SO long since my posting!! Lilly's Romper from Ottobre 3/11

It has really be long since my last posting. Not that I haven't been creating....just not posting!

I have made several things for the girls and I am not even sure that I have taken pictures of them all! Here is the latest. The Sea Shell Romper from the 3/11 Ottobre. I left off the pockets due to the busy nature of the fabric and only had enough rickrack for the bodice and not around the legs. This was the first time that I had ever put on rickrack and glad that I decided to....it wasn't that hard, actually kinda easy. And it really makes it look so much nicer! Kinda professional!

I haven't been making cards. That is on my list to, but I have been makng clothes for the girls since their summer clothes have been limited. I also have been making scrapbook pages. I am super far behind on scrapping! I have not finished my 4yr old's first year of scrapping! Boy am I behind. Bt little by little, I will get the past done....and eventually catch up on the more current stuff.

Sewing DAY!!!

First off I thought I needed to make Alexandra an Easter dress. She has NO clothes right now. I think the clothes that I have made for her makeup the majority of her wardrobe. She had no dresses that were spring like. I grabbed a few fabrics and offered Alex her choice and she picked the blue and purple option. So, I grabbed the newest Ottobre the summer 3/11 issue that I got on Tuesday....I think. I traced the pattern called Tropical blend in european size 104 (all the while LIl in nap and ALex and Isaac outside playing.) and cut the fabric. Did the whole thing....no piping and did a rolled hem to keep the extra length....and be quicker of course. I did metal snaps at the shoulders instead of buttons.

Of course, my darling girl is not very modest, so I grabbed the 1/11 ottobre issue and traced off the cinnamon leggins and cut those out of yellow cotton/lycra (yellow in centers of the flowers on the dress) in size 104, length of the 110. I made cuffs for the waist and the legs to be faster and not have to break out the coverstitch (more b/c I didn't want to change the threads!).

So....Lilly wakes up and the Easter outfit is completed. We make dinner from the leftover chili from Fridays lunch.....and I thread the serger tails back into the seams while waiting for Lilly and Isaac to finish eating before we had dessert....all done.

BUT....the sewing bug bit me hard...and I cut out the Cocos ruffle skirt pattern from the 1/11 ottobre and take some chez ami stretch twill and I got all done with that skirt except the waist ...waiting for some elastic once I can try it on Alex. See the almost adorable skirt below

Plum Tree Ottobre Dress for Lilly with Amy Butler

I have had this cut out for Lilly for 6months and last night and today I have gotten it finished.

I did a little bit of changing from the original pattern from the Finish pattern magazine Ottobre, issue 03/10

I changed the ribbon design from being vertical to horizontal and placed the buttons in the same place. I omitted the pockets since I thought the fabric design was busy enough without pockets adding distraction.

The buttons are from my mother's collection of mother of pearl buttons that she has gathered over many years. The lacy trim is from walmart...I purchased it for card making and scrapbooking, but I like the way it looked with the fabric when I was trying to figure out what trims I had to match.

You can see from the closeup that I still have work to do and much room for improvement when you see the zipper at the back. The rest of the dress came together easily, but I am still not very good on zippers.

Sonic the Hedgehog Applique Tshirt

Here is what I made for Isaac for his birthday. Boy gets so many wonderful great shape hand me downs that he is never in need, so I only make him something for his birthay...and this year he has been into Sonic the Hedgehog in a crazy way. I think he has gotten 4 games this year and one for the gameboy in addition. However, there is no great way to find Sonic clothes....so I made him one!

First, I went online and found a picture that looked easy to copy. I found this picture where it was meant to teach how to draw sonic.

I printed out the picture, cut out the different color parts, white, black, blue parts.

I then used them as patterns to cut out the WONDER UNDER, (kinda like iron on double sided sticky tape for fabic).

Ironed the pieces onto the right color fabric, peeled off the back of the wonder under (now stuck to the correct colored fabric) and started to iron on the white and black parts onto the blue head, then ironed on the whole thing onto the front panel of the grey shirt I had cut out to make for him.

