Babies and skirts

The Anna Maria Horner patterns are flying out the door! Wow. I wasn't anticipating such a rush, but they are really fun patterns. Anna Maria's stuff is awesome.


Didn't achieve too much sewing this week due to some little people. However, we did get to hang out with this little guy (my nephew, Jude). Jude and Felicity are only two weeks apart, so we got a little taste of what it would be like to have twins. Whew.

Juliana gave both of the babies a big hug and said, "Sisters!". Ummm...close, but how about cousins? It was one of those moments where I wish I had my camera.

I did however get to make the Edith Twirl Skirt for Juliana this past week. Juliana really likes the color yellow. It is funny how little preferences pop up so clearly at a young age. I was never a yellow fan myself, but she picks it for everything. This girl is also obsessed with skirts. A big battle ensues if I ask her to wear pants. I have given up, and she now wears skirts every day.

This pattern was awesome. Very detailed and perfect instructions. I love how full it is and the little petticoat look underneath is so sweet.

Plans for Shirts...

Have you seen Made by Rae's Spring Top Week challenge? I was excited to see this. I have lots of plans for some spring shirts, but I am sure I would put it on the back burner. So here are my tops I have "planned"....

1. Simplicity 3750- Looks easy and cute.

2. Summer Blouse from Heather Ross Weekend Sewing- My mom made me this shirt already (you can see it here), but the neck is too high and it was way shorter than expected. Then I saw the Film in the Fridge version and fell in love again.

3. Amy Butler's Lotus Tunic- It really looks more like a dress but... Amy calls it a tunic.

I think I will save the tunic for last. I think if I can whip through the first two, I will be more willing to trudge through to the end.

Anna Maria Horner Patterns are in the shop!

Anna Maria Horner patterns are here! I have all four up in the shop! She has two bag patterns- The Multi-Tasker Tote and the Ruthie Clutch- and two clothing patterns- The Socialite Dress and The Study Hall Skirt. I am in love with The Multi-Tasker Tote!

Easter Dresses

I loved the bubble skirt part of the new Miss Lily pattern by The Handmade Dress. I knew it would be perfect for the girls' Easter dresses. Samantha recommended using a non wrinkly fabric for the dress since it is a difficult dress to iron, so we picked out some seersucker material at Joann's. Juliana chose her bright orange floral, and I picked the polka dots for Felicity since I really love polka dots!


The pattern went together well and fast. If you are looking for a simple and easy dress, I would recommend this. I love the bubble skirt, and you don't have to hem it! Be careful with the sleeve and bodice part because they are very similar, and I mixed them up while sewing Juliana's. The only thing regarding fit is that I would say is that I think the bodice is a little big. I really do tie those ribbons in the back to make it a little more form fitting. Portabello Pixie's Claire pattern uses a similar peasant style top, and I think the fit is a little truer to size on that dress. Overall, I am super pleased to have completed two dresses in a weekend!


She doesn't want to hold my hand!

Okay...just me!

A little help from Daddy.

Nothing Exciting...

I finished the girls' Easter dresses over the weekend. I will post pictures soon. I used the new Miss Lily pattern from The Handmade Dress, and they turned out cute!

I do have a couple new patterns in the shop- this cute wristlet pattern from Pink Sand Beach Designs shown above and her Sugarplum Stocking pattern (if you are like me, you better start preparing for Christmas now ;0p). I have only heard good things about The Little Glam Bag pattern, and if you have never made a wristlet this would be a good one to start with. I also restocked my Melly and Me patterns and got the Hooty and Tweet owl softie pattern. These guys are cute! If you like owls, this is a must.

Ahhhh...spring.

I think spring might really be here. Pussy willows, daffodils, blue sky. I have to say that growing up in California I did not experience the same transformative spring that occurs here in the Midwest. Your whole life really changes! The kids play outside all day, the air smells different, beauty surrounds you. God is good.

Today we took Felicity on her first bike ride. Nothing cuter than a one year old with a huge bike helmet.

I have also been vintage linen hunting this week. I was inspired by this quilt by Philigry. I have listed a few of them in my shop, and I will have more to come later this week. I found some really pretty ones!

Children's Clothes

It has been so warm and sunshiney. I love it. I am thinking of Juliana's spring wardrobe.

I got her this skirt pattern- The Edith Twirl Skirt by Fabritopia. She is a skirt fanatic. She refuses to wear pants. She likes dresses too, but skirts are her love. Anyway, this one looks so nice and full and well...twirly.

Have you seen that The Handmade Dress is coming out with a new pattern? She is taking preorders. The Lily Dress- I love the bubble look. I already went to Joann's and picked up some fabric to make these for the girls for Easter.

