New Beginnings

Summer is officially behind us.  Zach went back to school two weeks ago as a high school freshman.  He's running cross country and enjoying taking a Programming Java class.  What a fun exciting time for him.

First day of High School

Piper started preschool today.  Each new milestone has been so bittersweet with her and this one is no different.  She is such a kind, sweet little girl the future is hers to do and be whatever she wants, this is only the beginning.

Of course, she needed a new dress.  I took inspiration for her first day dress from this one I had pinned on Pinterest a while ago.  I wanted to work with her favorite colors which are pink and purple.  I used Kona Cottons in Berry and Blush.  The dress is an Oliver + S Ice Cream dress.  I've made this pattern several times before and it's still a favorite.  Instead of doing gathers across the top, I opted for an inverted pleat like in the inspiration dress.

Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress

We have been reading The Kissing Hand in preparation for the first day of school.  Chester the raccoon's mom kisses his hand so he knows that "Mommy loves you" even when he is at school.  I thought it would be nice to make sure Piper had the same special message so I sewed the words "Mommy (heart) you" into the hem of her dress.

(I would have been better if I could have figured out how to turn the pic around)

Piper looked lovely and like such a big girl on her big day.  I can't believe she is 3 already and it's time to start school.  She will only be going two days a week.  I wonder if that is the get the children used to the idea of school, or the parents.

There were no visible tears when we dropped her off.  She found her name and hung up her backpack. She was a little apprehensive but so brave.  

I will leave you with this letter by Dan Valentine, it is more than appropriate for today:

Dear World, 

I bequeath to you today one little girl in a crispy dress, with two blue eyes, and a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I trust you'll treat her well.

She's slipping out of the backyard of my heart this morning and skipping off down the street to her first day at school. And, never again will she be completely mine.

Prim and proud, she'll wave a young and independent hand this morning, and say goodbye and walk with little-lady steps to the nearby schoolhouse.  Gone will be the chattering little hoyden who lived only for play, and gone will be the delightful little gamin who roamed the yard like a proud princess with nary a care in her little world.

Now, she will learn to stand in lines, and wait by the alphabet for her name to be called. She will learn to tune her little-girl ears for the sound of school bells, and for deadlines. She will learn to giggle and gossip and to look at the ceiling in a disinterested way when the little boy across the aisle sticks out his tongue.  Now she will learn to be jealous and now she will learn how it is to feel hurt inside and now she will learn how not to cry.  

No longer will she have time to sit on the front porch steps on a summer day and watch while an ant scurries across a crack in the sidewalk. Or will she have time to pop out of bed with the dawn to kiss lilac blossoms in the morning dew.  Now she will worry about important things like grades and what dresses to wear and whose best friend is whose. Now she will worry about the little boy who pulls her hair at recess time and staying after school and which little girls like which little boys. And the magic of books and knowledge will soon take the place of the magic of her blocks and dolls. 

She'll find her new heroes.  For three full years I've been her sage and Santa Claus, her pal and playmate, her parent and friend.  Now, alas, she'll learn to share her worship and adoration with her teachers (which is only right). No longer will her parents be the smartest, and greatest in the world. 

Today, when the first school bell rings, she'll learn how it is to be a member of the group with all its privileges, and, of course, its disadvantages, too. She'll learn in time that proper young ladies don't laugh out loud or keep frogs in pickle jars in bedrooms or watch ants scurry across the cracks in a summer sidewalk.

Today, she'll begin to learn for the first time that all who smile at her are not her friends. That "the group" can be a demanding mistress and I'll stand on the porch and watch her start out on the long, long journey to becoming a woman.

So WORLD, I BEQUEATH TO YOU TODAY ONE LITTLE GIRL in a crispy dress, with two blue eyes, a happy laugh that ripples all day long, and a batch of light blonde hair that bounces in the sunlight when she runs. I TRUST YOU'LL TREAT HER WELL. 

Oliver + S Ice Cream / Cherry Blossom Dress

I have had this dress finished for a couple of weeks now but was so waiting for the spring cherry blossoms to bloom before letting Piper wear it.  Finally, the weather has decided to warm up and the blossoms are in full bloom.  This morning, DH, Piper and I made our way into DC to see the blossoms in all their splendor.  The cherry trees in full bloom in Washington DC truly are a beautiful sight, if you have never seen them and have the ability to go you really should.

So, this is the dress I made just for the blossoms:

Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress

You would think I would have a better picture of it than that, I don't.  The Ice Cream dress is probably my favorite dress to make and to have Piper wear.  I made this one using Kaffe Fassett Shot Cotton in apricot, pink and granite.  The shot cotton is divine, so soft and light, the perfect fabric for a spring / summer dress.  I did have concerns about how lightweight it was and considered lining the middle panel so it wouldn't be see through but thanks to the lovely ladies on the Oliver + S discussion forum I was convinced it would be fine without a lining and it is.

