A gift.

Abby was invited to a birthday party today, I gave her the option of me making a skirt or buying a toy- she chose the skirt.  She is very proud of the fact I make her clothes and brags to all of her friends (don't know how long that will last!) So I dug through my stash at 10pm last night - if I didn't procrastinate it just wouldn't be me! - and found something I thought was cute, and hoped it wasn't babyish.  I showed it to Abby in the morning and she didn't want to give it away! HA! That's a good sign, right?  I told her I had a bit left over though so I could make her one too if she really wanted.



 

 

I just made a simple Lazy Days skirt as we were only told about the party two days ago... and I procrastinated... plus, not knowing her size I thought I was pretty safe with this. (she is a little shorter than Abby, and maybe a touch thinner). 

Wanna know a secret?  I picked this Riley Blake print up on close out for something like $2.50 so the whole gift only cost me $1.50 if you include elastic- but if it is in my stash for over a year, doesn't that make it free?  Let's just go with that, free. 

I thought to make it a little more special I would embroider her name on the tag in the back.  I just free handed it, I should have taken the time to pencil the name first, it was a little difficult because I stitched it on to some pre-made bias tape so it was hard to hold. 

And I was either being brave or lazy, but I went with pink thread.  Probably lazy, because that is what I had in my machine at the time!

So I wrapped it in pretty pink tissue paper, added a hair clip and sent her on her way.  I just hope it is well received.  I don't want Abby to be made fun of or thought different of because it isn't a traditional gift or it is handmade, you know? 

Twin geraniums.

I saw this skirt in the Oliver + S flickr group and was immediately inspired to copy it.  I happened to hit up the local variety store that afternoon as I was in need of felt to finish a project for Jack's upcoming birthday party, so I picked up some chevrons to compliment her design.  As they were in the wash I started thinking that what the girls really need are tops, they have so many shorts and skirts!  So I settled on the Geranium tunic, but the thought of matching the chevrons on the bodice made me wince, so I chose to use a different print for the bodices. 

 



 

Not going to lie, I didn't like them at first.  I mean, I liked the two fabrics when I held them together before sewing, but as I finished them I was unsure...

But I think I have changed my mind now that I have seen them on the girls.  They are both size 2t, and that is too big for them, but I wanted them to last.  Their 18month Geraniums were getting a little tight on Elizabeth, but still a little big on George.  Maybe I should have made a 18m + 2t.  Oh well, too late now!

It was pretty much impossible to get a picture of them together, no matter how hard my sweet mother-in-law tried to help.  That is just how they are!  I used snaps for the back of both the tops, easier to dress them!

Yeah, it was pretty much impossible to get one of Iz too... ^^This is the best I could get.  It was tough to match the chevrons (there are three seams on each dress to match), I didn't get anywhere near perfect, but with all the gathered fabric it isn't super obvious, at least I hope not!

Georgia would sit nice and still, but wouldn't look at me, ha!

I really like the strawberry, but it kind of gets lost in all the fabric as she moves.

She kept smelling/kissing the flowers, I couldn't tell which, but she was saying "Mmmmm!".  Cute girlies!

Neon.

I saw a call from Peek-a-boo patterns asking for a second round of testers for her new top,  I volunteered because I thought the shirt was adorable, and I was chosen! :)  I have had this neon pink knit in my stash for a while now, and Abby has been begging me to make something for her with it, but I never knew what to make.  This shirt seemed just right.

 



 

It is called Rosalie  ( I will update with the link when it is available ** it is now here **) and I sewed the size 6.  I wish I had added some length, but she was at school when I was sewing it, so it was too late.  I didn't hem it though so I could add a band to the bottom if needed. 

She is also wearing another pair of Raven shorts (more on those below).

The pattern calls for jersey that curls and oh boy did this one curl!   I really like the gathered sleeves, and I have never done a neckband like this- yay for learning something new:)

So I made these Raven Shorts a few days after the original pair but never blogged them (and even have another pair in denim that I cut at the same time and still haven't sewn). 

I used some Joel Dewberry that is pretty much my favorite fabric, I have previously used it here, here and here. 

And the coordinating print for the waistband. 

So the specifics, these are made from the Clever Charlotte Raven Pants pattern, shortened to knee length.  Size 6, pocket number three.  She is also finally regularly wearing her hopscotch top from over a year ago.  It was made before I understood how to properly measure and adjust patterns so it has been too big until recently. 

Favorite characters.

So not only is Jack obsessed with Angry Birds, but Tom and Jerry hold a special place in his heart too.  We have a couple of dvds and he watches them All.The.Time.  I mean like, every day if I let him.  (Mama wants sewing time? Put the twins down for a nap and pop in T+J, *wink wink*, works every time.)

 

I had been thinking about making him a Tom and Jerry shirt, then Ben suggested I should do it before I had said anything to him about my idea, so I knew I just "had" to:)  Plus, I recently picked up a walking foot and was dying to try it out! 

 

He cracks me up, yesterday Grandma came over while I was making them and Jack had been visiting her house earlier in the day, she said he told her all about how he was so sad they weren't made yet.  "Mom tried to make them yesterday, but she ran out of ink so Jerry was pink not brown."  But I get points for not taking as long with these as the Angry Bird shirt, right buddy?



 

Both are size 4 with length Oliver + S Field Trip Raglans that I have made oh so many times before.

He had a hard time deciding which one to wear today, but in the end I knew which one would win his heart, the blue one. 

It has a lot going for it; #1 it is blue, #2 Tom is harassing Jerry, Jack loves when they fight. 

