A day out and about

Sister and brother

Sister and brother, a photo by laurar70 on Flickr.

Sewing for me

I've decided to sew more for myself lately. It has been really fun to sew for my daughter (and a little for my son) these past 5 years. Quite recently, however, she started refusing to wear things that I stayed up all night trying to finish. She would pick the pattern and the fabric and then decide that she 'just didn't like it for some reason.' At first I was just crushed probably because it had become such a part of my 'mom' identity and I got lots of compliments from others for the things I would make for her. I think she knew that I was crushed and sort of liked that power to make me so mad/sad/disappointed/whatever. So I have set all my projects for her aside for a while and I have purchased a bunch of beautiful patterns for myself, including this Little (big) Woo from Patterns by Figgy's. I liked the pattern when I first saw it a while back, but wished it was in my size and, well, Shelly and Karen must have read my mind (and all the other requests!) because they just offered a pattern that goes up to size 14. I made the size 12 at Shelly's suggestion and it fits perfectly. I am not terribly experienced with knits and was so nervous about sewing together the woven and knit fabric, but for the most part it was so easy. I used some Kokka fabric I have been holding on to for a while with some poly/cotton ponte knit I got at Joann's. I really wanted to use a 100% cotton knit, but couldn't find one with the heavier weight I wanted. I cannot say enough about the customer service from the Patterns by Figgy's team. I mean it's like having a personal sewing coach who will email you (within 12 hours, often sooner) if you have a question or encounter a problem.

I had a little problem with it gathering a bit around the neck and I really do not know why. I think the knit may have stretched out a bit when sewing the other parts together even though I added interfacing and staystitched it. Anyway, I like how it turned out because the slight gathering is uniform around so it looks intentional. Hooray for mistakes that look good (it oh-so-seldom happens for me)!!

Next up, a Tova top to share on the blog. And I am crazy excited about this recent annoucement from Liesl. I am especially excited about the fabric possibilities at Joann's of all places. Lucky for me, there's a Joann's ever so close to my house (my car practically knows the way!).

I could make 10 of these

I have been sewing like crazy because my daughter's been home sick and we haven't been leaving the house. I made her this little vest/tunic thing and she loves it (sorry for the bad pictures). Whew....we have seriously been having some issues around her wearing the stuff I make. The conflict usually ends with me saying something ridiculous like "Well, I guess I just won't be sewing things for you any more," which we both know is absurd, especially given how much money I have invested in Oliver & S patterns. In any case, I am working on a less flowery version of this inspired by the colors of valentine's day. I am also trying to figure out how to make one of these for me without looking too maternity or needing darts. I spend crazy amounts of my day thinking about such things (darts, fabric, drape, and will it work with my new Frye boots!).

LOVE

Is it wrong to love clothes and fabric so much? I don't know, but certainly occupies a large portion of my mind. I found this website through wildflowers::pretty (which I also adore). Just look at these beautiful dresses...oh and just look at those shoes.

Hello there, blog!

It's not that I haven't been making anything, in fact I've been making everything, but I had technical difficulties with my blog (like it disappeared) and my lovely husband figured it all out with the people at Google, for which I am incredibly grateful because I have no patience for this kind of thing. So, I just lost all my momentum around blogging, but I'll give it another try.
I'll start with an old project I made months ago from Hillary Lang's stunning book. I immediately wanted to make Little Miss Storybook so I did and I really love her. My daughter is complete indifferent, as she is with most of the dolls I make, but I smile whenever I see it. And now I have realized, that's really what this handmade thing is all about.

On another note, I won some completely gorgeous Frye boots on eBay (first time bidding!) for a complete steal. I am currently trying to sew a wardrobe to go with the boots. First tunic is kind of a disaster, but I have many other projects waiting for a turn. I've finally decided to cut into fabric I've been hoarding for years because I might as well enjoy it on my body instead of staring at it on the shelf (which I do plenty, believe me!). 

So satisfying...

I am a quick project kind of girl when it comes to sewing or anything actually, which is why this skirt was so satisfying to me. I knew this fabric would be a skirt for K when I bought it and it's just as perfect as I expected it to be. I love red ric rac and add it to a LOT of things. I think this will even work for the holidays (and the 80+ degree weather we're having now).

