Kids Clothing Week: Days 3 and 4

So...I was happily sewing these adorable little hats together

when "CLUNK"

my sewing machine made a noise it should definitely NOT make..
And then it started feeding the fabric backwards!  BACKWARDS!!!

A quick disassemble, clean, reassemble of the bobbin case area didn't solve the problem - you never know, sometimes it does!
So, sadly, in the middle of kids clothes week, my machine has become a patient at our nearest sewing machine hospital.  Hopefully she will make a swift and complete recovery.
Now, what to do for kids clothes week without a sewing machine...
hmmm....
Maybe I'll cut and pin some pieces that I've been wanting to get to and let them pile up awaiting my machine's return home.
In the meantime, I can share some photos of a few projects that are already complete but I haven't posted about yet...
Here's the first:
Donkeys in Boots Spring Coats
I posted a quick photo here when I completed Avery's coat during Celebrate the Boy.  But I've since made one for Zander too.

They make quite a pair...

 the boys...

and the coats.

I'm so glad it's finally warm enough for spring coats!  I almost thought we were going to go from ski jackets straight into bathing suits this year.

Thank goodness for a little springtime weather!

I used the 2-in-1 jacket pattern from Sewing for Boys.  The fabric is Jack and Jenny by Laurie Wisbrun with a dark wash denim on the reverse.

I used the flannel from a couple of old receiving blankets to add a layer of warmth between the fabrics.

Don't you love how we've accessorized with the backwards fireman hat...

and these sneaks...

And we used delicious rocks as props.

Just kidding, ha-ha-ha-ha.

linked up at: tatertots and jello, little inspiration, i heart nap time, girl. inspired, it's so very cheri, it's overflowing, keeping it simple, craft-o-maniac, homemaker on a dime, uncommon design, creatively living, skip to my lou, the train to crazy

Kids Clothing Week: Days 1 and 2

Not much to show yet...
Just a little cutting,

recycling,

pinning,

and a wee bit of sewing.

You can find out more about Kids Clothing Week at elsey marley.
Or check out the great stuff in the KCW flickr pool...
like this from Jess at Craftiness is not Optional:

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have some finished hats to share!

Modern Heirloom Newborn Bonnets

Hooray!  I'm so excited...My new line of bonnets is complete and in my etsy shop!
And, I just received the first image of a beautiful newborn wearing my "Lorenza" bonnet from the wonderful photographer Vanessa  at Vanessa G Photography!  Thanks a million Vanessa!
I couldn't wait to share it with you...

Isn't it sweet  *sigh*

I named the line Modern Heirloom because they are classic heirloom quality baby bonnets but with modern twists of pattern, texture and fresh new colors.

The line contains 3 girl styles...

 "Grace"

"Isabella"

and "Lorenza"

and 3 boy styles...

"Justin"

"William"

and "Ethan"

I think they are all absolutely precious, I hope you agree!
All of the styles are available in many custom color combinations.

I even experimented a bit with hand dying the ribbon flowers...the yellow roses on "Lorenza" are hand dyed!

I am also planning to release the patterns for this line.

Selling patterns is a completely new venture for me, so it may take a bit of time before it is all in order...stay tuned, my crocheting friends...

If you are as captivated as I am with Vanessa's photo and would like to further your photography skills and/or develop your photography business, consider signing up for Vanessa G Photography's Authentic Newborn Workshop.  You can read more about the workshop here...all attendees will get a little surprise from my etsy shop too!

Sewing for Good: Project Yesu Pillowcase Dress Drive

While hopping around the internet, I came across Project Yesu, a charitable organization dedicated to providing food, medicine and education to children in poverty stricken Uganda.  It was founded by an amazing young lady named Mallory whose heart is as big as her ideas.
Mallory is currently collecting pillowcase dresses to bring to girls in need when she visits Uganda this summer.  

If you would like to participate and make a dress, you can mail it to:

Project Yesu
c/o Rory Fundora
1178 Willow Bend Drive
Clarksville, TN 37043

All completed dresses must be received by May 31!
All sizes are needed and you can use any fabric or pattern that you like.

Read more about the pillowcase drive here.

And here are some links to great pillowcase dress tutorials:
If you sew:
Easiest Pillowcase Dress Ever at Sew Like My Mom (also has a handy size chart)
Don't feel left out if you don't sew:
No Sew Pillowcase Dress at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

Here's my first dress to donate...

It may be a simple looking dress, but it carries with it grand wishes for a healthy, happy future.  I hope it brings a smile and some hope to a little girl who's far away on a map, but feels close in my heart. 

Maybe you can send one, too?

Featured at:

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Project Run and Play Sew Along Week 3: It's All in the Details

This weeks Project Run and Play challenge was to choose your favorite clothing detail (like piping, ruffles, buttons, etc.) and run with it...
Well, I love to crochet and I love crochet trim and applique on little girls clothing.
My initial idea was to create a simple A-Line dress with asymmetrical colorblocking, but with the colorblocking done in crochet rather than contrasting fabric.
I chose a coral color knit fabric and a turquoise yarn.  I sketched up a pattern for the dress and started crocheting the color block section...
Apparently, I also started daydreaming about the beach, because all of a sudden my color block section started looking like the crest of an ocean wave.
Cool.
I love the beach, too.
I exaggerated the wave shape and ditched the coral knit in favor of this sandy colored cotton print and a soft turquoise trim and I could almost hear the waves crashing on the shore.

I added tiny beads of glistening light reflecting off of the water and a small cascade of beads splashing off the top of the wave.  The strands of beads swing and dance with the movement of the dress, fun!

I finished the arm holes with thin strips of hand made bias tape and the neck has encased elastic.  

I crocheted this sweet little necklace using a coordinating mercerized cotton yarn.

This dress makes me long for hot summer days spent splashing in the surf at my favorite beach.

Come see all of the sew along entries here.

Vote for your favorite All Star look on Friday here.

linked up at: 

project run and play, the train to crazy, fireflies and jellybeans, made in a day, gingerly made, the busy bee, house of hepworths, whipperberry, nap time crafters, five days five ways, little inspiration, too much time on my hands, it's overflowing, tater tots and jello, i heart nap time, it's so very cheri, lamb around, keeping it simple, homemaker on a dime, uncommon designs, creatively living, love grows wild, adventures of a diy mom, salt tree, skip to my lou, fluster buster, sew much ado, twin dragonfly designs, my girlish whims, ginger snap crafts, lil luna, girl. inspired