Posts Tagged ‘Penelope’

Back To School: Making Skirts out of Lemons

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When I went to LA, I was given a yard of two different Michael Miller prints. I fell in love. My mind was just brimming ideas for the bird fabric (find other colorways here). Home dec? Pencil skirt? Details on a jacket?

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Not two hours after I arrived home from my trip, I caught Penelope red-handed with scissors and my bird fabric.

“But mom! I wanted to make a pocket square!”

I unfolded the yardage to discover Penelope had cut a giant hole in the middle of all of it.

There went my plans to make me a skirt. Squashed.

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She knew the yardage needed to be a circle skirt, the pocket square bit was just a rouse. I couldn’t see myself making anything else out of the fabric now.

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I followed Dana’s instructions for a circle skirt, but added a fabric covered elastic waistband instead. I like the polish the fabric waistband gives.

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She loves this little skirt, but  promptly exchanged it for pants for her first day of school. No matter. She at least got dressed up for pictures this morning.

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I can’t believe she’s in kindergarten already! My little doll has grown up so fast. I’ve been ready for her to start kindergarten for the last 2 years it seems. Bidding her farewell on the bus today seemed so strange, though! It was just nuts to see my little girl go off to school on her own.

She’s certainly ready for autonomy.

Sewing: Pattern Anthology Tour

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Did you ever do that dumb thing in school when you were given practically an entire semester to write a paper, but you wait until the last night to sew it? I mean write it? Then when you sit down to write it, you end up having all sorts of problems with saving the file, printing and your sewing machine . . . I mean computer?

Working as hard as I do on my calligraphy and graphic design business, I really need to get better at “defending my time”, as Chris calls it. He’s right. I need to do the hard things first. And I need to get them done early. That, or I’ll just sleep when I’m dead.

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I was asked to participate in a back-to-school sewing tour for Pattern Anthology. I don’t normally accept these things, but since Penelope is heading off to her first year of Kindergarten and our fabric and notions would be provided, I accepted.

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These patterns are meant to be blank slates for boys or girls open for interpretation and mixing. It’s been fun to see the other looks roll out thus far and see how much they vary one from another. Some ladies went all out fancy pants for their kids.

I kept things simple with these patterns, omitting zippers and pockets where ever I could get away with. Penelope is terribly rough on her clothes. I don’t want to spend a load of time creating something fancy just to see her rip out a knee just days or even minutes after. Simple it was.

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The Recess Raglan was easy. 30 minutes from printing the PDF to a finished garment. I didn’t finish the hem or the sleeves because I liked how the bodice fabric rolled nicely, and I didn’t want to spend more time on the shirt than completely necessary.

Penelope was really excited to pick out the fabrics. I found both at Girl Charlee; the tribal print was just about sold out, I got the last half yard. I just barely squeaked out the shirt and the pant details. I wish I knew the manufacturer’s info on that print. I want some for me.

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The BBC Vest was sort of easy. I assumed a 5/8 inch seam allowance (it was 3/8) and ended up making more work for myself with the collar construction. It all worked out though, and I think this vest works adorably for girls or boys. I omitted the peplum cut because I knew this would be the most versatile. I used an amazing chambray from Michael Levine and an un-dyed, lightweight organic cotton voile from Organic Cotton Plus.

Penelope has a little orange hippo button that I’ve misplaced recently. She wants it on the lapel and I’m happy to oblige. Next time, I want to make the front armscye come in a bit more.

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The W Pants were easier than I thought, but I overcomplicated in spots. I wanted to use the stripe bandage knit from Girl Charlee, but it’s a bit see-through. Hating to see penelope’s day-glo underwear on display, I lined the pants with more of that white cotton voile. So worth it.

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The sizing is big, so I took in the legs and the crotch seam about 1 1/2 inch or so. Next time I’ll size down to a 4T. The instructions for the fly zip are very clear, but I was too tired. Faux zip it was. I spent a little extra time top-stitching each major seam. Coats & Clark has me converted to using topstitch thread. It looks so much more professional.

I have about 3/4 of a yard left of the chambray from Michael Levine, I may have to make a real zip version of these pants for Penelope.

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The Study Hall Jacket was a beast. I started it late, just about broke my sewing machine with the elastic and top-stitching thread. But it’s cute. Like little bumblebee cute.

