I used the vintage Simplicity pattern seen here to make P a new dress for school. We still have a few weeks before school starts but it is better to have these things finished ahead! I've done last minute school sewing before and it's not as much fun.
We opted to use elastic in the bodice casing instead of the suggested ribbon and also used contrasting fabric for the collar and peek-a-boo pleat.
Here's an action shot. She wanted to make sure you could see the green fabric in the pleat.
And here's one more shot just because I thought we needed one with chickens. (I know the first photo has one too, but this one shows them better.) Those two are "teenagers" of this years new brood.
Last night I started making a Washi Dress for myself. Thank you Karen and Rae for teaching a very helpful class. It was fun to see a room full of people with very different body shapes start with the same pattern and each end up with a muslin bodice to fit their body. Seriously, it was like Advanced Potions class at Hogwarts. I am so happy to have the secrets of pattern fitting unlocked!I am thrilled that I'll finally be able to make clothes for myself again! I used to make dresses YEARS ago when I fit into a standard pattern. Yeah, I'm talking about all the way back in high school. I can't wait to show you some finished Washi tops and dresses!
I finish most of my quilts with machine quilting. Sometimes I think a quilt is worthy of the time it takes to hand quilt it. This top already has many hours of work in the hand applique center and the pieced borders.I love the way the double saw tooth border turned out. It really is straight but for some reason it looks a little wonky there in the upper left.
I am leaning towards machine quilting this. It might be because I am feeling a little unproductive lately and want to finish up these lingering projects and start NEW fun things.One of my ideas for this is to machine quilt an old fashioned grid over the applique and everything. But, something in me sort of wants to hand echo quilt around all those flowers. But then, again, hand quilting the saw teeth with all of those seams does NOT appeal to me at all. Maybe I should let it rest for a week or two until I settle in to the new fall rhythm.The first week of school has just about done me in. I am NOT used to getting up quite so early. The bus comes just after 7:00. Yikes. That is early to get a five year old up and ready for school. The return bus gets here at about 4:00. That makes for a very long day for a kindergartener. You would think I would be able to get lots done during that time. But, no, I have been running around doing errands most of the time. Maybe I'll feel better about it after I am more caught up. I had saved up a lot of things until school started thinking that I could take care of them easier without little Miss P. So, I guess I have been productive, just not at the things I am wanting to do. One of those errands is an appointment with the eye doctor. Maybe some new glasses will help.How are you handling the change of season, back to school routine?
This week we also went to open house at school, met her teacher, found her locker, and toured the school.
This weekend the weather has turned crispy. It is sweater time and the leaves are falling. I guess we really can start to think about going back to school.I have also been making back to school plans for myself now that all of the children will be in school. I'll be teaching some art classes at the 
