Next Up

The last couple weeks have been busy! My little guy is just finishing preschool, but even so, it seems like May is a busy time. Exciting time though, that's for sure. Awesome weather and lots of fun summer plans starting to form!

And as for sewing, I do have a couple of plans there too.

First up, I need to finish this project, an unnamed quilt for a baby girl in bright colors. This one combines a few very simple blocks and appliquéd circles for a fun, quick quilt top.

And then there's this stack of fabrics...

all cut and ready to become something like this...

I love this print, Storybook Lane from Andover fabrics. I plan to use it for the quilt back. Aren't those clouds sweet?

Before long, I should have a couple new quilts ready to share. :)

Sewing for Little Girls

Sometimes I get a craving to sew little girl's clothing. Something about the little ruffles, gathers, and full skirts just get me.  I don't have a daughter of my own, but I have a few nieces that receive handmade items from time to time. And they are pretty cute; they could make anything look good. :)
I really don't have much experience, and I find clothing trickier to make than a quilt. But I couldn't pass up the sale patterns at Joann's a while back and decided to just give it a go.

I picked up this pattern, Simplicity 2193....

...and figured that if I picked some cute fabric - and avoided those ridiculously huge arm ruffles - it might turn out ok. 

I wanted to see what other fabrics had been used to make this dress, so I did a little searching and found this post at Un Petite Design. Glad I did; great tips there! Her dresses turned out so cute!

I followed her alternate directions for assembling the yoke, and though it was pretty finicky to turn inside out, I was all for reducing the need for bias tape!

Here's the end result:

I opted for a zipper instead of buttons. Not great at installing either, but I think this will work.

My craving has been satisfied....for now. :) But when I feel the need to work on some more girly projects, here are a few I am eying:

Here's the Katelin Dress from Brynberlee Designs.

Or maybe the Birthday Party Dress from The Lily Bird Studio.

How cute is this little romper? (Probably has a lot to do with the model, right?) I found this in the Peek-a-Boo pattern shop.

And these tiered skirts are cute, with the detail of an extra layer at the bottom. Get the free tutorial here: Ruffled Skirts.

Little Owls baby quilt pattern / tutorial

Remember the Little Owls quilt? Want to make one?

Little Owls quilt pattern / tutorial

This quilt is really fun. Very simple and easy to make. The big blocks come together really quickly.
My favorite part? This pattern is so versatile! Choose one fun fabric for the feature, and a handful of prints to go with it. The possibilities are endless. Here are a few that I think would be fun....

Urban Zoologie

Michael Miller Retro Forest Life

Riley Blake Cruiser Blvd

Ready, Set Go

So many fun options....If only I had more time! :)