Mickey and Minnie.

Ah, it's that time of year again, the time when I put off the making of the costumes until the last.possible.second.  I had intentions of starting them on Thursday and easily finishing them in time for the annual Halloween party on Monday.  Well, that didn't quite happen.  Between family things and being unable to move my right arm (at all) for two days (no idea how that happened) I ended up making three pieces of costume Sunday and Monday.  So I finished about two hours before the party which is better than last year's , that was 30 minutes before, ha! 

 

 

 

I am finding it pretty impossible to take the girls photos together lately.  Usually I can get at least George to look at the camera, but not today!

 



 

 

Though they are pretty cute, so I wont complain too much.

 

 



 

 

But look!  Here's one... that George is out of focus in, sigh. 

 

Oh well. 

 



 

 

Okay, so the deets on the patterns; For Mickey aka Georgia I used the Oliver and S Sailboat Skirt size 2T with a slightly stretchy, slightly shiny bottom weight from Jo-ann's.  I was going to make the pants, but shortened, then I figured why not make something she can wear more after Halloween?  Chances are she still would have fit in the shorts next year since she still fits her 6m (!!!) Sailboat pants, so after the festivities are over I will switch out those big white buttons for four of something.

 

Izzy is wearing the Oliver + S Puppet Show Dress size 3T.  She was asleep when I chose her size so the 3T is a little big, but growing room is never a bad thing since she can also wear this one after Halloween, though it will always look like Minnie Mouse to me, ha!

I also made Abby a 2+2 skirt for her costume, more on that later since the few photos I got of her didn't quite turn out as we were in a hurry to get to the party. 

Blue.

So I was so excited after wearing yesterday's Weekend Getaway I knew I wanted another. Immediately.  So last night I cut one out of some yummy Lisette Lawn I had in my stash.  Originally it was bought to be a Washi, but I have managed to misplace my pattern (downside of paper patterns).  I have the red and blue colorway, but I thought the blue looked more "fallish", the other reminds me more of spring. 

 

 

I had left all my supplies sitting on the counter and had already finished the front facings, the darts and the back the night before.  I tend not to sew while the girls are awake, with two of them I need eyes on them at all time (BIG troublemakers).  Well, I left one in the kitchen while she was eating breakfast and changed a diaper, then switched girls for the next diaper.  When I put them down for naps and went to sew on my front facings to the front bodice, I noticed 5 giant triangular marks.  Scissor points, to be exact.  Sigh.  Luckily I had enough to cut another front bodice (only one was destroyed), so I sewed on the facings and went to the next step- sewing the shoulder seams.  I was crushed to see there were also cut marks on the back of the blouse (and the pattern instructions).  Again, sigh.  I did have enough left to cut another back- barely.  Moral of the story?  Keep scissors away from the two year olds. 

 

 

So while it seemed like the blouse was doomed, I am so, so happy I had enough (as this fabric has now been discontinued), and so glad I didn't use the red color way because no way I had enough of that!  

 

Okay, after my long, sad story, a reminder that I made the Liesl and Co Weekend Getaway.  I again made the size 14 and was lazy enough to skip the FBA that I *should* have done (remember the first one?  I took a smaller side seam allowance to make up for the FBA laziness).  After wearing the first blouse for a few hours I realized I would like it a bit longer, so this one I lengthened by 2" (5'4" over here).  I don't mind the length of the original pattern, but while chasing twins and getting up and down from playing toys I just felt like I wanted a little more coverage.

I was also too lazy to take up close pictures of all the other details since I did that yesterday, plus the fabric was really hard to photograph in the mirror.  In case you haven't seen the fabric before, the white dots have green spots inside them. 

So, have you bought the pattern yet?  If not, you should! 

Weekend Getaway.

I realize most of the online sewing community are spending all their free time this week trying to make a bunch of clothes for their kids, and don't get me wrong, I am sure at some point this week I will sew for them (Halloween) but I sew for them all.the.time.  So I decided to be a rebel and make something for me!  I am getting a little more confidence in sewing for myself after two successful skirts (here and here) so I decided to try another one of the fantastic Liesl's patterns, the Weekend Getaway Blouse.  I found a soft pink gingham check shirting that has been in my stash foooorever, because then if it didn't fit I wouldn't be too sad! 

