Project in Progress

I promised in my last post I would share some photos of my progress on my current project made with the yummy Heather Bailey fabrics. This one is not quilty, though it involves fabric, thread and a sewing machine. And thanks to a wonderful spring (almost summer day, we had temps in the low 80's F) despite the fact that we had snow a week and 1/2 ago, I was able to get some wonderful pictures.


I really only meant to have dd try this on this morning so I could check the fit. It's big, but that's good -- she can wear it all summer. I really did mean to then take it off of her so I can finish the pants that are going to go with it. But...she wouldn't let me. She kept on feeling the fabric and playing with the little ruffle. She ran away when I suggested she put on her favorite Elmo shirt instead. Who am I to argue with that? And, ok, it made me feel good that she loved it so much she wanted to wear it. So -- add a pair of jeans, send her outside, and this is what I got.

A trip to the park after being scared by a big dog in our "soccer field" (a grassy area near our townhouse -- the dog was visiting a house separated from the area by a hedge. Seems we got a bit close and she was being protective of the little girls the dog guards. Nothing more than the dog running towards her barking, but a 45 pound dog is 2x the size of my little one -- I see a dog double my size running after me and I will start freaking out too!), and all is right with the world as she follows her mother's regard for the way things are "supposed" to be done (dh was close by, I just cropped his hand and foot out of this picture).

I still need to finish the pants, but she wore the shirt all day long. It has some red jello dotting the front, a few grass smudges and lots of dirt on it. I need to re-do a line of top stitching to make sure the hem doesn't unravel when I wash it, and I couldn't be more pleased. It has been worn, loved, and used and she looked adorable while doing it. What more could I ask for?

For anyone who is curious, the outfit is from a Burda pattern and will, when I am done with them, have a pair of pants to go with it out of the yellow/blue green/pink striped Fresh Cut fabric I bought at the quilt show. I know there are some of you out there who are talented enough to just make up outfits like this -- I am NOT one of them. Clothing is not really one of my talents -- curved and odd shaped seams (um, I LIKE my mostly straight seams), having to go back and finish seams (hunh? doesn't the batting cover this?), and a 5/8" seam allowance (that thing looks HUGE compared to my normal 1/4"). ONLY for those I love would I attempt this -- although this went together so easily, I am contemplating adding to the insanity. I may change my mind after having to work with elastic, I'll let you know.

I've also been playing with the odd sized scraps left over from cutting the pattern pieces. Since they are so oddly shaped instead of going into my scrap bag, or being cut down into strips, these have been my way to "test drive" my new yo-yo makers. Can I just say these things ROCK? No fuss, no muss, no having to press down the seam! Just snap in the fabric, trim around the edge, needle in an out of the pre-marked holes, pull a thread, and voila! instant yo-yo! I've been working on these while I watch TV at night, I think I've already made about 30 altogether. I know one or two are going to be a hair thingy (don't you love my technical terms) for dd's outfit, but what I am going to do with the rest -- well, I'll figure it out. I still have scraps from the outfit left, so I have no idea how many I will end up with, but boy are they fun!

So, there is my current fabric therapy, just about the speed I need right now even with the challenges of seams that don't exactly match up without easing them together and that don't lie flat when you iron them because, well, people aren't flat! I'll post another picture when I finish the pants, and if anyone has any suggestions for all of the yo-yo's, I will gladly take them!