oliver and s school days coat

i'm finally done with the oliver and s coat! it took me awhile just because i kept making silly and careless mistakes. first off, i somehow missed cutting the placket and didn't realize this until i was almost finished with the coat. the other mistake that i made was that i cut the cords a half inch too short, and of course when i tried to button the jacket, the placket ended up looking puckered.

anyhow, here are the details. i used a double faced designer wool melton and a fun amy butler quilted weight from the midwest modern line. The wool was beautiful to work with and ironed really well, although the bulk was a bit problematic at times. the pattern did say to use a walking foot for thicker fabrics, but because i didn't have one on hand, i just used an ordinary one. it worked fine but i am definitely saving up for a walking foot.

all in all i am pretty happy with the result. the coat is just a bit too big so hopefully it will last s this winter and next. i gave it to s today and she loves it! she kept saying thank you and even gave me a kiss. so all the time and effort was worth it just for that.

Next up is a made by rae toddler backpack for one of s's little friends who is having a birthday this coming weekend. i guess i'll have to get busy...

cribs and bags

well, i'm happy to say that i finally finished baby b's crib bedding. i started this 2 years ago, intending it for her big sister but never got around to finishing it. finally this week, i finished the bedskirt and now baby b is the happy recipient. i based the design on the modern crib pattern in amy butler's "little stitches for little ones." i omitted the pockets and added an edge trim to the bumper. i also added a true pleat to the skirt.

i also finished a dance bag for s. i used fabric from anna maria horner's drawing room line of home decor weight. the lining is a sandra hendrickson fabric that has been in my stash for a while. i used a pattern from pink chalk's "mailbag." this is the mini version. it was a super easy pattern and i finished the whole thing in less than 2 hours. i am half-way done with the bigger version for me.

next up is the oliver & s school days coat for s!

making progress

re-upholstered child's rocking chair. my first !

crocheted hat with flower from my own pattern

a cardi that i knitted for my niece a couple of years ago. from a pattern by debbie bliss out of wool yarn and store bought ruffle trim

i really am making progress. it's slow, but still progress. the crib skirt is finished; all except for the ironing and picking out all those loose threads that is. the curtains for baby b's room is about 90 % completed. it's actually been a pretty tough week. both girls were sick with colds/stomache virus, so i've been dealing with snot, puke, and poo all week. so for lack of new pictures, here are some past projects that i've dug up from my flickr page.

winter sewing

i will start with a list of the projects that i would like to accomplish in the next few weeks. here they are in order of importance.

1. finish b's crib skirt. i only have the center to cut out and sew on to the sides. everything else is hemmed and ready to go.
2. finish b's curtains. one panel is pretty much done and the other has been cut. i also need to buy a set of rings for the top panel.
3. sew a winter coat for s from the oliver & s school days pattern.
4. sew the oliver & s sunday brunch outfit for s.
5. sew pants for s. all her pants are either too big around the waist for her or if the waist fits, then they are too short.
6. sew warm winter pj's for s from the fleece i bought a while ago.

if i can do a little bit each night, then maybe i will finish all of this by the time winter sets in. hoping to surprise myself with my industry and productiveness!