{beach party}

Kids clothes week: day 3

I used another pattern from the fabulous Kristen at Fiddlehead for this tank (She also made the pattern for one of my other favorite tanks). Super easy! I opted to make thicker straps and just tack them down - the idea of a tie on a little kid just makes me nervous. When I got to the hem, I decided to dig through my stash of 'misc things' and found some corded piping I have never used. I love how it makes the hem a stand-out feature without downplaying the cute shape of the tank. I used this pattern last year, and already had the 24 month/2T size cut, so that's what I made. It barely fits Moo, so when my niece stopped by today, we gave it to her. {does that still count as sewing for my kids?} She is a little more petite than my Moo. I really love it, so they might get matching tanks. We'll see. I got zero cooperation for this photo shoot this morning, just a lot of blurry pics of her running. I thought this one was pretty cute though. Now I just wish we were headed to the beach!

Mini me

Kids clothes week: day 2
I had most of the construction on these done the other day, and just had finishing touches to do.
Bug loves to wear my scrubs around the house and 'be like mommy' so I decided to make her a set of her own. Moo, too. Why not, right? I saw these two matching scrub tops and scored them on a sale day for $1 each. They are an XL and 2X so plenty of fabric to work with. After a really bad attempt at my own pattern for the top, I bought Simplicity 3650. I am not a huge fan of 'real patterns' so I hesitated, but it turned out well with a couple adjustments. Since I was working from a finished garment already, the neckline was really easy, as was the hem on the sleeves. Easy like already done for me. Nice! When I tried them on the girls, I realized the waist needed cinched in a little, so I made a quick casing for elastic in the back and just top stitched it on. The pattern called for a velcro closure, and I substituted buttons instead. Only one button is functional so the extra piece doesn't get lost. I would love to adjust the pattern so the neck hole is big enough for my girls head so it will just slip on. Maybe someday. I made them big... just in case I am lazy this fall and they can wear them for Halloween. Might as well get some wear from these, right? With a little of the extra fabric, I used this tutorial to make masks. So cute. Moo has been walking around saying "I doctor Louise! I doctor Louise!" - she picked it up from an episode of Max & Ruby. That kid regurgitates everything she learns on TV.

dollar dresses

I came across the elsie marley blog today (thanks for the link, jess!) and I am so inspired. I have a couple clothing items that just need finishing touches, and I am excited to focus on clothes for a week! I only work two evenings this week, so I should be able to keep up with the hour a day commitment. Kids clothes week: day 1

Once or twice a month, my local thrift store has 10 for $10 day, when all adult clothing is a dollar. This last week we went and scored two blue men's plaid wrinkle-free shirts. Whoever came up with that fabric is pure genius. Two dollars, two dresses. I love that! I hauled out this pattern again because it really does just rock. The girls had fun playing with the buttons and got to pick which ones went on their own dress. I am thinking about either adding a fabric 'belt' like this, or doing freezer paper star stencils in white up one side. Or I could just leave them as is.

polka.dot love

We love polka dots at this house. Love love love them. A lot. So, when I got this ugly car seat from a friend to use as a 'backup' I was excited about the idea of recovering it. The girls were excited that I let them choose the fabric. I have crafting commitment issues, and didn't want my first attempt to be one of the nice ones and be stuck with something I hate forever. We are a one car family & hubby takes it to work (with carseats), so when my Mom takes us out for the day, we need extras. I took a seam ripper and completely took it apart, cut pieces the exact size of the templates, and serged them together. Thank goodness I had taken the 'before' picture or it would have been a disaster putting it all back together. Overall, I like it. Not sure I like it enough to spend an entire day making another one, but I do like it.

bittersweet

I said goodbye to one of my babies last night.

It's silly, but I was really sad to see it go. It was an excellent machine, and if my Bernina hadn't fallen into my lap, I would not have looked for another machine for years and years. I sold it to a friend for his wife for Mother's Day, and I know it is going to a good home. That makes me feel a little better, but still sad. I hope Holly loves it as much as I have!

Lily Pond love

In a desperate attempt for Spring to come, I have been getting summer clothes out and found these dresses I made for the girls last July. It's Moda fabric, and the line is Lily Pond. One of my absolute favorite lines ever. I can't believe how much they have grown! Moo was just learning to walk here. I love all those chubby baby rolls! {july 2009}They only wore these dresses a couple of times last year, but were too short for both girls to wear again this year. My solution? Have them switch! Moo can wear hers as a dress now, and Bug has a new tank!

The girls begged for an outdoor photo shoot, but changed their minds quickly. I love spring... I just wish it would get here!

simple summer dresses

I picked up this 2x maternity skirt at the thrift store and loved how light and soft the fabric was. Perfect for little girl summer dresses, no? Neither girl was interested in pictures, so this was the best I got. At least they were holding still...
I decided to go with snaps on the neck, they just seemed to be the least amount of work. Lazy, I know, but it looks good and was quick.