I'm seriously in love with the new Oliver and S patterns, but really cannot justify buying all 4 of them at once and I cannot decide on just one. I am participating in the Sew Mama Sew Jump Rope Dress sewalong. I hope I'll have something cute to reveal by the end of the weekend, but it's NOT a quick project so let's hope I don't entirely lose interest before I've finished.

New beginnings

Both my kids started a tiny Waldorf school this week. It was a big change for my son in particular since we've been homeschooling the past two years. My daughter will be in the kindergarten a couple of days a week (although she'd like to go more). I was feeling so apprehensive about this change, but immediately was calmed by the rose ceremony that opened the school year. Things are going to be just fine.
My daughter wore a handmade dress that was mine as little girl. It's so nice to see her enjoying it as I remember that dress quite well. So nice to have had a crafty mom!

Half made by me

I can't even really believe that I (almost) knit a sweater for my daughter! I say almost because I started this project about 2+ years ago and then put it away (in pieces) to be completely forgotten about. Recently, a knitter friend of mine was interested in taking a look at my (completely unused, beautiful) yarn stash also packed away (remember I mentioned my love affair with supplies?!) since I mentioned that I'd love to get rid of some of it. She pulled the pieces out and said "Hey, I'll finish this for you." That was about the sweetest thing I've ever heard. Finishing projects has always been a challenge for me, but especially in cases where I've just completely thrown in the towel. So, she knit the sleeves and collar and then sewed the whole thing together and finished the edges...even put the buttons on (aren't they cute?). And then gave it back to me and Katya was thrilled to wear it. It's a tad wonky but I'm absolutely okay with that. I feel so incredibly proud and motivated to actually knit more. I wonder if I could pull off a sweater for my son for Christmas....of course, I'll need to go buy some more yarn (it's got to be cheaper than therapy...although sometimes I'm not so sure)!

I love supplies

Sometimes I think I enjoy buying supplies more than I actually enjoy sewing. I started off wanting to make some zipped pouches for a craft fair, so I stumbled upon and ordered some of these on etsy. Could anything be lovelier, I mean really? For me, the raw materials represent the possibilities ahead. So, I've been admiring them all day and, of course, taking pictures. Maybe I should actually make something, but now that I've spent all this time trying to fix my blog header, I'm tired and may just go watch a movie (and embroider).

Orphan dress

I laughed out loud today when my daughter said she "liked this dress I made her. It's just like what girls in orphanages wear." I guess she's been heavily influenced by all the Annie (as in 'little orphan') action going on in our house (movie, live musical, cd--over and over and over). I guess I do like kids' clothes to be understated and, well, boring. My eyes hurt when I see some of the barbie pink clothing available. Oh, and I'm pretty sure I was visibly annoyed when my daughter inherited a leopard print polyester dress from an older friend (it seems to always to be in the wash so she can't wear it.). Well, anyway here's my Ice Cream Social dress from Oliver and S with our sweet new kitten. I added an embroidered 'K' button to make it more enticing. I think it worked.

Not a single serious shot

I did a little photo shoot today at the zoo of a dress I made several months ago. It's the Oliver and S Playdate Dress, which seems to be discontinued now. I've sewn it several times now and really like it, especially this one even if it does look slightly amish. I love classic styling on children. I found this linen at Joann's where I'm sometimes surprised (pleasantly) by their linen solids. And, of course, she enjoyed wearing her new fall boots with it. Only in San Francisco can you get away with fall boots in July (in the western hemisphere anyway!). Oh gosh, I need to sew something for my son (something I constantly feel guilty about, but don't seem to do much to alleviate these feelings!). I actually have some cute pants I made many months ago for him....will post pictures soon just to make myself feel better. And I'm sewing for myself, well, I've cut out a couple of dresses for myself. Hopefully, it will amount to something wearable.

