Little Boy Shorts.....Finished!

As you can tell in the above picture, we had a bunch of glorious sunshine today!!! Love it!! That makes these shorts even more timely for Sweet Ean. All in all it took me three sittings to stitch these four pairs of shorts. I know they are super fast and easy but I only get to stitch in 5 to 10 minute increments these days. Like I mentioned before, this is a simple shorts pattern I drafted last fall for these shorts. They have an elastic waist and no side seams. Since he's only 2 years old these shorts work well for play shorts. He's napping right now so I'll have to get a picture of him in a pair of them another time.

Next up I need to finish a dress I started for Elisabeth. I have it completed except the buttons and buttonholes. I have a 2 part post about buttonholes here and here if you are interested in how I make them.

Enjoy your evening!! Try to work some stitching in if you can!!!

Little Boy Shorts.......

Today I spent a few minutes cutting out some shorts for Sweet Ean. To make the process a bit faster I took the pattern I drafted for the shorts and cut it out of poster board. Then I was able to quickly trace the pattern onto the fabric with a blue marker or chalk, and then cut them out. I personally find this goes so much quicker. I also do this when I cut out Wee Care gowns. Hopefully tonight I will be able to find a few more minutes to stitch these four little pairs of shorts. As an added bonus, I shopped in my stash pile to find these fabrics.....so technically they will be free...with the exception of the elastic for the waist. Bargain!!!! What are you stitching these days???

Easter Frocks, Part 2....

I am back with Ean's sweet Easter romper. This outfit has quite a story....seems like that is a trend with me. I can't condense things well....I always want to give every last detail. That can be annoying for some. But anyway, that's just the way it is with me. I hope it doesn't bother you too much.

So here is the outfit Ean wore for Easter this year. I hope to get a picture of him wearing it for you soon. But by the time we got home on Easter afternoon all he wanted was lunch and a nap and neither involved his outfit or a camera. Next year I've decided I'm going to take pictures the day before Easter....when everyone is still nice and fresh and in a great mood! :o)

I built this entire outfit around this "Easter Train" smocking plate that I picked up at our local heirloom shop sometime last year. The plate only has 6 rows of smocking so I started looking for a romper pattern that would accommodate just 6 rows of smocking. I looked through every pattern I have and finally decided to just make my own. Of course, I used my favorite blue/white gingham and it is fully lined. That should be no surprise for those of you that know me.

I was so happy to have this sweet little romper finished early. Then just a few days before Easter I realized I did not have a shirt for him to wear under it. So I quickly made a little shirt. It looks fine on Ean but this mannequin is a bit big for this small garment, therefore the collar is sticking out and looking all sorts of wonky. But trust me, on Ean it was looking just fine. Adorable even! But I am a bit biased!

And for extra exciting news, I won a gift at church this past Sunday (Mother's Day). They gave out three gifts. One for the mom there that had the most children and grandchildren combined (none had to be present). The sweet lady that won had 25 all together! Amazing. I hope I am so blessed down the road. The second gift was for the mom with the youngest baby....which was one of our sweet friends and her precious baby boy! And then the last gift was for the mom with the most children, and they had to be present with her....my row was over half-filled with my four little ones, plus Wayne, of course! The gift was a book about Moms!! I was so surprised and feeling blessed! I hope your days have been blessed too.

Garden Delights.....

Look who I found in our blueberry bushes yesterday!

Elisabeth loves to be outside, so after church and lunch it was no surprise when she went out to explore. All the kids love to check the progress of our four blueberry bushes we planted last fall. They should yield fruit this summer and we are thrilled!

Elisabeth is wearing her Easter dress from last year. It still fits her perfectly and is wonderful for the hot weather we've been having already.

This Little Bunny.....

This little bunny was so much fun to stitch. See his bushy little tail.....basically a mess of french knots....so cute! The outline of the bunny came from Michie's Embroidery book. And the reason I needed this little bunny was because I made a sweet little romper that needed something precious on the front of it.

