Dress-Up

Yesterday I spent my entire day working on something that I've been wanting to get to for weeks now. . . sewing a dress!

The boys were gone for a large part of the day at something called "HUNTFEST", so I decided to do something that would be rather difficult to do if there were three males in the house, and that was to sew a dress.  My very first dress.

I bought the material about 4 months ago, with no specific plan in mind . . . I just loved the material so I bought it.  It was ON SALE and I immediately fell in love with the pattern and color scheme.  I know pink isn't everyone's "thing", but it is mine.  And when you live in a house full of the male persuasion, pink is a welcomed addition (at least in my world, it is!).

The dress took way longer to construct than I thought it would.  I actually did have plans to get some other chores done yesterday, but they took a back-seat to my dress project.

I must say, some parts of the dress were easier to create than I anticipated (like the sleeves) and some parts were more difficult to create than I anticipated (like the darts--I still haven't mastered those and honestly, I don't think I ever will).  But, overall I'm pretty pleased with the results.

I followed the sizing as per the pattern measurements of bust, waist and hips; but if I were to make this dress over again, I would go one size smaller.  I feel like there's a lot of unecessary bulk to the dress that I could have avoided had I sewn the dress one size smaller.  But, I was trusting the pattern's sizing numbers . . . somehow that part of it just didn't work out so well.  As a result, I did my own modifications along the way but still feel like the dress isn't entirely the way I envisioned it to be; but hey, it was my first attempt at a dress, and it has not stopped me from wanting to make another dress; in fact, I can't wait til I get to start on dress number two!

So, here it is.  I wore my new dress to church today and upon entering the building, a comment was immediately made by the Greeter regarding my outfit.  She liked it.  (At least someone does).

This is one way to wear it . . . tied in the front and off to the side, sitting at the waist or slightly below.

Another way to wear it is with the tie at the back, the waistband sitting right under the bustline.

Here's a better view of the top/neckline, plus a

very happy Kimmy-face!

Pink Butterflies

Well, the butterflies aren't exactly pink, but that is what I've named my most recent receiving blanket creation. I made it for my best friend who recently gave birth to her 4th daughter, Kierra Renae Lynn. On Monday I'm putting on a baby-shower in celebration of Kierra's birth and this blanket will be one of her gifts.

My First Attempt at Sewing a Costume

Mitchell's class has a Medieval Feast Day on Friday. Each student drew their "character" assignment out of a hat. Mitchell will be "Friar (Brother) Scott" at the Feast.

Guess what I've been doing the last two evenings?

Here's the finished product:

Hockey Night in Softness for my Nephew!

My nephew, Jacob Rohan, was born on April 16th, 2010.  Not knowing whether my brother and his wife were having a boy or a girl, I took a chance on the fabric I chose for their baby's receiving blanket, secretly hoping that I was going to be blessed with another nephew, so that I could make a hockey-themed blanket.  My brother is a hockey FANatic, so you can imagine how excited I was to find two different flannel patterns--one with hockey players and refs, the other with hockey pucks and hockey sticks, to join together to form their son's blanket.

Here is my son, Ty, holding his newest cousin, Jacob.  Ty was enamored with this little guy, and so was I.  He is so adorable . . . I can't wait to see him again!

This is the hockey-player and referee fabric:

Here's a picture of both fabrics, side-by side.  I was also able to make 4 matching burp cloths.

Projects #5 & #6: More Blankies

Here are the next two blanket and burp cloth sets I made--a gift for my neighbor who just had a baby girl last week.  I am really enjoying trying out the different topstiching options my sewing machine has to offer.

Project #4: Baby! Baby! I'm Taken With the Notion--Receiving Blankets!

This is the first of many receiving blanket and burp cloth combinations I'll be working on in the next couple of weeks.  This set is going to a gal from my book club and her new baby boy.  It seems that there are SO many babies being born in my circle these days.  These blankets are what I've been dying to work on, although I thought they'd be a tad easier to construct, if nothing else, less time-consuming than some other projects I've embarked on.  There's one thing I'm quickly realizing--that is, sewing takes time.  But the end-result is worth it!

Project #3: Toddler Aprons

Once again, I adapted an existing apron pattern to create these toddler aprons for some special little girls in my life.  The sizing is a bit off, but nonetheless these girls were thrilled with their glow-in-the-dark bunny aprons.

In case you're wondering why the faces of these girls are hidden, it is because I have not received permission from their parents to plaster their adorable faces on the world-wide-web.  Parents of these toddlers, if you read this post and you're okay with their faces exposed, please let me know.  If not, no problem.  I want these precious angels protected as much as you do!