WHITE

Have you ever noticed that you are attracted to one color all the time? Whenever I see a suit or dress in white, my head turns and I look. If a magazine or a blog or a Flickr site includes an outfit in white, I have to take a closer look. White is elegant. White is a wedding dress. White flowers. White dresses for a baptism. White is the start of summer. It is crisp, elegant and beautiful. I like the color white.

Well, the other day I was attracted to someone's Flickr photos because they were pictures of a little white Westie Puppy. I had two of them. One died last year, and one is still with us but turned 12 this year. So not only did she have the cutest pictures of a puppy posted on her site, but a few days later, I got another picture sent to me, and it was an adorable white dress. I fell in love with this garment. It was sooooooooo beautiful. I sent her email requesting that I copy it, and of course she said yes, and so I did.

The pattern I used is from the Ottobre Summer 3/2006 magazine. It is the #2 dress without the ruffles. I used a 100% cotton fabric, and cut the bottom of the dress out of another 100% cotton fabric. It is a size 62, and as soon as I put it on Olivia, i will try and take some more pictures.

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Small thoughts running through my mind.........

After searching everywhere for a good quality towel fabric or terry cloth, I thought about another solution. I went from Joann's straight into TJMaxx and bought a Ralph Lauren towel (huge bath size) for $7.99. Then I preceded to make Olivia a robe. The pattern comes from a company called Advance. I believe it is canadian. It is an older pattern ca. 1960ish, but the layette items for the baby are great. The patterns are all one piece. Slip, kimono, panty, dress, nightshirt, etc....I really like the pattern, and the robe turned out great. I used the scraps from the sundress to make the bias strips.

Stayed up way too long to make this. There is so little time every day to sew. I try to get 20 minutes in wherever I can, but it is really difficult. I always have a list of things to do every day. My blood pressure is telling me to slow down. It has been really high lately. I guess I will have no choice but to go to the doctor and take the medication. I am not looking forward to that. I just hope that once this heat goes away, and I can start walking again, things will get better.

On a more positive note, I have been looking at new forum/website called Etsy. It is a storefront for lots of people selling handmade goods. I found it through looking at Flickr pictures. There are some really talented people, who are happy just selling a few things because they feel they have something to offer. Lots of onesies, burp cloths, bibs, and childrens clothing. I think I have something to offer too. I really think if I could attract the right customer, I could sell my baby bubbles and boy rompers. Yes it does involve alot of work, and good material, but I would love to make a little cash, and do what I love to do. I cannot imagine anything sweeter. When it comes to boy things, there just is nothing out there that is special, colorful and still kool. The only problem is that you really have to think everything out carefully. You cannot just put something up for sale, and not have the fabric available to make it again for the customer. Of course, I do not want to pay retail prices for Swiss fabric. That would just wipe out the bottom line. So I have to do some research, and check out a few things. I got in touch with one of my coops and asked if they could help me out with Spechler Vogel material. I cannot even get most of the fabric where I live. It would have been easier in Shreveport, where I had a large quantity of heirloom fabrics at my fingertips. I do not want to invest any money into fabric unless I know this has a chance to suceed.

These are all just small thoughts running through my mind right now .......

In the meantime, I decided to build my inventory. I would like to make a few girl bubbles, especially while Olivia is still so young. I have a few boy bubbles and rompers, but nothing for the girl. If I can take a good picture of Olivia wearing the garment, then the item will most likely sell better. Once she gets to be a year or older, the bubbles may not look as good on her. I also thought about the seasons. Fall is approaching. Bubbles sell in the spring and summer. They are usually made out of 100% lightweight cotton. Boy Rompers made out of corduroy would be nice, or denim pants. I have so many ideas, and so little time.

These are all just small thoughts running through my mind right now .......

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Ottobre Sundress 2/2004

Ottobre Sundress 2/2004
Originally uploaded by jeanninemccloskey

I love this dress. I have had this one planned for a long time. It is so much fun, and is just perfect for so many of the fabrics that I have bought. I would however, like to be bold and drop the inserts. The dress is so wide, and there is something too frilly about this pattern.
Well, size 62 almost fits her. It is too wide, and every once and awhile when she moves in the car seat, you can see the sides of the dress sticking out. Oh well, I could make it smaller, but I doubt that I will be making another one of these again this year.

This is a sample of the dress I made for Sophia. It was also a size 62. Of course, it has been passed down to Olivia, so I knew how well it fit before I made another one.

Now I am actually looking forward to making a few heirloom patterns. I am trying to get ready for Sacramento. I want her to have at least seven dresses for the three weeks we will be gone. I also wanted to make some skirts for myself, since I cannot seem to drop these last ten pounds. Wow, breastfeeding does really work wonders. Now I just need to exercise and get rid of my tummy and other female fat zones.

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