The romper was another fun story. I wanted a small romper to give as a gift...but guess what? Out of all the patterns I have...and I have many....I did not have one romper pattern that would fit a baby less than about 6 months or so. So I pulled out my pattern drafting paper (which was really leftover Christmas wrapping paper this time since I ran out of the real stuff!) and drafted out a romper pattern. I think it came out great.

I used baby blue pique for the fabric with a light blue batiste for the lining. And I used white piping to give it a tailored look. I was very pleased with the end result. Oh, I also put these teeny tiny white buttons on the shoulder and crotch. I have used snaps on baby items before, but I don't really like using them with heirloom-type fabrics. I always worry about ripping the fabric.

I'm off to prepare for Smocking Guild tonight. I have the two smocked dresses finished so I will take them for Show and Tell. Then tomorrow they will be in the mail to two adorable little twin girls. I also still need to finish the embroidery on Elisabeth's Easter dress, plus make a final decision on what to make the boys for Easter. Also did I mention I am working on two new patterns? Lots of fun things going on these days!!!!

You May Remember....

Ean ~ Recycled photo from Fall 2009

You may remember this sweet hat I made for Ean last Fall. Well it doesn't fit anymore as you would expect since baby heads grow pretty fast the first year. So for my next sewing project, hopefully later this week, I am going to make him another hat. I have to do some closet diving (that's where I keep my stash) for the perfect fabric...and I hope I come up with something good. This fun hat requires such a small amount of fabric that I really don't want to have to purchase any....surely I already have something that will work.

Ean ~ Recycled photo from Fall 2009

In other news....Christmas was wonderful even if.....everyone was sick with a cold and/or croup...including the big people! Then I broke a crown in my mouth (1/3 of it is now gone!) while eating a pretzel. Wayne tried to one-up me by breaking his big toe while playing with the kids. It's been an action filled weekend around here I tell you!!! Now hopefully things will calm down and I can get some good cleaning and organizing done with a little bit of sewing thrown in just for fun!!!!

Halloween 2010......

Another year of Halloween sewing is behind me. I should have known not to silently cheer when the kids kept telling me over the past few weeks that they did not want to dress up. Then yesterday when the realization hit them....it trickled down and hit ME too. They quickly decided they in fact DID want to dress up. So around 2 pm yesterday I visited the local H*bby L*bby with three little ones in tow. At first they could not decide what to dress as. Finally Elisabeth and Ethan agreed on Woody and Jessie from Toy Story. And then Emily decided on Clara Barton. We tried to brainstorm fabrics and patterns while standing there...and this is what we came up with.

I quickly drafted a pattern for a vest for Woody. I have not finished the edges but I will in the next few days. I can already tell this is going to be a favorite costume for Ethan...he insisted upon wearing it out to lunch today!!! For Woody's shirt I used the Luke pattern by my friend Paige. I drafted out the long sleeves on the fly...but it turned out great. What you don't see here is that I also drafted out long sleeves for Elisabeth's size too...and MADE the shirt....but Elisabeth decided last minute that Jessie should wear a white shirt....**sigh**. I also drafted out the chaps for Elisabeth on the fly....I used thin elastic around the back of her legs to hold them on and 3/4" wide elastic around the waist to hold them up. Too cute!!! And we know that Jessie usually has a red hat...but we could not find one on such short notice!

And Emily has already said this is her most favorite costume EVER! She has always loved learning about Clara Barton. She picked out a beautiful blue fabric for the dress. And she also picked out a pattern by one of the big four companies...it actually wasn't too bad. I rarely ever use them anymore because I really don't like them....but this one worked out fine. Although I did have to sew in 6 darts...even the sleeves each had a dart!

So there you have it.....Halloween 2010. I don't even like Halloween! My kids do not like scary stuff...and so they have always been good about dressing up in fun stuff or even as historical figures. One year Emily dressed up as Betsy Ross....that was still my favorite!!!

