Sewing for Me: Ottobre 2/2011 #1 Trento

I've been a bit frustrated with my lack of options for shirts, so I've been making an effort to make more time to sew for me.  This is one that I really only like in this outfit.  The shirt turned out way too short, even after adding to the pattern length.  I used a clearance nightgown for the fabric so it is nice and soft.  The pattern is Ottobre 2/2011 #1 Trento.  I have a favorite t-shirt pattern, but thought I'd give this one a try for more variation.

Serendipity Blouse and Capris & Giveaway

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of pattern testing for The Mother Huddle.  Destri has a great new set of patterns out called  The Serendipity Collection.  I really suggest looking around her website, sewlosophy.com.  She did an amazing job and her videos make me want to be best friends with her.

I tested the blouse and capris.  These were some of the best patterns to test.  The pattern was very easy to follow and the attention to detail was spot on.  They really easy to customize to your tastes; it can be done in all the same fabric or two like I did on the blouse.  I also added piping to the bottom of the yoke on the shirt.

The capris have darling little cuffs and there is a front yoke.  My husband said they remind him of Aladdin pants, which I didn't see till he said something.

Destri is super awesome and is letting us testers do giveaways for the whole collection; blouse, trousers, coat and hat!  Just enter via the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Project Run and Play "Signature Look"

For this week, I took care of two birds with one stone, Project Run and Play and Easter dresses.  My girls love wearing dresses and I love them wearing dresses.  One of my favorite dresses I made for Eleanor was the one I made for her to wear as a flower girl.  I used that pattern again.  It is Julie's Dress by Me Sew Crazy.  It doesn't seem to be sold anymore.

Thing after thing came up to keep me from getting this done, including a cold when I was trying to finish up.  Then it was raining so I couldn't get any outside pictures and this house has zero natural light.

The pattern calls for twice as much fabric for the skirt width, but apparently I can't read and was working from a half yard bundle.  I used Michael Miller's Glitz.  Laurel's is Mist and Eleanor is Glitz.  For the binding I used some glittery gold quilting cotton.

For the buttons, I used some beautiful gold and ivory floral buttons that were my grandma's.  The girls really love their new dresses.  Laurel even threw a tantrum when I tried to take it off.

15/52

This week we spent so much time outside.  It was lovely.

Both girls love swinging.  Eleanor enjoys it most every way possible; normal, belly, spinning...

I love this picture of Laurel.  So sweet.

Project Run and Play "Design Your Own Fabric"

This week's challenge was difficult for me.  I came up with a bunch of ideas, but reluctant or unable to get supplies to do most of them.  It finally occurred to me that I have a roll of tulle I needed to use.  I thought about making a bunch of little flowers to sew on but didn't want to take the time to make that many flowers.  That is how I decided to make tulle ruffles.  

I found a large scrap of gray leftover from a shirt I made me, which was plenty large enough to make a basic skirt for Laurel.  I sewed the tulle ruffles on in a wave pattern and with the remainder of the roll I made a layer of tulle under the cotton fabric then constructed the skirt.  Basically this outfit is just covered in gathers and ruffles.  I love how poofy it is!

The gray made me think of elephants so I made a shirt with an elephant holding a balloon.  I used Terra's Treasures pattern for the peasant knit top (it doesn't look like she still sells that exact pattern anymore, but there is another one that is similar but with more details).  It would have been a very easy shirt if my serger would have cooperated and then the bobbin elastic.  The knit came from the scraps of a clearance shirt that I cut up to make the picnic shirt.  I appliqued the elephant and balloon on.

This is one of my favorite outfits I have made.  Laurel loves it too; she didn't want to take it off. 

14/52

This week I was/am super sick so I didn't take any pictures.  All I have this week is a picture I stole from Michael's phone.  

The girls sneaked into Grandma and Grandpa's room to play.  Laurel is trying on Grandpa's reading glasses. 

Project Run and Play "Spring Break Challenge"

This week's challenge is to design an outfit based on a favorite vacation spot or dream vacation.  My favorite place to visit is the Oregon Coast, so I used that as my inspiration.  Just like at the coast it was a bit windy when we went to do pictures so it was hard to get very good ones with a very wiggly 4 year old.

I made capris since they are perfect for dipping toes in the ocean.  I used the Ottobre Designs pattern 'Row Boat' from 3/2013 in the smallest size, because Eleanor has a tiny waist and I wanted them a bit shorter than pictured.  It might be hard to see, but there are cute little button tabs at the hems.  I just learned that Eleanor doesn't like pants to hide her belly button so they look way longer than what they should.  Silly girl.

For the top, I used Hollywood Cerise from the 3/2012 issue of Ottobre Designs cut to a tunic length.  I bought some super cute wave fabric with paper boats on it last summer that I knew would be perfect.  I didn't want the waves to over power it so I just some red for contrast.  I also did all the stitching in red so it shows some all the details when you see it in person.

I love the buttons going down the back.