(the shirt was an ottobre pattern from the 06/09 issue for jammies but it fits him nicely and it was already traced out and ready to go.

Stablizer used for embroidery and appliques was put on the back and pinned on.

Sewed a tight zig zag around the outside of sonic, then changed color of threads, and did the whites and followed by the blacks.

Assembled the shirt and volia, Isaac's Sonic the Hedgehog shirt for his birthday.

I started making the sonic part while the kids were doing crafts (baby in nap), then did all the outline sewing and putting together the shirt after kids were in bed. One day project. Although, the shirt fabric had been cut out (waiting and waiting for me to make something!!!) I was late on it. I made it ON his birthday, and he wore it the next day at school.

1/11 Ottobre harem pants

European Size 80 using Michael Miller /patty young aqua interlock knit.

I made this for Lilly to match the purple fleece top she is pictured in.

Of course all the other kids had to get into the picture...and it made Lilly happy and willing to pose, so I used them.

Observations on pattern:
I believe the name of these pants are Acrobatics. The waist is too loose....but that might be the type of knit that I used. Lilly is perfectly sized at the 80 by measurements..all of them, but the length of the pants is *almost* too short. So if you are making them, make sure to measure your inseam so you are not left with MC hammer capris....

Although unusual, I do like them on my 19 month old. Not sure if I would try to do these for my 5 yr old, she might be too picky about the style.

Christmas Shirt/Gift fixed! Ottobre/Patty Young

So I made this Ottobre raglan out of Michael Miller Patty Young designed kit to match the pink cords she already had from a yard sale.

I accidentally made two ottobres in one. I made the 4/08 silija top and the sweet and cosy raglan. I meant to only do the sweet n cosy with the elastic thread at the arms, but used the front panel from the silija that needed gathering....which I didnt do since I accidentally did it wrong. So on christmas morning when she tried it on, the neckline was super baggy!

But now, a month later, I fixed it and today she wore it was willing to actually pose!

Sewing done...a walk down memory lane

Last Sunday we went to my parents' house to help out with computer/new phone issues and I spent some time with my little girls down in the basement play area. I went through the dolly clothes and found myself reliving feelings and memories of childhood. I recently lost my sister a few months ago and I had spent much time playing dolls with her, so this was a nice way to remember her.

However, I found several clothes in disrepair. So, I bagged them up and brought them home. Yes, my husband looked at me like I am crazy. But only a little, Jim! I always have a ton of projects cluttering up my backroom/craftroom because I have the greatest of intentions, but not the best follow through.


But, I finally did the several small fixes that needed to be done in both the childrens' clothes and the dolly too! (children clothes fixes in next post...once i get my kindergartener to model for them!)






This doll was made by my Grandma Grace who passed away 11 years ago on Valentines day. I found the hat on Sunday and the elastic was all stretched out, so I put on new elastic and her hat is good as new. I keep this doll on my rocking chair cuddled up in a blanket that my sister made me. It was probably the only thing I have every been given by her, so it the blanket has significant value to me.









Next is Naked Doll....who my littlest at 18months loves...but she never has clothes. I found this wonderful rose flannel dress from childhood with a ton of ripped seams. I fixed the ripped seams, added some snaps at the back instead of the one small button. Now naked doll is not so naked, she is kinda cute.

Apparently my grandma or mother didn't make this, but might have come with my sister to my parent's house when they adopted her. Seeing as it is our shared history, I have claimed it as mine.






And finally, I have the Lilly's (18month) newest doll. Baby Alive. She is never naked, but now she has a new stylish outfit. Added new snaps at the back and fixed the ribbons on the hat, which were fraying at the ends in an out of control way.

Now I have gotten 6 unfinished projects done.....and ony a million left...




