Thursday, November 21, 2013

A Thanksgiving Junebug

It didn't happen as soon as I thought it would but I made another Junebug - just like I said I would.  It's not actually the fabric I had in mind...but it is similar...and it was free.  Oh - and she'll be wearing it on Thanksgiving next week...hence the post title.

It's a pretty heavy flannel - I'm guessing home decor.  I love the shape it holds.  It's from the same haul from my aunt that gave us berries and carrots.  And I used it ALL UP.  I used to be scared to do that...which is probably why my fabric stash had become unmanageable.  Now I find it thrilling.

I decided to pleat it at the front center, back center, and shoulder - in part because of the weight of the fabric, and in part because I actually have another one put together that I gathered and I wanted a change.  (That one's just waiting on a trip to the store for a covered button kit refill - be on the look out next week!)  Oh - and I added long sleeves with elastic at the wrist - the pattern is sleeveless or short sleeves but that won't work for us this time of here here in New England.

I also used some kelly green piping from this estate sale score (still chipping away with nary a dent in sight) around the front panel and neckline.  I had intended to put it at the waistline, as well, but forgot until I had already attached the top and bottom and there was no way I was taking it apart.  I added it to the hemline instead and I'm happy with the mistake.  It's a little unexpected and balances the green at the top and the bottom.

Speaking of the bottom...I just drafted a quick leggings pattern and used this super stretchy but still decently thick white knit I've had a while to make her a pair of two piece leggings.

Immediately after taking these pictures the leggings made their way (aka were forcibly dragged) to my sewing machine and taken in...again.  Such trouble getting the fit right!  Always that fear of too-small-to-make-right I guess.  And the buttons...will be moved out.  Totally aware they are making the front gape open.

Don't expect a second photo-shoot, though.  One per outfit is my limit!  ha!

Now...bring on the turkey!!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

A Deer for my Dear

Soooo...I made another swing tee.  Last one for the season, though...probably. (Short sleeves here & here.  Long sleeves here & here.)

The stencil comes from this set that I got the Tee Pee Tee stencil from.

The fabric was a huge tee I bought to upcycle for myself, but it wasn't really working out as planned, and the color is just so little girl sweet, that it became this instead.


In the picture above she was showing her deer what she was watching on the phone.  Such a sharer.

I sure do love this crazy wackadoo.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

G is for Grandpa's Buttons & Grandma's Snaps

This is my second version of The Lucy Tunic by Shwin & Shwin.


Lisi Loo was swimming the first version, so this time I made the 12m size.  It's still a bit wide in the neck opening, but the fit is much better overall.

The green wool was purchased at an estate sale and I had JUST enough to make this top.  I still kind of can't believe I got all the pieces out of what I had and that all the stripes line up like they do!


The lining is just some navy quilting cotton.  I used the navy for the pockets, too.

The buttons (as post title would suggest) were off my Grandfather's uniform from his service in the Navy during WWII.  (I didn't remove them, they were passed on to me in a baggy with the uniform tag that had his name written on it.)


Instead of adding big button holes, I sewed in snaps that (as the post title would also suggest) my Grandmother (other side of the family) gave me when she was paring down her own notions supplies.

I'm linking up to No Big Dill's Sew All 26 here: G is for Grandpa's Buttons & Grandma's Snaps (and Green!).

And also...girly...because this crazy teenager hip lean is killing me!  ha!






Wednesday, November 13, 2013

First Flurries

Yesterday morning our first snowflakes of the season fell.

I still get a thrill when snow falls.  It feels like magic!  I hope my kids feel that way, too.  I think they do...how could they not?


They only lasted a couple hours - they stopped as we were heading into preschool - but sustained just enough to count.

Credit for this last picture goes to my five year old.  He was trying to imitate my photo above...and ended up with one I like so much more (although there may be a certain amount of mommy-bias involved there).

My camera is pretty old now, and a new one is in my not too distant future (hopefully).  I'm really excited to teach him to use this one once I retire it.   I can't wait to see the world through his eyes.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

EmmaJean Dress

This is a second version of the self drafted pattern sewn up during KCW - formerly known as The What-IS-this-color? Dress.  Now known as EmmaJean.

(Sorry for the weird way the sleeves are laying.  I was very distracted while taking these pictures, which is probably clear.)

This version is made from woven fabric instead of knit, isn't lined, and best of all - no heming!  All edges trimmed in self-made bias tape.  The elastic in the sleeves was run through the bias tape, too.

And look at the sweet red button!  If feels so good using up a random button.  One down, five thousand to go. Baby steps.

I'm really enjoying this silhouette.  It feels really versatile - and is so far proving to be! 


The only (non-aesthetic) change I'll make next time is to open the arm hole a little more - it was just the tiniest bit of a squeeze getting those elbows through.  

And, just in case anyone is worried these pictures came to us with uncharacteristic ease, we'll close with a photographic description of how our day has been:

I feel like the blank stare, open mouth, dirty face, crazy hair, and crooked glasses really say it all.  Here's looking at you, Tomorrow!




Friday, November 8, 2013

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Tee Pee Tee

Boy oh boy!  The thing about this kid is: he doesn't care how much or how little effort I put into making him something, and he doesn't even care if I don't do it very often - so on the rare occasions he requests something "made for" him, how can I say no?

To celebrate his birthday tee pee, I made him a tee pee tee.  Actually, it's a store-bought shirt (Side note: I just this week figured out that RTW = ready to wear.  Slow on the uptake over here.) that I freezer paper stenciled.  I used one the free stencils here - check it out - it's a really great collection and I can't wait to use some more of them.

I finished it at night after he'd gone to bed and put it outside his door.  The next morning he was dressed before I even got out of bed.  If I knew he could get ready that fast I would have painted him a shirt every night!  ha!  Anyway...he loves his tee pee tee.  And we celebrate with dancing.  Kid's got some "moves" (not to be confused with moves).

We call that last one: "The End."