and I was like, baby, baby, baby

Sorry if the title of this post gets some Bieber lyrics stuck in your head. Shared misery, eh.

"Andrea, you shrank and became real adorable!" Wait, you guys, that's not me. That's my one and only niece, wearing the one and only thing I've made for her so far in her little baby life. I know, how negligent. For her baby shower I gave her a store-bought laundry hamper and a stuffed cow. What kind of seamstress aunt am I? I'll make up for it once she's of the age when drooling all over her clothing is no longer socially acceptable.

I made her a robe, which my dad thinks looks like a Jedi robe and my brother thinks looks like a boxer's warm-up robe. I think I'm okay with either one of those interpretations. 

I made it from Simplicity 3711 (size 3 to 6 months) with some simplifications. For the main fabric I used JoAnn's "Lil' Safari Buddies" cotton interlock knit, which is soft and cozy. The lining is made from a camel-colored king-sized pillow case that has a bit of sheen to it. 

Safari-themed kid prints are my favorite; I think it's hilarious how they "bab-ify" wild ravenous beasts like lions by giving them oversized heads/whiskers, little round bodies and goofy grins. Trust me, human babies: these animals aren't actually "buddies" with each other in the real world, but I admit they do look pretty cute when they frolic together on your bath robe.

As you'll notice on the model, the sleeves are too long and have to be rolled up. I made it for her current age range as indicated on the pattern, but I'm glad she has room to grow in it. I added belt loops to the side seams so the belt wouldn't slide off and become lost forever. I put them where the pattern indicates the waistline, but I think they should probably be lower since babies tend to flail their arms around and get picked up a lot (making the belt line rise up - see fourth photo of this post). 

I omitted the patch pockets because I found it incredibly tedious to press and neatly top-stitch tiny bébé pockets. Almost certainly my niece is the smartest baby in the whole world ever (of course), but even she doesn't yet understand the concept of pockets, so I doubt they'll be missed. I also omitted the ric rac and appliqués because I'm a no-frills kinda gal. The hood has a flat-felled seam down the center which I like.

O hai.

So, the robe's safari fabric was leftover from a set of baby-related things I made for my work's silent auction fundraiser (actual baby not included). I'll show you those items, too, because I know you're just dying to see.

I used Simplicity 2924 as the base pattern for everything here, though if you're familiar with the pattern you'll notice a lack of plastic vinyl, ribbons, reflecting tape (seriously) and bias tape in my version. I made the diaper bag, wipes case, burp cloth, bib and a pacifier clip. Everything you need to take care of your baby's spontaneous bodily messes! Lovely. 

It was difficult choosing fabrics, since the diaper bag needed to be gender-neutral enough for a mom or dad to carry around for their baby girl or boy. It also needed to be adult-friendly with enough whimsy to pair well with baby prints (i.e. no ornate damask). I wanted it to be sturdy, too, so I stuck with home decor fabric and heavyweight interfacing. I eventually chose brown and beige geometric shapes with blue accents for the whole set. Learn from me: don't use a directional print for the diaper bag because of all the seams and overlapping pockets/flaps; mismatching stripes (or circles) are inevitable, unless you're incredibly patient or have a ton of fabric to spare. Imagine how thrilled I was to find, when cutting, that both fabrics for the two bags were printed crooked on the cross grain. How perfect for a pattern that's essentially a bunch of rectangles! 

I threw in a bottle and two pacifiers for some name-brand desirability. There should be a gift certificate to a local baby product store (Mama's Hip) included, too, so I hope the whole set is a desirable item at the auction. 

I'm pretty nervous about this silent auction, to be honest, since I'm not a professional seamstress  and I've never done anything like this before. I just hope it gets some bids and  is able to raise a little money for this organization that's so dear to my heart. It's kinda ironic that my job for them is to write grant proposals for pretty substantial funding, but I'm most anxious about trying to raise ~$50 with some handmade burp cloths. Oh nooo my top-stitching's not perfect! 

linked to sew country chick

Have you ever sewn for charity?

fabric giveaway winner

Let me first say thank you to everyone who stopped by this ole' blog and entered the fabric giveaway. And another big thanks to Debi for directing all the Sew Grateful traffic this week! She's done a remarkable job hostessing by taking care to highlight each participating blogger in a meaningful way.

