The Carnival Skort and Shoreline Tank

Fishsticks Designs has a whole new series of patterns out: The Jersey Love Series. They are all fabulous but I knew I just HAD to sew up The Carnival Skort for Missy asap. She loves to wear skirts but she simply doesn't have...ahem...decorum (is that the word I'm looking for here?) in public, or even in the privacy of our home! So short leggings underneath all her skirts and dresses or skorts is a must!

Before my month long break I cut out a couple of these Shoreline Tanks from Jocole, only I made the very silly mistake of being distracted while cutting them out, and I didn't cut them on the fold. Which means instead of a solid piece for the front and another for the back, I ended up with two pieces for each! Oops!

I just seamed the back of the tank together because Missy has only recently moved into a 5T, and I knew that the seam wouldn't take away all the wiggle room in the width. For the front I didn't want a plain seam distracting from the look of the outfit. Thanks to a few suggestions from my sweet friends I cut a length of the same fabric as her skorts (almost double the length of the front, from neckline to hem), gathered it, and stitched it down the center between the two sides I'd cut for the front. I hemmed and then applied the FOE for binding and straps as per the directions. 

Don't like or don't have FOE? Jodi (Jocole) includes several options for the straps and binding. I'm willing to bet you'll find one in her directions that works perfectly for you!

The Carnival Skort requires no hemming and so it goes together really quickly! I opted to serge the skirt panels together with seams hidden, and the leggings underneath are the same solid brown stretch jersey as the waistband. They fit perfectly and I can tell they are so comfortable!

She was so happy with her pretty new set that she decided some spinning around and dancing for the camera was needed to show off her delight! Can you believe how much she's grown just in the past year and a half? She's such a big girlie now.

Thanks for stopping by! Now off you go to make some Carnival Skorts for someone dear to you!

Ruffled Neckline Nightie!

I don't generally alter patterns, actually I can come really close to saying never. But as I was sewing the binding onto the neckline of this nightie, I realized that I hadn't cut it wide enough. It wasn't going to be able to be folded and wrap over to the front properly. Whoops!

I detest unpicking . . .detest it with a passion! So I decided that right then was the perfect time to conquer gathering with the serger!

It took quite a bit of playing around and Pinterest searching...but I did it! Then the new gathered piece was sewn to the too-narrow binding, folded over, and topstiched into place. The serger hated me a bit along the front section where everything overlaps, but with a little coaxing she chugged along like a trooper. I did go back and reinforce that whole seam with the sewing machine as well. I felt it was needed with so many layers all trying to be in one place, at one time. Thankfully that was the last step, and finally it was time to turn it right side out for Missy's review.

Miss squealed, hugged the new nightie (and me!), and then declared she would wear it ALL DAY! Ha ha ha! Good thing it's already close to bedtime!

And lest you think that little Missy always behaves for photos, this is a very polite version of what she is usually doing!

The pattern is the wonderful Crossover Tunic from Jocole, that I snapped up on sale a short while ago. I planned on making tops, tunics, and dresses with it for this summer (and I am sure I will) but so far I absolutely love it for nighties!

Starting to prep for summer

My summer sewing has officially started. Soon the days are going to be unbearably hot and we're going to have some sweaty, cranky, kids on our hands. Not to mention the cranky mama! I'm not an "enjoy Texas summer heat" kind of gal, that's a special breed of person right there.

We're going to needs lots of tanks, shorts, light dresses, and of course swimsuits for cooling off with sprinklers in the backyard.

So thanks to some recent sew a longs to motivate me, here are the first couple of additions to the kids' summer wardrobe.

The Little Man: The Tank from Fishsticks Designs (free tutorial and pattern). 2T.
And no outer space tank would be complete without a rocket to explore the great unknown! The rocket tag is designed and sold by Night Owl's Menagerie.

 Why a freebie? Why not?! It fits perfectly and it is fast and easy to sew up. You can't beat that! I've used this pattern before, for my daughter, and it has never disappointed. :)

See?

I swear he was trying to give me attitude about posing for a photo!
Don't you just love the tank though? 

Next up...

For Missy: A Crossover Tunic from Jocole. Size 5.
It's supposed to be knee length, but quite thankfully on her it extends to below her knee, which is a much better length for a little girl with zero concern for modesty. ;) 

This is my first time ever sewing a Jocole pattern, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
Here's what I loved:

• the way her pattern has specific cut and join lines,
• the 1" square grid goes over the entire pattern, which makes it really easy to tell of the pattern has printed to the correct scale,
• it was really simple and easy to sew,
• I love how the binding is done on the neck and sleeves, and she explains how to finish those areas in a variety of other ways including FOE (fold over elastic),
• the tunic (nightie in this case) fits perfectly without being too snug or too loose in any areas.

I will definitely consider buying another Jocole pattern in the future.

I will, however, consider not allowing the girlie to eat pizza in her brand new nightie again...crossing fingers that sauce comes out in the wash tonight!