 



 

 

But guess what?  I love it!  I made a size 14 and while I should have probably done a FBA, after talking to Nicole about her dress (and now blouse)  I curved out to a 3/8" seam around the bust rather than take the time to adjust my pattern- but there are fantastic FBA instructions included in the pattern. 

 



 

I did mess up the box pleat on the inside a little (top right corner of the picture), but that is the only thing I wasn't happy with, and I could have unpicked it but I noticed after the back facing was attached.  I do like the nice clean finish on the inside. 

Speaking of the pretty pleat.  It gives the back a nice shape.

I chose the 3/4 sleeve (view B) since it is fall and I pretty much love all sleeves 3/4.  It may be hard to tell, but the sleeve is folded up 2" to create a cuff.  If you go with the short sleeve option there isn't a sleeve piece- does that make any sense?  It is a kimono sleeve so nothing to set in or mess with unless you go with the 3/4.

 

 

So all in all, I like the blouse.  How great would it look with the Everyday Skirt??

Corduroy.

 

Hello again!  After making my last skirt, I knew I would be making more (many more), but up first I started with a gray corduroy.  (I used the Everyday Skirt, size Large). I was a little worried about how it would hang since it was heavier than the plaid homespun I used for my previous skirt.  While it is a little bulkier, I don't mind it, plus it is perfect for fall... if it ever shows up in my part of the world! 

 

 

Yep, headless selfies again.  So I can't decide, brown boots...

Or black?  Can you believe I have never actually owned a pair of boots?  That is, until today!  And now I own two pairs.  I think I like it better with the blacks (and the cardi).

 

 

So anyways, not much to say that wasn't said in my last post, love the skirt and expect to see some more of them soon:)  I have another cord cut, this time in a flower print and lighter weight than this one, a denim and a gray mystery material (those last two are in the was being prepped before cutting).  Hey, with that list I will almost have one to wear everyday, ha!

Everyday skirt.

Are you ready for a set of slightly awkward, headless shots?  Yeah, I am not a fan of getting my picture taken and guess what? No one was home to take them for me anyways since Ben was at work and big kids were at school.  So I guess I should say, no one I would consider letting touch my camera. 

 

 

Okay, with that disclaimer aside, let's begin.  Have you heard the awesome news??  Liesl of Oliver and S fame has come out with patterns for women this fall! You have probably noticed (if you are a regular reader) that I don't really sew for myself, only a handful of times over the last year have I made anything for me.  But, they really appealed to me!   So I snapped up the skirt and the tunic first thing and got started on the skirt.  I saw the plaid version (scroll down a little) on the blog and knew I would be shamelessly copying complimenting her take.   

 

 

I have a thing for purple lately, first the pants, then the coat and now this skirt!  Either that, or I am getting really good at using what is in my stash! (You're welcome, Ben)

I cut the side panel on the bias, and also the pockets, not that you can tell because they are pretty much invisible (which I love).  But trying to match plaids makes me want to bash my head in.

So can I just profess my love for the skirt and get on with things?  It is so comfortable!  I love Liesl's description of it, a lazy days skirt for grown ups.  That is so true.  I could see myself wearing this skirt all.the.time. (means I will have to make a few more!). 

Yes, I found a kids chair to stand on in the bathroom and photograph myself so I could show the length.  'Cause I am awesome like that.  (just kidding, I am a nerd).  I am 5'4" incase anyone out there is wondering.  Also, the skirt is size Large. 

I don't typically wear my skirts this high (at my dropped waist), I typically keep them on the hips, but this was really comfortable here- though I am pretty sure I wont wear it with the shirt tucked in.

I love the waistband.  Flat front with two rows of elastic (1/2" wide) in the back.  The construction is basically the hopscotch, I love it, such a nice, clean finish on the inside. 

So in reality, this is how I will wear it.  Still at my dropped waist, but shirt untucked. (and probably slightly wrinkly, just like the pictures.  Keepin it real here)

So normally I am not a fan of pockets, I never use them and don't like the added bulk.  Well, guess what?  I love these ones!   They are practically invisible- and fairly deep too! 

I am already dreaming of another skirt in gray cord, a denim one, maybe a mustard color... I really should have been Halloween sewing (or cleaning house) but those other things just didn't sound as fun...

A coat.

