KCW: Sheep Ice Cream Dress

Yay!  I actually finished a dress during Kids Clothes Week!  The Oliver and S Ice Cream Dress to be exact.  I sewed it with the delightful Locally Grown from Marisa at the blog Creative Thursday.  My local fabric store ZFabric carries almost the whole line and I was so excited when I saw it.  I got immediately buy-in from Claire when she saw the fabric and was equally pumped to wear a dress that had farm animals on it.  Now she is begging me to make Amelia a 'chicken dress'.  As Claire gets older I try to make sure she is going to wear the dress I make for her before I sew it (it would just be too tragic to sew something up and have her flat-out refuse it).  She was definitely waiting for this dress to be done and because of Kids Clothes Week it was done in three sewing days!  When it was done she couldn't have been more enthusiastic and gave me a giant hug and kiss and I almost cried a little.  So sweet.  She even agreed to a photo shoot outside on a windy day, and was nice enough to take off her sweater to show it off.  To fulfill my end of the bargain I had to agree to spin her around and around many times without stopping, and I did my best, dizziness and all.

Kids Clothes Week

I have seen Kids Clothes Week online for a couple of years now and for the last year I have actually wanted to participate, and I am finally doing it this week!  The challenge is to sew one hour a day for a week for your kids.  It actually came at a perfect time because I have been buying a ton of fabric lately and my brain is swimming in inspiration, I find myself daydreaming and making virtual checklists of what I could sew, with what fabric, and when.  I tried so hard to finish a Washi dress I'm working on for myself this past weekend knowing I was going to be focusing on the kids this week, but with time management and all, I am trying to 'know when to quit'.  As in, 'I could finish this dress while Amelia is taking an extra long nap on a Sunday and it would be satisfying, but future me tonight will be super overwhelmed and irritable that there is no dinner plan and the house is a mess'.  I do better some days than others quitting appropriately (or not sewing at all) - when Greg was out Friday night I fell asleep at 8:30 with the kids, and literally dragged myself out of bed (and a good night's sleep) to sew the Washi and watch Call the Midwife on the laptop.  (It's my first time sewing with this rayon challis)! This surge of sewing frenzy happened to me last spring as well, I'm sensing a pattern.  I cranked out projects in March and April before burning out and I didn't sew much all summer.

For Kids Clothes Week I started on an Ice Cream Dress for Claire, this is also the third spring I have done a lot with this pattern, I blogged about another one here.  It got me thinking while I sewed for my one hour this afternoon how I was really only glancing at the instructions for a reminder, and I was brought back to the first one I sewed two years ago, and how long it took me, and all the seams I ripped out and did again.  It's fun to think about how much I've improved, and like so many other people who sew, I really have learned how to sew from my Oliver and S patterns.  I grabbed some photos of the work in progress, Claire is excited for her 'sheep' dress and I'm excited to finish it this week!  I'm thinking to stay with the spirit I'll try to sew during naptime and after bedtime one or two nights this week, because to be perfectly honest I think there are a couple days there is NO way I will get sewing in.  (Perhaps this Friday when I work at 12 hour shift a 3 pm??)

1.  I'm happy with the progress in 1+ hour!  I sewed both pockets and got the pockets sewn on the front of the dress!

 Claire was excited about the pockets - She said 'They're so clean inside, there's no dirt!' What a compliment.  Claire's wearing the first Geranium I made last year.

 We 'opened' up the sandbox today!  I couldn't get the tarp all the way off, some was still frozen on!  But we did enjoy the sun and 50 degree weather for a bit!  Spring is here!

Parsley Pants for Claire

These are definitely some dated photos, but I do love the Parsley Pants pattern!  I have since made a couple other pairs, another pair for Claire and I just made both kiddos some Christmas jammie pants, the most basic version of this pant. 

I sewed these back in October I think, and even with the little add-ons like the pin tucks I added to this pair they were a breeze.  I like having a go-to pants pattern that I can tinker with for a lot of different looks.  I think that's the point of her pattern!  I loved this fabric, I think it's an Anna Maria Horner flannel.  I love sewing flannel pants for Claire each winter.  A lining would probably be great with this pattern too, this fabric leaves them a bit on the thin side for windy winter days here.  I'm sure it is relatively easy to figure out, but it's one of those things I'm not very inspired to do right now, I tend to mostly just follow the pattern to get the finished product.  But I did follow Rae's instructions and finished all the seams on this pair of pants, something my over-excited for a finished product brain could barely slow down to handle.  But it was worth it.  Ten-ish extra minutes for a professionally looking finished pair on the inside?  Definitely worth it.  As for the lining, I just throw on some tights or leg warmers underneath and she's good to go.

These pants have been worn a lot this winter.  And just barely six months later she is already growing out of them, time to let out some of the hem!

