ahhh, just finished the azure pleated linen dress for my Little Miss. This empire-waist toddler dress is lined with unbleached muslin. Pleats across the bodice and along the waist band along with a rick rack accent provide visual interest and perhaps a few tucks for cookie crumbs to collect. I did a matching border along the hem of the skirt. Simple skirt pleats make this summer dress roomy enough for any play-by-the-pond-with-a-stick-squat.
 On my summer sewing list, shorts for Mini Mister, many more dresses for Little Miss, matching pjs for daddy and son, and oh, that wrap dress for moi! What are you sewing this summer?
 I can’t remember the last time I stitched a garment for moi. Maybe high school? Grow-up bodies require a bit more shaping, attention to detail, and a bit more fabric than toddler projects. I did a muslin dress for this one since I wasn’t sure what the heck size I am now. Is there a racket in the retail clothing industry? I am a Levis size 2 short. This Vogue sewing pattern is more like the real thing, which is a size 14. How does 2 reconcile with 14?
 Anyway, this patter is a super simple wrap dress, with a bit of shaping in the bodice and an A-line skirt. I have small hips and a big top, so this style works well for me. The gathers around the hips give me a more hour-glass, balanced look. (Ever drool over someone’s fashionable outfit, but wonder would that look good on my figure? Well, Vogue has this really cool symbol system, Figure Flattery, that indicates which body-types look good in their garments.)
I have been noticing that in-set sleeve patterns (and maybe it is just for kid clothing since they are small) seam the side just once from the waist to the end of the sleeve. Not so here, back to easing, basting, and lots of pinning. Notice how I didn’t do the second mock-up sleeve?
 All and all this pattern fit well as is. No gap at the bust! Good just below the knee length! The perfect sleeve, not to tight and ample coverage. (My arms just look horrid in those in-fashion cap sleeves.) But I need about an inch of length added in the bodice. This pattern has a length adjustment guide, so this will be pretty easy.
So I am set to stitch up the real thing. Well, almost. I am still looking for the prefect stretch fabric for summer. Print? Solid? Just a touch of poly please! I need a new church dress so I suspect my search will ramp up pretty quickly. Finish garment to come! (Oh, and this pattern is Very Easy Vogue 8379. I’d thought I’d start out simple.)
What are you stitching?
 I have finally, gotten back to my sewing machine. As I gently stepped on the foot pedal, I swear I could hear it whisper, “where were you?” These sewing projects were super quick. Super easy. And super orange.
I just like orange on the kids. Is orange really anyone’s color? Do you ever see a grown adult wearing blaze orange besides during hunting season? Orange suits young spirits who are perpetually in motion and always seeking out fun. In Feng Shui, orange is considered a “social” color and is used in the home to promote playful and lively energy. Sounds like a kid’s color to me for sure.
(I must confess, I had an ulterior motive using this color. Orange outfits are a strategic must on a busy playground. I can always spot my little monkeys when I dress them in yellow or orange.)
Shopping for fabric with my daughter, I found this gauzy orange linen. Perfect for hot humid summers. Soft, smooth, light, and airy. I picked up a pattern for Mini Mister’s Hawaiian shirt, and drafted a new 2T pattern for Little Miss’ dress. (I used Amy Butler’s Little Stitches for Little Ones, Comfy Jumper Dress pattern as a guide.) You might recognize the bodice fabric from these embroidered place mats I did a while ago. After a muslin mock-up for Little Miss and a waistline adjustment, I was off–sewing matching summer orange outfits.
This is how we came out.
 Mini Mister picked out the buttons all by himself. We call this his “high-5″ shirt. He actually slept with it in his arms the night I finished it. *sigh* What love!
I love that rumpled linen look. So, comfy, casual, and playful.
 Little Miss was so eager to try on her garment after seeing her “oppa” receive his. She is so content in the smooth cotton and lined linen skirt, playing unhindered.
 Together, they look perfectly…orange.
Lately I’ve been doing a lot of cooking. Chopping, rinsing, blanching, searing, sauteing, and braising gives me plenty of time to think. Think about my son’s bean plants that need a bigger pot. Think about the handstand my daughter did at gymnastics. Think about how our first year of pre-school is almost over. Think about how I want to try a new homemade lotion recipe. Think about how excited I am to see my hydrangea bush bloom. And think about our highly anticipated premier farmer’s market visit TOMORROW!! Gosh, I cannot believe May is here.
