The Onesie Dress-- A How To

A Very Cloche Call

Sorry for the terrible pun. Here is the first attempt at the 1920's girls cloche. Somehow I added an inch in my daughter's head measurement. I thought the 20" band measurement was going to be dead on, but it actually fits me(albeit snugly)! I need to wheedle the pieces down a bit so the hat will fit her more snugly. Meanwhile, I'm stylin' in my new chapeau!

Current Inspiration

I've been totally inspired by the gift membership to Pattern Review that I got for Christmas. There are people on there who can really sew! I had to take a little time to reflect what I like about sewing, I always just assumed it was the fabric!! I still haven't come up with an answer, I only know that I can't let a day slip by without sneaking into my studio even just to look around.

Here is my newest obsession, brought about by a women's vintage pink coat given me by my mom. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was just the right color for Mimi, and decided to cut it down for her. But it needs a hat all to itself. You're never too young to learn that a stocking cap (no matter how bright or stripey) is no match for a well cut winter dress coat. I found this pattern online at the Vintage Pattern Lending Library (where have they been all my life?), for a girl's cloche hat pattern from the 1920's. The pattern says it fits a 20" head, and also that it's a size 6. Well, the hat fits my daughter, who is 2. I will just let that speak for itself.

I also found this totally awesome crochet cloche on eBay, I think it's from Bow2Tow. It's also supposed to best fit an 18-24 month old, but it fits my two year old and this adult mannequin. So sizing continues to baffle, but I think the proper-hat-for-your-coat lesson is covered for now. Oh my. As I read that last sentence, there's some alarm bell going off in the back of my head. This is somehow all going to come back and haunt me, isn't it???

New Steps! New Steps!

There are no new steps! But there are lots of new projects flowing from my needle here. I've got two projects documented that I will post step by step here, and a few projects that need to be photographed still. Very exciting times. Stay tuned... Meanwhile, here's some photos of the remodeled, reorganized studio. Hmmm, remodel and creativity? Coincidence...? I think not.

Studio Tantrum Expo!

I had such fun once I got started on this project that I stayed up 'til one a.m. finishing the necklace. Not only was Mimi really excited about her new "party dress," when she put it on her brother told her she looked just like a princess, and requested a framed picture for his room!

Wow!

The power of a few strips of fabric will always amaze me, and I guess when it doesn't anymore is when I quit sewing!

Catching up, my New Year's resolution

Alrighty then. I haven't posted a single thing on this blog since October. So, my greatest resolution yet is to gather up some objects that are finished, photgraph and post them! Oh yeah, and to finish up the stuff currently sitting in the studio making me feel guilty. I mean these things are cut out and almost done! C'mon, Meg!

Among those items glaring at me from the ironing board, in no particular order:
1. two pair of pants for Finn,
2. two pair of pants for Mimi,
3. a tank for Mim,
4. jeans for Finn,
5. dress for Willow,
6. prototype dress for boutique selling,
7. skirt for Mimi,
8. dress for Hannah.

Eeeeek. Just looking at it gives me the heebies. Ah well, it's always better to see it in black and white. Go DynaTeam!

Halloween Costume #1

Love the concept of a "girly" clown, and the hat turned out super cute. Both the kids love the hat, they think it's a birthday hat. :)
















Here's also the first Halloween with Finn on my hip...

Ottobre 01/06, #7

Ottobre 01/06, #7. This is my first project from the new issue. Like everything, these went together quickly and perfectly. I've definitely had a learning curve with Ottobre construction, though. These pants had you sew the inseams, then the crotch seams, then the side seams, which is totally opposite from how I've ever put together a pair of pants. It does make the topstitching easier, particularly the crotch seam.
If I do these again (and I probably will), I must remember to make the lower panels about a half inch shorter. These look best cuffed on my girl right now. These are both bottom weights purchased at Joanne's, before the boycott. 

More Heather Ross

Back of the summer dress. This is Ottobre 02/04, #2. It's a size 80. 

Summer Sewing with Heather Ross

Heather Ross's line lightening bugs in a summer dress for Esme.  

Esme's first twinkle creation, an easy pullover top and elastic waist pants. Top fabric, obviously Amy Butler. Cropped pants are stash brown baby cord with poly shantung inserts. Both pieces my design.