Spring KCWC Day 1

We've had two straight sunny days here in Portland.  The days were spent outside.

Playing in fields of tulips...

and making messy ice-cream faces.

The first two pictures were taken at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn.  The colors are pretty amazing this time of the year.  And  although it gets pretty crowded, it's still worth the drive to see the rows and rows of colorful tulips.  

And now onto sewing news...

I'm gonna cheat a little and call this the product of day 1 of KCWC.  This skirt (plus 3 duplicates) was actually sewn up and completed Sunday night.  I had every intention of sewing last night after the kids went to sleep.  But then I fell asleep while putting B down for bedtime, and next thing I knew it was already 9:30pm.  I fought to stay awake for another half hour and then decided to just call it a day and went to bed.  The sunshine and being outdoors makes for a great night's sleep. 

B's friend is having a Yo Gabba Gabba themed birthday party.  I made the birthday girl, her sister, S and B each a skirt out of a this wild yo gabba print. 

I already have an Oliver & S 2 plus 2 shirt all cut up.  Hopefully tonight will be a bit more productive and I will have something to show for Day 2.

Mod Top Circle Shirt

I've had it in my head for a while to make S a circle shirt.  When I saw this on pinterest, I knew I had just the right fabric too.  Actually, it was an old silk robe that I've had hanging in my closet for a really long time, rarely worn.  The print was just right, big flowers, a bit mod looking.  Then Project Run and Play's new season began with a remix of Dana's circle skirt tutorial.  That was all I needed to spur me to action.

I made the neckline a bit squarish, and the shape of the overall shirt is more of an oval than a circle.  The fabric was a pain to sew with; it was so thin and slippery that my machine wanted to eat it up.  luckily, my serger saved the day, I used a rolled hem to finish the edges and also red thread cause that was what was on my machine that day.  I also made a matching scarf/headband to complete the outfit.

I'm adding this to the Project Run and Play Pool...There are some seriously talented sewers out there; go check it out!

Handmade Easter Swap

I'm participating in the Belle + Bee Handmade Easter Swap.  I found this cute little tutorial here.

A bunny softie inside a ribbon felt egg, what more could you ask for?  Hope the kids like it as much as S did.  Off to the UPS store to send them off!

Sunday Brunch

 I'm kicking myself for not making this jacket sooner.  It was so quick and easy.  I guess I thought that since S had always been small for her age, I had plenty of time.  But alas she had a huge growth spurt these last few months, and now it seems that time has run out.  

  The pattern that I have only goes up to size 3.  The sleeves are a bit short, hitting just above the wrist.  The length fits ok though.  

S didn't want to stand still for a photoshoot so this is the best I could get from her. 

Happy spring everyone!

PS.  To Ms. Liesl and co.;  please please please make the large sized Sunday Brunch pattern available before my girl gets too big.     

Tova Top!

It's hard to believe but it's been about 10 years since I've made an item of clothing for myself.  My wedding dress no less.  But the long hiatus has ended with this lovely top. 

  I had seen photos of Wiksten's Tova Top all over sewing blogland but balked at the price.  Who would spend 30 plus dollars on a pattern when you could get them for a dollar or 2 at JoAnn's?    Then my friend Gail  made not one but 2 really cute shirts.  After stalking the Wiksten shop for a few weeks, I was finally able to get my hands on a pattern.  

This top is super-flattering for any figure, but especially for those of us who have an extra roll or two in the tummy area, which I am going to blame on the birthing of two kids and not the bag of cheetos I had with my lunch.

I've discovered that it's really really hard to take photos of myself.   But here's a closer look.

And here's one with the other arm down.  By the way, the fabric is Lisette Lawn from JoAnn's.

The greatest compliment of all?  When S saw me wearing my Tova Top, she asked, "Where's my shirt like yours?"  A mini-tova?  Stay tuned.