Tumble Tee put to the Test

May 9, 2013, 9:06 am

Pattern Testing, that is.

Earlier in the week, I had an email from Rachael of Imagine Gnats asking if I would be interested in pattern testing a knit top/dress pattern called the Tumble Tee. Since I still had my stretch needle in the machine from BK's hoodie and a little time on my hands, I agreed!

I used scraps of cotton knit jersey I had laying around from other projects. Since the front is designed for color blocking, it's a great way to use up left over pieces of fabric.

The test pattern for the tee didn't call for color blocking on the back (the dress length has that option) but I was short on pink fabric so I improvised a little.;)

The pattern comes together really quick! If you choose to not turn under and stitch the sleeves, neckline, and hem, it's literally a 20 minute project. (I chose to hem everything with a double needle so it took me a little over half an hour.)

When Rachael releases the pattern, I'll update the post with links. Until then, smile big!

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Flip This Pattern

May 14, 2013, 6:25 am

≫ Next: The Cell Phone Chronicles

≪ Previous: Tumble Tee put to the Test

The fabulous ladies of Frances Suzanne have cooked up a year long competition/sew-along entitled "Flip This Pattern"! Details straight from the source HERE

Each month, there will be several guest bloggers who do their own spin of the chosen pattern. There will also be a sew-along link party so everyone can participate.:) Giveaways, Discount Codes, and Prizes will be a part of this year long competition!

Are you wondering what the patterns will be?

One thing that I thought was great is that Ashley and Emily have said that projects don't have to be completed within the month that a pattern is featured for the link party. "*Please note: creations sewn within the past six months may be linked and contributed to the monthly sew-along linky parties. These do not have to be completed within the month of the feature pattern."

And who are the featured guest bloggers, you ask? I'm sure you've surmised that I'm in on the competition since I'm blogging about it.;) January is my month to officially flip a pattern...the Clever Charlotte Chickadee Blouse & Skirt. That's one of the few CC patterns I haven't sewn so I'm looking forward to putting my own spin on it.

There's a great bunch of bloggers participating:

Mommy's Apron Strings | Winter Wonderings | doguincho | SoCalSewingMom | nest full of eggs

cathgrace | Welcome to the Mouse House | S is for Sewing | Sewing Like Mad | Elegance & Elephants | Call ajaireLittle Kids Grow | Daisy Chain Creations | Once Upon a Notion | Handmade Martini | iCandy handmade | you & mieIf only they would Nap | Foster Ramblings | Designs by Sessa | Shaffer Sisters {Jo} | greendoodle | Shaffer Sisters {Al}Siestas & Sewing | mama says sew | Sewing Mama RaeAnna | sewVery | Nap Time Crafters | {lbg studio}Shaffer Sisters {Scary} | Sweeter Than Cupcakes | Once Upon a Sewing Machine | Crafty Cupboard | The Powell Family

I can't wait to see what each month brings!

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The Cell Phone Chronicles

May 20, 2013, 7:25 am

≫ Next: Last Birthday Gift

≪ Previous: Flip This Pattern

As promised, here's the story of our journey (so far!) of navigating kids and cell phones. Parenting is not a one rule fits all. We make decisions dependent on our children's needs, maturity levels, family expectations, etc.. And what works for one child, isn't necessarily the answer for another. I'm not here to say what I think you should do but rather share what we are doing and why. You might not agree and that's fine. *disclaimer: The Ting hyperlinks are part of the affiliate program that I talked about here.

Back when K was in 4th grade or so, a few of her friends were given cell phones by their parents. At that time, John and I could see no reason for a child of that age to have a phone. As far as John was concerned, when our kids got their driver's license that was when they could have a cell phone. A little background...we're not ones to rush out and get the latest technology. Our budget is a big reason why!

Fast forward to K starting 6th grade. Most of her peers have cell phones and we're getting the "Everyone I know has one. When can I have a phone?" pleas. We turned a deaf ear to those pleas but then a few situations happened that made me rethink our stance.

The first was when K had to stay after school for a chorus concert rehearsal. She had told me that the rehearsal ended at 6 pm but in fact, they were done by 5:30 pm. K borrowed a friend's cell phone to call me and ask to be picked up. What would have happened if she weren't able to get in touch with me? Nothing horrible, she would have just had to wait 1/2 an hour to be picked up.

We also noticed that some of her (new) friends' households did not have a land line. So, if she went over there to hang out or spend the night we didn't have a way of directly getting a hold of her.

