Miss L's first sewing project

Miss L is always crafting and trying to make things for her dolls. I thought it would be a good idea to give her a sewing lesson. And what better way to start than a doll quilt...all straight seams.

I must say, this was her project, she picked the colors, she cut our squares, sewed the squares together herself, and tied the quilt herself. Yes, it did come with a lot of coaching...me saying over and over "Stay on the 10" (which is the 1/4 inch mark for my machine. We did some unpicking at times, but she did a really good job. The only part I wouldn't let her do at all was iron and sew the bias tape on. What do you think?

Getting ready for Halloween

We are getting ready for Halloween. Miss L is easy enough because she wants to be Snow White, which Leslie so graciously gave us before she moved. Lil' G is going to be a pumpkin... this pumpkin. We'll see how close I come. I was fitting him for his costume and it looked really funny.

Here are some highlights. Feel free to laugh.

I think he looks like one of those Monks from Tibet in this one.



Stuffing the baby.



Oh sewing projects, why do I attempt to do you without patterns?

Pillowcase dress

My pillowtop dress is finally done. I started this at Leslie's, but the measurements weren't quite right for Miss L. It was going to be a shirt, but it was too big and wide. I cut about 2 inches off each side and added the fabric at the bottom and for the biased tape. It looks a lot better now.
Any one out there know anything about hand quilting?....I am attempting my next sewing project... and I need help.

Another sewing project...

Whoa, have I been on a sewing kick lately. See here and here. But I went to a garage sale to look for an umbrella stroller and came home with the cutest Gap skirt and empire waist shirt. The shirt looked pretty easy to copy, and I couldn't make the shirt without making a hat. Total cost: $.70. It is a nice thing kids are so small, and take so little clearance material from Walmart.

On a different note...I love jeans...especially skirts. my favorite outfit last year was her jean overall dress (it would go with any shirt) and now I think it is this skirt (again because it is cute and goes with any shirt. (and cost $2 at a garage sale).

I think this outfit will have to say hello to Grandma on Friday.

I like the light in this one too. Not so much detail of the clothes, but definately a beautiful profile shot out the window.



This is Lily's personality. Ride the horse so hard till it tips over.

Here is the whole outfit. I do like making her cute.

Sewing again

Oh what fun we had today. After morning piano lessons, Lily and I (yes both) made a hat. This time we used a pattern, last time we didn't. So this time the edges are a little more finished. It is a little funny, but we needed a good "block the sun when I go swimming" hat. So it works.

She's still my girl.

Lily helped me pin (not a good idea) and threw away my scraps. She also dethreaded my sewing machine at least three times, and got out all the bobbins so I could choose one. And oh, she modeled. In fact in the precursor stages, she only wanted to be in front of the mirror.

Stylish or Homemade?

So I have had an inspiration of beautiful little girls dresses from this blog. And in fact although I do not ever buy new clothes (I tend to revitalize them) but rarely buy.... I do like Lily to look nice, which means she does need new....she changes sizes every month. Which thanks to my mother, my next door neighbor, and Aunt Linda, she always looks nice (in my opinion of course).

But although deals come at different prices, what I consider to be a deal is usually below $5. So, with that in mind I looked at this and this store, and fell in love, but not so much in love that I would purchase anything of course.

These were my two favorite dresses. I think this one is darling. So boarding school-esque. You must know my childhood fantasy was to live on the east coast and go to a boarding school and wear a uniform...of course after reading Little Princess, Samantha, and the Little Colonel series. All wonderful books might I add.

Here is my other favorite dress. I think it looks better on than off personally, but it didn't look too difficult.
So....keep in my I have a strict budget. Also keep in mind that when I bake I don't measure anything. Kinda the same with sewing. I like what I see, so I make it like I see it...without a pattern, WHICH without a pattern, things can and will go wrong. Other things turn out a lot better (like it fits better)

What do you think? Notice the gorgeous model....

I think the back is my favorite. The neckline in back is my favorite part of the dress.
I made this to go with it too.

I thought this was a really sweet picture, the way the light fell.





Riding her bike in a dress...And may I note this is my girl. I used to take all my china dolls for bike rides. Needless to say, I don't have many left. That's just the kinda girl I was.

So Stylish or Homemade?