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Cuteness alert!

August 10, 2013, 10:56 pm
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 When I found this "Disney Nerds" t-shirt on the clearance rack at a Disney outlet, I immediately thought about the cute embroidery designs I had seen that would match it. Of course, I got the $7 t-shirt, and decided to make one of my favorite little girl skirts - Farbenmix "Insa" to show off these designs.

The Nerds logo is stitched directly to the skirt (before I joined the last seam in that overskirt), but the 5 little "nerds" are all stitched on hot pink felt and then added to the skirt.

Big brother Jamie has declared this one a must for the first day of school. (He likes the Disney Nerds as well - even has Nerd Stitch on his bathrobe!)

I also returned to another tried and true little girl favorite: Ottobre 4/2011's jeggings (#20, 29 depending on size). I originally made indigo and black denim knit pairs (a couple of years ago), but when I found denim-like knits at Joann's in hot pink, purple, and aqua, I had to pick up all three colors with this pattern in mind.

She was into modeling them by way of handstands. Daddy helped spot her after she almost wiped out a couple of her brothers' Lego houses. ;-)

With jeggings at Justice costing a ridiculous $26 a pair (on "sale" of course), I cannot bring myself to buy them when I can make even cuter ones custom for her.

On a side note, I will not totally deny her Justice or GapKids, but I am very selective about what I will buy her. There are some things that are just wrong (particularly at Justice), but as long as I can balance out her fashion desires with fun mama-made swag like this, we are in good shape.





 We also seem to have a lot of "crazy face" going on at the moment. She just lost another baby tooth tonight so the open mouth was for that as well.

Brother Benjamin is also a master of the "crazy face" look.

Next projects: a couple of tops, a dress, and a skirt for ME!


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New Fall tops for me

August 13, 2013, 10:04 am
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I have a couple of completed tops for my fall wardrobe to share. The first is one that will be lovely for casual wear. It's a kAtheRine Tilton Vogue design - 8691. I made it in a stretch velvet print I got for $1.99 a yard at Pennsylvania Fabric Outlet last summer. It's long enough to be perfect with leggings - back hemline even longer than front.

The second top is one for work - New Look 6816 - very quick to sew and great for a print like this since it has few seams to break up the design.

I should add that the black pants are from Loft. I just got them and they are the best fit I have ever found in dress pants. I just don't enjoy making pants for myself, so when I see these go on sale, I will be buying some more!

Next up - a dress and a skirt for me ;-)
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More teacher clothes!

August 23, 2013, 4:58 pm
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 I made up McCall's 6503 in a medium-weight woven. With the fall colors, it works for early fall in a warm climate like North Carolina. In fact, this was my dress for Open House (meet the teacher) at the school where I teach. I hand stitched the overlapping front to be sure I didn't have a PG-13 moment and the dress lays nicely.

The dress has a side zipper, but I was still able to accommodate an FBA by adding two inches to the bodice and gathering at the sides by the bust.

This is my second Simplicity 1622 - this time with 3/4 sleeves. I think this is such a cute style and easy to wear.
My last new item is from the Nov. 2012 La Mia Boutique - design #22. I inserted piping into the front seams to highlight the design. The navy print is a stretch cotton I picked up in New York City - very comfortable to wear.

While these will be great for work, I also have 4 RED items on the table and ready to sew. Why red? Well, it's RED FOR ED because public education is under attack in North Carolina and I will be wearing red on the first day of school and every Weds. this school year as a show of solidarity with my colleagues and support of our schools.

I work hard teaching middle school and I sew to relax, so it will be extra fun to make up a few things to wear for this cause. I hope every sewing teacher who sees this (and every parent, too) has a great start of the year and appreciates the hard work teachers do and the difference we make in students lives.
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The RED for Ed. collection

August 31, 2013, 7:27 pm
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As a public school teacher, these aren't exactly the best of times. Especially here in North Carolina where our legislature has attacked education 20 ways to Sunday, but teachers aren't taking in lying down. We are standing up for our schools and encouraging support for public education, a backbone of our communities.

Enter Red for Ed. days.

Many, many teachers wore red on the first day of school (this past Monday) - myself included. The plan is to make RED a Wednesday institution this year and I decided that was a good reason for a mini-collection.

The first look is a red (broadcloth with a hint of lycra) blouse from McCall's 3541 with a blue and red plaid skirt (view C) from Burda 7147. Both of these pieces will mix and match with a number of things already in my wardrobe.

I also made another plaid skirt in a red tartan. This one is a "Suede Says" pattern - Simplicity 2233. It is view B, the medium length circle skirt with a very narrow waistband.

