Barcelona Skirt

About a week ago, I finished the Barcelona Skirt by Amy Butler for me. The fabric is Modern Meadow by Joel Dewberry. I am very happy with the way it came out. I did have to change a couple of things because I don't have an invisible zipper foot, and I did not measure myself correctly. :) Once I realized that I was going to need a new foot, I was already half way done, so I kept going. There may be a way to use a normal zipper foot, but I wasn't sure how... Anyway, it worked out fine because I made a size bigger than I need to (much better than making a size smaller!) so I just turned the waist over and put in elastic. Since it is big in the waist, I am able to pull it on. I am thinking of adding a drawstring because it is still a little too loose. I love how the fabric is fraying at the layers!

Happy Monday everyone! Is it possible to put in an invisible zipper without an invisible zipper foot? Does anyone have experience with this?

Springtime Tunic

I recently took a class at The Fancy Tiger in Denver to learn how to make a tunic. Christina, the teacher of the class, had pulled a pattern out of a Japanese sewing book which we used to make tunics. It was neat because you could make a tunic or a dress, but I chose to make the tunic so I might get more wear out of it. The class met for two hours, two Saturdays in a row. I believe that there were only five of us taking the class which was great because we all received personal attention from Christina in how to do each step and assistance with the fitting to our own bodies. Every ended up with beautiful tunics which was amazing. I will definitely take another class there soon.

I used Anna Maria Horner Little Folk's Voile in Meadow. This has to be the nicest fabric that I have ever sewn with; it has the prettiest drape and is so buttery soft. It was purchased at the Fancy Tiger.

The pattern is really too long rectangles that you then alter to your own body by adding a little curve here or there for the bodice and then a skirt piece you attach to the bottom. It is neat because you can really adjust it for your own personal taste. I suppose you could do that with most patterns, but since this is the first clothing I have ever sewn myself, I thought that was really neat. Now I just need it to warm up a little bit so I can wear it!

I am entering my top in MadebyRae's Spring Top Week's contest. There is more information about the contest here and here. I saw this contest going on last year, but I didn't have anything to enter. I was really amazed by all the beautiful tops that were being entered, but I didn't have time to make anything. I vowed that this year I would participate and managed to finish a top for me just in time! I am so excited about having something in the contest. Go check out all the wonderful entries here in the official entry pool at Flickr.

Cheap Patterns!

Joanne's had McCall's patterns on sale this week for $1 so I had to pick a few up. I purchased M5693, M5695, M5743, M 5834, M5835, M4644, and M5697 for a grand total of $7. Retail value of each is 11.95, so they would have been around $84. I love a good deal! If you need patterns, I might check it out before Saturday.

Pink Seersucker Taylor with Bunnies

This is the last outfit that we worked on while my mom was visiting a week ago. I finished it after she left to go back home. My mom brought the pattern, Children's Corner "Taylor", and the fabric when she came to visit. Isn't that fabric so cute? It is pink and white seersucker with embroidered pink rabbits. It was perfect for Easter!

I have not had tremendous success with putting in snaps in the past, so I went with buttons this time for the bottom opening. I think they look cute!

I also really like the piping around the neck and the leg openings. I will definitely make this pattern again. It was pretty easy, except for the piping. I always have to sew the piping on more than once to get it close enough to the piping so it doesn't show the edge. The elastic on the sides was tricky, but I think it will be easier the next time around, since I have made it before.

I have a tunic that I made for me to share later on this week! I also have started a new block for my sewconnected2 group that should be finished by the end of the week.

Little Pink Jacket

While my mom was visiting last week, we made this little jacket. I added the buttons this past week to finish it off. I think it turned out so cute! I love the little flower buttons.

It is lined in white, and I really like how the white is turned down on the pockets. It is a six months, but it is still way too big for Zerah. When I make it again, I am going to take an inch out of the width due to it being so wide when I tried it on her.


I used the Robin's Little Jacket's pattern by Children's Corner. I am definitely making more of these, and the pattern was actually pretty easy to follow. I was worried that it would be difficult because it was a jacket, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Pink Seersucker Gingham Playsuit

I finished the "Paulie" playsuit that my mom and I worked on while she was here last week. I had to attach the ruffles along the bottom and add buttons after she left. I like the way it turned out!