Spring came around and K decided to try out for the track team. When she made the team, we decided to purchase a Tracfone with minimal minutes in case she needed to get a hold of us following practices. That phone was a no frills flip phone.

I've seen on various blogs/websites where the parents have the child sign a "cell phone contract" that spells out what is and is not appropriate behavior. We didn't choose to do that but instead had/have talks reviewing what is acceptable to us.

Not acceptable:

Taking embarrassing/inappropriate pictures of yourself or others
Texting rude/inappropriate/harassing messages
Using the cell phone after 9 pm and before 7 am
Using the cell phone during school hours
Talking, Texting, Emailing etc with people that are not peers, family, or friends of the family

The first year we didn't have any problems and once the newness of having a cell phone wore off, K kept it turned off most of the time. In fact, there were a few times I needed to get a hold of her and couldn't because she didn't have it on.

The second year...we had our first issue involving texting. I won't go into specific details but the gist of it is that K texted something not nice to another girl who had hurt K's feelings. In dealing with the situation, I went to pull up the sent texts and they weren't there. K didn't have the phone set up to save texts and with Tracfone there is no way to pull up those texts. The consequences of this incident were no cell phone for a month and apologizing directly to the other girl. We also set the phone up to save all texts from then on out and of course had the requisite talks reaffirming how to handle situations like that.

Since then there have been no issues. I periodically go through and check the phone to make sure that the phone is being used in an appropriate manner.

Come about the time that the iPhone 5 was released, K was chomping at the bit to get a smart phone. She really, really, really wanted that iPhone 5. Well, I didn't even have an iPhone until 18 months ago and it's the 3 so no way in heck was K going to get an iPhone 5. Besides that, the cost of the phone plus all the data/minutes/texts she would need is absolutely not in our budget.

Around Christmas time, there was a post on a coupon/savings website I follow about a no contract cell phone company that I had never heard about...Ting. The idea of only paying for what was used was a concept I very much liked. They had refurbished smart phones for under a $100. Since K had money from Christmas that she was planning on applying to a new phone, we decided to give Ting a try.

K ended up purchasing a Samsung Transform Ultra as she wanted a touch screen and a QWERTY slider. The initial plan we set up was minutes: S-100 for $3, texts: S-100 for $3, and megabytes: S-100 for $3. There's also a devices charge of $6 each month. So each month the bill should be around $18 after surcharges.

The second month K went a little overboard on her data usage with all the apps and such that she had downloaded. She was pushed into the next tier, M-500MB for $13. Our verbal agreement was that K keep the monthly bill under $20 or else she had to pay for what was over. I chalked that month up to the learning curve and K went back in and deleted some of the apps and made sure that her settings were changed to only updating when she was connected to Wifi. Since then she's kept that bill under $20.

Another part of the learning curve was figuring out an Android device. I didn't realize that she couldn't take pictures with her phone unless she had a micro SD card in place. There was a bit of confusion regarding that as the first micro SD card we bought was a dud. However, now that we have a good one in she can take all the pictures she wants! (well, until her memory card is full)

I still occasionally check her phone to make sure her use of it is in line with our expectations. One new rule we recently enacted is that the phone has to be downstairs when she heads up to bed. There were a few nights that someone was on Facebook when they should have been asleep.;)

That has been our experience so far. P inherited the tracfone and other than using it to contact me following wrestling practices hasn't done much with it. He'd rather message/face time with his iPod touch than use the tracphone!

I do have to say I'm in intrigued by the Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk plan but for now, we're happy with what we have.

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Last Birthday Gift

May 21, 2013, 11:46 am

≫ Next: Heat Wave

≪ Previous: The Cell Phone Chronicles

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Pattern: Ottobre Design 04/05 #19
Size: 158
Fabric: Scuba Blue Terry from Joann Fabrics and the heart fabric is a Riley Blake 'Feeling Groovy' print
Mods: Attached the sleeve cuffs so there would be no raw edges

K turned 14 on Sunday and this was one of her birthday gifts. (She had asked for a robe after seeing MG's.) After cake and presents, K had a friend over and was hanging out in her room. I was cleaning up my sewing room when K started hollering for me to come see something. I walked in to her room and she and her friend pointed to the guitar strap and the new robe, amazed that they matched. They wanted to know how in the world did I make a robe that matched K's guitar strap. They had no clue that I had sewn the strap!!lol I got a good chuckle out of that one.;)

I'm not quite done with the blue terry. There's a pattern for a hooded baby towel in the same issue as the robe and I have just enough left over terry cloth to make one. Our extended family is growing...K and I are attending a baby shower for her cousin's wife on Sunday. I'm planning of giving the towel and some baby washcloths. Maybe something else too...we'll see!

