strawberry time again

For my birthday, I decided strawberry picking was the way to go. Since my oldest had an unusually long Memorial Day break from school, I kept the other one home from preschool and made hubby take today and Monday off. We've got a nice long family weekend ahead of us!  Although, I'm battling a touch of bronchitis, so it will be a laid back one.

You might notice I'm presenting another repeat project here. I was shocked and amazed that last year's strawberry picking top still fit her, although it's much shorter.

I really can't believe how much differently she wears her clothes than the boys! I'm starting to see now that some things can last for more than just one season and it is making me think differently about planning her wardrobe. You have to understand that my oldest son at 6 is the size of most people's 10 year olds. He goes through at least two sizes per year. Sometimes, his shirts and pants get so short, it's a stretch to make it to the next season! Plus, his things are often so brutally worn out they're not even good for hand me downs. So the concept of clothes that last more than one summer is something of a revelation.

Now I'm starting to think about the ways in which I can extend the life of a garment. There is a coat pattern I've been waiting to try this coming fall. Now that I know it might just last for two - or even three? - seasons, I am planning ways to build in growing room. Suddenly, I am freshly excited for baby girl projects because all that effort and care will be of real use.  That's a gratifying thought.

Hmmm, I always seem to show her stuffing her face. Tomorrow, jam making, then I promise I will have some real sewing to share soon.

place holding

Back from New York with a bad cold and a huge duffel bag full of fabric, I have lots of stuff to organize, lots of projects in muslin form but very little ready for sharing. I received these wonderful pictures from our favorite photographer some time ago and have been saving them to fill just such a gap.

Don't you just love the petulant look on her face? I'm really not sure what was going through her head that day.

  

I've shared the details of this top already, but wasn't able to get my cranky toddler to model it. It was a shame, because I love the way the gathered front puffs out over her enormous toddler belly. (So enormous, during the delivery I honestly thought for a moment it was another head!)  

The dragonfly blouse has been a real favorite. She asks for it all the time and has even managed to convey to me in toddlerese that her baby needs a matching outfit. I'm working on that, but it's low on the list just now. This fabric has held up very well through repeated washings. It hasn't pilled at all, as some Joann stuff does.

The 2+2 blouse is a little more involved than the easier Oliver + S patterns, but so very cute. It's kind of irresistible. The back buttons are not the quickest way to dress a toddler, but I find them so charming it's worth the effort once in a while.

kcwc part 2

 So here is the other top I actually finished during kcwc. Right as that ended, I had several things to deal with that kept me super busy and it took a while to get some photos and then to upload them. This is of course and Ice Cream Top in a very soft lightweight voile from Valorie Wells.

 I bought the fabric last year intending to make some baby clothes, but never got to it. The loose breezy top will last her all the way through the sticky summer.

 Right now I am frantically trying to get ready for the Weekend Sewing workshop in New York, so I don't ahve much to say about this project. I think it speaks for itself really. However, it's worth pointing out that I found an ice cream top from last summer that still fits her, so this time I made a very large keyhole opening in the back. That way, it will fit over her head for a long time to come. This time, I did it with bias.

 At the end of a long weekend of spring cleaning, we all went for a little ice cream. Every photo had at least one child looking ridiculous. It was one of those days and the pictures just cracked me up.

For the record, neither of my boys were given entire ice cream cones as babies. But the littlest ones have a inbiult sense that tells them, "older brothers are getting something. I WANT IT TOO!" Woe to the person who denies her, so she largely does get what they have. I draw the line at coffee or wine, though.

This time tomorrow, I'll be on the train to New York! I can hardly wait.

kcwc Spring 2012

So the Elsie Marly kids clothes week challenge wrapped up yesterday. I had hoped to finish Kitty’s spring wardrobe. We had a hot spell the week before that put me in the mood for summer sewing projects. I had prepared two tops and a pair of shorts with the intent to make second pair of shorts too. Monday morning, I got hit with something unexpected and ensuing week was so busy and stressful that all my sewing plans went pear shaped. A day behind, I managed to finish up the two tops this morning. Since it’s been so cold here for the past week, I’m not too worried about the shorts.

This square necked dress has lots of sleeve and length options.  Spring is so short here I wanted something that would last through the summer, so I opted for short sleeves. And I chose puffy over flutter even though flutter sleeves are everywhere right now. I am a sucker for tiny puffy sleeves on chubby baby arms.

Pictures were taken in a hurry after school this afternoon once I realized tomorrow’s forecast called for rain. After we picked up my oldest, the kids all went across the street to the Rose Garden to play. Working quickly and with lots of animal cookies as bribes, I tried to get a few decent shots before we had to pick up my other son at his school.

 

The back yoke fastens with two little buttons. I found these red fabric covered ones in my button box left from another project.  They are the perfect pop against the floral.

The fabric is the same delicate cotton lawn from Lecien with which I bound the seams on her Sunday Brunch jacket. I wanted this for myself, actually, but there wasn’t enough for both of us and baby won.

I used solid ivory voile for the facings to avoid that show through effect you can get with sheer fabrics. Lately, I have been passing up fusible interfacing in favor of fabric. Here I used a second layer of the plain voile. I altered the construction of the yoke slightly to encase the raw edges with the yoke facing. The side seams are frenched and the armscyes are bound with bias. This fabric is delicate and frayed very easily, requiring secure finishes.

Next in my queue is the custom superhero cape for the auction winner and then I will be starting on spring tops for myself. Soon I will be heading up to New York all by myself for the Heather Ross Weekend Sewing workshop! I’ve been thinking about what to take and I leaning toward my new Japanese sewing book. I haven’t tried Japanese patterns before and I’m concerned about the sizing and lack of English. It might be nice to have some help. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to the trip!