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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Week #3, Mad for Plaid!



It's week #3 over at Project Run & Play, and this week's theme is "Mad for Plaid"!

To be honest, my first thought was ick. I hate plaid! But after browsing Joanns once or twice, I actually found several plaids I loved!

Then to come up with what to make. Nothing I could think of seemed original. So I decided to stop trying to be different, and just make something that my little boy could wear... so that's exactly what I did.

I wanted to make him a shirt he could wear for the holidays, but I didn't want a collar. So I opted for this cute "mandarin" style button down, from the tutorial I found here. I *mostly* followed her instructions, and I followed my machine's manual (and also some helpful tips from Dana here) to make my first buttonholes ever! Piece of cake! 

Without further delay.. the Parker Plaid Button Down! (With removable bow tie.)













Thursday, September 19, 2013

Week #2, candy inspired!




Cutting it close! Week #2 of Project Run & Play comes to a close in just a few hours, and I am finally FINISHED with this thorn in my side dress.

I've learned a few things (isn't that half the point of the Project?) during this creation..

1. Not all white cotton is created the same. This fabric was a WITCH to work with. Ugh. Never again.
2. There's a fine line between colorful and LOUD/clown/cheesy.

I strayed from my original sketch a bit, but still stayed true to what I was going for... The theme was candy and I immediately thought SKITTLES! Which sounds fun, but in terms of "wearable" clothing.. it was harder than I thought! I wanted it to be bright and colorful without being too cheesy.. I *think* I walked the line pretty well.. here is what I came up with.





I knew I wanted to do a couple things with this dress - a faux Peter Pan collar, "poofy" sleeves, and a rainbow "belt".

My original sketch had buttons, but it looked way too clown-like, so I opted for an adorable tube ruffle instead.

I left the zipper exposed because, let's be honest, when it's bubblegum pink, how can you hide it? (I buy all my zippers from zipit on Etsy!)

My original sketch also had "confetti" on the skirt.. little circles of rainbow fabric.. I decided halfway through that it would be cheesy, and in retrospect, it probably would have been. I was going to add pink bias tape to the sleeves and hem, but honestly, I ran out of time! Instead I opted for a pretty pink thread, for a nice detail. I think it has the right touch of color without being too over the top. Honestly, I'm glad it's done. This was my LEAST favorite sketch for this season. I'm not super thrilled with it, but again - I learned a lot! And for me, that's half the idea of Project Run and Play.. that and sewing super cute things for our kiddos.

I used Dana's (www.danamadeit.com... just love her!) tutorial for puffed sleeves (here), and her tutorial for the circle skirt (here). I made my own pattern for the top from a t-shirt of my stepson's.

So, there she is! Not so much a labor of love... but I think she came out pretty cute. Taste the rainbow!!







Monday, September 16, 2013

My new obsession!







 Soo... Project Run & Play is the coolest thing ever! I was so amazed by the talent last week, and this week I'm even more impressed!  The theme last week, week #1, was "project remix", where they gave us a pattern (the Oliver & S Popover Sundress) and we had to make it our own. Some people did not stray far from the pattern, some went so far out that you couldn't even remotely tell what it started as! I feel I stayed somewhat in the middle. I was NOT happy with the fit, on my adorable little model.. but, excitingly, I'm having a little photo shoot on Sunday, and I'm going to hem the dress and get some great pics of my friend's adorable daughter in it.. can't wait!

A (very) little bit about me - I started sewing a bit when my Grandmother gave me her sewing machine a few years ago. I made some Green Hornet shorts for my stepson (and matching ones for his Moose!), a Transformers pillowcase, etc. Then when I got pregnant, the sewing bug hit me hard! I started sewing everything and anything I thought I could handle. Changing pad covers, quilts, diaper/wipes cases. Once I had my son, the sewing definitely went to the wayside! But after a few months, I picked it up again. But this time, I started selling my little creations to friends, and friends of friends. I started a little business of baby items was doing pretty well! But I got bored with baby things, I wanted to make clothes! And so I tried a few things. I made a lot of mistakes (uhm...still do!), but I LOVED it. I'm learning all the time, of course, but it is SUCH a sense of accomplishment whenever I figure something out, and especially when the finished product actually looks good lol.

So anyways, this week's, week #2's theme is "candy inspired". I'm still finishing up my look.. hoping it turns out. I tried a lot of new sewing techniques with this piece. And I was NOT afraid of color, let's just say that!

The look I'm most excited about is week #4 (week #3 is "mad about plaid"). I just bought my fabric today, they had EXACTLY what I wanted. So. Excited.

I'm also super excited about my photo shoot on Sunday.. and nervous.. mostly nervous, but a little excited.

So so many pics and fun things to come!!

(P.S. This blog has been SO many things.. I'm excited for it to now become a "look at the cute schtuff I've sewn" blog!)


Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Yay!! Week #1 Pattern Remix!

Finally!! Time to share the dress I've worked hard on the past few weeks. First, this post will be really basic since it's from my mobile phone..no internet here in the new house yet. Hopefully within the next day or two..then I will come back and edit and add links.
For now, here it us, bare bones... Project Run and Play, pattern remix, Oliver & S popover dress... Here is my take!!
Changes I made:
-Doubled the width of the yoke, I wanted to show off the little birdie fabric.
-Added a piece and two buttons to the bodice/yoke
-Added width to the dress, losing three A line and gaining some body
-Added length in order to create a bubble skirt
My very last minute adorable model was a tad too small for the smallest pattern in this dress, but my other girlfriends were busy, and I only had her for the one visit, so it's a bit long on her. Oh well, still cute and she didn't want to take it off, so that's always good to hear!
Next week is candy inspired, can't wait!! I'm already amazed by the talent of everyone, can't wait to see what the designers come up with!!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Test!

Testing posting from my phone :)

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