The Sunshine Skirt!

After making the can-can skirt for Emily, I just had to make one for little Scarlett. I decided to use summer yellows and oranges, like sunshine. It seemed like an appropriate way to kick off summer.

I love the Can-Can skirt pattern. It's so easy and flexible. Purchase it HERE. Consider it a crucial sewing investment for those with little girls.

It turned out a little big but I decided to just let her grow into it. I swear the only photos she will stand still for are the ones with that finger up her nose!

After making the skirt, I saw it against black and it suddenly resembled candy corn.

I had no idea that the summer skirt I was making would transition into her Halloween costume this October. I was multi-tasking without knowing it! Imagine it with orange tights, a white turtle neck and white coned hat. Perfect, huh? Now I just need another costume for our new baby girl, that will join us in September. Another Halloween candy would be prefect. Any suggestions?

Strawberry Party

Some friends are throwing a strawberry themed birthday party for their darling 3 year-old and asked me to make a strawberry inspired dress and party favors.

Here is what I created:

For the outfit, I decided to do a red and pink full can-can skirt. I topped with a simple tank that I embellished with a green ruffle, like the leaves on a strawberry.

While the skirt took a lot of work and time, it was not difficult and I'd highly recommend it! Scarlett just kept saying 'pretty' and was not happy that it was not meant for her. I'll have to make her one too!

The can-can skirt pattern can be purchased here: http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/formerly-known-as-turkey-dressing-skirt.html

For the party favors, I created these strawberry barrettes.

And, for a gift, I decided to create this fabric strawberries that designed to be pin cushions but I just made them a lot larger for little Emily to play with.

The strawberries were EASY and FAST.

The full tutorial can be found here: http://embroideroo.blogspot.com/2009/10/strawberry-pincushion-tutorial.html

Ice Cream Dress Pattern

oliver + s released three new patterns this week and I've got my eye on the ice cream dress. I've never tried one of their patterns (I can't seem to bring myself to pay that much $15.95 + 5.95 shipping) but maybe it's time. I just can't stop thinking of all the possibilities I could come up with. Maybe I will get it for my birthday and that will solve everything.

I love this color-block version that was off the oliver + s blog.

I also adore the shirt version. What beautiful fabrics they chose.

Has anyone else tried their patterns? What do you think? Do they ever go on sale?

Buy the pattern HERE: http://www.oliverands.com/patterns/dresses/patterns8.phtml

Sweet Shirred Dress

(Voile)

I came across a tutorial this darling Sweet Shirred Summer Dress at Pudent Baby and could not wait to try it. I loved the simplicity, shirring, fabric and colors.

Prudent Baby offers a photo tutorial here: http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/03/sweet-shirred-summer-dress-pattern.html

I made my version with a lightweight cotton gingham, deep purple bias tape and a crocheted flower add-on.

While I do love the dress, I was a little disappointed that it did not meet in the center like the red one at Prudent Baby. Perhaps I did not cut it right or maybe I needed a lighter fabric. Or perhaps I need to find a technique to create tighter shirring. Oh well, she looks beautiful in it and that's all that matters.

I just had to include this photo with Scarlett's finger up her nose. Her finger practically lives up there these days.