A March Afternoon

 This afternoon, another cold blustery afternoon in the longest March ever, I was really motivated for some kind of craft project or activity to do with the kids.  I woke up in the early afternoon after a night at work, and began the strange rhythm I've grown accustomed to on the days after I work all night.  I have an hour or so of alone time before my mom drops off the kids (a little more if I feel like sacrificing on some sleep).   I'm always so happy to see and snuggle the kiddos, and today I felt really motivated to do some kind of craft activity or art project with them.  I spent a few minutes looking on the internet, was inspired by some more involved projects, and then realized I was crazy to be looking at anything slightly complicated, and decided to do some kind of dough project.  I always have to balance how I actually feel these days after working (overtired, but excited to be home, short on patience, kind of sluggish but hopped up on coffee) with how I want to feel (inspired, motivated, accomplished - this is usually the coffee talking and it's short-lived).  So I'm glad I tuned into my need for easy and simple with my desire for crafty fun with kids and settled on making cloud dough.  It's just flour mixed with baby oil, and it makes this cool silky mixture that can be solid and molded, but also kind of well, crumbly.  It is so easy to make and I just let the kids go to town.  It was really satisfying to see them BOTH spend time with the same project! Claire is at an age too where craft projects are just really hit and miss - I have definitely spent time getting something complicated together and she ends up being not interested - which can feel frustrating.  I find that when I go with my gut and stick with simple things I know SHE likes (play dough, water play) she and I both end up satisfied. 

This really helped take up a large chunk of the afternoon peacefully until Greg got home.  By that point I was trying to make a game with the kids where I lay in bed and close my eyes.  I am dying for some 50 degree days where we can actually spend the afternoons enjoying outside! 

Simple Christmas

I have been trying hard to keep Christmas simple this year.  I feel slightly more grounded than I did last year. Amelia was only six months old and I think I was still trying to adjust to having two kids, and she had just come out of her fussy phase.  That really did last a long time!   And on second thought I think I'm still adjusting to having two kids in some ways.
This year though I started thinking about Christmas in November, but not in a gift buying, Pinterest-frenzy kind of way, although I did start there.  Christmas has always been really important and special to me, and I think the last five years or so some of the magic has been lost as I adjust to having no Christmas vacation as a nurse and usually working either the Eve or the day.  On top of that I felt a little lost having a baby, another baby, and mostly just focusing on the gift buying and requesting (or requesting what gifts NOT to get the kids :)  It's like I haven't yet found my Christmas groove as an adult and a mama.  This year I felt really pulled to do that as I realized that at the age of 3.5 Claire is actually forming some long-term memories and she actually remembered what the deal was with this guy Santa that will probably bring her some gifts that she wants.  (Although we didn't encourage list-making it would entirely consist of these.)  I started off feeling kind of frenzied and overwhelmed, making lists and plans for various traditions, old and new. (Advent calendars!  Waldorf advent!  The Polar Express! The Nutcracker!)   I'm sure it would have eventually added up to too much until somehow, I stumbled across this new (to me) podcast http://raisingplayfultots.com/.   She had an amazing series called Crafting your simple holiday season and it was like everything I ever needed to hear.  (And finding a new podcast with boatloads of archived episodes is like Christmas in and of itself!!)   She had a list of questions in the first podcast to help narrow down exactly what is important and special to me and to us.  I answered them and wrote them down, and even did the exercise with Greg who did it with a minimal amount of eye-rolling.   Answering questions about what holiday smells are important to me, what foods do I want to eat, and what do I dislike or feel stressed about each year made it so clear to me and to Greg to just take it easy this season and keep it simple.  I feel the biggest 'A-ha' moment for me was the idea that it's the feelings of togetherness and connection that make the season so special, and these can only be appreciated by slowing down to actually, well, notice and feel them.  While I have still spent time making lists and checking them twice, and have certainly spent my fair share of time surfing the internets for gifts and craft ideas, I had no second thoughts about crossing things off my list that were going to create any stress or sense or busyness.  My crafting list was a wonderful motivation, but it continued to get pared down as the weeks went on, and I'm proud of myself that I was able to let so much go.  We have spent a lot of nights turning off the main lights of our house and enjoying candle light while we clean and read and play, and I have spent more naptimes reading and journaling in front of the tree with the lights on (in the day!) just really stopping and feeling quietness, peace and gratitude, instead of cleaning, online shopping and sewing.  And yes, we did go see the Nutcracker (which went sort of okay, but Claire definitely could have waited a year) and I did try out a Waldorf advent-y corner which didn't really take (maybe next year), and I was happy to try those things.  I was able to let go of the expectations of decorating and I did a few things that really spoke to me, which were to needle felt a Christmasey fairy, and make a very rustic, simple Advent wreath with candles for the table.  And by slowing down to listen to what was really important to me, and let go of the things that are not, I was actually super excited about those two crafty things and gave myself my own pat on the back when they were completed.  And even Greg was able to connect to his passions and values of the season when we had friends over for a Christmas themed dinner and he successfully cooked a duck, which fulfilled his holiday wish list of 'meat, wine and chocolate.' 

Attempted sister Christmas pic - this is the best one

Little gnome family I made for Claire

Eric Carle advent calendar - one of the craft projects I chose to say NO to - bought this on Amazon - the gnome family loves it!

