A Bookish Life

Mom, I made something with knits!

  

C's immunization treat this time was taking just a little bit longer (it's a butterfly dress, shhhhh!), so she got a little interim present. I tackled a knit with stretch in both directions. It is so incredibly soft and slinky that I made Brian feel the fabric twice after making her this little pair of navy blue pants.

In real life the blue is so much prettier, with a hint of deep purple and a touch of charcoal gray. To match the pretty color I chopped up a tank top I bought for its print over five years ago and sewed it on some plain onesies with a zigzag stitch. 

 

The pants were a tad big on purpose, since her 6-9 month closet is looking fairly sparse, but she gets to wear one of her new onesies anyway. And I think she looks pretty happy about it, don't you?

Swing, and a miss

Last week was a rough one for my potential closet. I learned a lot of lessons with knits and round 1 of the Anna Tunic, but they were lessons that resulted in a trashcan full of projects.

This was my first attempt at the Anna Tunic- a bright red vintage cotton that I've had for years and a grey lining. I made the tunic and it looked terrible on me. So I elongated it into the Anna Dress. Still terrible. So now it is hanging out on the dressform until I decide what to do with it. Tim Gunn, should I make it work, or start fresh?

The main problem is the boxy shape needs a fabric with a silky hand so it doesn't crumple in hard, stiff folds, but flow and ripple down the body. I also needed to go one size smaller. I probably wouldn't use the belt ultimately, because I think it looks funny, but this particular mess looks too much like a tent without one.

I was worried about the neckline, but it's actually quite pretty and I think if I end up spending those precious free time hours trying again with a red and lavender shot silk I've been hanging on to, it could actually be a great piece in the end.

Built in Skirt

The way to use every last bit of that darn beautiful, expensive Liberty fabric (don't you love that Charlie's Angels pose?):

I made C. this little onesie skirt after seeing something similar at a friend's house. It was super easy. I hemmed two long pieces of cotton- the liberty and a coordinating solid and basted them together at the top. Then I ran a gathering stitch, pulled it into ruffles, and chopped the onesie in half.

After that I sewed all three pieces together again, appliqued a little Liberty circle on the top, and voila- a built in skirt!

The friend's onesie had cute little tulle in the short skirt, but I was afraid it would be itchy on the inside since I didn't have my serger going yet to finish the edges. The only issue with this little outfit was my poor long-waisted babe can't lose a lot of onesie length without it being too short. She'll only be able to wear this for a little while, so the next one I make will probably be in a 6-9 size.

Sidetracked

It's a funny thing about having a daughter. I used to get invited to nice places and think "I have nothing to wear!". Now I think "Cate and I have nothing to wear!"

I would imagine there are sewers across the country who, like me, were restlessly awaiting the Oliver & S patterns to debut for the spring. I started with this precious bubble dress pattern, shown in the Liberty print above. Is there any doubt that C. will be the best dressed baby in her boutique pattern and designer fabric?

I have to say I'm doubly intrigued by the clever Boutique Sewers Program that O&S put together. Is anyone out there thinking about doing this as well? I half suspect these clothes to flood the (etsy) marketplace and wouldn't want to engage in a "who can price the lowest" battle. But I'm tempted because they are just so cute, and my mind whirs with all the fabric and trim possibilities.

Perhaps C. will just have to bear the brunt of my creative capabilities, but I'm probably about one request away from ordering the licenses.  

  

For Hunter and Brandon

I learned this weekend that C.'s big, strong cousins, Hunter and Brandon, like to check on her and her cute new clothes from time to time. So this post is dedicated just to them, my favorite nephews (and C.'s favorite boy cousins) in the world.

When I asked C. what her favorite toy's name was, she excitely replied "Ungoo." Ungoo hails from a little shop in Paris and faithfully offers his overalls, face, ears, and feet for C.'s happy kisses.  Here we have Cate and Ungoo modeling her newest pair of green pants.

Strike a pose

C. in her new kimono top:

We've been having nap battles the last few days. Oh, she wants to sleep. She just wants me to sleep with her. It's pretty sweet, as far as battles go, and sometimes I even let her win.

The latest in baby fashion.

The Sex and the City movie has the world talking fashion again. Okay, maybe it's just me, but it's never too early to start?

I finished this kimono top for C. over the weekend. The handmade tiny binding was a killer, but I'm glad I took the time to do it. It adds so much for the overall "finished" effect.  I always have the goal of making my pieces look less handmade and more store bought. My mom was particularly good at that. And by store bought I actually mean the things you wish stores would carry even when you hate everything that is trendy at the moment.

C. and I seem to be on a "one for you, one for me" routine in the sewing schedule. However, I need to take a mini hiatus to work on the shop project, more (yes, more) baby gifts, and something for the house. After that, it's on to the sundress of my dreams.

While she slept

I made Cate this little outfit. Because pattern sizing is notoriously off for babies and adults, it is much bigger than promised and won't fit her until the fall.

The pattern was Simplicity 3656 (Shelly, this is the pants pattern I used last time too!) and came together very easily. With a few modifications of course.

I've been wanting to show this little ensemble for days, but I am also holding out on you. There's a new set of projects in the works and *gasp* I plan to reopen the shop soon to show them.

But in the meantime I'll show off quick little summer clothes projects, for C. and for me, and keep the secrets to myself!

In favor of Prettiness

In this new life of 30 minute breaks and intensive prioritizing, patterns of beauty begin to emerge. There are little moments practicing vowel sounds and smiles with Cate. There are moments of solitude in the kitchen, whipping up a batch of cookies from Martha Stewart's new book and snatched moments with friends on the phone or on the porch.

I take a few minutes to sew each day because I love it and it provides me with a renewed appreciation for the ability to create something lovely and new (that fits!) without the twin trials of shopping and purchasing.

Here is the Liberty top I mentioned, mostly finished. The back is pinned in the shot, but will get the hook and eye treatment as soon as I find those blasted needles.It fits me just right and even lends a real prettiness to a pair of jeans and navy cardigan. Better still, it feels like silk but being secretly cotton means that I can throw it in the wash when my little friend decides to spit up on it.

The next project is lying piled on the floor and I can't wait to get back to it.

Thanks for the vaccination day sympathy! When her dad came down with a bad case of food poisening, we started to worry. But we all made it through just fine!

To Wipe Away the Tears

When a little mouse has to go to the doctor for the first time in order to get tortured with evil (though good) shots, she should defintely get to receive a new little Liberty outfit. To balance out the soreness with dainty little flowers.

When the mouse's mama has to watch her receive said vaccinations, she should maybe get a new Liberty something too. Now I'm off to finish hemming the mama's consolation prize.