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Heat Wave

May 29, 2013, 6:21 pm

≫ Next: A Little Bit of This and That

≪ Previous: Last Birthday Gift

Pattern: "Ola de Calor" (heat wave) Sundress, Ottobre Design 03/13

Size: 146 width, 170 length

Fabric: Black/White Polka Dots cotton/lycra jersey that I think originally came from The Fabric Fairy, various cotton knits for the binding, belt, belt loops

Mods: I ended up cutting little wedges off of the front ends before putting the armhole/strap binding on so that the front would lay flat on K's chest.

K has pretty much outgrown all her summer dresses with the exception of the Roller Skate dress I sewed her for Easter. With the school year winding down and several "dress up" events coming (award ceremonies, 8th grade graduation), I've been called to duty. I have absolutely no problems buying dresses for K but her proportions (tall and lean) make dress shopping a nightmare. And I hate to purchase a dress, only to have to alter it to fit her. So much easier to sew a dress!

I've been working real hard at using fabrics from my stash. When I came across this polka dot knit while cleaning up recently, it looked like the perfect fabric for a fun, youthful dress. K chose the colors for the binding and belt loops.

She put the new dress to use tonight for her Spring Sports Banquet...

Shrug is RTW and the heels are mine;)

K accepting her pin to place on the Letter she received the first year she ran track

I might be a little biased but I think she was the best dressed young lady there!

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A Little Bit of This and That

June 3, 2013, 9:22 am

≫ Next: Flips, Shorts, and Tests

≪ Previous: Heat Wave

This is a catch up post of sorts for a couple of projects that I was working on over the last 2 weeks.

pattern: Ottobre Design 04/05 #9, Hooded Baby Towel
fabric: Terry cloth left over from K's robe, quilting cotton left over from a 2+2 blouse
mods: I didn't make the towel 2 layers, left off the ears, and used binding around the outside edge

This was a baby shower gift for our nephew and his wife who are expecting their first baby the end of July. I really like the size of this towel. It should still work through the toddler years! I took the leftover, leftover terry cloth and cut them into rectangles and finished them with a rolled hem on my mom's serger to make matching washcloths. And of course, we included a book.:)

Pattern: Stella Skirt from Compagnie M.

size: 6

fabric: Polka Dot quilting cotton from Joann Fabrics (it's the coordinate to the flowered print I used for the Woven Tee Tutorial)

Marte, who blogs at Compangie M., has several free pdf patterns. I saw the Stella Skirt at a link party and had to give it a try. Like Ottobre Design and several other European pattern designs, you have to add seam allowances and a hem allowance. There are 4 pattern pieces, the waistband (which you cut 4 of for the front and back plus facings), back of the skirt, gathered front panel, and small front panel. The skirt closes on the side with an invisible zipper.

The only thing different I did was to finish the hem with rolled hem as I started to worry that I hadn't added enough of a hem allowance. The 6 turned out to be a little too wide in the waist on BK so I ended up taking in the waistband about an inch. It was an easy fix.:)

I'm going to busy the rest of this week working on more dresses for K. What are you working on?

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Flips, Shorts, and Tests

June 5, 2013, 7:57 am

≫ Next: Summer Maxi Dress

≪ Previous: A Little Bit of This and That

The June Link Party for your flip of the Elegance & Elephants Bubble Shorts is now open! If you have sewn the pattern in the last 6 months be sure to enter. The winner of the sewalong portion will receive the newest E&E pattern, a $20 gift certificate to Fabricworm, and a mystery box (fabric & supplies) from E&E patterns.:)

And in other news, Carla and Rachael are back with another Shorts on the Line sewalong. I can't wait!

I've covered Flips and Shorts, now for the Tests!

Last week I had an email from Amanda at Kitschy Coo asking if I would be interested in testing the adult version of her ever popular Skater Dress. Um, Heck Yeah!

I sewed up 2 different dresses...one for me and one for K. We proceeded to have a lot of fun goofing off in front of the paparazzo (P)...

The paparazzo lurking behind a tree...

Run, K! Don't let him take a picture!

K's dress is the smallest size, a size 1. I cut the length of the skirt at the largest size since both K and I are taller than Amanda. It's a lot easier to take off length than add it back on! The fabric is a Chez Ami cotton/lycra.

