This, That, and the Other

THIS: Not a whole lot of sewing happening at my place, but I did spend some time in my sewing room today trying to clean up and organize a bit. My next sewing project--unless I change my mind--will be Vogue 8480. I've been reading reviews at Pattern Review and have gotten some good ideas, mainly using a Hong Kong finish for the inside seams since the jacket is not lined. I already have the fabric washed and ready to go--a navy blue twill.

Vogue 8480

THAT: I sewed these two dresses (pictured below) in December for a friend's daughters. My friend just recently sent me the picture of her girls with her permission to post it here. The dresses were both sewn from McCalls 9424. I've made this pattern in the past for my own daughters, and let me tell you, from my experience costume patterns run big. Very big. But the girls were delighted with their new dresses, and so was their mom. The girls enjoy reading Little House on the Prairie, and they are happy to have their own Laura Ingalls dresses.

McCalls 9424

The Other: It always delights me when other bloggers give their commendations to this SewChic blog. Recently both Pamela and Fiona awarded Sew Chic the Kreative Blogger Award, and you can imagine how encouraging this is to both Jessica and me. Pam and Fiona are wonderful seamstresses and I enjoy reading their blogs and seeing their projects. Thank you, Pam and Fiona, for this award.

I want to sew!

I want to sew. I really do. I think about it all the time and plan projects in my head. I buy fabric. And more fabric. But have I accomplished any sewing lately? No. I've been knitting instead. You see, when I sew I like to sew for hours and hours on end. A whole day is nice. But knitting can be done in snatches of time--5 minutes here, 10 minutes there, in the car, during waiting times, and yes, even while homeschooling the kids at times. :) So...I have been knitting. That's cool. Knitting is fun.

BUT I WANT TO SEW!

projects on my Ravelry page

baby bonnet and booties

"rambling rows" lap blanket

"retro rib" socks

First Project of 2009

It wasn't a sewing project, but my first project in 2009 nevertheless. I started these booties in December, hoping to finish them for a Christmas gift for Jaidyn, but I didn't complete them until yesterday. So, Jessica--consider these a late Christmas gift. :) I have also started a second identical pair which I plan to list on Etsy along with the light pink bunting pictured below.

This bunting I made Jaidyn is from a discontinuted Kwik Sew pattern. I made two, and Jessica chose the dark pink one. As you can see in the photo, the bunting is too big on Jaidyn. The pattern is sized for newborn to 3 month old babies, and there is a lot of growing room.

Isn't Jaidyn Marie the sweetest baby you've ever seen?!! Ooh, the grandma in me is coming out. I tell you, though, it is ever so nice to have a little baby to sew for again!

Ruth