13/52

This week the bathroom has turned into a battle field thanks to some termites.  We are having to gut the whole thing.  So that has taken most of my focus.  Bye bye sewing time. 

On the bright side, Laurel is officially potty trained.  I finally got to turn off the 'potty alarms' on my phone.  Now if only we could get them night time trained.

Eleanor has gotten really into taking pictures and videos (especially videos) lately.  She would tell me to get back to work in the bathroom so she could make a video.

Laurel has decided to be a picky eater.  She used to be great and eat everything, but not anymore.  Usually, once she tries something she finds out she actually does like it and often she has to go through this process with the same foods over and over.  Last night, we finally got her to eat her bowl of tomato soup without bribing her with crackers after each bite.

Ottobre Design 4/2013 Princess Castle

Soon after we moved in I finished this tunic for Eleanor.  It is the Princess Castle from 4/2013 issue of Ottobre.  The fabric is a little wild for me, but it was clearance and I knew Eleanor would love it.  It seams as though I was right, because she is always asking to wear her smiley dress.

My only complaint is that once again, I should have made it skinnier to fit her better.

 This pattern has some really fun details like the circle pockets and cross over bodice.  There are also dress and long sleeve options.

Eleanor is becoming such a big girl.  Where did my baby go?

Project Run and Play: "Put Me in the Zoo"

With moving basically done and living with my parents, I have a lot more time for sewing so I'm going to do my best to do the sew a long for Project Run and Play.  The first week's theme is "Put Me in the Zoo".  I thought about doing kitties, mice,or giraffes, and somehow got thinking about ants.  Ants led me to thinking about picnics.  So my idea was a red gingham wrap skirt with a curved front with ants along the edge going up to a shirt with a picnic basket.

I thought I had a pattern for a wrap skirt that I could adjust easily to the shape I wanted, but it turns out it was just a pleat.  So I did a mash up of Ruby Jean's Twist and Shout Skort with Violette Field Threads' Vivienne Skirt.  As much as I love the ruffles on the Vivienne skirt, I wanted something more play/picnic friendly.

I really think the ants make the skirt.  They are so fun!

For the shirt, I used the Seesaw shirt pattern #17 from Ottobre (yes again, I love my subscription!) from the 3/2012 issue.  The flutter sleeves are so fun.  I made the smallest size, but added length to where her heights suggests.  As it turns out, she must have a very long torso, because I should have added more length.

 Luckily, Laurel has the same waist size.  So the next time this is worn will probably be by Laurel.  All in all, I love it. 

12/52

This was another stay at home and do nothing sort of week.  There was more playing outside and babysitting for a friend.  The highlight for the girls was Grandpa Roy's birthday.  We decided to be silly and made him a cake out of Twinkies.  We covered it in fondant to hide what was inside and because Grandpa is curious about fondant since he started watching Cake Boss with the girls.  (Just a tip, don't make cakes out of Twinkies.  It was way to rich/sweet and really couldn't tell there were Twinkies in it.)

Ottobre 1/2014 #25 Funny Faces Dress

When I saw Sew McCool was doing a sew along for an Ottobre pattern, I knew I had to follow along, especially since it was one of the patterns I wanted to make anyways. 

I made Design B, because I love bows and have way more woven fabrics than knits.  I used a synthic fabric that I had leftovers from to try to use it up.  It was such a pain to work with; slippery, but stiff and frays like crazy.

I just realized I didn't get a picture of the hem.  There is a hem band that peeks out a quarter of an inch of pink gingham to give a faux piping look.

I learned my lesson and am now going to start tracing patterns based on Eleanor's waist size and just add length.  She is so skinny and tall.

I also got a free swatch of silk from spoonflower so I turned it into a bow.

You can find the round up of the sew a long here.

11/52

This week the weather has been so nice.  We have played outside nearly everyday.  One day we went to the park for a little while, which the girls loved.  We've been letting them pick out their own clothes most of the time and Eleanor usually picks a skirt.

I've decided that pantaloons are too cute and I need to make a bunch more.

10/52

I can't remember if I took any pictures with my camera this week.  I left on Wednesday to go work at Camp this weekend.  So this is the picture the most on my mind this week.

I miss them so much and can't wait to get back to them!

9/52

Laurel was so cute helping to make pizza for my sister's birthday.

The girls were supposed to be changing out of their 'night night' panties into their 'wake up' panties, but thought this was a better idea.  So silly!

A few moments before this, Eleanor was laying on her back holding her feet.  It was too cute, but she heard the camera so she moved.

Tikatuly Designs Tiya Tunic Dress

I was given the opportunity to test another pattern.  This one is the Tiya Tunic Dress from Tikatuly Designs.  If you are looking for a simple pattern with a ton of options to personalize, then this is the pattern for you.  At first, I found all the options a bit overwhelming, but once I was able to figure out what I wanted to do, it was great.

I choose to do the back to back pleats on the front with lace neck band and tie and a lace elastic waist.  I love the vintagey look to it.

 

I don't know what Eleanor was doing here, but I had to share.  It reminds me of Marilyn Monroe.