When Yoga is just not your thing!

Most people will tell you to relax by doing Yoga. Oh, it teaches you to breathe and stretch, and you will feel so much better if you joined a class. Well I say to hell with a Yoga class, start sewing. Sewing is so relaxing for me, and most importantly so rewarding. Everytime I finish a project, I am so proud, and confident that I can finish anything I want to. If I envision a dream vacation, it would be to lock myself in the house for a week....no husband....no kids.....just me and my sewing machines....

Here is my latest creation. I bought the fabric at LauraLeeCreations. I also purchased a matching knit and a velour with diamonds. Originally, I was going to make something out of a lightweight knit, however the weather has been so cold. She has almost no winter clothes, and this new velour is so baby soft.

The pattern I used is 2 and 3 from the Winter 2004 Ottobre magazine, Size 62. It was actually quite easy, but I had problems with the pockets. They were just too bulky, so I tried to put binding around them, and forget the lining. I did not like that either. At this point, I had spent two nights working on the pockets, so I was not happy. Last but not least, I dropped the pockets completely. The print is busy enough, that it did not need the pockets.

What I really like about the top is the length. It is just perfect for a crawler. I used a very fine corduroy for the binding, and it was very easy to sew in place using Teri's binding methods. I could not take the picture without the binding appearing sort of red in color. It is almost a perfect match. I didn't put a button in the front because I did not think the top needed it. Again, it would have been too busy for the print. The fit was perfect. I was sort of surprised that I have not seen more of these tops.

The leggings fit perfect. The pattern is such that the front and back pieces are one. Combined you have only two pattern pieces to sew together. Talk about an easy 15 minute pattern. Wonderful.

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Stumped or Slumped?

I cannot seem to get my sewing machine in second gear, let alone first. However, I did manage to finish this bodysuit from Ottobre. Olivia has so many clothes. My sister sends me clothes every three months, and she has not even worn some of them. I am always happy when she tells me that her daughter has no clothes that fit. Maybe then I will be able to sew something Olivia needs.

I am not sure why I am complaining. I could start sewing some clothes for the springtime. She has barely grown, and I am sure if I sew something 1-2 sizes larger, the items will definitely fit. Plus, I got some wonderful fabrics today that will look great next summer. They are so soft and perfect for a little girl. Yippee!!!!!!! This is exactly what I was looking for.So back to my pattern. I have been wanting to test the fit of this wraparound bodysuit (6/2007 #05 size 62), because I would like to alter the pattern to make dresses. Anyways, I was quite happy how the whole thing went together. Very easy, and as always, everything matched right up and the body was sewn in no time. The only problem I had was with the binding and the snaps. Personally, I like to fold over the binding and then handstitch it. It always looks clean and it lies flat. However, this is a knit, and my method is used on wovens. So I am going to have to practice until I get it to look perfect. Maybe next time I can use the coverstitch. Scary thought! Back that one up. Not ready yet. The snaps. I placed interfacing behind the snaps, however one tug, and the material was ripping. Sewing a piece of grosgrain or fabric to the back of the snap would probably help to avoid this problem, much more then my interfacing.

To do list:

White T-Shirt - Nicolas

Black corduroy pants with large cargo pockets - Nicolas

Pinafore Dress - Olivia

Wraparound Dress - Olivia

Crawling Pants - Olivia

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Deck the Halls with lots of Sewing....FaLaLaLaLa.....

Ok, this is a copy of the Pottery Barn holiday dress. I love it, and it has given me alot of ideas.

I started with an Ottobre pattern #3 from the Summer 2005 issue. The pattern includes a yoke and a skirt, and the zipper closure is in the back. I measured what I needed for the pleats, and then I altered the pattern. I started by sewing the shoulder seams. Then I added the front skirt panel, and then the back skirt panels. The pattern includes sleeves and a neck/collar facing. I did not want the sleeves, so I had to change the facing. I copied the yoke pattern, and extended it about 2 inches. The PB dress yoke ends below the armpit, however the Ottobre yoke pattern ends within the armseye. I need to change that. The PB dress is tighter around the waist and therefore more fitted. The Ottobre dress appears to be more of an A-line dress. Normally, you would start by sewing the shoulder seams, and then attaching the lining. In this case, I had to add the skirt first and then the lining. Pulling the lining through the shoulder seam is easier without all the bulk of the skirt.