I accessorized it with a red statement necklace (I'm calling it my "Red for Ed" necklace!) and a red patent leather Ralph Lauren belt I got 75% at Dillard's clearance sale.

The final pieces in the collection are from McCall's 5978 - a sweater set from grey, black, and red leopard print sweater knit. It's very soft and sewed up quickly.

Now who's ready for RED?!

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McCall's 6532 - made as a cheer bag for Gracie

September 9, 2013, 2:53 pm
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My little girl LOVES cheerleading and gymnastics and goes to the cheer gym and the gymnastics facility 3 times a week - almost always now straight from school since she walks up to the middle school where I teach and we leave from there. She needed a good place to put her stuff, and this one should serve her well for a good long while.

The bag is made from McCall's 6532 and it has a lot of interfacing! The outside pieces (of the taco shape) are interfaced with Peltex on the outside layer and fusible fleece on the inside layer. There are two pockets on the outside - one velcroed, one zippered. Inside there are additional pockets just right for stashing a hairbrush and some cheer bows (including the bright neon orange one she earned for getting her back walk-over!). The Peltx gives the bag a lot of structure but it is still lightweight.

The pattern looks like a purse sized bag, but it is really a zippered tote. It's a good size bag (even for a grown woman...this is a six year old who is carrying it). I think it would work well as a gym bag for any number of sports.

I used black twill for the bottom an
d added an embroidery and ribbon embellishment to the velcro pocket. I used a raggy applique and chevron print for the cheer monogram on the side with the zippered pocket.

This bag is kind of a beast to sew thanks to all the peltex, but I love how the finished product came out and more importantly so does Gracie.
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Yes, I'm sewing...no, I can't show much yet!

October 5, 2013, 11:14 am
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I have actually been burning up the needles...but most of the projects are super-secret Christmas present kind of stuff...can't post!

I did, however, finish up Vogue 8873, which is a lovely knit dress:


Don't worry - at some point around the holidays, I will have a monster picture/project dump!

In the meantime, my projects for me might be a little sparse. I do have two things in the cut-and-ready-to-sew basket, but who knows when they will get finished.

Enabler alert: Club BMV pattern sale through Oct. 6 - I scored some cute stuff cheap! (and if I stay out of Joann's, all the better...)
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All-star cheer girl...custom tumbling wear!

October 21, 2013, 5:58 pm
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 This is Gracie...and she is WAAAY into cheer. In addition to doing gymnastics, she also tumbles with a terrific all-star cheer gym. (She doesn't do the team this year - that's on the agenda for next year though.)

This little stinker has earned her bow for mastering a back walkover and is on her way to getting her back handspring. She can do it on her own if the coach is spotting her!

She is also totally impressed with the cheerleaders at the middle school wear I teach (and they think she is adorable!), so she was very excited when I let her get a bow to match the big girls (and a t-shirt too!).

Since she goes to the cheer gym twice a week all year, I wanted her to have something slightly warmer than the sports bras she has been wearing since April.

I took Jalie 2792, a leotard pattern, and made the top portion of the leo - cutting it off at the lengthen-shorten line and finishing it with elastic like I do her sports bras.

The shorts are Jalie 3022, and like the top, they are made with navy & gold spandex.

I think she looks pretty cute. The problem is SHE KNOWS IT!




Goofball!

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More Cheerleading practice wear!

November 4, 2013, 6:25 pm
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Same patterns as previous post - totally different fabrics!

The fabrics are from the Patsy Aiken outlet - which is closing after November. Waah!!

She's such a little poser.

A back view...



 She's still working on stretching, but she'll get it!
She almost has her split!

Sorry for the sparse blogging - still working on top-secret holiday stuff!
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The cat (well, really the Mouse) is out of the bag!

November 28, 2013, 1:50 pm
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I have been sewing like crazy, but except for a couple of tumbling outfits for Gracie, I haven't posted anything because sometimes my oldest son reads my blog...and the sewing was part of a surprise for him and his siblings. I am taking my kids to Disney World (along with my mom - DH prefers to stay home this time which is fine with me if he wouldn't be happy). We are leaving Saturday and they just found out today. (Yep, I pulled them out of school for a week!)



I stitched out a lot of shirts, plus made a bunch of cute outfits for my six year old and jackets for all of us. We won't want them during the day, but since it gets cooler when the sun goes down, these will be nice to have.

I used Fairytale Pattern's Irelynn dress for the Duffy bear dress and Sophia Stripwork for the Disney Fairies dress.

The Pooh dress is Henrika by Farbenmix, and Farbenmix's Sasha is the "Around the World" themed dress.

