Ok, so I lied.

I can't finish the quilt, so I am starting something new.

I've had this pattern since the summer, but even my tiny Sadie has (presumably) grown out of the NB/S/M size. I should have made something from it by now, but--I haven't. It was pretty easy to extrapolate a 1/4 inch here, 1/8 inch there, to the next size up. So--hopefully it will work out--we shall see.

I've cut out the View A--sleeved dress. My first sleeves--believe it or not! I had this fabric that MIL gave me, and a coworker gave the scraps to her. Fun free stuff! It is a little more teal than the picture shows.

And, cutting is as far as I've gotten because it requires interfacing at the placket (another first), and I don't have any left. Why did Walmart discontinue its sewing department right as I developed this hobby??

I do have this book, and it makes me feel as though I can accomplish anything, even sleeves and plackets.

As for the quilt, I have a backing delimma. I really want a piece of white matelasse. It is harder to find than one might expect, I can only find a couple of online sources. And they are poly/cotton blend. I ordered an inexpensive matelasse bedspread from Walmart and well, you get what you pay for. It is 100% polyester, and you can sure tell it! Ick! It doesn't feel good at all, and doesn't belong with all my beloved cotton baby cloth squares. That makes me a little wary of the blends too. I really don't want to pay more than $20-30, but I may have to break down and buy a coverlet from my department store. Or wait till it goes on sale :(

Any fabric selection suggestions are appreciated!

I'm going to finish this before I start anything else.

This is my first quilt. It is made of 4x4 (finished) squares of Sadie's clothing. Favorites from her first year :). There are some special pieces--her coming home outfit is in the upper left square, her 1st birthday monogrammed bib is in the lower right. In between are lots of squares of her birthday dress fabric. I used lots of pockets, and other details. I also did a no-no and used some knit garments that I just couldn't leave out. And no, I didn't treat them at all, so there is a little pulling and non-matching of seams :(.

I tried to go for a bit of a "watercolor" affect with some gradation from left to right and top to bottom.

This top was completed in August (!) And here it sits, waiting to be sewn to the batting and backed. I first wanted a paisley minky for the back, but it just doesn't have enough structure. Yes it is cuddly soft, but just puddles in your hand. And, it is of course knit, which this quilt has far enough of! This will only be a tied quilt, at each square corner. [My very basic sewing machine and I are a long way from machine quilting. And I'm the mother of a 5 and a 2 year old, so NO to hand quilting as well.] So, I'm going to go with Martha's suggestion of matelasse. I've ordered an inexpensive coverlet, and as soon as it arrives I hope to finish.

I've posted about the inspiration before.

As you can see, mine is very much like the model, in mostly pinks and whites. And I've picked out the best raspberry yarn to tie it with, but every binding tape I've found is a shade or two off. So I guess I'll be making my own.

A new dress

I have made a new dress for a dear friend. Yes, it is another Mary De. One of these days I'll venture out to another pattern, but for a Christmas gift I'm sticking with what I know. I did use a new plate, designed by my cyber smocking friend, Shannon. Here are her instructions. I absolutely love this design!! I am so pleased with how it turned out:
I didn't have room to finish with additional 1/2 step waves in gold and green as per the plate.

Look at these great buttons!

Overall, I am quite pleased with this--it may be my favorite one yet. Sadie's birthday dress is the most sentimental, but it certainly wasn't made quite as well as this one. Practice makes perfect, though this is far from perfect. I did however, get some French seams in this. I also had to contend with an idiotic 3/4 inch selvage, on a fabric that wasn't a full 45" width to begin with. Fortunately, in this toddler size, that doesn't matter much.

Here is a shot of the inside: hand-hemmed lining and the french seam.

Sadie's Dollhouse

My first holiday gift project, completed in November, is a little fabric dollhouse for Sadie. This great pattern is from this tutorial. I just love this little house! And I'm not ashamed to admit that mine is almost piece for piece like UK Lass'. I thought hers was so perfect, mine is almost identical except for an extra window inside.

It is quite small, only 6 inches wide. I've had some trouble finding a little doll and furniture to go in it, but finally scored with a Fisher Price My First Dollhouse bed and chair. I'll post more pictures with the gift recipient after Christmas!

Yes, I'm here :)

I haven't reported in lately, but I have been doing a little sewing. This summer, I completed a quilt top for Sadie. It is based on a memory quilt from an old issue of Martha Stewart Kids.

This is the inspiration photo:

The blocks are made of our favorite clothes from her first year. I still have to back it, but that will wait until the first of the new year. I've been working on a couple of Christmas presents lately...

Pillowcase

Some friends and I are going to try our hands at pillowcase dresses.

And, I just won these from eBay! $10.54 shipped. I don't know that I would have paid that in a store, but you know how it is: Win Victoriously. You sort of get carried away.

Not only that, but I am contemplating some "S" monogrammed pillowcases that will probably be closer to $15. They'd make a cute dress too, but they might just stay on a bed for Sadie. Does that price justify buying a machine that can do embroidery??

Which reminds me, I once embroidered a monogram by hand. It is the lace handkerchief I carried at my wedding. My "something blue". Not bad, but I like crisp, clean machine monograms better.

Stuff for Jackson

Jackson is my little second cousin and will turn one in September. This is an Ellen McCarn panel I smocked for him:

Like the one for Sadie, I was afraid to attempt the bubble, so I gave the panel and fabric and notions to my aunt who had the outfit completed. It was given before he was born and completed shortly thereafter.

And here is a pair of cute little shoes for Jackson. He and his mommy and daddy like dogs!