There's No Place Like Home

Yes I know, I didn't post a project for last week's challenge.  The theme was "color".  We were supposed to pick a color and create an outfit.  I was having a hard time getting "inspired" and although I had a few ideas, I just couldn't get excited about any of them so I decided I would "skip" last week and use the time to get caught up things like laundry, housework and even cook a few meals!  As it turned out it was a good week to take off since Moppet ended up sick and stayed home from school one day.  But I was back at it again this week.

This week's challenge over at Project Run and Play was to make something inspired by a movie.  I had been excited about this challenge and was planning on making something from "The Secret Garden".  It was my favorite book as a girl and  there was a pretty good movie version done in 1993. I really wanted to make something from this era.  Well, a couple of weeks ago we let Moppet watch "The Wizard of Oz" for the first time and she loved it!  Of course that was it, she just had to have a Dorothy dress!  I was a little bummed, I didn't feel like it was very challenging or original but since it really was for her I let her decide.  And, now as an added bonus I have her halloween costume made months early!  Now all I have to do is make a cowardly lion costume for our golden retriever!

I tried to find some good pictures of the dress and make it as accurate as possible

right down to a strip of trim on the lower part of the skirt, cut on the bias

and the blue trim on the blouse

 Dorothy wouldn't be complete without ruby red slippers

and Toto too!

Happy May Day!

Well, Moppet is home sick today.  You know the kind, too sick for school but up and around at home so we needed a little project.  Since it is May 1st, we decided to make a few little May baskets for  some of the neighbors.

same color door, different neighbors.  I just noticed ....

ding dong, delivery from typhoid mary

Happy May Day Neighbors......sorry about the germs....

Sewing Along with Project Run and Play Week 3

This week instead of a sneak peek, I am getting right to the good stuff!  Our neighborhood has a multi-family block sale every year and it is coming up this weekend so I needed to get my project done early and get ready for the sale.

The theme this week is:  Earth Day Challenge (up-cycled, all natural fabrics, “green”). I decided to "upcycle" a pair of brown linen pants that I have had for about 10 years and have worn once or twice. I don't know why I ever bought them, they have always been too big for me but I could never just get rid of them since they were practically new! Next I used a linen top that I picked up on a trip to the thrift store one day. I knew I couldn't wear it, it was too big and just not my style and to tell you the truth, I am never really drawn to lighter purple but this was such a pretty lilac color I just knew I wanted to do something with it. It turns out it was perfect for this project, I just love the color combination!

I started with these big ol pants 

deconstructed, resized, restyled and came up with these belted bubble shorts

I was able to keep the original pockets and reuse the belt loops then I used the cut off leg pieces to create the belt, a new waistband and leg cuffs

and added some cute heart shape wooden buttons

I had a few ideas for this top but in the end decided to go with a very simple "pillowcase" style top tied with a chocolate colored grosgrain ribbon.  

The fabric really is so pretty and perfect for warm summer days.  Then I took an embellished tee shirt that "shrunk"  (why do they always get shorter)?

and made this head band to satisfy my "fancy" girl!

I love how this turned out!

Simply. Perfect.

Sewing along with Project Run and Play Week 2

The challenge for week 2 of Project run and play was sportswear.  I did some research on fashion history to learn a little about when the term sportswear  originated and to get a better idea of the definition  so I  could decide what I wanted to make for this challenge.  It was fascinating.  One widely recognized fashion designers that played an important role in sportswear was Claire McCardell.  I really love her designs and even found an image of a bathing/sunsuit she designed that reminded me of this retro romper that I created a few weeks ago!  Well that was it, I knew what I wanted to make.....

Yes, another retro inspired romper...

but this one has a coordinating, reversible skirt (you know how I like to make multi-functional clothes)

I was inspired by the vintage playsuits that had button up skirts ...don't you love this color combination!  It just looks so fresh!

 Moppet wanted to get in on the fun so she made her own graphic design, I scanned it, printed on fabric and appliqued to a tee shirt!

and I found this pretty fabric and made a head scarf to complete the outfit

Yes, my model is standing on a table by the window!  The weather was not exactly sunsuit weather so we had to do the photo shoot indoors.  Isn't she a great little model?

This challenge was a lot of fun! I can't wait to see what the designers came up with this week!

This Week's Sneak Peek

The theme for week 2 of Project Run and Play is sportswear.  This lead me to do some research on the history of sportswear and it was very fascinating.  It was fun coming up with my design for the sew along this week and it's all ready to be modeled after school tomorrow!

Monday's Mess!

Last week was crazy! I was so busy working on my outfit for the project run and play sew along and I got nothing done around the house.  I thought I would catch up on the weekend but we had such nice weather that we just had to get out and enjoy it.  Today it is back to our typical rainy spring weather so I have no excuse...I need to clean up last weeks mess so I can get started on this weeks sew along!

Yes, this is my dining room sewing table this morning.  Fortunately we have another table for dining!

Check out last weeks winners over at Project Run and Play!  Amazing!

Sewing Along with Project Run and Play

If you have been following along, you know that I am sewing along with Project Run and Play.  This is the first week and the challenge was a pattern remix of this awesome circle skirt.  Well,  you might have noticed that I like to make reversible clothes.  This gives Moppet a choice when getting dressed,  and I love making something that has two looks so I made a reversible circle skirt.

The original skirt pattern  calls for a single elastic waistband which wouldn't really work with a reversible skirt since it has to look finished on both sides so  I added a fabric waistband to my skirt and encased the elastic.  I also decided to add a couple of layers of tulle between the layers adding extra "flounce" to this already full skirt.  It definitely has the "twirl" factor!  The aqua skirt is a gorgeous pique fabric, it just makes me think of summer.  The floral side is a lovely cotton lawn, light and floaty.  I also added a pocket apron and sash in a coordinating fabric to the aqua skirt and trimmed it in a bias tape that I made from the floral fabric.  The hem is trimmed with ric rac.  Do you have any idea how much hem there is on a circle skirt?!  Whew!  It was a lot of work but so much fun!  What do you think?

Oh, and I made a reversible capelet with the circle skirt pattern

Moppet loved twirling in this skirt!

look at all those layers....2 skirts, 2 layers of tulle and the apron!

this was a last minute idea, something to do with the left over fabric!

A close up of the bias tape I made and trimmed the apron with.  I added a couple of decorative buttons on the pocket

and made a matching headband with the smaller scraps!

Now head on over to Project Run and Play and check out the designer's entries this week.  These are some talented ladies!  Don't forget to vote for your favorite.