Almost ready to say good-bye to "Lee"

I need to clean out my daughter's closet.  She has a dozen dresses she has outgrown and I need to share on my blog.  This is one of them.  I think this dress is a size 6 and too tight across the chest for my sweetheart.  It makes me so sad, but I know she wore it a ton.

This is "Lee" by Children's Corner.  I used the smocking plate "Sweet Arabella" from AS&E No. 73.  This was the second time to use this plate because the smocking is fast and easy to do.  I love the effect of leaving a few rows blank without smocking and how it makes such interesting gathers.  The sleeves are from "Hillary" by Children's Corner.  My other easy switch was to make the bow ties a little more narrow than the pattern states.  I think the floral print is from Moda.

My daughter is in a size 8 now and that is where "Lee"'s sizing stops.  If I don't get busy, we will be telling our friend "Lee" good-bye.  "Lee" has been a favorite for many smockers and it is one of the most timeless patterns for heirloom sewing.  

Retro "Bell Sleeve Blouse" from Indygo Junction

It is always enjoyable to make something fun for me.  This top, Bell Sleeve Blouse, is fun!  My fabric is from Sandi Henderson's fabric line.  I fell in love with the brown henna print, but was baffled at how to use this print for me.  It seems very brown, but by the photo, it comes across as very creamy with touches of brown.

I assembled the top according to the directions, except I did add a FBA.  It is such a crazy print, it is hard to see that the bodice of this is fairly fitted.  The front slit makes this an easy and fast shirt with no buttons or zippers.  The front slit is also not too low.  I chose the bell sleeves to make the shirt fun.

This is the end of my winter sewing.  Spring is just around the corner for us.  I saw red buds in bloom today and I bought my first tomato and basil plants.  South Texas is still in a drought, but we are also in a flash flood watch for the next day.  Talk about crazy weather!

SB's "Ribbon Pinwheel Jacket" with a 2+2 Skirt from Oliver+S and Liberty Jane's AG pattern

It is cold in Texas today, so I was glad I finished this skirt and jacket combo for my daughter.

My local SAGA chapter had a program on this jacket in the fall and I was determined to finish my jacket, but it kept falling to the bottom of the sewing pile.  With determination, I tackled the ribbon with a mighty army of pins!

The jacket is from Sew Beautiful, Issue 128.  The magazine contains the pattern and directions for completing the jacket.  They used a piece of wool for their jacket, but I chose a cooler and cheaper cut of cotton corduroy.  My jacket is a size 8 and my daughter is 8 and should be able to wear it again next year.  

The front of the jacket has a lot of extra room in it, so do a trial on the fit if you are using expensive fabric.  The skirt if from Oliver+S's pattern 2+2 Blouse and Skirt.  I love the ribbon from Renaissance Ribbons on the bottom edge of the skirt.  I think I will find a turquoise t-shirt to wear for the summer with this skirt.

Rebecca (American Girl Doll) is dressed in a matching fabric dress from Liberty Jane Patterns and Eden Ava Couture called 1930s Vintage Inspired Dress.  It is a quick and easy dress to put together and my daughter loves to match her doll!

My daughter loved wearing this today in the cool weather.  Stay warm!

Valentine Craft

I just LOVE Pinterest!  It is a recipe, fashion, decorating, and holiday idea megatropolis.  I pinned a cute craft idea a while ago and decided to try it for Valentine's Day.

These are paper sacks that have been stamped, cut, and sewn into heart shapes and stuffed with M&M's.  

I started with a cookie cutter heart shape and then stamped a cute Valentine saying on all of them.

I found some matching thread and stitched around the edges.  I used a 3.5 stitch length.  The hardest part was stuffing the M&M's into the small space.  I got to eat all the ones that flew all over my sewing table.

I am a coach for Upward Cheerleading and these are the treats for my girls.  I think they will like them!

Happy Valentine's Day!