If it Ain't Broke.....Figgy's Ayashe

I have MAYBE mentioned this once or twice, but the Figgy's Ayashe (skirt and top) is one of my FAVORITEILOVEITSOMUCH patterns ;)

Nothing ground-breaking here, folks....just cuteness and more cuteness!  I love this outfit!  I will maybe mention something I haven't before...or maybe I have, but who cares, right?!  I also have a secret love affair with double-sided tape when sewing waistbands...or when attaching ribbon to the insides of hems.  EVERYONE should do this!  I am sure it makes me uncool and not technically good at sewing or something, but hey - I feel better not worrying about whether or not I'm catching the inside of waistband when sewing from the outside of the garment.

Anyway, I thought I'd throw that out there...especially since I've used copious amounts of said tape lately ;)

I actually worked on three Ayashe blouses, but I'll keep the other two for another post, when I have also finished a pair of Zonen Jacob pants (also sewn here and here).  I worked my smarts (which I do every now and then) and wanted to use up three gorgeous bits of fabric I own...but also wanted to match them all to a skirt and a pair of pants!  I made this post's Ayashe blouse in a smaller size....meaning I made the same size I made last time - but lengthened it even more, I believe....and the other two blouses are in the largest size available.  I sometime like to assembly-line-sew, and it works with this blouse.

I worked in some fun ribbon for a hem facing on the skirt, and I used polka dots for the waistband facing and pockets.  I am also excited I used those buttons...as though they don't really match, it also doesn't really matter, and they're just kind of fun!  I picked them up from the yarn store one day, not knowing what I'd ever use them for ;)

Of course, you can see here where the ribbon rides higher than it should :O

It turned out super well, and I didn't have ANY problems sewing on the buttonholes, which was a happy day, indeed!  I had even prepped my husband that I was sewing them...and he never heard me yelling or swearing, aha!

A little Spun Sugar on Camden, along with the Queen Bee leg warmers

Bryce Canyon for Tiberius, along with the as-yet-unblogged Christmas in July

Also, Camden WAS showing her outfit off to anybody and everybody over break, so, she must like it, too!

Our holidays were lovely, and the day after Christmas, we saw The Wizard of Oz at a children's theater in Portland.  It was Tiberius's first big show, and he was a bit nervous/scared during the tornado scene; otherwise, he, too, did well.  He has attended two of Camden's shows, so, I had a bit of faith.  But goodness, the shaking and clenching during that tornado!

Tiberius was a bit nervous of the witch, but she loved his clothes and drew him in ;)

As with the scarecrow actor, we have seen the lion actor a few times, and he is awesome!

Light reading at Powell's

And....some more Christmas-time photos!

I'm keeping count...4th leak since we've moved in - NOT counting ceiling leaks

Santa/grandparents brought a guitar!

Uncle Ben helps tune! 

Every year, Santa has mishaps and drama....

Great Grandpa is pretty handy!

Hanging out with Great Grandpa

Our usual walks with Rocky

Painting role play game pieces

Creeeeepy book.....

All gussied up for the trip north

:O  :O  Awwww!

Something Flowered and Something Blue - Figgy's and Zonen Combo

I am THIS PLEASED with this outfit!!!

These pants fit Camden so well, and it's one of my best zipper-fly installations (like, the whole shebang, fly-guard, zipper, waistband/button and all!), which really gives it major points.

Also awesome???  Brianne of Ali Cat and Co. sent me this lovely fabric - a blue corduroy and a vintage-looking flowered (super light-weight) fabric.  I knew I wanted to use them together when she sent it to me months ago, and I had the pants cut out a few months ago and only got around to sewing it all up right before Christmas.  So glad it's all done!

I wasn't sure at first which pattern to use for the shirt, and though I know a different pattern would have worked overall better for the fabric and style of the outfit, I chose laziness because I needed it DONE and wanted to use a pattern I already had (always gotta save those duckets, yo).  I will say I am glad I didn't choose something that needed buttonholes, as my machine may have totally eaten the fabric :O  Whew.

The pants and top went together quickly...especially as I had the pants cut out so long ago.  The sewing was nice and easy, and as with the last time, I cut out a pocket facing for the front pockets...wishing I knew a way to do that for the back side.  I'd have to sew up/prep the outer pocket piece and then make a pocket lining after.  I don't like having that raw edge that the directions give you (unless I missed something, aha!) on the inside.  I REALLY want these pants to work for Tiberius in the future, as that was part of the pattern decision-making process for this fabric.  I love the style of the Jacob pants by Zonen, and the directions are great!    As for the fly installation business...????

Clearly not a crazy-detailed picture, but you get the idea!  I hope :O

I kept the Ayashe blouse by Figgy's simple and only used elastic in the sleeves.  The mandarin collar sewing process was about the same as usual.  I always struggle with perfection on getting the corners to sew up nicely.  It will be a great blouse, too, for when the weather returns to normal around here (meaning, HELLO, could we have warmer temperatures any day now???)

Bottom-line, y'all???  A quick sew, and I adore the style - especially with her mittens, aha - and dotted Vans.  Our pairings always crack me up.

Some early January happenings....

Same day as above pictures...Community Day, Monday, January 4, 2016

Practicing from THIS book!

Cats and mice!

Helping dad make fry bread

After-School Pants....AT School!

The After School pants and top by Oliver and S are pieces I've sewn before, and I love the pattern!  This go-round, I made a couple of weird decisions, one of which is totally uncharacteristic of me...both which I regret.

The pattern itself is great.  I'm not sure if there is any errata, but if so, I don't notice it.  I will say it's tricky trying to remember which side of the shirt is the front/which side is the back, as it's such a minor difference.  For the top, I used a lovely lawn (I think it's lawn, anyway) that I had in stash and which was originally meant for pillow cases, aha!  I think I purchased the pants fabric from fabric.com last year.  Overall, it's a pretty light-weight outfit.

I can already tell it isn't a favorite for Camden, which is, of course, a bummer, but she does generally prefer dresses and skirts right now, anyway.  Personally, my least-favorite parts are where I made the horrible choice to use decorative stitching on the back pockets (that is TOTALLY a #whatwasidrinking move, for real).  That choice wouldn't have been TOO bad, except that I had also chosen to use contrast stitching on the pants, which is generally an okay idea - except that the thread is SO loud, compared to the color of the fabric.  I just am overall not happy with these decisions, and I'm a bit sad.  I should have spent the time to go back and rip it all out, but I sadly did NOT.  I'll just pretend that when she's wearing it, nobody will notice  ;)  Also, I totally accept the judging you are doing right now, aha!

WHY??????

Anyway, the pants are a bit long, clearly, but we'll go with it for now, as they basically work when she is wearing her shoes.  And I DO envy her with her new, soft blouse...but I almost think the fabric would be cuter if it's been on a slightly more fitted style.  Ah, well - the outfit of complaints!

Honestly, people...

You might think the camera caught a bad shot, but this is a weirdo face he makes....

On another note - days in the life...

Best rainbow EVER the other day! 

Just put the tree up last night, and the faeries have attacked!