My Best Sewing Friend (or Foe?)

Friend, I think.  I really couldn't live without him and find a strange calm wash over me as he does his job.  Yes, it may mean I really screwed up, but it's proof that in sewing, most things are salvageable.  I don't know what you are thinking about...I'm only talking about my seam ripper!

Those colorful, stripey pants I made for C were a bit too snug in the bum area.  So, I actually managed ten quiet minutes to myself this afternoon to listen to the rain, put my feet up, and start tearing the pants apart.  I know, TEN WHOLE MINUTES!!!  Granted, I probably should have been folding laundry, or some other domestic duty, but it's a rare occasion when both kids are napping/resting simultaneously, and after a busy day on the the go, I needed to take those ten minutes and methodically pick apart those threads.  I'm not finished with it, but at least I've started!

Getting Chilly!

Fall is in the air!  We are having a nice fall thunderstorm as I type.  Mornings are chilly and since C is more of a leggings girl, she doesn't have many warm pants to wear over her gymnastics leotard.  I just purchased a new fleece in her favorite color, and happened to have some matching fabric.

Honestly, what doesn't match this multi-colored fleece?  C chose it last year, and I am finally getting around to using it to make her something.  

Although I have several "patterns" for pants in my sewing pile, I didn't mark them, so am not sure if they were drafted for C or S.  (I know they are 2 years apart in age, but the cloth-diapered toddler body is remarkably similar to the panty-wearing preschool body.  They actually wear the same play-pants--which are pants for S and capris for C.) 

I made a new pattern using this basic method.  This time I marked it with her name and the date.

I also decided to make a quick scarf.  

I don't think we'll lose track of her while she's wearing this outfit!

Baptism Dress

My beautiful new niece was baptized on October 10th.  She is such a delightful baby.  I was so happy my family and I could attend her baptism and especially pleased to help my sister sew the baptism dress.

 The dress was made from a shirt Neely wore while pregnant with little W.

Can it be considered an heirloom even though only one baby has worn it?  I really loved helping make the dress and like to think that it will be worn again.

Sewing with my Sister

The kids and I recently spent ten days with my sister.  She and I found a few evenings to sew together.

Growing up, she was the one that learned to sew.  I remember the scrunchies she churned out on my Gram's sewing machine.  She even made some to match our candy striper uniforms.  She modeled an outfit at the county fair, too.

I didn't started sewing until last year, but it inspired Neely to get out her machine again. It's much nicer than mine.

Why would Pooh Bear be serving as a model?  Very "Project Runway", don't you think?