Ok, gotta run now. I'm worn out from all the sewing in such a short time frame. Now I need to clean up my mess and get working on the program for our next Smocking Guild meeting. Hope you all had a great weekend!!!

Armchair Pin Cushion.....

A few weeks back I mentioned that I had participated in an on-line pin cushion swap with a group of homeschooling moms. My new friend has received her gift so I thought I would show you what I sent her. She had mentioned that she liked the colors pink and green. So I had a very nice excuse to visit my favorite quilt shop to look through all their glorious fabrics. The fabrics you see above were my final choices and I like them.

The next challenge was to decide on a pattern. I wasn't sure what type of pin cushion would be beneficial for her.....but I thought one to hang over an armchair would be pretty unique and hopefully useful. I could not find a pattern I liked so I worked this one up and I really like how it turned out. You can't really see it in this picture but I quilted the base piece and then attached pockets on both sides. And the pin cushion is, of course, in the center. I like this one so well that I am hoping to make myself one soon. What do you think? Do you ever stitch while sitting in an armchair?

Stitching the Afternoon Away.....

The three older kids are playing and Ean is taking a nap....so I decided it is time for some mindless stitching. Last night I un-earthed this sweet bubble that I designed for Ean a few months back. I decided that if I do not finish it soon....it will probably not fit him next summer. I loved the fabric when I bought it a few years back....but now....I am not so sure. I'm adding some extra embroidery to see if I like it any better. I'll let you know what I think as time goes on. But until then I am going to continue stitching this afternoon....and I know I will enjoy it!

Baby Day Gown Finished.....

This past week I delivered this sweet little day gown to a co-worker of Wayne's. She has a precious 4 week old grand daughter and I designed this day gown with this new baby in mind. The fabric is 100% cotton Japanese Lawn and it feels so soft and smooth. After I drafted the pattern I incorporated all my favorite elements: pintucks, embroidery, and crocheted lace.

I also thought the back could use some interest and color, so I added bullion rosebuds to the three buttons.

I crocheted an edging on the sleeves.

And I made a very basic diaper cover to go with the day gown. I did keep the pattern I drafted to make this day gown, and I also wrote down specifics so I can re-create it if the urge hits. I know I always say this...but I really think this may be my favorite baby item I've made yet.

Birthday Boy.....

It's official.....he is a year old now. I cannot believe that it has been one solid year since this precious baby was born. We all stand in amazement of how fast time is passing by us.

We had such a great day though. We generally have very low-key birthdays in our family but they are always fun.....and aren't first birthdays just extra-special somehow? I think so.

I remembered about two days before his birthday that I had not made him a special outfit to wear. So you know what that means, don't you? I pulled out my pattern blocks and drafted him this cute little romper. When I stitched up a quick prototype I wasn't too sure about it. But I ventured ahead and cut into the good fabric (which I later realized is the exact same fabric I used for his Easter outfit) and I quickly started loving the outfit.

It is much cuter on Ean....but here you can see the entire outfit and all those glorious buttons and buttonholes. I could have used snaps...but I find that snaps and heirloom fabrics don't mix too well. I have a tendency to rip the fabric when I un-snap the snaps. So I stuck with the tried and true buttons.

And I just free-handed a simple little sailboat on the fabric and then stitched a basic back stitch with embroidery floss. Very simple, but very sweet for a precious little boy who is now 1 year old!!!

Another Week Gone.....

I don't know how the weeks keep getting away from me. This past week has been pleasant, but busy somehow. Fortunately no one has been sick, except for some allergies here and there. I think I've had more allergy issues than the kids.

My girls are taking a couple of dance classes this year and they are winding down. We are anxiously awaiting their recital next Saturday. And I must mention that Sweet Ean cut his first tooth on Wednesday. My kids cut their teeth late: Emily was 14 months old, Elisabeth was 10 months old, Ethan was 11 months old and Ean is 10 months old. His sweet toothless smiles will soon be a thing of the past.

