Double Take

Sometimes I love a challenging project and other times, well...  Not so much.  This is one of those projects.  When I pictured it in my head, it came out perfect (of course!) but when I actually tried to put it into practice.  Well, needless to say there was lots of seam ripping, broken needles and hair pulling.

While I'm not 100% happy with the design, I'm happy enough that I will continue to tweak it until it is perfect.  If I wasn't happy with it, the whole project would have ended up in the "I will fix this later" pile.

The idea behind this wrap is to give the wearer more options.  The panel in the center is interchangeable.  And that's where the design flaws come in =)  I have to figure out a better "framing" system for the panel and a better way to attach the panels.  Once it's perfect, the wrap will offer a lot more color options for the wearer.

The main panel that cannot be removed.

The optional panel.

After working on this one for awhile, I came up with a design that offers only two different panels (instead of unlimited like the original design).  So, for now this is the design that is available.  

The first side.

The second side.

You'll notice that it's "missing" the black border around the panel.  

If you're interested in the second design, please let me know what colors you would prefer- for the wrap part and for the panels.  Depending on the fabric, prices start at $40.

An Easter Dress

Yes, I know it's been months and I know Easter was awhile ago.  But, this is what I made for my Easter dress... Back when I still had a belly to fill it out lol!

It's a simple tank style dress made with a knit jersey.  The shrug has a twisted "knot" on the front and is made from a tissue weight knit fabric.

One of these days, I may get around to posting about Girly- girl's dress.  Or maybe not.  I have a few wraps in the works that I hope to have posted soon as well.

Date Night

Limo ride, candlelight dinner, background piano music and professional photos.  The perfect date night.  All that was needed was the perfect dress. 

What could be more perfect than a gray sheath with kick pleats on the sides and embroidered pink and purple flowers?

What, you thought I was going on the date?  Nope, Girly- girl was the lucky one to have a date =)

The jumper is made of a light weight wool with flower embroidery on it.  There are two kick pleats on the side.  The dress is lined with a pink cotton to eliminate the “itchiness."  I overlapped the shoulder seams to give the appearance that the straps came apart.  There is a pink rose button sewn on each shoulder.

She was so excited.

And here she is with her date.

Vintage Doll

This originally started out as a shirt for me.  But I really didn't like how it fit (no shape!). 

So I stitched a couple pieces of elastic at the neckline and turned it into a dress for Girly- girl.

It looks much better on her =)

Princess Girly- Girl

With it being Girly- Girl's birthday last week, I took some time to sew her a dress.  And of course it had princesses on it =)

The pattern I used actually called for a zipper in the back.  But, I *loath* zippers.  Especially in Girly- girl's dresses.  So, I completely ignored the instructions and made the dress into a wrap dress.  There's a slit in the side seam on the right hand side to thread the tie through.  And I made the center band longer to work as ties.  The front edge and the arm holes are finished with bias tape.

Write It Out Project

I finished the journals I pledged for the Write It Out Project.  I haven't closed up the box yet though.  I have a couple hours left tonight and one or two more might make it into the box =)

Some pictures of the journals.

I really enjoyed sewing these, especially knowing who they will eventually go to.  I want to thank We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ for sponsoring this service project and I Make Stuff for starting the project.  A lot of families will be touched by the generosity of these two women =)

And Sarge is very happy to know that I cleared out a few pieces of fabric from my stash.

Juliet

I came across this pattern at a local quilt shop and thought I should try it out.

You can't really see the gathered bust line in the picture (mostly because of the pattern on the fabric). 

I cut the pattern for the above the knee length and then realized that it needed a bit more length to be modest enough =)  So, I added the ruffle on the bottom.

I had originally planned on this being my Easter dress, but didn't get it finished in time.  So, it became my Mother's Day dress.  Wore it with a cute fitted blazer because it wasn't quite warm enough to go sleeveless. 

I plan on making this again.  Might even play around with mixing different fabrics.

Running Away

Yup, I'm running away =)  Okay, not really.  I was just going out for a run.  I asked Sarge to snap a quick picture before I got all icky lol!

I love running in running skirts, but have a hard time paying $40 and up for cute ones.  So, taking a pair of compression shorts I bought for $7 and $2 for a yard of Lycra stretch fabric (which I used less than a yard), I came up with this, in less than an hour.

