Rio Racerback

I have been terrible about keeping up with this blog this summer. I'm so sorry. 

I've still been sewing though!  About a month ago I decided to make a fun, casual summer play dress for the Bug.

Peek a Boo pattern shop was hosting a sew a long for the Rio Racerback which was just the push I needed.

This coral striped fabric was a remnant I bought somewhere ages ago. I made another dress from it three years ago and it was one of the Bug's favorites.  It's a bit thin on it's own though.

So I made the dress reversible! It's an easy pattern hack since the neck and the arms are finished with binding.

I love this doodle landscape fabric. It's a much more recent purchase from Girl Charlee.  I really like the contrast of the coral stripe with this blue too.

Hand a girl a paper fan and she becomes a model. I fully intended to do a "real" photo shoot for this dress but she was so in to this quick one I didn't.

I love this version of the dress best. That pop of color from the binding really makes the dress for me. 

The Bug loves that she has options. She is a girly girl after all and sometimes she's feeling the stripe, sometimes the blue!

It really is the perfect summer play dress!

~Lindsay

Serger sewing

Oh dear, it's been well over a month since I've posted hasn't it?

Well that's summer for you.

Recently at my day job (at our public library) I was empowered to purchase a serger and sewing machine for our patron to use.  The machines came with free new user lessons so I spent a day learning to use a serger!  I'm so excited to use it more.

After my class I decided that I should practice a little bit in a real life situation so I tested out the Peri Pullover from Cali Faye.  Holy smokes.  I am in love with both the serger and the pattern.

This top is so slouchy and comfortable. I think it will make for a great start to the back to school wardrobe.

I love the high low hem. It's one of the Bug's favorite parts too.

She also loves the wide neck that sometimes goes off the shoulder and the in seam pockets.  I love that she chose to pair this purple tribal print (from Girl Charlee--looks like they are sold out of the violet) with a neon orange tank top.  She has style all her own.

She asked for a matching pair of leggings and I was happy to oblige.  These are the Go To Leggings in their most basic form.  I've used this pattern a bunch.  They always sew up quickly and sizing is spot on.

The verdict is, I'm hoping to start saving for a serger soon. Until then, I'm happy I can rent out time on one at the library.  I think I may make more of these pullovers as well.  What do you think?

~Lindsay

Hangout Hoodie

In my quest to make the Bug some more winter appropriate dresses I decided to attempt a cute pattern that's been in my stash for a while, the Hangout Hoodie from Peek a boo patterns.

The Bug picked out her own fabric when I was doing a little on-line fabric shopping. This is "Color Hearts" from Girl Charlee. I was excited about it because it is listed as a medium weight knit and so many of theirs are a lighter weight (which are so comfy but a bit harder to sew with).  

When I got it in my hands I was little disappointed. The weight was fine but the texture was just a bit rough. I thought laundering it might soften it up but it didn't.  For a normal kiddo, I'm sure it would be fine, but my girl has sensitivity issues when it comes to clothing.

The grey knit is jersey from JoAnn's. In contrast to the hearts, it is super soft and buttery. I love it.

The placket is what makes this hoodie unique. I think I did o.k. for my first attempt. I got a little bit of bunching going on there in the corners but it's not super noticeable.

The button is one I bought at JoAnn's ages ago. This side is actually the "wrong" side of the button but I liked the way it looked better than the "right" side.

I love the fun, sporty, casual look of this little dress. It really is just about perfect for Fall.  The Bug likes the look too she just can't handle the texture. Can't win them all. We'll be passing this dress on to friends who no doubt will rock it, and I will try this pattern again in something softer.

~Lindsay

Go To Signature Dress

Somehow the Bug is lacking in cold weather dresses.  Actually, not somehow, I know why because I see a dress in the store and I think "I could make that" and then I don't buy it. For some reason, that's my reaction to a dress 9 times out of 10 but not for shirts, pants, etc.

So church time comes and I realize she has no dresses to wear and this is a dress loving girl... the situation needed to be remedied. 

Enter the Go To Signature dress. I've made this pattern once before with not the greatest results. The Bug loved it but I did not (so I never blogged it).  I think it had more to do with the fabric I chose than the actual pattern. I like this stripe much better. It's one the Bug picked out herself from Girl Charlee. I was kind of surprised that she liked it because I love it!

I paired the wide, bold stripe up with a more subtle monochromatic stripe for the long sleeves, the elastic casing and the neck binding. I love the way the two stripes look together.

I chose the maxi dress length because if there is any way to 100% guarantee the Bug will like a dress, it is to make it long.  I also opted for the double sleeves, a cap sleeve with an elastic hem over a long sleeve. Though the fabric is a pretty lightweight knit, I think it will serve her well these cooler months.

The pattern calls for the elastic casing to be sewn on the inside of the garment, but I chose to move it to the outside. I like the way it breaks things up. It's barely noticeable in the photos but the stripes on the casing go vertically.  I love playing with stripes like that so I'm glad the fabric had decent 4 way stretch so I could.

I also added inset pockets because pockets are just awesome.

