"Fall" sewing is probably a bit of a misnomer considering that temperatures are still regularly in the mid-90s here in Texas. It'll probably be close to November before we get even close to what I consider to be fall temperatures, but I digress. It's hard to believe it's been more than 2 months since my last post. We took a long vacation for most of July and I've been playing catch-up ever since. I also am STILL tweaking my long-promised nap mat tutorial (my punishment for being OCD), but I promise to get it up one of these days, probably when no one will really need it anymore. :P
In any case, I did make not one, but two nap mats this year; one for E and one for her bff. They are actually attending the same school this year, so they'll get to spend a lot more time together.
![photo](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4923920171_2818375d50_z.jpg)
I made the initial mistake of cutting both mats to the same dimensions as E's old one, not accounting for the fact that the kids have grown quite a bit in the last year. Doh. To compensate, I ended up adding a separate, detachable pillow, which I think actually worked out rather well.
![photo](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4924513996_50af782e30_z.jpg)
![photo](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4924515100_350faf5a6d_z.jpg)
I also had a couple commissions recently for new items, one for a friend's son, and the other for another mommy. First up was a cheerleader costume for a woman who was looking for something more authentic-looking (and modest) than the standard "sexy cheereleader" costumes you find in most shops. I had never made anything like this before, but I rather enjoyed the challenge. I used a pattern I picked up at Jo-Ann for pretty cheap, with very few modifications other than to add a few inches to the hemlines and some short sleeves to the shell.
![photo](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4923921603_fb72274577_z.jpg)
I wish I'd had a chance to take a picture of her trying it on. It looks much better on than it does laying on my floor. I love that style of pleated skirt and I'm thinking about making a miniature version for E now.
Next up is my first boys' clothing item and first button-down shirt. I absolutely adore this airplane fabric, so I was super excited when a friend of mine requested I make her son a shirt out of it.
![photo](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4924517366_84f4e50fcc_z.jpg)
Sewing the collar on took me forever to get right, as the pattern directions were horrendous, but after my friend, Jacki, pointed me toward this tutorial with a video, I finally figured it out.
After all that, I decided to sew something just for fun. I settled on a simple little tunic/dress out of a Japanese sewing book (Pochee Natural and Layered Style) that my cousin picked up for me in Japantown. It's pretty much just a front, a back, and an elasticized pocket, with pintucks and binding. Except for having to make the binding, it was a pretty quick little project. I think it turned out super cute!
![photo](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4924518048_e10ac7633b_z.jpg)
I had a pretty large scrap of fabric leftover after making this, so I decided to make one for E's baby doll too. I scaled down the pattern pretty much just by eyeballing it, so it's not quite right (too big around the neck), but I don't think she'll complain. ;)
![photo](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4923991267_4bd869e37d_z.jpg)
Here they are together, hee! In the book, it's worn as a tunic, layered over a sleeved top and some leggings, but E wore it as a short dress.
![photo](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4923990583_8c1afe8734_z.jpg)
1 comment:
The nap mats turned out great... even if they are a little short. The pillow extension is brilliant. And love the little tunic at the end of the post! SO cute!
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