The Aristocats outfit is two Ottobre pieces (top = 04-2012-31, skirt = 04-2006-27) and McCall's 6785 leggings.

I also made her Simplicity - I added extra panels (by dividing the original ones) to use more contrast fabric coordinates). The Disney princesses are dressed for winter on the front.

Gracie's jacket is McCall's 6782. She loves Minnie Mouse and Tink so I found some great embroidery for it.


For my boys, I went with some Ottobre jackets - my two big guys got 04-2012-37.
On the back of both of them is the "What happens at Disney, stays at Disney" embroidery.

For Benjamin, I made 04-2007-28 which has a zipper in one of the raglan seams. He loves the really old Disney cartoons so Steamboat Willy is on the front and Oswald the lucky rabbit is on the back.

My mom got McCall's 5538 in two pretty shades of teal.

I made myself Butterick 5821, but since it didn't have a hood, I added one from another pattern. My favorite piece of embroidery is the little sewing mouse from Cinderella - very fitting!

I also made myself a bag to take along. I drafted it from a book called Handbag Designer 101. It's a barrel shaped back with a large exterior pocket that will fit park brochures, plus tow end zippered pockets - one of the inside and one of the outside.

You can change up how you wear it and go cross-body, shoulder bag, or even backpack style. I used some neon thread on the Disney Geek and 4 parks, 1 world embroidery.

I've also embroidered loads of cute t-shirts, but now I need to pack them because our car is rolling out early Saturday morning!
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Kindle cover

December 22, 2013, 3:42 pm
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I got a really good deal from Amazon on a 7" Kindle Fire HD. I'd been thinking about getting one for awhile, but a discount sealed the deal.

I knew I wanted a nice cover for this and I knew I wanted to make it. After scouting around options on Pinterest, I ended up using Simplicity 1630, view C.



Based on the pattern directions, my version is a bit backwards, but I had a reason - the embroidery needed to be against the flat portion of the case.

One of the things I like best about the pattern is that it can fold into a stand-up easel. My interfacing might not be the neatest, but it is very functional and will keep my device protected. I am very happy with the results!
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Stepping up my embellishment game for the new year

January 5, 2014, 10:33 am
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I didn't get a lot of (non-Disney-related) sewing done in the last third of 2013, and I spent the last week of the year doing a LOT of home organization. I finally got around to finishing a few 2013 projects and embarking on some lovely new things for 2014.

First up, I had three new tops for me cut and ready to go, but I had put them on hold to complete pre-Disney projects.

McCall's 6796 has such an interesting collar treatment - made in a light gray rayon jersey.

For Simplicity 1539, I made view E in a cream ribbed knit with exposed back zipper.

The second version of S1539, view F, is made from a cotton-lycra jersey knit and embellished with a rosmaling design from emblibrary.com. I constructed part of the top, embroidered, and then finished construction. I will have to try this again. I love the results.

 For my next project, I cut out a gymnastics/cheer ensemble for my 6 1/2 year old daughter. The leotard is Jalie 2792. I even made the scrunchie included in the pattern. The fabric is royal blue stretch velvet and a sparkly, patriotic print stretch velvet. She looks like she is ready for the Olympics - so cute!


I made view C which has a square neckline in front and an open back area with a high fastening at the neck. It called for a swimwear hook for closure, but the velvet worked better with two sew-on snaps.

She likes to wear a braid, but I think she's going to appreciate having her hair up once she realizes how much better it will stay put!

She's still working on her splits, and she loves to wear little shorts with her leos at gymnastics. Those same shorts will also work well as tumbling shorts with a crop top for cheer.

The shorts are Jalie 3022 (which is fast becoming a TNT pattern in my arsenal). The top is the leotard pattern - Jalie 3138 - cropped at the lengthen/shorten line. I added an iron-on "cheer" embellishment in sparkly little rhinestones.

Next up is a tunic and leggings combo for Gracie in pretty, printed knits. Then, I might move on to a Vogue Today's Fit leggings pattern for me.
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Sweet & trendy

January 12, 2014, 6:50 pm
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McCall's 6785 - done in Patsy Aiken knits

Did I mention that they have closed their outlet in Raleigh? Waaah!

 Why, yes, this pattern IS twirly!

Did I also mention how much I have loved getting my daughter premade hairbows to match these wonderful fabrics??? OMG - I am going to miss that outlet!


We also got a rainbow loom and started making those little bracelets from rubber bands. My Daughter insisted we make one for her stuffed monkey - aw!