But amid all the culinary flurry, I have been missing my sewing machine. I miss pinning (although last night I found that I don’t miss getting a pin in the finger.) I miss the iron. (Okay not really that part.) I miss the butterflies I get in my tummy right before I am to cut into that fabulous piece of fabric I in no way want to screw up. I miss the sound of the needling going up and down, and the fly wheel going around and around. I miss the feel of the pedal under my foot, and I miss the quest to seek out a new creation, one stitched step at a time.
It has been a little lacking here on the sewing inspiration front. So with a couple new purchases, I hope to ruffle my sewing feathers, alight anew, and begin to create a bit of summer here with my sewing machine. We are starting with this fabulous textured orange linen. I just love linen. A 4T safari shirt anyone? Okay, maybe not to blend in with the safari, but rather to stand out at the playground and stay cool this weekend in 90+ degree weather.
I didn’t mention the Debbie Bliss magazine. I have to finish another orange sweater first…some seam stitching and blocking…*yawn* And then maybe I will let myself tackle this oh so stylish hooded kaftan in bamboo/merino. I just love summer knits.
Have a wonderful inspired weekend.
 Finally done. Well, almost done. I still have bit of basting to take out, some blind stitching still to do, and of course ironing. But, for now, these are done enough for a photo shoot. Whew. Only three months in the making I tell you. I am so relieved to move onto the next project. My poor inspiration journal is busting at the seams with new unexplored ideas.
Presenting the “IT” Collection.
Dream it.
Learn it.
Live it.
Love it.
Do it.
Make it.
Each place-mat in this set of six (6) measures 19.25″ X 15.25″. The carefully hand-embroidered encouraging words are meant to activate your life and the floral and plant accent motifs are all original designs. The mat center is made of heavy-weight up-cycled 100% cotton fabric. The vibrant orange fabric border is handmade seam binding, finished with mitered corners and blind-stitching.
Mat fabric – 100% woven cotton
Border fabric – 100% woven cotton
Embroidery floss – 100% cotton
Sewing thread – 100% polyester
 Dream It 
 Learn It 
 Live It  Love It 
 Do It  Make It 
Cheers to you, hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
Upon a toddler request, we visited the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C., to see the dinosaur exhibit. I was just so overjoyed to encourage a passion other than wheels and race cars. So we went…and had a lot of fun.
 
In a nearby exhibit is the Hope Diamond.The 45 carat blue diamond from India.
 
Daddy: Do you like it Sydney?
Sydney: pe-ttie. Wannn it!!!
On the crafting table this week: Manos de Uruguay Wool Classica legwarmers, this Berry Hat, this sweater vest, seam-binding in StoneHill Collection Zest, Orange Medallion, and finishing up some baby gifties! Whew, happy Monday!
 I haven’t felt very inspired lately…but I’ve been working on these projects at a slow pace.
Thinking in the shower, before drifting off to sleep, driving in the car (not the best place to be day-dreaming) about what interests me, what I feel is close to my heart, and what will be my next design project. Pulling out my sketch notebook from under that incessant pile of fabrics to jot down a few words, or a small graphic in many iterations–usually in pencil, sometimes in color. Many times it is a panicked rush to get my ideas out of my head and down on paper since I can’t remember well.
When I scrape together a bit of time, I sift through my fabrics…letting the colors and textures be my guide. What thread? What roving? What floss? Buttons, zippers, snaps? What tools do I need? Where is my measuring tape–wrapped around a toddler’s leg, stuffed in a toy-box. Where are you slide ruler…I haven’t seen you in weeks? I gather everything in my arms and dump it on my work space, my dining room table.
I think about seam allowances, french seams, gathers, pleats, top-stitching, and pockets finalizing the pattern in my head, and on paper. I cut with hesitation. I sew with trepidation, sometimes eagerly, and still sometimes with frustration. I clip, iron, hem, and finish.
