Fall Corduroy Skirt and Blouse

Back of the blouse. I used an older pattern about 2 years old. McCalls 5693.

Front of blouse. The fabric is a good quality batiste. Elastic gathers in the front and back.

Welted button holes. I made purple piping out of some scrap corduroy, so I decided welted button holes would be a good fit.


Back of the skirt. An Amy Liz original design. gathered with elastic in the back.

The front kind of has a German feel to it. The plaid reminds me of Celtic dress. The buttons are celtic knots. It was time consuming making the piping and button holes. She wears white tights with orange pumpkins on them. I have scraps of corduroy leftover from other projects I have made in the past. I am debating making something with them. Not sure what I would make.

I really do like the look of welted buttonholes. They add a quality to the garment that looks well made.

When I was a child, my mother used to say, "I am not buying that, I could make it, quickly". She never did make the item I was looking at but I get that she was noticing the quality and the price didn't match in her opinion.

On the other hand, I have seen garments priced so cheap sometimes that I purchase them because I know I could not make it for that low price.

Ignorance really is bliss. It makes shopping a little more challenging in some ways. Except the fabric store. It is a destination that I could stay in for hours on end. I mean, I could hire a babysitter just for the express purpose of hanging out in the fabric store. Meandering through the decorator fabrics, imagining curtains, upholstery, etc... Then, onto the pattern books and every kind of sewing, crochet, craft book on the shelves. Seriously, I have been so much that the staff knows my kid. They comment on how much she has grown. We have holiday greetings and smiles when I walk through the door.

The button wall holds me mesmorized. Tiny little plastic replicas of toys, flowers, trucks, fruit, and beautiful vintage reproductions...I just have to stand there and stare. The notion section, well, I adore anything that makes producing a project easier.

I am not a prolific quilter. I have made 2 quilts. They were crib quilts. Maybe I should post those if anyone is interested. Quilting is not an activity that holds my undivided attention. I sure admire anyone who has the dedication to create such a time consuming project.

Tulle and a Rose Girls Tunic

We love the Fancy Nancy books. She has a fantastic vocabulary already for 4, but reading really has added to it. Pretty much if it doesn't have sparkles or some show stopping appeal to it, my daughter won't wear it. She changes shoes several times a day. Sneakers have to have sparkle also.

In my adventures with knit fabric I am discovering its limits. After construction and washing, I look to see how well it holds up. She loves the tutu aspect of the skirt. The rick rack at the top I had leftover from a vacation bible school project years ago. I save lots of scraps like that. I experimented with the "lettuce leaf" edging with varigated serger thread, which I love. This was an original design, also. The knitwear rose was pretty easy, but sewn by hand. Sparkly seed beads added the final touch. It has held up to washing pretty well and is roomier than the tea time dress I featured yesterday.

There are some things I would like to change on the design if I make it again. I have been skimming over Don McCunn's book, " How to make sewing patterns". It is a great resource. Also, "Sewing with knits" by Connie Long. That book is fantastic. Great pictures, graphic illustrations of techniques, and a great source of tips and ideas. The beginning explains the different types of knits. Some of the knits fearured on ballerinas are so beautiful. It's a Taunton Press book and I love their sewing books. I will be doing a give away soon.... some books, I think.

Knitwear Tea Party Outfit

Knit is a wonderful, soft, easy care fabric. You don't need a serger to sew with knit. Although, I did use mine. I grabbed a small amount of a couple of cotton prints and designed an outfit without a commercial pattern. The knit I purchased was $12.99 a yard at Hancocks and I was informed it rarely ever goes on sale. There is a small percentage of spandex in this knit. I have skimmed over several pattern making books recently. I took measurements and set about coming up with a unique design. I am not thrilled with the leggings. they were too tight and I had to add extra fabric on the sides. Freezer paper appliques, glitter fabric paint, and hot fix crystals added some glitz to this girly outfit. Hot fix crystals are super easy but a little pricey in my opinion.

Lately I have been reading on serging techniques. I purchased a pile of books from a woman emptying her mother's sewing room. What a treasury of knowledge I bought for $50! She was really happy to see her mother's books in the hands of another sewing enthusiast.