My dress is the size 4. I did the same thing with the skirt length (cut it at the length of the largest size). I still have a couple of inches on K so my skirt is a little shorter. I wasn't ready to commit to cutting into my "good" fabric so I used a regular cotton jersey with less than the recommended stretch. (Sorry, Amanda!) The dress is definitely nicer when you use a stretchy knit as you get that negative ease thing going on. But I still like my dress!

A couple of quick notes: I haven't hemmed the dresses yet. I was in a hurry to get pictures while we still had some light. I plan on shortening K's a little. Also, the pattern has lengthen lines on both the bodice and skirt for those of you that are even taller than me!

I really love this style of dress. It's comfy, casual, yet looks nicer than my usual shorts and t-shirt that I wear during the summer. I'm thinking that my new summer "uniform" is going to be this dress!

I'll keep you posted and let you know as soon as the pattern is released!

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Summer Maxi Dress

June 6, 2013, 9:11 am

≫ Next: The Lady Skater Dress

≪ Previous: Flips, Shorts, and Tests

K had found a striped gauze fabric in my mom's stash some time ago and promptly claimed it for a maxi dress. With several end-of-year school functions that require her to dress nicely coming up, it was time to get busy!

Pattern: Little Lisette (Simplicity) 1893 for the dress and Ottobre Design 02/2002 #13 for the shrug
Size: dress, 12
         shrug, 146
Fabric: dress, a cotton blend (perhaps rayon?) gauze
          shrug, cotton interlock
mods: dress, lengthened the skirt portion and scooped the neckline in the front
           shrug, cropped the sleeves

The skirt portion is not only longer but a few inches narrower. My fabric wasn't wide enough to keep the width. When it came time to lengthen the pattern, I looked everywhere trying to figure out the formula for a maxi skirt. When I finally found one that made perfect sense to me, I still didn't have enough fabric. With my mom on hand to help, I made it up as I went along.

I did not cut the straps on the bias as I didn't want them to stretch out. The straps were fine in length until I attached the skirt to the bodice. I ended up cutting 2 inches off the straps to maintain a proper fitting bodice.

The gauze was a major pain in the butt to work with. It slipped and slid around when I was cutting the dress out. And then when I was sewing it, the gauze had a tendency to stretch out. I was never so glad to be finished with a sewing project! That said, I do love how the finished dress looks. The pain-in-the-butt gauze makes for a lovely, flowy dress.:)

Per the school's dress code, strapless or spaghetti strap dresses require some kind of jacket/covering over them. I turned to my trusty Ottobre magazines, and found a shrug from the summer 2002 issue. Only problem...that issue is in German!

Luckily, the pattern is very straight forward. The only thing that I wasn't sure on was what kind of fabric they used for the facing. I used single fold white bias tape.

K went off to school today in her new outfit, a little resistant because she had been texting back and forth with her friends this morning and "no one else is dressing up today". Unbeknownst to her, she'll be receiving the President's Award for Educational Excellence this afternoon. I can't wait to see the reaction on her face when she realizes why I insisted she dress up!

Linking up to: The Train to Crazy, Threading My Way, I Gotta Create!

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The Lady Skater Dress

June 12, 2013, 3:26 pm

≫ Next: Tumble Tee Time

≪ Previous: Summer Maxi Dress

The Lady Skater Dress is officially here! Go Getcha Some!

My second version, sewn using the official pattern, ended up with 2 different fabrics as my eyeballin' yardage skills seriously suck. The top fabric is a performance knit. In other words, something you'd use for athletic clothing. The skirt fabric is a cotton/poly blend.

I sewed up a size 4 with the largest size length again. For my tester dresses, I used my sewing machine but for this bad boy it was all about the serger. (my mom's serger) It took me less than an hour! Good thing too as I wanted to wear it to MG's 2nd grade Awards Ceremony this morning and I spent most of my sewing time at my parents' house altering an old dress of mine for K to wear. Hat's off to those of you who do alterations on a regular basis...it's hard!

I had to giggle when I was going through the pictures K took of me. Looks like my go to facial expression is either eyes closed or mouth hanging open!;)

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Tumble Tee Time

June 13, 2013, 2:32 pm

≫ Next: Hula Hoop Shorts

≪ Previous: The Lady Skater Dress

pattern: Tumble Tee from Imagine Gnats

size: 6

fabric: Owl knit from Joann Fabrics a couple of years ago and City Weekend interlock (love that stuff!) Both pieces of fabric were leftover from other sewing projects.

