Sew More

Lately I have had a thirst to sew. I spend more time figuring out what to make than I do actually sewing and sometimes that is just as much fun.

A bias trimmed apron out of some of my favorite fabric. I think it’s an American Jane print.

Unlike the corduroy vest I recently posted about these overalls from the same fabric have no secrets. And I realize they might be a bit geeky but Henry is four and can still get away with a little geeky/cute.

I’m hoping for his sake I realize when geeky/cute is just geeky.

owls and argyle

Molly was home sick from school today but I still asked her to model an outfit. Is that mean?

I actually made this as a tunic to wear with jeggings but going upstairs to get the jeggings seemed like too much work at the time. She had these humungous argyle socks on that she wears as often as she can because her sister gave them to her. They kind of match, and you gotta work with what you got.

The dress is Simplicity 4927.

This week has been stinky. Do you ever have weeks like this? I’m wondering if I should wait until next week to be smiley and nice or should I just finish the week out like this…all snarky and full of vinegar. Decisions, decisions.

lovely short making for the modern day young lady

*advanced skill required

Growing up with three brothers I thought I would never do this. But I do…every summer.

Play on, little girl.

sewing challenge/ Sunday

To be a boy in this house means you wear cowboy pajamas and overalls.

Sam 1999 Henry 2010

Simplicity 3987 view B-this is my favorite pj pattern

The sewing challenge has taught me many things. It’s helped me to be more organized and make better use of my time. It has given me a sense of renewal. I remember reading an Eric Sloan book a long time ago in which he said how our society is missing a sense of pride. Pride in making things with our own hands. Doesn’t it seem that this hand made renewal has been contagious? People are learning to do things their grandparents did…not because they have to but because they want to. This makes me so happy.

The sewing challenge had a party like feel to it. Thanks Meg for letting me be a part of it.

kids clothes challenge/ Friday

Does this look a little circus-y? With the polka dotted neck and all? I don’t usually pick big bright prints. But I done did this time and now that I done did made it she is gonna wear it no matter what. Fuddy duddy duh.

If you care-- the skirt part of the dress is similar of that to a pillowcase dress and the bodice is from a McCall’s pattern that is sitting 20 feet away but I’m too lazy to go look at the number. Okay? You writing all that down?

I still have a couple things ready to make…hopefully this weekend I can find some time. Then Elsie Marley’s kids clothes sewing challenge will be over. The flickr pool has really been inspiring me. I hope people keep posting pics as they make things.

I’m kind of tired for a Friday. I think it’s because I don’t feel like making dinner. How did those women do it the 50’s? All those casseroles and gelatin molds…too much pressure!

Kid #3:

He eats a lot and asks me what is for dinner all the time.

I recently cleaned his room and found a bottle of ranch dressing under his bed. He needed it for a band fundraiser dinner (4 months ago).

It had already been opened.

I was mad.

But I’m not anymore.

kids clothes challenge/Wednesday

It’s day three of the sewing challenge and I’m still having fun. My house is a bit of a mess but that’s okay. It feels good to complete some projects that have been simmering in my mind.

My kids have all kinds of activities this week but for some reason I get more done when I am busy rather when I am la la laazzzyy around the house. Tonight the two oldest girls are out and we are about to have a storm. I can feel it in me bones. Actually I heard it on the radio, read it in the paper and my sister in Ohio texted it to me. These storms are no fun at all, bless you people just north of us in Oklahoma. I keep thinking of you every time I hear a growl of thunder.

Henry was bribed with two chocolate raisins to take pictures, he really just wanted to pet the cat. The cat really doesn’t like Henry. This only fuels the process.

McCall's 4756 with a homemade appliqué.

kids clothes challenge/ Tuesday

I bought this fabric on a gray late winter day. Perhaps my subconscious was missing the blues and greens of summer. I think I shall call this The Birdsong Dress. It’s for my daughter, Molly. She loves to be outside.

The pattern is a vintage McCall’s, (3501) with several changes (mostly because I’m somewhat lazy).

I recently bought a large box of vintage zippers, this was the first one I used. The little metal teeth made me happy. I like old sewing stuff. I bet a lot of people throw it away b/c they think no one will want it. If you know those people tell them to stop doing that.

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Did you forget about my giveaway? It’s over now. There were 14 entries and only one winner, so, sorry to say, you probably lost.

The winner is Ashley. I have never met Ashley but can tell you she is very special for many reasons…one of which is she is having a baby tomorrow! Wow!

Email me when you get a chance (my email is in the sidebar) with your address.

I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow…

kids clothes challenge/ Monday

Today’s the first day of the kids clothing challenge over at Elsie Marley. Meg has a list of bloggers participating here. Also check out the flickr pool for the latest creations all inspired by Meg and her blog.

Today is the first day…I finished up two projects for my youngest two kids.

