The Combination Meant to Be: Oliver and S 2 + 2 Skirt and Music Class Blouse

I realize I kick it WAY old school with Camden's outfit choices.... patterns that came out years ago that I sew up over and over.  But a cute, classy look???  I can't help myself!  I'd like to move Camden up into a classy, trendy look, but those patterns don't quite exist - at least, not the things I see in my head, LOL.

I sewed up the 2 + 2 Skirt and Blouse by Oliver and S twice before... six years ago :O  WHAT?!!  Why have I waited SO LONG??  Camden was clearly SO SMALL, LOL.  But I was somehow confused by the direction of the button loop and remember thinking I put it on wrong.  Also, looking back at the photos, I'm all, WHY did I contrasting thread on that skirt?!  And why did I use contrasting bias tape on that shirt???  The little things, LOL.  I was pleased with my wee bit of embroidery and hand-stitching, though - and still am.  

Overall, though, I don't like that blouse, so, when I made it this time, I knew I wanted to use the Music Class Blouse, which is my favorite blouse pattern!!  I feel it's a better fit for the skirt, too.

Both patterns sewed up easily, and I made sure all was well with the button loop, and I made sure to add two wee snaps in the placket.  This outfit was meant to be one of Camden's birthday outfits, and she wore it to school last week.  I also managed to grab the photos quickly before heading off to school that morning, aha!  It also happily looks super cute with her Mini Rock Rose sweater - yay!

I am pretty bummed I waited so long to sew this skirt up again.  I need to quickly whip out at least one more before she is really out of the size 8.  Before that, though, there are so many other things to sew!

Days in the life!!!

This and the one below are the rough draft for a paper she had to write about a challenge she faced

Birthday dinner night on March 20!

Covered in Cats! Oliver and S After School Outfit

Finally, a pair of pants!  Camden has informed me that she pretty much won't wear pants, but I have informed HER that is just silly, as I have a few pairs I need to make her, and I'm sure she'll quickly change her mind as the weather keeps cooling down. 

I last made her this same outfit in October of 2017, it appears, but I guess I never blogged about it, though I have two photos below.  Here is my LAST blog post about the After School Outfit by Oliver and S. 

It is a fun outfit, relatively simple to sew.  The ONLY trick is in remembering which side is the front, LOL.  Labeling during sewing is fine, but I never use labels, and with this particular yoke, it is SO close, the similarity between the front and the back.  I have a secret on this version, though:  my button holes are accidentally a hair too close on the front side, so, it'll be easy for Camden to remember ;)

Other than that, I did lengthen the pants and top, as usual.  I can't recall if I always lengthen the actual pants, but it IS important to remember to lengthen ALL four pants pieces.  I don't know if I failed to lengthen the top side panel, but I had to do some trimming as I was putting the sections together.  Ah, well.  They are a nice length right now - perfect for a bit of growing room without being too long.

I did use a gorgeous fabric from Cotton and Steel, and I knew that would be the trick into convincing Camden to sometimes wear pants - use a cat fabric!

I do feel like I'm oldy moldy - often sticking to old school paper patterns by Modkid or Oliver and S, but y'all, they really are my favorites, and I still wish more people would keep designing in paper.  I am trying to catch up with the times, as you saw in yesterday's post, but it's a work in progress.  Sitting on the floor and taping things together breaks me, LOL.

Here is what we have been up to!

Drawing swords instead of working

Even bad guys and superheroes need sleep

Meeting up with dad and visiting his work

                                      

Response here and picture below of their monsters

Camden's letter to her possible monsters

A Bad Apple - OR an Apple Picking Dress

As usual, I'm in shock.  Did I REALLY last make an Apple Picking Dress in 2015?????  (Last post is seen HERE.)  No.  Seriously????!  That doesn't seem right, and I feel there is a lost blog post - or a post never written, aha.

Either way, sad times, as I love the pattern and apparently wish I'd made a million more.

For all the extra work a button placket CAN be, this goes together quickly and has a polished look about it.  My only issue with this version is that the spot where the tie meets the placket is frageeeelay.  I don't normally feel this way, so, I'm not sure if it's the Joann Fabrics shirting I used.  I added some zigzag stitching to that spot, and I ended up pinching the main bodice fabric in doing so.  It's not super noticeable, but I'm bummed, though I hope it holds.  I definitely don't want to rip it out, as that whole area needs no added stress.  And I have naturally instructed Camden to not yank on the ties at all.

This maybe shows the color best.. and a great view of the bad apple, aha!

Honestly, maybe the craziest part of this dress is the sewing-on of TEN buttons.  Jeez.  It was a toss-up between these pink buttons and a sort of orange pair, but the pink seemed more delicate and in line with the look.

Anyway, I always do the double skirt version, and it turned out really well - I can't wait to have her wear this on Friday to her seventh day of school!!

So...days in the life of!!!