Christmas trees and linen pants

My sewing machine was made in the 50's. It's a tank. The machine never tires, it is far more resilient then I expect and never seems to let me down. The only problem I ever seem to run into is how to finish my seams.  

Lately I have been working on French seams. A lot of work and takes a bit more fabric but all and all I really do love how the garment looks when finished. Though when using a thicker fabric it can easily get a bit bulky. There is no budget for a new sewing machine right now, and honestly I think I might feel a bit guilty almost like I was cheating on my Ol' kenmore. I did find a button hole maker for three dollars today though! One of my favorite shops when we make it up to Portland is S.C.R.A.P. I always end up filling a bag of bits of fabric for five dollars and today also got a yard and a half of lint blue cotton fabric with tiny white hearts. It's beautiful! The kids and I do both tend to love anything with hearts on it. That's mostly my influence. But now that I am stocked up on odds and ends, and enough yardage to keep me busy for a while I am excited for some holiday sewing. 

Oh! And I did finish a pink dress for Kiki. It's a pretty basic pattern but I am pretty excited about how great the bunny came out. My husband and I debated a bit on the lace around there collar but i figured over the top cutesy only works for so long, and went with it. 

This morning I ended up making a quick pair of gray linen pants for the girls as well. Kiki and I both really love how they came out, now she just needs some sort of little belly shirt to go along with them.

Oh! And we got our Christmas tree very early this year! The kids love it and it's time to get going on some new ornaments. Since Kiki's second Christmas when she broke more ornaments then I thought possible we decided to only have ones that we make. So right now we don't have many on the tree but it's one of my favorite Christmas activities each year. And a nice tradition that the kids can hopefully look back on fondly. 

Things I've made lately

As much as I enjoy black and white or gray or brown my daughters disagree. Particularly the youngest two. Pink. They love it, bright, pale, dark, light, it really does not matter as long as it's pink. I try to find a balance.

A week or two ago at the second hand store in our little town I found bolts of cotton and steel fabric each unopened with at least 15 yards of fabric for 20 dollars a piece. I called my husband to discuss what I could bring home. We agreed on four bolts (though the next day returned and picked up a couple more)

 

These next photos are a few of the projects I have done in the past week or two before I decided to start this blog. Honestly I am just hoping to be able to keep track of everything I make with all of these fabrics. That and convince myself to get going on something with the pink fabric that has the tiny white polka dots. Kiki Has been more then patient waiting. When we originally found the fabric she loudly declared that she liked that one best. So far I have made chair covers, curtains, pants, a dress, and a couple little shirts. Oh and a blanket and booties for a new little winter baby we know!

 

 

I really should make her a simple little dress she can wear constantly. 

So that's about it for now, my goal is at least one sewing project completed a week. Which should hopefully work out to one post a week as well.

To begin

I have three daughters.
One husband.
Two dogs.

I have tried to start a blog once before. I kept up with it for a bit, but found that the longer I was away the less I wanted to return. I have whims, there are many different things I find that I like to do, but lately I have found they all seem to focus around sewing.

I love my daughters, and I love to sew for  them. When I see the girls running around in something I made or with something I made I cannot help but smile. I am not amazing at sewing, in fact most of my project when completed still need a bit more work, but with each new item I improve. My hope is that by documenting all the mistakes I will end up much better.

I have spent the better part of the last year reading so many different sewing blogs (mainly focused on children's clothing) that I can't help but want to try myself. I also happen to have more then  enough  lovely little models who are all to happy to have their picture taken.

If I am lucky (and work hard enough) my hope is that by the time the two youngest reach elementary school I have the start of a small kids clothing line on my hands. Or at least a whole lot of adorable clothing.

So as of now I am stocked up on fabric, full of ideas, and blessed with happy little recipients for all my projects,(as well as a phone that takes decent picture of everything) so I suppose now is as good a time as any to begin.