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!

A Book Report on Floral Fashion

You must know by now my undying love of this dress.  I daresay I like the pattern more than Camden does, as it isn't the first dress she ever reaches for.  I have sewn a few Book Report Dresses by Oliver and S - shown HERE and HERE.  It, like the Seashore Sundress, in my LAST post, is a relatively simple sew that you can turn into so much more.  I clearly don't get crazy with the pattern, but I think I love how there are different "blocks" of color, in a way.

The pattern goes together easily.  The only thing that may slow you down are the loops, and even putting those in isn't a chore.  I am sure it's fun for kids to have hidden pockets, too, though Camden never seems to make use of them.

I made a size 8, and I think I lengthened it, because this pattern makes it easy to do so.  And because it has so much positive ease, I do like to get extended wear out of it by making it longer.  

Anyhow, this puts me at dress number 5 for Camden's new school year!  Another is hot off the hand-stitching needle, so to speak, and I have plans for pants and a top AND a vintage pattern I have never sewn before.  After THAT, y'all???  Oh, jeez - so MUCH!!!

After the next dress blog post, though, I hope to be blogging about a finished cardigan, so, we'll see!

A few moments in the life of...

Writing comics

Helping dad sand

Even babies are welcome to their shack, lol

Modkid Gretchen With a Little Bit of Sparkle

Let's see..... Camden is almost 8 and a half years old, and I had this fabric BEFORE we moved from Vancouver TO Central Oregon.  This means I probably purchased this elephant fabric between six and seven years ago.  I believe I had a yard, maybe a yard and a half, and for the longest time, I had no idea how I could use it in a project.  I wanted to be sure the fabric was the star of the show and that it wasn't cut into tiny pattern pieces, etc.

Well, I met half that goal.  I decided to use the Gretchen dress by Modkid Patterns, which I have used and loved before.  For how cute it is, it is SUCH a simple pattern, and you can add in some extra bling with ribbon.  And this is where I likely messed up.  I could have kept the bodice front panel plain, surely, but I really felt I need something there, and of course, because I'm impatient and didn't want to wait to find a better ribbon, I went with something that is a bit too loud.  That purple is too dark, and I'm aware of that, ugh.  I did it, anyway.  I have no idea what is wrong with me sometimes.  Such is life, though, and a finished elephant dress is better than no dress, right???  And it just so happens that Camden is excited she was finally able to wear her shiny gold shoes I bought for school, aha.

You can see I have made the pattern here, and in that post, I also show off the tiny version Camden wore when we were married in October of 2012.  Funnily, one of those wedding photos was lying around in my sewing room yesterday while I was sewing the dress!

As I said, the pattern is super easy, and the pockets are such a great way to show off a fun fabric.  I have only ever done the short, elasticized sleeves, which is a great way to get away with using less fabric.  I was a bit lazy and wanted to use twill tape, instead of making side ties, and the twill tape doesn't totally match, but again, I wanted the dress done, so, there we have it.  If I had been thinking when I traced the pattern, I would have traced it longer, matching the size 10, but I was sort of worried about having enough elephant fabric.  And I was very happy to find the Essex-dyed metallic.  It is a pretty good match for the greens on the elephant fabric, and I knew Camden would be happy I chose something sparkly.

So, score!!  Dress number 2 is all done.  I have started the next, and I'd like to have at least one more done before Wednesday, so, we'll see how that goes!

And a few last pre-fall happenings....