Easter Dress

What little girl doesn't love a new Easter dress? What sewing mom doesn't love the opportunity to go nuts!

New skirt

Simple Girl's gathered skirt with an elastic waist band.

I had leftover material from a project I did for myself. One day I'll get around to taking pictures of myself in the jacket (I love it.) until then, you can have pictures of my Roo in her new skirt.

This was her all ready for play group. She looked like a doll. A year ago, I never would have gotten her into a skirt on a week day. However, I learned the trick. I have to add a little sumpin' sumpin' to take it to the next level. In this case it was a flower.

It was worth the work. I made it long enough that she can wear it next fall as well. Now that's thinkin'.

Busy as a Christmas Elf

I was busy as a Christmas Elf the Monday and Tuesday before Christmas. I found that I love having Christmas on a Sunday. The week before Christmas is longer than any other year. It gave me enough time to get my own projects done and even offer my sewing services to my neighbor.  

These were my last minute project. My hubby got a ski vest for an incredible deal at demo-days. He wears it constantly and my boys were all drooling over his new found fashion sense. I can't blame them, he does look good.

I looked over his jacket and decided I could make them for the kids. It is the seamstresses Christmas curse that we spend every last moment sewing.

I was going to use this pattern:

However, they were out of them and so I had to punt. I took a pattern I had and adapted it to kids sizes. Even though it was more work and I had to fit the patterns to the kids; thus giving away a smidgen of the surprise, I think they turned out great.

Here they are all hanging in a row waiting for me to wrap them. It didn't take long. I was so very excited to get them under the tree.

Feeding 300

It would seem that my adventure scale has tipped to the side of boring. I haven't been wake boarding, I haven't been skiing (though my Hubbie is working overtime to change that one) and I haven't been anywhere. I've been here - at home - in the office or sewing room - working.

Though it wasn't much of an adventure, I did make this beautiful dress for Roo. The crazy part? She liked it! She actually liked a dress I made. She calls it her chocolate dress. She NEVER uses the word brown.




I've also made several Christmas gifts I can't post about because...shhhh...they are presents. I promise I'll put them up as soon as I gift them away. I'm still struggling with a couple people on my list. What do you make for a boy that's cool? I have three boys and most of my attempts at making them gifts have gone in the "I'll never play with this or use it - ever" pile. Groan. Girls are so much easier in that way.

The title? Oh, yeah. An adventure of sorts was the ward Christmas party. I was over it this year. Feeding 300 people can be an adventure. I had to thaw 100 lbs of turkey. Hmmm. not so easy to do. Then there was the cake that couldn't be cut and served fast enough. But, in the end, everyone had a really nice meal and the entertainment was great. Big shout out to all those who helped! I never could have done it by myself. I wish I had pictures to share, but I spent the night running, serving, or organizing not picture taking. As much fun as it was, I'm glad it's over. If the R.S. is over the party again next year - I'm going with live animals for entertainment. That should be good.

Out with the old; in with the new

My grandma has loved this purse. As you can see, she practically loved it to pieces. From the leaking-pen ink stain on the corner,



to the thread bare straps she had already sewn together once,



this purse wore it’s miles inside and out.

I told her I’d work on a new one for her, if I could have the old one as a pattern. After some careful measurements and a lot of pre-thinking I spent a while adding seam lengths before cutting.
Here is the finished product:



Lots of pockets inside.



After looking at the two side by side, I think she will be pleased with her new purse. I rushed to get it done, because a woman without a purse is like a statue without its arms; it might still be beautiful, but it’s not complete.

Tasha - do not open until Christmas

Roo loves, loves, loves, loves the Backyardigans. Loves them. So for Christmas I wanted to get her a Backyardigans doll. However, they only make them in beeny-baby size. That was discouraging. Not one to stay down for long, I worked on a pattern for this little cutie. I had to pattern the head twice, but I think it turned out okay.

I haven't ever made my own pattern before. I remember one time my Grandma let me have at her sewing stash and I found a stretchy sea-foam-green with sparkly polka dot material that I tried to make a dress out of. I felt so glamorous. Thankfully, I was too young to need darts. :-) Anyway, though the workmanship was 7-year-old best, I never wore the thing, ever. Hopefully this doll gets a little more use.

My biggest construction problem was my choice of material. I did her in a flannel because I wanted her to be snugly, but the flannel wasn't holding up so great against my stuffing and it pulled apart in a few spots. A few stitches to reinforce did the job and I doubt Roo will ever notice. (You can see them here on the side of her face.)

Wheelchair Jackets

I have sewn for years. Some things I sew out of necessity, some things out of adventure, some things for the challenge, and recently, some things for money.

My neighbor and friend, Becky, asked if I would sew a few Wheelchair Jackets for her. After a wonderful afternoon spent at the fabric store, where she and I debated candy canes and penguins, I took home enough fabric to make ten jackets.

They turned out lovely. As you can see at her new Etsy site:




http://www.etsy.com/shop/WheelchairDecor

If you know anyone in a wheelchair, please pass the site information along.