The only modifications I need to make on the next one is to make it a bit longer and to add some pockets to hold a cell phone and some Cliff Shots.

Farewell

No, I'm not shutting the blog down.  In the next couple weeks, I'm going to have to say farewell to two friends I've only know a short time.  But, in that short time, they've made a huge impact on my life.

When I first moved to the DFW area, I joined a MOP's group to get to know other moms in my area.  One of the first to greet me and make me feel like I had known her forever was Miss April and the other was Miss Mai.  Both of these ladies made me feel welcome and a tad less homesick. 

Miss April has a heart to serve those she meets.  I pray that someone in her new home welcomes her and makes her feel like an old friend, just like she did for me.  Miss Mai has a heart for missions.  She's been a great example of how to follow God's will in my life.  I pray that the people who have been placed on her heart see Christ shining through her.

To thank these two wonderful women for what they've done and for what they will do, I wanted to give them something to look at and remember their old friends.

Two cute little stationary notebooks.  With a few extra surprises.

The green one has a cute little frog button on the front.

A place to hold your pen, four cards/ ID's and notecards and a notebook.

The purple one has an antiqued silver button closure.

Places for 8 cards/ ID's, a pen, notecards and a notebook.

The purple one is slightly smaller than the green one.  The green one measures 13x9.5 inches when open and the purple one measures 13x7 inches when open.

I haven't decided who gets one color.  Maybe I'll let them figure it out when I see them next...

To Miss April and Miss Mai: I feel like I've just gotten to know you, but know that even distance won't stop the seed of friendship that has been planted.  Thank you for making me feel welcome =)

Easter Flowers

I'm finally getting around to posting pictures and details for Girly- girl's Easter dress. 

I used Simplicity 2675 View A and fabric from my stash.

Sold: Jolie

Jolie: an adjective meaning pretty.

A great combination of pink and brown,

sugar and spice

and all that's nice.

Two large exterior pockets accented with buttons.

Five interior pockets and a centered, zippered pouch.

The tote measures approximately 14"x17"x7"

The shoulder straps are approximately 20"

Jolie is for sale for $30.

Sunburst

This is just the first try at making wallets.  It didn't turn out too bad. 

Next time around I'm going to add more credit card slots. Seroiusly, who only carries to cards/ ID's?

Need to lower this pocket to fit the snap better.

Next run will include d- rings on the side to attach a strap to. 

Miss Behaving

I made this bag for a friend.  She had challenged me to make a bag that fit her personality =)

This is a fairly large totebag with a lot of pockets.  Four on the front and 10 on the interior. 

It measures approximately 20" wide, 18" high and 2" deep.

Flowers and Fairies

I came across this fabric at a local quilt shop and was inspired to create a dress.  It took a bit of planning and help from my MIL to get the final design down, but I think it turned out pretty cute =)

Now if I only had flowers in my front garden for her to pick.

Hearts A- flutter

With the craziness of the move last fall, I didn't get a chance to make Girly- girl a Christmas dress.  So I figured a Valentine's Day dress would have to do =)

Girly- girl was being very cooperative with letting me take pictures today.  And the weather was perfect...  Sunny, 75* with just a slight breaze =)

Crimson Sunset Shirt

The elastic smacked waitband on the shirt provide just enough pop of color to keep this shirt from being boring.  Paired with a pair a jeans, it makes a great shirt to wear on warm summer nights.

Contrast binding at the neck with an embroidered leaf pattern add just a bit more allure to the shirt.

The shirt will fit a size medium.

It is for sale for $15.

Flashback Cotton Dress

Flashback to the 60's and a simple cotton shift dress. 

Simple lines on this a- line dress make it an easy choice for every day wear.  The dress fits a small/ medium.

The dress is for sale for $20.

Kickin' Back Linen Dress

With three days of gray skies, and Sarge not around to help with pictures, I had to resort to dessing up my dress form and hoping for a cooperative model =)

This is a marron colored linen dress with tone- on- tone embroidered flowers.  The flash on the camera caused the embroided pattern to show up more than it really does.

Three vintage- styled silver buttons with flower embossed on them compliment the embroidered pattern on the dress.  There are two kangaroo- styled pockets at the hips.  The dress zips up the back.

This dress would fit a small/ medium.  It is for sale for $35.