Just a Little Trip Back in Time, Just in Time to Go Back to School

The Fourth of July may have been just over a week to go, but for a mom who only has so many sewing hours in her day, the return of the school year is just around the corner. We'll still make our big back to school shopping trip, like so many other parents, but the fashions marketed towards 10 year old girls aren't always what this mom is comfortable with.

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They say are children are what they see, and with my love of vintage fashion designs for myself, it was only a matter of time before the Blonde decided she too needed some vintage style. With the help of a friend, three dress patterns and a full slip pattern were found, Blonde approved, and now the  fabulous fabric hunt has begun.

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The slip with be from a polyester satin with trims, so that clothes will drape easily and not ride up. The black plaid dress pictured on the pattern cover just screams wool suiting, perfect for fall when paired with knee high socks and tights in the chill of winter.

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The sketch in red will look lovely with a white cotton lace collar and in bright linen florals, minus the ribbon details pictured.  I'm certain we'll manage hidden pockets in the full skirt, perfect for keeping notes passed from friends and special treasures.

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Another pattern where the sketch in red is the plan, this dress will be made in a fun (to be determined) cotton, perfect for lots of play on the playground and a little learning in the classroom. The big pockets immediately drew the Blonde's eye, and she's eager to find the perfect fabric.

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Not so much for the Blonde, but the Mom requires a little back to school sewing for herself as well, and view B in the watercolor linen will be a fun frock!

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My goal is to blog each dress as it comes together, so stay tuned to see fabrics turned to frocks, ready for another wonderful year of making new friends and filling eager minds with knowledge!

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Sack Lunch Design Time

I'm mixing up some homemade guacamole and fresh mango salsa for school lunches this week

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It's going to be a tasty week with spinach salad topped with fresh strawberries, yellow summer squash, slivered almonds, a boiled egg and feta

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Toasted seaweed rolls filled with carrots, sweet orange peppers & avocado are served with a side of sweet and sour veggies & rice

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There will be rice pudding made with almond milk for a dessert treat one day

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Bakery rolls are filled with ham, avocado, spinach & smoked gouda

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Piles of fresh veggies and fruit accompany every meal

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And to finish off the menu plan, we made corn dog muffins. The Brawn spent more than 20 minutes begging to taste them. All of them. Stinker

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It might seem like a lot of work. Maybe a little insane to prep five days worth of lunches all in one afternoon, but in reality, it took a total of less than 2 hours to organize and make our collection of happy little meals. And, really, I wouldn't trade our Sunday afternoon lunch making time for anything. Because for 2 hours, I spend time with my two oldest kidlets, talking about goals, the current books they're reading, laughing at bad jokes, and building a strong love of healthy foods that they will carry with them through life.

 

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Insanity

I worked 10 hours today. Actually, it was a little over 10, but hey, who's counting?

The Dad was Super Dad, while I was off sewing sequins and tulle. He called the insurance company about the roof, played with the Brawn, attempted yard work (but kept getting rained out), helped the Brain & the Blonde with their school work, and then he made homemade turkey burgers, brussell sprouts and noodles. Which doesn't seem like that big of a deal to some, but when you work hard all day, pull in the draveway, and the wonderful man you married is manning the grill, cooking you up a fresh turkey burger & the Dog races to greet you, life couldn't possibly get any better.

Alas, Kids Clothes Week Challenge is in it's 4th day, and, despite the long day, the sewing machine sat in wait, ready for action. I took my time, stopping to google Route 66 Wigwam Motel and my e-mail, and at long las, I had a completed result.

Oliver +s Tea Party Sunsuit

Reproduction feedsack & 100% cotton

Kids Clothes Week Challenge, Day 3

I'm a little shocked with myself.

I did it!

I finished 2 more projects! This brings my completed total to 5, which isn't too shabby for 3 days. Which is especially nice since I work 9am to 7pm tomorrow. Not sure if anything will actually be finished tomorrow, but I will try.

I'm pretty pleased with today's results:

Oliver +s  Hopscotch Skirt

100% cotton

Oliver +s Class Picnic Shorts

Charcoal wool suiting blend

And now, it's off to bed to dream!

Elsie Marley, You're Killing Me.

Have you ever heard of Kids clothes Week Challenge? It's the brain child of Elsie Marley, sewing blogger extroidenair. The goal is to sew one hour a day, for one week, on clothes for your kids.

Sound easy?

It's not.

I mean, sure, you would think that your kids, husband, dog, cat, job, neighbor, friend, phone & life  would leave you alone for one hour to sew in peace, right?

