Chinese Girls Faux Wrap Top and Capris

Yippee!!!!

Today was Ahnalin's last day of 2nd grade!!!

And I hadn't made her anything new to wear since.......

.........last week!

(Never mind that I wear capri jeans pretty much

every day. Sewing for her is my fun!)

I decided to make my little one a spring outfit

out of this "Memoirs From China" print by Robert Kaufman.

It was sent to me last year by another sewing friend, 

Hettie Lynn, because it reminded her of Ahnalin. 

I had been saving it for just the right occasion.

 I bought Simplicity 2677 a few years ago,

but had still not tried it.

For this top, I chose view D.

I cut the top in a size 5 with a size 8 in length.

Do you recognize the contrast fabric?

It is the same Michael Miller print

I used for Ahnalin's and Cherish's Christmas dresses.

I just had a few little scraps left, 

so it worked perfectly!

And, well, yeah. 

Rick Rack

Of course. 

The top is actually a faux wrap,

with a zipper and hook and eye in the back.

I really liked this little top.

I will probably use this pattern again.

Ahnalin refuses to wear jeans. 

She doesn't like how they fit and 

how stiff they are.

But I learned a while ago that she WILL wear

things that I make for her out of old, soft, worn jeans.

So I cut apart a pair of old black jeans. 

Reduce! Recycle! Reuse!

There is enough left over to make another jeans

mini skirt for her too!

For the capris,

I used Simplicity 2711.

I added the trim on the bottom, 

right at the hem line.

I chose this pattern, because

it is a little slimmer than most pants patterns.

I cut a size 4 in width and a size 8 in length.

I have also made the dress in this pattern before and

highly recommend it.

 

Ahnalin wanted me to take a picture of her climbing up the fence.

But you can also see the cute sandals I found to match!

Ahnalin is also very proud of the strawberries growing in our garden.

Classic!

So my girl wore this on her last day of 2nd grade.

Oh! And last night she reminded me that 

she wanted to give her teacher something special.

Her teacher's favorite colors are green and purple

and it had to say
"We Love Mrs. Dyer".

So, I made her a little prayer pillow.

When I am sewing for others, 

I pray for them.

My mom used to make prayer pillows

for gifts and it made such an impression on me

growing up, that I now do the same thing.

Ahnalin LOVED being in Mrs. Dyer's class this year.

She was excited that Mrs. Dyer gave her 

extra math books to work on FOR FUN this summer!!!

Ahnalin wrote this in class this year,

about her favorite thing!

I am a Mathematician 

by Ahnalin
My favorite kind of math is fractions and multiplication. 

I like to have a math paper in front of me.

 For a whole week we did star testing and it was so much fun.

 Math is the bomb!

So summer vacation has officially begun for Ahnalin!

She has big plans for sewing this summer!

Happy sewing!

Almost Summer Vacation Dress

This is the last week of school for Ahnalin.

And I thought she needed a new dress.

I had fallen in love with this dress

and posted it to my Pinterest.

But because I have been sewing out

of my stash, 

I didn't want to purchase the exact same fabrics.

I believe the fabrics used in the original dress were designed

by Joel Dewberry and they are beautiful!

These fabrics were a gift from my friend Janet Gilbert.

She blogs at Smocking By Janet

and writes for Sew Beautiful Magazine.

I loved them and Ahnalin

put "dibs" on them as soon as the 

box arrived!

I used Simplicity 1924, 

which is actually really well written.

Ahnalin is very long and thin,

so I cut a size 5 in width and an 8 in length.

I also added about 3 inches in length to the bodice,

because she wanted the skirt to start at her waist.

Why, yes!
I did add rick rack!

I actually lined the flutter sleeves because I thought

it looked cuter.

I made the sash separately but 

stitched it to the dress at the side seams

so it would stay put.

The original dress had a fabric cockade,

but I wanted to play with ribbon instead.

So I sewed three rows of ribbon together,

and attached a decorative button.

The whole thing is sewn to a jewelry pin

on the back.

Ahnalin doesn't like the cockade, 

so it is currently sitting on the desk. 

Heehee!

 But she loves the dress!

Hm....my little girl seems to be more grown

up every day, don't you think?

And I am grateful she still loves to 

wear dresses.

Though I think I had better make her some 

bloomers to wear underneath,

because she still hangs upside down from the monkey bars!

We decided to do a regular button up back,

instead of a keyhole opening like the original dress had.

So I got to use these darling 

vintage gingham covered buttons that my mom

had cut off something a long time ago.

Ahnalin always insists that I take a photo of her

doing her "Classic Ahnalin" pose,

so here ya go!

----------------------------------------------

Thank you all for the wonderful, kind emails!

We have been crazy busy at our house 

and lots of good things have been happening!

I worked on a really exciting big project 

with Janet Gilbert for Sew Beautiful Magazine! 

