One pattern four fabrics

I wanted to show one more of the Laurel tops I had in the works.  It is a linen version.  The top part of the shirt was cut from a thrifted linen sheet and the bottom was cut from a big linen dress, the buttons were from a thrifted dress. The lace was given to me by my Mother in Law (thanks Dixie!). I've really wanted to use a lot of my notions lately and this was a perfect spot to highlight them. You can't tell from the picture but the buttons have butterflies on them.

I wanted to use this pattern to experiment with the drape of fabrics and how they perform with the same pattern. Its something I've been trying to learn more about lately. Drape and weight of fabric can really make or break a look. 
This is what I discovered about drape and weight of fabric with the Laurel pattern... 
Linen:  The linen top is a size 6 (a perfect fit for me) and it felt comfortable in linen, although the drape wasn't as pretty as the rayon.  I did fudge the back a bit because I cut the back on the fold but forgot to omit the seam allowance, nothing that an extra seam couldn't fix.  The sleeves are drafted longer and have elastic at the cuff to mimic a peasant blouse.  The linen stands out more from the body but has a pretty, classic shape with the pattern.
Rayon:   I found that the Rayon (below in a size 6) has draped the best for me.

It fit the best in the shoulders and bust area and draped beautifully.  It hugs the body in a forgiving way when combined with this pattern(important when you had a baby 10 months ago).  The sleeves are shortened a bit here.

Cotton:  The gingham (cut in a size 4) is a shirting weight and like a lot of medium weight cottons it had a tendency to stand away from my body more and look (of course) more structured. This was a size too small for me but perhaps it will fit after I stop breastfeeding.  I made the size 4 based on a rayon muslin and quickly learned that the rayon fitting did not translate to a cotton fitting.   The rayon has a tendency to give more and stretch out during construction therefore it can alter your results and its even more important to stay stitch while you sew.

The next cotton was a quilting cotton(below).   

This was a straight quilting cotton made in a size 6 and fit perfectly.  As you can see the drape is different from the rayon and linen.  The cottons, as opposed to the rayon and linen, don't move with my body as easily. 
This has been a fun experiment for me and really solidified the idea that matching pattern with the right fabric has a big impact on how much I want to wear the garment and the look of the finished product.  The Laurel is a pretty quick pattern to sew up thats why I was able to crank out so many and when I finally got the fit right it was a pleasure to sew knowing that the fit would be flattering as well!  I see myself using the pattern many more times in the future.

A pattern for Rudolph!

I've had this length of Rudolph fabric for a while now and while it makes me smile everytime I look at it I couldn't figure out what to do with it.  So now I've finally found a pattern for it and I love it.  I used the Colette Laurel pattern and it has been great to work with.  I felt this fabric might really put it to the test since it is so busy.  I was smiling the whole time I was cutting it out and sewing it.  It just makes me that happy to sew Rudolph fabric.  I may even have to wear it this summer, it makes me that happy. 

You can see all the scenes and characters, theres Yukon Cornelius (smak, smak, smak aahhh nothing), Rudolph (Put her down!), Herbie (I'm am not just a nitwit), the island of Misfit Toys (Even among misfits you're a misfit), the Abominable, snow man guy, Santa(lets hope he grow out of it).

Anything that makes me smile this much shouldn't be put away until Christmas right?

The pattern has been great to work with, the only change I made to this one was to move the darts down a bit. Well early Merry Christmas to all and to all a crafty night!

Self-printed rayon and Laurel pattern

This whole project is a result of my not paying attention to the heat setting of the iron and scorching my entire yardage of red rayon.  The scorches where faint but at the right angle you could see the pattern of the iron...ugghhh.  So I was motivated to make the fabric a print and also had a good excuse to paint it since I really had nothing to lose! 

I used some fabric paint that I've had in my stash for a while. 

AJ really liked this heart print and wanted a dress for herself from it! 

 

The stamps were made of craft foam cut into shapes.  Its the craft foam that all those kids stickers are made from, know the one's I mean Holly? 

So here's the shirt and I used the Colette Laurel pattern.  Its a fairly simple pattern with lots of room for embellishment and alterations. 

Here's the close up of the neckline.  I've been trying to stash bust my trims and laces.  This is a tiny black loop trim.  Its hard to see here but I love the simple effect.  Hopefully I can get some pictures of me in it soon.  I also made a dress from the heart fabric but it didn't turn out as well so we'll see if I have the courage to put it out there!  Happy stitching!

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Easter dress #2 and how i get things done...

Easter dress for little G is finally finished.  It went slower, teething baby plus spotty sleep for Mommy means that there are lots of stops and gos for a dress project.  Also at one point I thought I was all done with the dress, photographed it and looked at the picture scratching my head thinking "whats missing."  The next day realized that I'd forgotten to read all the sewing instructions and left out a pleat at the bottom of the dress.  I guess when you've been sewing long enough you just toss the instructions but when you combine that with sleep deprivations things might get left out.  So I will show you the dress before the pleat was added and after.
Before:

And after the pleat and some lace detail:

Looks better right? And here are some detail close-ups.

 

And this is how I got the dress done:

In the far background is where AJ played with littlest petshopsand my vintage She-ras ;) and Little G played with everything else. Notice the pillow set up as a barrier between the toys.  Little G is getting better and better at manuevering herself around to get what she wants.  At one point she was layed over the barrier pillow whining to get to the petshops.  Poor baby, its so hard to be a baby.

Easter dress #1

I completed one Easter dress today!  I love doing Easter dresses each year and try to always pick a pattern that has a sewing element I've never tried or that looks fiddly.  I get a little frustrated at times with fiddly dress patterns but see Easter as a special time to put forth more effort with the fiddly things.

Its hard to tell from this picture but the waist of this dress has three tucks.  They were indeed a test of patience trying to first trace them with worthless tracing paper and secondly trying to line them up!  But its all worth it for Easter!  AJ said she loved the dress and wants to wear it which is great!

Heres a close up of the bodice.  The pattern is a Butterick but I don't know the number off the bat.
And for the Grandmothers heres some kiddo goodness.

A much neglected doll finally getting some love.

 AJ playing in her corner by the window.  She likes to look out the window for "red robins."

And AJ midtwirl declaring last Sunday night as "the best night ever" because Aunt Mimi and Nana were visiting.  Happy sewing!

Clothing labels, getting ready for summer wardrobe

I've been getting inspired about sewing for this summer and now that I have two girls to sew for I feel like I need further out to plan. As I've been gathering fabrics and sewing patterns I've also been making clothing tags. Going through AJ's old clothes and trying to figure out the sizing has been a real guessing game when trying to dress baby G. So I thought I should start putting tags in the clothes. I used some screen printing paint, rubber stamps and unfinished biased tape.

The finished product turned out pretty good.

 AJ fits into some fives and some fours so next up are some four tags. I anticipate baby G being in 12 month clothes this summer. She's getting longer!
Also here's a link for giggles have a great day! Elmo Pizza Box dance Love that Sesame Street.