Stash Diving for a Modkid Julia Skirt!

I could pretend this is a simple skirt, like the Oliver and S Hula Hoop, but let's not kid ourselves....it's "simple," in regards to construction, but the miles of hemming and gathering does slow one down a teeny bit, LOL.

BUT.

Clearly, the Modkid Julia is way cute, and I love it!  I sewed a couple Julia skirts in a size 3 a couple years back, and they were BIG and technically still fit Camden, but I passed them on to her wee friend up in Vancouver, as I was all, "Dude, I can make you another."

Awww!  In her Aneela Hoey fabric and Magical sweater!

I did a size 5, just to get more use out of it, pretending that I didn't know it's so BIG.  I should have done a size 4, but whatevs.  It's fun, and I love it.

I had a brain fart, for lack of a cooler expression, when I was attaching the casing for the twill tape.  I asked in the Modkid group, and Patty and someone else were quick to answer.  As always, I'm a nutjob and actually realized I should start reading directions, aha!  Problem solved, I forged ahead, and all was naturally well.

Not much to say about the pattern itself.  Again, it's easy and quick enough, instructions are great, and you can have a lot of fun with the fabrics.  I used a dotted sateen for the underskirt (I mentioned in the last post, I believe, that Superbuzzy has it on sale!)

So, there you have it!  Fun skirt, happy girl, all is well!!!

She likes the porch pose, aha! 

Last Minute...And On Time!!! Disco Dress for Easter!!

So.  I don't know if y'all ever get a chance to craft with friends, but it is a NICE thing.  It'd been a long time since I'd been able to do such a thing with anyone, and I had just that chance the day before Easter.  Lisa, over at Irons in the Fire, suggested we have a sewing day at her place, and THANK goodness!  It is a bit easier (LOL) to sew without my children around.  Just a bit ;)

Now....we will NOT talk about how I forgot tracing paper and pattern directions - and decided NOT to bring the serger, when, in fact, it may have been a good idea.  Anyway, I did accomplish a bit - and in the end, with tracing paper in hand (thanks to Matt for dropping it off!), I was convinced by Lisa to  sew up the Disco Dress by Ainslee Fox for Camden - to match Elora on Easter!  I wasn't sure I had enough stash fabric at home, but prepare, I did.  And low and behold, when I arrived home, I searched frantically, turning down idea after idea as I came across various gorgeous stash fabrics.  Finally, though, I came across enough yardage from a past project (Apple Picking dress of January 2014) - yay!  The red is NOT a linen, I swear, but it's something I grabbed at Bolt sometime in the last year or two.  I was pleased I had that in my stash, as I like that the dress isn't solely quilting cotton.  The yoke fabric gives the dress a nice textured section.

Obviously, this was a quick project...which....whew!  I had traced it before I arrived home, and I essentially put in three hours Saturday night.  Sunday, before noon, I managed to sew the belt, the four buttons and hand-sew the lining of the bodice.  I have to say I'm pretty proud, aha!  I felt like I was being challenged.

The pattern itself is super easy.  The pattern designer, Jen, is pretty chatty in that she throws in humor/dialogue that isn't necessary to the pattern.  I normally don't care for that sort of thing, but she does it in a way that works, honestly.

It's a simple pattern, as you can tell, and I only had one real issue.  There is a better way of attaching the bodice to the "yoke" - in that a full bodice piece shouldn't be cut out, as you CUT AWAY what is underneath that yoke area...so, it's fabric waste, but I tried to get over it, LOL.  Otherwise, it's a lovely pattern with detailed instructions, etc.  I'm not sure why the belt is supposed to be so long, and you can't tell Camden's is, but I have it tucked away in the pictures.  I could cut it down at some point, but we'll see if I get around to it.  Also, there is a zipper option, but I happily had buttons on hand - for ONCE, right??!

The ONLY emergency was in thinking I didn't have to hit up the craft store for D-rings for the belt....Fatal mistake when you are trying to make a dress FOR Easter....the night before Easter....and stores are not open ON Easter.  Except Home Depot!  Matt did a great job finding what I needed.

We all had a delightful Easter dinner and playtime over at Lisa's house, and I have pictures to prove it, LOL.

Scampering off to find eggs!

Thanks to Lisa and Garth for taking care of eggs!

Taken with my phone....

Taken with Lisa's camera....OMG at that face on Tiberius!

Lastly....Camden wanted to show off some of her ballet moves, I believe....aha!

The ballerina hopeful??

Arabesque with an assist??

A Figgy's Ofelia to Get me into the Sewing Spirit!

"Because I'm happy....."

Sometimes it just goes this way....one crafty thing taking a backseat to another.  This has happened with sewing since just about one year ago, when THIS little guy was born.....

LOLOLOL

I knew it'd be tricky to squeeze in sewing time when Tiberius came around.  He is semi-like his sister in that he doesn't always take a great nap....though to be fair, his life is a busy one, because he is always taking one for the team - as in, his sister has activities, like story time and dance and her cool classes with Megan Strong over at Playful Learning (which, by the way, Camden LOVES, and if you live in Bend, you should send your wee child!)  Here are some examples of the fun she has!