It was really fun and I can't wait to see it 

in the magazine.

I will post more when that issue is available!

And I had some very much anticipated and 

prayed for oral surgery!

I was thrilled and so grateful!

My girls and Hot Rockin' Hubby have been wonderful

and busy too! 

I will try to be better about posting. 

I have another fun outfit to show you soon!

Happy Sewing my friends!

A Pink Easter Dress For Ahnalin

A pink dress for Easter.

She told me exactly what she wanted.

She picked out this 

Sandi Henderson Henna Garden

that I had been hoarding in my stash 

for several years.

She simply had to have puffed sleeves!

So, like any "bosom friend" of 

Anne of Green Gable's,

I made her the puffiest of puffy sleeves.

She wanted a full, twirly skirt.

Sadly every time she twirled,

she twirled away from the camera.

So you will just have to trust me that it twirls. 

It had to have a big, long bow.

She REALLY wanted it to be a LONG dress.

But I split the difference with her

and hemmed it at tea length with a growth tuck.

I love growth tucks because

they are such a quick and sturdy

machine hem.

She wanted it smocked,

but ONLY pink. 

I tried to talk her into a little bit of green 

or some darker pink, 

but the answer was no.

When I started smocking this,

I had no real design in mind.

I just "winged it".

At first, I wasn't very inspired

and not terribly thrilled with the simplicity

of the smocking.

But now that the dress is done,

I think it is exactly what it was supposed to be.

She wanted a collar,

but it had to be the same fabric.

I was leaning toward white collar and 

sleeve cuffs.

I managed to talk her into 

a tiny bit of trim.

This teeny rick rack is very vintage.

She was very happy with her dress.

I am think she chose well.

 I asked her for a big smile,

and she decided to flash her gum at me.

She insisted that I show you 

her shoes.

She thinks they have high heels.

She likes to put them on and tap on the tile

because they sound like real heels.

I love this picture.

It shows her standing still,

which is a rarity.

But of course,

we had to have her "Classic Ahnalin" pose.

I ended up using up nearly every 

bit of that fabric. 

 

Tomorrow I will post about India's Easter dress.

I had better get some sleep.

I am busy working on some very exciting 

projects now.

I can't wait to share them with you.

Happy Sewing.

Pink Bunnies for Lili

Sweet and simple

and oh, so classic.

For Lili's Easter dress,

I used New Look 6118.

However, I altered the pattern,

because I can never just sew the 

pattern the way it is!

I altered the back of the pattern

so that I could use 4 buttons in a square.

The lower two buttons are covered by the bow.

The directions of the pattern

show the back placket being folded back on itself

over the lining. 

I felt this was uneccesary

and looked unfinished

on the inside. 

Changing the construction the way

I have done this,

makes for a more interesting

and finished back.

And all the seams are inclosed

the way I prefer.

I simply adore the silhouette!

The fabric is a precious baby bunny print

by Holly Holderman for Lakehouse.

Ahnalin picked it out for darling Lili.

I can hardly wait to see little Lili wear it

on Easter Sunday!

Happy Sewing 

and Happy Holy Week!

Hunger, The Hunger Games, And Ahnalin

Ahnalin loves to read.

She loves to go to the library.

Every Thursday, we go to the library

to check out books and read to dogs.

A wonderful, local organization trains support dogs

and brings the dogs to the library so the children

can read to them. 

Almost every time we visit the library,

there is at least one homeless person near the door.

We talk to them.

I don't always have money to share,

but we always talk to them. 

Today, before we left for the library,

Ahnalin asked if she could take an extra apple

and cheese stick.

I said yes, but asked why.

She said, "Mama, every time we go,

we always see hungry people asking for food.

We don't always have money to give them,

but I want to have some food to give."

I got a little teary,  but I agreed.

 

We didn't see anyone waiting outside the library 

as we went in.

But Ahnalin asked me to hold the food

while she read to the dogs,

because she wanted to make sure we had it 

on the way out. 

So while she read,

I smocked.

And the food was sitting on the table

next to me. 

A woman stood near the table.
 

She was talking to a young teen about "The Hunger Games"

movie and book series.

She turned to me and asked if I had seen the movie,

or read the books.

I said no, as they are really not my style.

She explained that she felt they were important

books for young adults and parents to read.

She felt that they were helpful

so that readers could think for themselves

how they would live in a "dystopian society".

She spoke of the need to have firm beliefs

in the event of famine and corrupt society.

She spoke of the absence of moral absolutes.

She told me that she is the mother of teenagers

and felt her children learned a great deal

about themselves from the books.

Ok. 

She then spied the apple and cheese stick.

She asked about them, as eating is not allowed

in the library.

I explained about Ahnalin

wanting to have them to give to a hungry person.

I told her that Ahnalin knew we often

give money to people in need,

but didn't always have it.

