Watermelon Smocked Bloomers

Here is the third pair of little smocked bloomers. This is a fun one made from novelty watermelon fabrics.

I bought these fabrics a few years ago in a quilt shop and I didn't have a plan for them. When I was trying to do something fun with the bloomers, I thought how cute it would be to do the ruffles from the "rind" fabric.

Both the waist ruffles and the bum ruffles are 1" wide "rind" with a narrow hem. I thought folded ruffles would be too thick. \

The smocking is black and has a few "hiccups" due to the fact that I smocked this in a dark roller skating rink while my boys were there with friends. It isn't noticeable though!

These are preemie size from Kathy Dykstra's Sweet Cheeks pattern. They are modeled on an 8lb reborn doll.

These are so summery! The next thing to figure out is what kind of a top would go well.

Smocked Bloomers in my Favorite Fabric!

These little smocked bloomers are quick and easy to make. I have made 3 already! This one is from Kathy Dykstra's new pattern: Sweet Cheeks. Size newborn from my favorite Fabric Finders Strawberry Lawn! I recently purchased 6 more yards of this, so felt I could justify using a little.

Here they are with optional, removable fabric bows. I just pin them on so you can have 2 looks. The smocking is very simple waves.

Here they are modeled on an 8lb newborn size doll. I need to come up with some sort of top that shows off the bloomers.

The back has an elastic casing. I meant to put ruffles on the back, but I just kept on sewing till it was too late!

Next up: I will show off my watermelon version!

Love You Latte!

Andy went to a birthday party for twin 8 year old girls recently. They told us that they love Starbuck's Lattes, so when  I saw this fabric, I could not resist!

It's not much fun to make 2 of the same thing, but these were such a fast sew, that I didn't even mind! The waistbands are cotton ribbing and the Latte fabric is cotton knit Doodles from Joann's.

We added a Starbuck's gift card for each. The pattern I used is: Ginger Shorties by Sew Like My Mom. This is a free pattern in sizes 1-16! I did a 5 width with an 8 length for these slender girls.

Smocked Baby Bloomers

One of the smocking groups I am in has had several people making their own versions of these smocked "Spanish Jam Pants." Never one to miss out on something fun, I thought I'd join the #smockedjampantschallenge. This could go viral, I tell ya!

The back is not as full as the smocked front  and has an elastic casing with matches the height of the smocking on the front. Both have a small ruffle.

I drafted a one piece pattern so the only seams are the side seams, eliminating seams at crotch and center front/back. This means you don't have to pleat through any seams.

I smocked these at the pool yesterday, so made up a design suitable to run a ribbon through. I haven't done that yet, but the side bows are removable, so ribbon in the smocking would create a different look.

The fabric is a beautiful blue & orange Fabric Finders. The gingham is also 100% cotton. The gingham was used for bias casings at the legs and back waist as well as the "ties." These were very quick to make and a fun project. The next challenge will be to figure out a top that tucks in to showcase these adorable bloomers!

Blanket & Bib Set for Baby Lincoln

One of our favorite teachers recently had her first grandbaby, a boy named Lincoln. I made a bib and blanket for him. Their nursery theme is elephants, so I chose some elephant fabrics and embroideries.

This is the yellow  long-sleeved newborn shirt that has a little embroidered elephant and the name.

The blanket is a soft flannel bordered with a beautiful seafoam flannel and the corner has "Lincoln" with an embroidered elephant.

I caused myself a hassle by choosing a directional print. I had to cut the square on the bias to make the elephants go the right way. I like to put the name in the corner so when you swaddle the baby, it shows.

Here's the little bib. It's a stretchy terrycloth and I just put a little gingham applique on it.

Beach-y Towels

These are some hand towels I embroidered for my Mom. She likes to use the small towels for guests by each sink and her house is near the ocean, so I often do sea-related items.

I digitized these fish. My Mom had a purchased towel with a similar design and it was ruined by bleach. I have made this for her a few times. I love the bright tropical fish, but the bleach invariably turns them pastel!

This design was a freebie at Embroidery Library. I thought it was cute and I like the sentiment, too.

These hand towels are about 9"x18" unfolded and I got a set of 12 on Amazon. They are very nice and soft and I think I have almost used them up!

Anne of Green Gables Sailor Dress

This week Create Kids Couture hosted a sew-along/challenge with the theme "character inspired." The idea was to make something with any combination of their patterns that was inspired by your favorite character. Many people made amazing Disney-type outfits from Incredibles, Toy Story, or Princesses, but I thought of Anne of Green Gables.

My sister and I used to watch the PBS movies all the time! I still watch them often! So I pulled them out and googled Anne dresses and decided to go with her Sailor Dress. Here are the ones I was inspired by: 

I was mostly going for the left blue striped, but I did the white collar and a full skirt like the right one.

Katie and I had fun setting up our props and taking the photos. Our model is my friend's little girl Evelyn, barely 6 years old and cute as can be. We set up a tea party in the backyard with an American Girl Doll in a light blue Edwardian dress. The china tea set is Katie's and I had the antique linens.

We also took some photos with "Henny Penny" one of our 8 week old chicks (the calmest). Don't you love this special effect of a sketch over a photo?

We also used some of our vaious size and color eggs as a prop. I love this side view and we also got a great back view of this one:

The pattern is CKC Sybil with added piping details, much fuller skirt (2- 60" widths) and sashes. The size 6 fit like a glove and was the perfect length. The fabric is a sheer cotton shirting and the collar is a sheer white cotton with a woven line pattern. I think the navy piping adds great detail. The sleeves are the 3/4 length that came with the pattern, but I added a little fullness (not Anne's famous puffed sleeves, but similar to the ones in the inspiration photo). I bought the straw hat and added the ribbon.

We also took some photos with the doll riding in an antique wicker rickshaw I recently found at an estate sale. Apparently these came in sizes for babies and dolls and were popular around the turn of the century. Anne of Green Gables takes place in 1908, so it fits our theme perfectly.

Our little model is a cover girl!

I had way too much fun with the photos- there were literally dozens of great ones. Here she is on a stamp!

This was such a fun project: I only wish I had a month to do a whole set...Diana, Gilbert, Minnie May, even Marilla... ohhhh lots of ideas!!