It's a quick sew and great for using up scraps of knit. BK wore her new top to school today and while I was helping out at the end-of-school party (one more day left!) several of her classmates complimented her top. It's a winner!

And as for those alterations I was talking about yesterday...

Never Again!

*unless K asks me to;)

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Hula Hoop Shorts

June 21, 2013, 3:00 am

≫ Next: Summertime Staple

≪ Previous: Tumble Tee Time

It's summertime and what do we wear? Shorts!

Poor BK has only a few pairs that fit her so when I was asked by Carla if I would be interested in posting as part of the Shorts On The Line series that she and Rachael host, it was a no brainer.

Pattern: Ottobre Design Summer 2012 #26 "Hula Hoop Bubble Shorts"

size: 110

fabric: Lisette Twill (spring 2011) for the shorts and a quilting cotton for the belt, both from Jo-ann Fabrics originally but have been languishing in my stash;)

mods: Added a fabric belt

I love the shape of these shorts! They are reminiscent of a favorite pattern of mine (Oliver + S Puppet Show) that BK outgrew a couple of years ago.

The Hula Hoop shorts have an elastic waistband, belt loops, mock fly, 2 pleats on each side of the front, side pockets with elastic at the top, and elastic casings at the hems. I'll probably go back and loosen the elastic around the legs as they are a little snug on my muscular little girl.

All in all, I really like them as does BK. I'll be sewing this pattern up again...perhaps in some hot pink Lisette twill I've been hoarding!

This post is part of shorts on the line sewalong hosted by imagine gnats and small + friendly, sponsored by Jo-Ann, Pretty Prudent/Pellon®, and Hawthorne Threads.

And don't forget to check out the rest of the guest posts for plenty of shorts inspiration:

6/10 - Petit a Petit and Family and Schwin & Schwin

6/11 - Delia Creates and Buzzmills

6/12 - Cirque du Bebe and Sanae Ishida

6/13 - Fake It While You Make It and elsie marley

6/14 - No Big Dill and Max California and Designs by Sessa

6/17 - girl inspired and Casa Crafty

6/18 - Frances Suzanne and Caila Made

6/19 - Made by Rae and Craftstorming

6/20 - Noodlehead and emmyloubeedoo

6/21 - Siestas & Sewing and Made with Moxie

6/24 - imagine gnats and small + friendly

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Summertime Staple

June 26, 2013, 6:52 am

≫ Next: Sandpiper "Shorts" and Top(s)

≪ Previous: Hula Hoop Shorts

This girl cracks me up! She's been attending VBS at her Aunt's church this week with her sisters (K is a helper). Aunt S has been picking the girls up around 6:30 am on her way to the church (she's the children's ministry director so she needs to be there early to set things up for the day). I grabbed BK before Aunt S arrived so I could grab some quick pictures of the shorts. Such personality so early in the morning!

pattern: Oliver + S Sketchbook Shorts

size: 5

fabric: stretch denim

mods: divided the waistband into 3 sections (1 back, 2 fronts) so that the fly "opens", velcro closure, button hole elastic in the back, shortened the shorts, stitched the front pleats down, topstitched the crotch seams and side seams

I wasn't able to get a closeup of the velcro closure but it's basically the same as this pair of shorts.

One of these days I'll remember to draft some pockets to put on the back. For some reason, I don't think about it until the shorts are finished!

Unlike the green pair of shorts I made for the Shorts on the Line guest post, this pair will go with all of BK's tops. A pair of neutral shorts is a summertime must have!

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Sandpiper "Shorts" and Top(s)

July 3, 2013, 11:24 am

≫ Next: Geranium Dress for the Older Girls

≪ Previous: Summertime Staple

Pattern: Clever Charlotte Sandpiper Capri and Top

Size: 6

Fabric:

Capris/Shorts: Distressed Twill from Vogue Fabrics and Shot Cotton from Quilt Home

Top: Tula Pink Salt Water Bubble Shells in Aqua and Patty Young Clover Dots in Aqua

Mods: Cut the Capris at the smallest length (2) so they would be shorts length, instead of ties around back I stitched a piece of 1/2" elastic to the front panels, top is cut at the longest length (8)
Notes: The top(s) are reversible but the shorts aren't because of my mods.

I adore the outfit! The shorts are a unique design and the overall outfit (especially in these fabrics) has a beachy feel.

But...I'm not comfortable with BK wearing these away from me. Like at school. She is fully capable of undoing the buttons and such for bathroom breaks however, it's a little fussy re-buttoning them. Having the elastic in the back vs. the ties definitely helps.

