Project Run & Play Week 4 - Signature Style

This is sort of a resolution of what my style will/should be, moving forward. 

I want to really focus on creating some great solid, timeless patterns that can be used as they are, or can be a base for whatever embellishment works for a certain occasion.

So this is my first piece drafted with that goal in mind.

(Static electricity and a snotty nose were against us today, but we persevered)

The details of the design;

- fully lined

- boat neck

- 3/4 length sleeves

- knee length

- a-line skirt

- and it's in a lightweight knit, as I'm sure you could tell :)

I also added three rows of ruffles, beginning just below the waist (see - first embellishment). I didn't hem the ruffles since the knit doesn't fray.

I've also used this pattern to make some shirts for Pooka and am planning lots more dresses too.

I'm really pleased with the fit; fitted, but not tight, shoulder seams hit at the shoulder and although the neckline is relatively high, it still pulls on over her head easily.

SHE loves it because it's super comfy for running & jumping & climbing.

I made her leg warmers too - she has about ten pairs and loves them.

The scarf, I knit for myself and we just threw it on for a few pics. 

If you haven't already done so, head over now to vote for the three incredible finalists in Project Run & Play!

Now I'm off to sew and craft my heart out for a certain someone's upcoming 3rd birthday!

Project Run & Play Week 3 - The Repurposing Challenge

Wow - it's week 3 already!!

I missed week 2 which was the "Let's Go To The Movies" week. There was just too much other sewing to be done - birthdays and baby showers, so rather than halfa$$ an outfit, I decided to sit it out.

Anywho, I'm a huge fan of repurposing/upcycling so this is one of my favorite challenges to sew along with.

So here's what I came up with.

I wore this shirt allll summer when pregnant with Pooka. And actually, I wore it plenty the following summer too! So it has been thoroughly exhausted as a shirt - the shirring at the neck has gotten super loose so it wasn't even wearable anymore. What a perfect candidate for a refashion!

Things I love about the shirt;

- the vibrant colour

- it's 100% cotton and very, very lightweight

- the openwork on the sleeves

OK, so I wanted to incorporate the sleeve edging for sure, and I had a theory (untested until last night!) that the shape of these sleeves - it's basically a peasant style - would be the right shape for shorts legs. I'm sure I'm not the first (could be the last) to discover this, but I was so thrilled when I cut the sleeves off right at the seams and, sure enough, the shaping was PERFECT! They even have a higher rise at the back! Happy dance!

I felt that the detail now on the shorts was enough so kept the top simple. I actually used the Popover Sundress free pattern from Oliver + S, cutting it a little below Pooka's waist, gathered it slightly to fit the shorts waist and attached them.

The last thing I did was to zig zag some quarter inch elastic onto the inside seam at the waist. 

The polka dot fabric was a small scrap from my stash - because everything's better with polka dots! 

We had a fast and fun photoshoot - and got lots of silly pics! Here are a couple.

So, if you haven't voted for the contestants, head over there  now and see the beautiful work!

Project Run & Play Season 8

Theme: Winter Wonderland

Another season of Project Run & Play has begun! So fun. Although I haven't been managing to blog much (or at all), I HAVE been sewing and crafting a lot. But this is good motivation to get the blogging going again.

So, Winter Wonderland. Hmm. I wish I had had this little outfit finished a week ago, when we had a ton of snow and ice here in NY - that would have made for pretty Wonderland pictures. But, instead, I finished the binding just this morning, on a rainy, miserable day and we're stuck taking badly lit, indoor pics. But hopefully they're clear enough to show the outfit well.

I've had this sparkly Paris fabric sitting here for months, wondering what to do with just a smidge under a yard of it. And a few weeks ago, I picked up almost a yard of the grey/silver chevron from the remnants bin at Joann's.

It turned out I had just enough to make the Party Dress free pattern from A Cottage Home!

I used the bodice pieces for size 4, and made the skirt the length of fabric I had left, which ended up being perfect with the band of chevron added at the bottom. I also added pockets to the side seams (a big hit with Pooka!)

Then, for the little bolero, I used some scraps of anti-pill fleece and traced a shirt that fits a little loosely. I had ONE Eiffel Tower left intact, so appliquéed it onto one sleeve of the bolero to "tie them together". Finally I used a pretty satin bias binding to finish the bolero, extending it to create ties, and finished the armholes of the dress in the same.

I love how this outfit turned out and can't wait for her to wear it