Sheesh... sewing and no posting

I really have been sewing. But in keeping up with the LOVELY blogs that are out there (too many!), I guess I've neglected my own.

I finished Lucy's dress with plenty of time to spare, but forgot to post it...

All three in action

And I tried out a new pattern (new to me) for the littlest the other night. I purchased the Laguna pattern about a month or so ago but hadn't tried it out and figured I better do it since I purchased the pattern and all. I traced out the pattern in her size because it seemed easiest since it was the smallest.

And then she needed a shirt to go with the skirt, but I realized two nights ago (when I made it) that I haven't traced out a shirt pattern in her size. Ever. In my laziness (and the want to get the project completed right then and there), I just used the Olivia pattern but left off the skirt part, leaving a cute top (even if I did make it a bit short).

Somehow, I managed to not shoot any pictures of the skirt or shirt alone, but have just one picture of the littlest modeling (yeah, she's wearing it today, but napping right now)

Working with a knit for distraction...

I've been working with wovens a lot with the red, white and blue skirt and dress that I've made thus far, so I got sidetracked with my knits and decided to make a shirt to go with the oldest's Redondo skirt I made last week.

I love the Antonia pattern by Farbenmix. The possibilities for the pattern are endless and it's just so darn fun. I've only made a few shirts from this thus far and I can tell I need to make some more already.

It's a good thing I only have to make a red, white and blue dress for the youngest... I'm getting a burnt out on this themey stuff. I'm glad I decided to use three different patterns for my three girls.. that keeps it somewhat varied in my sewing!

I have the pieces cut out for the dress for dd3... *maybe* tonight later or possibly tomorrow after swimming lessons.

Now with modeling shots!

Though I believe the dress is gorgeous by itself, it's hard to get a size reference or really see how it would fit and look on a child...

So now I have modeling shots that really do this dress justice and show it off in all its glory (well, they're at least decent shots... dd2 was getting a bit impatient with the photography and wanted to go ride her bike!)

Fourth of July sewing Part II: Oh Vida!

I am so pleased with how well and how fast this all came together. I cut out the pieces last night and finished it up today (tonight)!!

Again, I'm not always so 'themey' in my thinking. I like simple, classic pieces that go with just about anything. And outfit like this does *not* go with everything, yet it's still so fun.

This really made me think outside of the box. I often get so excited with constructing a garment that I don't think of any embellishment to include, I simply sew the seams and get it done because I can't wait to see how it turned out! But with this, I tried to think about things a bit more, let my mind wander to embellishments... and I even came up with the heart applique in the middle by just thinking about things a bit more. The two ribbon stripes below the heart applique are some *gorgeous* Farbenmix ribbon. Oh, and the pattern is the Vida Farbenmix pattern. It's lovely and the pattern lends itself to creativity so well.

My dd2 hasn't yet seen the finished product, but she was quite excited when she saw just the front piece ealier... I'm pretty sure she'll love it.

Now I just need to work on the outfit for the littlest. I have nothing cut out, but I do have a plan in my head. The teaser is this: I'm going to use the Cara pattern by Farbenmix.

Red, white and blue: Part I

I don't get into themey sewing. I even have trouble making Halloween costumes that are really only for one day's use. Last year for the girls I did costumes that were in multiple pieces/layers so that seperately, each piece could be worn on a daily basis, but together they created a unique Halloween outfit.

But of course there are always exceptions to the rule. And for some reason, July 4th (Independance Day), seems to be my exception.

Maybe it's the wonderful parade that happens in a town just 30 miles away that has a population of just 300, yet for the day the population swells to probably three times that.... or maybe there's something about the crispness of red, white and blue that is so bold, yet different from my usual tastes.

Either way, I'm a sucker for patriotic outfits.

Of course, with just around two weeks until the big day, I figured I should get started. I *have* been planning for probably two months of what I should do... well, maybe not planning so much as at least thinking about what I was going to do. But I get hung up on silly details. This project's dilemma (not this actual item of clothing, but the red, white and blue outfits in general): do I make all three girls completely matching outfits? do I make their outfits from the same pattern but use different fabrics? do I use different patterns but the same fabrics? do I make them completely different from each other in whatever way I please?
Yes, the silly details were bogging me down.

So I just started. I had to do SOMETHING.

I started with the oldest. She's fairly easy to please and I figured if I started with the biggest outfit, I could see my material useage and then go from there on what to do for the other two.

I used the Farbenmix Redondo pattern for the skirt and the shorts (because there will be a LOT of twirling going on) are from the Spring 08 issue of Ottobre... or maybe they're a fall or winter 07? They're the Lily leggings... and I just shortened the length accordingly.

I really love the frilliness of this skirt. Even though it was a pain to match up the opposing curves while trying to get the lacy trim firmly sandwiched in the middle... the end result was worth it. Yes, of course pinning *might* have helped, but I couldn't be bothered with silly pins.

I'll post the other outfits as I get them completed... and then maybe modeling shots when all are done.