The other problem was the length. I need to add at least 1 inch if not two. Then I should lower the neckline. I think it would look nicer with a blouse. And last but not least, I hate putting in a zipper, so adding some width to the back yoke and skirt for either buttons and/or snaps sounds like another good idea. Here is a picture of the Monogram.

So now all I need to do is make a blouse, but Ottobre does not have one for infants. I will probably have to use one of my heirloom patterns.

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Delicious!

Some people love shoes. Some people love purses. And some people love clothes. I love beautiful fabric. Cashmere, leather, boucle or a wonderful italian wool. Yummy! My stash proves my point. I have a hard time walking away from beautiful fabric. Oh that is another topic, so let me stop right here.

Lately, my obsession is with european or boutique fabrics especially for children. Unlike alot of the women that sew on the Ottobre group, I always notice the fabric before I notice the pattern details. I love these fabrics, and there is nothing similiar on this market. I search Ebay, and check out some of my favorite websites for any deal I can find. Ha! I wish. Not many deals to find out there. So I decided to splurge.

The new issue of Ottobre included alot of patterns that I had requested via email several months ago. I don't mean to pat myself on the back, because it is possible that they were aware of this trend before I said anything. Anyhow, I had requested a japanese-style crossover one piece outfit and dress. It was all there! They had also included alot more items for smaller babies (size 56). That is great. I had both of my children in that size for at least four weeks. It is not easy to find clothes for premie sizes. Yeah for Ottobre!!

So, here is my most recent project. It is scrumptious! I was so excited when the material arrived. I bought it through Banberry Place. Beautiful velvet. Lightweight, great quality and the colors were just gorgeous. The pattern was the Baby Pinafore Dress from the most recent issue of Ottobre 6/2007 in a size 62, which by the way fits. Thank goodness. My little princess just refuses to grow.

The material did not ravel, which was another sign that it was a better quality. It was easy to cut and easy to sew. I used a size 80 needle with polyester thread, and cut the pattern pieces using a rotary cutter with a seam allowance guide. My seam allowances are usually no more then 3/8". The pockets were alot easier then they look. I sewed a 1/4" seam allowance around the bottom to ease the pocket into shape. I also followed the instructions for the bow, and I think it turned out nicely. The only thing I did not care for, was when it was time to attach the skirt to the bodice, I was not satisfied with just serging the front seams. It just did not look professional to me. I folded the seam under 1/4" in case the front opened and became visible.

Otherwise, all the pieces went together nicely as usual, and I think this pattern could be used with a variety of different fabrics. I am sure this pattern will be a favorite of mine.

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Potty Trained

Nicolas is finally potty trained. Yeah! One morning he just woke up and said "No" to diapers and insisted on wearing underwear. I was so happy that I bought all that underwear in Germany. It is so comfortable compared to anything I have found in the US. There were of course a few mistakes, however in less then three weeks we had all the problems resolved. He even sleeps in underwear, and so far there have been no accidents in the bed or elsewhere. The funny thing is that everything you read confirms that this is the easiest way to potty train your toddler. Just wait until he is ready.

We are very proud parents right now, and he is finally ready to go to preschool. Now we face just one other problem. We cannot get any pants to fit. I was so happy to finally see him grow into a 2T, but with no diapers around the waist, his pants were hanging around his knees. A belt would be the perfect solution, however he needs to be able to take off his pants on his own. There goes that idea, and suspenders, and the four pair of overalls I bought during my trip in Germany. Yippee Yeah. So I sit down and sew a pair of brown corduroys for Christmas - Size 92. He is 95cm tall, or 37.5 inches. The pants will fit him next year. Nice pattern though. I will post a picture. Next I sew a size 86. Nope, this one is way too big too. I finally sew a pair of vanilla denim jeans in a size 80 waist with a size 92 length, and they fit perfectly. I cut out three more pair of pants, so he does not look like such a slob anymore. He just started Preschool, and I realized how little clothing I had for him. Once I get these pants done then he will have a nice supply again. I also noticed that most of his german pants have a cuff. I let out the cuff on some of his older smaller pants, and he can wear them again.

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