The original inspiration for this dress was this top I saw at Target months ago:

I really like the colors of the top, but didn't like the cheapness of it.  I knew I could do better.  Once I had the dress finished, it was just a matter of waiting until the right day for Piper to wear it.  Today was perfect.  The weather was in the mid-80's.  The sun was shining bright.  The blooms were at their peak.  

Isn't this the perfect cherry blossom dress?

More cherry blossom photos can be found here.

Library Wednesday

I love books as much (maybe a little more) as I love to sew.  Here's a quick side story related to my love of books but not related to today's post.  Book stores are like Disneyland to me, quite possibly the happiest place on earth.  I get a little giddy about going to a book store.  I, however, have one problem when I get there.  I get so overwhelmed by all the possibilities in a book store.  Do I want to read fiction or nonfiction?  Do I want adventure or mystery?  So, so many options.  I know I can't read them all, so I don't want to waste the time I have to read on a bad book.  What's the only way to find out if a book is bad?  You have to read the book to find out if it's a bad book.  So, I stand in book stores with thousands of options and worry that I might choose a bad book and waste the precious limited time I have to read. So, I often walk out of book stores empty handed and feeling a little sad.  Does anyone else have this problem or am I the only one?

Anyway back to today's topic.  I love books.  I particularly love children's books.  More than anything I LOVE Dr. Seuss, the man and his books.  If Dr. Seuss were still alive today, I would be his groupie.  Dr. Seuss himself never had children but he has changed the lives of millions of children simply by putting pen to paper.  Dr. Seuss's birthday is on Saturday and this weeks library theme was of course, Dr. Seuss.  With out a doubt, Piper was appropriately dressed for such a special occasion!  In, what else, but a Celebration of Seuss dress:

Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress

This dress makes me so happy, I can't even tell you!  I used the Oliver + S Ice Cream dress pattern to make the dress.  I think this is my third or fourth ice cream dress.  It's such a great pattern, really a blank slate to do a lot with.  The fabric is from Robert Kaufman's Celebrate Seuss line.  It did hurt a little to cut into the fabric, because I would rather hoard it than use it but I will just buy some more. 

I desperately tried to match the stripes on the side.  Not so easy with wonky stripes like these.  I was close:

Like some of the other dresses I have told you about that I have made, I used french seams on the inside so the entire dress is finished on the inside.  I love that!

Of course Piper needed cute accessories for her hair so I made a couple of hair ties, the pattern is free on the O+S website.

The best part about today and Piper's great dress was that Piper finally went to the front of the room for Show 'n Tell.  I always spend time making a pretty outfit and we always make sure Piper has an item to show for Show 'n Tell time during story time at the library but Piper never wants to go to the front of the room.  She's working through some shyness issues, so I never push her to do it but always ask if she'd like to and offer her bits of encouragement.  So, today was a big day.  She went to the front of the room and stood with Miss Judy.  She even ran back with a big smile on her face when it was all over.  She of course got big hugs and praises when she came back to me.  It was a huge step for her and I was so proud of her.  I even remembered to whip out my phone and grab some pictures of her big moment!

Our library story time isn't just a time when we go to the library and they read to the kiddos.  We sing and do calendar and a craft.  It's really a great program for the little ones.  We're very lucky to have such an active library with great staff so close to us.  Today's craft was a cute Cat in the Hat mask.  Here's Piper and her "besty" modeling their masks.

Aren't they a hoot?  I think I took a dozen pictures of the two of them and never once were they both looking in the same direction.  Crazy kiddos.  I love 'em both! :)

Here's one last shot of Piper modeling her fabulous (if I say so myself) dress on a beautiful, almost, spring day.

Library Wednesday

It's Wednesday, so that must mean it's time for Story Time at the library.  This week's theme was Fall.  I already had the perfect dress for this week, so I didn't need to whip anything up.

Oliver + S Ice Cream (Candy Corn) Dress

You can read about the making of the candy corn dress here, so I won't bore you with those details all over again.  I'll just show you how cute Piper looked in it.

We had some errands to run before and after library today and I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people that commented on how cute the dress was.  I was excited to make it but after I was finished, I was afraid it looked a little to "costumey".  It was nice to hear such positive words from people.  Piper will certainly be wearing this a few more times this fall. :)

Library Wednesday

Yay!  Library story time is back!  Each week story time has a theme and the stories and craft are centered around that theme.  The children are also encouraged to dress in / bring in theme related items to "show 'n tell" to the class. Story time is really what put me back behind the sewing machine.  One week last spring, the theme was snakes.  Piper didn't have a snake to bring or wear.  Zachary decided we should make her one.  So, we did (actually he did most of the work, I assisted).

