I wish I may

This summer was full of special events for Isadora. There was an outdoor summer wedding and her grandparents’ 50th anniversary party at Longwood Gardens – not to mention her own September birthday! So she had the perfect excuse for a really special dress.

Once the humidity kicks in, it’s so hard to beat the heat. But I really think a dress is the best way to be comfortable and still feel nice in the summer. I looked at fine cotton voile and a not too fitted dress that gives her plenty of room to breathe.

I found this dandelion print before I even met with Isa and knew it would be perfect for her. The airy orange and pink design spoke to me as the summer heat set in. Full, saturated colors show up so well under the harsh sun, but the ivory backdrop keeps it light. It turns out Isa loves wishes! When I showed her this swatch, she didn’t want to see anything else.

The bodice is both lined and underlined in ivory cotton voile and thoroughly finished by machine and by hand to be smooth and soft against the skin. The full, pleated skirt is lined in cotton voile and finished with French seams. I wanted a little extra fluff to fill out the long full skirt, but I didn’t want too many layers to weigh her down in the heat. Instead, I attached a tulle ruffle to the hem of the skirt lining, creating a kind of petticoat. This gave shape to the skirt but didn’t add any bothersome layers to her body or hips. The tulle sits between the dress and the lining, so there is only soft cotton against Isa’s legs.

It’s hard to imagine a party dress without a big sash and bow. Here I finished a very wide piece of pumpkin colored voile with a tiny hem and hairline seams to create a laissez fair sash with a soft, full bow.

The dress and sash fabric have a silky finish that is a pleasure to wear.

 A little extra wish sits on the shoulder, where I embellished the dandelion design with some hand embroidery. A few long stitches and French knots make it look half blown away already. And there it is - the prettiest summer occasion frock a girl could wish for!

up, up and away!

In the early decades of the new millennium, even the great City of Brotherly Love was not spared the ravages of worldwide recession. In such times of fear and confusion, our city awaits a hero. And now he’s here to bring light into the darkness.

Faster than a speeding tricycle, more powerful than the biggest bullies and able to leap from the fourth step in a single bound, it’s Super Charlie! He’s fast, kind, funny and--- he has a great cape.

Only our hero stands between us and the bad guys.  He watches over our city ready to spring in to action whenever he’s needed. He’s here to fight for truth, justice and the American way.





When your very favorite matchbox goes missing, he’ll help you find it. If your ice cream falls to the ground, he’ll tell you a joke to make you smile. When your big brother is mean to you, he’ll stick up for you. It’s Super Charlie to the rescue!

This city is safe again, thanks to you, Super Charlie! And if the forces of evil should rise again, to cast a shadow on the heart of the city, we know where to find you.



(Yes, I absolutely was emulating Caspar David Friedrich’s iconic depiction of man facing his insignificance in the landscape. Thanks for noticing.)

The cape is based on the pattern I used for Halloween, but I have added quite a lot of volume and length to it. I found that pattern a bit skimpy and I wanted a cape that would blow in the wind with a satisfying drape and lots of drama.  Contrary to popular belief, boys L.O.V.E. drama.  They just don’t always care to admit it.

My son was thrilled when I picked him up from preschool a few weeks ago toting this. He couldn’t wait to try it out. I thought it would be best to get pictures right away while the energy was still high and we had lots of fun with these on our walk home.

I passed over the costume satin in favor of the special occasion stuff. It was pricier, but I think worthwhile to achieve the kind of drama necessary for a true super hero. The red is a vibrant and blows wonderfully in the wind. The lining is sparkling gold satin and the appliqué is wool blend felt. The cape fastens at the neck with a snap and I’ve reinforced the neck pieces for durability and for a better fit.

The best part?  This cape can be yours! It’s up for auction on April 19th at the second annual Moonstone Auction.  For the winner, I will make a custom cape with your child’s initial and choice of lightning bolt or shield. 

Every boy has a super hero inside him.

Of Sugar Plums and Swans

Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand. - Bernie Taupin.

One of my most treasured books as a girl was The Very Young Dancer, a documentary style story of life at the New York City Ballet from the point of view of a young girl trying out for Clara in the Nutcracker. The photography is black and white and the story is told in that straightforward and innocent voice of children, speaking frankly about how often young dancers get hurt and how carefully they eat. There are long hours and strict rules. Ballet is beautiful and it is hard work. Somehow, the realism of that book gave it glamour. Perhaps it was because the dream had substance; it is the story of a real little girl who stars in a real ballet. It continues to speak to me now, especially as I face the extreme faux-princess culture that’s developed in the little girl world of today.

