Vintage Pregnancy Dress

     

My poor neglected blog! It's been too long. I've been consumed with moving, then Christmas, and now the last home stretch before baby is born. Also, my kids refuse to let me type! But I must share that before I moved I took the time to sew a dress! 

 My original plan was to use this beautiful floral fabric, but then when I got around to sewing the dress, it just seemed too Spring-like. I wanted something warmer and my aunt just happened to give me some warm plaid fabric. I had to use it.

Someone pointed out to me that the plaid is in "Hufflepuff" colors! Every time I take a Hogwarts quiz I get sorted into "Hufflepuff", and it makes sense! As much as I'd like to be in "Gryffindor" or "Ravenclaw", I'm just not that. At least I'm not in "Slytherin"! ;)

 Vintage patterns can be challenging! This one had a lot of room for error but I'm pretty sure (even after I made a decent muslin!) I made the shoulders too small! It somehow still works for me though!

I was debating if I should include this very cheesy photo! It was around Christmas time, I had this adorable baby deer, and I wanted to copy Zooey Deschanel on her Christmas "She and Him" album. Yes, I'm a total goofball!

Another Matroyshka Dress!

 I have been dreaming of making this dress for a couple months! I thought of it when I got the little matroyshka buttons this summer. I thought I would make it red and black because it seemed "Russian" to me and I was originally envisioning a small St. Peter's Basilica applique on one side. Then it finally occurred to me that little matroyshka pockets could be very cute.

My little girl loves it! I think the colors work well for her skin tone and she just looks very cute in it!

I used Simplicity 1211 for most of it!

My matroyshka obsession lives on! ;)

Maleficent

Since I am obsessed with Halloween and costumes I couldn't just make one outfit! I followed this tutorial to make a Maleficent headdress out of plastic bags, tin foil, and duct tape. I also used the exact same cape and dress that I used for my Miss Clavel costume.

Maybe I could be the real Maleficent's stumpy, less glamorous half sister?

So so scary as I pose among the shoes!

Although the Madeline costumes were a hit at our ward party the night before, we all wanted to change it up for the actual trick or treating we always do at Grammy's house.

I hope you all had a fun Halloween!

Madeline Costumes

"We love our bread, we love our butter, but most of all, we love each other!"

I've had a very hectic month and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to finish these costumes but at the last hour I did! I planned these outfits for a long time so I am glad they were completed!

As a family of girls we love the story of Madeline! I was inspired by others who made costumes like this. I got the hats and gloves around Easter time from the dollar spot at Target. I just finished the dresses, collars, and nun's habit last night. The dress and cape I am wearing is also for another costume I can hopefully reveal tomorrow!

My children are very beautiful but I do not share photos of them, especially looking into the camera!

I hope you all have a great Halloween! I will be trying my best not to raid the candy but, no promises!!!

Vintage Apron

 Life has become increasingly busy with the new school year and I find myself very consumed with all kinds of work! I need to fit in more sewing time but I am not sure how I will do this. 

Anyways, sorry if you've already heard this story on instagram, but I am going to repeat it! I read a great book, "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up", and it inspired me to just get rid of stuff. I got rid of so much that I didn't really care about that was just sitting around, including aprons I had. 

Then I read another great book, "Lessons From Madame Chic", where it explains that one should wear their nicest clothes every day, even if they are a stay at home mother like myself. They should just wear and apron to keep their clothes nice while they are doing chores. Seems basic but I never saw this as a child so it didn't occur to me until I read the book! 

 I wanted something with cute ruffles and I thought one of these patterns would work!

I love how it turned out! The pop of green binding is nice in my opinion. I admit the straps are a bit wonky in this picture but no worries! I took them off and readjusted them to a better angle.

Sassy Librarian Shirt

 (I posted twice in one day! It's a miracle!)

So this shirt took FOREVER!

One year and three months to be exact, from the time I bought the pattern and fabric to the time I completed it.

 It was so worth it though! I love the retro style of it!

 The colors remind me of Autumn, my favorite time of year.

 Sometimes simple fabrics can have a really great effect (hopefully I am using that last word correctly!).

I would highly recommend taking Christine Haynes Sassy Librarian class, where I got the pattern. She is a great teacher!

Also, in the spirit of books (since this is a librarian shirt), I am including a list of my favorite books that I have read this summer. I am obsessed with sewing, but I am also obsessed with reading!

Top Summer Books:

The Glass Castle

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Mansfield Park

Boys in the Boat

Bringing Up Bebe

Lessons From Madame Chic

 Unbroken

Anne of Green Gables

(A lot of these books I listened to on CD) 

Such fascinating books! I highly recommend them too!

Astro Blankie!

 We just found out that there will be another boy in our extended family! That is a big deal because with 16 grandchildren on this side of the family, so far there is only one boy! Soon there will be two!

I fell in love with this Henry Miller fabric a while ago and I thought I'd buy some "just in case we had a boy". I am seriously doubting that will ever happen! So I made a quick blanket for my sister in law's baby out of a big section of this fabric and used 

a slightly larger fleece for the back. I just turned it over to make the edging. 

My husband was surprised to see this blanket. He is so used to girl stuff around the house!