Is there such a thing as too much bias tape?

So...I went to this estate sale this weekend and spent $16.  On what?   Here's a sneak-peak at the star of the show...

Now for the details.  Let's start with the non-sewing related items.  I picked up a little metal file box, a small yellow pitcher to add to Lisi Loo's growing play-kitchen arsenal (for the kitchen she doesn't yet have), and a glass candlestick light for Lisi's room.

Cute, but not necessarily blog-worthy.  Right?

So at these estate sales, I always keep an eye out for fabric and notions.  There was a small bedroom with a jumbled mess of miscelaneous sewing "stuff" - for lack of a better word.  (Oddly, only a few scraps of fabric, though.)  I spent a little while sorting though it all - found some packs of bias tape and rick rack, some eyelet trim, and a bag that appeared to contain some zippers and a few more packs of bias tape.  I filled a shoebox sized plastic box and was happy with my score.

Then we went to the basement where I spotted the yellow pitcher.  I wandered around to the back and there, sitting all alone on an empty set of shelves, possibly glowing a little, was this great big box of bias tape.  What?!?!?

 It did NOT look like this when I picked it up.  As soon as I got home I started sorting and re-wrapping and it was SO MUCH FUN.  I'm not ashamed.  Above is the sum total of my score.  While I was going through it all the thought crept into my head: "What kind of crazy person has this much bias tape?"  It only took me a second to realize that I AM that kind of crazy person now.  And this doesn't include the tape I already had.  I have issues.

It's not all tape.  The photo below outlines the portion that is bias tape.

 There was also a bunch of hem tape, lacy trim, rick rack, and piping.  Also some stuff called soutache braid that I'm going to need to do some more research on.

In additional, there were half a dozen zippers, some elastic, and a few patches including these really fun leather elbow patches that I'm super excited about.

 Want to see some highlights?  I'd say my favorites are these below.  Some floral, navy polka dot, and blue chambray bias tape.  Some taupe velvet ribbon.  White with gold rick rack.  That wide yellow trim is actually three pieces of that leafy trim hand-stitched to a piece of grosgrain ribbon.  But I think my favorite of the favorites has to be that white double fold bias tape with the yellow crocheted trim.  It may fall into the love-it-too-much-to-actually-use-it category.  We'll see.

So what is a person to do with all this trim?  I have a few ideas percolating - and one already started.  I'll be sure to keep you updated.

Number 9s

Boy clothes?  Could it be true?  It could be - it IS.  I couldn't put him off any longer.  Shwin & Shwin recently had a sale on their fall patterns so I jumped on the Number 9 Trousers for my boy child.

Obviously these aren't trousers...I wanted him to be able to wear them now, plus I figured there might be a learning curve and shorts mean less fabric wasted if I messed them up beyond wearability.  I just measured a pair of his shorts to get the right length (or close to it anyway...they're a little longer than I would have liked, but I used an existing hem so they're staying that way).

Oh - and I'm sorry these pictures are so crazy fuzzy.  We woke up to a very gray, rainy day but I wanted to get the pictures anyway - so they are what they are.

Per the measurements on the pattern, I used the 3T size for my almost-5-year-old.  I was skeptical - kept wondering if I should up it to the 4T - but stuck with the 3T (although I did lengthen the elastic at the back by about 1.5 inches) and low and behold - a great fit!

There was a bit of a learning curve, as expected.  It was my first time with welt pockets and, while I need some practice, the instructions were great and I feel confident using them again.  All four pockets are lined in a contrasting fabric for a fun just-for-him detail.

I'd say my only real issue is how baggy the back waist/tush area is.  I'll be modifying that next time (there will definitely be a next time - probably quite a few).  And I was a little confused closing up the front waistband - but I think I just need to take a little more time with the instructions.

I'm glad I finally picked up this pattern - I see it getting a lot of use in the next few years.  And the kid was super excited to finally get something sewn up for him.  How excited?  This excited:

I don't get it either, but he says that's what it means.

My New Path

Concentration and satisfaction.

I am your parent, you are my child
I am your quiet place, you are my wild
I am your calm face, you are my giggle
I am your wait, you are my wiggle
I am your audience, you are my clown
I am your London Bridge, you are my falling down
I am your Carrot Sticks, you are my licorice
I am your dandelion, you are my first wish
I am your water wings, you are my deep
I am your open arms, you are my running leap
I am your way home, you are my new path
I am your dry towel, you are my wet bath
I am your dinner, you are my chocolate cake
I am your bedtime, you are my wide awake
I am your finish line, you are my race
I am your praying hands, you are my saving grace
I am your favourite book, you are my new lines
I am your nightlight, you are my sunshine
I am your lullaby, you are my peek-a-boo
I am your kiss goodnight, you are my I love you.