I think it’s difficult as adults, caught up in our very real worries and responsibilities, to remember just how strong the fantasy life of children is. It can be hard to remember how important those things were when we were young and how very real. I also think it’s hard for many of us, as we watch as Disney market its shallow message into our daughters’ lives, to remember that ballerinas and princesses can be a great dream too.

So this project is dedicated to that tiny dancer in all of us, dancing in the sand. And to the tiny dancer we love now, who learns in her ballet classes that strength and discipline create beauty. Hold her closer while you still can.

This is a sophisticated, beautiful garment for your tiny dancer who dreams, like I did, to be a real ballerina.  There isn’t a speck of glitter or hint of princess! Maybe wearing this, she can imagine herself strong enough to dance on stage at the Academy. Let her have these dreams! After all, before you know it you will be dancing at her wedding.

This tutu is after the wonderful instructions in Little Things to Sew by Liesl Gibson.  Constructed from 15 whole yards of tulle in shades of pink, coral and yellow, the tutu is voluminous. It ties at the waist with a charcoal gray grosgrain ribbon. It is fully finished on the inside, so you could reverse it if you wanted to. It was based on a 21” waist but since it fastens with ties, it will likely fit ages 3 through 6. 

The 2^nd annual Moonstone Preschool auction is now open, but you can only bid on the tutu at the live event at Distrito on April 17^th.  It’s one of a kind and will never be available for sale. You’ll have to get yourself a ticket and join us there!

The hardest part of this project will be letting it go. So support a good cause and give my tutu a dreamy home!



Red Riding Hood

I’d like to introduce you to my little Red Riding Hood. She’s not roaming through the woods to see Grandma, but forraging for baguettes and pastries on Saturday morning in the city.

Though she might need to hide from the occasional wolf,

she also has time to practice for her ballet class.

The minute I received my copy of the long awaited Little Things to Sew, I knew this cape would be perfect for the upcoming auction at my son’s preschool. Moonstone has an arts-based curriculum, and the children are creative and imaginative little people who enjoy dress up. Though whimsical, it’s also perfect for everyday wear in the spring and fall. It’s sized in a 3-4T  for your preschool Riding Hood.

Though I can picture this cape in navy corduroy for the Madeline look, or in black velveteen for Christmas festivities, I knew that the first time I made it needed to be in classic red. For spring, I chose linen in a bright red for the shell. Linen is a durable fiber with lovely drape. And since my Red Riding Hood is a stylish, urban adventuress, I wanted an equally daring print for the lining.

I found it at Spool, purveyor of just such fabric. Spool has kindly donated a gift certificate and one of their artfully composed fabric bundles to the auction. I settled on “Singing Forest” from Jay MacCarroll’s newest collection. It features a floral design overlaid with a bright graphic dot. This was the perfect foil to the traditional red – a woodsy themed print by a Philadelphia artist!

When my Red Riding Hood goes on an adventure, she doesn’t have time to worry about her nice clothes. Her cape is machine washable. She also needs her cape to be fully reversible, so that she can change her mind at a moment’s notice.

This cape is very much a one of a kind item. The projects in Little Things to Sew are copyrighted designs and intended only for personal use, though I have permission from Oliver + S to donate it for the auction. You can’t buy this at a boutique or craft fair or Etsy shop or anywhere!

The auction opens on March 19^th, 2011 and closes on April 9^th, 2011 and 11:59pm. Certain items - including my cape! - will only be available at an exciting live auction event on April 12th at the restaurant Distrito. Moonstone will use the proceeds to create scholarships, provide professional development for staff a well as make improvements to the school building. Moonstone, Inc. is a non profit organization and your contribution is tax deductible. To bid on my cape, the Spool gift certificate, a session with Amanda Hall Studios or many other exciting items and experiences, click on the link in my sidebar.

If I've overdone the number of photos here, it's because I had so many wonderful shots I simply couldn't decide! This is my very favorite project to date and I'm just thrilled to have it documented so beautifully. I want to thank Amanda Hall Studios for these exquisite photos and for all the fun we had on location at Washington Square Park last Saturday.  If you are blown away, as I am, by how Amanda captures these fleeting childhood moments with such fine artistry, visit her site to see more of her work and learn how she can tell your family's story. Amanda Hall Studios is auctioning a photo session, which will surely be a hot item. I also want to thank “my” little Red Riding Hood, the lovely Miss I next door, for her tireless modeling. I hope they will both visit again soon!