So yeah, who won the fabric?!

njeri!! who said:

njeriFeb 7, 2012 03:18 AM

I love to sew because I love the feeling of accomplishment at the end of it all. Being creative is a part of who I am and in essence sewing makes me feel more me! I love having something that no one else [has].

Congrats, njeri! Looks like you don't have a blog for the rest of us to visit but I'll be e-mailing you soon to ask for your address.


So I loved reading everyone's responses to the question about why you like to sew. Non-sewers often ask me when I became hooked on this hobby -- to which I have no straight answer -- but not as often why. So why do I? Certainly I'm a fan of creating something unique to me that I can show off, but I think I actually most enjoy the process itself. I'm a long-time puzzler, as I grew up constructing jigsaws and solving crosswords with my dad. There's something immensely satisfying about creating the larger whole by piecing together its smaller parts. 

Puzzles and sewing both require patience, problem-solving skills, accuracy, a keen eye and trial & error. Sewing is superior in my mind, though, because (if I'm lucky) I can get long-term use out of wearing a cute outfit. Puzzles unfortunately can't really be displayed anywhere, and they take up a lot of room, so once they're complete they must be crumbled back into the box to sell at the next yard sale for 25 cents.

source

Uh, hello? I need the above jigsaw. It's hilarious. Can you spot the three dogs and two cats just chillin' amongst all those quilts? I can't decide if I just want to construct this puzzle and frame it, or actually join this ethnically diverse, lemonade-sippin', wicker chair-rockin', animal-lovin' sewing circle myself.

source

And a PUZZLE QUILT? How "fitting." I wonder if there are jigsaw blogs where people post photos of their finished puzzles and everyone leaves comments like, "omg cute." Shall I start one? 

Hope you're having a great weekend, friends.

plaid about you

Reminder: Tomorrow, Friday the 10th, is the last day to enter my fabric giveaway for Sew Grateful Week. You have until 11:59pm EST. That's 25 hours from now. Go go go!

Patterns are still my sewing crutch, so whenever I successfully create something without one I can't help but FLIP OUT WITH JOY. Mostly because it means I don't have to re-fold and cram any tissue back into the envelope after the project is complete, sulking about how the envelope that used to be nice and flat now looks pregnant and awkward stacked against the unused patterns on my pattern shelf. #firstworldsewingproblems

Offending preggo pattern: fourth from right

So yeah, it's not like this pattern-less project was complicated or anything. I just made another half-circle skirt (like my navy knit one made only two weeks ago), though this time I used wool so it required a lining and zipper. I'm proud to say I figured out (all by myself! Kind of!) how to machine-stitch the lining to the invisible zipper and attach a lapped waistband. I couldn't find a tutorial online for doing all those things together, so I combined some resources and did a lil' sewin' improv in between.

Here are a couple relevant but not exact resources for some of these techniques, because I'm sew grateful for them, and you should be, too: 

• Slapdash Sewist's post on machine-stitching lining to an invisible zipper on a skirt with no waistband
• Casey's post on making and attaching a lapped waistband on a skirt with a lapped zipper and no lining

This skirt is quite the A-line. I kinda feel like this chick:

Except I have a neck and she doesn't, apparently. She has arms and I don't, apparently.

This skirt was cut out awhile ago, but I got sidetracked into making baby stuff for some babies (that post to come once I can snap pics of le bébé  - oh boy, get ready). Meanwhile, Lauren's own plaid wool circle skirt popped onto my blogroll and I was all like, "Okay, my turn." 

So, do you all normally stick to patterns or do you prefer experimenting and figuring out construction on your own? What do you like and/or dislike about using commercial patterns?