MaryAnn K. Cusimano, “You are my I love you”

I know my children.  I know their personalities; I know their quirks and all their little details by heart.  But there's always something startlingly magical about reviewing some quick clicks of the shutter and discovering a gem - a photo that just screams: THIS IS HER!!!  This is who she is and who she was and who she will always be; who she was born to be.  This is what no words will ever say.  Previously wild here.

Inspired by.

Paper Straw Airplane

Look what we made!

Oh - not clear?  It's an airplane!  And it is a crazy good flier.  Want to see how we did it?

First we gathered the supplies.  Each plane will need a paper straw, a strip of paper approximately 1 inch by 10 inches, a strip of paper approximately 1 inch by 5 inches, and a few pieces of tape.  We used some pretty new washi tape I picked up at Target (yes, TARGET!) but any tape should do.

I don't really have any process shot because, apparently, the paper/tape/four little hand combo doesn't mix well with process shots.  Basically, you loop each paper into a circle and secure with tape.  Then tape one end of each straw to a small circle, and the other end to a large circle.  

If you carefully line up the circles so they're taped to the same side of the straw your plane will fly nice and straight.  If you're off a little the plane tends to fly in a corkscrew pattern, which is also cool.  That was just an observation, no specific studies done.

So now that you've assembled your planes - pick your favorite...

...wind up and...toss!  We found that it's best to give them more of a gentle push into the air than a throw - they seemed to glide farther.  Again, no official study done - just our observation.

We make.  We fly.  And then we rest.

I was inspired by this post which was inspired by this post.  And this kid, of course.  He's pretty inspirational, too.

Evening Boat Ride

One evening last week we went for little boat ride.  It was lovely.  Perfect temperature, calm water, little traffic.  I suffered a little jealousy over my kids' great boat hair, but it was only temporary.  Made up for it with some river swimming; some bucket swimming; some "Wheeeeeeee!"-ing when Poppy opened her up.  I even made it into a couple pictures with my babies.

One more sunset "whee!" for the road.

A wonderfully memorable end to an otherwise unremarkable day.

Black Bird in Blue

Because of the baby quilt, I've been away from my sewing machine for a week - and away from my preferred type of sewing for even longer.  I started having dreams about fabric and patterns and sewing.

Yesterday I knew I had to do something about it.  I decided to try out this Black Bird Tunic tutorial from Shwin & Shwin that I stashed in my favorites pre-pinterest.   It was exactly what I needed!!  The tutorial was super clear, required just enough thought to clear the cobwebs from my brain, and produced a totally adorable garment.

The swirly blue fabric is actually a tablecloth.  The collar is lined with the same pink fabric used for the pocket and the four covered buttons.  The tutorial calls for one huge button, but I didn't have any big enough that worked for me.  

Brother was unavailable for modeling assistance this morning, so I didn't get any good full on front shots - but these secret sharing pictures give you an idea of the cuteness, for sure.

I used the free 2T pattern in the post.  My husband thinks it's a bit short to wear as a dress, but if you've read many of my previous posts you should be aware of my feelings on baby legs and toddler tushies.  I don't mind a peek at the diaper bum when her arms are raised.  And you can see it's a more modest length when she stands normally.  

Also, because of the length, and the roominess of the armholes she'll definitely get a lot of wear out of it.  I can see it with a t-shirt and skinny jeans when the weather gets cooler, and shorts as a true tunic next summer.  There are so many options for mixing this up, too - different pocket shapes/locations - different trim around the collar like ric-rac or maybe even some tiny pom-pom trim?  Can you see it?  I can.  I may have to make that come to life, too.

The only hiccup was at around 75% completion when I realized that I hadn't pre-washed the fabric.  Oops!  I thought about taking a chance and sending it through the wash with my fingers crossed - but I just love it too much to risk it.  Looks like it's hand washing for this one.  Totally worth it.

***Update***
I just noticed that all the fall patterns at Shwin & Shwin are 40% through Sunday!  (see the bottom of this post)  I see some Lovely Ritas in my future.

Why I'm Happy There are Two of Them

One recent sunshiney morning after a night of rain, I was trudging around, doing my chores, a bit of a grump.  Then I turned around and my grumps were cured...

I, for all intents and purposes, grew up an only child.  It is a bright spot in almost every day when I take a moment to observe their relationship.  Warms my grumpy little heart every time.