KCWC Day 5

Pattern: Toddler Swing Tank by True Bias

Fabric: Dress: Carolina Chambray in Magenta, Store bought bias tape.
            Button: Covered by a Michael Miller fabric. I forget which one.

I'm a night sewer so I sewed this up last night. I topstitched at 3/8" since I knew I wasn't going to be able to catch the edge of the bias tape at a 1/4". I also used a bigger button. I made it a few years ago and thought it would go nicely with this fabric. I thought about putting an applique on it but I'm not sure what shape I'd use.

I really need a 2 year old to try this on. I tried it on my 4 month old niece and it was just a little big on her. I love the pattern though. It's nice and simple. Carolina Chambray has a lot of body. I used it since I bought a few yards to make my niece's quilt and if I messed up I'd still have fabric. If I make this again and want a crossweave fabric I think I'd use Kaffe Fassett's shot cotton since it's a lot lighter.

Does anyone want a $20 credit to Tiny Prints? They recently sent it to me but I don't think I currently need anything from there. It's valid until 05/03/12. I bought my niece's birth announcements from there. They were so pretty.

Plum District has a coupon out for 25% off your order. The code is MOM25 and it's valid until the 30th of this month. I seriously love this site and have bought vouchers from them several times. It's always a good deal. I even got a subscription to Family Fun for free when they had a $10 coupon out last year. I don't have kids but it's an enjoyable magazine.

I just finished a Toddler Swing Tank. I saw it on Pinterest when it first came out and knew I wanted to make it. I was a bit unsure though since there were no photos of it on a child. I Googled the pattern again today and saw that someone had made it for KCWC here. I loved the fabric she chose, so cute!

 It's after 1am here so I'll take photos tomorrow. My camera and I do much better in natural light. I was going to try a new pants pattern but I think I'll just cut out the pieces and see the pants tomorrow. I'm making a muslin before I cut into the fabric I actually want to use.

I'm really happy I was able to sit down and sew something today. Hopefully this will get me in gear so that I can start my niece's quilt. She's 4 months and I haven't even started it yet even though I bought the batting before she was born. Who's a procrastinator? Me! I made a quilt for my youngest nephew, also more than a few months after his birth, and since it had a ton of blocks and I didn't have basting spray or enough of the safety pins I'm a bit traumatized. I had to use some straight pins that were stabbing my thighs, plus I found trying to do the line quilting a bit difficult with all that turning and getting stabbed in the process. Hoping this one will go better because I really do like quilts.

The snail in the sewing race

This new way to post is interesting. I like that it's so easy to position pictures in.

I got something made on the 23rd so I haven't forgotten KCWC. I meant to make something yesterday but that didn't happen. I think I'll try for every other day. Yesterday I photographed the dress I made and tried it on a little girl. She's 4 and this is supposed to be a 2T. I really need to work on cutting things to pattern size and not giving myself a little extra for mistakes.. I think the armholes would need to be slightly bigger for longevity and I probably won't be giving it to her but she loved it. She wanted to wear it when we went to the library together. I think I'll try to make her something since she loves it so much when I do. Such a sweet girl.

I was hoping to sew some clothes for my cousin's daughter but she hasn't gotten around to sending me measurements or clothes for sizing yet.

I had one of those $10 gift cards Kohl's sends out so I went there on Sunday. I'd been procrastinating for the last two weeks about ordering some knits and voile so I kind of went crazy and picked up 5 cotton/spandex tees that were on sale (2 XXL Mens, and 3 XL Womens). They were nice colors, stretchy, and so, so soft. It might not have been the most economical and I probably won't do it again unless a shirt is like $2 but I have some fabric to use that I like the color and feel of, so I'm happy. I'll probably still buy some yardage though. I don't know.

Patterns

Dress: The Playdate Dress by Craftiness is not Optional

Flower: Peony Flower by Creature Comforts

Fabric/Supplies

Dress: Two cotton/spandex tees from Kohls

Flower: Lining fabric from Jo-ann Fabric | DMC embroidery thread

I started this dress around 5 and finished it around 1am, hence the title of this post :/ It's ridiculous but I'm such a slow, cautious sewer. That time includes making the skirt pattern, using a seam ripper to remove the ribbing I used at the neck from another tee, finding out that I don't have enough fabric to cut out the back bodice in one piece even though I checked, forgetting to flip the pattern piece when I cut out the 2nd half and so having to use a different fabric for half of the back, somehow not cutting out the swoop on the skirt pieces (I had a curve instead O_o When I re-cut the curve I think I made it too deep) and sewing the back skirt to the bodice on the wrong side. Whoo. That was a long run-on sentence. I am ashamed :)

 I wasn't able to gather my sleeves at all but it does look good on. Next time I think I'll triple-check everything.

I contemplated doing some embroidery on the back to bring the sides together but I think it's fine as it is. I'm kind of scared to embroider on knits as well. I got some cutaway stabilizer and the mesh to put on the back to keep stitches from itching but I'm still a bit scared. I think I'll start with a woven.

 I'm thankful that even though I was making mistakes left and right, the fabric sewed like a dream. The sewing machine and my serger didn't try to eat it or anything. I don't know how much of that was due to the ballpoint pins and stretch needles I bought on Sunday. I think it was just a cooperative fabric. I think the finished garment might need a bit more steaming just to set it as right as it can be though. I would like to try to make this dress again.

I made the flower a few weeks ago. It was my first try and I'd like to do a better job next time but it looks nice on the dress. I glued the flower on a pin back and made it a broach. I now know that I should put the pin a little higher up next time so the flower doesn't sag.

I'm ready for sewing with wovens again although I've got a crush on knits. This kimono dress is going to be my inspiration for today or tomorrow. I have a pattern with wider sleeves that doesn't open all the way down the front but I really like the petite ruffles. It's something I'd been thinking about trying for a while and I've made the pattern before. I made ties in the side seams instead of the obi last time and will probably do the same this time..

Umm, was it really almost a month ago that I last posted? Time really does fly. Maybe I need to make a chart and have myself post at least 2 times a week. I'm currently sorting my crafting supplies. I bought some plastic containers to store stuff in. It's not the best but it'll have to do for now. I couldn't stand seeing my fabric all jumbled up in a huge garbage bag in my closet anymore.

I just found out KCWC is coming again. I'm excited. I plan to participate and get myself ready beforehand this time. Last time I was a bit unprepared and didn't get everything I wanted to do done

I've been wanting to make fabric flowers for a while and have been collecting supplies as I can. I made a two from a tutorial I pinned last weekend. They aren't gorgeous but I think I'll get better with practice.