WIP: Daisy Chain Sampler

I'm taking a little break to work on this Daisy Chain Sampler Embroidery designed by Alicia Paulsen of Rosy Little Things.  I bought this as a kit, but you can buy the PDF pattern here.  It's slow work but deeply satisfying in a different way than sewing.  I don't know exactly how to explain it, but I get the same feeling when I knit and crochet.  I think it has to do with the process, that rhythmic motion of your hands and fingers at work and the tactile experience of the yarn and needle.  For a few years in my twenties, knitting, and later crocheting, was something that I turned to for it's therapeutic powers.  Quiet, peace,  tranquility and balance: these were things that I found.  It is deeply absorbing and is taking me away momentarily from my sewing.

I love each and every letter that I've finished so far, although of course the stitches are far from perfect.  I am learning as I'm going you see.  The instructions are written  and illustrated so clearly that even a novice can pick it up pretty easily.  I did, however, have to google french knots and found a video tutorial for those tricky stitches.

In sewing news, I have two peekaboo bonnets cut out.  I will get to them before this weekend when we will finally have some sun.

The Week Ends

I must say this week has been so fun.  Although I did miss S, caring for one easy baby was a nice break.  I got so much done.  S finally has some cute summer clothes that will hopefully last her through the school year.

Here is another twirly skirt, this time I used Lisette voile and poplin for the hem and waist.  I think I like the voile and poplin better for this skirt.  It is still nice and full but drapes better than quilting cotton.

I even had time to make the teachers at S's dance camp thank you gifts.  Below are Rapunzel zippy pouches made from a Skip to My Lou tutorial, found here

Since the camp was based on Disney's Tangled, I thought it was appopriate to use Heather Ross's Rapunzel fabric.  I love how this turned out.  Heather Ross's fabrics make the simplest things look beautiful.

 And the project that I am most exicted about.  I had bought S a knit romper from target a month ago for our Disneyland trip.  It was super cheap, maybe under $5, and as cheap clothes go, cute but plain.  It was a solid hot pink with a little ice cream cone iron-on.  I really liked the cut of the romper though and decided to make s one out of nicer fabric.  I'm so glad I did because it turned out so cute.

I used the target romper as a pattern, just laid it right on top of the fabric and started cutting away.  I added bias tape for the edging of the shorts and the top. 

I'm hoping to keep the momentum going.  Both girls need sun hats.  Hmmm, maybe an Oliver & S bucket hat for S and a Made by Rae Peekaboo Bonnet for B.  Stay tuned...

My Productive Week Continues

I completed two more shirts, both are from the Oliver & S Ice Cream Social pattern. The first one that I made was inspired --ok, copied--from this. The fabric is different, mine I got on super sale from my local going out of business craft store that I've mentioned previously. It's called Dream a Little Dream from In the Beginning fabrics. Notice that the notch is ommitted from the neckline.

This version was made from Lisette Voile, designed by Liesl Gibson of Oliver & S.

Here is a picture of the red Lisette. Sorry about the clashing patterns.

And a final picture of the yellow Dream a Little Dream. This pattern is perfect as a playtime staple. Comfy, casual, but stylish all at once. And pretty darn easy to make as well.

A Twirly Skirt

S is in dance camp this week, which means an hour or two of daily naptime sewing for me, hurray! It was so nice to have a couple hours of uninterrupted sewing today. I was able to finish this skirt. I used House on Hill Road's Twirly Skirt tutorial, found here.

As you can see, it is a very full skirt. I love the hem band and side drawstring detail. The most tedious and time-consuming part of sewing this skirt was pulling the elastic and drawstring through the waist band. Otherwise, the sewing was very quick and easy.

Here is the skirt in action. Main fabric is Riley Blake. Hem and waistband fabric is Moda Bella solid.

This and That

It's been a crazy few weeks here in our little corner of the world. A big trip, followed by illness, Baby B.'s First Birthday, and then another illness. With all this craziness, I did manage to squeeze in a little sewing now and then.


These are napkins made from Alexandar Henry's Juicy fabric that I picked up from JoAnn's. They are a total copycat from my sister. I just love them so much. I used the mitered corner technique from Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts. The napkins are 17 square inches with a 1 inch hem.

Another look at the napkins all folded and pressed. Aren't they beautiful?

This shirt I made from Simplicity 3511. Originally I made this with the flutter sleeves view, but they were stiff and stuck out awkwardly. The fix was pretty simple; I turned the sleeves into cap sleeves by adding elastic to the underside of the sleeve hem.

I found the fabric at a local craft store that is going out of business. They have a small, but amazing collection of quilting cottons. I am super sad to lose the only place that carries nice designer fabrics in our neck of the woods. On the other hand, my fabric stash is growing because I just can't pass up the discounted prices.