Another tee or two.

 After Abby's dyed lace tee I just wanted to try it again! So I thought Cindy's hopscotch remix would be the perfect shirt to add a bit of lace... and dye!  I may or may not want to dye every thing in sight.

 

 

Oh how these two crack me up.  This time Elizabeth wanted to stand by George, complete opposite from last time.   Georgia kept trying to walk away, and Iz thought she was pretty funny.

Since I was drafting a new size I followed her tute unlike the last times when I used the flashback as a guide.  Still have a few bugs to work out, I need to raise the bodice neckline just a bit.  It isn't bad on Elizabeth, but it is way too wide on tiny Georgia... though if I had used ribbing instead of just turning under, it would have been higher.  For my notes, size 18 months in the chest and 3T length.  I made a few un-altered hopscotch tees straight 18 months a while back and they are all too short, but still very much fit around (heck, even the 12m dresses still fit! - more of a tunic now), so I figured if I add enough length we could get lots of wear from them.

Elizabeth's I dyed with equal parts purple and violet dye.

And George's I used fuschia and cherry red, mostly fuschia with a splash of cherry. 

I like the way they both turned out. Aaand didn't actually do pink and purple on purpose.  I looked up the formulation chart and picked a color, sewed and dyed, then did the next without thinking about the first.  Though I also really do like how the two look together, like they compliment each other as if I did it on purpose, ha!

The lace tee and a skirt.

Only yesterday I was complaining about the fact I didn't have anything exciting on the brain, which led to searching the web for something to do with the left over lace from those leggings.  When I ran across this gem.  Oh.My.Gosh.  I had to make it immediately.  I started to search her blog for any other posts that might include the shirt and came across a few helpful posts (that I will link to when I explain the shrt a bit more  *updated: she has now linked to the posts I also linked to... just so ya don't think I am crazy and missed them:) *).

 



 

 

Here it is paired with her new-ish but never blogged Oliver + s Hopscotch skirt (also a ribbon covered bangle she made herself this weekend).   The skirt is size 6 and she picked the pink buttons herself, I tried to steer her towards white so it would match everything, but she insisted.  She's cute,  I let her get away with it. 

How did I not realize the picture potential of this small bit of fence that I share with my one of my neighbors? (one of 5, that's a lot of people that touch our property).  Now I am even more excited for the grass to turn green.  I was so excited for her to get home from school so she could try it on.  She looks at it and first thing she says to me "Can I wear it to school tomorrow?" the next "Will you make me another one". 

Obviously (well, if you read my blog regularly or are a contact on flickr) you know the lace was white.  I used RIT dye, aquamarine, and while I would have liked it a bit darker, this works just fine.  I should have remembered the color since I had used it before...

Awwww! Look at how little they once were!  Three months or so here ... And look at how Georgia (left) used to be bigger than Izzy!  Well, not a lot bigger, but a half pound or so.  Now they are six pounds different!

I just had to include this one because who doesn't love ruffle bums on babies?  These were pre-blogging days, and very early on in my sewing adventure. 


Okay, so back to the shirt.  I studied every picture on her post and read the description over and over again trying to get every bit of information before starting.  I saw this post that gave a look at the neck finishing and this post that talked about color blocking. 

Here are the two pieces that I used to make mine.  I used the flash back skinny tee size 6 as a guide.  I followed the dip of the front neckline, but next time will either do in between the front and back, or just use the back as it ended up a little too wide.  Also I need to make the sleeves a little wider for a more comfy fit, maybe go straight from the neckline instead of slightly diagonal.

*Updated to add: I have been talking a bit with her on her blog's facebook page and she suggested starting the sleeve a little further down and curves instead of angles- if that helps anyone... plus for my own notes!*

The deal is she has to get her room clean before I make her another one... though I kind of want to make one before that, chances are it will take her days to get around to it, ha!

Simple skirts.

I have been lacking inspiration lately *sigh*.   Usually I have a project going, my next one fully planned and the next in the brainstorming stage.  Not this last week or so.  Hm.  So these items are all a bit boring and uninspired, but what ya gonna do?  As I was sewing them I thought, *I should have made them flat front* *I should have figured out some kind of pocket* *I should add some trim* Meh.  Sometimes simple is good. 

 

 

I fell in love with this fabric when I made four skirts with it, one for engagement pictures for a friend and three for her bridesmaids at the reception.  And I bought this yardage clear back then (nearly a year ago) and it waited to be made in to something pretty.


So when the twins woke up I tried to get them to take a picture together, first sitting down.

But Georgia didn't like the sound of that and instead insisted on petting Elizabeth.

So I finally got her to sit down and got lots of pictures like this.  So, why not stand up?

Because then this happened.  Elizabeth just wasn't digging it.

That's alright, we'll go with a headless picture.  The leggings are from Ottobre 6/2012, Ruusunpuna leggings (80cm).  I previously made a stack of these so I knew they would work for what I wanted.  Since you would be able to see the seam I wanted it to be on the inside so not as visible.  They are a little long and the hems are more stretchy than the other pairs so they sit lower on her foot than the others.  Just means they'll last the summer, right?

I kind of like this one.  (she was still crying... and wouldn't give up the blanket, monkey or hairspray lid), it looks all artsy like I meant for it to be this way.

Then there is George.  She was the perfect little model and held so still for me:)  She mostly gave me a vacant stare slightly to the left, but she did look at me for a split second or so.

I did a single seam in the back, by cutting one of the gray strips off, same with the yellow skirt.  So, still nothing on my mind to be next, but I've got a night to think about it;)  Maybe get a head start on shorts for the oldest two?  Or some shirts for the twins... Izzy's belly is outgrowing most of hers...

Geranium top.