On grown-up sewing notes, I just made up the leggings from a new Today's Fit pattern (V1376). My first pair is a wearable muslin, but a total win! I also have a dress mid-construction that I would have finished...if I had the right zipper. Ugh! I have loads of zippers, but not a dress length navy invisible one. I hate it when that happens. I won't have time to hit the fabric store to get one until next weekend either.

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Channeling Michelle and Hillary

January 20, 2014, 6:31 pm
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Friends, it was a good sewing weekend.

I started off with a trip to Hancock Fabrics to purchase a zipper to complete a navy polka dot dress as well as to hit the pattern sale. I scored - every new Vogue, McCall's, and Simplicity that I had been eyeing up, as well as some notions, lining, fashion fabric - and yes the zipper.

When I got home, I started in on the dress, a Palmer/Pletch pattern (McCall's 6834). I love the fit and flare silhouette and was able to get a great fit once I adjusted for a full bust, but took out some extra width (all I needed was extra length in the bust). I think this turned out fabulous. I might even try wearing it with this great red patent leather belt - and maybe a cardigan before the weather warms up. (a.k.a., the Michelle Obama look - that woman can rock a dress!)

I had enough material left to make Gracie a cute little Butterick 5776 dress since she also loved the fabric. I used rick rack to embellish the hem and create a flower at the neckline.



My second big project of the three day weekend was more Hillary Clinton than Michelle Obama. Yes, I sewed a pants suit. One color, head to toe, tailored...it works. I used Simplicity 2446, an Amazing Fit pattern, for the jacket. The pants are from Vogue 1293.

My only complaint there was that they ended up shorter than I prefer, so I ended up adding the cuffs as a facing to get the length where I wanted it.

I purposefully made the pants suit in red. I had purchased this fabric near the start of the school year, but the project got sidelined by Disney sewing. Now, however, I was glad to jump it up to the front of the production line. After all, it's RED for ED - supporting public education as a North Carolina teacher is a BIG deal. We have been crapped on by our state legislature and the governor big time, and RED for ED Wednesdays is an ongoing thing this year. I also want to look professional when I got to events and still represent the fight for education in this state!


So, now my sewing stack is clear...time to grab some fabric and get inspired!


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Looking toward Spring

January 26, 2014, 7:27 pm
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I definitely ready to be done with the "polar vortex" (unless we get a visit from an actual snow storm), so it's fun to sew styles suited to spring.

I stitched up three tops and two slips for me and the leggings to go with a top I have ready to sew for Gracie.

Burda 6964 includes two full slips, a cami, and a half slip. I purchased some black and white performance knits and made two versions of view A. (There will not be a photo of the white one, but I figured out why I had some gaping on the black one and corrected that on the white one by pulling my FOE tighter as a sewed it on.) I think these will be great under more sheer knit dresses - esp. if the bodice is low cut!

Butterick 5354 is a previously made pattern that I decided would work well with this awesome border print I purchased in NYC's garment district last summer.

Vogue 8581 is another top from garment district fabric. This is quick to make until you hand-stitch the neckline down. Even so, I will almost definitely pull this out again.

I have a third top cut and ready to sew from my garment district purchases, but it will have to wait until I sew one more item that requires the white serger thread since I will need to switch back to black. I really like to avoid switching that mess (even when tying on the thread) when I can.

I sewed up Vogue 1306 (a Rebecca Taylor design), view B, in this wonderful chevron knit. I could have definitely gone down a size, but if it shrinks any I'm covered. If it doesn't, I might take in the sides slightly. I also used this fabric for pedal pusher leggings and accents on a white tank style tunic for Gracie (from a La Mia Boutique pattern). I want to add some embroidery to the top pre-construction, so that is jamming up my progress on my last top for me. Overall, it is still a very productive sewing weekend.
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Forget football...it's fabric time!

February 2, 2014, 4:17 pm
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Apparently, there are a bunch of guys knocking into each other over some small brown ball...not that I give a flip. I've been sewing, and I'm about to crash the football frenzy with some more dragging out of the fabric.

I have been busy knocking out some cute clothes - first up: Simplicity 2645 - jacket view A. The fabric is a subtle pin stripe, but the pin stripe itself is hot pink - love it!

This is a cup size pattern, so altering is kept to a minimum.

I also made up Vogue 8856 (view A) in a beautiful knit I got last summer in NYC. The combination of draped and fitted sections hides a lot of sin...

I also made an outfit from Simplicity 1462 (top) and McCall's 6842. Both patterns are technically for wovens, but a stable knit often works just fine (and did in this case). I decided to take advantage of the interesting structure of the top and color block it.


