Dad's Visit

If you've been reading my blog you'll know I've been working for more than a couple of years on my dissertation. Guess what?? I'm finally done!

Whew!

Graduation was a big day. I was so happy I could share it with my family...especially with my Dad, who flew over especially for the occasion. I know he is glad I'm finally done with school. If you count kindergarten I'll have been in school for...almost 27 years.

 

After the hectic graduation time (and a ridiculous amount of rain) we just hung out at home and enjoyed the weather.

AND!! Dad fixed my sewing machine!! It works!! It was mostly loose screws and tension issues. We polished and shined her up too. Her name is Ruby since she is a model 66 "red-eye".

Working on getting her a table and replacing her plates.

Look Ma, it sews!

 It was also time for Elena to have some "Abuelito" time. We went to the Fort Worth Children's Museum. It was chock full of science. Elena may love princesses, glitter and makeup...but she also loves her some dinosaurs. My job is done.

Go Science!

All in all a great visit. Love you Dad!

It's Alive!!

Remember I rescued this 1919 Singer from a garage sale last May?

It's alive!!




I cleaned it up and got a new belt and old motor/pedal for it. It's still missing some plates. But it runs!

It does need a bit of adjustment since its not quite sewing yet. My dad is going to take a look at it. If we can't get it working then it's off to a shop.

But hey this thing really has some power. I kinda floored it on the pedal since I'm getting used to it. I can't wait to use this thing on some quilts one day. Hopefully before NEXT May rolls around.

KCW My Last Day and Tool Box

My last KCW creation is a simple halter dress made from Thai sarong fabric (on the reverse), a fabric remnant with a small elephant on it, and some red trim.

AND...I think I am offically burned out on children's clothes. At least for a couple weeks. But I finished just in time for Elena's Birthday!!

Happy 3rd  Birthday to my little big girl!

Junebug dress from forever ago!!

She loves her doctor kit and goes around treating us and the dogs (and her stuffed animals).
So I figured I should try out some tools and she LOVES them. Every little girl needs a tool kit!

I'm thinking of getting one of these next. You know in preparation for when mama gets one of these:

KCW Day 4 and 5: Isabel dress

Last week, when I started watching this Spanish drama "Isabel" about Queen Isabella I of Castille, of course I was obsessed with the costumes. Brocade, pearls, silk. I'd post some photos here but there are not that many of the show online. If you liked the Tudors, I  encourage you to look for the show. I'm watching it on Hulu Plus and its in Spanish but also has English subtitles.

Elena says "Look at them boots"

Anyhoo this dress is inspired by the dresses from that show, from the 15th century. The bodice is a lavender brocade. I made a simple rectangle (slightly rounded and higher at the front center) and lined it in batiste so its comfortable on the inside. Next I made the skirts out of sheer embroidered curtains with a cotton pillowcase underlay.

I just gathered the skirt material and attached it to the bottom of the bodice. The straps and detail at the waist are rescued from another lacy pillowcase. Pillowcase KCW! Ha!

Elena was feeling magnanimous yesterday so she let me fit the costume to her. By far the easiest way to make sure the straps and fit at the waist were going to work. I added some grommets and attached the lace at the waist by hand. Overall it came together very quickly and she LOVES it. Wearing it today and won't take it off.

I'll post about this soon but my little girl will be 3 next week. 3!! She looks so big and so much like a big girl in these photos. I'm glad she likes her dress!

KCW Day 3: Floral bias tank top

This top was made by tracing out a simple tank outline onto a piece of floral pillowcase, laid out on the bias. I cut the hem to make the sides longer than the centers and embellished with a floral ruffle salvaged from an old blouse of mine.

The crochet at the neckline is also from a pillowcase and I pieced together the large flower with a button for some interest. It was a little cold today so I layered it over a long sleeved white shirt.

I was inspired today to do KCW day 4's project while watching a spanish drama called "Isabel" I hope to do a photo shoot tomorrow and I'm so excited about this one so come back and see tomorrow!

KCWC Day Two: Rainbow pillowcase dress

I started with a big rainbow striped pillowcase from my sewing mama friend, Teal (Thank you Teal!). The bottom of the case already had the rainbow stripe trim. Yay for less work! Here's what I came up with. Mainly I added a cobalt blue bias trim to serve as a casing for a waist tie.

 

You can see the fit a bit better here with a more natural pose. I traced the top from an existing dress with simple kimono sleeves and a basic neckline.

I love the back best of all. Perfect for summer. Its open for some natural air conditioning. A little vintage button closure and done.

KCW Day 1: Thai-inspired Gaucho pants

It's time for the Kids Clothing Week Challenge (KCWC). I participated last year (see my archives for pictures!) and I'm excited to challenge myself again to sew kids clothing for one hour a day for seven days. I'll be updating all this week (hopefully!)

Playing with a ladybug

Today I completed this pair of Thai-inspired Gaucho pants. I wanted to make Elena a pair of these ever since I was sent this pair from my friend Lindsey in Thailand.

 

The inspiration pants feature a beautiful woven decorative trim on the waistband, down one leg, and on the most perfect pocket ever created! Elena was fascinated by the pocket so that sealed the deal. I had to make these. They've been in development for a few days and I finally finished them today.

I made the pants out of an old men's knit tee shirt in a dark blue, size XL. I traced out a pair of well fitting pajama pants and adjusted the width and length for more of a gaucho pant look. I copied the pocket as best I could. It could have been closer to the center line, but considering what she puts in her pockets maybe its better this way!

  Also appliqued on a strip of quilting cotton to the side and pocket, to echo the decorative touch on my pants. I think the print works well with the knit and is more practical for kiddo pants. For those interested, the fabric is from the Good Fortune line by Kate Spain, so pretty! You can't see the waistband from the front but it is a batik cotton and goes all the way around. Its flat in the front and elasticized at the back. The rather difficult hemline was finished with the serger, just as in the inspiration pants. Back with more soon!