One finished, one I give up!

Well, this project is done!

They look great, too. I am so happy with them. I lined store-bought twill curtains with a blackout lining, and I added the side and top striped fabric to make them more exciting. The reason for doing this: To attempt to keep my daughter in her bed past 6 AM (the morning light hits her room first). Did that work? No...we still have an early riser.


Oh well. The updated curtains dress up her windows nicely.

On to that mini-wardrobe challenge? Um, on a break AGAIN. Not for lack of trying....
I ripped the circle top out and attempted to add it on correctly more times than I can say - or want to own up to. I am giving up on this pattern. It was NOT easy, as the pattern led the buyer to believe.

Oh well. Life goes on. :)

My sweet family. Oh, how it's hard to have a non-stop talker, a copycat walker/talker, and a dog that wants to be in the middle too. But, after I've had time to recoup from it all, I ask myself, would I give it up? Nope. Not for anything.

Nathan is at that age in which he copys EVERYTHING Corinne does. He tries so hard. He's figuring out the world. He discovered ants this week. Mushrooms this month (lovely). Rocks are a favorite. Attempting to jump, like the older one, but feet never leave the ground. He doesn't care. He has a ball going up and down. I can't wait to see what he's like when REALLY gets air.

Corinne. Our sweet girl. Our chatterbox, built in entertainer. I mean, there's always something to talk about, or sing about, or ask questions about, or something to get into. Sigh. She can pick up the words to a song after hearing it one time. ONE TIME. Where does she get that? Not me. And, then, there's "special" songs. Songs she's made up. About whatever is on her mind. It's a non-stop singing fest with her around.

Yesterday, we got a new floaty for the pool. It's a lobster. It is a "seat" kind of floaty, that you can sort of recline in on the water. It's as tall as Corinne. Today, she walked into the bathroom while I was in the shower. Do you know what was on her arm, like her best buddy? Yep. The large, orange lobster, antennaes and all. AND, yes, it came to our sitter's today. He was my third child today - all the way in the back seat. So, on my ride to and work and home, I got to enjoy the view of the three of them in my rear view mirror.

No, I wouldn't give any of it up.

Top 1 is done!

McCalls 5636

Yay!

Mini-wardrobe Challenge

Stephanie started a mini-challenge that I thought I'd participate in. She challenged her readers to make 4 coordinating items, try to use items already in your fabric stash, and set your own goal to have everything complete. It sounded easy enough. I stated I was interested, because earlier this spring I bought fabric for outfits I had yet to make. I didn't write anything here because I was afraid to commit to all of YOU. But, today, she posted her entries into the challenge and she had me on there. Oy Vay. Here goes nothing...

My Plan

Top 1, Bottom 1 McCall's 5636

View A and View E.

OK, so, yes - looking at it now it sort of looks like a 70's maternity shirt. I thought, though, that View A looked rather "hip" with the belt.

The status of this? It's in progress. I thought I'd finish the shirt tonight and if it had not been for me messing up the bottonhole placement (this was my first time doing a "real buttonhole that needed to be in the RIGHT place), it would have been done. Instead, it's done all but the buttons. I say it's "done" but it's not complete. I believe it need some darts/pleats in the back to make it fit more flattering. I am going to seek the advice of my sewing mentors (mom/Steph) and see how it can be remedied before I post a picture.

Bottom 2: Simplicity New Look 6811, View B

Yes, this might look too easy - but after my mistake with the shirt and the time it took to get THIS far, I want something really easy on my plate. I think this skirt is litterally 3 pieces of fabric...Is that cheating? :)

Top 2: Simplicity 2892 View B

I DID start this challenge with a different approach rather than the skirt. I really wanted to make McCalls 5633, View A.
Since I had never made pants other than the Snoopy pajama pants, I made a muslin of View A before cutting into my fabric. Turns out, I was WAY off on sizing. The muslin pulled over my hips, but I am sure if I added the zipper and tried to sit or walk, the seams would have ripped right out. The pattern I had didn't go up to the proper size. Hence, the skirt is in the offical plan.

The item I am most nervous about: those capris! Wish me luck.

Simplicity 3750

It's finished! This is the shirt that wouldn't quit, in my mind. I bought Simplicity 3750 pattern back in oh...January? Well, March had me picking up the pattern and make the attempt. I am very happy with the final product, but the process to get there took longer than I expected.

Turns out, I think this is going to be a great summer shirt. Now, after a few alterations.

It didn't start out looking great. Simplicity 3750 first go round:

The picture above is the shirt put together as the pattern calls for. I orginally did View C, with the capped sleeves. I thought it looked OK, if I walked around with my hand on my hip all the time.
Without my hand on my hip, I felt like I looked a little square with the sleeves.

I took lots of pictures because I couldn't decide if I liked them. Well, I didn't like them, but the sleeves took so much time to put on, I didn't want to think that this shirt needed them removed. After showing the shirt, as it was, to my mom and sister, I decided to remove them. I felt more comfortable with this shirt without the sleeves. So, off they went.

Here's the side view, before the sleeves were removed. See all that extra fabric, and the tie in the back? I thought that once I removed the sleeves I'd be ok with the shirt. I attempted to wear it out, sleevless, with the tie in the back once. I took the shirt off before leaving the house. There was too much ease in the waist, and the high umpire tie in the back made me feel like I was wearing a maternity shirt. That's the last way I want to feel when I walk out of the house!

So, today, K. took the kids shopping and I stayed home. What a great mother's day gift there - time. Time to pick up this shirt, rip out the side seam, remove a tie, attach the other tie across the back, take it in on each side, and add an invisible side zipper. Ahhh, much better! Now, you may actually see me wearing this shirt out in public!

View from the back.

Side View, with the invisible side zipper.

Would I make this shirt again? Yes, with the alterations that I put in place. I would make a size 8 (pattern sizes run bigger that store bought clothing sized) for both the top and bottom pieces. I would also add a 12 inch invisible zipper down the side and take the pattern in. I like my clothes to fit a little more closely to the body than the pattern called for.