Namesake

When Danny named our newborn son for a constellation known as "the hunter" I wasn't quite sure if the name fit our baby boy. Now I couldn't imagine him with any other name- it is truly part of his identity and he is always excited to see his name on star charts and elsewhere...

...more frequently than one would expect.

He is always so proud to point out his constellation and always reminds us that we are gazing at his belt. Knowing this, my dearest grandma made his day by sending him a care package of space goodies including this little patch.

 

Needless to say, it had to find a way into his wardrobe. Inspired by this, I made Ori this little bomber jacket fit for a particularly cold fall.

 The shell is a twill with a layer of cotton batting and a golden 50/50 sheet lining. 

 

 The construction was pretty standard- more or less comparable to this oldie.

The only tricky part was figuring out how to work in the rib knit hem to the zipper- that was a bit of puzzle which I solved through a bit of sewing meditation. Deep breathes, deep breathes. And it turned out it worked for me- and it works for him too.

Studio Top

 Sewing has been hit or miss lately. There have been more unfocused and tired days than there have been inspired and limitless days. For a while I have been trying to plan every single stitch I make to stream line my process, but have realized that that is just not how I function the best.

I made this color block top after seeing the fabric laid out next to each other. I think the challenge of making a stylish color block top is less the choice of colors and more to do with the proportion of the blocks. I wanted to keep this one sweet and simple for phia so I kept the middle band slim and higher up the bodice.  

 

I used stiffer fabrics- a pale pink poplin, black kona cotton, and a 50/50 teal bed sheet which were pieced together, and the front and back of the top are joined just below the black stripe at the armpit.

The front has gentle pleats at the neck and the back has a line of three buttons.

And since I personally love seeing pictures of handmade clothes flipped inside out, here is how the piece is lined. The back has a rounded little placket to accommodate the button closure and hits just at the seam of the middle stripe. 

ps: Happiest birthday wishes, Ma! Love you!

Toiling

 In the garden, staking, weeding, feeding and harvesting our little plot.

Every year I am so amazed by how a little seed can turn into a plant budding and ripe with fruit. It is kind of special. We have been keen on the Matt's wild cherry tomatoes and the nasturtium plants twisting all around our garden.

 In the kitchen, using up all of the zucchini and gems that the kids pick during play time. 

In the sewing room, drafting, snipping and creating my "perfect" tank top. Sometimes the most simple things take the longest to master. After some trial runs with other tank top patterns I realized that what works for others probably isn't going to pan out for me. Being rather short with a descent set of shoulders, it didn't take long to conclude that I need to veer away from wide straps, snug fit, and racer back styles. I made mine with a nice scoop, shape in the back to keep it in place, and medium width straps that are set apart wide. I like it, and am amazed at the compliments received from something so basic. I guess the lesson is something that fits well doesn't go unnoticed.

Signs of Spring

A recently turned plot all ready to grow some veggies.
A stack of bright and airy pre-washed fabric waiting for kcwc.
A floaty lace top made from remnant pieces from the thrift store.

Sewing Along

A little friendly motivation was needed to get me in gear to finish this project. Just browsing at all the pretty tops in the spring top sew along was hugely inspiring; possibly so inspiring it could be considered borderline peer pressure. Anyone else sewing along?
This top was based off the darling ranges pattern, which coincidentally is also having a sew along. The neckline was raised, and I cut the skirt piece to be more narrow and top length. The fabric is a light grayish sage color and kind of matches my living room walls perfectly.
I made this after feeling a little too under dressed for the preschool party circuit. It is simple and airy, and I am kind of loving my favorite detail, the little petals along the neckline.

Peach Tea Dress

This dress was a "just because" project I have been longing to work on. I had no real reason to make it, other than just wanting a lacey-peach dress.
I am enjoying it- the lace cap sleeves add a sweet touch to the relaxed cut.
The material, a muted peach color which I have been craving to wear, was found in the Joann's red tag section.
I rejoined the working force in November and have been treating any sewing session I can sneak in like a precious gift. I was happy to use some of that time to make something so fun ......yet slightly impractical.