After that it kind of became an obsession to make sure Piper was properly outfitted each week.  I can't believe how much my sewing skills have improved since then.  I look back at those first few dresses and am a little embarrassed that I sent her to library in them.  I guess there really isn't anything wrong with any of them, I just think I do much better work now. ;)

Anyway, I'm so happy that fall story time is starting today.  Today's theme is Back to School.  Today's outfit for story time is:

Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress

I was so excited when I found this fabric.  It's called Gumball's First Day of School Bus Route by Timeless Treasure.  I'm not sure I could have found a more perfect fabric for our theme this week.  Admittedly, it's difficult to work with a fabric like this that has such a large print for such a tiny person.  The best dress to highlight the print and theme was the Oliver + S Ice Cream Dress.  This is the second time I have made this dress in as many weeks (the first was the Candy Corn Dress).   I don't normally like to sew a pattern more than once.  I usually feel like, been there done that.  I don't feel that way with the O+S patterns.  As soon as I am finished with one, my mind starts racing with all the ideas for ways to change it up and make the next one.  I think it's the clear directions and the cute results that help with this feeling.

Despite this being the second time I have sewn this dress, I did sew the yoke on inside-out, but you can't tell. 

With the Candy Corn dress, I left the pockets off.  This time I added them, being very careful to match up the print.  I did omit the little notch in the pocket that mimics the notch in the yoke.  Call me lazy.

I had just enough of the grey (Michael Miller Back Yard Baby Snake Skin, grey) for the yoke and hem.  I didn't have enough for the lining of the hem, so I used a pretty blue cotton that I had in my stash.  

I did also finish the side seams with a french seam this time.  So the entire inside of the dress is finished.  I didn't take a picture of that.

I'm looking forward to a fun fall library story time and I know Piper is too.  Thanks to Miss Judy and Miss Barbara for making story time so enjoyable.  Check back next week to see what Piper will be wearing!

Oliver + S Ice Cream (Candy Corn) Dress

What do you do on a wet Sunday?  We were going to go to a neighborhood BBQ but it got cancelled.  So, since we had no other plans I tackled a project that had been on my mind for some time.

Oliver +S Ice Cream Dress

I bought this pattern a few months ago.  At first I wasn't sure what direction to head with it, then it struck me, a candy corn dress. I remember seeing different versions of candy corn dress online last fall. I probably pinned a few to Pinterest.

Last Sunday, DH and I were talking about making this dress.  He was looking at fabrics online with me and helping me work through the design process.  Then, Sunday evening I popped onto the Oliver + S forums to see what was new and some one had asked a question about doing just the thing DH and I had been discussing that morning.  It was fun to "discuss" design ideas and fabric selections with other women that have the same interests as me (our kiddos and sewing for them).  I was going to wait a bit to make the dress.  It might seem a little odd to wear a candy corn dress in August.  But, after all the talk about the project I held out as long as I could.

I wasn't sure what fabrics I wanted to use.  I had considered using Kona Cotton, but was afraid it would be too "much" for Piper.  I didn't want her to be swallowed by the colors of the dress.  After some discussion online about it, I decided a trip to the fabric store was necessary.  I recently found a new store I wanted to check out so Piper and I hopped in the car on Tuesday and headed to the Material Girls Quilt Boutique.  I could have spent all day in there, what a great shop and even better was the customer service.  After talking to Wendy at the store I decided to go with a subtle print.  The idea of candy corn is still very visible but I think it takes some of the harshness out of it.

Top stitching the yoke wasn't necessary but I think it adds to the dress.

I was nervous about doing such a high contrast top stitch.  Every mistake can easily be seen.  I know there are a few, but Piper is a girl on the move so they won't easily be detected when she's wearing the dress.

On the back I added a yellow button.  I considered doing a fabric covered button, but like this one too.

I also did contrast stitching between the yellow and orange layer.  It's kind of hard to see, so here is a close up.

Another great Oliver+S pattern.  I was able to put it together in an afternoon.  I already have ideas for other dresses using this pattern.  It's a great way to show of some favorite fabrics or fabrics with things your kiddo loves (dinosaurs, horses, etc.)  Sometimes those "juvenile" print fabrics don't work well on garments, but I think this dress lends itself to them.

The side seams are the only exposed seams on the inside of the dress.  So, it has a really nice finish from the inside and out.  I considered lining the middle tier so the entire dress would be lined and there would be no exposed seams but I wasn't that ambitious.

Can't wait for "official" fall to arrive so Piper can wear her candy corn dress!