Work Out Ready

I just bought some clothes to work out in.
Finally!
Now there's no excuse!

Heart and Core is having an awesome sale--check it out.
Two sisters started this company when their mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and couldn't find comfortable sports bras to wear.
So these are products for women, made by women.

Along with sports bras, the company has a ruched top that looks good on everyone, and some capri-style athletic pants as well (more products and colors to come in the future).

Ooh, pretty

I just have to say that I am completely coveting this dress.So simple yet timeless.
So flattering.

The fabric is navy silk jersey, designed by London-based fashion label Issa.

I want a knock off!

In case you've been living under a rock, these photos were taken at the engagement announcement of Prince William to Kate Middleton.
The color of the dress matches the 18-carat sapphire engagement ring (the same ring Charles once gave to Diana).

Voila--Ashlyn's Dress!

I'm finally showing the finished dress that I mentioned earlier.
I talked about fabric choice here.
And solving a problem here.
I used four fabrics, and Amy Butler's pattern for a jumper and bloomers in her book "Little Stitches for Little Ones".


Let's talk about the bloomers first.
I had mentioned already that I added some appliques, but I wasn't happy with the way one of the flowers didn't match on the front seam (not that I had tried to match them exactly, but I actually did think about alignment of the pattern across the front).
So I added a fairy face to the front, which not only solved my problem, it made the bloomers a lot cuter too.
(click on images to enlarge)

The photo doesn't show how glittery the fabric actually is.
I used variegated thread in green tones to stitch her to the front

I added thin silver ribbon to the hem, using a zigzag stitch to couch the ribbon in silver thread


The hem of the dress got two more rows of silver ribbon, overlaid by a green velvet ribbon


The ribbon was just shy of being long enough to meet, so rather than trash it and buy new yardage, I added a flower that I made from the bloomers fabric (two flowers were cut out, one was interfaced, sewn right sides together then turned, hand basted to give volume).

This was another example of a problem having actually been a positive, in that the end result is better than the original idea.
The button in the center of the flower is the same as the buttons used on the shoulder, only in a smaller size.

I added another fairy applique to the bodice, and used the bloomers fabric on the band to tie it all together (the pattern calls for the band and bodice to be the same fabric)



I'm told this fits her perfectly, so that's pretty exciting.
I wish I had thought to enter it in the San Diego County Fair, but I didn't research the option until the deadline had ended.

Girly Tutes

A multitude of Fabric flower tutorials on Tip Junkie
How to easily make a tutu, on Cut Out + Keep (an easy-to-follow tutorial with lots of pics)

Or another tutu, this called A Fairy Skirt, by Lazy Mama Designs
Or here's a tutu by Cafe Mom.
I love the idea of using multiple colors of tulle and sparkly tulle
Simple Bandana Dress tutorial, by Joy's Hope
Super Sock Pig Toy!
Tutorial by q.d. patooties

Ashlyn's Dress: Continued

Yesterday I mentioned that I had to cover up a hole in the front of the bloomers made by my wandering seam ripper.
Applique wasn't going to work (too close to the center seam), and a ribbon wasn't going to work (too centered), and a ruffle wasn't going to be in the right place either.
I considered making three-dimensional flowers from the bloomers fabric, but chances are they wouldn't look nice without ironing, and that's a hassle.

So I bought some pink embroidery floss and the plan was to make random French knots.
I figured the knots would cover the one tiny hole, while echoing the polka dots in the fairies print.
I considered metallic silver, but figured the regular cotton would be easier to use.
Unfortunately, the tiny hole was larger than I realized.
Hmmm....now what?

I took yet another print by Michael Miller, Apple Morning Fairies--the same fairies as the skirt fabric, but larger, with green leaves and blossomsI randomly cut out leaves and blossoms, fused them with Steam a Seam all around the bloomers in line with the little hole, then used the tiniest stitch on my machine to stitch each applique.

Ridiculously time consuming, but I think it's cute.
The leaves bring green into the bloomers, and tie the entire design together.
You'll see.

Tomorrow: the finished dress.

Misc

Geez, has it already been five whole days since I last posted?
How does time zoom by so fast?
I have been spending too much time on Facebook, and not enough time here.

I was cruising Google Images earlier, trying to find inspirational photos for someone I was emailing, and I came across some fun ideas that I thought I'd share here.

Quilting without rules
Freestyle Quilt by Amy Seiffert


Pokey Little Puppy Fabric! Woohoo!


Scent-Sational Dog Beds makes beds from your recycled clothing.
Each bed comes with a pocket for your pet's favorite toy or bone


As found on Outsapop, amazing children's clothing made from vintage fabrics, by Kinchi
Kinchi's Etsy Shop
and Kinchimama's Etsy Shop

Pants for Ryan

A couple of months ago, I found this cute airplane-themed corduroy in a thriftstore.

I thought I'd make my friend Jen's son (who is three years old) a pair of pants.
I really hesitated though--was it too cutesy?
I ended up asking Jen what she thought, and she said the trend seems to be to dress boys in miniature men's wear.
You know, khaki-colored cargo pants, button-down shirts...
She said, what happened to just clothes for a little boy?
Good point.
I looked everywhere to find a sewing pattern for a jacket or something, and even in patterns there are slim to nothing options.

Well, I already had this pattern, so I went with it.
I found a polo-style shirt in a weird shade of blue at Sears so he'd have a whole outfit, and if the pants were over top...well, maybe the shirt would tone it down a bit.

The great thing about Ryan, is that he is already such a gracious recipient.
The pants were met with a gleeful "airplanes!!", and a request to wear them immediately.
The fit was perfect.

(click on photo to enlarge)