I boogered up that last pleat on the neckline, of course in the front. I didn't notice it until I was far enough along that it would have been a pain to rip out and do over. I still could I suppose. We'll see how much it bothers me.

She loves the dress, wonky pleat and all, so we are calling this a success.

This is a great pattern with tons of options and fairly easy to follow directions.  It is rare that I sew up more than one garment from any tutorial or pattern but so far, these "Go To" patterns are living up to their name. I've made two of these Signature Dresses, several pairs of Go To leggings and two Anywhere Dresses and I'm leaving the patterns out, not filing them away, because I foresee making more in the near future.

~Lindsay

Penny Peplum Jacket Pattern Test

I was thrilled at the opportunity to test the new Penny Peplum Jacket Pattern for Peek a Boo Patterns.

I love Peek a Boo Patterns. They are such simple, classic clothes... the practical items every kid needs in their wardrobe. The instructions are always clear and step by step photos help clarify even more if you have questions.

 Part of the reason I was so excited to pattern test is that I'd just gotten some new knits from Girl Charlee. Have you heard of them? They have an amazing selection of cute, unique knits (which can be so hard to find in stores).  This bunny print was an instant favorite of mine. The Bug wasn't sold on it so I only ordered a yard which meant I had to make do for this pattern which calls for 1 1/4 yard for the size 6. I threw in this grey stripe I found on clearance at JoAnns as a cute accent.

I've been sewing with knits more and more lately. Chalk it up to a kiddo who pretty much lives in tee shirts and leggings.  You don't have to have a serger to sew knit you know. I don't. Sure, I covet one, but the basic stretch stitch on my machine does just fine.

I love the back view of this jacket with the hood lining poking out and cute little peplum skirt. It dresses up an otherwise basic little jacket.

This is her thinker pose.

Actually it's more like, "When the heck is Mom going to be done taking pictures of me? I am so sick of this."

I am a little less fond of the front view.  I think it has to do with the choice of the striped fabric for the button placket. It's a bit jarring to me.  I unfortunately didn't have enough of the rabbit fabric to make the placket in, but I think that would have been better.

I do love the grey buttons though.

I had to go to JoAnn's for buttons for the first time in a long time. Grandma's button jar is awesome but when it comes to finding four identical buttons of a certain size?? Well, that would just be an exercise in frustration.

Can you believe we found fallen leaves on our photo shoot? Enough to toss in the air? I'm not sure I can handle the thought of Fall's approach. . . even less so, brrr..., Winter! But I suppose the Bug is ready for cooler temps now that she has this sweet little jacket.

In the interest of full disclosure, these photos were taken in 80 degree temperatures. There may be leaves on the ground but Summer isn't going down without a fight! God bless you Summer! I love you for that.

Also, I mentioned the Bug wasn't a fan of the bunnies? Well, she doesn't like them any more now that they are sewn into a cute jacket. I thought she might but I should have known better.  I had to bribe her with the Golden Arches to get these photos and the jacket has been sent off to a friend whose daughters will love and wear it as it deserves to be loved and worn.

Fabric choices aside, The Penny Peplum Jacket is a cute addition to your child's Fall wardrobe. It is well worth picking up a copy of the pattern.  Just make sure and let your kiddo pick their own fabric.

~Lindsay

The Anywhere Dress

The Bug looked through my PDF patterns last week and settled on The Anywhere Dress to be made for her school photo dress. Then we flipped through the knit at Girl Charlee and she picked a couple that she liked. 

I'd be lying if I told you I agreed with her pattern and fabric choices. Go ahead and say it, I am a fool. I know it. I am hanging my head in shame.

The girl has a good eye for design and she knows what she likes. Whether I initially agree or not, I am learning that if i want her to wear the things that I make for her, I need to listen to her input. This dress is a case in point.

It's not that I didn't like the pattern or fabric (I wouldn't have purchased them it if that were the case) it's just that I thought a dress for school photos should have a little more pizazz. I know, I know . . . I'm a fool. . . this dress is not lacking in pizazz just because it's a simple style.

The dress went together well and was a really fast sew. I cut and sewed it all in a couple of hours over Labor Day weekend (amid constant interruption and distraction).  The fabric is a very light weight knit which made things a little harder, but not too bad. Ideally I'd have used a knit with a bit more substance. 

I really like the way the neckline on this dress is finished with a facing and not a binding. It was a really simple way to finish it and I think it looks quite professional.  The pattern warns that top stitching might cause the neckline to stretch but thankfully, mine didn't.

The three quarter length sleeves are finished with a simple cuff.  With as lightweight as this knit is, I probably should have just hemmed the sleeve but I really like the finished look of the cuff and I'm probably the only one who sees the stripe from the underside of the cuff showing through.

In the end, I really like this dress.  I don't know if that will translate to being more willing to follow the Bug's direction in the future or not.  It's such a difficult balance since sometimes I feel like too much outside input takes the fun and creativity out of a project for me.  But in the end, it's more fun to see the things I've sewn be worn and loved really.  And if I'm itching to do it my way, I have a brand new niece who has a few years before she develops her own fashion sense! Hooray for babies!

~Lindsay