Sewing For Elisabeth......

Sewing for Elisabeth is always a treat. She is very easy to please and likes just about anything I make for her. So imagine my thrill when she told me a few weeks back that she would like me to make her a new jumper....{insert scream here!}

My "go-to" jumper pattern is almost always Libby by Children's Corner. I have made this pattern so many times I could probably make it in my sleep. I had Elisabeth look through my fabric that I had and she pulled out this piece of floral corduroy that I've had for a bit over a year.

I asked her what she thought about putting her monogram on the bodice.....and she agreed....{insert another scream here!}.....and so I did!!!

I love little girls in jumpers! I think they are just so sweet and innocent looking in a jumper.

And if you look really close you will see that I put in a growth tuck as well. This way as she grows I can drop the hem down a bit so it will fit longer. Jumpers are so much fun to sew, but even better is seeing a sweet little girl wearing the jumper!!!

Ean's New Outfit.....

Wow! These pictures make me realize that my Sweet Ean is growing up. He's a toddler now. He can walk when he chooses...but if he wants to get somewhere fast he drops to his knees and crawls like a maniac!

In these photos Ean is wearing the cute little outfit I made him this past weekend. The pattern is Baby Lyric by Pintucks and Pettiecoats. Also in these photos Ean is sporting unruly hair...forgive him...and me.

I amazed myself when I actually decided to embroidery his monogram on the front. Well actually I did not amaze myself until I actually DID it. I think about all sorts of things I want to do....but I am thrilled when I actually follow through and do it!

The machine embroidery font is called Kiddy Font and came from The Embroidery Font Shop. I have had this font for several years and also used it for an outfit for Elisabeth awhile back.

I made the 18 month size for Ean so he would have some room to grow. The 12 month size fits him perfectly...but I really wanted the extra room. I think the pattern runs true to size because Ean is very petite and is just starting to outgrow the 12 months size in ready to wear clothes.

For the main fabric I used a piece of denim. I buy this at my local heirloom shop and I love it!!! For the lining I used a piece of blue/white/khaki plaid that I had also. I love the combination of these colors. Now if I can only remember to have my camera on the correct settings next time I want to take pictures...all will be good!!!

I hope you have time to work a few stitches this new year! I have a jumper ready to cut out for Elisabeth and two tiered skirts ready to start for Emily. Plus....I am thinking of making a sweet baby outfit for a girl at church who is pregnant with her first little one.

Happy Stitching Friends!!!

Look What Came In The Mail........

Last week (before all the snow came) my good friend Paige, of Pintucks and Pettiecoats, sent me a copy of her newest pattern. It is for an adorable lined romper that is perfect for a little boy or girl. I am so excited to make one for sweet Ean. I decided I am even going to put some machine embroidery on it, hence the light brown thread in the above photo. I don't do a bunch of machine embroidery...but I do like to have the option.

Anyway, I am going to use the blue denim for the romper and the plaid for the lining. I don't think I've even sat down to stitch since the halloween sewing marathon....so this will be fun!!!

Staying Put.......

(Ethan digging in the snow ~ Jan. 10, 2011)

I think we'll be staying put for a few days. And I'm not sure I'm thrilled about it. I had to cancel a chiropractor appt. for this morning, a dental appt. for tomorrow afternoon, and our food co-op pick-up which should have been this Wednesday has been slipped until next Wednesday. Life comes to a screeching halt when it snows in the South!!!

Overnight last night we had about 10 inches of snow settle all around us. The kids had a blast playing outside this morning. It is a wet snow though and they all came in freezing and wet. After changing clothes and warming up with some hot chocolate, I was surprised but they never asked to go out again. Emily even told me tonight that the snow was beautiful but she was ready for it to be gone. The problem is that the temps are not going to be above freezing until Thursday.

After a very lazy and unproductive day I decided to pull out the embroidery module for my sewing machine. I actually stitched out four different items....once I started I couldn't stop!!! Hopefully I really will have something to show in the next few days...if cabin fever doesn't get the better of me!!!!

Hand-Me-Downs Are Great....

The time has come....Ean can now wear some of the outfits I made for Ethan. I made this little outfit for Ethan 4 years ago. And I used my (then new) embroidery machine for the first time when I stitched this cute little car on the front pocket. Ean will be able to wear it this Fall until it gets too chilly outside....that will probably be another month or so. It was pushing 90 degrees here today....funny since our highs were in the 60's a week or so ago. Fall is fickle like that.

Reindeer Outfit For Ean......