I think I see my grandmother looking down at mme with kind approving eyes, glad to see that some of her effort in sewing had paid off and that I have become a domestic "diva" of sort. My sister, I suspect, would be smirking a little, surprised to have seen her little sister turning into such a domestic! I was always heavy into sports, then very into my educational pursuits. Sewing was not even on the horizon....but not only do I sew the diapers for all my babies, started sewing their clothes, started sewing my own (not to wear in public yet, but hoping I get there!) and repairing items for family, friends and now my memories! Hope my girls enjoy the items that I have saved for them. Should I ever catch up on all the items I want to make, need to do and the such, I would like to make them some baby clothes for their dolls too....so they have them for their own memories of me and their dollies when they are all grown up.

Finishing these off today....Valentine Tunics, hear knit fabrics

I actually cut these out on last Thursday night, and sewed them on Friday during the littlest's nap. The only problem, I didn't finish hemming the bottoms of the tops.

So today I get out my serger..the first one I got that was cheap but does a good rolled hem...and will do a rolled hem at the bottom of both girls' tops.

Accomplishments!! Finishing the Unfinished!

Today my kids are still on Christmas break due to a (ill timed) staff records day and they are playing nicely (unusual) and not getting into trouble, so I have been able to finish a few unfinished projects. I also might be able to get more done since my husband has the day off for newyears today...maybe. although it is past noon and he hasn't actually taken charge of them officially. :)

I fixed a rip in my uncles jacket..finally...after about 6months! :) hehe, just not a person who does things that "have to" be done. I do what I am inspired to do.

I finished my dd#1's jammie pants. I got the top and pants done without a waistband. But she insisted on keeping it on when I asked her to check out the sizing on it. (I made an Ottobre in size 92/98, but pant length of a 104 and arms of 104, and torso length of a 110) Worked out well, but she refused to take it off. pants had enough lycra in them to stay up, so it stayed for a few days till I grabbed them out of the wash today to finish them before she could steal them away again.

I finished the Ottbre Sunday shirt from the 06/09 issue. It was made from a Michael Miller fabric designed by Patty Young which I got from fabric.com on super sale to match a pair of cute grey cords given to her from her aunt who found them as a deal at a garage sale this year....but no matching top was found, so I made it.

I wanted it to be a christmas present, but I didn't get it finished since I was stumped on the collar. Figured it out and finished that a few days ago, tried to put on buttons, but something was messing with my buton holer, so I put on metal snaps and did the hem today. I hope she will wear it for me today so I can add pictures to this post! :)

Now I am working on an apron for my MIL I started it last christmas. Then I was gonna give it to her for her birthday in Nov, but my sister passed away in flordia at 40 and it really screwed up my life for a few months. Life is starting to normalize and I am finding I am smiling more and interested in doing things other then sleep!

Well, I have done the pockets and flounce on it, but need to ask my DH which side of it he would like for it to be the front (double sided)....then I will be able to go forward and finish attaching the flounce and pockets and see if I might venture to start the binding tape that is around the whole thing....and I don't have alot of experience with wovens...and very limited on the binding! Hope it goes well.

AFter the apron, I only have 2 unfinished projects to complete.

1. tunic and underdress for me that is half done.
2. Grey shirt for my 3yr old boy that I want to embroider on that is cut out (ottobre raglan knit)

After my unfinished is done I will be making at least 3 sets of jammies for my oldest dd as she is growing out of all her jammies that others have gotten for gifts for her....she has 2 that fit now!

Ottobre 01/08 Rose Dress

My Sweet Alex coming home from church in her Rose Dress from the Ottobre issue 01/08.

Michael Miller fabric from fabric.com

The dress is longer then the pattern calls for, but our church is old school, not a leggins kinda church. Other then the

problem with the ribbon being crooked on one side

Dress pretty simple, zipper in back is horrible if you know those things, but luckily she moves to fast for anyone to notice. Binding at neckline is a Patty young fabric by michael miller that has same colors, but not same flowers, but I think it works.

First non pink thing in a while that I have done for her.....kinda sick of pink! Right now I am ready to do different. She has orange and black day on Tuesday next week, so I am planning on doing something for that...I have some tie dyed velour that is white orange and black. If nothing else, I will make her velour pants and mate then with a orange shirt I made this summer for her.