For her: A chicken shirt and shorts. I made the chicken appliqué by sketching it until I was happy enough with it to trace it with a sharpie (that’s about 75 chicken sketches on scrap paper). Next I cut out each section and using stitch witchery I ironed and stitched it on a t-shirt from Target adding a bead for the eye and hand stitching the feet.

For him: Little boxer briefs inspired from this post on Elsie Marley. These are sized about 2-3T and if you don’t mind me complimenting my own child’s underwear I must say they are really cute. I made my own pattern from taking apart a picture of my husband’s briefs (I’ll spare you the picture of that) and using them as a shape guide made a mini version on butcher paper. This took many tries. I used a favorite old shirt that I didn’t have the heart to toss.

I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone is working on…it’s inspiring. I needed a boost in the inspiring dept. Tomorrow I’ll try and be more inspiring than a pair of underwear on a dusty old trunk.

Thanks for visiting!

PS Check out the giveaway below...it ends tomorrow!

summer sewing

I’m not sure I like this purple knit dress. (Simplicity 2472) First off I don’t really like purple… Also it’s kind of loose and drapey and I might have too many jiggily bits in it. The girl on the pattern looks cute though (b/c she is 6’1” and weighs 90 pounds). I have looked at it so much I can no longer feel if I like it or not. Have you ever painted a whole room and then stood back two days later and realized it was neon yellow and not the butter yellow you wanted? And you start thinking irrational thoughts like if you put the furniture back in maybe it won’t be so bright.

I like this skirt. (Simplicity 9569) It is called a 2 hour skirt and proved to be pretty easy. It has a few darts in the front and back and fits well.

This skirt is a bit full. (Simplicity 2570) If my brother Carl is reading this he will probably tell me to stop trying to act like I’m on Little House. And I’m sorry the mannequin isn’t wearing a shirt (she is such a tramp). With a t-shirt and flip flops it is a good everyday outfit… for me anyway, maybe not for Queen Elizabeth.

Do you like to sew? Meg over at Elsie Marley has a kids clothes sewing challenge week upcoming in May. I have never met Meg but she shares cool things and once in a while she swears while she is talking about sewing stuff. It makes me feel cooler just reading it.

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My three year old evidently has never seen a traditional cornhusk broom (our kitchen one is plastic). When I was bringing one up from our barn to sweep the front porch he was so excited bouncing up and down.

“You gonna ride dat, Mom? You gonna ride dat?”

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I hope you have a spectacular weekend. Whether you’re wearing hot pants and glitter on your chest (you are such a tramp) or spend it sitting in the grass looking for 4 leaf clovers…I just hope you are happy.

Cheerio!

BFF (Blog Friends Forever)

Today I woke to the sun. I also woke to grumpy kids, one of which overslept and we all kind of didn’t even notice until he had only 5 minutes to get ready. Luckily it was a he, and not a she-- which would have been a household disaster that would involve loud rants and nobody-loves-me status. He just says “Huh? Huh?” a couple times, eats cereal in one bite and gets on the bus with a hair propeller on top of his head.

I told myself if it was still sunny out after the mornings chores I would celebrate Spring by sewing outside. Sewing and the sun are happiness to me…why not mix them together? Because it is weird? I suppose it is.

This is one of the aspects of moving so much that affects me. Yes I have friends but in the short spans of time we live in each place it is rare to find that great friend that you can say dumb stuff to.

Like…”Hey, want to come over and drink Dr Pepper and sew outside?”

In my husbands circle of job peeps I am always the youngest wife, always have the most kids and am by far the strangest in that I like chickens and digging through piles of junk at thrift stores.

This is why you bloggy people have helped me. You’re nice and I just know you not only would sew outside and belch Dr Pepper with me but just as much you would enjoy getting dressed up and going to the symphony. You make me feel less like an odd duck.

For today though I will sew with my kitty at my feet…

and my little cowboy yelling beside me.

It will be a good day.

Five Things/ Three Pictures

1. Molly is sad.

2. It is very windy and feels like you can lean into it and not fall over.

3. She has bendy elbows that bend the wrong way.

4. She likes the wind and for a moment forgets she is sad.

5. But then she remembers.

Dress pattern: Butterick 5019

Little things

I gave up on finding a decent gardening hat. One that I wouldn’t have to spend a small fortune on just to get sweaty and dirty under the scorching Texas sun. Ahhh, yes the sun…how I love thee. The sun that occasionally feels so good as it is roasting my aging skin. We all know that it is a very bad idea indeed. My face is like a polka dotted piece of calico fabric. It feels soft but with neglect it gets all wrinkly. I have come to terms with my freckly skin, and vowed to protect it. I hate to admit this but I think I have had a bad sunburn every year of my life. So yes, I found a hat. A lovely inexpensive hat purchased at Forever 21 while shopping with my daughters. And yes I abhor that store and its BOOM BOOM music so loud I just walk in circles trying to remember why I am in there. It helped to find the hat and wear it in the store while I followed my girls around.

