Friday, March 27, 2009

Fancy Dresses and Bloomers

I got inspired by the Little Dresses For Africa to try my hand at some fancy outfits for little girls. Here is what I have manged to squeeze into my busy schedule (ha!) so far this week. I did get all my quilt kit orders shipped yesterday before the storm hit so today was a nice play day.

Since we are having our first major snowstorm since last year I guess it was a good day to stay in and make summer dresses. It seems like it was summer a few days ago anyway. What the heck happened? Oh yeah, Springtime in the Rockies.
A little summer white and kiwi polka dot dress with matching ruffled bloomers. I have been hoarding this polka dot grosgrain ribbon for a while waiting for the right project to call out for it. This outfit is a size 3 T.
I added 3 rows of baby elastic to the top for a faux smocking look and the rick rack matched so I added that too. The baby elastic was kind of a pain but I thought it was worth the trouble because it looks great!

The blue daisies and gingham are so summery and cute. I did this one on my little Singer for practice and tried a decorative stitch for the hem and the binding on the armholes. I have had that machine for almost 2 years and have only used it 6-8 times so I figured it was time to try it for actually making something. I hated it because it is slow and almost came up here to put it on Craigslist for sale. But the outfit came out cute and I like the stitching so I guess I will keep it for now.

This one has little gingham bloomers with a daisy ruffle. It is a size 4 but I think the waist might be a little small.


I tried this freebie bag pattern from the Better Homes and Gardens website too. I used a couple of Amy Butler Daisy Chain prints. I used a fusible fleece instead of the batting and put a layer of the fleece in the straps as well. I like the pattern but will make it a little bigger and add a snap or button next time. I am going to make another one tomorrow with Moda Woodland Bloom, thinking about a patchwork for the outside pockets. Or maybe I will do it with the Paris deco and pink and black leapord print. Oh bother! I have too many pretty fabrics to choose!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Little Dresses For Africa

Today was our first sewing meeting for the Little Dresses For Africa group Lauren is forming. We didn't have many participants this time but a lot of community spirit for the project and it was fun to meet some new friends and work together making these adorable little dresses.

I am terrible with names. But this is Lauren's beautiful long legged cat. I thought I got a better picture of her, but she is just gorgeous and seemed to enjoy hanging out and watching us sew.

Lauren's mom, she is not a sewer but she made this adorable dress with a little help from Lauren.

Mandy found some really cool pillow cases at the thrift store. I love this one. It was sized for a bigger girl. I know whoever gets this dress will love the pretty colors, it is so cute!

Thanks Lauren for hosting this get together! It was fun and you did a fantastic job of organizing it!
Ok, I forgot to get pictures of mine and Lauren's dresses. They were really cute too, but I got too chatty and forgot. Maybe she will get a couple of pics for me before she sends them. And I am looking forward to our next get together, now that we all know what we are doing we can get more sewing done and have fun chatting too.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

No Pics For Show and Tell (sigh)

Can you believe it? I totally forgot to get pics of the Americana Homespun Rail Fence quilt I made for my dad and the Debbie Mumm yellow daisy Raggy Runner and placemat set I made for my mom. I was planning to take the pics before our trip but just got so busy that I forgot. Then when the birthday party turned to disaster when the stomach virus from hell hit us I just never got a chance to take photos.

The quilt turned out pretty nice, I am doing another one in the same fabrics in raggy style and will probably turn that into a homespun stars and stripes rag quilt kit.

I love those Debbie Mumm spring prints so much. I wish I would have bought more when they were on sale. I am going to do some more of the table runners and placemat sets this week from the daisy prints and strawberry prints. I will be sure to get some pics for show and tell.

When is the first day of Spring? I have to check on that because I got my spring swap package from quiltbea for the HGTV Swing Into Spring Swap. The ladies in the quilting forum are all so talented and crafty, I can't wait to see what I got!
 
Template: Blog Designs by Sheila