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

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

KCWC Days 1 & 3 Finishes

I had a chance to photograph my two "finishes" for the KCWC so far.

The first one was a simple "fix" to a too short pair of pants.  It seemed simple and cute.

It wasn't simple. It should have been. But the ruffles weren't long enough if I followed the tutorial. So I wound up cutting and hemming a completely unusable strip of fabric.  I hate hemming.

It's not the patterns fault, I'm sure it was mine. But it made me cranky.

 And then when they were finished? It just wasn't my thing.  I don't think I'm a "boutique clothing" kind of a girl.  But we decided to give them a whirl at Kindergarten today and the Bug likes them.  She said her teacher did too. 

  So obviously, I'm the one with the problem.

This picture is cute. They might be growing on me.

I do love that I'm giving a pair of jeans that were too short before they were ever worn a second life. That appeals enough to my inner cheapskate that I'll keep these in the rotation.

 I feel the complete opposite about this dress.

I'm in love with it.

I want one for myself. 

 The pattern is the cowl neck dress from Heidi & Finn.

I bought it a while back and have been dying to make it.  KCWC was the perfect excuse to give it a go.

I made the 6T and it fits perfectly. Whew! Good thing I made this one up since that's the biggest size it comes in.

 It's super cute for fall with a pair of tights.

I think it would be equally cute dressed down as more of a tunic over leggings or jeans.

 It ties in front. I wasn't sure if I'd like that but once I saw it on, I preferred a front tie to a back tie.

The neck turned out to be more turtle neck than cowl neck but it's still really cute and warm.

Tonight I start the Oliver + S Puppet Show Tunic! Wish me luck!

~Lindsay