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linked to sew country chick

sew grateful for fabric giveaways

It's the kick-off to Sew Grateful Week. Aren't we so lucky that the name of our hobby sounds so much like a word used so often in the English language? The potential plays on words are so endless.

Debi of My Happy Sewing Place is the charming hostess. As she puts it, "This is the week to show your thankfulness for our wonderful sewing community and people in your life that support your love of sewing!"

I think the main idea is to make something using fabric, pattern, notions, etc. you won in a giveaway from someone else's blog. I still have not won anything, try as I might, so I've decided to host my own giveaway in order to increase my karma points show you how much I love you. You are wonderful, after all. I'm so glad I started a blog because I've re-discovered a skill I absolutely love, and all your support makes me want to keep getting better.

So what's the prize?
A FABRIC BURRITO. (Zero calories.)

I mean, some fabric yardage that just happens to be rolled up like a burrito in that photo. This is a lovely purple and black plaid medium-weight wool, 58 inches (1.47 m) wide and 2.333333 yards (84 in) (2.13 m) long.

I live in a smoke-free, pet-free home, but I did buy this fabric from a secondhand store so I do not know the conditions of its previous habitat(s). It is in good shape and does not have any rips or stains. I did not wash it or do anything at all with it besides store it on my fabric shelf. I will lint roll it much better before I ship it, though, promise!

This wool needs an owner who will give it the attention it deserves. Such as turn it into a chic jacket and blog about it, for starters.

Oh, the possibilities!

To enter, please leave a comment telling me the number one reason you love to sew. Make sure there's a way for me to contact you. If you don't have a blog but want to participate, just leave your name and e-mail address in the comments. Open to international folks, too!

You don't have to follow my blog in order to enter the giveaway, but I just can't see why you wouldn't want to. ;)

You may enter the giveaway anytime between now and Friday, February 10th at 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time). I'll use random.org to choose the winner and will announce him or her next Saturday the 11th.

Thanks, friends, and good luck!

adventures in colorblocking

I decided to try out a bit of color blocking, maybe because I was accidentally inspired by Mila of Project Runway All Stars (Thursdays at 9PM EST on Lifetime, F Y I).

Although, let's be real, I don't think Mila would ever intentionally make something that looked like a 50s housedress with oversized buttons. Her version would look more like:

 

Oops, forgot my leather leggings and robot gloves, you guys.

The pattern is from the Spring 2012 McCall's collection, M6503, view D (the solid blue/denim dress on the bottom row). Obvi I left mine sleeveless. What is with the pink floral ruffle nonsense? Glad they threw a tasteful one in there or else I would've gagged right on past this pattern. 

I'm totally into dresses that button down the front bodice and are fitted in the waist (surprise). I saw a million at Target last night and had to pry my grubby paws off 'em all. Except for one that made me actually squeal in delight, so I purchased it. Let's just say it received the "squeal" of approval. I digress.

I added an inch to the bodice, underlined the white fabric, and lined the skirt. I used larger buttons than the pattern called for, but they matched the colors perfectly and I thought the effect would be cute.

Sorry, I've gone Picnik collage crazy. Just so you know, the bodice of this dress has ample room in the chest due to all the gathers. From the side it definitely looks like I've, uh, expanded A LOT in that area. Don't be fooled! Or, do be fooled.

I used the gray fabric on the front band, collar and midriff. I marked the skirt pieces in even thirds and decided to use white on the top third only. I did trim it down a bit so the dividing line would be a little higher than the absolute widest part of my hips, though it's still pretty close. It seems to work okay on a full skirt like this.

I'm unsure why this pattern calls for a regular zipper on the side. Even if I had had a white zipper on hand, I think it'd still look messy. Or maybe my zipper application skills are just really messy (I won't deny). Friends, if you make this pattern, I recommend you use an invisible zip. I also recommend having the zipper meet the top of the side seam, instead of two inches down, so you can step into the dress instead of having to maneuver it over your classy updo. This is bad news bears for those of us who live in apartments where you can't control your thermostat and so dry heat constantly blasts out of your vents, giving you the uncontrollable static head o' hair. 