But she wanted to be prepared 

with food if we encountered someone today. 

She looked uncomfortable.

She told me that she felt it was not a good idea.

She told me that she made a point of never

carrying cash so that she could honestly

say she didn't have any if a homeless person

asked for money. 

Because then she wouldn't be lying. 

She didn't think I should allow Ahnalin to give

food (or money) to the people on the street.

She felt that "They were better served 

by agencies."

I was shocked!

I said that she was just telling

me of the important lessons of 

"The Hunger Games"

and this was an important lesson.

She said it was different. 

Wow.

Ahnalin heard none of this, 

as she was happily reading to the dogs.

You see, this is personal to Ahnalin.

Even though she is very well fed and healthy now,

I know that her soul remembers hunger.

For months after we brought her home

from China, she would pry my mouth 

open and take food out of it to stuff

in her own mouth.

It didn't matter how much we fed her,

she could never seem to be full.

She was terrified of being hungry

and alone. 

Ahnalin has her R.A.D. moments,

but her heart hurts for those in need.

Anyway, 

after she was finished reading to the dogs,

she came over and picked up the food,

along with her library books.

As we checked out the books,

she looked out the window

to see if there was anyone outside waiting. 

There was no one waiting today.

Once we got into the van,

she told me that she was sad because she 

wanted to give the food to a hungry person.

As we rounded the corner, 

she spied a young woman with a sign.

"HUNGRY AND HOMELESS"

Ahnalin yelled
"MAMA!! PULL OVER!! THAT'S HER!"

We had never seen this particular girl before,

but she was hungry. 

Ahnalin rolled down the window 

and handed her the food.

The girl smiled and said

"God Bless You Little One."

Ahnalin said "God bless you too."

As we drove away, 

Ahnalin said 

"Feeding hungry people makes my heart happy!"

Then she said,

"Mama, are you crying AGAIN?" 

I said "Yes, but it is happy crying."

I am grateful that my little one is listening 

to what Jesus tells us to do.

I am grateful that she gives out of her heart

instead of holding back in fear.

I still haven't read
"The Hunger Games".

I may or may not. 
(I prefer my Jane Austen,
Anne of Green Gables, and other
girly goodies.)

But I hope my children are learning

the important lessons of how to treat others.

Matthew 25:35, 40

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,

I was a stranger and you invited me in....... 
..............The King will reply,
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did
for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me."

A Rosy Easter Dress For Naya

 I just love this little dress!

And it will soon be worn by a lovely little lady

named Naya.

Her mama pinned the Darla rose 

fabric by Tanya Whelan to her Pinterest 

board and asked if I could make her daughter 

a dress with it.

I found about 2/3 of a yard in my stash!

Oh my was I thrilled!

I haven't seen this fabric available 

for purchase for quite some time.

And I had about the same amount of 

the green dot print too!

Thankfully, the lovely lady 

only wears a size 2.

So I was able to create 

this confection just for her!

I wish I had another bolt

of each of these beautiful fabrics.

But I am so happy that 

this little frock is on

its way across the country 

to its darling girl.

More Easter dresses to come!

Happy Sewing!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

AHNALIN LOVES BOOKS!

And she REALLY loves Dr. Seuss books!

So she wanted to have a special outfit

to wear on his birthday.

Isn't the fabric darling?

I ordered it from

Cotton Blossom Farm on Etsy

last year and I just love it.

I used McCalls M6132 for the top.

McCalls 6312

While I will probably use this pattern again,

I have to say that it runs HUGE!

I mean HUGE!!

Also, there are some steps in the directions

that are just really dumb.

It has the sewist leaving a lot of exposed

seams and raw edges.

And that never works for my 

sensory-disordered kid,

or for perfectionist me.

So, I rebuilt the bodice to enclose

the waist seam in the bodice lining.

I also added the contrast

band on the skirt so I could highlight another 

fun fabric.

The photo is blurry,

but it shows the buttons

on the cute back of the bodice.

Instead of the full capri

pants shown on the pattern,

Ahnalin requested leggings

made from ruffle fabric.

I purchased the ruffle fabric last year 

from Sewzannes Fabrics

and followed the tutorial

on No Big Dill blog .

Ahnalin loves these leggings 

because I made them super skinny.

They are even but she was tired

of me fussing over her.

So I just took the picture!

The shoes!
OH MY!!

I found them last week at Target!

Yes, she was spinning in the library!

We visit every Thursday so she can read

to the dogs.

She loves cuddling Brittney the dog.

Brittney is one of the dogs

in training for the PALS program,

Paws As Loving Support.

And the earrings?

Grandma Barbara Jean brought them 

to Ahnalin when she came to visit.

They are clip-on earrings,

but oh so "Seussical!"

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Thank you for writing such 

wonderful books.

Happy Sewing!