Treats

I had a few extra minutes before carpool the other day and I took a quick look at a local antique store. It's one of those big old houses with many different dealers each having a small booth. I spotted a box of old buttons marked 50% off and I had to take a look. This is what I found:

Here are the details:

5 old cards of buttons: I think 3 of these are mother of pearl (MOP).

6 strips of MOP buttons. The cards/strips of buttons were 50-75 cents each!!

A really old package of circular knitting needles or "pins" size 2. When I opened it up, there were 3 inside. I don't knit on size 2s very often, but I thought this was very cool. It was $2.

This neat fact sheet was also in the package.

Old metal diaper pins for 50 cents.

 My favorite thing is these brass buttons, apparently removed from a Cadet's jacket from the US Military Academy. On the back, they say Waterbury Button Co, Conn. I looked it up and that is a real company that makes all the buttons for the military, so I think these are authentic. I thought they'd be really nice on a little boy's sailor suit in navy wool for winter. They were my most expensive buy at $1 each.

I love "finds" at antique stores- don't you??

Ducky Romper Modeled

I tried the outfit on Andy this morning. 
It is wide, but if I tighten the belt, it is a good fit. The legs are meant to hit lower than a bubble, on the thigh. The length is good. I am very happy with how it looks! I just have to add the button to the belt and I am totally finished! I also bought some white shoes to go with this suit and they look great. I put them on with knee socks, but I am thinking ankle socks might be better due to the longer legs of the romper. What do you think? 

Thanks for the nice comments you left on my last post!!

Andy's Smocked Easter Romper is Done!

I think this is the first time I've ever finished an Easter outfit 2 weeks early! I have been the Mom who used beauty pins to close a dress because I didn't have time to make buttonholes. I have stayed up late to finish stitching a hem. Not this year! This year, I am going to try to make Andy a casual outfit as well. Here's the romper:

 This is a close-up of the front:

 Here is the back (I still need to add a button to the belt):

I drafted a new collar to meet at the center front, which I like better. The romper is very wide. I don't know if this is because it is based on a vintage pattern and had more diaper room. I will try it on Andy tomorrow and hopefully I can take up a little fullness with the belt. I really liked the way this was constructed. For one thing, Wendy's directions have you make the buttonholes before you attach the collar, which is fabulous, because you don't have to work a buttonhole against the bulky neck binding. Also, she makes it easy to stitch the tabs at the top to the bottom front. I love the little bit of smocking and the embroidered ducks! I really like everything about this; I just have to see the fit on Andy. I will check it out tomorrow and report back.