More to come....got new serger....next post will be about my journey on that one....then the 2 shirts I made for Lilly in one night (they were already cut out...) and tonight I take a sewing break for some cleaning and then a night of scrapbooking and on to the orange and black...and the orange and blue space top that my 3 yr old Isaac has been hounding me about. Then finishing all the UFOs I have going on....and then on to halloween...or more church dresses....something like that. We only have 2 church dresses for Alex now, and some are too short....skinny and tall...errrrrr....not good ....fits a 3/4, but needs 5/6 for modesty! :) More to come..............

Ottobre 03/07 Girl Romper with changes for Lilly

A few changes....

Ottobre made it in a

woven, I did knit....from chezami.com

I left off the frills of the sides and the pocket.

I gathered pocket and did a binding on a woven twill from chezami.com also.

I have yet to add the buttons, to see what I can find. I might go with either plastic or open ring

metal snaps.

I have not finished the bottoms....because it is now finished and she is sound asleep.

Since this romper is actually made to be shorts, I lengthened it myself and don't know how close I came....

If they are a good length, I will do a rolled hem and do elastic thread shirring 2-3" deep at the bottom like in the new ottobre 04/10....I think it would look cute.

If they are too short, I will take some of that solid woven aqua twill and make cuffs. I will make them wide enough to make the pants a normal length--and gather the legs into he cuffs making a ballooning look....

Tight pants don't look good on her right now with her poofy, fluffy cloth diaper bottom, billowing pants are what looks best! Thanks for looking!

Baby Jammies--Ottobre 4/04 Winter Issue

Long Sleeve Top and footed jammies bottoms.

I am clearing out my stash in random places and found a half yard of lt blue velour and since my 13m old darling was super cold when I brought her to my bed in the middle of the night to nurse, I figured she needed footed jammies to keep her warm.

She has no warm jammies--it is hot here in Indiana in Aug, but then I crank up the air in our room and she gets cold and doesn't keep on a blanket...

So....lt blue velour it was. Had to make it the wrong way against the grain, so they are big. Since she wears disposible diapers at night, they will fit okay and do.

The small amount of the blue velour left I used to free hand a applique onto a long sleeve tee shirt for her to make them match. The neckline used a heavy matte FOE for diapers that was a miracle color match, but since it is so much heavier then the lycra blend cotton knit fabric top

Ottobre Barbara Ladies Top and knit skirt

Okay, so the skirt is unfinished, I will do i eventually. Notice the uneven hem...or bottom since it is raw...but enough room to fix still.

I like the Barbara top from the 2/10 ottobre women's issue, but with this cheap fabric that doesn't drape, it isn't the greatest. I will try to do it again with something nicer. I feel like I have a "uni boob" hehe... I am sure that I would like it more if I wasn't overweight....but I am working on that! :)

Oh...and Thanks to my 5 yr old for taking the picture! :) I was talking when she took it, so that is why my face is so wonky! :)

Isaac's batman shirt--ottobre raglan

Stripes frm chez ami--my first applique

he loves it n doesn't believe i made it, b/c it is a present!

easter dress-portabellopixie pattern

portobella pixie pattern
made 2--one for alex, and a matching one for Lilly
wil have pics of them in it for easter later

strawberry tunic 3/08 ottobre

made from david n golith knit--"chicks rule" for her preschool easter party--perfect considering she is the only girl!

New Sewing Accomplishment: Making my own Bias Tape

So...I am currently on the kick of trying something new every week to keep me motivated and doing lots of sewing.





I made a muslim of this dress from the Ottobre sized up for Alex--made from Anglina ballerina fabric that I dislike. I plan on making th real thing for Lilly in the right size in some super cute fabrics that coordinate and do self made bias tape out of a stripes and the body of the dress out of a dots fabric and make an applique of a butterfly on butterfly corrdinating print fabric that matches the other.





Here is the dress I made for alex...she does love it....it is the fabric....for her, she loves it if it twirls, has a beloved character or is pink and princess or butterflies or the such.

