Gingercake

Sew Fabulous Norah Dress from the Sew Fab Bundle Sale!

I sewed up the Norah Dress by Welcome to the Mouse House for Miss Marion and she looks so so sweet!  This pattern is another great one in the Sew Fab Bundle.  I loved how easily it came together and how nice it looks on my girl.

Since the Norah Dress is a simple A line, the assembly was very straight forward.  The collar and sleeves came together beautifully!  I was pretty relieved not to have to do any skirt gathering!  

The dress is lined only on the top which was really nice for the finish but kept it from being too heavy as fully lined dresses can sometime become.  Also, the back closure is a simple button and loop which looked great!  I can finally do a decent button hole but appreciate avoiding the process if possible!

I added 2 little white buttons under the collar fo some extra interest since my dress fabric was so simple.  I love how sweet and nostalgic this turned out!  The norah dress is a wonderful staple to have in your patterncollection.  It doesn't use too much fabric, it's easy to assemble, and it produces a lovely dress.  Hurrah!

Only 2 days left to get your Sew fab Bundle!  Visit my original blog post about the Sew Fab Sale to get all the details and enter for your chance to win the Sew Fab Giveaway!

 

The Sew Fab sale is an affiliate program.  I recieve a portion of all sale made through my website.  Thank you so much for your support!

Aster Cardigan Testing: A new pattern from Willow & CO. from LBG studio

I was honored to test one of Vanessa's pattern contirbutions to the new Willow & Co. pattern collection to be released next week.  This is the Aster Cardigan and it is adorable!  I was asked to do the Size 10 for my big girl.  She will be 10 next month!  It is really cute and stylish...

 

These were taken before school yesterday.  It was dark and rainy outside so we took our photos in my new basement studio!  I can't wait to finally have it organized enough to share some good photos.  

Vanessa writes a beautiful and organzied pattern.  The pieces all fit together perfectly and even though I am not a big sewer of knits, this came together very nicely!  The bands at the sleeve and the nice way the placket and collar are designed make it a project that sewers of many skill levels can handle.  

I always struggle with button holes but that is not the fault of the pattern.  The fit is nice.  In these photos, she was wearing a shirt that was a little bulky, but the cardigan is meant to be fitted so next time we will put it on with a more fitted tee shirt underneath.  Next week will be the launch of Willow & Co. so be sure to be ready!

Thanks for letting me test your pattern, Vanessa!

KCW- Front Buttoned Smock

It's a sewing miracle that I participated in KCW!  I think KCW is a great idea and I love seeing all the clothes people make for their kids.  For some silly reason, I always have something else happening and I can't join in the fun.  But this year I am back...

I did another shirt from the Happy Homemade Sew Chic Kids book.  This one is called the Front-buttoned Smock.  Like the pull over parka, instructions are vague in the book, but the pattern pieces fit together beautifully and I love the finished shirt.

My middle daughter is really fun to sew for.  She loves everything and then she will always ham it up in our photo shoot.  

Actually sometimes it is hard to get her to just take regular shots so we often start taking about math class or how she did on the monkey bars during recess at school.  

Or, I have to make her sweep off the front walk!  She is a good sport though and always complies.  This is another reason that sewing for 8 year olds is awesome!  Did you read Monica's post today about a trying to get photos of her toddler?  So perfect!

I sewed this in size 8 (the largest size for this book).  I used a shirting fabric from the apparel section of Joann Fabrics.  It took a little less than a yard, which is always awesome although this fabric was 60'' wide.   When sewing for older kids, quilting cotton is just too bulky and stiff for their clothing and you really need to make the switch.  I can still get away with quilting weight for the baby though!

My buttons and placket are not perfect and I fretted a little about it.  But, in the end, I just finished the shirt even though it is flawed and it still looks great.  I love the sleeves and the pretty gathered neckline.  It is a little frilly but not too much- perfect for my easy going girl.  Thanks for getting me motivated KCW!

Happy Homemade Pull-over Parka

A few months ago I purchase Happy Homemade Sew Chic Kids by Ruriko Yamada since I heard that it had been released in English.  I love the simple style and classic look of the kids clothes in this book.  Bonus- the sizing is 2 through 8 which covers most of my children.

I first made a pair of flared shorts in flannel for my 9 year old (the sizes are not hard to adjust) and they are nice but not really worth sharing on the blog since they are plain and already in the laundry bin.  But, over the weekend I made this cute pull-over parka for Anne (8 year old) and it is a big hit.  

I used a cotton lawn from the Little Lisette line at JoAnns.  It was a little slippery but really pretty.  I have more left over so you may see it again soon!  The drape is really nice and the feel of the cotton is great.

I made the bottom hem a casing for 1/4'' elastic and made faux ties on either sides.  It was a nice touch to make it a little more grown up.  

here are the versions from the book which ties in the front...

The hood is really cute and although it is small for Anne to use functionally, she says "that's ok-  it's really just for looks anyway Mom."   8 years old and she already knows that clothes are not always totally functional!

I admit that I struggled a bit to figure out how to make the neckline.  I am not a big maker of clothes so the lack of instructions in the book made it a little challenging for me.  I didn't mind figuring it out though and I really liked the result!  I wouldn't recommend the book to beginners because of the bare bones style of instructions but I really liked that since it made the project seem quicker to me.

