Pattern: McCall’s M5684, Easy Stitch ‘n Save, size 4
Fabric: lightweight cotton denim and some corduroy I can’t find the details on. Sorry!
Mods: I used the top from View A and the skirt from View B. I am proud of myself for not following the instructions to the letter! I’m really starting to get it. Yay! Anyway, I sewed the skirt sides and then sewed the top front and back to their facings at the top edges, wrong sides together. I turned them right side out, pressed and sewed the front to the back at the sides. I top stitched all around the top and then gathered the skirt to fit and sewed it on, right sides together. Then I pressed the skirt to the top and top stitched around the bottom of the bodice. Since I didn’t have enough fabric for the skirt I shortened it a bit. I did a very narrow hem to compensate, but it’s still a little short when compared to the width. I think I’ll make the next one a bit more narrow and longer.

Hopefully I’ll get a better photo in the near future. She’s sort of a blur these days…

I also got to use my fancy grommet tool, yay! This thing has proved to be very handy indeed.

I used up a lot of fabric making these and it felt GOOD. Not to mention they are very quick. I could knock off four in an hour. Highly recommended!

The snowflakes are freestanding lace that I did on my embroidery machine. Very cool! I used Solvy heavyweight water soluble stabilizer, hooped tight and stitched with a size 11 needle. Each one took about a hour to stitch out–not the quickest when you are making groups, but not too bad in small batches.

I used the tutorial from Bored and Crafty. There were a couple of details omitted, but the bag produced is great! I took the extra step of basting the lining to the bottom of the bag so it won’t pop out when the mat is removed.

Details
Project: Yoga Mat Bag (via Bored and Crafty)
Dimensions: fabric cut to 29×17, circle for bottom cut to 5″. I would do more like 32 x 19 next time around. Measure circle via your own mat rolled up, then add 1/4″ all the way around for seam allowance. Stitch the liner to the inside of the seam allowance so it won’t show.
Fabric: Dogwood by Michelle Engel Bencsko. Desperately seeking more of this fabric!

There are some pleats at the top to suit your womanly shape…

and the whole thing is reversible. I chose to back each one in a gingham and change up the other side to suit each recipient. I’ve had the gingham in my stash for quite a while, but the quilting cottons are all new from the Brooklyn General Store.

I used a fancy stitch at the bottom of each apron, just because I can.

Details
Pattern: Reversible Apron from Lotta Jansdotter’s Simple Sewing
Fabric: stash gingham, ummmm, i knew I should have written the rest down. I’ll try and find out.
Notes: Buy 1.5 yards of fabric if it has a nap. I had to cut my strings against the nap and was a little annoyed. For the apron strings, sub twill tape if you are in a hurry. If not, sew together strips and then turn to right side, press and top stitch. Trust me, it will take less time than trimming all the edge and turning them all right side out.

One thing I love about these fabrics is how well they go together… I’m going to try to use the scraps up on something.

I am a sucker for Japanese kids patterns. And this mag has things sized for both Maia AND Cassie. Sweet!

This is absolutely the closest I’ve even come to wanting matching mom and daughter outfits. Can you blame me? I won’t do it, but I admit to thinking about it!

I finally finished one of these overdue gifts last week…

I’ve had the book for a long while and have been working on the apron just as long. You see, I had to put it away when I realized it was going to look a little icky on the back…

But, when I pulled it out after our break–it didn’t look so bad after all! This wrinkling is the result of more fullness in the bottom of the apron than at the top. The hem is very deep, but looks so nice this way. It’s been recommended that I gather in the fullness first, then hem. I might try that next time, or consider the magical blind hem of the previous post. I think the blind hem would allow for a little more ease. Of course, you could just ignore it also, which is what I am choosing to do.

I hid a little contrasting fabric in the facing–I love it! I hope the recipient does too.

Now, I’ve attempted to use the blind hem function with varied, mostly poor, results. The foot made all the difference for me. It is seriously invisible. I recommend it–well worth the $10 when you are sewing lots of little girl dresses.

I used this sweet video between pals (hi Eileen!) to help me position the fabric and went to town. There is also a nice video on the singer website on the use of the blind hem foot.

For this top I used leftovers from a jumper I made Cassie back when she was shiny and new. Remember how I messed up the sleeves last time?

It turns out that the dots to mark the center of the sleeve are not marked on the pattern page. Easy enough to do yourself. Just fold the sleeve in half and set the fold against the shoulder seam. Pin into place and you are good to go. The angled side sets against the body of the shirt so that the cuff is straight.

A total win for gifting!

I decided to start with the Kimono Dress and use some lightweight cotton my mother gave me from her stash. It’s a crazy print, but I love it.

The bodice came off without a hitch, but I’ve been warned via blog reading that the front will tend towards gaping open once the skirt is attached and gathered (which happens via elastic thread in the bobbin).

More updates on my fixes once the piece is complete!

The dress was extremely easy to execute. It’s my third time with a Japanese pattern and it’s definitely getting easier! I did not need to translate a single thing–the diagrams are very clear. I made my own bias tape from Kona cotton for the binding (using the magical Clover tool) and a gauzy linen from Israel for the body of the dress. This was a little tricky! The stitch length needed to be JUST SO in order to go through the machine. I zigzagged the edges and am hoping it holds. Fraying is too light of a word. Next time I use this fabric I plan to try my new “sew and serge” foot.

Maia has mixed reactions to this dress, but put on a good, albeit fake, face for her photo shoot. Sorry for the not-so-great lighting. We take what we can get when kids are involved. I think the dress will look great when it fits, but admit that the hanger appeal is “meh”. What really makes it for me is the fabric–thanks Jess!

She was SUPER excited when she saw the picture in the book. I presented the fabric and her reaction was, “um, how about a pink dress?” Ugh. I promised her a pink dress next. Luckily, I have just the right fabric. Now to find a pattern, that I already own, that works with it…