End of Summer Smocked Sailboat Bubble

I started this little bubble in June, when Andy would have had all summer to look cute in it. I had the sewing done several weeks ago. I originally intended to smock a fish on the front, but I lost the smocking plate. I didn't want to buy a new one or smock something else, so I did nothing. Today I decided to just finish it, before Fall weather arrives and Andy can't wear it anymore!
I made up my own sailboat design and it looks OK. I wanted to use summer sherbet colors on this turquoise Imperial microcheck.
The pattern is Maja's Heirlooms Corey, size 18 months. I made it with no sleeve or collar, so I cut the armholes and neck 1/2" larger. The bias binding was made 1/2" wide on purpose to show off the diagonal pattern, which I like. 
 

This is a perfect fit. The little bit of smocking gives it just enough fullness to look cute on a boy or a girl. 
I made the long pants version of this pattern (Jordan) for Andy when he was tiny and I love that one, too. This is definitely a "classic" to make over and over. My next one will probably be a corduroy or denim long pants version for winter.

Now that this project is done, I can work on something new...or finish one of my many other UFOs!!

1940 Button-on Cover-Alls

This adorable pattern is from 1940. When I find a treasure like this, I invariably think about what was going on at that time. The US was on the brink of World War II. My Dad was a baby. The first McDonald's restaurant opened that year. And some Mom or Grandma bought this pattern to stitch a  cover-all for her little boy or girl. Do you ever wonder the stories behind your vintage items??

This is one of three patterns I bought while fossicking through antique stores and thrift shops with my girls in July. We were vacationing with my parents at the beach and we took an afternoon to do a little shopping. This was an antique store I had never been to before and she had some really nice vintage baby, kitchen, and sewing items. There were three beautiful wicker baby baskets/bassinets on stands. They were very tempting to me as quilt holders, but I resisted the temptation. I asked her if she had any sewing patterns and she said, "only very old ones, nothing contemporary." HA! You don't know what old is, I thought. The older the better!! Turns out hers were from the 1940s which is vintage, but not OLD to me!! Clearly, this lady had no idea who she was speaking to. "Contemporary" - nay nay!

I am on vacation AGAIN. Hubby and I are at a family-themed park with the kiddos. The weather here is gorgeous! I'm going to schedule this to post while I am gone- if I can!! See you soon.

Like Finding a Needle in a Haystack...Ribbon Babies

A few years ago, I spotted a copy of a vintage pattern for sale on ebay. It was to make artwork of a baby in a bassinet. The bassinet and the rest of the picture were made from fabric and could be framed in a shadowbox. I watched the pattern for a long time and certainly could have used the repro to make this, but for some reason I always like having the original more than a copy.

You can imagine how surprised I was to find this pattern! It has all of its original pieces, plus the color baby face to use in the design (it does have a little fold).

It is a much more complicated pattern than I thought! I think it would be fun to make, though. It would be cute to use a little photo of your own baby's face on this. In fact, this picture reminds me of "ribbon baby art" I've seen. There's a beautiful one at an antique store near me that fascinates me. That was the first one I had seen, but they occasionally show up on ebay or etsy:

$28 on etsy, HERE

$175 on ebay, HERE

 I am amazed by the real bootie and outfit on this one. This seems to have been popular in the 30s and 40s. People used artwork or a real photo of their baby and embellished it with fabric clothes and bedding. This one is adorable. I've always wanted to make one with smocked clothes. You could crochet a blanket edge, too. I think it would be fun!! Have you ever seen this type of artwork? Do you like it?