and his dad spent an hour-and-a-half figuring out just the right patterning for the bamboo flooring (complete with computer renderings (oh, I love that man!)).

On Friday Sean's dad (yes, two whole days in a row, bless his heart) and my parents joined the party. It was ridiculously noisy. I tried to stay downstairs, away from the all the ear-blasting bangs and pops. By about seven o'clock that night we all sat down to ice cream sundaes and then sent everybody home, sore and exhausted.

Today was the fun stuff - the icing on the cake. Sean, Djeryd and I got to put it all together. It took us all day, but at a nice leisurely pace. Djeryd was a huge help. I am so pleased with the results. I know I still have a few days, if not weeks, of organizing all the junk that doesn't have a home yet. And there is still a work table to be constructed to give my new stools a home (not to mention all my paper-crafting supplies). Thanks go out to my parents and in-laws (Carol, thank you for loaning me your husband for two days), my kiddos, and of course my darling, wonderful husband who pushed ahead through every obstacle with a glowing smile on his face and reassuring words on his lips.

For kicks, Sean wanted me to include my original conceptual drawings. I still need an ironing cupboard you see, and the drapes need to be made, but I think it's a pretty incredible match - all things considered.

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!!