Crafting saves lives

I admit that I am a craft book junkie. I am truly tortured by all the new craft books coming out that I cannot afford, so when this book arrived on my doorstep a few days ago I'm pretty sure I squealed. I'd forgotten that I preordered it several months ago from Amazon. Oh man, it was worth the wait. It completely reaffirmed how much I love Hillary's style and I enjoy making softies probably above all else (kids' clothes run a tight second). Every single pattern is adorable. I think Olive and Archie was the first doll I ever made. After that, I was hooked.

Here are just a few of our favorites. I absolutely love her ideas for hair in this book. I've thought of using fabric scraps and of course felt and yarn, but check out the ribbon hair below or the absolutely adorable little boy doll with faux fur hair (my 8-year-old son who is a bit beyond stuffed toys asked me to make the 'naughty boy' for him...notice the crayon scribbles on the wall next to him?!). My daughter cannot stop talking about the sleepover dollies. I am quite in love with the Little Miss Storybook with her appliqued cape. Recently, I started making capes for my dolls, but this one with the hood is beyond adorable.

Many years ago, I saw a bumper sticker that said "Art saves lives." I thought about it for a long time and did not know exactly what that meant. When I was looking through this new book with my kids (trying to negotiate which one I would make first with them), I suddenly thought of that bumper sticker and knew exactly what it meant. When I began sewing 5 years ago while pregnant with my second child, it really marked a new beginning for me and, as silly as it sounds, making things really has saved my life. It has made me a little more excited to get up each day (so many projects to finish or start or both!) and has certainlymade me think of 'things' in a whole new way. I look at mass produced clothing, toys, furniture with a more critical eye. Whenever I talk to a friend who is down, I suggest trying to embark on a creative task to help get out of their funk. I know creativity means different things for different people, but there is something downright therapeutic about making something with your hands. Oh, I just love it so.

And the love that my children bestow on the softies I've made over the years has made me so incredibly proud. I know they will remember this about me ("mama and her sewing" they sometimes say) and hopefully carry a little bit of craftiness with them throughout their lives as well.

Brother and sister

I recently made these dolls for a brother and sister. I just love how they turned out. I used the Poppy Doll pattern from Hop, Skip, Jump. I've made this doll several times and it always comes out cute (and slightly different, which is what I love about making dolls). I struggled with the boy clothes and just settled on these overalls I had from a doll pattern. I wish they were a little more "boy", but time was limited. I'd like to create a cute (but not too cute) boys' outfit sometime. I like coming up with my own doll patterns, but also really like using patterns from others since I enjoy learning a new way of putting a softie together. Just like I keep ordering patterns from Oliver and S because (I keep telling myself and my husband), it's cheaper than sewing classes and buying all the adorable kids' clothes out there! Speaking of which....I may be starting a patternmaking class soon. I am excited beyond belief!

Favorite holiday (for the color scheme!)

I can never resist making a new dress for the 4th of July. I'm always drawn to red, white and blue; it just says summer to me. Such a great combo, no wonder it has been chosen for so many flags around the world. I used this free Oliver & S pattern and I'm quite pleased with the result. I have a stack of patterns I'm just dying to get to work on, but I'm in the midst of a deadline for some adorable dolls. Be back soon.

Summer sewing and seam finishes

I've been ignoring all housework the past few days to spend time in my sewing room. I came up with this skirt yesterday just before dinner and finished it after the kids went to bed (at 9:30....got to do something about these bedtimes!). I knew the plainess of the skirt would be met with resistance so I added the doily at the last minute then I got sucked into researching doilies on etsy (wow!). I love this skirt. The pictures don't do it justice. Linen just has that gorgeous sheen about it. I, of course, imagined her wearing it with a neutral top and saltwater sandals, but she insisted on her hot pink shirt and lacy leggings. I am sure the sparkly flip flops will follow!

I wanted to share the "insides" of my sewing, which never look very beautiful. I'm sure I am in the minority when I admit that I love pinked seam allowances. It reminds me of all the things my mom made for me. I love how it makes something look instantly 'handmade'. I do have a serger and use it on occassion, but it makes me nervous (I have once made a hole in a dress while trying to finish the seams). I'd like to use it more, but for now I'll just pink my edges and enjoy the imperfections of it all!