I've also been sewing a little here and there. I used some left-over fabric from Elisabeth's Easter dress and made this A-Line Ruffled Skort. In the pattern, I decided to include the directions to make a turn-cord bow. I really like how it looks.

And, as always, I made gingham shorts. I really like ginghams and florals together. As if you didn't know that already!

I hope you all have wonderful weekend plans. I know we have a bunch of errands to run Saturday and I don't know what my Mother's Day holds yet, but I'm sure it will be great! Especially if it includes chocolate!!

In the meantime, check back on Saturday evening because I am going to have a Mother's Day giveaway. It's going to be exciting!!!

Still My Favorite.....

(photo recycled from 2009)

This spring bishop I made for Elisabeth last year is still one of most favorite creations!!! I love this dress. It's one of those things that brings a smile to my face just thinking about it. I had seen something similar in a magazine but no pattern accompanied it. So I sat down and figured it out.

(photo recycled from 2009)

Then I went to the local heirloom shop in search of perfect fabric. Barb, the owner, picked this out for me...but I wasn't 100% sure. I got it anyway and headed home. By the time I arrived home, I loved it!!!

(photo recycled from 2009)

I dug through my smocking plates (all 4 of them....really!!!) and found one that was perfect. Next I searched for matching floss and started stitching. It all came together fantastically. I could not have been happier with the end result. And I still love it....and just thought I would share it again!!! Don't you all have a favorite item you made that just makes you smile??? Do share so I don't feel so alone!!!

Emily's Easter Dress.....

Emily completely designed her Easter dress this year. She sketched it out and picked the fabric and I drafted it and sewed it for her. It has a square-neck and is sleeveless. And it also has her favorite skirt option.....a 3-tiered skirt. She also picked out a pink ribbon to tie around her waist. I think she did a nice job.

While I was sewing it I kept calling it "pink cotton candy" because that is what it reminded me of. The fabric is all the same color even though the photo above makes it look like it is variegated. It is a nice light pink and it was the only piece of fabric (imperial broadcloth) that she found that she liked for this particular dress. I tried to talk her into letting me hand embroider something on the bodice....but she wanted it without any embellishments. Who am I to argue?

We are thankful she is continuing to feel better. We had another check up today with her doctor and he is still pleased with her progress. Thanks again for all the continued prayers!!!

The Buttonholes Are Finished.....and More......

Even though I had a yuck case of food poisoning last week, I still managed to finish this sweet little shirt. However, I did not iron it before we took the pictures. So ignore the wrinkles....but enjoy the sunshine....because we have not had much of it lately and therefore we had to wait for pictures.

I really do like this shirt. And fortunately, Elisabeth does too. I like the neckline and that it fits well and therefore is modest and just sweet. I also made her a fun little A-line skort to go with it. She has asked me not to make her skirts anymore unless I add the shorts underneath. I am fine with that.

And to this skort I even added hip pockets because every little girl has treasures to store....and my little girl is no exception!

A Spring Top.....

I've been working on a few Spring ideas for Elisabeth. I found this fabric at my local heirloom shop and fell in love with it. I got three coordinating pieces and they are all from Nashville Cotton Company. I love their fabrics!!! Anyway, I wanted to make a square neck top with raglan sleeves. To my knowledge there isn't a pattern available for a top like this....so I decided to draft one....I'm crazy like that! It isn't quite as easy as one would think. But I do love a good challenge. This is my first one and I like it!!! I did draft another last night with minor changes.

I haven't put buttons on this one yet and so I was thinking about taking you all along for the ride when I do. It seems like so many people fear buttons and buttonholes. I don't fear them but I have learned a few tricks over the years...and I thought I'd share them. Give me a few days to get some actual buttons to use and to work up a tutorial....then stop back by. I'll be waiting for you!!! Until then....happy stitching!!!!

Sweet Little Dolly....