Photo courtesty of Megan Strong

Photo courtesy of Megan Strong

Photo courtesy of Megan Strong

Anywhooooo...So, I make up a lot of excuses when it comes to sewing - things like, "Tiberius is stalking me," and "It's too late; I just want to chill with some knitting and a knitting podcast," and "I only have five minutes, so, I don't want to start anything," and "Ugh, we were busy, the baby took a half-hour nap, and when I finally finished playing card games with Camden, it was time to whip up a smoothie for lunch."

..............So, you know, life and excuses, excuses and life.  I totally AM that person, though, the one who hates starting something if I have but a few minutes.  I understand that doing certain tasks during key moments WOULD help, though - things like tracing while the kids are playing, getting materials prepped.  I figure there is a lot of time-wasting going on on my end, though I often legitimately have a baby boy who doesn't want to go play or sleep for a solid two hours.  He IS the cutest thing, though, right???

Photo courtesy of Lisa Ellefson

And...back to sewing!  Last week, I finally managed to fit in some time.  I made sure get some tracing done early in the week.  I planned for several projects, searching through fabric, etc.  I did note again - a failing in my stash acquisitions - that I don't have enough coordinating fabric (well, besides the other failing, which is 1/4 yard and 1/2 incremements of some things...what was I EVER thinking???) for so many "main" fabrics.  I have that Superbuzzy order on the way, but I definitely wish I was more prepared for full-on outfits for Camden.

I thought I'd ease into sewing with a basic, but cute project - the Figgy's Ofelia.  It's an OLD pattern and no longer sold - unless you can find a paper copy hiding around in a sewing shop somewhere.  Camden has had a few of these, and I've sewn a couple for her cousins, too.  It's such a blank-slate sort of pattern that you can jazz it up in so many ways.  I, clearly, haven't done that, though I can see the possibilities, LOL.

Cousin gifts in December 2013

I used something I purchased at Bolt last year - totally blanking on the line or fabric type...is it maybe a chambray???  For the neckline/elastic casing, I used the orange polka dots I used for Camden's last Oliver and S Class Picnic that I'd sewn, and I took a peek through my ribbons and found one that worked.  That's it, folks.  Easy pattern - it's only three pieces (unless you do the bloomers, too), and you can whip it up fairly quickly.  It DOES call for French seams, which you can ignore or not.  I did them, so it's pretty inside, too ;)

Will the Jump Rope Dress Improve Jump-Roping Skills???

I could shout from the roof-tops about my love for this pattern/fabric combo!

I can't believe I waited so long to sew this, as it's SUCH a great pattern!  I didn't own the smaller size-set, so, I'd had to wait, but gosh - I bought this fabric during the fall of 2013.....yikes!  I DID buy it specifically for this pattern, though, so, there was some planning.

Love the wee sleeves

Whew - a semi-smile!

Camden super loves her Jump Rope dress by Oliver and S.  She says, as a matter of fact, that she wants to sleep AND jump rope in the dress.  LOL....and jump all AROUND.

The pattern is nicely written.  I had no issues with instructions, and I don't think I changed anything.  I often have collar attachment issues with this style...sort of the same thing as with Music Class blouse.  I never think I get a neat finish.  Anyway, I sewed the size 5, and it fits pretty well, with a little wiggle room.

And for ONCE, I went totally basic/plain with the buttons, as I thought that best-suited this pattern and fabric.  I'm pretty proud of myself, aha!

Penguins in Spring - A Modkid Addison

Wow!  It's ONLY been four months or so since I've sewn this dress, so, it MUST be time to blog about it, right???

Faaaaake smiles....

It's such a cute dress, and my photos don't do it justice, but as with Camden's first Modkid Addison, I just love it!

How tiny!!!!

A month or so after the wedding - also in a lovely Saffron, knit by Vieve over at TWSC

When I made it the first time, it was for her Aunt Jeannette's wedding, and I just couldn't stop staring at the cuteness, aha!  One small bit of sadness when I made it the first time was that it was quite snug to try and get on Camden, though I made the correct size....so, THIS time, I sized up, and it's naturally too big.  Of course.  Even at four months later, I don't like how much room there is in the back, but ah, well - it'll fit lovely even this time next year, when it's more appropriately sized ;)  I think I ended up making the size 6, as I was so worried it'd be tight to get on if I made the 5.

As for deets on the pattern itself - there is nothing fancy to say!  It goes together nicely, the instructions are great, and it's easy enough for a newbie.

I originally made this version for Camden to wear to her first viewing of The Nutcracker, which was exciting for her and Greta, her friend, as you can tell ;)

Photo taken by Greta's mom!

I used some lovely penguin/wintery fabric I had in my stash, along with a fun cotton sateen I purchased from Superbuzzy.  They always have such fun fabrics, but their site really needs an overhaul, in terms of speed/loading - not sure what that is, technically-speaking, but go ahead and check them out, aha!  (I also totally just ordered four more colors in the sateen dots, as they're on sale!)

Should have clipped down those seam allowances....my bad :O

A downside to this post and the next two is that Camden has been rather sullen about pictures - that combined with being tired and cold makes for a good time for photos, LOL.

Again, though, great pattern....and am i REALLY the ONLY person who wishes Patty Young would put paper patterns out again?????

Such joy, LOL