During the week while I am chained to the training potty which is chained to the wee boy- I have been sewing him some softies. He has a little buddy, in the red shorts, who really wanted a dog and cat. They are all friends and having a great ol’ time.

The pattern is Simplicity 2945.

If you have seen Martha Stewart on TV she would recommend a bone folder to help turn out the small legs and ears, etc. It really is a handy tool and I use it often…especially with paper crafts. If there ever comes a day when I am talented enough to be a guest on her show I will do a project and use the bone folder. Only I will “accidentally” call it a boner. I will act dumb like I didn’t know what I said. I will do this for you, my loyal readers.

While I am talking about Martha I will tell you a true story. In 1997(?) my two sisters won a trip to Martha’s home and studio in CT (Turkey Hill) to meet Martha. I lived in Idaho at the time and was insanely jealous. They lived in Connecticut about an hour or so from M. This was before she was a jailbird and had a reputation for being snippy. My sister K relives this day with great impressions and makes me laugh the ugly-can’t-catch-my-breath-my-mouth-hurts-laugh. Especially the part when my sister L trips in Martha’s garden. A big kind of trip when you fall on your face and you make a umph kind of noise. Can you tell we are related? Martha was supposed to eat lunch with them but didn’t. They were sad. They said she wasn’t very nice. Even though my dear sisters witnessed M being not so nice I still like her as much as ever. She built an empire pretty much by herself. Whether she is good or bad I really like buying her bottles of glitter in rainbow colors.

ARF.

sunny things

Much of the stuff I sew for myself ends up in the thrift pile. The striped shirt passed inspection of the harshest critic --me-- and maybe I just might wear it. (Like if I happen to go sailing with the Captain and Tennille.)

I bought four cloth napkins the other day and want to make something out of them. They look so summery.

I was thinking of making some pillows for the patio furniture. Maybe?

I would like to dedicate this post to my brother, Carl. He made fun of me yesterday by saying he made seven apple potholders after reading my last post. He thinks he is funny. He is charming and witty (for an old guy with chicken legs).

Shirt Pattern: Butterick 5335

the sum of it

I am the source of my own problems. Is spending hours looking through my fabric a problem? I think it really is. I can't decide what to make out of what. I did this all afternoon and have only succeeded at making a giant mess.

I told Someone I would seed the yard today. And I don't mean he was like, "Will you seed the yard???" I mean I was like, "Do you want me to seed the yard?"

And he was like, "No thanks..." and I was pleading like I really wanted to do nothing else saying things like "I know you are busy...just let me do it."

And finally after I beat him down he said okay.

And I didn't do it because I was looking at my fabric.

And I also went out for lunch.

And now I am blogging.

And after this I will have a cup of tea.

Writing all this down has been helpful as now I am certain I won't seed the yard today, instead of all that wondering if I will get to it. So thanks for that.

While I'm here I'll share the Happy Camper shirt I began making for Henry and ended up making for Molly. All's well that ends well, right?

pattern: McCall's 4164

twirly dress

With trepidation I made my daughter a red checked dress. I'll explain the trepidation part in a minute.

I have dreamed of a dress this style for her- a twirly skirt with a simple bodice. Something that would go with mary jane shoes or with white canvas sneakers. I don't have any confidence when it comes to sewing without a pattern, I need those simple and obvious directions so I don't have to think. Because when I think I usually get into trouble. I can hear myself saying in that squeaky apologetic voice "...but I thought it was a good idea". And I'm not necessarily talking about sewing (insert image of me covering car and car door handles and part of windshield with car wax.)

This fabric was bought in Missouri last summer and I love it wholeheartedly. You can make all the jokes you want about my sweet little girl wearing it in public--no her name isn't Ida May and no she isn't going to a square dance. I feel defensive and this is why...

When I was in high school a boy asked me to eat lunch with him the following day. An upperclassman mind you and I felt myself get the beginning stages of shaky love sickness. It was Spring, our campus was pretty...lots of old New England buildings with a green in the middle. I wore a red gingham dress--probably the only person to wear one to that school since the mid 1800's. I don't even know where I got it. When we sat among his friends some guy said, "hey can we use your dress as a table cloth?" Everyone laughed. Of course this laughter has increased in my mind over the last 20 years to a storm of laughter that echoes with roars and knee slapping.

Fast forward a few years to me giving a presentation in college about population, food and the environment. I spoke exclusively about growing your own food and how the desire to do so is diminishing within the general population. I was wearing the red checked dress. When I was through the professor said aloud how creative it was I matched my outfit to my presentation. Why can't a girl just like red gingham?

I hope Ida May likes it.

Fabric: from Urban Chiks 1974 collection