SWAP deadline - and a giveaway~!

Today is the SWAP deadline. I think i've done pretty well, and am celebrating by adding a little SWAPPING with a pattern giveaway.
** giveaway alert! **
want my Sencha pattern? it isn't a flattering shape for me but maybe you are shaped differently...holler if you want it! tell me..your favorite tea. 
refresher- i was to make 11 wardrobe pieces...2 of a few items and then 3 others. for my first deep spring of sewing, I've had to reorient a few times as fabrics drew me and projects turned me off (i'm talking to you, cap sleeve dress). nonetheless.... WOO! 

2 Blouses     holla!

still seeking TNT pattern- here's my initial survey:

1.  Burda blouse in Green, my first sew weekly submission (and um, only, to date.)

2. Sencha, which I have realized is also my first wadder. previous post lied:  that thing is nasty.

3. Titus "village" blouse. it's a little big, but i used a nice fabric and better technique, and the shape seems like it could be good for lots of fabrics. here's hopin.  (in fact, Mom may get one for Mama's day, it's such a simple shape I think i could fit it to someone miles and miles away.  

stripped down renfrew cowl-i swear it's cute in person.

2 T-Shirts   beep!

1. brown lace
2. minimal cowl- based loosely on the renfrew, but with half the fabric- no sleeves, no cowl lining, no waistband. it's a solid wardrobe staple, thank goodness.

2 Dresses  what what!!

1. cinnamon slip (which has become a nightdress, i'm so femme :p)

oh, hello again

easter dress has a waistband now

2- "easter" dress...is underway but is taking forever~. does not count unless I pull it out.
3- black and white GINGHAM Darling Ranges. I LOVE THIS THING.

2. Skirt     hm.
1. pink half slip. I'm not really into skirts as separates right now (except pencil skirts). but i already have three pencil skirts. Really? that's enough. 
2. is not going to happen.

Coat or Jacket     ye-yeyeah!
1. Minoru rain jacket

i made my own category for undies
cinnamon cami
panties from my own design
slip - maybe the ruby, since i have it printed at home...
bloomers!

looks like i am a winner! are you too? tell me all about it! or tell me you want that Sencha! 

xo bex

kids clothing week challenge...day 3.

"little heartbreaker pants" from the book, made from a $1 six-yard piece of striped linen. The boy and i may resemble von Trapps by the end of the summer.

these are really cute...but they took way too long, including 1 hour spent undoing a french seam because i misaligned the legs. lesson learned for next time: align the leg bottoms, not the waistband, when attaching front to back!

the pleats and pockets are adorbs...especially in use. please ignore the sewing explosion below!

can you find...my "new" tailor's tools?

So, do again? maybe. if the perfect fabric presents itself. cuffs?? hmph. probably makes more sense for an older kiddo, one who has to go to a wedding.

then i whipped up this little number in another hour or so, using a super easy free pattern, remainders from the neighbors' curtains (booty from a hemming favor!) and some killer hot coral/pink cotton.

lucky lucky girl

I bought the pink/coral fabric for the [recently renamed] albatross dress, and love it to bits. it's the perfect weight and that color is TOO bitchin for words. anyway, all of that is to say the recipient is one lucky girl to get such big hunks of it. this chickie wears a lot of bling, though, so her top is going to need some more sparkle before it's gift-ready. i'm thinking a flower from the pieces i cut to make armholes...yah?

so what's next for kid sewing week?? i'm out of inspiration except for the book's Luka hoodie, and that's daunting me. i like how this challenge is one hour a day... I can do that!

ok, xo ya'll
r

Darling Darling Ranges

 done! just in time for a sunny sunday.

I made the Darling Ranges (with a slightly higher neckline) in about what, 12 hours? I love this pattern! Meg is so cute with her super careful directions and "turn the sleeve right way round" aussie-isms. Did you know the pattern is named after a mountain range? So i wore it with boots, and took it on a hike (not pictured, thankfully).

after all of that cake and frosting talk, i put the frosting inside so i have a crazy versatile, super easy dress,  (which needs a slip- doh) and the insides are sparkled up for my own pleasure. woo! 

custom boobie cups. not bad, for a first time!

Handily, this "How to Move a Dart" (from Sunni, again) arrived just in time. Seriously, it's no wonder my previous attempts to sew for real were so ill-fated. I would get so bogged down without these amazing seamstresses around. I should also follow instructions and not just put the pockets wherever i want. the designer probably knows where your hands should go, dummy. 3 inches is good. 5 is too low. oh well.

I'd like to do a few versions-- maybe one with a longer bodice and the original neckline, and one with short sleeves (I HATE elastic sleeve endings). The back has a great fit...but maybe i'll try a version with darts back there too. Fun!

 

For next time: Move the dart down a good 2 inches, and do it more precisely, like for instance on the pattern! rather than in the already-cut fabric. (sewing muslins is boring.) i don't have a smidge of extra fabric on this project (45" fabric? whatever, stingy) so I had to MAKE DO. like a 40's lady. :)

it's kiddie butt dance ready

that right boob is a little pointy, isn't it. hm.

I thought about short sleeves, but decided against em on this version. i'll put on a cardigan. :)

happy summer!

new button- for the children!

i was going to make this just for the one child, but now that i've been taunting two others with homemade clothes, maybe i'll make it a community affair.

it's kid's clothes week, says elsie marley... Just this weekend I bought the best fabric ever for a hoodie for my guy...and finished a dress, leaving perfect gingham leftovers for a girl's top...and need to kill a pile of scraps on my table. let's do it!

this challenge is pretty simple- just one hour a day for 7 days. cake. watch this! also, if you want to see others' projects, which I am sure will be more skillful, click the box, ya'll.

xo

ps how did she know i had black and white gingham on hand? the button image is EERIE, innit?