After last week's cold snap I knew the twins needed another jacket.  And after Izzy fitting last year's Secret Agent Trench I knew I wanted to make another one to be sort of matchy, plus I love that coat. 

 

 

So I started thinking about how I wanted to go about it,  I had seen an adorable coat on a friend's girl (hi Chiemi!) that had a beautiful bow on the back and was dyyyying to try it.  But the girl's coat was a tighter fit with princess seams, so that wouldn't really work for the Secret Agent.  Then while searching pinterest I found this coat.  LOVE.  I only wish I could have found a color that gorgeous.  (though I am happy with the color I used). 

 

 

Nicole had just made a gorgeous dress with the same bow I wanted to use, and she was sweet enough to help me in the construction. 

 

Then, while chatting (in the pinterest comments) with Susanne about that gorgeous collar, Lotta chimed in that she knew of a tutorial that could help me figure out what I needed to do. 

 

 

And finally, Collette and Mcholley suggested gray buttons when I was stuck on which color to use. 

 

 

This coat was a team effort, ha! 

 

 

 

I am so happy with it! 

I didn't want to take the time to alter the front pieces and the facings, so I ended up with a collar in the middle rather than the side like my inspiration coat. 

She wouldn't hold still long enough to get a good collar shot.  Oh well. 

I made an 18 month, because that is what the one that still fits from last year, plus I still had all the traced pieces saved, ha!  I probably should have added  some length to the sleeve, oops. 

This makes me so happy!

I also added ruffles to the back, I nearly didn't, but so glad I did.  P.S. here is my tutorial to add ruffles to the pattern. 

Now Abby wants one, but first, Halloween costumes must be made!  I can't procrastinate until the last minute like always, ha!

Silver dots.

Georgia, dear Georgia.  She is so hard to photograph lately.  

 

She tried oh so hard to get back in the house.  For some reason she can open the door to go out, but not to get back in.

Though every now and then I can manage a semi-decent shot.  (would have been a good shot if she had been looking, but she knows where the camera is and seems to avoid looking that direction). 

So she spent her time running from pot to pot trying to pick a flower.

And I caught her red-handed. 

But she's lucky she's so cute, she didn't get in trouble (plus the trailing verbena grows like a weed!  A pretty weed though).

The pants look very linty in this picture for some reason.  Hm.

Anyways, the pants.  They are the Oliver + S After-school pants size 18m lengthened to a 3T.  I added the ruffle to the pocket, but not the back of the pants.  While cute, the material was hard to gather so I didn't bother trying again. 

I cut all my pieces out then used a pencil eraser to randomly stamp silvery metallic dots on the fabric.  I'd like to say I purposefully left the yoke plain, but the truth is I misplaced my painted yokes.  Sigh.  That's okay though, I kind of like it plain. 

I managed to mess up pretty bad though.  Instead of sewing the angled piece correctly (the point towards the back) I thought I was smart enough, since I had made them a few times before (one, two, three, four times before) to not need the instructions for that step.  I realized I had messed up after sewing the seam, serging then two rows of topstitching- on both sides.  Lesson of the day, notches make a difference! I didn't bother notching since I was lengthening and didn't know if they would line up anyways.  Oh, and read your instructions;)  So because of my mistake the pants ended up narrower than they would have and only George can wear them (believe me, Izzy tried to get them on).  The yoke is a little messed up, but they are still wearable. 

I was unsure about the paint as the pieces were all laid out on my counter top, but I am happy with how they turned out.  She looks so cute running around in them. 

Modeled finally.

So last year when the Oliver + S patterns came out for the fall, I of course bought them all;) ((Curse you Liesl for making an irresistible product, ha!))  Well, I made this Secret Agent Trench Coat immediately.  Within a day or two of receiving my pattern immediately.  I had a plan and was so excited to have it all come together like it did, you see, I added ruffles on the back to make it like a coat I had seen RTW.  

 

 

I LOVE it. Love it.

She wore it to the park today and I was secretly proud to see some of the other moms pointing and over hearing them talk about the "adorable jacket". 

Abby really wants one now, and I am trying to decide if I should make another for George or go with the Sunday Brunch (or both!).  Hopefully soon I will get some sewing time!

(If you are interested, here is the tutorial I wrote for modifying the pattern)