Also wearing his wrinkly Parsley Shorts. 

As I was printing off Jack's graphics, I remembered that the twins could use some more shirts, especially play shirts.  So I found some of their favorite Sesame Street characters and added them to the list. 

George LOVES Bert + Ernie, we have little plastic characters that go they play with on Hooper's Store and she always chooses them, and screams at the top of her lungs if anyone (Izzy) dares take them.  The girls always watch Sesame Street before naptime to wind down (thank you PBS) and Elizabeth loves Elmo's world and Cookie Monster. 

So, that is what they got!  Each have their favorites on their shirts.  Maybe I should have switched them though so they can look at their favorite instead, ha!  Georgia is wearing the Puppet Show shorts from last year, with room still to grow.  My master plan worked out after all!

I asked them to stand by each other and look at me, this is what I got.  As usual, Georgia obeys, and Iz... she was close.

I thought maybe asking them to show me their shirt would work,

but instead I got "That Elmo, that ookie!"

And "That ert and nernie"

Fine, so do something cute instead, how about a hug.

Awwww!

Georgia let Elizabeth have one hug, then she was done.  ^^This is Elizabeth trying to corner her for another one.  Iz likes to hold George down or tackle her and give her hugs and kisses.  Georgia doesn't like it too much.  The other day Georgia was wearing her 2 + 2 and Iz pulled her down by the ties, unfair advantage? 

They both have the "Sesame Street" tag on the back of their shirts, oh, and both of the shirts are also Field Trip Raglans size 18m with extra length since it is a size bigger than they both measured in to (almost 2 sizes to big for Georgia).

Playing with dye, again.

As soon as I saw this dress I knew I had to copy it.  I just happened to pick up some gauze from Jo-ann that day, and some RIT dye to make my own coral since I haven't been able to find anything locally, so I got to work immediately!

 

 

 

I actually had planned to make this top to go with the eyelet shorts from the other day, but then after I dyed the gauze I realized it went perfectly with some linen I had also picked up that day so I made another pair of Puppet Show Shorts size 12 month to go with the top. 


And I also hopped on the Washi tape trend, it is so much easier than moving my pictures off the wall or clearing off the coat hooks every time!  Plus, pick your plum had it for really cheap one day:)

It was a kind of hard color to capture.  I really like the look of it on her, perfectly summery.

It is quite long right now, but I figure she'll get lots of wear from it now and by the end of summer George can take over.

It was a very blustery day.  Luckily (?) it was a hot wind, so perfectly fine for a strappy top and cute shorts.

See? Not bothered at all by the wind:)

Shorts + Tank.



I was in Target the other day and stopped by their kids clothing section to see if anything caught my eye, and so much did!  So there I stood snapping pictures like crazy with my camera phone in the middle of the baby section... wait, doesn't everyone do that?  Come on, fess up!  HA! So I saw these super cute eyelet shorts in the exact eyelet I had seen at Jo-Ann's earlier (and also with Karen's Washi dress) and knew I just had to make something similar. 

 

 



I used the Oliver + S Puppet Show Shorts and made size 12 month, Izzy measured in to the 12m and George in the 6m, but they are a little tight on Iz.  I know, I know, white shorts for a 1 year old (or two one year olds) are just not that great of an idea.  I figure they can be bleached or even dyed eventually if they get too yucky. 

Also I used the scrap I had left from my jump rope dress to make the toddler swing tank free pattern from True Bias.  If I were to make the tank again, I would make the back opening a little longer as it is a little tough to get on Elizabeth, it is fine for George but she is smaller:)

These pictures just don't do the shorts justice...

And a red button for the back.

She kept crouching down like this, ha!

This face is just so Georgia, she pulls it all the time.

Aren't her pigtails just the cutest?  Although they make her look older :(

Parsley shorts.

I wanted to try the Parsley Pants pattern again since in the group of testers mine were the only ones who fit perfect the first time, Abby could have gone with the 7 (and I tried the 6) so that was expected, but Jack's were perfect and I was baffled as the other tester's came back a bit big and a little was taken off of the final pattern piece to make them more of a slim fit.  Rae and I thought maybe it was because of the material I used (gingham, it was a little slippery).  So this time I used a bottom weight, I *think* it was a lightweight denim, but I bought it so long ago I can't remember anymore, ha!   So these are a size 4 in the original pattern pieces we were given.



 

I think it was just the material, these are a little more roomy than the first pair.  I just randomly picked a spot to shorten the pattern and really like the length they ended up. 

Since his Angry Bird shirt was in the wash this morning, he chose a different shirt from yesterday, and he is going camping with his Grandparents tonight and tomorrow so I think I will just send him his sunglasses one so he has to wear it at least once, haha!  Plus, he told me, "gray matches gray, so I match!"

I used red thread to topstitch for something a little difference, he is excited because it "Matches my red Angry Birds shirt!!"  See? Told you he is all about the Angry Birds right now... (I used  red thread for the hems on the shirt).  I also lined the pockets with some cotton material that is blue and has trains, cars and motorcycles on it.  I couldn't pull it out far enough to get a picture, so you'll just have to use your imaginations, haha! 

If you have ever read my blog for more than a second you can probably tell I am super picky about my patterns, and usually wont even touch pdf's, but I can't recommend Rae's patterns enough! I LOVE them.  Great instructions, easy to put together pattern, measurement charts so you can get the right fit.  So yeah, I pretty much recommend this pattern and having used her patterns before I would have bought it straight away if I wasn't a tester:)