Reversible Sundress

I promised myself I wasn't going to touch my sewing machine today and actually fold the pile of laundry that's been sitting on the loveseat since Friday.

I shouldn't make promises to myself.

Especially when I have no intention of keeping them.

Last summer I made a little reversible sundress for Madeline and she got so much use out of it. And it's simple, simple, simple. So I made one another one for her this afternoon instead of folding laundry. And...I took pictures AND made a pattern, so those are coming.

And since it was a gorgeous day and I haven't taken pictures of my girl in oh, something like 12 hours, we squeezed in a little photo shoot.

Also, when you accidentally grab the bias tape you prepared for the hem and sew it thinking it's the strap...it's the perfect length for a hair bow/headband. Best mistake I ever made.

Molly

Spring Top - Take Three!

Last night, I foolishly agreed to watch the latest Netflix to hit our mailbox with my husband. What I didn't realize was that he had hacked my our queue again and we would be watching "Ninja Assasins". Thankfully, I had the good sense to gather some projects and my cutting board so I could do some cutting and pinning while watching helpless victims get thier heads and limbs sliced off by flying star blades.

I also grabbed a pen and paper and somewhere between the 53rd and 54th decapitation, I drew a quick sketch of my next top for Spring Top Week.

This is what I drew:

Nevermind the fact that it looks like my daughter drew it, sometimes you just have to get stuff on paper.

And this is what I ended up with today.

I didn't have a pattern or a fabric in mind when I drew my sketch, but when I hit the fabric store today I zoned in on this nice turquoise swiss dot. First of all, I adore swiss dot, it's the epitome of spring fabric. Secondly, I knew it would have that nice drape and airy feel I was going for and thirdly, it was on sale. So it came home with me and my darling, sweet daughter gifted me with a 3 1/2 hour nap this afternoon.

Measure, cut, measure, re-measure, cut, sew, (where's my seam ripper?), sew, measure, measure, sew. You get the picture.

I just about had it finished up by the time she woke up. I got stuck on the sleeves for awhile. I had originally intended to attach little ruffles in lieu of sleeves, but when I did, it just looked silly to me. I then tried little aysmetrical sleeves, but they weren't really doing it for me either. I finally settled on a longer puff sleeve, and shirred a few rows for the band.

*Please disregard my pasty white sausage arm in the this picture. Maybe now you know why the sleeveless version wasn't working. Ahem.

I should have taken a picture before I shirred the waistband, I can't believe what a difference it made. I was still on the fence about the top until I did the waist and put it on. Then once I sewed the buttons on I was totally sold. This by FAR my favorite top of the three I've made for Spring Top Week. It is incredibly comfortable and has so many possibilities. It's casual enough for jeans and flip flops, but dressy enough for a skirt and heels.

Molly

Spring Top - Take Two!

This shirt came to me in a vision. Kidding, kidding. But I did lay in bed last night and plan it out in my head. So of course, as soon as naptime rolled around this afternoon, I had to get it out of my head or lose my mind.

I'm so happy with how this came out. It's so, so comfy and will go with so many things in my wardrobe. The main fabric is from a gigantic white sheet I found in my hopechest. I have no idea where it came from, but it has a super high thread count, so it's soft and silky and drapes so nicely. I ended up lining this, it was a bit see-through! The neckband and waist-tie is Heather Bailey Nicey Jane.

I used three different shirts to make the pattern, and then just figured out the rest as I went. I actually took my time and carefully planned the construction, so I think I only had to use my seam ripper once. That pretty much never happens.

I shirred the waistband with three rows of elastic thread, so it's perfect for hiding lumps... Here's a picture without the tie...I think I'll end up tacking the waistband down on the sides, I think it ties (no pun intended!) the whole top together.

I'm having so much fun with these tops, and I'm in awe of all the amazing entries in Spring Top Week so far - if you haven't already, go check them out.

Molly

Boy Stuff...

Boy stuff? In this pink, frilly, little corner of the web? Yup. I tore a page out of Char's book and make these tie and guitar applique shirts for Madeline's cousin who turned 2 last month. Ummm, yeah, these are a little late.

You can find a tie pattern here. I didn't feel like plugging my laptop into my printer, so I drew this tie using the staight lines on my cutting mat. I used google images to find a picture of a electric guitar and then freehanded it.

Who says boy clothes can't be fun?

Molly

Spring Top - Take One!

I'm so excited to be participating in the Spring Top Challenge over at Made By Rae. I'm going to just go ahead and admit that I've never made myself a top...like, ever. So this was the perfect little kick in the pants to get me out of my comfort zone.

Here's my first attempt, I'm actually pretty pleased with how this came out.

This top is my own design reconstructed from a men's tshirt. I thrifted this tshirt for $.50, people. Beat that. I chose it because I liked the monochromatic stripes and I knew it was big enough that I'd have some options.

I pulled out an old tank top that has served me well over the years and used that as my pattern. I ended up making it a little more fitted and made the straps slightly thinner, but I think I love it! I used some of the scraps to make a ruffle for the neckline and crocheted a flower and added a fabric covered button in the center. Voila! A cute summer top.

I'm in love with the idea of reconstructing clothes...in.love. It transforms the way you look at everything in the thrift store. And if you mess it up - you're on out pennies! I found a perfect pink oxford that's going to be perfect for a recon project for Madeline...and I can get back into my comfort zone - creating stuff for my girl!

Molly