This weeks new item: appliques....a batman applique on an ottobre raglan top for Isaac's birthday. Almost done....good thing, because we celebrate tomorrow for his party! The next project will be this same top for Lilly but with an applique and designer fabric!

Beyond that---I am doing Easter dresses and even making a cute outfit for a little boy too!

Car Seat Recovering--UFO is done Yea, UFO is done YEA!

Okay, so I have a baby ready to bust out of her infant seat and wanted to recover her brother's black/grey one before *trying* (with fingers crossed) to fit it with the other 2 car seats in the back of the Corolla....Tomorrow is a nice day, so I guess I will have to try....Since I finally got it recovered!

I know I know...not supposed to recover. BUT...I didn't just cover it, I took the old one apart--big seam ripper day---and then covered each piece, sewed it back together (with the old one underneath) and then used my own FOE (lt pink)to bind it instead of thick ucky black stuff that is now in a landfill. Of course, it is better a little black binding in a landfill then a whole seat b/c I went to buy a girly one since there are no replacements available from the manufactuer.

I am happy. Hope it fitsin the car!!!.

OH...and it is a UFO--UnFinished Object.

I planned on not starting new projects till all my ufos are done...but last night I fell off the wagon (that wagon that I promised on MONDAY I would stay on... :)

I did those 2 body suits last night--but did them start to finish which is a BIG accomplishment for me! Oh...and the yellow velour one did NOT fit over her head...so now it IS a UFO and needs modification to fit...thinking split the back neck, add a tab with a snap ...might work...hope so cause it looks pretty decent! The turquoise one is on her now and MATCHES some CUTE CUTE fabric I have been wanting to use for a long time...now I know my next project....since I did get a ufo done--

maybe I should do one more UFO first....the Olivia from Farbenmix that is cut and waiting...out of hello kitty knit for my dd#1. Made one for her friends birthday and never finished hers! :)

But, on to bed as it is now the next day....happy thursday!

Here is the new car seat

2 Ottobre 06/09 puolukka velour bodysuits for Lilly

Here is the stash of fabric I got from FashionFabricsClub.com

All were under 3.00 and even with some white interock being over the 3.00 mark and shipping, they evened out at under 3.50/yd...pretty good!

Here is the 2 body suits that need snaps yet... the "Puolukka" bodysuits from Ottobre 06/09 and I hope they fit over lilly's head...neck seems small..but I followed the pattern!

A few lessons learned about the coverstitch binder I used as seen below!

Here is the Velour bound binding that looks fine, but I placed the binder to far to the right and it didn't catch the raw edge with the needle on the right side of the fabric...oops, at least it isn't a woven and will ravel, and, well it will be right between her legs, not showing!

One side done right! Yea for me!

OOPS, on this one I accidently put the binding on upside down or on the wrong side...again, at least it isn't visible when wearing! :)

Few lessons learned...next time>I WILL have perfect binding!!!

Hope they fit, but it is too late to wake her up and try it on her tonight....and it doesn't match the green outfit I have slated for her to wear to morrow--but I might have to try it on her anyways! Pictures to follow! :)

Olivia dress in owls and ottobre leggings in velour

Excuse the fat mama in the picture...didnt kow daddy was going to snap the picture. But Lilly looks so adorable in the picture that I had to post it!

Here you can see the leggings from the 06/08 Ottobre called "Lelle" I made them in size 74 for my 8month old....just didn't add a seam allowance. I am going to be sizing up soon. I am pretty sure that I am not going to make summer clothes till she stablizes in size or sumer is here!

The Owl interlock is from buytheyardandmore coop on yahoo. I love owls, so even though she was called a boy today, I don't care, I love them!

The dress is the Olivia from Farbermix. I traced it yesterday, cut it and sewed it all in one evening after she feel asleep at 10pm. Less then an hour for this dress!

It is size 1/2 and she will easily be wearing this all next winter with a new pair of leggings of course!

HMMM>....now what do I make next...someting to match the orange leggins before they are too small! :)