I tried to overcome my issues with the second pair I sewed but looking at them, I actually prefer the way the above pair fits.

I added width to both the front and back panels...but ended up getting rid of most of the extra width to the front panels. And I think the extra width is what made me not so happy with the second pair.

Instead of just attaching the elastic to the front wrap around panels, I stitched buttonholes into the lining so that I could make a channel for the elastic. That modification, I'll incorporate into the next pair I sew.

I have shortened the back elastic a little since this picture was taken. Hopefully, that will get rid of the wrinkle in the front.

And I'm not quite done yet...there's one more top to show.

This was my tester version for fit. I sewed up a size 5 and felt like it was a little too snug on BK. Luckily, MG has a more petite build so it fits her perfectly!

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Geranium Dress for the Older Girls

July 5, 2013, 7:02 am

≫ Next: Skateboarding in my Lady Skater

≪ Previous: Sandpiper "Shorts" and Top(s)

Have you heard? Made By Rae has released the Geranium Dress pattern in larger sizes! *applause*

Thanks to a head's up from Brittney, I was able to test the "big girl" version. If you have a moment, check out all the Geranium goodness on her blog. She's made several smart versions of the larger size pattern and there's a ton of darling dresses and tops in the smaller size range.

This was taken before buttons and hemming but shows the bodice the clearest

pattern: Geranium Dress by Made by Rae, sizes 6-12

size: 12

fabric: Roca Beat Ornamental from Hobby Lobby

mods: I took in the front neckline by 1 cm, the back neckline by 1 cm tapering to the original neckline 2" from the center back, added darts front and back, and I had to redraw the front cut out because of where I took in the front neckline

notes: The final pattern's neckline has been adjusted since the tester version.

Here's what the original tester version looked like on K:

Even though her chest and waist measurements fit the size 12, K is over 10" taller than the height measurement. At her recent physical, she was 5' 8" and 103 pounds. Tall and very lean! And being that she is 14 years old, she does have some curves. Adding darts and length to the bodice, made the dress more flattering to K's shape.

K had picked the fabric out when we visited Hobby Lobby with Lauren of The Thinking Closet while we were in Florida. I didn't have enough of the fabric left over from the tester version to re-cut the bodice...and we don't have Hobby Lobby where we live. When I emailed Lauren to see if she could send us some more of this print (she was more than willing), she let me know that Hobby Lobby now has online shopping. Hooray!

Adding length to the bodice (2 inches) meant that I needed another button hole and I did not have anymore of the blue buttons.

Both K and I agree that the pink whale is an excellent design decision. A little whimsy never hurt anyone.:)

Now that I've wrapped up a bunch of woven sewing, it's time to change the needle in the sewing machine and tackle some much needed swimsuits. What projects are you working on?

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Skateboarding in my Lady Skater

July 12, 2013, 2:00 am

≫ Next: Vacation

≪ Previous: Geranium Dress for the Older Girls

When Amanda of Kitschy Coo invited me to be part of the Lady Skater Tour while she's on vacation, I knew I had to pull out a skateboard and show the world my mad skillz.

Or not.

I did ride P's skateboard around the court some but didn't think the look of abject panic on my face was a flattering way to show off the Lady Skater dress.

pattern: Kitschy Coo Lady Skater Dress

size: 4

fabric: Chez Ami Interlock and Ribbing

mods: left the sleeves off and applied ribbing (14.5" worked for me) to the armscythe, used the length of the largest size and added 2 additional inches (using the lengthen/shorten line on the pattern) to the skirt

This is my fourth Lady Skater dress. And I love each and every one! The dress is so easy to wear and dresses up or down depending on your footwear choice and accessories. (I was going to wear heels but considering I hadn't been on a skateboard in oh, 7 years or so, I chose to wear my go to choice in footwear...flip flops.)

The pattern is very versatile. You have a choice of a cap sleeve, 3/4 length sleeves, and even long sleeves. And Amanda has some great tutorials on her blog for adjusting the fit and even for making a peplum top. Next time I made a sleeveless dress (yes, there will be a next time!), I'll trim off a little from the armscythe. I was going to do it with this version but wanted to see how it looked with no changes. My personal preference is for more of a tank top look.

Special thanks to my photography team for taking the pictures (K) and finding a great new location for photo shoots that is short walk from our house (BK & MG).

And because I know you're dying to see me in all my goofy footed glory on the skateboard...

