Two Spring Nighties

Pattern:  The Suzanne dress pattern from Citronille

Notions:  Vintage lace (found in my lace basket)

Fabric:  Pink and white polka dotted flannel and French-cafe print quilting cotton (both from my stash)

Now that the weather has warmed, Little #9 was in need of cooler pajamas.  She was insistent on "nee gowns" (as she calls them), so I searched through the patterns and fabric that I had on hand.  I only had one yard of the two fabrics that she chose, so instead of using an actual nightgown pattern, which took more yardage, we chose one of my favorite dress patterns, Suzanne.  I added the optional elastic at the shoulders and gathered the sleeves with elastic thread.  Little #9 was very excited about her new "nee gowns" and didn't even mind taking her bath, knowing she could put one on afterwards (unfortunately her enthusiasm isn't so evident in the photos...she is quite camera  shy).  She liked them so much that she chose another fabric (pink and grey elephant flannel) and has asked for a third, which I am more than happy to oblige.

Selfish Sewing, Part 2

Pattern:  Burdastyle Elastic Waist Dress

Fabric: Dakota Stretch Jersey Knit, Black and White Birds

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I love this dress!  I'm sure it will be my all-time favorite summer dress.  The jersey fabric is so soft, light, and stretchy, and the easy elastic waist gives the dress a flattering fit, while still being as comfy ever. I can dress it up for fancy occasions or wear it in the garden with a pair of rubber boots.  I love it!  I'm already on the hunt for more fabric to sew up another.

Selfish Sewing, Part 1

Pattern:  The Marianne Dress Pattern by Christine Haynes

Notions:  Recycled buttons found in button tin

Fabric: Riley Blake jersey knit stripe (black and white) and a black recycled t-shirt

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Pattern:  The Sidekick Sling Bag

Notions:  Curtain grommets, 1" grey, cotton webbing

Fabric: Coral linen/ gray and white stripe quilting fabric (both fabrics found in my stash)

As I mentioned last week, I have been drawn to my sewing room whenever I find myself with a few free moments. Something about spring just inspires me to sew.  Usually the Littles benefit from my sewing, but this spring I've done a bit of sewing for myself.  Inspired by Indiesew's  Selfish Sewing Week, I decided that my closet really could use a few springy items, and, although I did not actively participate in the contest, it was fun watching what others were making while working at my own pace on a few projects of my own.  I'm so excited to share with you what I have been creating. 

(Please, excuse my ugly, handmade-from-duck-tape, dress form.)

I love stripes.  I can't get enough of them, and when I saw this version of the Marianne Dress, I knew I needed to make one for myself.  The stripes are a Riley Blake jersey that I picked up at fabric.com, and the cuffs and yoke were made from a black t-shirt that was on a pile going to Goodwill.  I made two alterations to the original pattern. I sewed two buttons on the cuffs, instead of three (because I only had four), and I sewed two darts in the back of the dress. I loved the simple, A-line, no-seams style of this dress, but when I tried it on, it just felt a bit frumpy, especially with the horizontal stripes.  Adding the darts to the back was simple, and it gave the dress just the bit of shaping I was looking for.  I am happy with the fit now, and it is so comfortable.  Because of the jersey fabric, it almost feels like wearing pajamas.  I am more than pleased with the way this dress turned out, and I'm sure it will be a staple in this spring's wardrobe.

 
The SideKick Sling bag was made using fabrics I already had on hand.  I've had this bright, coral linen in my stash for quite some time, waiting for just the right project. I thought it paired quite nicely with the soft, grey and white cotton.  It was the second bag I have sewn. (The first was a purse, and the outcome was, well, needless to say, I never used the purse.) I was quite pleased, however, with how simple this bag was to make.  It's casual style is perfect for a wallet, sunglasses, notebook, even knitting.  I think it will add a touch of spring to any outfit I choose to wear.  

This "selfish sewing" has been quite fun (and rather addicting). I have a few more items that I am looking forward to sharing with you (and a few more ideas brewing but only after the completion of this sweater. I stitched up the arms and sides this past weekend and have about 20 rows of the hood completed...still hoping to have it finished by the end of this week. A couple nights of BBC was a big help in encouraging me to pick up the needles again.  Do you have any spring sewing/knitting/crafting projects that you have been working on?  

A Playdate Dress

Pattern:  Oliver + S, Playdate Dress

Notions: Vintage buttons, bias tape found at a yard sale

Fabric:  Navy and white polka dot cotton found on sale for $2.00/yard, white linen recycled from a thrifted curtain panel

A little more therapeutic, spring sewing filled my free afternoons, this time for Little #9.  I love the classic lines and unique details of the Oliver + S patterns, and the Playdate dress ranks high on my list of favorites. The contrasting yoke with flat piping is so sweet, and I love the unique way the hem is sewn, allowing for such creativity with the use of fabrics and colors.  I thought it would be fun to add a splash of hidden color on the hem duplicating the piping around the yoke.   I am so happy with the way this little dress turned out, and Little #9 is equally pleased.  I already have plans for another using vintage calico from my stash. Sewing is such a win-win situation for me...de-stressing therapy for me, smiles and excitement for the Littles.

