Join me, Snow, in my adventures in sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting - crafting is my lifeblood! Come along, we'll grow in our expertise together.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

One Hour Baby Leggings

4:06 PM Posted by SnowSews
I have been so busy these last few days that the laundry has been languishing, and the dishes piling up. So while I took the time to do the chores, I couldn't resist sewing up a quick and easy pair of leggings for Miki. From cutting to finishing, these took exactly 40 minutes. I know because that's how long she naps.



The pattern is a free one from Melissa Esplin that I had pinned to my board, "Sew For My Toddler" on Pinterest. It's a very simple pattern perfect for a beginner. I serged the seams, using my sewing machine only a couple of times.



I did put my own spin on the leggings, since I had made this pattern before and knew that the cuffs were not as tight as I would like. I used a rib knit tank top that I cut the cuffs from, and because the fabric stretches so much, I cut the cuffs about two thirds as long as the foot opening.  That gave me a very nice, snug fit on the cuffs.



The other modification was the waistband. I had lovely fluorescent pink waistband elastic which I simply zigzagged on to the legging at the end. I could have been much neater, but Miki was waking up and I just needed to be done. She is all kinds of curious right now, and unerringly manages to find pins on the carpeted floor of my sewing room. I really cannot sew with her around yet.



These leggings look absolutely adorable on Miki! The only things I would change next time are a more roomy hip, and a longer waistband elastic. The hip needs room because we do cloth diapers and the legging is quite snug with the diaper on. It also seems a little too tight at the waist, and I might actually rip out the elastic and put in a new, longer one, just so we get a lot more use out of it. The length could easily last her a year or more, but since she is crawling around and getting her knees super dirty, I doubt this pair will endure too much abuse from the washing machine.




All in all, a gorgeous, fast pair of new baby leggings!




Finished: Dress for Miki's First Birthday

9:17 AM Posted by SnowSews , ,
Et Voila! Presenting the tiny dress that drove me so very crazy with its cuteness!


The dress is a pattern mash-up of Create Kids Couture's Paris bodice, and Stacy skirt. 


Five tiers of ruffles in five different fabrics.


Single shoulder bodice with a satin fabric flower accent.



And double cased elastic back. 

I will be reviewing the two patterns I used in a later post. I just wanted to share my joy! She's going to wear the dress on the 8th of November, and I'll get action shots then. It's really short because of all the ruffles, and she looks like a little cake topper in it! She will have to wear tights underneath, since it's quite cold here.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Thoughts on Being a Tester

2:57 PM Posted by SnowSews ,
I've recently applied to be a pattern tester for a few designers, which I really doubt I will be chosen for. My photo skills are rusty, since photographing jewelry is totally different from great clothing pictures with a very unwilling and fast model like Miki. My sewing skills are quite good but again, no real proof since I haven't got photo proof. Catch-22, huh?

But ya know what? I'm really, really good at photographing jewelry. See?







These are photos from my etsy jewelry store, which I moved on from when I had Miki. I still have some inventory, though, I should probably start wearing it now!

In the meantime, here are a couple of fabric combinations I want to plan for in the next few weeks. Yay! But seriously, please send me good vibes that I get a pattern testing gig as soon as possible!! I really want to collaborate with designers and be a part of this fabulous world, not just a spectator.

Both sets of fabrics are from Hobby Lobby.




Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Frolicking at the Pumpkin Patch

8:38 PM Posted by SnowSews , ,
We visited the pumpkin patch this weekend, a first for us since we moved to the US six years ago. It was Miki's first time, and we were determined to do something special. It was a lovely sunny day, and with the slight nip in the air that I love so much, we had a really great time.


The dress is one I made with fabrics from Joann, a very cute vampire Hello Kitty orange quilting cotton, and some black with orange dots.  


The pattern is CKC's Monroe's Wrap Dress, with a different bodice. This was a fun, fast and easy sew, although there weren't many finished photos of the pattern I could find on the internet.




About the pattern directions - I found the detailed steps just enough. I would like a little more instruction in a paid pattern, but that is just me I guess. The fit is not great either, as I had to shir the back in addition to the elastic I put in as directed. Miki is quite skinny, but the back was gaping badly. The length is okay I think. It's a long skirt, and I must remember to reduce the length next time. 


Here she is, enjoying herself!


Not scared of the scarecrow :)


Foolproof Topstitching!

12:27 PM Posted by SnowSews ,
I'm sewing my little Miki's special birthday dress. It's pink and navy and gold, and absolutely, unashamedly ruffley!



I'm mashing up two patterns from Create Kids Couture, the bodice of the Paris




and the Stacy skirt,



While sewing this itsy bitsy teeny weenie bodice I've had one major challenge - neat and accurate topstitching. My stitching always lists off to the edge, and it looks really untidy, especially since I am using bright pink thread. Then it struck me - I should use my Overcast foot! 



The overcast foot is usually used with the overcast stitch on your sewing machine, simulating a serger stitch. It has this handy little guide that the fabric edge butts up with, guiding the fabric so that the overcast stitch sits along the edge and prevents fraying. In this case, the seam is guided by the tongue and a straight topstitch falls a precise 1/8" from the seam. 

This is without the overcast foot, notice the very uneven topstitching!


This is with the overcast foot!


Neat topstitch even on the curves of the armscye!


Don't get confused between these two feet - the overcast foot is on the left, and the 1/4" foot for quilting is on the left. The latter allows for accurate 1/4" seams when piecing fabric, but it's not so great for topstitching. 



Here's a special edgestitch foot with the guide tongue in the middle, from SeasonedHomemaker. This way, the tongue sits right on the seam and allows you to sew all three - a perfect stitch-in-the-ditch, standard topstitching and even a double topstitch! I really need to get this foot next!












Back from a Short Break!

10:50 AM Posted by SnowSews
I've been quietly sewing along, making little dresses for my LO now that she is almost a year old and wearing size 12m clothes. Up until now I really didn't see then sense in sewing something for a peanut that will outgrow it before I'm done sewing. The only sewing I did for her was when she was 4 months old, and appliqued a patch cut from one of my grandmother's hand embroidery projects that was abandoned early last century. See how cutely alien she looked back then?






Since then, I've sewed a few more dresses for her. Here's a look at them, with more detailed posts to follow.




I feel like I really need to up my photography game. Something new to learn!