Serious Nesting & Lined Twirly Skirt

May is going to be a very busy month, so I am trying to get as many things done before this baby arrives as possible. There is serious nesting going on today, and my little sewing studio has seen a great deal of spring cleaning. Look for upcoming sales on etsy and at my web site very soon.

Another project that I have at least partially taken care of is one of my niece's birthday presents. She loves twirly skirts, and this one fits the bill - I hope! It is the first lined skirt that ever made, and I am hooked. They are just so full and cute. I think a little breezy, gauze peasant top in ivory would be precious with this... Hmmmm....

Happy Camper Number Two

I realized that my son really needed some new lounge/pajama pants. Since I have been spending SO much of my sewing time devoted to girly things, I decided to sew this together for him. These little campers are just so simple and cute. They remind me of a simpler time, and I love the softness of the sueded cotton - perfect for jammies.

Chocolate Bliss

When I saw this new Kyoko pattern from Patty Young for Modkids I knew that I absolutely had to have it. I have a soft spot for designs with Asian flare, and this one I found absolutely irresistible. It took me longer to pick out the fabrics for the dress than it took to sew it together (and that was no short period of time), but I am thrilled with the results. I know is is tad busy, but I don't think it is too over the top.

I highly recommend the pattern to anyone who is a beginner to intermediate sewer. It takes a long time (3-5ish hours?) to put the dress together, in my opinion, but the instructions are very clear. The only parts that gave me a bit of trouble were figuring out how to attach the sleeve and keeping the ribbon from getting caught in the seam of the obi sash, but those difficulties may have been as much a result of my own fatigue as anything.

I have never made my own bias tape before, and it is more work than I had anticipated, but it adds so much to the outfit. When I was making it I was thinking to myself, "never again!" When I was attaching it to the actual dress, however, I kept thinking, "Wow - this is gorgeous!" And, again, the instructions for doing this were crystal clear, which is so nice. Anyone who sews can appreciate the value of clear and concise directions.

Thanks so much to Patty Young for designing such a beautiful pattern! I cannot wait to make more of these.

Easter Outfit

The outfit I had planned on making for my daughter turned out WAY too big, so I pulled out this skirt, which I made months ago. I needed a shirt for her in a hurry, and while I could have appliqued a matching shirt, I decided to try a little peasant top. This was my first attempt at shirring, and it was really quite easy. I learned quickly to make sure the elastic thread is long BEFORE you begin so that you can tie it off after you are done stitching, but their was hardly any learning curve to it. It is really fun for a quick project.

Vintage Spring Coat & Bonnet

This sweet little jacket and hat was actually mine. (Does that make me vintage - eeeek?) My mom made it for me when I was not quite a year old! She kept it all these years and now it fits my little sweetie. We are so pleased :)

There are so many things going on right now, but I managed to take some pictures off my camera and upload them in just a few minutes.