4/17/11

Time for Personal Projects!

The Start of Spring Sewing
Every day, during my little window of nap time opportunity, I work on projects. Whether it be editing photos, blogging, painting chalkboards, or photographing DIY's in progress, I'm usually able to accomplish a lot because I know I only have about 1.5 to 2 hours to work. This weekend I spent Saturday attempting to sew my first skirt for Ruby. It was a big fail. I DID manage the second one while she was awake and sorting crayons in the studio. Thank goodness skirts are quick!

Skirts from Vintage Linens
Sunday's nap was much more productive. I accounted for my mistakes with the second two and even finished a little dress. The green skirt was made from vintage place mats and the pink one was from a vintage linen table cloth. They are both pretty loose on Ruby so I still need to adjust my 'pattern' and then they'll be fantastic with a tank top or tee this spring/summer!

Vintage Men's Dress Shirts to Dress
This is a dress made from parts of two vintage men's shirts. The part around her chest is about 1/2" too snug so I'm going to take it apart and rework it and take measurements from the finished piece to make a few more.

Vintage Men's Dress Shirts to Dress
I don't usually mess with sewing projects that require patterns but I'm getting to the point where I really want to challenge myself with sewing clothes again and need to get my hands dirty with the technicalities of, oh, measurements and such. I can see the wonky parts on this dress in these photos but it is going to be so cute on my little one once it's put back together! The vintage cotton is the perfect weight for hot days to come and you can't beat those plaids from the eighties!

Did you get to sneak in a personal project this weekend?

xoxo,
Rachel

48 comments:

D said...

Those are adorable. I love that little dress!

Kylie said...

I think you've done a great job. My first attempt at a dress was a little pinny. I was so proud of it as I haven't sewn many clothes. I've been hand-stitching a little matryoshka sewing set this weekend. Hopefully will post a pic of it finished soon.

Lisa@goodknits said...

That jumper is just amazing! I love the fabric selection.

this weekend, I was able to complete a knit triangle pattern hat using simple stitches. I named triangles the "shape of the week" for my toddler and I, because I couldn't get them out of my head. http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnattacks/5629178087/

Unknown said...

oh. my. goodness. yes! very cute, good job! I love that color green!

Holly said...

eep! So cute, Rachel! I love your fabric choices.

Beatrice said...

Very nice :)

Beki said...

My personal progect was 2 coasters so nothing as fab as yours.
I really want to try making clothes but my (little) girl is 12 and not too keen on Me making clothes for her. Sadly there's not so much you can make for boys which is a shame as at 3, I'm sure my little man wouldn't mind wearing handmade clothes!

Anonymous said...

Luckily, I'm the only one I sew for! I made a polaroid top yesterday and a sock bunny. Nothing challenging, but certainly fun.

charlotte said...
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Unknown said...

They look very cute :) I've been looking for a simple pattern for a dress like that, would you know where to look?

Unknown said...

Oh my! that little dress is gorgeous. I am going to be a complete copy cat and make one for my smallest girl. I love it!

Lyndall said...

What a great idea for using those beautiful fabrics :)

My mum made sone skirts like that for me when I was little <3

Malayka said...

Aww how adorable! My mother used to sew all my clothes when I was young, and then she would also make matching ones for my dolls! I can't believe how much effort she always put in for us:)

emily said...

i LOVE the vintage green skirt! all 3 are so darn adorable but there is just something about that little skirt!

theagniels.blogspot.com

Gingiber said...

Great skirts! I so wish that I had time for personal projects! I worked the day job most of the weekend and spent Sunday with the family!

Elizabeth said...

Super cute little dress! Love it!

woodgrainwhale said...

These are soo cute! They look pretty well done to me. I say, work on that skill and start a little vintage baby line for red velvet! :)

Lesley said...

i love that green fabric... these are all so sweet, rachel!

Sara said...

Wowza! I love that dress. Such a good idea.

Sarah said...