SQUEAL OF APPROVAL.

I hate when other people think of questionably good puns before I do.

project linked to: 

sew & tell saturday at sew country chick

half-circle skirt: best thing i've ever sewn

"Best thing I've ever sewn" could mean many things, and certainly this wouldn't meet everyone's criteria, but my navy blue knit half-circle skirt is definitely the most versatile thing I've sewn, not to mention economical, comfortable, easy. All those things combined, for me, make it the best. It took me maybe an hour from start to finish. That's crazy. An HOUR. I spend more time each day reading Damn You Autocorrect. Why don't I make more half-circle skirts? Ooh, that gives me an idea for how to celebrate Pi Day this year (3/14).

A couple weekends ago I took an inventory of my entire wardrobe, or at least the things that can be worn in public and weren't in the laundry hamper at the time. I even took pictures of most everything (just on hangers, not on me, geez), which was tedious but helped me get a birds-eye visual of what I have and what goes together and what I need. Some good did come of it; TWENTY-FOUR of the items previously hanging in my closet have since been designated to the "consign or donate" pile. Yikes. 

But perhaps most importantly, I realized how many tops I have that weren't worn very often because they were missing a common denominator. So once I figured out what that was, I made it. This navy blue knit skirt is that one piece that brings it all together, and here's a small sampling of how far this bad boy can extend into my wardrobe.

handmade top: blogged below	handmade top: blogged here
handmade top: blogged here	urban outfitters infinity scarf
target ribbed top	thrifted top
f21 top	thrifted cardigan

I'm sure you're aware by now that when it comes to my apparel I don't pay much attention to these things you people like to call "seasons." I do own some sweaters, actually, but they're monochromatic neutrals and not as fun to photograph. I'm actually surprised by how many floral prints I own. When'd I get so girly?

This knit fabric was the only thing not on sale at Hancock Fabrics the other week, but I bought it anyway because it was exactly what I was looking for: drapey, comfy, stretchy, navy, stable(y). It was 60" wide so I only bought one yard - $12.99, still not bad for the total cost of a skirt. I used Patty the Snug Bug's circle skirt calculator to help determine the radius and skirt length, then kinda followed this Online Fashion Courses video tutorial for making the pattern. I interfaced the waistband with self-fabric, and just serged it all right on up. 

My sewing-with-stretch-knits confidence is way up. I hope you're proud. The red/orange knit top in the first photo above is another recent creation. I made it by tracing a RTW shirt that's my go-to for casual wear. I think I found the original top in the juniors' section of Target; it's supposed to be a dress for a 13-year-old or something, but of course I wear it with legitimate pants. I did make my own version a smidge shorter than that so there's no confusion.

I hate wearing jeans, but sometimes I have to because this is the American Midwest (or South, depending on who you’re asking) and it's pretty casual around here. I mean, I went to college in rural Ohio and I felt overdressed wearing a cardigan instead of a hooded sweatshirt to class. 


When I am forced to wear jeans (for what? I dunno, tree climbing?), I feel more comfortable pairing them with a long sweater or top that covers the derrière. This fits the bill! The derrière bill, if you will. It has a wide scoop neckline in the front, a lower scoop in the back and elbow-length sleeves that (hopefully) draw attention to the shoulders instead of dem hipz. 

The fabric is a vintage polyester knit from Etsy (shop: EstateByRobin). Virtually unwrinkleable. Thanks, '70s! The shop owner described it as a "warm summer tomato red" though it does look quite orange, especially in photos. As long as it's not considered tangerine tango I'm cool with it.

Have you tackled knits yet, or are you still wary of them? Knowing this crew, you've been fearlessly zig-zagging 'em up for years now. I'm glad I finally learned how to properly sew with them because they've already made some great garments. I'm also grateful for my serger (and the lovely parents who gifted it) for helping me take the leap.