A success!  Hopefully I will be able to sew more fun projects now that my big commitment tasks of the last several months are finished.  Have you tried this book?  What other patterns are worth making?

Holiday Gifts Sewing Series: Lots of Pink Here Takes on the Art Caddy!

Today we have Amy Dunn of Lots of Pink Here.  Amy is a great friend and very creative sewer.  Her choices in fabric are always amazing!  In fact, Amy has her own adorable fabric shop called Pinked Fabrics that I love!  Amy took on the Art Caddy Sewing Pattern which makes a wonderful gift.  Head over to her blog to see how she made sewing the Art Caddy Easier AND leave a comment for your chance to win the pattern for yourself!

A Little Bit of Sally for KCW

Well..  I actually made this when I promoting the Sew Fab Sale but never got around to posting it here on the blog. Doesn't really count as being part of Kids Clothing Week if I made it 2 weeks ago, huh?   Miraculously I have found myself with a few minutes when the baby is taking a nap and the big kids are out of the house AND I feel like doing a blog post about this cute dress...

My big girl is getting so so big.  Ouch.  It hurts a little to tell the truth.  She was feeling pretty serious at first during this photo shoot, but she had to admit that the dress is really cute.  Also, she is pretty much over me sewing clothes for her.  This one has her own opinions about what she is wearing and my influence is becoming pretty weak (except for the fabric that I hold the purse strings!  HAHA!).  

I used some vintage fabric I found at this old fabric store that has a $.50 table in the back.  You can score some cute fabric back there and have no fear about messing up when you only invest $3 total in your purchase!

The pockets are wonderful!  The construction was a little complicated for me to be honest- mostly because this fabric that had a very faint difference between the right and wrong side and also because I used the same fabric for the lining and the exterior of the dress.  My brain had to bend a little to get it all togther!  Also, this is a size 7 on my 9 year old.  It was originally meant for my 7 year old but it swims on her.  I should have taken measurement as recommended, huh?   Thank goodness I have an easy back up plan...

Aren't those snails the cutest?  Navy is a new favorite on my big girls!

Pattern:  The Sally Dress

Fabric: Vintage

 

Night Gowns from the Sew Fab Bundle

I wish I had more time to sew up all these beautiful patterns!  I did manage to make these adorable nightgowns for my 2 big girls.  And just so you know, I made these about 3 weeks ago and they have worn them a bunch!  

They are working on their rainbow loom bracelets.  Obsession!  Are your kids doing those things?  Anne has like fifty on her wrist.  

The nightgowns sewed up so fast and the the pattern was really nice and well written!  The pattern is called the Sadie Grace Nightgown by Seamingly Smitten.  I would totally recommend it!

The photos were taken after sleeping all night so Elsie, who asked for a soft flannel nightgown, is looking a little wrinkled!

If you are following me on instagram, you will already have seen these baby shoes that I made with left over fabric from the nightgowns.  So cute!  My instagram name is gingercakesews.  They are from the Petit Blue pattern that I used when the baby was smaller.  

The pattern sale last until Monday!  Be sure to get your bundle before it's too late!  

 I also want to make the Sally Dress, the Amamnda Pants, The Infinity Cardigan, and the Pajama Eaters!  I also love Vanessa's Clutch that I made when it first came out.  You can see that bag here.

The sew fab sale is an affiliate program.  Thanks for your support!

Flower Girls & Photos

Both of my sister in laws are doing photos every day over on Flickr.  Jenny has been doing photography for a long time and her captures are truly inspirational.  My younger sister in law Maureen is just starting out and she is showing lots of talent too!  She took the photo above and the one of Marion below.  These are both with my camera but my photos never turn out this good!

In other news, we are leaving for a family wedding in near San Francisco later today.  My stomach is in knots thinking about how I am going to deal with my very cute but extremely wiggly 9 month old on the plane for so long.  If you are flying to San Francisco from Pittsburgh today, I appologize in advance for the crying baby.  I am excited to see San Francisco though!  I have been working on the flower girl dresses...

The wedding is in a garden and the bride wanted to keep it natural.  She chose the orange linen and we worked on this style with some photos for inspiration.  I think they turned out really sweet and the girls feel so excited to be part of the wedding.

I made 8 of them and a matching bow tie and belt for Calvin since he is the ring bearer.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be~  especially with my new machine!  Wish me luck on that airplane!

Birthday!

Yesterday was Elsie's 9th birthday.  It was so nice.  No party, just our family and gifts for the birthday girl!

I made her this top and if you have been following my blog for awhile you will recognize this fabric!  I have used it for a playsuit and a peasant top for Elsie in the past.  The fabric purchase that just keeps giving!  It was super simple to make (obviously!) and looks pretty on her.  

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Girl!  

Banyan Tee from the Sew Fab e-pattern bundle

Anne has decided she wants to be a fashion model.  And a veternarian.  And a scientist.  For now, she is just silly.  This is the Banyan Tee from Patterns by Figgy that is part of the Sew Fab e Pattern Sale.  Have you bought your bundle yet?