The Shearwater Kaftan

This is my second project for "sewing clothes for me". This is the Shearwater Kaftan pattern by Make it Perfect. I got this pattern at Birch Fabrics (the brick and mortar store of Fabric Worm) over the summer while on vacation. I also got this lovely Nani Iro fabric there. This is probably the prettiest, loveliest fabric I have ever used. It just *feels* so soft. Perfect for a shirt.

This is me after wearing it all afternoon (sorry about the wrinkles!)

The pattern came together really well. I ended up make the size small. My measurements were just a little bit over the size small, but this pattern looked like it had a lot of ease. I didn't want it to be too big. So I added a little to the seam allowance around the bust just to be careful. Otherwise, this pattern was very easy and quick to put together. I made the longest placket on the pattern to give it a more relaxed look, but she also gives you the option of making the placket smaller, if you don't want it to be so long. It also has little tabs you add to the sleeves so you can keep them rolled up, which we definitely need around here seeing as it has been 100 the past couple days!

Next up: The Schoolhouse Tunic

Barcelona Skirt

My goal for the next two weeks is to make some clothes for me! First off, the Barcelona Skirt. This isn't the first time I have made this skirt. In fact, I think I have already made all three versions of the pattern. (It is a really good pattern.) I would definitely recommend this simple a-line version to a beginner.

I made this version out of some of Amy Butler's August Fields home dec fabric. I originally bought it to make some curtains for my sewing room, but since that room is eventually going to be Josiah's I decided to go with some simple wood blinds instead. So this fabric has been sitting for a year, and I stroked it lovingly every once in a while. Then Amylouwho said she was hosting an Amy Butler Sew and Tell encouraging people to use Amy Butler fabric or one of her patterns that you have had for awhile. This is definitely a Meg fabric. I love these colors, and I am floral person. I try to stay away from the florals and buy smaller prints, but I just. can't. help. myself!

I made the size medium, and it fits pretty well. The invisible zipper on this skirt is actually really invisible! Hah! Don't be afraid of invisible zippers. I actually think that they are easier than regular zippers.

Next on my "clothes for me" list: a Shearwater Kaftan!

The Girl is FIVE!

How did she go from a little four pound fourteen ounce nothing...

(seriously, looking at this picture of her as a newborn makes me cry!)

to this big five year old girl?

I am already hugging Josiah and telling him not to grow up so fast. ;0p

Juliana requested a rainbow skirt for her birthday. I wanted to make a cute Oliver and S pleated skirt, but all she cared about was that it was rainbow. So I just made a simple skirt and called it good!

This week has been busy. Filled with pinata action.

And lots of bike riding on her new bike. She can't stop talking about all the places she wants to go biking to with her daddy. All I want to do is hug her tight and keep her this sweet forever.

Bee Thirsty Mug Rug

I made this mug rug for my partner for The Scrappy Mug Rug Swap. I did it log cabin style, and I love how it turned out! I love making these little things. I get to use scraps, and within a couple of hours I have a really cute something to show for it!

For the center I embroidered these little bees on some linen because you know bees get thirsty...and love twirly straws! This embroidery come from the Picnic Fairy Stitchette in Wee Wonderfuls shop.

For the back I used some of this lemon fabric to match the lemonade the bees are slurping up.

The Fashionable Lady's Sewing Machine Cover

So, I made another sewing machine cover. This one was for my mom for her birthday. She loved the one I made last month. She had made a skirt out of these fashionable ladies, and I picked up the scraps leftover (I love going through her scraps.) thinking that I would make her a pillow, but then couldn't think of a single place in her where a pillow of this nature would go. So a sewing machine cover it was meant to be.

I fussy cut out a few of these fashion divas and added a simple border around them using some fabrics from Authentic and Freebird. For the main part I used Kona Bone which was the perfect off white . As I was cutting them out I realized what funny little sayings were in there. My favorite: "Everyone says I look so nice." Well, of course, she does! So I cut out a couple of these and then appliqued them on.

Now her machine is elegantly adorned, just as every well loved sewing machine should be.

Summer is officially over

Today was the girls' first day of preschool. There was much anticipation over this day, especially on Juliana's part.

I am officially done with my kid clothes making month. These little ruffle shorts about did me in. I was originally going to make these Ruffle Capris by Pink Fig, but I waited until yesterday to make them, and kept fiddling with my rolled hem on the serger and trying to make them perfect. Then around ten last night, I just knew I needed more time to get the ruffles right, but I didn't have more time and my brain was turning off. So they turned into ruffle shorts, but still cute, right? For her shirt I just embellished a white t-shirt with some little roses and put one on barrette for her hair.

For Felicity (what am I going to do with this kid?) I made Oliver + S Sailboat Pants and Top. I have been wanting to make this pattern forever. I made it in a size 3, and it is a little big. I used grey corduroy for the pants and a little Sandpiper fabric from Cloud 9 for the top. I will admit to not being crazy about how the fabric for the top feels, especially since it was expensive! For some reason after washing it feels really stiff, which is strange since I have some other fabric from them which doesn't feel like that.

For the top I chopped off the sleeves (a lot) to make 3/4 sleeves since we will still have warm weather for awhile here. I must have marked my buttonholes wrong on the shoulder because I accidentally had one in the seam allowance (woops.) So I only put on button on each shoulder.

Now I am on to some birthday sewing. Lots of birthdays this month and lots of plans on my part for some homemade gifts (at least, that is the plan.)