Round two

This time, I made the size small (pattern sizing is crazy sometimes- Gwen is so far out of the weight and height ranges for that size) and combined it into a single cut of each fabric, instead of treating the fronts and backs of each separately.

And it fits MUCH better than the size M does (though I’m sure she’ll grow into the first one). She is absolutely fascinated by the big buttons, though- so, if I make this again, I might just stitch the shoulders together- it slips over her head, anyway. Those are the bloomers included in the pattern, by the way- I like the pattern for them a lot.

If you suffer from self-loathing.

Punish yourself. Make a pettiskirt.

That’s roughly 75 yards/225 feet/2700 inches of ruffle along the bottom here. Ruffler foot, I love you. So, so much. And I love my newest buddy, too- I was able to pick up this Janome/Kenmore machine for $20.95 shipped last week! Crazy. It’s been a nice basic machine so far- definitely not my Brother, but, it works the ruffler fine. For that ridiculous price, I’m just going to leave it set up for ruffling or shirring- I haven’t decided which I use more yet- but, then I don’t have to mess with my main sewing machine when I need to do that.

I wish the pink satin I had was closer to the bubblegum pink of the chiffon, but, it looked awful- so I just used white for the waist. I think her top will cover that most of the time, anyway, so no biggie.

These instructions are really great- you know, if you want an alternative to pulling your toenails off with pliers. I kind of winged it, though (she doesn’t use a ruffler foot- crazy woman!)- I’ve had chiffon sitting around forever, been meaning to get around to this. And I have more chiffon in other colors, so I’ll be testing my ruffler again soon. I think I’ve worked out the kinks and know what I’m doing now, so it should be a lot less painful!

Really, it’s a very simple project- just very, very time consuming. I really just can’t convey HOW MUCH GATHERING this project involves!

The easy days.

Of photographing this child. They’re so over. Our little girl will not sit still! It was a tough age with Gabe, too- I remember taking hundreds of photos and only having a few of his face. And smiles? Ha. I’m lucky to get a glance at the camera. She knows all my tricks now. I’m going to have to come up with some new ones!

Well, as you can see, her latest dress is too big right now- maybe for quite some time. I’ve learned that the sizing information isn’t always accurate on some patterns. I was actually worried when I realized I’d grabbed the smaller size range of this pattern, as Gwen’s stats put her at the top of this, the largest, size. When I make another, I’ll go down a size- and narrow the chest a bit, too. It is fun, anyway, though- I love the fabric covered buttons! It’s so cool how easy they are to make with the little kit. Layer, pop! Cute matching button!

Her eyes are so funny right now- pretty, but, funny. They started to change to brown months ago- and stalled. The inner ring around her pupil is golden brown- while the rest of her iris is a cool gray-blue. It’s so hard to see unless she’s in bright light and her pupils are tiny. I did an extreme crop here to try to make it easier to see. It’s not often she’s sitting still long enough to look.

I wonder how long it will take for her eyes to settle?

Day 92

The squishy hat- love it! I’m going to add an i-cord flower, and call it done! Just in time for her 6m birthday in 2 days.

Half a year

Six months old! Only six months to go before our baby isn’t a baby anymore- slooooow down!!!

Day 87

Someone, anyone, please just tell me to step away from the glue gun. She barely has enough hair to attach something to- we do not need an armada of hair clips. It’s just so hard to step away from the gooey glue. I think we’ll pass these to my niece for a little while. Maybe I should pass the glue gun and ribbon stash, too. It’s just dangerous in my hands.

Day 86

This was an evolution of sorts. I started with the bloomers, and they came together nicely enough. But, I never made the dress that I planned to go with the bloomers, and well, they were so un-ruffled. So, I decided to try ruffling them. So, they are ruffled. And very, very bright. Not as cute as I pictured they’d be, but, cute, nonetheless, and the next pair will be better (I learned a lot on these).

Day 85

The painted egg Easter tradition. Gabe’s 2010 edition- he does not make a boring egg.

Day 84

One of the outfits I’m planning for Gwen’s 6m pics- a closer look at the way the DIY ruffly faux-babylegs look at the feet end.

Day 83

Pillowcase dress attempt #2. I am much much happier with this one- it definitely is long enough to be a dress. I was able to do my single-shoulder-bow. And I love the fabric! Gwen seemed to think it was okay, too. Of course, she’s just as happy naked.

Ooooh- and the 44″ long tie strap for this one? I found a cool trick for turning straps with a serger, if you have one. Set it to rolled hem, stitch a looong tail- about 5-10″ longer than the tube you’re about to make- and take the end and tuck it inside the tube when you serge it together. Keep it out of the way of the needles and knives, and hold onto the end while you serge- when you’re done, you can give it a tug and turn the whole tube rightside out! SO much easier than any way I’ve done before, and quick as could be!