Wingback Chair Reupholstered

I have wanted a wingback chair for the longest time.  Once, I even almost got one from freecycle.  (The owners put it out by the side of the road for me to pick up and someone else took it before I got there.)  Since we had very little furniture for our new house, I made it my mission to find one.  I scoured the internet and craigslist hoping to find one that I could afford.  We saw one at a yard sale we drove past one Sabbath and tried to find it the next day, but they weren't having a yard sale anymore.  Finally, I found one, in my price range,when a new Goodwill opened across the street from my parents' house while we were staying there.

Next, I needed to find the right fabric.  After more internet scouring, I came across the perfect fabric; 

Adamina in Mist Tapestry Upholstery Fabric by Mill Creek.

It was quite a while before I got up the nerve to actually tackle the project, like two years later.  Here it is all naked.

There were so many staples!  It was fun to see progress.

All the buttons had to be hot glued with new fabric and then I had to do tufting for the first time.  Michael had to help me put the buttons since my arms are too short to reach around to both sides.

Then it sat unfinished for a couple of months while I got through planning a massive Christmas party, moving, travelling for Christmas, and getting over a stomach bug.

Finally finished the chair!

Though it didn't take long, the back and sides were the hardest parts with all the metal spiky things that were involved and then the nailhead trim was interesting since my fabric is thicker than the original green.  Michael had to use his air compressor to staple the front pieces to the arms before the trim would even stay in.

The chair isn't perfect, but I really think it turned out beautifully.

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.

This Year's Family Photo Shoot

This post is going to take care of a few birds with one stone; I get to show off our family photo shoot and I made all three of the dresses.  These pictures were taken by L'amore Photography and once again we love what she did!

I made both of the girls' dresses last summer for a wedding and can't believe they still fit!  Eleanor's is a pattern by Me Sew Crazy called Julie's Dress.  Super cute!  I love the two layers making it extra puffy and giving it a vintage feel.  I'm just sad the pockets turned out too small.

Laurel's dress is a peasant dress from the pattern I mentioned here.  I keep thinking I really should make her more peasant dresses.  They are just so darling!

My dress is Crepe from Colette Patterns.  It was one of those patterns I knew I had to have from the moment I first saw it.  I really loved it.  The pattern was beautiful and wonderful to follow.  Though next time I make it I'm going to do the bodice fully lined rather than use the facing pieces they suggest and make it a size smaller (still looking for my size since I've lost weight, so probably nothing to do with the actual pattern sizing).

Simplicity 4496 and Violette Field Threads Charlotte

I know it has been forever and a half since I last posted anything, but I've been too busy/lazy.  I have been sewing quite a bit though.  To ease back in to blogging, I thought I'd post about an outfit I made a long long time ago (more than a year ago).  The top was made using a vintage nightgown pattern, Simplicity 4496, and the bloomers are a pattern from Violette Field Threads called the Charlotte pantaloons.

Originally, I was making it to be an actual nightgown, but it turned out so cute she's worn it to a wedding.

I have a thing for bows.

Looking at these pictures makes me want to make more!

Popolok Design Cece Dress

Earlier this month I was contacted by Popolok Design asking me to test their newest pattern the Cece Top and Dress.  It is a really cute pattern for a peplum shirt with the option to have a peter pan collar, sleeves or made into a dress.  It has a wide range of sizes (ages 1-8) so it can be used a number of times.

I love how this dress turned out!  I had the worst time convincing myself to use my Robert Kaufman Girlfriends fabric, but I'm so glad I did (and I have about half a yard left so I can use it again).  The mermaids are just way too cute.

The pattern was really easy to use.  I just suggest reading through the whole thing first to make sure you aren't doing something that will prevent you from adding sleeves or collar, if you want them, like I did and had to seam rip.  Something I did learn was that if you are going to do an invisible zipper, you need an invisible zipper foot.  I was able to do some finagling with the fabric and top-stitching to finally make it invisible.

You can't tell it by the pictures, but Eleanor really did love the dress.  I love the vintage feel it has.

Popolok Design have a lot of really cute patterns.  So you should check them out here and you can get this pattern here.

McCall Pattern 5830 Vintage Pajamas

While making the pajamas I talk about here, I decided I should use the other pajama pattern I have as well, since I wasn't sure I'd like the drop seat idea (as amusing as it is).

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These are really cute two piece pajamas from 1944.  I wasn't sure about the idea of buttons around the waist, but the more I look at it, the cuter it gets.  Plus with my new snap pliers they shouldn't be a problem or too time consuming for us or Eleanor getting dressed.  Once again, decided to go with the footie variation.

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I used my fun fox flannel that I also got for $2.99 from Joann's.

This one took me a lot longer than the last one, but not because it was more difficult of time consuming.  It took so long, because I cleaned to procrastinate on it when usually I use sewing to procrastinate on cleaning.  I must be sick.  

When I finally got around to finishing, it took me two days to sew it up.  Again pretty simple, though there was one spot that was confusing and I did wrong, but turned out better for me in the long run.  The biggest problem I had was that I didn't think the snaps all the way through.  Apparently, in a couple places the buttons are supposed to go through two buttonholes.  It was fine for the two side ones (thanks to my earlier mistake) I just added two more snaps on the shirt.  But the snap on the pants in the center didn't have anywhere to go.  To fix it, I sewed on another kind of snap to the side of the other snap, making sure it can't be seen.  For the most part that helped, but that snap comes undone pretty easy.

Laurel wanted in on the action too, again.

In terms of fit, the top is good, but the pants remind me of clown pants and they could be a little longer.  These are a lot easier for diaper changes than these ones.  I also think they are cuter, but I'm going to try to find yet another pajama pattern to use my flamingo flannel with.

FYI, Laurel is still sitting there.  Eleanor decided that she shouldn't be in the picture.

Simplicity Pattern 4130 Vintage Pajamas

I collect vintage patterns and have used some of them.  I love how they expand my sewing knowledge and their techniques create such a nice look and finish.  I found this one from 1952 (as well as another pajama pattern) in a batch of sewing patterns I bought.

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And lucky me, it is in Eleanor's size, who just happens to need pajamas, plus I got a bunch of flannel for $2.99 a yard.  I didn't realize it at first, but they are drop seat pajamas, so I found that to be rather amusing.  I choose to do design #1 since it gets pretty cold here in Northern Idaho (and footie jammies are so cute!).  For the first pair I used a fun key patterned flannel.

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They came too together rather easily and somewhat quickly.  I finished them within two days of not solid sewing.  I love how they have a back facing to conceal all the neck and shoulder seams.  I'm sure that will be a lot more comfortable for Eleanor.

It's a little big, but that just means I get to wait longer before she grows out of them.  I got to use my snap pliers for the first time.  I wanted it to be easier for her to get out for potty going, since I don't think she'll be using the drop seat (which I still find hilarious).

Laurel decided to get in on the action.

Here they decided I needed more action.  Such silly girls!