...has a fun new outfit. Last night she accompanied me to my Smocking Guild meeting (actually Emily and Ean did too). I made her this breezy, tiered skirt to model while I demo'ed how to make tiered skirts. I think she looks ready for Spring!!!

And to top it off, Elisabeth asked me to make her a matching outfit.....music to my ears!!!! Now to see if I have enough scraps left to do so.

Ethan's Sporty New Hat......

I have had Ethan's hat finished for a week or so now. I love it. I used brown corduroy for the outside and a blue/white/brown plaid for the inside. It has been sooooo cold this week that Ethan has had plenty of opportunities to sport this hat around town. It's funny because a lot of people have commented on it. I guess you just can't find hats like this around for little ones anymore. I even had one grown man ask me to make him one just like it. I told him I'd have to measure his head for dimensions...he said he was ok with that. This will prove interesting!!!

We've had a busy...but great week. I have decided to demonstrate how to make the three tiered skirt for our Smocking Guild meeting next week. So I need to work up a handout and another sample or two. I think I'm going to make a skirt for one of the 18" dolls that resides in our house. That is the neat thing about working from measurements...it works for children or dolls.

My Basic Method For Emily's Three Tiered Skirt.....

Briefly, here is how I made it:

Emily wanted three tiers and she wanted it approx. 20" long (finished)

So I divided 20" by 3 (tiers) and came up with 6.5" for the depth of each tier (minus seam allowances, elastic casing, and hem)

Her waist measurement is 22"

1st tier - 22" (waist) x 1.5 (fullness factor) = 33" wide

2nd tier - 22" (waist) x 3 (fullness factor) = 66" wide

3rd tier - 22" (waist) x 6 (fullness factor) = 132" wide

The fabric was 44" wide...so I had to piece the 2nd and 3rd panels together to get the proper widths.

After I added the elastic casing allowance for waist, seam allowances, and hem allowance, the final pieces were around the following dimensions:

1st tier - 8 1/4" x 33" (has allowance for 3/4" wide elastic waistband casing plus 1/2" seam allowance for bottom of tier)

2nd tier - 7 1/2" x 66" (has 1/2" seam allowances for both top and bottom of tier)

3rd tier - 8 1/2" x 132" (has 1/2" seam allowance for top of tier and 1 1/2" for hem)

Then all that is left to do is sew it up:

The top of the waistband gets turned under 1/4" and then another 1" and is stitched to create the casing. Then 3/4" wide elastic is pulled through the casing and sewn to fit the waist. Gather the top of tier 2 to fit the bottom of tier 1. Gather the top of tier 3 to fit the bottom of tier 2. For the hem on tier 3, turn under 1/2" then another 1" and hem. (For something like this I pull out my blind hem foot and hem it by machine.)

Now for your child you will need to have their waist measurement and also find out how many tiers they want and how long they want the finished skirt to be.

Hopefully I've explained it clearly enough...but if I haven't please feel free to ask any questions. And if your calculator can't be found, you can send me the three essential pieces of information (# of tiers, length, and waist measurement) and I'll work it up for you. See how easy that is???

Emily's Tiered Skirt.....

Emily has been asking for a three tiered skirt for several months now. She came with me to a SAGA meeting one night and picked out this pretty pink eyelet batiste. (We meet at a local heirloom sewing shop). I did not want to purchase a pattern because they are so easy to make if you spend just a few minutes thinking things out.

Emily says she loves this skirt and she wears it as often as the weather permits. And today? She isn't wearing it....it has been snowing all day long!!! Kids are loving it. I am baking to keep the kitchen nice and warm....chocolate chip muffins, oatmeal jam bars, etc. Now it's time to start dinner...not sure what that will be yet.

Back to the skirt.......I can post the formulas I used if anyone is interested...but they are very basic. You first need to decide how many tiers you want, how long you want your finished skirt to be, and a waist measurement. Then you need to sit down with paper and pencil for a few minutes. It's not rocket science.....just clean fun!!