I would reduce the recommended elastic length, it just didn’t gather as much in the back as I would like. I’m not un-picking and fixing, though. I also didn’t really get the lining assembly instructions so I ended up sewing the lining in by hand. Fit is true to size, borderline short in the arms (but I think Miss Penelope has mommy’s ape-like arms). I knew this piece would take me forever, so I made it gender-neutral. A good hand-me-down for Felix.

Penelope sure loves it. I’ve never worked with a separating zip before, but they’re so much easier to install than regular zippers. The jacket doesn’t match the rest of her outfit, but I figured if I was going to spend the time to create a full-on jacket for Penelope, I wouldn’t worry about matching it up to just one outfit. The yellow twill is from Organic Cotton Plus, the rib knit from Girl Charlee and the zipper from Coats & Clark.

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Overall, these patterns are a great way to get a solid block for basic kid’s clothes in your library. Thumbs up! You can view/purchase the entire collection here.

My pain points? I dislike assembling PDF patterns and each pattern has different seam allowances. Still, sewing this collection was a good challenge for me to get my butt in gear before school starts.

Alphabet Collection Blog Tour

Check out each interpretation of the collection as it’s unveiled: girl. Inspired.Shwin & ShwinSew a Straight Lineelsie marleyMelly SewsHappy Togethersee kate sew,Elegance & ElephantsI Still Love Youkojo designs, Petit a Petit and FamilyThe Train to CrazyDelia Creates and Craftiness is Not Optional

All fabric and notions provided by companies mentioned above. Enter code PA10 for 10% off your order at Michael Levine and PATANTHO for 10% off your order at Girl Charlee.

 

Penelope’s Gold Dot Dress

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I’m all about series this week. I had two posts scheduled for yesterday so this is spilling onto Friday. Normally this will be a Thursday thing (as with all of my sewing/style posts), but I was sort of double booked.

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I’m starting a new series, well I guess I already started it, I’m just now getting around to calling it something. Remember how I had you vote last week on which dress I should make for P?

Each week for the next 4 weeks I’m going to have you help me choose what to sew and I will reveal the project I made from my drawings and your help the following week.

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Last week, the response was overwhelming for the classic dress. So I made her one. I certainly have enough fabric left over to make a dress with a hoodie, but this one was first.

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Instead of simple gathers I did pleats along each side. I sort of eyeballed the pleats. Remember how I was talking about patient sewing yesterday? Well, I’m rarely patient when it comes to sewing for my kids. My body won’t change nearly as much as their bodies will, so It really decreases my motivation for sewing it flawlessly every time.

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I whipped up a bodice pattern from a shirt of hers and sewed this in just over an hour. It was really easy. I lined the bodice with a white jersey for better opacity since it’s sitting right against her skin. I didn’t do that for the dress part, so I’ll likely be whipping up some white leggings for her to wear underneath this dress.

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I love how the gold dots look on her. This silhouette is pretty sweet, too. After our little photoshoot, she asked if she could keep it on while she played with friends. Of course!

It’s comfortable enough for her to play and hang with the boys, but sweet and fancy enough for her to wear at church.

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Again, I rushed. I didn’t spend enough time matching up the dots, so the pattern looks a bit busy on the bottom. It bugs me, but Penelope doesn’t care so much.

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Penelope has another suitable outfit for church and play! I’ll definitely be making this outfit again for her. Maybe do little shorts for a romper next time.

So for next week, I want a simple woven dress. I have two fabrics I’m having a hard time choosing between. Help me pick?

@melissapher: Which fabric should I use for this dress? Floral (yes) or stripe (no)? #sewing #fashion #diy

Selfless Sewing + Giveaway

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I made a few things for Penelope last week! In fact, while I was partying it up in LA, I found a lot of textiles just for her. She’s going to get a new wardrobe here by the end of the summer.

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I picked up this burnout fabric (sort of similar, similar) at the Michael Levine Loft. You can buy fabric for $2.50 per pound. It’s amazing! I found a lot of sheer chiffons and jerseys that I just couldn’t say no to. This, being one of them. If you look at it closely, it’s got a little paisley pattern to it. It’s really quite sweet.

This is certainly not the kind of fabric I would use to make a shirt for me. Much too see-through. I was thinking of a summer hoodie, then I remembered Penelope doesn’t have a swim coverup. Heck, she’s never had one.

