The Best Laid Plans

Let's face it kids clothes are expensive.  The amount of use some items get vs. the amount paid for them is something I try not to think about.  So, I like to shop at the end of season sales to pick up items for the coming year.  You really can find some great deals if you hit the sales right.  Like the $3 hunter green, cable knit sweater I got for Zachary from Gap one year.  Probably still one of my best finds.  It did help that we were living in Hawaii at the time.  

This weekend I spent some time swapping Piper's closet to her summer wardrobe.  While I was in her closet I decided to take down the bin full of fall and winter things I've picked up for this coming fall and winter.  Certainly I have some pieces that will work well with my project and can act as inspiration pieces.  Certainly I was wrong.  Not all was lost, I did find a sweater and a cute corduroy skirt that will work (see picture below, but please ignore the wrinkles).  I pulled them out and will put them in my "work shop" to aid in the design process.

Speaking of design process.  Eek!  I have picked some adorable fabrics and I'm very happy with my choices, I only wish I could commit to making the first cut.  I have sat and stared at these fabrics with patterns in hand trying to come up with the best plan, with the cutest outcome for each. I wonder how Piper feels about togas. 

My Muse

Love is a fabric that never fades...

Love is a big part of my project.  Both my love of Piper and my love of sewing.  I know at the age of 2 she won't understand all that went into each piece of clothing but I hope that when she's wearing them in some way she can feel the love that was put into them.

In selecting the fabric for my project I tried to keep in mind a few things; the season of fall, something fun and kid friendly, things that Piper likes.  Selecting fall "feeling" fabric in May is difficult.  I was drawn to the bright colors for summer and the light fabrics that would make dresses perfect for wearing on a 90 degree day.  I had found a frog print online that I really liked and had already formed a semi-plan in my head before heading to the store.  However, when I arrived that particular fabric was out of stock. Of course I could have waited until it came back in stock or I could have ordered it online but I'm impatient and working against the clock.  DH was with me and after watching me walk several circles around the store presented me with an adorable green cotton printed with woodland animals. Instantly my plan took a left at Albuquerque.  I think the new plan is perfect for fall and for Piper.  She is a lover of all things fuzzy and the colors are perfect for fall.  I had several 40% and 50% off coupons so I was able to save $45 on my first trip to the fabric store.  I still need to get some corduroy and a couple knits but those will have to wait until I have some more coupons.  In the meantime these are the fabrics I came home with.

Happy Memorial Day

Today while enjoying your bar-b-que and the beautiful weather take the time to remember what today is really about.  Say a prayer for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for your freedom.  Remember freedom isn't free.

Let's Start At The Very Beginning

Welcome!

As a sew-er, I often find that I make things for my daughter that are random.  They don't really fit with her wardrobe and as a result they don't get much wear.  She loves each and every piece I've made for her.  It makes me happy to see how delighted she is when a piece is finished.  I also don't mind the compliments that come with telling someone I made the dress/pants/skirt/top she's wearing.

So, I got to thinking about what I can do to get more wear out of what I make for her.  I came up with a genius idea, make her fall wardrobe.  Since Memorial Day weekend marks the un-official start to summer, the plan is to create 10 pieces (2 pants, 2 skirts, 2 dresses, 3 tops, 1 jacket) by the un-official end to summer (aka Labor Day).

The patterns I have chosen (tentatively) are as follows:

PANTS

Oliver + S Sandbox Pants

Farbenmix Dortje Trousers

SKIRTS

McCall's 6066 

Farbenmix Insa

DRESSES

Simplicity 5489 (Jumper)

Oliver + S Jump Rope Dress

TOPS

Oliver + S Music Class Blouse

Little Girl Big Style Peasant Top

Oliver + S Sailboat Top

JACKET

Oliver + S School Days Jacket

I am a little partial to Oliver + S patterns if you couldn't tell.  They are so cute and kid friendly.  If time allows I hope to add to this list but this is my jumping off point.  In addition to making these adorable clothes for my adorable little one, I'm going to be learning about my Serger as I go.  I've had it for 5 months and just took it out of the box yesterday.  I'm hoping to give things a more professional finish as well as make them a little sturdier in construction to hold up longer.  Follow me on this journey to see if in fact Piper will have clothes to wear this fall. :)