It is made from the Children's Corner Paulie Pattern in a 6 month old size. I used pink gingham seersucker that my mom brought from home; I am not sure where she purchased it. We used rickrack around the yoke and attached rickrack across the front of the bodice as well.

I love the sash on the back, but I need to get better at tying pretty bows.

I love the ruffles along the bottom of the pants. I used my new ruffler foot, and it was so easy.
I definitely want to make more of these. I think she needs the short version for summer...

Yummy Birthday Sewing Goodness

It was my birthday last week, and I received so many wonderful sewing related items! My mom came to visit and brought me tons of patterns and sewing notions. Check out that ruffler foot above. Isn't that the craziest looking contraption? It works really well though, and I do believe that everything needs to have a ruffle now. Well, maybe not everything, but most items would only be cuter with a little ruffle attached. She also brought me a narrow hemmer foot which I have to figure out.

The best part is that my mom was visiting for all of last week so she was here to play with everything she brought and show me how to use it! That was the best present she could give me.:)

My husband bought me an iron which I was really happy about. My old was very temperamental and would cut off while I was using it so I would have to unplug and replug it in all the time to get it to work which is really frustrating. Plus, we have hard water and I had been using tap water so it would spit out nasty orange water occasionally. Only spring water will be going in my new one to try to prevent this.

My mom also brought this piping tool. It has a ruler that you line up to cut 1/4" off the piping and works really well.


I also received so many patterns and books that I won't be lacking for any ideas any time soon!

Maggie's Classic: Sundress and Long Waist Sun Suit
The sundress is so cute! My mom has made this for my niece, and it is such an adorable top.

Creations by Michie: Sunsuit and Sundress
This looks so sweet, and I think I am going to use some green gingham that my mom brought for this.

My mom also brought me all of these Children's Corner patterns: Paulie, Robin's Little Jackets, Lettie, and Taylor. We made a little jacket, the Paulie, and the Taylor last week. They need buttons still, but as I finish them, I will share them here. These are all such cute patterns and I will definitely be making more of each of these.

I can't find any of the Children's Corner patterns here locally, so I have to import them from the South. I find the differences between patterns available due to regions interesting. You can find Oliver S patterns and Amy Butler at local stores, but many of the patterns that they have at quiltingstores in the South are not here.

My husband picked up this fun Japanese softie book for me. I have another book from this series already that I made a rabbit from and it was a lot of fun. I can't wait to make my little girl more creatures from this one.

While we were at Costco this past week, my mom and I found this new book by Martha Stewart for half the cover price! She picked it up for my birthday, too.:) I am amazed by the thickness of this book. There are so many projects to make in here ranging from sock animals to pillows and duvets. It would take at least a year to make a dent in the possibilities of creations. Everything is so beautifully photographed, too.

My mother-in-law sent me Alabama Studio Style and a gift card from Joannes. I love this book. It has the most beautiful hand made clothing patterns from tank tops to dresses in it, plus yummy recipes. It is a joy to sit and read and I can't wait to try some of these patterns. I have already picked out some navy jersey using the gift card from my mother-in-law to make a skirt.

In fact, I have already spent the gift card this weekend at Joanne's. They had a great notions sale going on, so I stocked up on needles, elastic, snaps, piping, thread, 1$ Simplicity patterns, white Kona Egyptian cotton for linings and some flannel. All of the notions were 50% off which was fabulous!

The week before my birthday I found a great deal on patterns so I had ordered these for myself. I am excited to try these Oliver S patterns. The 2 +2 blouse looks so adorable and I have the fabric ready for this one.

I also picked up the Favorite Things Little Hooded Jacket which I had read good reviews of on sewmamasew. I love this little top by Sew Liberated.

The Little Britches pattern should be cute with my new ruffler! My mom brought me this one for my birthday too. The Amy Butler pattern is for me. I picked out some fabric for this the other day-just need to find time to cut it out and sew it up.

I am so excited about all of the creative possibilities all of this provides. I had a wonderful birthday and can't wait to start sewing. Happy Monday everyone!