First felted fairy.  Needle felting is so addictive!

Playing with dough

Esme Top

 

 

As I've said before, I really get into sewing itches, very seasonally related every now and again and right now is one of those times.  I am so inspired that I am trying very hard to focus on the process of sewing and creating and not just the end result!  Otherwise I am guilty of sewing late into the night (well 1030-11 is late for me anyway) ignoring all my cleaning and laundry all because of a meaningless deadline that I gave myself to finish a project.  I kind of did just that for this top, telling Greg "I have to finish this top before our neighborhood block party!"  and I did so, and wore it outside underneath a jacket in late October.  But I knew I was wearing it and that made me happy.  I made the Esme Top from SewLiberated.  This is the second top I've made from Sew Liberated, I also have made myself two Schoolhouse Tunics which I loved wearing all last winter.  I also just finished a second Esme in voile.  

Digging the look with skinny jeans and boots

I bought a striped chambray fabric which I realized after my purchase looks just like the picture on the pattern sample, I obviously liked it!  This fabric feels wonderful it is really flowy and comfortable.  I ended up cutting out a size 12 and 10 because I was suspicious of the size the measurements told me to make, but at the same time I know there's no going back if you cut out a size too small.  But just like I expected the 12 was HUGE and I did so much taking in when I sewed the side seams it was ridiculous, so the second time around I knew to just make a ten.  Strangely this is the second time this has happened to me, my first Schoolhouse Tunic was huge on me too.  I even looked up how to take proper measurements before I did so, not sure what is happening.  Even after taking it in, with my body type the flowy top was looking very maternity-esque and I just really wanted it to fit tighter in the bust area.  After figuring out that no amount of taking in at the armpit seam area was going to get me this fit I envisioned (I kept basting and basting....) I finally thought to make a little elastic casing to cinch it in the back.  My husband actually was the one who made me think of it, he scrunched it together in the back and said "It would look better if it was tighter like this".  Ah ha!  You can see the casing below......

I was going to take it out if it looked terrible, but it really doesn't!  It's pulling a little funny in this pic I think because my arm is up pulling my hair out of the way.  I literally just cut about a 4 inch piece of 1/2 inch elastic, sewed in a rectangle casing (edges folded under to be finished) and threaded the elastic through and sewed the elastic down on each side.  Even though it was so easy, it was actually the first time I ever deviated from a pattern and made it my own!   It felt very liberating and certainly boosted my confidence.  I really love this top, I have literally worn it about 7 times since finishing it two weeks ago. 

Washi Dress in Voile

I finally made a Washi dress!  I say finally because I have followed Rae's blog since I started sewing a couple years ago, and I absolutely loved the pattern when it came out but since Amelia was a newborn at the time I was not really in a place to make it for myself, it's not totally nursing friendly.  But I saw a paper copy when I was at Alewives fabric and snatched it up, longing for the day I could make it!  While she is still nursing, she's old enough and nursing infrequently enough that I can totally wear it.  In fact, in hindsight I could have just made it in one of its many forms as a top, but I just really had my eye on making the dress with the cap sleeves.  It is such a flattering dress, I love anything that makes me look small on top and hides my post-kids belly in an attractive way.  And it has pockets!  Who doesn't love a dress with pockets?

I am a big fan of Rae's patterns, I've made the Charlie tunic and dress and just purchased the Parsley pants pattern which I'm pumped to make for Claire.  And I also have my eye on her new Ruby dress pattern.  The Washi sewed up really well, I made it in this Anna Maria Horner Loulouthi voile that I had seen everywhere and loved.  Voile can be a little more slippery to work with, and I felt like I had some issues with the shoulder seams, but I just plowed through and it turned out okay.  Which was a good learning experience for me, in that it pays to really slow down and take your time with clothing you're going to wear yourself.  It's one thing to have a wonky seam on a pair of kids pants, the fit is so much less important and people never notice.  And while the 'wonkiness' on my Washi neckline and shoulder seams are slight, it bugged me like crazy when I put it on.  I needed my mom and Greg to assure me 'You can't even tell!' like fifty times.  I just realized that if you're going to spend 5+ hours sewing something for yourself it better fit and look great or you're just not going to wear it.  I could also use more practice sewing bust darts.... mine do pucker a little bit, maybe it's the voile's fault.....  One thing I love about this pattern too is the shirring in the back!  It makes for a very forgivable and comfortable fit, and I had never done it before, but it is so easy!  I love sewing techniques that look mysterious and difficult but are actually so straightforward

 It fits great (I sewed up a size medium) and feels really light and comfortable and I loved wearing it this summer.   I did make a muslin as Rae suggests, just out of some old scrap fabric, and only of the bust, I am glad I did this.  I had plans to make like a million more, but sewed this at the end of a spring sewing binge and I felt like giving it a bit of a rest afterwards.  My sewing is so seasonal though, I have the itch again and I have been purchasing fabric and patterns again and am inspired left and right in sewing blogland... next up... Parsley pants for Claire are cut and ready to go!