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I’m not entirely sure how the idea came to me, but I thought about the circle dress I made a while back and thought if I added a hood, it’d be a great summer coverup. I made the opening smaller than my own waist and just winged the hood part. I grabbed one of mine and one of Penelope’s hoodies and quickly drew up a pattern. I didn’t even test it beforehand. Look at how perfectly those edges overlap! Huzzah!

Penelope’s impatience for mom (she stopped calling me mommy last week! WHAT??) is really showing here. She’s rearing to go outside and join her friends for some water games.

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I opted not to put any arm holes in it. Laziness or simplicity? I’ll let you guess. It certainly doesn’t seem to bother her at all. Penelope got a few approving nods at the pool and with Chris on a fast-food run.

Felix is the cutest photo-bomber. He’s even trying to show off by standing up!

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I don’t know if you’ve gathered from how much I’ve talked and instagrammed about Fabric weekend that I had way too much fun. I bought about 40 pounds of leather and fabric. I couldn’t help myself! Especially when it came to the leather. The pink and blue leathers were the first things I pulled out of my bag to show to Chris when I got home. Being just as excited as me about my spoils he asked, “What are you going to do with it?”

“Something awesome!!” I’m thinking leather handbag, leather skirt, leather trimming, leather books. . . .

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Here are just a few pieces that I picked up while on vacation. I had to buy a new shelving unit just to accommodate the new arrivals. Look at my rainbow! Since I was in LA’s fabric district, I wanted to get prints and textiles that I can’t find at home. I’ve got all the basics covered since Jo-Ann is about 5 minutes from my house. Plus I only had so much room in my bags, so I had to be pretty picky. The highlights of my fabric shopping were:

Angel Fabric: Gold foil polka dot knit. COME ON! I’m working on a couple of ideas for Penelope. Help me decide below? (vote for your favorite and I’ll post the finished product next week).

@melissapher: What should I do with this gold foil dot jersey? Classic dress (yes) or hoodie dress (no)? #sewing #fashion #diy

 

FIDM Scholarship store: Oh my word, we had such a great tour of the school and their different departments. My favorite was the collaboration between the textile, fashion and decor departments. And that geometric print? It’s silk.

Photo by Bethany

Mood: Was expensive compared to the previous day’s average at $2/yard. Wandering through 11+ aisles of floor to 20′ ceiling of rolls of fabric made my head spin, everything was AMAZING! I don’t know how project runway peeps do that place in 30 minutes for $50.

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After Mood we enjoyed the most delicious bacon-wrapped hotdog.

Michael Levine: The above three fabrics were from the loft. You sift through giant boxes of fabric. I also got some swim fabric at the regular store. Yes. I’m going to make a swimsuit. I’m crazy.

Fabric Planet: This hidden gem had loads of rayon challis (pronounced shallee, according to peeps at Mood). It’s hard to find anywhere, but Fabric Planet had quite a few modern prints to choose from. I’m totally digging the tie-dye print above.

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Photo by Bethany – who I totally need to hang out with again

 

My trip wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for Miriam (and Andrea). It was a much-needed girl’s vacation!

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Justine, Jen, Stef, Jessica, Mie, Melissa, Miriam, Caila, Me, Leanne, Andrea, Cherie, Marissa, Merrick, Sabra, Abby, Beverly, Marigold – Photo by Justine

 

All Kids Are Artists

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Penelope’s really come into a creative grove since she got her new studio. What’s even more awesome/remarkable is how all of the neighbor kids congregate in the tiny hallway to create artwork with her.

We’ve got quite a few budding artists on our street, including a 6 year old girl whom I’m convinced could be a fantastic calligrapher.

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So I’m going to start a series. A virtual gallery stroll, if you will.

These kids are really inspiring to me, especially how they just freely create without any rules.

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Penelope drew this bee for her aunt B. Get it? Adorable. She’s always creating little pictures and sculptures.

On the first Wednesday of each month, I’m going to be posting her creative endeavors and maybe a couple from the neighbor kids as well. I would love to see you participate! Use the banner above and post your kid’s creative endeavors on your blog on the first Wednesday of each month. We’ll link up for a virtual gallery stroll. For this month, feel free to link up in the comments to any artwork your child has done. If you don’t have a blog, feel free to submit your child’s work to me before the first Wednesday (July 3) and I’ll publish it here. I hope you’ll participate with me! See below for submission requirements.

Artwork must be 100% done by your child 18 years and younger. Photo must be taken in natural light and image must be at least 550px wide.

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