Very cute! The red skirt is my favorite.
The project I got done this weekend was ridiculously overdue:
http://texmorse.blogspot.com/2011/04/out-with-very-very-very-old.html
I blame it on my kids. They are two years apart, but the older abandoned naps a few months before the younger one was born. It's harder to find that golden crafty time.

Gina said...

Super pretty! I love the fabric. There are some great skirt tutorials out there on blogs!

Teresa said...

That little dress is SUPER cute. Sadly, no girls in my home yet to make any for.

And does cleaning out your basement constitute as a personal project? No? I didn't think so :)

jessie b said...

you know, ive never been that into wearing plaids, but that dress is adorable. love how you mixed 2 different plaids...that totally makes it for me.

Anonymous said...

These are way too cute!! I've just had a little sewing project weekend myself, such a perfect way to relax a little =) x

Jessi said...

the dress is really cute!

letter A studio said...

I spent the weekend finishing a skirt for my oldest girl for Easter (she's 12). It's fun & bright & definitely a labor of love. I've never sewn much more than a straight line before so this was definitely a learning experience. And it made me realize how desperately I need to take your Home Ec. class!

Sara Stoff said...

Adorable! I managed to make my first granny square this weekend! See: http://prairiehen.blogspot.com/2011/04/look-what-i-can-do.html?showComment=1303146933109#c7680494950129792588

Anonymous said...

These all are so cute! Love the prints. I've been following your blog for some time now and you always inspire me. I don't know how to sew but I've been wanting to learn for years (just haven't taken the time)!

~ Jennifer

Brooke said...

Well done! They are lovely. I sometimes wish I had a little girl to sew for - lovely vintage florals don't go too far with an all boy house. Oh well, living vicariously through others like yourself. xo

Ashleigh said...

I love those, you should share with all of us how to make them!

kim rakes said...

the skirts are perfect and i love the mix of plaids you used in the dress. you are such a brave mama to cut up such pretty linens. i am still workin' on getting over that fear. i also need to find a good DIY simple skirt tutorial. did you just wing this one? i have made a couple, but they look a little too homemade. elastic and me aren't tight like that.

Chelsey - The Paper Mama said...

So adorable! I'm doing my naptime stuff right now. :)

 Amy said...

These are just absolutely perfect. Ruby will be the belle of the summer! I did a lot of planning this weekend for my new shop, so hopefully we'll be getting some major projects going soon!

Unknown said...

Funny - you see the wonky in the dress, I just see cuteness!! Love love the plaids :) I have a sweatshirt all cut out and ready to be sewn for Ella...but still haven't finished it. Perhaps next weekend!

breanna rose said...

Awww those are the cutest little things ever! I love that you used vintage materials and re-used things, that makes it all that much better. :)

She'll look adorable!

xx
Bre

Kristen said...

All three pieces look great! I love the dress, Ruby is going to look so cute this spring/summer!

Mandy said...

lady! those are SO cute. i wish i could sew. i should learn. i have stacks of vintage fabrics and pillow cases just begging to be made into cute little numbers like that!

Unknown said...

these are gaga-gorgeous!!!

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

I just found your blog...I LA LA LA LOVE IT!

I have to totally force myself to use patterns occasionally, I'm always glad when I do though because I usually learn a trick or two to use on my next project.

This weekend I was able to make tiny bunny finger puppets for Easter! I even posted a whole tutorial/free template on my blog. Should you be interested!

I'm excited to keep on reading!
xo

Alison said...

I wasn't signed in. Here i am.

Eleni said...

Learning to follow a pattern to make clothes was one fo my New year's Resolutions this year! I think you've done a grand job :)

Sarah R said...

Those skirts are soooo cute! :)

Sarah said...

Those skirts are adorable! Might you share how you did the waistband? I love that look!

Jennifer M. said...

I just love how you re-purpose old fabrics for new things. So inspiring!

Anonymous said...

this post is darling! which reminds me, i need to take easter photos of my son soon.

Kristine@thefoleyfam said...

WOW! I am in love with these! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Wow, really, really cute!! Tutorials please? ;-)