Ever since I tested Rae's geranium dress I knew I wanted to try the tunic length, well, I finally pushed it up my list!  Aaaand I pretty much love it. 

 



 

I used the same fabric as the bolero for the skirt, I love the fabric so I thought why not stretch it to two pieces?  I had also been dying to see what the dress looked like in two fabrics. 

Little Missy thought it was fun to run away from me and not look at the camera, no different from any other day, really.    If I ever build a house I want really big windows that give lots of light so shooting inside would be so much easier.  This was the only room at this time of day that had enough light and no harsh sun spots, but she found the one place to stand so the background would be over exposed.  Oh well, what ya gonna do?  I can't wait for good weather outside!

She found bobby pins on my window seal and handed them to me one by one.  Apparently she managed to spill on herself in the five minutes she had the shirt on:)  Typically one year old.   

Also, she showed me how to use deoderant.  Smart girl. 

So the top is 18 month bodice with 24 month length, and like usual, I lengthened just a bit for my tall kids.  Oh, and she is wearing a pair of her new leggings.  I should probably try a different view since there are so many options with the pattern, but I just love this one so much! 

A bolero.

Or a really small vest, as Ben called it.  I have made the Heidi&Finn ruffle bolero once before, and since I am not smart enough to get it on the blog from flickr, you will just have to go here if you want to see it. 

 

I really wish every pattern maker would put out a size chart with each pattern, I could even just settle for the finished measurements of the garment.  I had NO idea which size to pick.  The pattern goes from 12m to 2T, skips 18m all together (also 4T and 5T are combined).  So I went with the 2T though turns out I should have made 3T for Izzy.  Crazy, right? She is just barely in the 18m range for O+S and in 18m RTW, so 3T sounds absolutely insane. 

 



 

I really like the way it turned out (even if it is a little tight on big twin), I also have a geranium cut out using this print for the skirt. 

I left off the elastic and button to make it reversible.

Though I don't know if I will turn it to the white side because turns out you can see some of the print through the white.  Oh well, always an option for when they get dirty....

...Like they always do.  This is real life y'all.  Dirty face, dirty shirt and messy hair.  If I pinch it together in the middle (where the button would be) it is quite tight on her and would restrict movement... so I guess  if I make it again it will have to be a 3T.

I love the ruffle all the way around, how it just frames her sweet chubby cheeks.  (also wearing her chevron skirt from last spring's KCWC, a little short but still works). 

And George in the geranium dress that she is almost growing in to, with a headband that she found an put on herself.  Can't decide who I like it better on, luckily they both fit it (the dress) so I can change my mind!

When Iz saw Georgie had a hair pretty she insited on one too, not with words of course, but grunting, screaming and wrestling with her sister until I went and found her one too.  Then she patted her head and said cheese.  How could I resist?

It had to be done.

I knew as soon as I finished his blue twill pair Jack needed a pair in denim.  Again, size 4 field trip cargo pants,  but this time with no added length. 

 



 

I used the special jeans topstitching thread and really like the look of it.

I added a faux button to the faux fly.  He loves the detail and is now convinced I have made the rest of his denim pants in his drawer since they all have the same kind of button.  The only trouble I had with the pants this go round was that darn faux fly.  I think I unpicked it four times before I got it passable.  *Note to self, next time use the same thread in the bobbin while making a button hole. 

I nearly left off the cargo pockets, but as Ben pointed out, you can never have too many pockets.  I used a contrast fabric for the lining of the flap and the waistband.  I left the truck ribbon off this time since he complained about it last time and guess what?!  He asked when I was going to put the trucks on his pants...  Silly boy.

 

He was excited to have his picture taken, but was upset I rolled his sleeves up.  He instructed me I was not to use a grumpy photo, I had to use a happy one.  This is kind of an inbetween.

I have a modification I want to try, but since it is starting to warm up I am not sure I will be making another pair of pants this year.  Next up, a geranium tunic for the twins, and if I am feeling confident I am thinking of sizing it up for Abs.  We'll see...

Blue.

 I pulled three colors of twill from my closet, olive green, gray and blue.  Big suprise as to which one the boy picked.  Jack LOVES blue.  I mean, pretty much only wants to wear blue always.  Too bad for him not everything in his closet is blue. Mean mom or something.  I have seen the Field trip cargo pants made as shorts and really want to try that for summer, but like always I wanted to try the pattern as written first.  Seriously I can't say enough good about these pants- they are perfect as all O+S patterns go, the details are just amazing. 

 

 

 

Don't let his face fool you, he LOVES his new outfit.  They weren't a quick sew by any means.  Look at all that topstitching!! I was brave and really wanted them to stand out, luckily for me I only had to unpick one line of top stitching.  I went soooo slow and so that helped a ton.  Also I made him the field trip shirt with shortened sleeves.  Yes, uneven, I asked him to try it on so I could see where I wanted to hem them and he begged to "wear it for the rest of today!!" So I gave in.  He's pretty cute.

 

 





The cargo pockets gave me fits, I must have sewn and unpicked 5 or 6 times and nearly gave up.  I tried the other side thinking maybe I had messed something up while sewing that side together (even though it looked exactly the same, ha!)  Turns out I had re-folded after topstitching the pocket at only 1/2" instead of 3/4".  YES, that explained everything.  So the one side still ended up a little wonky, but I was nervous to unpick again as the spot where the corners were placed was beginning to wear thin from all the stress on the fabric.

I lifted this idea from a friend and he HATES it.  He keeps asking when I am going to take the ribbon off, and doesn't like the answer "never". I think my ribbon is a little too long though (and too wide), it sticks out a bit too much when he is standing still without hands in his pockets.  So many fun details in these pants, darts in the knees for better movement, six pockets, belt loops and lots of topstitching go in to making a great pair of pants!  He has already requested another pair...