***This picture makes the pants and shirt look all crooked...but they really aren't!!! Promise!!!***

I have wanted to draft a pair of pants for Ean for a few weeks now. It was actually quite funny when I was trying to take his measurements. His cute little belly and all his dimples!!! I could just eat him up. But I won't...this time. I'll just draft patterns and sew instead!!!

So as I was saying, I drafted these cute little pants for him from his measurements. They are supposed to be loose-fitting...and they are, so I was successful. Then I thought a matching shirt would be a good idea.

So I broke out the machine embroidery attachment for my sewing machine and stitched out this cute little reindeer. I generally prefer hand embroidery....but this reindeer is still one of my favorite things. I've used him before and still just adore him. I stitched him out on some Kona cotton and then blanket-stitched it to the plaid fabric and then blanket-stitched the plaid fabric down to the little knit shirt. I love it. Now to remember to get a picture of him when he has it on. I can't quite decide if it is more like sleepwear or day wear. I guess for a 5 month-old it really doesn't matter!!!

As a side note: I'm working on another variation of Ean's hat and then maybe a pattern for both options. Thanks so much for the kind comments, emails and interest!!! Currently my Pleated Skort pattern is being tested by some wonderful blog readers and then it will be ready as well. I'll keep you updated on all fronts!!! Happy Stitching!!!

Another side note: Just in case anyone wonders....Ean is pronounced like "Ian" (e an) and it really is a name, I did not just make it up. I say this because my two boys had well-child check ups today and the nurse came to the well-child waiting room and said....."I need Ethan and E...A....N" She spelled his name because she did not know how to pronounce it. So just in case you ever wondered.....there you go.

Halter Tops.....

A week or so ago I decided I wanted to try my hand at drafting a swing style halter top pattern. I measured the girls across their chest to see what the top width should be and also measured them for the length. I also knew I wanted it to flare out a little. After I drew the front and back out on paper I grabbed some cheap Hobby Lobby fabric that I have just for this purpose. It did not take long to sew this top. I wasn't 100% thrilled with the result.....so I was very surprised when Emily loved the prototype.




I personally thought it was a little too wide across the chest and that the straps were a little too thin. I also was hoping to put a ruffle on the bottom....but Emily just wanted me to finish off the bottom so she could wear it. (The bottom is not finished in the above pictures....but it is now...promise!) She does not care for ruffles or piping.....which amazes me...the one who loves to make both! And I doubt you can tell from the photo...but I made the top fully lined. I love lining things and therefore leaving very little finishing work. Although lining garments can make the item more expensive to create....sometimes doubling the fabric costs.

So with my knowledge learned from the first attempt....I started in on the next one. I surprised myself by taking the time to embroider an "E" on it first. I love the idea of machine embroidery....but in reality...I don't like to make the adjustments to my machine to accomplish that goal. But I am getting better about it. The "E" is from Martha Pullen's Internet Embroidery Club 2008. This was a Christmas gift from Wayne last year. I should have placed the "E" a little higher on the top....but once again...I'm still figuring out all this machine embroidery. I then altered my original pattern pieces and made the straps wider and the chest a little more narrow. I also borrowed my friend Paige's ruffler attachment and had a blast making the ruffles for this top.

Once again, everything was lined. The top ended up pretty long since I added the ruffles...but Elisabeth still likes it. And the fabric matches perfectly with a pair of shorts I made her last year...that still fit!!! And this gingham/plaid fabric is also the same fabric that I made Ethan's sailboat overalls out of.....so another coordinating outfit.

So I think it all turned out well. And I believe the top would be adorable with a pair of capris!!! If I can find the perfect fabric....I might have to make another one!

Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Ok, so I've had several requests for a picture of Sweet Ethan. So today here is a photo of him on his first birthday two weeks ago. Look at his two front teeth.....he just recently cut them...and these are the only two teeth he has thus far. Isn't he a cutie!!! Of course, I am mildly biased!!! I am his mom and that is my job!

And here is the bib I made for Ethan's first birthday! It is a machine applique. It's a shame I forgot to put it on him and get a picture.

And just for grins, here is another one of Ethan engaged in one of his favorite activities.

The Short of It

These are some cute short overalls I made for Ethan this fall. The blue fabric is small wale corduroy. I, once again, used the embroidery machine to make this applique on the pocket and then attached it to the overalls. This was actually my first embroidery attempt.....I think it came out well. It came out so well that we actually put Ethan in this outfit with a collared red, short-sleeved shirt for his 12 month photos.

It's in the bag

It's a new day and a new month and time for a new blog. This is my way to share fun stuff I am making for my family and friends. First, here is the bag I made for my Sweet Ethan. I used my new embroidery machine that my Wonderful Husband got me for my birthday last month. The bag is fully lined and my own design. I am hoping to make each of the girls one as well.