Marie Grace Designs

Oliver and S Croquet dress...

Stats:

Pattern: Oliver and S Croquet dress View A

Size: 8 (no modifications)

Fabric: I have no idea. Tater pulled it out of the fabric stash cabinet.

If you look really closely you'll see there's a seam running right up the front of the dress (ugh). This is not part of the pattern. It is what happens when you are dangerously close to not having enough fabric to cut out all you pattern pieces while your 8 year old begs you to please, please, please have enough for this purple dress! I had meant to piece the back together rather than the front but wasn't paying attention and grabbed the wrong pattern piece. This isn't something I would normally do.

Let's just call it thrifty or economical, shall we?

Its hard to see the little collar pieces in this picture because the fabric is so busy but they are a sweet little detail. Next time I think I'll go with a contrasting collar for the collar pieces.

I love little hand-sewn button loops!

This little dress has lots of potential for customizing. I can also see it as a sweet little blouse. The instructions were clear and simple as is expected from Oliver and S. We did fiddle with the elastic in the casing a bit trying to get it not too tight and not too loose. Tater kept wanting to hike it up like the waistband of a pair of pants and it took a little convincing to get her to let it be. Once we got it "just right" she was fine with it.

Stats on baby brother in 1st picture: He's wearing some flannel pajama pants made from a Favorite Little Things pattern and one of the Sew Liberated Envelope Ts I made here.

Oliver and S Badminton set...

I am so far behind on so many things. No really, way behind.

So what did I do this weekend? Hunker down and get to those things? Take charge and make it happen?

Nope.

I made Tater some outfits. Take that schedule!

Plus it is Kids Clothes Week Challenge week, which I figured I had no chance in participating in. But what the hell, I did it anyway.

You know I'm an Oliver and S junkie, right? And that a few weeks ago the new spring 2012 patterns were released, right? Well here ya go...

Stats:

Pattern: Oliver and S Badminton outfit View A and B

Size: 8 (no modifications)

Fabric: Lisette fabrics purchased at Joann Fabrics 

The scalloped skirt is actually a skort and honestly is the first skort I've even sewn. It was really simple even with the scalloped edging. There's a template in the pattern that you trace right onto the fabric so all you have to do is stitch on the line you trace and viola! Perfect scallops!

I'll warn ya... there's a line in the pattern directions that reads something like "If things are seeming really fiddly you're almost done", we'll its true! I like to consider myself a pretty confident sewist but while working on this little blouse and all its little facing and ruffle parts I began to wonder how in the world I was going to end up with a blouse at all. And then... just like that... a clip and a turn and there it was! Just like that. And it fits her perfectly.

Tater loves it and wore it all day (with her Bogg boots mostly). I love that its cute but still modest without being too cutesy.

As for the fabric... I'm not really a big fan of Joann Fabrics. I've been sorely disappointed in their fabrics for many reasons and the employees at our closest store tend to be cranky. But I do go there to shop for things like elastic, thread, stabilizers, and things like that so I went out on a limb and purchased a few different fabrics from the Lisette and Little Lisette line both by Liesl Gibson of Oliver and S. So far I'm very pleased with them. I got them on sale so the price was nice. The fabrics all washed and ironed quite well, especially the poplin which this blouse is made of. The skort is made from the twill and even after Tater wore it all day in the damp crappy weather it still looked great. I have few more prints from these collections and plan to use them soon.  

Stats on the kid:

Damp and silly (no modifications)

Lately...

So, I know I've said it before... the busier it is at the house the quieter it is here on the blog.

A quiet Friday morning in early spring...

3-7-12

Today's stitching...

My frenemie the pleater. I normally leave her in the basement where she can't ruin my day or my fabric.

But today while Bubba naps I'm playing with an idea I've had since before the holidays. This is only a muslin, literally, so I'm using the pleater to save time and figure a few things out. The final product, if I get that far, will definitely be hand pleated.

3-2-12

Today's stitching...

So I realize its been about a million years since I've published a new knitting pattern here but I am pleased to say that I am currently working on 4 new kids designs for a spring release. Pretty things to wear over those spring dresses and little collared shirts. Things with buttons and embroidery and simple textures. Things that are just as useful as they are beautiful.

More soon!

3-1-12

Today's stitching...

 

More sewing...

 

Pattern: Oliver and S After School outfit

Size: 8 

Pants fabric: Lightweight denim from Joann Fabrics.

Modifications: I used the fabric from the shirt for the pocket linings so there'd be a little pop of color there just like at the pants hem.

Shirt Fabric: Oliver and S Cape Ann 

Modifications: I added 2" of length to the shirt and the sleeves. Tater is built so small but she's tall so typically needs a smaller size but more length. 

It seems I need to do a little button shopping because pickings are slim in the button bucket so we decided to make little fabric covered buttons.

Sunday's Sewing ... on Tuesday?

This outfit has been pretty much finished for about 2 weeks now. I got up a little early this morning to put the snaps on and viola... its done!

Shirt Pattern: Oliver and S Sketchbook Shirt

Size: 18-24 months

Fabric: Riley Blake Designs "Scoot" by Deena Rutter (Love!)

Believe it or not I followed this pattern as is and didn't even fiddle with anything. 

I did decide to dig out the snap press rather than using buttons because Bubba is has been a real button-biter lately and I'm terrified he's going to choke on a button.

Its a miracle he sat long enough for me to take these pictures. 

Also, the long sleeve white shirt underneath is a raglan I whipped up. Fabric is from a re-purposed maternity tank top!

Pants pattern: Oliver and S Sandbox Pants

Size: 18-24 months

Fabric: Lightweight denim from Joann Fabrics

Followed the pattern for these straight up, no modifications except for a little extra length.

I'm really happy with how these fit over Bubba's cloth diaper butt!

I'll definitley be making both of these again.

I gotta say I LOVE Riley Blake fabrics and this Scoot line by Deena Rutter is one of my favorites right now. So cute... especially for the boys!

Good morning...

and a happy spring-is-here-whether-you're-ready-or-not!

These 2 little faces now greet us every morning from a corner of the kitchen. One is a runt from the dairy and the other is a friend for her just because goats hate to be alone. When they've grown enough they'll be introduced to our big goats but for now they are enjoying a life of nonstop attention in the house and even bedtime stories thanks to Tater.

Seeds have been ordered, gardening plans are underway, and a new chicken house is setting next to the fence waiting for fresh new nest boxes!