Christmas skirts

2007

2010

When the girls were little I made them a fun Christmas Skirt.... And then when A grew out of that one, I made another. This year she was quite sad when the Christmas box was opened and I handed her Christmas skirt to her sister.... She said she didn't care if I made her another when I asked. BUT I know my kid.... so I dug through the Christmas fabrics to come up with a stack of fabrics..... and then through the notions to come up with trim.... So what did I find to use 2/3 yd pink, 1/2 yd each print, 1 yd blue and 1/4yd green.... Red rick rack, red wide bias tape, blue &2 white eyelets, blue ribbon, clear elastic for gathering and elastic for the waist..... A few hours, some serger thread, a few colours of thread on the sewing machine.... One mom up late! And a great big smile this morning, then she ran back for a hug!

Stash fabrics

2014

Spotted headed out the door today....

posted from Bloggeroid

A successful 2010, and planning for 2011

• 2010 Review 

I posted my 2010 goals a year ago...

• Sew from stash, with meaningful purchases
I did sew from stash, but don`t have a true sense of numbers as my journal is sadly out of date.  I did buy fabric to complete the quilts, but they were needed.

According to my not yet updated journal I`ve completed over 94 projects this year... but that doesn`t include those I made for Christmas gifts that I haven`t journaled yet...  I really need a new system of journaling -- one that I can keep up with!

• Sew for me
I did some sewing for me - until I looked at the photos I didn`t think I finished much... but I finished 8 tops, 3 pairs of pants (not all shown), a nightgown, a dress and wrap.

1. Ottobre Wrap, 2. Loveliness Dress, 3. Camisole, 4. A new TNT Pattern

1. 2/10 #9 Katherine, 2. Ottobre 2-2010 #9 Katerine, 3. SpringOutfit, 4. Ottobre 2/10 #2

1. Nightgown, 2. A New Top from 2-2010, 3. fleece-top, 4. A new PJ Top

• Sew 3 quilts

I got one finished, started and finished a crib sized quilt and have two others much closer to completion, but they are still only as quilt blocks... Hopefully soon the blocks will form quilt tops, then the tops form quilts...  My kids are hoping these will be completed by their birthdays - which are coming up quickly.

• Finish the works in progress

I did finish some of my UFOs and WIPs but really need to focus on this again...  


Some other sewing...


Sewing for others... mainly my kids.  I did some alterations and tshirts for my husband too!

1. Swimsuits in action!, 2. A Tam for my daughter, 3. Hats for all, 4. A New Dance Costume







And in order to complete this, I will need to clean my sewing room :) and hopefully keep it clean


And as for this goal - totally missed this one!  It still needs cleaning (or is it that it needs cleaning again?

2011 Sewing Resolutions
My goals for the upcoming year are very similar to the past few years

• Make meaningful fabric purchases
• Finish UFOs
• Start Gift Sewing Early

¸
Specific projects that I need to work on

• Quilt 2 (for Jan 2011) & Quilt 3 (for February 2011)
• Kilt (probably for fall 2011)
• Jig & Hornpipe Costume for oldest daughter (for Summer 2011)
• Swimsuit for me (for our trip to Disney World February 2011)

My Handmade Christmas Gifts

This year I worked hard on making it a handmade holiday.  Many on our list this year got handmade gifts...  Classroom teachers, music teacher, dance instructor gifts were finished earlier this month (some were finished really early, here, and some more, and others are pictured below).  The only gift item made that hasn't been photographed is some underwear for my husband...

And all the quilts were signed, and even made myself a paper pieced Mug Rug...

4 Santas, A Star, Quilts Labelled, Paper Piecing

Mountie Santa, Checking his List, Over the Tree Tops, Scottish Santa

Blankets, Mugs & Mug Rugs, More Towels

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday...

Today's Progress

The box of stuff I have cut out...

• shorts (1pr for each girl)
• skorts (1 for each girl)
• back to school dress for my youngest
• back to school skirt and blouse for oldest daughter
• tshirt and pants for my son
• two tshirt remakes for my husband

This is my dress. It is started, darts have been sewn, basted, test fit, basting pulled out and the skirt has been sewn together on one side. Now to sew the bodice together, then to add the skirt

My sons new back to school top. From the latest Ottobre - more info once the pants are finished.

And two bread bags out of Australian fabrics (birds and flowers) as well as a newly covered food cover.

The blankets I embroidered for my mom.

Highland Dancing Outfits

A new blouse
This blouse is based on Ottobre 02/04 #23. Princess seams removed, side seams straightened, used a back zipper instead of buttons, changed front neckline... (I did say it was based on... very loosely once I was done my hack!)




Highland National Outfit (or Aboyne)




Skirt

A FULL pleated skirt with velcro closure, with large hem to allow for growth. No pattern used.



Petticoat
A tiered skirt, with growth pleats and eyelet lower trim. No pattern used


Plaid

A square (or rectangle) of fabric with fringed edges... this is approximately 36x39" to sett




Blouse

03/03 #35, with added width to body and sleeve(this is to be fairly full), lowered front neckline and shortened sleeves




Vest

Another Ottobre HACK, based on Ottobre 01/08 #36 (Juliet Vest). Front Opening removed, CB zipper added, petals added, fully lined, No darts, removed back princess seams. And I have no clue if I followed the instructions, as I didn't even open the issue.







Have I mentioned recently on how I love the versatility of Ottobre for changing their patterns? It is wonderful!!! I love my Ottobre collection!

Outlook for 2010

Hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2010!

Sewing Stats for 2009... aren't updated. I have about 115 projects that I started, too many current projects in progress.... I did quite well on NOT PURCHASING fabric, but still came home with lots. My Mom, my MIL and a friend all passed on fabric to me.... I need to sort it to figure out what to keep. I am using some of it for muslins! At some point I might total this up... but tomorrow I am starting from scratch in my journal and will add as I go (might add a spreadsheet to help track as it will add for me)!

Evaluating my 2009 Goals

* Sew mostly from Stash
Mostly true... Most of the stuff I purchased this year has been used, or is sitting together with the 3 quilts I want to make.

* Sew for me
I did sew for me, but then started loosing weight faster than I could sew...

* Start Christmas sewing before Nov 1st
Kinda! But they weren't finished... the Kilt Making course took me off track.

I sewed for everyone in my family this year including my husband... I used my embroidery machine to turn stash fabric into gifts for friends (and the kids friends).... I purchased fabric with a purpose... I wish I'd had more time to sew but spent much more time on getting healthy and exercising that I didn't have much time left for sewing. 2009 was for my health, now that I'm healthier, I'm going to try and fit my crafts and sewing back into my routine.





2010 Goals

• Sew from stash, with meaningful purchases


• Sew for me


• Sew 3 quilts


• Finish the works in progress

And in order to complete this, I will need to clean my sewing room :) and hopefully keep it clean