black and red

I included this picture mostly as prof that sometimes Emily is not at all interested in taking modeling pictures.  She likes both pieces but it was cold and she was getting her inner tween on.

This one is a bit better.  These pants were made with the same pattern as these.  The top is a RTW one with an applique that I bought a few years ago sewn on.  I'm pretty sure I ended up with it because she threw a huge fit in JoAnn's one day and I just didn't have the energy to argue anymore.  I didn't use it for over a year though so I think we both proved our point. 

Here's a back view of the pants.  I really like how nice this pattern can look with all the top-stitching.  I even bought bright read top-stitching thread just for this project.  The fabric was left over from making this skirt.  I'm loving how the all back with red is a little punkish though I don't think you can be all that punk in Disney.  Oh  well.. 

Emily's new doll Emma also needed some pants to wear with her red shirt.  I had just enough fabric and thread left for these little pants.  I made them using view D of Simplicity 5733.  I added a lot of top-stitching and the pockets from view G of the same pattern.  I'm happy with them but the rise is pretty high and they are not as fitted as I would like.  I really want to order the Liberty Jane pattern so don't be surprised if my ticker changes in a few days.  I'm not sure if I will resist or not especially with a doll swap to sew for.

jeggings

Guess what?  Emily wears pants now.  I had decided to make mostly pants this winter so she had no choice in the matter.  Thankfully once I started making them it turned out that she was pleased.  It probably helps that most of the girls in her class this year also wear pants and leggings but I'm still calling this a major win.

I added bling to these with a hot fix applicator.  I got the idea from Lil Blue Boo but didn't actually pin the tutorial so you'll just have to take my word for it at the moment.  So far I've washed and dried them twice with no last studs though so I'm feeling good about them.

Her favorite part of these and the other 3 pairs that I will show you soon I promise are the butt pockets.  I used the jeggings patterns from Ottobre 3/2011.  Its really just a 3 piece pattern and I wasn't sure how I felt about it until I started adding all of the fun little details.  They are also great for her because you just pull them on and off instead of having to mess with a real fly.

I used 2% spandex stretch denim to make hers and cut the size she needed for length not width.  As you can see the fit is very good.  I think the fabric makes a big difference here though.  I would likely size down if I were using knit fabric and I would suggest adding width if your dd doesn't run slim.  For Emily they are a great fit though.

Its Always Swim Season

Lately the concept of swim season has started reminding me of The Song That Never Ends.  You know the one we all sang at some point to bug the adults around us.  You see my son joined a year round team this year and my daughter joined the pre program for that same team so between the two of them we have 5 or 6 practices a week to attend.  I know that doesn't seem like a lot but it feels like it trust me and if they stick with it that number will just grow.  I'm glad they are doing something they like though.

Emily prefers to wear 1 piece suits for practice though and I only made one of those this summer since tankinis are so much easier to go potty in.  So I made her this one using the free tutorial last week.  I also pulled out my machine's manual and discovered that I have a spandex stitch so this one seems to be holding up much better as well.

It's fully lined with the same fabric and fits pretty well.  I do think I'll be buying a pattern next year but I'm in no rush at the moment.  I'm just glad I don't have to pay full price for practice suits for her at the moment.  Those things are not cheap despite containing almost no fabric.  Now I just wish I could find a boy's suit pattern.  So far I haven't seen anything and while they are relatively simple I'm not sure I want to try without a pattern. 

Early Christmas Photos

I know very early for Christmas but my favorite photographer was doing some 30 minute mini sessions at the end of August and I decided to go ahead and get this checked off my list.  If your local her name is Kimberlee Edwards I've been using her for several years now and she is great.

This is pretty much what Elijah's life is like these days.  One minute Emily is play with the butterfly net and the next well you see what happened.  We had to rescue him right after the picture because she started trying to pull him around.  Don't worry though no 9 year old were hurt to obtain funny pictures.

Speaking of Emily this dress was my last completed smocking project.  It is the Annabelle dress from issue 99 of Australian Smocking and Embroidery.  I changed the straps to button onto the back instead of tie since she is wearing it as a jumper.

The dress was pretty easy though it would have been easier if I had followed the directions from the beginning.  I smocking was also nice and simple which I really liked since it was going over a printed fabric.  As usual the pattern ran pretty big in my opinion.  I made her a 4 and it will surly fit her in both width and length for a good while.  I like this though because it means that she will not out grow most of my smocking patterns for a while still.  Too bad it means she won't grow into some others for that same amount of time.

Elijah is modeling shorts from Old Navy and a Shawn White for Target top.  I do sew for him some but not as much as he is getting older.  We also didn't get as many pictures of him but that's OK.  We got a few good ones and he is at an age where he feel awkward getting his picture taken .