The Super Terrific Crafty Weekend

I need more three day weekends. It gives me a chance to get a lot of crafting done, but, more importantly, I am able to spend more time with Em. She is just over 15 months, and, man, I wonder where the time goes.  It seems so much faster this time around.

Before I get to the weekend stuff, I did finish the dress.

For the most part, the dress came out fine.  It needs a bit more tweaking in the armscye, and it could use some sort of stablizer around the neckline.  I don't particularly care for the top back opening, and, since I put in pleats instead of gathers, the seamlines in the front skirt would have to be readjusted.  That's assuming I make it again, which isn't in the works right now.  There are just too many other dresses that I want to make.  I made this simply because the fabric was in my stash.

Unfortunately, I have not worn this yet.  It really needs a cardigan for workwear, and, as I figured, the cardigan I am working on is a bit too small.  I said I would give it to one of the girls, but I really don't want to buy more yarn.  Really, though.  Ahem.  I don't usually buy white yarn, but I bought the yarn for this piece.  So, I have to rework the plan.

Now for the weekend.   With school over, the Mouse has been asking me about making a quilt.  She is also thinking about entering one for the Tucson Quilt Fiesta in January 2012 (quilts are due in September though).  Because of the move, I was not able to locate the shadow box quilt pattern that we purchased at the Quilt Fiesta in 2010.  I showed it here.  We picked another easy pattern from the same designer - square dancing.  The company has some cute patterns.  I like the cupcake cafe pattern, but I digress.

Teaching the Mouse a refresher course on quilting wasn't easy.  She was very eager to just get going, but, as you know, there is prep work to do before the actual sewing occurs.  First, I had to give her a rundown on how to use the sewing machine.  Then, we had to practice using the rotary cutter and sewing a quarter inch seam.  Next, we went through the directions, and we washed, labeled, and cut the fabric.

I attached the quarter inch foot and laid down painter's tape and puffy tape to allow her to achieve the quarter inch seam.  Since this sewing machine allows me to regulate the speed, I placed it on the lowest setting.  And, of course, there was the the obligatory juice box on top of the machine for sips between blocks.

The quarter inch guides seem like a lot, but, as she progressed, she no longer needed the puffy tape.  Eventually, the painter's tape was removed, leaving the foot, and that's what we want her to use in the end.  She assembled all the blocks and began adding two sides of the first border before calling it a day.  She did make mistakes, but nothing that couldn't be fixed with extra fabric and a seam ripper.  I wish I had taken more pictures, but you can tell she is very focused and diligent.  Again, I was really impressed with her persistence.  We'll see how she does next weekend.

Perhaps this happens to others, but it doesn't feel like it to me.  Once I complete a sewing project, I'm at sort of a loss on what to do next.  Sure, I manage to eye some things up while I'm sewing, and I pull things together and prepare.  So, I'm not surprised that I had to back out of the next project which was making a half circle skirt. . . from a linen blend.  The fabric didn't seem appropriate for the style, and the linen really needed a lining because it was a bit stratchy.  Sometimes minor setbacks like these dampen my mojo for a bit, and it take me a while to regroup.  But I am happy to report that I pushed through it and made some pajamas for Em!

You may laugh, but I considered this a particularly clever project.  First, the basics.  I used McCalls 9407 (which I found is also 6277).  In a previous post, I made a romper for Em, which she still wears with some mending here and there.  I decided to use the top and pants from the pattern, and the "fabric" is two coordinating receiving blankets that we used when Em was born.

I'm still  beaming from this project.  Hehe.  Ok, ok.

Because the blankets were largely square, I had to cut out the pieces one layer at a time, and I omitted the pattern facing.  Instead, I used the serged end of the blanket as a facing for the front since I knew I would need some thickness for the snaps.  I created flat felled seams for the raglan sleeves and pants side seams, and I placed a small zig zig and straight seam for the underarm of the top and the crotch area of the pants.  I curved the front corners, and I added binding around the edges of both pieces.

For most of the edges, I cut off the hem allowance before attaching the binding except for the hem of the pants and the bottom of the top.  I also didn't insert elastic to the hem of the pants either.  I figured this would allow Em to wear it a lot longer.  The pattern, which I reviewed in Pattern Review, ranges from preemie to medium.  I don't remember the height and weight range, but I was still able to use the medium sizing even though Emily just exceeded the sizing range.

I really like it.  Over the weekend, I purchased two other pajama patterns, but neither had the front opening and raglan sleeves that I wanted.  Even though this is a pajama top, I think it would make a cute top or cardigan as well.  I'm already planning on making a second pair of pajama bottoms from another receiving blanket and then another set of pajamas from stash fabric.

Of course, getting decent shots of her in the outfit are difficult.  :)

Hope everyone had a safe and crafty weekend!