Saturday, November 19, 2011

Leather baby shoes

IMG_4009 by WeeBeaks
IMG_4009, a photo by WeeBeaks on Flickr.

We love the leather baby shoes available in stores for little feet. I had some leather scraps so decided to try to make a pair of our own. It was my first time working with leather, but they came out well.

I used the free pattern here:
http://www.tackyliving.com/article.php?id=121

Another Ottobre 6/11 cowl neck tunic

IMG_0363 by WeeBeaks
IMG_0363, a photo by WeeBeaks on Flickr.

Another Ottobre 6/11 tunic with cowl neck for Eden. This one I did unlined as a simple top. Without the lining, this goes together in a snap, and I love the A-line swingy look on her.

Baby dress from Ottobre 6/11

Baby dress from Ottobre 6/11 by WeeBeaks
Baby dress from Ottobre 6/11, a photo by WeeBeaks on Flickr.

I love this dress on her. This one I made lined, but cut the lining shorter than the outer. In the magazine, they have the lining peep out from the bottom. The cowl neck is cute, but also very functional as it goes over the head so easily.

I even got her to stay still for the photo by showing her the ripe blueberry on the plant. She is focused on capturing it for a snack.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Ottobre 3/11

IMG_3704 by WeeBeaks
IMG_3704, a photo by WeeBeaks on Flickr.

Shirt was given to us, and I made the skirt/capri combination from the last issue of Ottobre (3/11). It was sooooo easy to make, and the fit is great for her. I did a cotton lycra for the capris, fabric from fabric.com in lime, and then a Chez Ami stripe cotton jersey with little stretch for the skirt and waistband (elastic in it so the fabric didn't need the stretch there). It is such a nice trim fit and fun, while being playground friendly for hanging upside-down.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Summer PJ rompers

Summer PJ rompers by WeeBeaks
Summer PJ rompers, a photo by WeeBeaks on Flickr.

Last week I finished a couple rompers to use as PJs for Eden, just in time for the weather to turn chilly again! We are ready now though for some hotter weather. These are Ottobre 3/06. I left out the back zipper, and added shoulder seam snaps on the owls and just a widened neckline on the farm animals pair.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Ottobre 3/07 #28

Ottobre 3/07 #28 by WeeBeaks
Ottobre 3/07 #28, a photo by WeeBeaks on Flickr.

I'm done finally with a pair of pants for Zach, Ottobre 3/07 #28, cropped cargo pants, in a ripstop material but not the usual nylon-y feel. Not sure exactly what the material is honestly, but it is a good lightweight for summer but sturdy too. These have bellows front pockets, pleated knees, one back pocket and drawstring with toggles on the legs. Zach approves!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Burda 7/08 #137 romper, Ottobre 2/03 #3 hat

I finally have sewn some summer things, just in time for the weather to turn a little cooler again this week. But they will fit for a little bit longer so it should warm up again. This is a romper from Burda magazine 7/2008. I had forgotten I had that issue, until I saw another review on patternreview.com of this romper. I dashed down to the sewing area, and sure enough I had saved this magazine from 2008. Woohoo for being a hoarder of patterns apparently. I love the fit, and it was very easy to make. The bonnet is so simple it took me maybe 1/2 hour, from Ottobre 2/2003, another hoarded pattern magazine. She got to wear her new set happily on a hot day too.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Sleeper Kwik Sew 1037

IMG_3157 by WeeBeaks
IMG_3157, a photo by WeeBeaks on Flickr.

I have been sewing, just PJs though, nothing terribly exciting. This one came out cute though, I think. It is from an old pattern, Kwik Sew 1037, for a baby sleeper. I made her a large, size 6-12 mos, and it fits her quite well at 8 months of age. The zipper extends far down the leg, which is fantastic. I was even thrilled to discover a vintage turquoise zipper in my stash to match the fabric - woohoo!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Otto 1/08 "jump" sweatpants with quiara top

Please excuse her after nap grumpy face. She does like them, and has worn these every week since I made them. The pants are a soft cotton velour with ribknit waist, made from the Ottobre 1/08 "jump" sweatpants pattern. The top is made from the Farbenmix Quiara top pattern, which I totally love. I have made this top multiple times now, and it comes out great each and every time.

While I'm raving about the Quiara, I'll show you a few more made from that pattern.




Thursday, March 10, 2011

Shame on you FabricMartFabrics

Updated: Well, my fabric did arrive, and it is very nice. More update on that later ... with pictures!

So in February, I finally had my sewing budget not used and decided to join Julie's Picks swatch club from FabricMartFabrics. At the time (up until yesterday in fact, more later), it stated "12 monthly" swatch packets would be sent to me for the $50 fee. I joined, and received February's mailer (I joined in the first half of February). Since January fabrics were still listed on the site, I expected to receive January's mailer as well. Finally, it irritated me enough that I emailed yesterday to inquire of the site. I got a terse reply via email today, no apology for misleading, nothing - swatches for January would not be sent to me as apparently they only make enough based on "fall membership campaign" if the email is to believed. They did change their site yesterday.

So, while I did enjoy the February mailer very much, I have to say my Fabric Mart experience so far has left a decidedly distasteful impression on me, and my fabric hasn't even arrived yet ... let's hope the fabric is nice because customer service seems to leave something to be desired. The price doesn't change but what you get does go down every single month into the year. The swatches are nice though I have to admit, so the jury is out whether I will ever try this again with them next year. Perhaps it was a simple mistake, not thought through on their wording. I hope so.

Here is what it stated when I purchased, notice specifically the term "12 monthly mailers" ... which is only true if you join in January or earlier.

Benefits of a subscription to Julie’s Picks
  • Approximately 30 fabric samples sent to your door monthly
  • See and feel fabrics before buying
  • Exclusive discounts on fabrics, notions and more! (changes monthly)
  • Fashion drawings and pattern ideas to help you decide how to use each fabric
  • $25.00 coupon to use towards any website or Julie’s Picks order
2011 Julie’s Picks annual subscription fee is $50.00. (12 monthly mailers)

Subscription includes a $25.00 coupon for any website or Julie’s Picks order. (Coupon will be sent with your mailer)

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Summer swingy sundress

IMG_3115 by WeeBeaks
IMG_3115 a photo by WeeBeaks on Flickr.

I've been sewing, just not posting. I'm probably not going to go back and blog about what I have been sewing honestly, so I'll just carry on I guess. Or maybe I'll go back and pick out some favorite projects to blog. I can't decide. One thing is for sure though - I'm a terrible blogger in terms of consistency.

Today's sewing fit tidily into the kids' quiet time. I saw an infant sundress on YouCanMakeThis that I just loved, but it was for little tiny girls (babies). I wanted something similar for my 3yo, but with a closed back as the original I loved had an open back with bloomers. She is kind of growing out of that per se. I was going to start modifying a standard A-line when my eye fell on a vintage pattern from my MIL. It was a size 2, so I had to modify a bit for a size 3, but not bad at all. And best of all, it has pockets even! She loves pockets, and it would not have occurred to me honestly to add the pockets. So we are happy, and this was sooo easy - got to love a project that fits into an hour and a half or so start to finish.