Luckily, K missed my several near wipe outs. Though the neighbors didn't...I was the evening's entertainment. Good thing I don't take myself too seriously.;)

And don't forget to check out the rest of the pattern tour. There's already been several clever renditions of the Lady Skater!

*I was given the pattern for free for testing the Lady Skater back in June. I do love this pattern and would have absolutely purchased it if I didn't already have a copy.:)

linking up to:

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Vacation

July 21, 2013, 4:42 am

≫ Next: Swimsuits at Sandbridge

≪ Previous: Skateboarding in my Lady Skater

We've been staying down at the beach enjoying time with extended family on John's side so sewing, blogging, and even internet time in general has pretty much been at a standstill. John was able to get this week off too so don't expect to see me online much.;)

I tried to comment on a few blogs while we were at the beach house via the bloglovin' app but I have a feeling that they didn't go through since the captcha field never popped up (on the blogs that utilize captcha). As much as it pains me, I think I'm going to mark all the blogs in the reader as read and start afresh. There were over 300 blog posts in there last time I looked. eek!

I did check my email a few times (that was much more manageable!) and was very much surprised to find out that BK's Clever Charlotte Sandpiper Shorts placed third in the judging portion of Shorts on the Line!

There were double the entries of last year and lots of great shorts entered. If you're looking for shorts inspiration, the flickr pool has a great variety of eye candy! There were shorts for boys, girls, and women. Perhaps next year we'll see some shorts for men? Anyone know of a good pattern for men's shorts?

We're headed off this week for a few more adventures...I'll catch back up with you when we're back to our normal routine!

PS. Karen's Butterflies and Faeries has been doing pattern bundle giveaways. This week there's a bundle of women's patterns dating from the 1970s to now. Just visit the above link and leave a comment for your chance to win. While you're there, take a moment to look around. Karen sews the most darling dresses, just like what you see gracing Sew Beautiful magazine.:)

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Swimsuits at Sandbridge

July 24, 2013, 2:00 am

≫ Next: Be Our Guest

≪ Previous: Vacation

Our week at the beach was a perfect place to capture my little girls in their new swimsuits. I didn't wait for the lovely evening light as I wanted to get pictures before the swimsuits were drenched in salt water, sand, and chlorine. Chlorine, you ask? Yes, the house we were staying in had not one, but two pools. I used to think that having a pool at the beach was frivolous but after experiencing it when BK was a baby, I'm convinced it's the way to go. Little kids (and sometimes big kids!) get fed up with the sand, crashing waves, and sea life (jellyfish). Having a pool means plenty of water time and is also a great way to "wash" off the salt water after some time spent down by the ocean.;)

Pattern: Kwik Sew 3998, view C

Size: XS with added length in the bodice

Fabric: Nylon/Lycra print (not available on the website) and Yellow nylon/lycra solid, both from Hancock Fabrics and white swimsuit lining fabric

Mods: Left off the bows (no time!) and added an inch of length in both the front and back bodice

Pattern: Ottobre Design summer 2009 #39, "Gilda Bikini"

Size: 122

Fabric: same as the Kwik Sew swimsuit

The girls had chosen the fabrics on a trip earlier in the summer to Hancock Fabrics. When it came time for me to sew them new swimsuits, I laid out all the swimsuit fabric and patterns I had and let them choose what they wanted.

MG chose a new pattern from Kwik Sew. The pattern sheets for Kwik Sew patterns are no longer printed on paper but a white medium that is a slightly heavier weight than the tan tissue paper that the Big 4 pattern companies use. I highly recommend trying a Kwik Sew pattern if you're new to sewing swimsuits. Though, I miss the paper pattern sheet!

BK wanted the Gilda Bikini from Ottobre Design. She's not quite in a 122 which is the smallest size it comes in, so her swimsuit is a little big. Still functional but the bottoms especially start to sag a bit after hours playing in the water. This was my second time sewing this swimsuit.

BK also got a rash guard...

Someone's ready to hit the beach! Ottobre Design rash guard and bikini #beachweek2013 #ottobredesign #hancockfabrics

Pattern: Ottobre Design, spring 2006, #17

Size: 104, 122 length

Fabric: same as the swimsuits

Mods: Instead of binding the neckline, I cut a piece of fabric 2 inches wide and the same length as what was needed for the neckline binding. Stitched the short ends together to form a circle. Then, I folded that in half, wrong sides together and stitched it the neckline. That gave it the same appearance at the neck of Dad's rash guard...

picture taken by my talented niece, Heather Meinen ,who is a professional photographer

Though I made sure that the neckline wasn't as snug as a true rash guard since BK is prone to complain about clothing that is tight around the neck.