 So, while a couple of people at my house seem interest in football, I'm more interested in plotting out my next projects...I have some great heather pink velour fabric wanting to become a top to go with a pair of dark brown leggings I made (and still need to review).


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Sew ready for Spring!

March 2, 2014, 8:38 am
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Yesterday, I dropped off two piece of fabric to be pleated (for smocking) - one for Gracie's Easter dress and one for a sundress for her - both from Australian Smocking & Embroidery patterns. I'll pick them up in two weeks and construct the dresses. Benjamin was with me and we pick out a beautiful green fabric for his Easter shirt, which will have realistic giraffes embroidered on it. He's very excited about that.

Before I can cut the shirt, though, I need to finish sewing some projects I cut already. Last night I got down to business and knocked out three pieces of Gracie's warm-weather wardrobe.

First up is this swingy tunic from Bizzkids magazine (summer 2008 issue, design no. 3435). I used a plisse from Joann's that I had in my stash.

Luckily, I also have a lot of buttons in many colors from my grab bag purchases at Patsy Aiken Outlet (it's closed now - wah!)

My second project, this striped t-shirt (with a "cold shoulder" design) is from the 3/2007 Ottobre magazine. It's kind of exciting that moving Gracie up to a size 128 cm means she gets a whole range of new styles available in her size. Yay!

The skirt is a bubble skirt from the same Ottobre issue (design #37) and another one I have been wanting to make for a long time. The rib knit waistband is comfortable but snug enough to stay up well, but I would choose a strong ribbing for sure if you make this.

I have one more outfit, a knit top and skort, ready to sew. Then, I will make Benjamin happy and start on the giraffe shirt...and start thinking about MY Easter dress. I have some coral brocade and a matching texture lime brocade that might become a sleeveless A-line dress.

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Tinkerbell dress

March 29, 2014, 7:40 am
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I found this great Tinkerbell fabric at Joann's and knew it would be a perfect summer dress for Gracie. She loves Tinkerbell and the pattern is actually sophisticated for a character print!

I used Simplicity 1670, a Project Runway design, and chose the tie sleeves, piping at the top and bottom of midriff band, and a piece of green floral trim (which I had EXACTLY the right length of!). The dress has a built in slip with ruffle to give it that fluff little girls love. Luckily I had a roll of soft tricot tulle to use for the fluff part of the slip. It's like a secret "Tink-y" layer!




Look, it comes with bonus almost-7-years-old attitude as well!
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More cheer practice gear

April 6, 2014, 7:36 pm
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My girl is pretty excited that the new cheer season is about to kick off with team placements later this month. She has been doing both gymnastics at Lee Co. Parks & Rec and tumbling with Cheer Extreme in order to develop her skills and decide which one she wants to participate on as a team sport.

Well, it is cheer all the way! She loves tumbling and has learned so much at the cheer gym. A couple of weeks ago at gymnastics she did a back handspring better than most of the team girls in her age group!





Since she will be spending even more time at the cheer gym, I thought it would be fun to make her some more practice outfits. These are so fun to make - quick and easy - and they allow some creative design options. All of these two outfits' pieces are made with Jalie patterns 3247 (sports bra and short, 2196 (skort), and 3139 (leotard pattern adapted into color-blocked crop top).
I have two more outfits cut and ready to sew. One is another version of Jalie 3139 (top) with the yoga shorts (Jalie 3022) and the other is Kwik Sew 4054 (a brand new pattern with dance/workout separates for girls and 18" doll clothes to match).

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Ruffles, and glitter, and lycra, oh my!

April 8, 2014, 6:07 pm
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 Look who looks like her dolly Julia!



 It's Cheer Gracie!


They match!


 How cute is this!


She's working on her splits...


The back alteration - I pulled the straps over and stitched them down to make them fit better since she needs a small for length, but is otherwise pretty tiny.

I sewed up Kwik Sew 5054 in both the little girl and doll versions for Gracie's cheer wear. This was a lot of fun to make between the fabric and the design, and she LOVES it! We took a lot of pictures of this one...she plans to wear it tomorrow night at the cheer gym, a place my SEVEN year old (as of tomorrow!) loves to be!
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Teal, black, and white...

April 12, 2014, 11:10 am
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Gracie's cheer gym colors are teal, black, and white, so when I was buying spandex for some practice outfits, I decided to make her something special to wear for team placement night which is coming up in just over a week.

This is another version of the Jalie yoga pants/short pattern and a shortened leotard.

This time I split the top into four sections front and back to color-block it.

The design wraps front to back.
...and of course, the fabric is shiny and glittery!





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