And an outfit for Zoe

I finally made something out of my new book Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross.

Here is my version of the smocked sundress:

I have to say this was the first time sewing with elastic thread. And oh boy it took me some time to figure it out. I did exactly what Heather described in her book, ironed it and.... it did not smock for me...at all.
I was convinced I did something wrong. So off to my best friend the google bar.... Hmmmm.
I found a website that suggested winding the thread tighter around the bobbin and lengthen the stitch length. Wow, that made a difference. But still not enough smocking for my 15 months old waist. So I ended up tighten the elastic by hand. I guess not the proper way to do it but hey it worked. So after that was done the dress came together pretty easily.

Next off I tried my version of the Ruby's Bloomers. After the experience with the sundress I did the same with the elastic in the leg openings. Tightened it by hand. Well here is the result:


Those again came together pretty easily.
And here are some action shots of both.

I think the dress is pretty comfy for her. Oh by the way we were outside on the patio. It is in the upper 70's here in Florida.

And finally an action shot of the bloomers:

I made the large size (24 months). She has ample room in them. But I do think next time around I make them in the smaller size. So it wont be all crunched up under the dress.

But all in all I think the experience with the elastic thread was definitely a learning experience and so worth it.

An outfit for Maya

First I have to show you what I got from her after she tried the outfit on for the first time. My heart just melted. This is all I need to keep me going.

She desperately needs some summer outfits. Maya loves skirts. So earlier this week I was browsing the net and came across this skirt pattern and this tutorial for the ruffled sleeves. I knew Maya would love this. So here are the results.

The ruffled sleeves are really easy. And I think the result is great. It really makes the Tank Top part of the outfit.

The skirt was so easy to make. I think it is definitely one of the easiest outfits I ever sewed and it is so cute.

Maya is not really into the whole modeling so she acts a little shy.

Laptop sleeve

So for the past few days I have been working on a notebook sleeve for my new laptop. It all came together relatively well but the thing is way too small. I measured so many times and I have no idea as in why it is so small. So needless to say I am really frustrated right now. I put a good few hours of "me time" into my project and now it doesn't even fit.
But on a good note I took these pictures of my girls this morning. It was pouring outside and my husband was about to drop off Maya at school. They are so cute. I love them. And they really cheered me up.

So back to the notebook sleeve. I searched the internet for a tutorial but couldn't really find anything that I liked. I already had my own ideas in mind. I wanted to use a heavier fabric then all the regular cottons I had in my stash. And a zipper closure instead of a button version.

So I had this idea to take some dishtowels by Orla Kiely found at Target. I saw on another Blog a bag made out of the towels and decided I give it a try. Well it is too small so needless to say there will be a Laptop sleeve Part II in the near future.

I used some batting that I had left over and sandwiched it between the outer layer and a layer of PUL (polyurethane laminated fabric). The PUL is for the sleeve to be waterproof just in case something spilled over it. For the inner layer I chose some darkbrown corduroy. Sewing in the zipper was a little ackward. I figured there were just too many layers of fabric.

So off to find another project...

Pillows, pillows...

...and more pillows.

I have been working on these for the last couple of days.

A few weeks ago we decided our patio needs a much needed makeover. So off to Target we went to buy some new patio furniture.

I didn't really like the selection of their patio cushions and pillows. So of course knowing myself I was set on making some of my own. I went to Jo-Ann's and bought this lovely home decor fabric. I didn't bother to buy fabric especially for outdoor use. Instead I just got one of their regular upholstery fabric. I have to say I like the result. It looks fresh and I absolutely love the lime green and red color combo. Oh and I am always good for flowery fabric.

And I had a plain off white tablecloth to go with it.

So I think we will spend many days and evenings on our patio this summer. I can't wait....

Yoga Pants

A while back I made these lounge pants for my girls Maya and Zoe.




They are made out of lovely Bamboo Velour. So soft against their soft and delicate skin.
Today we decided to dye them. I asked my oldest so what color do you want?
Her answer: "Hot pink, I loooove hot pink." Everything has to be pink these days. Or magenta. So off to get some Dylon. We settled for Flamingo Pink.


Well as you can see the result is quite pink. Maya loves it though, so bright and vibrant.

The tutorial for the pants can be found here. I decided to make a long and a short version for summer.

My new Books

About a week ago I ordered some books at Amazon.com. And of course as usual I was stalking my mail carrier for the last few days anxiously awaiting the arrival.

Yesterday was the day when my mail carrier honked her horn to let me know she has a package for me. I have to say receiving packages is like Christmas and Birthday together for me. I love unwrapping little surprises.

I ran into the house, Zoe still taking her morning nap.

I opened the box and started reading instantaneously. I love books. You can get so much knowledge and inspiration out of books.

Weekend sewing by Heather Ross. Ohh I have so many ideas in mind. Hmm which fabric for what project. I spent most of my morning online to find some fabric for the goodies I want to create. I think my husband will get a heart attack tonight after my various orders. He is very understanding for my love of fabric and passion for sewing.

The second book I had ordered is The modern Quilt workshop by Bill Kerr. Quilting has always been something I wanted to try. So as I was browsing on Amazon.com I came across his book. I am completely new to making quilts. So we will see if I can teach myself how to quilt with this book.
I will update you later...

"Mama can you make me....

....a dress?" Maya asked a few days ago. Of course I was delighted to make something for her. I think she is Mommy's biggest fan.
Here are some action shots. Oh we had Dr. Seuss week at her school and today was crazy hair day hence the funky hair.



So I dug out some old patterns I bought a while back when one of our Jo-Ann's closed and they were getting rid off all their inventory. Today was the day to try one of them.


I decided on Mc Call's M5615. It looked relatively easy. Soon I found out there were a lot of pieces to cut out for a simple dress. And about an hour into cutting pattern and fabric I found out that the pattern wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. Well at least for my relatively novice sewing skills. I decided to give it a try anyways as I had cut into one of my lovely knits.

Maya loves it, I think. She gets all shy when I have a surprise for her. But after trying it on she danced around the whole house.

I think all in all it came out ok.

Amy Butler: Barcelona Skirt

... so I got the pattern along with some of Amy Butler's fabric a few days ago in the mail.
Yesterday I decided to give it a try. This was the first time I made something for myself.

Well I have to say I am all set for spring and summer. I love the pattern and the fit.

Can you tell our Golden Retriever Max loves it as well?

I made the A-Line version of the skirt. I came together pretty easily. Her instructions were written very well. I decided to purchase an invisible zipper foot (found at the zipper isle at Jo-Ann's) for my sewing machine. I can't imagine putting the zipper in without the special foot.

Oh and I didn't line my skirt. It seemed too much bulk added for my taste. I was going more for a summery light feel. Especially now that it came together so well and I want to add the apron overlay to my skirt. It seems like a lot of fabric with the apron.

Off to find some more inspiring fabric to get my sewing ideas into actual projects.