dr seuss for sisters

One of my nieces is celebrating her first birthday.  Her sisters and she will be decked out in style!  The two older sisters have matching skirts.

This is the birthday girl's dress.  It's basically a pillowcase dress with fabric band at the top tied in a bow, and a ruffle along the bottom.  The diaper cover matches the blue bow.

The fabric was chosen by her mom.

A close-up of the neckline.

The older sisters' skirts are a mathematical feat.  I used a red and white chevron for the underskirt, added three layers of ruffles, and a layer of red tulle.  The top layer has a red ribbon on top.  Each of the three fabric ruffle layers were pieced together from a variety of Dr. Seuss fabrics.

The bottoms of each ruffle layer were serged with a narrow rolled hem on the bottom and just a regular 4-thread stitch at the top.

The lines were marked on the skirt after the tube was made, and before I put the elastic in the top.  That made it easy to attach the gathered tulle and fabric ruffle layers.

I started at the bottom and added layers as I went up.  Because all the edges were serged, I didn't have to worry about a lot of loose threads or frayed edges.

 

Happy Birthday, E!

pleats & shoes

The littlest niece I have is just 7 months old.  Her sisters were the ones who got the "Piper" dresses for Christmas, so I picked out a pleated skirt pattern for her from Little Lizard King.

The shoe pattern - honestly I've been searching and can't find the link to the pattern I used.  I will edit & add later if I find it.  There are a variety of shoe patterns out there, and I've been a little nervous to give them a try.  I will definitely embellish them more the next time around, and maybe plan the print of the fabric a little better.  I didn't use leather, but considering they're baby shoes not made for a lot of hard core walking around, I'm not worried.  The soles are made from the white grippy fabric in case she does need a little traction.
The shoes were definitely fun and easy.  I am looking for excuses to make more!

playing catch up

For a variety of reasons I won't go into, I took a blogging break.  But I've decided I would like to get back in the swing of things.  It's nice to have a record of all my handmade goodies, and I like sharing them with you.

First of all - I made some new shirts using heat transfer.  The front of the shirts have an H5 on the pocket spot.  We are kind of geeky and like math problems around our house... can you solve this one?

Yep - baby #3 is due in late June.  It's a boy.  We've named him, but aren't telling.  And yes - I've already embroidered his name on a blanket.  I'm not superstitious in that way.

Conner turned 7 in February, and he really wanted a detective party.  The invitations have his fingerprints on the outside of the card (as well as the outside of the envelope) and vinyl magnifying glasses with a clear plastic lens over a paper "TOP SECRET" headline.
Goodie bags were a detective kit - ID tag, disguise glasses, magnifying glass, flashlight they could decorate, and a little notebook & pen - all kept in a black box.  They played a few games to "earn" the parts of their detective kit, and then ended with a scavenger hunt around the house to find the goodies for their ice cream sundaes.

"Kirstin's Skirt" - Olabelhe Designs - made last fall.  Abby's hands were covering up the big bow in front, but I'm just glad she stood still and smiled.

Abby's first day of school outfit.  Their are matching capri-length pants with a ruffle, you just can't quite see them under the skirt.  Her hair was braided and put into two loops - with matching bows.  I love Hobby Lobby fabrics with all their perfectly matching ribbons!

I love being in a good hand-me-down chain.  I made this top for a friend's daughter, and it got passed back to me when she outgrew it.  Yay for durable and handmade!

I know it's horribly out of order, but I'll post about Halloween costumes tomorrow and Abby's Olivia the Pig birthday party as well.  As for Easter - I have no handmade goodies to share because honestly I was rushing and didn't measure well and by the time I was done with the dress I realized the bodice was way too big for her.  I'm hoping she grows into it by her brother's baptism later this summer.

There were a few Christmas projects made for my nieces and a dress for my daughter that will go undocumented unless I can find those pictures somewhere.  I just need to move forward and show you all the goodies I'm working on now!  I have three quilts in progress, a purse for my mom, a couple spring dresses for Abby, and a couple baby things for our June firefly.
Thanks for sticking around - I'll see you again soon!

peek-a-boo skirt

Little Lizard King is another one of my favorite pattern shops.  Her patterns are cute, easy to sew, and well written and photographed.
I bought this pattern before Christmas, and finally got around to doing it.  She just released a couple more patterns - Ruffle Skirt & Georgia Dress.  They're on my list too!!

Don't you love the bright florals?  Bring on spring!!!

The pictures were taken at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago.  oh my gorgeous.  I can't wait to go back!

pleated skirts

I tried out a new (to me) pattern for a pleated skirt.

It was a lot of fun to play with my fabric stash!!!

Check out Little Lizard King for this skirt and some of her other cute patterns!

sewing for a growing girl!

I sewed this outfit a LONG time ago - it's the outfit I photographed for my header.  She finally fits in it!  Yay! (ignore the weeds)

The top's straps were a little long, so I just folded them up with a button at the shoulder.  Other than that, a perfect fit!  There's a little ricrac at the hem of the skirt too.

miss claire

Sam from The Handmade Dress also has an adorable skirt pattern ready.  The two-layered skirt is so easy to put together - mine was done in an hour and a half.

It has a yoke at the top and an elastic waist.  The best part - Abby LOVED swirling and twirling around in it!  And her belly looks so cute doesn't it. :)

It would also work beautifully with Miss Olivia Paige as a top instead of a dress.  Check it out in her shop now!  She has it from size 6mo to size 12 - I love it when a pattern is that versatile.

skirt for a grown-up

I found a cute little turquoise jacket at the store, and needed something to go with it.  I decided to go with a simple elastic waist... mostly because I was spending time on the girl's dresses, and also *maybe* due to a little mis-measurement on my part.
Here it is!  Simple, but it does the job.

 I LOVE the turquoise and navy blue combo.

layered skirt

Start with a beautiful sash (that ties in the front or back)...
Add two layers of skirted goodness...
And you're ready for some swirly girlie fun!
(pattern by Olabelhe)

ruffled shirt

I keep on seeing ruffles everywhere besides skirt bottoms. I wanted to give it a try.
The shirt was made to go with the skirt I experimented with last week.
So what do you think???? Goofy or cute? Classy or cheesy?

skirting the issue

I've been avoiding skirts. Don't ask me why. I've tackled much harder projects lately. I just have a hard time estimating elastic, and wish I had a model here in the house. So, I measured on my son and came up with this all on my own.
I think it might be a little wide & a little short, but I'm not quite ready to ask him to try it on so I can see for sure. Anybody know any size 3/4/5 girls who want to try?
The top layer is a red, pink, gray and white corduroy full of flowers and swirls. I used it for a jumper last year, and had enough still in my stash to whip up this skirt.
The bottom layer is muslin (so it's not too thick) with a gray corduroy ruffle. I can picture it now... tights, boots... oh so twirly and cute!