Pink Sparkly Leotard: Take 2

Here it is! It's two sizes bigger than her measurements, but this one fits!

Jalie 2792, View A

I've decided to count this scrunchie as a separate project because by the rules that I set out last year, it is. It's a brand new make, albeit a small one. But, I'll take it.

Pink Sparkly Scrunchie

Completed Projects: 18

Remaining Projects: 34

Pink Sparkly Leotard

How cute is this?! "Thing 3" wanted a leotard to wear to gymnastics. Have you seen the prices of children's leotards? They are expensive, so I decided to try making one instead. It turned out pretty cute, and it came in at a much lower price than the store-bought ones. I think that's a win. 

Running Belts

Lucky me! I get to mark two projects off my to do list. I made two running belts; one for "Thing 1", who actually runs, and one for me, who just doesn't want to have her hands full while walking the dog.

I followed this tutorial at sewbon.com. It is well written and has lots of pictures to explain the steps. Both belts were made from a black, high performance fabric and edged with 1/2" fold over elastic.  In fact, they're identical, other than the size difference. I'm not thrilled with the way the zippers turned out. I think it's because I used chunky sports zippers. Had the zippers been finer, the fabric wouldn't have to pull as much at the zipper ends where it transitions to the seam in the fabric.  I tried to get a picture to show you, but it's all black on black so it doesn't show up. Sorry.

When I installed the fold over elastic, I sewed it all in one step. I've seen many places where people sew it on the back first, then fold it over and sew it on the front. I didn't find the extra step was necessary, however that could be because my sewing machine can crawl along at a slow pace. I't never occurred to me to try using my bias binder foot, though. Darn. Maybe next time.

Running Belt

Oh well! Even if it's not perfect, it'll hold my phone, tissues, id and maybe even my keys. I think I'll try mine out at the park tomorrow.

Running Belt

Completed projects: 15

Remaining projects: 37

Green Nightshirt

I wasn't sure if this would count as a sewing project or not, so I went back to my original post and re-read the rules. I didn't say anything about refashioning existing articles of clothing. So, I'm making a call. Refashions count as a project. Repairs and fitting alterations don't.

This is one of my favourite refashions. It's not the first time I've done it. It's so quick and easy and SO CUTE! Every once in a while we get a cute tee (from a friend or cereal box or wherever) that nobody wants. I turn them into nightshirts for "Thing 3". 

Fabulous Fit Dressform Padding Kit

My grandmother was the best seamstress in her village. She could make anything. Every once in a while she would take my mother window shopping to see what styles she liked. Then, while Mom was in school, Nanny would make up the garment from scratch, no patterns involved. And they would be perfectly fitted.

As I grew up, my mother would occasionally sew me something. Although she wasn't as talented as my grandmother, she could only sew from patterns, she knew how to fit. She would say things like "Mom would pinch here," and then she'd add a dart. 

My skill level falls somewhere in between. And like my grandmother, I love to sew. I'm even good at fitting others. But I have a hard time fitting myself.

So, in 1999, while I was pregnant with "Thing 2", adjustable dressforms went on sale at the local fabric store and I bought one. I figured she, Diana, would help me with fitting my creations. But guess what? Diana is tiny. And although I was tiny before pregnancy, I have a more mature looking body shape now. Maybe if Diana had been a larger size she wouldn't be as disappointing to me, but she's tiny.

Baby Alive Diapers

Do you know about Baby Alive? It's a brand of dolls that are more life-like than regular dolls. Some Baby-Alives talk, some eat, drink and soil their diapers, some get a "fever" and their mommies nurse them back to health... You can also buy accessories for them, like food, diapers and clothing. 

"Thing 3" loves her Baby Alives. She plays with them every day. She has received three of the dolls over the past three Christmases. Two of them soil their diapers. In the past, she has had to buy new diapers for them, but those diapers cost more than a dollar a piece! This time when she asked to go buy new diapers, I suggested we make some instead. So this is what I did...

Gingham Skirt

Have you ever had a project that seemed to take forever? I've probably got you beat! Meet my version of McCall's 4783, view C. It was May, 2009, when I started this skirt. I bought the pattern, which I loved, with the intention of making two summer skirts from it. I also bought two fabrics and coordinating ribbons to complete the skirts. I cut this fabric, looked at the instructions and froze. The zipper instructions were not clear to me. I put the skirt aside... for seven years! Hmm, I became pregnant that summer, so that should buy back nine months. And it probably took me another nine months to lose all the baby weight, so I should get a free pass for 18 months, right? That means it only took five and a half years to make my skirt. (Cue embarrassed laughter.)