What's Next........

I often wonder what others are working on....so I thought I'd share what I'm sewing next.....flannel pj pants for Ethan. But don't tell him that in my haste I accidentally cut the construction vehicles upside down!!! I guess they will be right side up when he has them on and is looking down. That's one way to look at it!!!

And he sure could have used these pj pants yesterday as he battled a terribly high fever!!! Not a good day or night for Sweet Ethan. He only had a high fever and some vomiting (sorry!) so our doctor does not think it is the flu. He thinks it is just a "fever virus." I had never even heard of this until I moved to this area. Ethan perked up a little today....but I feel quite certain the fever will come back tonight. Hopefully tomorrow he will feel even better though. And hopefully no one else in the family will come down with whatever this is!!!

Halloween Sewing 2009.....

Ethan was pretty certain he wanted to be a pirate this year. He scored a pirate play set (eye patch, sword, and a fake earring) after sitting nice and still during a routine haircut a few months back. So all I had to do was make pants and a top. I added a sash just because and a head scarf....not sure what's it technically called. Anyway...he loved it.

At the absolute last minute the girls decided to recycle costumes from years ago. They decided they would be Mary and Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie. Works for me. Here is a picture of them in these same dresses three years ago. They called themselves Colonial Girls that year. Good fun!!!

Busy Week......

It has been a busy week for our family. Today was Ethan's fourth birthday!!! Hard to believe he is four already!!!! Where has the time gone??? Anyway, after lunch out and a few weekly errands were run.....we went to the local toy shop that has the wonderful old style toys and not the trendy stuff. We allowed him to pick out a couple of gifts. We had never taken this approach before...but actually it turned out great!!! Later today I whipped up a birthday cake and we promptly consumed it. It was a great day!!!!

Earlier this week I had a birthday. Emily outdid herself by making this sweet stuffed bear for me. It was a complete surprise!!!! She had asked to sew late last week and told me it was for my birthday.....but I knew nothing else. I was so tickled. It is sure a cute bear....and extra special since Emily made it!!!

Earlier tonight Emily and I camped out on the bed and traced some circles on a few charm packs that we picked up this week from our favorite quilt shop. We are hoping to make some yo-yos. I think we already have a project picked out.

Either way.....I am sure we will have fun!!!! The weather is quickly turning colder here....so this will be a nice and cozy little project to work on in the evenings.

How has your week been? Hopefully filled with some of your favorite things.

It Must Be Fall.....

It must be Fall because I am knee deep in sewing jumpers for my girls. They love jumpers!!! I don't even think I can tell you how many jumpers I have made over the years. But I don't mind because I love them so!!! I do have a jumper idea in my head that I do not have a pattern for. I am hoping to draft it out later in the week and then add some fabric to see how it works. It will probably be for Elisabeth.....I think it will look good on her. However, the teal corduroy above is for Emily. A few weeks back Emily, Elisabeth, Ean and I went to the local heirloom shop and picked out a lot of Fall fabrics. I have lots of fabric to keep me busy for awhile.

I also thought I'd mention that I'm pretty close to wrapping up the Pleated Skort pattern. I only lack the cover and then I can start getting copies made. In the beginning the pattern will only be available on paper and through the mail. I am hopeful to get it into pdf format quickly thereafter and available as a download. I appreciate all the interest from you all. I have received some of the sweetest emails from wonderful readers inquiring about the pattern. I am thrilled many of you are interested in this pattern for the sweet little girls in your life. You all make my day!!!

Today our Smocking Guild had a Wee Care Workshop. Only three of us were in attendance but that didn't dampen our spirits. We had a fantastic afternoon together and managed to crank out fifteen gowns that are now ready to smock. The other two ladies were in charge of adding lace to the sleeves, sewing in sleeves, and finishing the back edges with a serger. I was in charge of pleating....which is funny because I'm the first to admit I'm not so great with a pleater. I have pleated many bishops and Wee Care gowns over the past several years...but never this many at one time. However, I chose to look at the opportunity as a learning experience. And now, 15 gowns later, I feel pretty good at it. Again, the gowns have provided me with a way to bless others as well as perfect my skills.

I also "chain pleated" them. I don't know if that is what it is called...but I pleated them all on the same continuous lengths of thread and then cut and tied them between gowns when I was done. I had never done that before...but I had wanted to try it. It sure makes the pleating go fast when you only have to thread the needles one time!!!!

And needless to say, Ean and Emily accompanied me to the Workshop and they were both as pleasant as pie. I can't believe he is almost four months old already!!!! Where does the time go????

Free Patterns Are Headed To New Homes.......

Ok ladies.....we drew names tonight and here are the results:

Ruth....Children's Corner Lillian is coming your way soon!!!

Karina....Children's Corner Emily is headed your way soon!!!

If both of you would send me your addresses to sewblessed (at) mchsi (dot) com. I'll get these patterns in the mail to you.

I appreciate all the interest and as I sort out the rest of my patterns and such I'll post any more duplicates that I have. I'm also back on the wagon with my pleated skort pattern. I am making steady progress now that Ean is older. I may be contacting a few of you that previously mentioned you might be interested in testing the pattern for me. Currently I think the size range will be from 2 to 10. I'll hopefully be finishing it and wrapping it up soon!!! Thanks again!!!

Free Patterns....

I've been culling through my sewing patterns and such this past week and what did I find??? Two duplicate Children's Corner patterns. This Lillian pattern is one of my absolute favorites!!! I made several variations of this pattern last year for Elisabeth. You can see them here and here. And my all time favorite here.

And I've always wanted to make Elisabeth a dress from this Emily pattern using corduroy. I think it would make a beautiful Fall/Christmas dress. Hopefully this year I will get around to doing that.

However, in the meantime, I do have these two duplicate patterns (that have never been used and are collecting dust) that I would like to share with others. If you are interested in one of these....leave me a comment telling me which one. If more than one person is interested I'll do a random drawing on Monday. If no one is interested....I'll add them back to my stash and try again at a later date. Thanks so much!!!! I'm off to sew some!!!!

Edited to add: another link for my favorite Lillian dress I've made.