The Sun Dress Endevours: Comedy of Errors. . . by Duck Momma



Two of the three vintage sewing machines that kicked off our sewing party. 1961 missing a bobbin shuttle. 1968 jammed. 1980 something actually functioning!



Trying to sew in lining that matched the actual material. . . not the best plan

Fussing with the flounce the FIRST  time. . .

Dressed with room to spare

So pretty! And absolutely HUGE. Guess its off with the flounce and back to the cutting board . Time to remeasure and stitch. A seam ripper is a girls best friend (maybe not best. . . how about handy acquaintance?)

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So you Sew? The Sun Dress Endevours by Duck Momma

As I'm writing this I am working on the first of six little dresses for Goose. Making her little dresses for this summer seemed like a brilliant plan, I used to sew with my mom. They are just little dresses, how hard could it be?

What a silly question?!

I'm here to report, it is not easy! Somewhere between muttering as I rip out yet another seam and poke my finger with a needle I began to wonder what made this seem like such a good plan. I know the patterns are cute and the fabric is adorable. . . but there are made dresses out there. All sewed up and everything! ( I was shocked at how much it was to make a dress, you really don't save anything. And we got all the supplies at 40% off)

But yesterday as I put the gathers of the skirt in oh so slowly and looked down at the little dress that my little girl would wear, I remebered exactly why I wanted to do this. This little dress will be adorable for this summer (and maybe next judging from the size) but I'm making it for her. Just for her and maybe someday years and years from now when we sort through her memorable  things, I will be able to tell her those dresses where made by her momma (with grandma's help) just for her.

So with renewed passion, I press (yay puns) on one stitch at a time. And lucky you will just get to sit back and watch! Or maybe start your own little project? I promise, it will be sew worth it. . .

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Upcycle project 2: Mmm Strawberries by Duck Momma

I am so excited about this project.  I love strawberries. Not only are they one of my favorite foods, but they always inspire a feeling of summer and family. My mom and I pick strawberries every year and spend a day making the most amazing freezer jam. (I will be coming back to this closer to strawberry time, it will be little Goose's first year!) It has always been special to me.

These adorable little berries are made from a pair of pajamas that had a worn hole in the toe. I couldn't fix the hole but I saw a whole (yay puns!) new opportunity. Not only do I love the berries as I mentioned, I love simple toys. I want Goose to learn about her world and use her imagination. I also love cooking and I want to share that with her. Finally we love The Very Hungry Caterpillar and I am working on tangible "food" to count and observe as he eats!

• So with all that inspiration I started out by cutting out all the whole strawberries. and trimming them up.
• Next I stitched them back to back using a blanket stitch, (thanks Tomato Momma!) and began stuffing.
• It was then just a matter of repeating until I was finished! And 9 berries later, I have a very happy baby.

They are squishy and easy to hold. She was so excited about them, talk about success! Her selection of felt and cloth food is growing and hopefully so is her mind! We have already had so much playing with these fun little bites, I can't wait for the next wave of inspiration.

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Quick Fix: Baby Britches by Duck Momma

Baby clothes are so sweet. I especially love the little outfits that look like 'real' pants. However my little one is the quintessential sweet chubby baby. Those adorable little thighs have so many cute rolls and dimples. I actually had a lady tell me she could just chew on her cheeks... that was a little strange. Anyway, I never expected to have such a challenge with clothes. Sizes vary as much as grown up clothes! So you can imagine my dismay when all the pants we bought her for Christmas were too tight to pull over those legs!

So I found a quick and easy solution to fix these tight front trousers.

- make a nice clean cut where the fly should be. If its not as clean as you like a couple blanket stitches are helpful.

- I then cut two small slits on each side creating a wide belt loopesque opening. The material shoul be double layered, so be careful to only slit through the top.

- Be sure to avoid snipping any elastic, that would be not so good.

- I then thread some pretty ribbon through the loops and around the back. Any ribbon you like or have is fine. I had a few different types about.

- The ribbon is removable for washing and also for reuse when she out grows these pants.

 

This is just one inexpensive and easy solution I found. There are certainly many options but I was quite pleased with the simplicity of this. Quick and easy!

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