Sharing on Frontier Dreams

Reading Pillows

Hubby and I enjoy reading in bed at night before going to sleep, and we like having little "reading pillows"to pop behind our heads or under the book or wherever we feel we need them. We had these cute little white embroidered ones that were hand-me-downs from my mom, but the light-weight linen eventually wore to a point where the fabric tore, and I could not fix them.  Hubby and I needed new pillows, and I had a perfect idea in mind.

I purchased two white linen curtain panels at the local thrift store for $2.00 each...such a steal for linen fabric! I only needed 1/2 of one of the panels for the fronts and backs for two reading pillows. Inspired by this lovely tutorial, I drew scrolley leaves on the front panels with a pencil, and after pinning a batting layer (I used a thin white towel for the batting layer) to the front panels, I stitched over the pencil lines, using ecru embroidery thread and a straight stitch on my sewing machine.  I then simply sewed the fronts and back together, and after washing and drying, to get that lovely quilted look, I filled each new pillow with the filling from the old pillows...two new pillows for only $1.00 (the cost of half of a linen panel)!  I am very pleased with the results, and it feels so good to, again, use recycled/thrifted materials or items that I already had on hand, and Hubby and I are both quite happy to have our "reading pillows" back.

"Think Spring" Quilt

With snow continuing to pile up around us and temperatures still barely climbing out of the single digits I needed to do something that would remind me of spring.  What could be more airy and spring-like than a pile of vintage sheets? I have countless ideas for my ever-growing pile of vintage sheets swirling around in my head, and I decided now was the perfect time to pull out the sheets and immerse myself in the cheerful colors of spring by making a quilt.  I chose to do a coin quilt design, alternating between colored and white blocks.  I used a thrifted, cotton sheet for the white strips and blocks. A thin, cotton bedspread will be used in place of the batting, and another vintage rosebud sheet will be used for the backing.  As I have mentioned before, I love using recycled materials in my quilts, and after reading this blog post, I'm even more motivated to get creative and use what is taking up space in my house.   This quilt has been such a joy to work on...the pretty little squares put such a smile on my face, and I dream of the nights that we no longer need the heavy down comforter, but can sleep comfortably under my new spring quilt.

Have you been doing anything to help remind yourself that winter doesn't last forever?  I'd love to have you share or leave a link in the comments about any "think spring" projects you may be working on.  Have a great day!

A Bit of Sparkle

With a winter landscape of mostly white and gray, working with some color in my sewing room has been refreshing.  Although I tend to prefer muted tones and neutrals in my clothing, Little #6 does not.  She wants color and sparkle.  After choosing a few fabrics from my stash, we picked out ribbon that would add the perfect hint of glitz and glamour that Little #6 loves so much, but she couldn't stop at the ribbon.  She wanted more, so out came the garish buttons (a few that had been left over from costume making).  What fun it was to sort through those fancy buttons!  Using one of my favorite patterns, the Geranium Dress, these two little dresses sewed up quite quickly, much to the excitement and pleasure of Little #6. Plans for more fancy dresses are in the making since Little #6 has a younger sister that loves dresses and glamour as much as her big sister does.

Joining Nicole today.

Finished Quilt

This quilt is complete, and making it for this little boy of mine was quite rewarding.  He was so happy to have his own "bwanket", and since it has a light weight blanket tucked in between the layers in place of the batting, it keeps him quite snugly warm on these very cold nights we have been having. Hubby has commented on the "perfect weight" of the quilt several times after covering this little one up at night.

After seeing his little brother's quilt, Little # 5 decided that he should have one too.  He has asked me almost every day since Christmas if I have started his quilt yet. I guess I know whose quilt I will be starting on next. I have been searching for ideas of designs that might be suitable for an eleven year old boy, and a couple of designs on Pinterest caught my eye...this, this, and this one.  I thought the one with large stars would look great in plaids (maybe from old flannel shirts) and chambray or maybe make the stars black or navy. The options really are so endless.  I would like to be able to use what I have in my fabric stash without purchasing anymore fabric, so we shall see what I come up with.  I did purchase a lovely cotton sheet for $2.00 at a local thrift store to use as the backing, and I may use a mattress pad I have in storage for the batting.  I do love using what I have and recycling items for use in my quilts.

I am excited to get started on it...one, because I am really enjoying quilting, and two, because when Little #5 asks me again if his quilt is started, I want to be able to walk into my sewing room and pull out a freshly made quilt and say,  "It's more than done, Sweetie.  Here it is!"