The swimsuits got quite the work out while we stayed at the beach:

They also made it into the Atlantic Ocean but you'll have to wait to see that picture.;)

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Be Our Guest

August 1, 2013, 9:35 am

≫ Next: Spot the Handmade

≪ Previous: Swimsuits at Sandbridge

See, the swimsuits did make it into the Atlantic Ocean!

While we were at the beach, we had a visitor who has been traveling the globe! Her name is Flat S and she hails from New York but has been on a journey to visit with Oliver + S fans near and far. She has visited Idaho, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and England so far.

Stop by the Oliver + S blog to see what Flat S did on her visit with us!

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Spot the Handmade

August 5, 2013, 1:06 pm

≫ Next: Pretty in Pink: Galena Dress

≪ Previous: Be Our Guest

Below are some pictures from the second part of our vacation. We spent a day in Washington DC, walking around the National Mall and then visiting the Smithsonian Air & Space and Natural History museums. Then we went river tubing on the Shenandoah River, camping at Big Meadows Campground, and hiked various trails off of Skyline Drive. Can you spot the handmade clothes?

Washington Monument

overlook off of Skyline Drive

trying to dry all the wet swimsuits from river tubing

Yum! S'mores!

The husband and I at Dark Hallow Falls

Hawksbill Gap, elevation 3360'

Bearfence Rock Scramble

Black Bear!

If you counted 10, you were right! There were 2 Tumble Tees (MG and BK in the first picture), 2 pairs of shorts (BK and K in the second picture), 5 swimsuits hanging on the clothes line (MG, BK, K, rashguard, swim skirt), and last but not least BK's hoodie. All have been blogged about with the exception of my swim skirt. It was my muslin and suffered a little incident with the iron on the waistband. Apparently low heat is still too much for nylon/lycra! Lesson learned.

Since we've been back, I have a few in progress projects. A Clever Charlotte Galena dress and a pair of Peek-a-Boo Coastal Craze Baggies are the furthest along. I also finished an Ottobre Design top.

Pattern: Ottobre Design 03/12 #17 "Seesaw Jersey Top"

size: 104 width, 116 length

fabric: Chez Ami cotton/lycra jersey

mods: added an additional 2 inches of length to the front/back, didn't finish the sleeve frills

This was a pattern I traced off last summer for the girls and never got around to making. I remembered that some other folks who have sewn up the top mentioned that it seemed a little short. After comparing the pattern pieces to a shirt I knew fit the girls, I decided to add an additional 2 inches. Last summer using the 116 length would have worked fine, but not now! Darn kids seem to keep growing.;)

It's really too snug for BK so after a wash it'll become MG's. I have since traced off a size 116 and let BK choose a fabric from my stash for a new shirt. So, keep an eye out...there will be at least one more of these tops making an appearance on the blog.

Kool-Aid Smile!

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Pretty in Pink: Galena Dress

August 11, 2013, 1:51 pm

≫ Next: A Pattern for K and Me

≪ Previous: Spot the Handmade

pattern: Clever Charlotte Galena Dress
size: 6 wide, 8 length
fabric: Apparel Cotton Sheeting in pink and Plaid Seersucker for the bias trim, both from Hancock Fabrics
mods: used the longest length for the skirt portion of the dress (seems like I do that with all my sewing regardless of pattern or person I'm sewing for...we must be giants!)

I have to admit...I've been having a bit of sewing ennui since we returned from vacation. I didn't like this dress (or any of my other sewing projects) at all when I finished. I don't know if the dress is too pink or what. Perhaps because my fabric doesn't drape nicely? The cotton sheeting has the weight and hand of a medium weight linen...just not as scratchy.

I do love the peek-a-boo sleeves...

I'll probably go back and shorten the ties a bit

...and how the front overlaps to make a little keyhole opening. Those are the details that had me excited to sew the pattern. Though because of the size of the front opening, the dress needs to be layered over a tank top or camisole. I made a little cami using an older Ottobre Design pattern (04/04, #38 I think).

BK refused to wear the dress to church last week but didn't put up too much of a resistance when I ~~told her~~ suggested that she wear it this Sunday. And I have to admit, the dress is growing on me. Perhaps I needed to see her wearing it with a clean face and styled hair...something that has happened very rarely this summer.;)

Final Verdict? I like the dress. Next time I sew it, I'll fiddle with the front bodice and see if I can modify it so it doesn't need an undershirt but still retains the charm of the original design.:)

linking up to:

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