mommysew

Alder Skirt pattern testing

I was so fortunate to be able to test the new alder skirt (for girls) for Rachael at Imagine Gnats.

This is such a cute, basic skirt pattern - great for beginners! 

I really love the way it came out, and I can't wait to make some more - I think this will be a great option for school skirts - cute, flattering, and just the right length. 

Plus pockets! My kids are obsessed with pockets, so this is definitely a winner in their book!

I encourage you to pop over to Rachael's shop and pick up your own copy - there is even a pattern sized for women! I'm excited to make one for myself too!

O is for Octopus

My apologies in advance, I didn't get a shot of the girls wearing these on O day, so this is what you get.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nevitt/12511375505/player/34695e7970

I had picked up some of this cute fabric a few months ago, and when I went back to get some, they were out of it. I had a hard time choosing something else I liked, and then I thought I could order online! Duh! Luckily, when I went to do that I saw that JoAnn's now has a 'check store stock' feature, and it said my local store had some more of this print, so I stopped by and grabbed some. Samantha really wanted her and Ellie to have matching skirts again, so I made two. They really like them, which is always nice!

KCW Challenge - Winter 2014

So, at the end of KCW last week, I decided I would use the opportunity to crank out a few more outfits for Sew All 26. More details to come (as Samantha wears these outfits), but I just wanted to share. I was able to make these all Friday - and it felt good to get back to garment sewing a bit!

N is for Numbers

I found this fabric on clearance at fabric.com a while back, and thought it would be perfect for N!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nevitt/12178783014/player/79f902563b

Samantha specifically requested ruffles on her dress, and pockets on the sides. I made the Geranium dress (again!), with some mods. I did the option for the ruffled sleeve, but I made it with the cap sleeve choice. I ruffled the skirt instead of making pleats (pleats are my preference!) but added in the inseam pockets that the pleated skirt offers (I traced the pocket separately on a sheet of paper, and laid it to the side of the skirt pattern when I was cutting it out)  and cut extra fabric to make a ruffle at the bottom. I also added length, as she is going through a growth spurt.

It was nice to make changes to a pattern, and understand enough about what I am doing for them to come out correctly!

M is for Monkey

We had too many ideas for M, but it came down to the outfit being due right after school started, so mom ordered some fabric and whipped up a skirt.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nevitt/12029968113/player/981112b170

I feel badly making so many skirts (it feels like cheating), but she loves them and really does wear skirts more than anything else.

I used a cute Ann Kelle print - she was very excited that it was pink! :)

L is for Leaves

When I found this print on sale, I knew it would be perfect for L!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nevitt/11887320326/player/40786c3b89

(Sorry for the crummy indoor photo - it was cold and rainy all day that day!)

I used the After School Shirt pattern again, and lengthened the sleeves and body - her other shirt from last year fits well through the chest, but it is getting too short. Hopefully she will be able to wear this one for a while.

I also made her a ladybug skirt, but somehow managed to not get a picture on the day she wore it. I had to talk her out of wearing it with her leaf shirt! (The skirt is blue and red and pink!)

Almost halfway through the alphabet!

K is for Kitty

I had a hard time thinking about what to make for K, and then one day Samantha was wearing this shirt and it dawned on me - Hello Kitty! She loves Hello Kitty, and I had used this fabric before, so I knew it existed.

I just made a simple skirt, since we didn't need a Hello Kitty dress (especially as sheer as this fabric is!). It was a big hit!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nevitt/11407145086/player/32351df047

I've got L done, and now it's time to plan the rest of the alphabet!

J is for Jungle

I was stuck on what to do for J for a long time. I finally came up with Jungle, and was going to make a skirt with panels of different animals. Then I remembered I had yardage of this print stashed, and that it would be much better!

I used the Oliver and S Class Picnic Blouse again. I didn't hem the bottom and cuffs as much as it calls for. I knew it would be roomy in the chest for her, and I wanted to leave enough length so that she could still wear it next fall. Her blouse from last fall is just now getting a bit too short for her.

She was a sad girl today - no school because of snow, so no J show and tell. :( Hopefully they will make it up with K show and tell next week!

December 1 - Christmas Jammies!

Every year I give the kids new Christmas jammies. I used to give them closer to Christmas, but now I like to give them early so they can wear them for the season.

I picked up this adorable flannel at JoAnn's a few months ago when it was on sale and I had a coupon. It is hard to see, but they have moose wearing scarves and hats. I hadn't used flannel for their jammies in several years, and I will be going back to it - they are so soft!



Their shirts were inspired by a Pinterest pin. I was a bit of a pain to cut out four sets of coal mouths, four sets of eyes and four noses (Henry has a pair too, but he was in bed when we took these pictures), and to applique them on, but they came out SO cute!

The kids were jumping up and down when they got them tonight - makes it all worth it!

I is for Ice Cream

As soon as Samantha saw me bring home this fabric she asked for an Ice Cream Dress, so I week was a no-brainer!



Of course, I had to use the Oliver and S Ice Cream Dress pattern! I made a size 5 again, and it will last through this spring, but then probably be too short.



Sometime last year, we were going through my stash of vintage buttons, and she saw this ice cream button, and well, of course I had to use it!



This is her new favorite dress, and Ellie keeps asking for one too, so it won't be the last!