Confessions of a Craft Addict

I realized yesterday that it’s been about a week since I updated ye olde blog. Yikes! Time gets away from me at the end of the school year, and this year has been no exception.

Yes, we are out of school already. Miss L finished up May 16. The boys were out last Wednesday and Friday (they attended two different high schools this year). Lots of activities as the year came to a close, both school and social (with some family obligations thrown in for good measure). I spent about seven hours in the car on Thursday and Friday.

Whenever I could get the chance, though, I sewed. Earlier this month, I realized that the temperature had changed but the bunny’s wardrobe had not. A quick closet check revealed what I already know: my daughter had few seasonally appropriate clothes. I wrapped up a couple of things and took two weeks to sew for my girl (with a couple of things for me thrown in for good measure). I’ve still got quite a few things I’d like to do but I’ve made a lot of progress.

The mosaic shows a bit of what I’ve been up to. Plenty of things have not been photographed. Some are in the laundry (the madras Bermudas I made come to mind), while others are awaiting coordinates (a pair of Oliver+S linen shorts). I also made a few alterations to existing clothes. Take this Tinkerbell dress. There’s plenty of life left in it now that I’ve given it short sleeves. I also made a pair of yellow bike shorts to wear under it. A Tinkerbell iron-on applique I picked up at Joann’s was the perfect touch for the shorts.

OK, so back to the mosaic. (You can see the full pics at my Flickr.) Here’s the run down of those projects, from left to right:

1. The coordinating set I made to match one sewn for L’s friend as a birthday gift. This one has a skirt instead of cropped pants. Again, I used a Snow White & Rose Red imported fabric.

2. A detail shot of the pocket on the skirt. (Pocketed lifted from an Oliver + S pattern.) Skirt is self drafted and so cute that I’m going to have to make more.

3. My favorite Butterick curved bodice dress with a modified pair of Ottobre leggings (shortened). I used some cute jersey knits that I think I bought at Sewzanne’s. I don’t like sewing with jersey any more than I did before, but I still think it turned out quite cute. Especially considering the fact that I ripped out and re-did the neckline at least four times.

4. Abracadbra wrap dress made using a Baby Nay knit that I picked up from Some Art Fabric at the sewing expo in March. Seriously cute dress but I think I need to size up. It’s also in need of some leggings or knit shorts underneath, as it’s a little on the short side.

5. My friend Samantha let me be a pattern tester for her new Miss Molly dress. Love! I sort of combined views A and B, making the skirt a bit of an A-line and also using the ruffle. Super, super cute. I think it definitely will be a wardrobe staple this summer. I bought the strawberry fabric last year; it’s a German import and previously was used to make an Anna wrap dress. I’m so glad to get another outfit from it.

6. One of the three Bermuda shorts I’ve made for L with the Little Smarty Pants pattern. I have one more pair ready to cut out and sew. I think I actually managed to get two pair done in about 90 minutes, the ones in the picture plus a pink madras plaid pair. (It helps to not have to change thread.) I made the first pair a size 2 and have since sized up to the 3. I suspect the pattern may run a little small although there’s always the chance my child has actually grown.

7. Last but not least, a new purse for me! This is not the only thing I’ve sewn for me but, really, how many skirts do you want to see? The pattern, Run Mama Run, is by Rose Baby Designs. I used some of my favorite imported Japanese fabric, Little Red Riding Hood. It’s a heavier cotton fabric, more home dec than apparel. I think it lends itself well to this pattern. I used canvas as interfacing on the bottom/side panel, and added fusible fleece to the straps (don’t look too closely at the straps; they are all kinds of messed up with the topstitching). When I bought the pattern, the designer had a buy one/gift one special so I had it sent to an unsuspecting friend. Hee! The purse is nice and roomy, bigger than my usual bags. I wish I had used some flannel to interface the lining; I think it would have given it the hand I like. You may notice the little embellishments I added. I couldn’t help myself! (BTW, The Creative Needle has a nice article with yo-yo ideas in the latest issue.)

I’m also working on some ideas for another tutorial, probably a video (but shorter than the last one, I promise). I also just picked up a few more really cute embroidery patterns that I can’t wait to stitch up. And I’m eager to start playing around with some of the ideas I have for my oldest son’s senior portraits. Yep, lots of things on my plate. Crossing my fingers that I get at least a few of them done!

Tags: Butterick, curved bodice dress, miss molly, ottobre, run mama run, Sewing, sewzanne's, summer wardrobe