I'm Back in the Saddle Again!

I had a momentary "hitch in my giddyup" last Saturday when I was stitching some bias trim with my one and only double needle (I know, I know - I kept telling myself to order backups!) - and I hit a thick spot in the fabric and bent one of the needles irreparably.  I promptly ordered THREE new double needles; however, it took a week for them to arrive.  FYI, double sewing machine needles are not available on every street corner - certainly not at my local Wal-Mart! - so I ordered some from amazon.com.  AND... just so you know, the double needles I received are set wider apart than the one that came with my Brother sewing machine.  It's not bad... it's just an adjustment I have had to make - particularly when sewing narrow bias tape binding.  I also have to think about my elastic casings width and adjust so that there is still room for the elastic once I top-stitch!  Oh, WELL!

So I spent my week house cleaning, celebrating the Fourth of July (which also happened to be my BIRTHDAY!), and getting the laundry/sewing room organized. 

One of my projects for the next month is to make several garments for our great-niece, Kelsey, who will visit us the end of July.  Kelsey and her parents live in St. Louis, so we don't get to see them often.  Having her here to try on the clothes in person - and then not having to mail them to her - will be a treat! 

I ordered three dress patterns from Etsy.com recently.  One was for a little dress called the Peony Flower dress from Ruby Jean's Closet.  What little girl wouldn't love to twirl around in this darling dress?! I started with a ladies pleated front skirt with elastic waist and a full front button placket. I'm thinking these would be adorable made from an old white damask tablecloth - perfect for a summer wedding! The hardest part is cutting 54 flower petals... that's a lot of little snips! But I think it was worth it... don't you?!

Another of the dress patterns I ordered was the Aubrey Bow Dress.  I made one for Kelsey for July 4th in red/white/blue cottons.  She looked so cute in it.  I'm going to make more of these... I have lots of ideas!  I mailed this dress to Kelsey, wrapped in tissue and a red ribbon, which she now has added to the ensemble by draping it around her neck.  This kid LOVES to make silly faces!  Hey, we were 2½ once, weren't we?!
A couple of summers ago, I found a vintage pillowcase at a yard sale - paid a whole quarter for it!  I've made two toddler dresses from it... the latest is - wait for it - a "pillowcase" dress!  I wasn't all that excited until I added the bloomers.  Now I think the outfit is too stinkin' cute!  The other dress I made was sold on Etsy some time ago.  I hope a lucky little girl is having fun wearing it, wherever she is! 

Finally, take a look at my little cousin Harper, rockin' two of the dresses I've made her recently.  Harper will be a year old in late September.  I think she can wear these dresses to college!*lol*  Seriously, she is a tiny wisp of a thing, and she looks adorable in anything we put on her!

Back to the sewing room I go!!!

The Project List is GROWING!!!

So many projects... so little time!  I have been BUSY lately creating dresses, shorts and more for my little nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  I've also made new pillows for our living room couches - and outdoor pillows for our porches and the porch of my cousin!  Whew!

Here are some of the latest creations... it seems like every day I find another project that I just have to tackle... so the list IS growing... and the fun never ends!

Some 12 pieces created with Urban Zoologie, Groovy Guitars
and other coordinating fabrics.. dresses, onesies and pants
and even a burp pad!

Collar created for an Etsy customer from a
vintage linen and lace doily.

Back of collar - fastened with a snap closure
and accented with a big vintage button.

My little cousin, Harper, sporting a pink print
peasant dress I made.  Her cousin Olivia has one
just like it... and of course, American Girl Doll
has something pink, too (see below)!

American Girl doll dress for my cousin, Olivia...
made from the scraps of her pink peasant dress!

Toy Story shorts and matching shirt for Timothy.
Shirt was made with an iron-on I bought on eBay!

Dress made for my niece  Zola from scraps of my
pillow-making project - Pillow & Maxfield Gypsy
 Bandanain pink.  Pants were made from a thrift store
t-shirt. Headband is accented with yellow knit
and red tulle flowersand a yellow bumblebee button!



Matching dresses made for two little friends, ages 4 and 5.
I love this sunny yellow fabric!



Toddler t-shirt trimmed in scraps of dinosaur fabric,
which was also used for the appliques.

My little ones will look great on July 4th! 
A dress for Olivia and shorts for Owen!

July 4th onesie using ruffled fabric scraps and
a flag made of polka-dot "denim".

Back of onesie with polka-dot "denim" ruffles.

"Aubrey" bow dress for our great-niece -
got the pattern on Etsy... tons of ideas for this design!

Before - a fifty-cent Land's End knit polo from the thrift store.

After... a pair of toddler shorts with cargo pockets!

Front porch pillows in Gypsy Bandana Pink - to match our roses.

Pink in pillows to match pink Knock-out roses!

Joel Dewberry "Aviary" fabric pillow for couch
with natural linen back.

Amy Butler  Gypsy Caravan"Cat Eye" fabric pillows
with "Stainless" trim/backing

Amy Butler "Midwest Modern" Linen fabric pillows and
Gypsy Caravan pillow with corded trim.

Pillow & Maxfield "Gypsy Bandana" in red pillows with
coordinating piping.

These Kids Make ANY Clothes Look Cute!

Take a look at Timothy and Zola in some of the coordinating outfits I made them from the Groovy Guitars fabrics.  I used a striped piece for Zola's dress and bordered it with Groovy Guitars.  Timmy got shorts and an appliqued tank.  There are other pieces in the same color family... hopefully Mom will photograph those soon for me to share!