Darling, Darling Ranges Dress

That's not a typo- I just had to reiterate how darling this dress is.
For the past couple weeks I've been trying to scrap together enough time to make this dress- especially after I saw this very pretty polka dot version. It is made from the Darling Ranges pattern by Megan Nielsen, and I am pretty in love with it.
I have to admit, it is one of the first patterns that I have followed from start to finish, while taking part in only a minimal amount of "winging it". I kept it simple and made mine with a beige, medium weight, textured suiting material and vintage value buttons.
After I started to put on the finishing touches I noticed that it was a little large on me. As a quick fix I top stitched around the waist with elasticized thread, and really liked the extra drape.
It was very worth the wait, and I am very excited to make a few more.

Little Enjoyments

My sewing time has vastly slowed down lately, and I have noticed myself trying to plan out every next chance I will have to sneak away and sew. I bought a cute pattern or two and have been trying to match them up with the perfect fabric to ensure a pretty finished product. And sometimes I have to remind myself that some of my most favorite projects are simply by chance. This shirt started out as the skirt piece for a dress I have been longing to put together, but quickly realized that the fabric wasn't going to work for the pattern after I had cut it.
But I might be okay with that.

Either Or Top

Sometimes the most simple designs prove to be the most versatile.
I am enjoying this recently made top either lounging or running errands, at either preschool pick ups or nights out, on either hot or cold days.
And that's pretty much what my days have entailed lately- going back in forth between busy and relaxed while trying to enjoy every moment.

Not the Average Knit

I've been on a wardrobe building kick. When I put in a coldweather fabric order last week I added this floral print on a whim. It was a little different than what I had anticipated, but I didn't want it to go to waste.
So I made a sleeveless button up with waist line shirring and lots of drape. I am kind of into it, especially on these awkwardly muggy fall days. It has that extra versatile quality that I have been needing for preschool pick ups and all other last minute outings.

Blue Period

I will admit that I have never been huge on wearing the color blue, but for some reason I keep making things that would lead someone to believe otherwise.
This dress was started on a whim- I just finished a long term quilting project and wanted to make something simple that could be worn for dressing up or down. I kind of had two muses in mind: Jane Krakowski from 30 Rock meets Kate Middleton chic.
I kind of love it- I made it with a stiffer jacquard shirting from Fabric.com that turned out to be surprisingly nice for costing just $1.95/yard. I kept the sleeves and bodice a little wide with a little darting and elastic cinching at the waist, but tried to make the skirt loose without being full.
Dress: made- $3/ Woven Belt: thrifted- $1/ Purse: thrifted- $2/ Wedges: Target- $24.99

Gentle August

Besides the occasional downpour, this August has been mild and serene. Not too hot, not too stuffy- just the way I like it.

Thus my wardrobe has not been strictly limited to tank tops. I made this top from a gauze that had shirring across it, and kept it loose and airy.
It was thrown together to be worn with my shorts which have been sitting in my "to-finish" pile for weeks. They are like the teal shorts I made earlier this summer- based off of a burdastyle pattern, but made with ditsy cotton I ordered off of Superbuzzy. The shorts have a side zipper, and I didn't add pockets as to keep the shape simple.

Stylish Sunset

It's been so hot that I haven't been too discerning about what I wear out lately, but I asked Danny to take a picture of my perfect summer outfit. I could probably wear it every day if the skirt wasn't so unmistakable.
My skirt was found in a Wichita thrift store- a vintage little chiffon gem that was probably hung up in someone's Grandmother's closet for years. With the original tags still attached and a spotty floral print, I knew it was coming home with me, and all it needed was to be sized down.
Top: TJ Max $7.99/Skirt: Thrifted $2.99/ Shoes: Target / Bag: Tea Market Tote

Certainly Summery Week

We are experiencing summer in full effect, and my is it glorious. Even though the kids aren't even in school yet, I love how free we feel with these long days. This summer I'd like to eat a whole lot of strawberries, put some miles on my bike, and wear more handmade sundresses.
The fabric I used was once our living room curtains- very Scarlett O'hara-esque, right? Maybe not- but it is nice and airy for muggy evenings, and it was pretty easy to throw together, the most difficult part was getting my machine to cooperate with the buttonholes.