There are lots of cute free patterns for kids out there too. Here are some of my favorites:

The Kimono Wrap- This little shirt is so sweet and would make a great gift for a kid of any age!
Sundress Pattern- By the same person. This sundress looks oh so sweet and french seams- my new favorite!
Twirl Skirt- Twirl away!
Peasant Blouse- Looks easy and so cute! She has lots of other tutorials to check out too!
The Smocket (In the side bar)- This I have made, and it turned out super cute. Would also make a great summer shirt.

Don't forget to enter The Long Thread's giveaway! I am giving away a Melly and Me pattern. There are SIX other animals being given away as well! You have a good shot at winning one of them!

Mary and St. Therese Dolls

Mary and St. Therese Dolls

I got these sweet little dolls for the girls for Easter, and I am in love. Aren't they sweet? They fit just in the palm of your hand. I can't wait for the girls to see them. Check out Erin's shop: http://saintlysilver.etsy.com. She carries lots of neat saints!

Also, check out The Long Thread tomorrow for a giveaway! I am going to be giving away a Melly and Me pattern from the shop!

Birthday Presents

Birthday presents are what I have been working on this week. This little reversible apron skirt for a little girl. Apron anything is very popular right now, and I love how you can just unbutton the apron and give it a whole new look.

Jcasa's coloring wallet is what I made for the little boy. I made one for Juliana for Christmas, and she loves it. I think kids are natural born organizers, and she loves putting the crayons back in their little slots.

I received my free yard of fabric from Sew Mama Sew! I ended up picking some of Tanya Whelan's Darla. It just looked like spring. It is lovely, and now I know what fabric I want to use for my Juliet tunic!

Thanks!

Thanks to Sew Mama Sew! for featuring my purse organizer on their blog yesterday! So exciting. I love this blog. I check it every day.

Aren't these bees adorable? My mom made these from one of the Melly and Me patterns I carry in the shop for some newly adopted children from Africa. I am sure these bees will get lots of love.

I also have some new patterns in the shop by Sew Serendipity. I am dying for spring and spring clothes, so I just had to get some of these lovely skirt and tunic patterns. This Juliet Tunic is now on my to do list.

A big glass of white wine...

is what I just partook in. It has been just one of those days. On the flip side I won one of Sew Mama Sew's Free Fabric Fridays! Now I just have to choose the fabric. I am leaning towards some of Tanya Whelan's Darla fabric since I have been admiring it for awhile.

It felt like I didn't get much sewing done, but looking back on the week it was actually quite productive. I got this Lots of Pockets Tote made for the shop as well as a few other things.



My mom also sent me this sweet little tea wallet for the shop.
A sweet little Japanese print and love the matching apple button.
I made this sweet little Bo Peep Skirt from Anna Maria Horner's book Seams to Me. I loved the french seams. My first time! They weren't hard at all, and I love the clean look they give. Juliana didn't take the skirt off all week. (Not as wrinkly as it looks here. Juliana just couldn't stand still.)

Purse Organizer- Pattern Review

I make a lot of bags. I would love to use a lot of my different purses, but I confess I don't. So what about a purse organizer? I have seen some patterns/tutorials here and there that looked okay. Then I found The PortaPockets Purse Insert Pattern by Studio Kat Designs, and it looked like exactly what I was needing.

THE GOOD
This is an awesome purse organizer. I made the large insert because I have a lot of stuff! Plus, I usually carry bigger bags. It actually is more of a giant wallet. You have room for six credit cards, bill fold, zipper pouch for coins, two inside pockets, pen holders, and four outside pockets, plus a roomy interior on one side.

THE BAD
Not for the faint of heart or for a quick project. There are SOOOO many pieces she makes you cut out, and of course for some reason I cut about six of them wrong. Definitely, NUMBER your pieces if you are going to make this. I kept sewing wrong pieces together, and I almost pulled my hair out. Plus, the binding at the end involved a lot of hand sewing. It took me several hours over the course of a few days to make this little thing.

In the end, I am pleased with the result. Just be sure you really WANT to make this. :0)

Outside- Loving these polka dots.

Inside- Wallet side

Inside- Pen/Pocket Side

Some more (fat quarter) tutorial goodness....

It was Fat Quarter last month over at Sew Mama Sew. So sad that it is done. They had so many great ideas going. Here are some other tutorials I have found using fat quarters.


Buttercup Bag- Cute, cute, cute! Would make a great purse for a young girl.

Crooked Coasters- I really like the look of these.

Scrappy Summer Belts- These look easy and fun!

Soft Baby Shoes - I have made these and they are adorable and easy!

Wallet - I really like the look of this one. The best one I have seen lately. Will be trying this one soon.

Have fun! Happy sewing!