Sometimes it comes out better than I had imagined. Sometimes it is a flop. Sometimes I change course part way through. Other times, I set aside the project altogether for a while. Sometimes a long while. I am always learning new things about the way fabric behaves, or mis-behaves. How to use new tools. How to create better corners and curves. Each step is a journey toward perfection and what a journey it is.
The panda up top is an original work in progress. The hand-embroidered work below are to be placemats, part of a themed set. More to come.  
 
this weekend, I was doing a little bit of sewing…
and a little embroidery…
and this bag is for our birthday banner.
and we were doing a little bit of this…
(and add a lot of cavilling)
and a lot of this.
And it is snowing again. (Just a couple of inches today.) Going a little crazy here…cabin-fever crazy. We are still waiting for the schools to start up again, meanwhile we are still PAYING for private pre-school. Humpf. It is what it is, this too shall pass…isn’t that what we say as parents? And I need glasses to see better. This will not pass. What are you doing this February?
Here is a quick jewelry pouch how to. I like the envelope flap and the easy snap closure to keep my jewelry neat, protected and organized.
Need:
- 2 scrap pieces of fabric 9″X5″ each (quilting weight woven cotton works well)
- 1 metal snap
- 1 needle and straight pins
- coordinating thread
- fabric scissors
- sewing machine
- iron and ironing board
How-To:
1. Cut (2) 9″X5″ rectangles of coordinating fabric. Fold up one short side, right-sides together, 3 1/4″. Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, machine stitch both sides of “pouch”, back stitching at the beginning and end. (I used a generous 1/4″ seam allowance to stitch the lining so it will fit smoothly into the outer-fabric pouch.)
2. Clip bottom corners of pouch, and turn lining fabric pouch right-side out. Insert lining pouch into outer-fabric pouch and smooth the layers. Clip the corners of the flap to create an angled envelope-flap shape. Pin the layers if necessary. Machine stitch the sides of the flap, and across the front of the pouch, keep the top of the flap open for turning, back stitching at the beginning and end. Clip the corners of the flap where it meets the pouch. Turn the piece, tuck in the lining and press flat.
3. Turn under the open envelope flap and press. Top stitch around the edge of the flap.
 4. Align the snaps in desired position and hand stitch in place.
5. Insert your jewelry or other items and voilá…nifty organizing.
That’s all there is to it. I just love little pouches.
 Sydney’s physical therapist suggested it might be beneficial for her to haul some heavy loads in a bag. “Drag heavy loads” to be exact. Pulling exercises help work the key core body muscles and is an exercise that is very beneficial to someone who is low-toned. So, in that vein, I put together an experimental grocery tote for Sydney so she can “help” Mama haul some heavy groceries…I am thinking like cans of tuna that aren’t too heavy and can’t get juiced or spilled.
 (An apology about the light in these photos…I am still trying to figure out this camera.) This mini-grocery tote measures about 9″X10″ and is made of unbleached mid-weight cotton fabric. The lining fabric was a thrifted table cloth in green and taupe with yellow daisies. It is experimental because I did a little experimenting with applique and some free-stitching on the sides. Conclusion, we’ll see how long the applique holds up to toddler wear and tear and a tumble in the washer and dryer, and I need some more (a lot more) practice with the free motion stitching, mine looks like I was riding in an airplane during turbulence.
 I would have preferred handles to be a bit longer to fit over the shoulder, but this was the fabric I had on-hand. With the flowery theme, I can certainly see this tote going to many-a-farmer’s market this spring and summer only to come home filled with juicy fruits, colorful veggies, or even a yummy cookie or two.
There are so many wonderful tote bag tutorials out there, I will not bore you with another one. Just Google “tote bag tutorial” and you’ll find a million.
|
thank you for stopping by my blog  I am a 35 year old mom to a 4 year old son, a 3 year old daughter, a son born in May, and a wife to my life wonderful. I write in this space when my crafty inspiration strikes or when I get to pondering about how we can live more simply and better connect with the earth around us. We are a family surviving the suburbs, contending with commercialism, and getting to a greener lifestyle. Welcome! ~Abbie a few blogs I like in no particular order Permission © Organizing-Life 2009
All images and designs are property of Organizing-Life. Please do not copy any original designs or photography without written permission. Thank you!
|