Pft.

And, as it stands, this week is Kids Clothes Sewing Challenge, and my week was booked full before I even knew the challenge was to be. It's prom season, which means I work 3 days. The Blonde has dance class on Monday evening. The church is hosting a drama filled presentation for kids Sunday-Wednesday, and the Brain wants to be there. I volunteer in the kitchen at church on Wednesday evenings. The Brawn's fourth birthday is the 29th. There are uniform pants needed back to their owners before May 1st. Oh, and lets just throw in regular old life.

I am, clearly, nuts.

Because, while I didn't get a chance to sew yesterday (day 1), I made up for it today (day 2).

I give you, the results Kids Clothes Weeks Challenge, Days 1 & 2:

Oliver +s Ice Cream Social Top

made with blue corderoy and Lissett lawn

Oliver +s Class Picnic Shorts

made with purple tweed

Oliver +s Lazy Days Skirt

made with JoAnn's clearance fabric

Won't you join us? It's not too late!

April Has Been Sew Crazy!

Where am I when I'm not blogging? I'll give you a hint:

Did you guess sewing? Sewing machine collecting?

If you guessed both, you're right.

I currently own 17 full & 3/4 size vintage machines, 1 toy machine, and oodles of vintage & antique sewing gadgets. I'd be remiss if I owned that many, but never put them to good use, right?

Right.

And this past month, the entire month of April, I have certainly been following thru with the requirements of a good sewing machine owner.

Easter was the first order of business. The Blonde needed a dress, of course, *I* needed a dress (every year I say this, this year, I made it happen), and something for the Brains and the Brawn.

Oliver +s Family Reunion Dress

Vintage Vogue 2960

Actually, my grandmother made the Brawn  his overalls, but I had to alter them to actually fit him. The downside of living over a thousand miles apart. She used a vinatge pattern that she used for my dad, which I think is very cool.

Unfortunately, I ran out of time/ideas for the Brain, but I had scored him these really cute shorts at Gymboree back in January during the Red Balloon sale, and paired with a yellow polo, he looked fantastic. Dog agreed.

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The second order of business, the Blonde grew. Taller. So she needed some clothes for spring/summer/fall. I made a few things.

Oliver +s Puppet Show Bloomer Shorts

Oliver +s Family reunion Dress with Vintage Buttons

Oliver +s 2+2 Blouse with Button Detail

Oliver +s 2+2 Blouse

Oliver +s Class Picnic Blouse

Oliver +s School Photo Dress

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The third order of business? Me. Mama needed some cute dresses for church and work. And, really, doesn't a fabulous dress make everyone feel amazing?

Both made with Vintage Vogue 8789 and pictured with my crinoline to show off the fullness of the fabulous skirts.

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So, there you have it. Well, this and all the wedding and prom at work, but really, this is what you want to see anyway, right?

And now, tomorrow is the start of Kids clothes Week Challenge, so you know what that means. More sewing! Just for kids. Stay tuned for (hopefully) daily updates.

'T' is for Thursday & the Third Day of Vintage Fun

I won't lie, this is my favorite:

The adorable details factor is just too much!  From the rope belt with braided balls to the quilled fabric design at the tiny pocket on the bodice to the box pleats to the lovely teal color of the cotton, there isn't really anything not to love!  even the armholes feature piping.  This dress was made for the Boston Store of Erie, PA in the 1960's.  I imagine it wasn't a cheap dress.  That, or the quality of commercial clothing has went completely down hill.  Or maybe a combo of both.

I won the pink pearl drop earrings in an auction to benefit Sam Sartin.  Ello Poppet designed, made & donated the pretty pair.

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Day 2: Lacy's Vintage Closet Goes to Work!

This number is 100% breathable cotton with matching belt in a black & white leaf sillouette pattern.  Late 50's, the front of the skirt is box pleated, while the back of the skirt's box pleats are less crisp and more gathered.

I thought I looked pretty sharp!

Pearls by my very sweet husband

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What I Raided Out of Lacy's Vintage Closet, Day One

I'm working 4 days this week, while my fellow seamstress is off visiting her grandbabies.  Four days in a row of work equals four days of fabulousness, courtesy of Lacy!

Today's treat is a fun yellow & orange number from the early 1960's

Scrumptious!

(Not bad for a 9 year old photographer, huh?)

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What I Wore to Work Today

My twin sister in a previous life, Lacy, has a vintage clothes fetish.  Sort of like my vintage sewing machine fetish.  But wearable.

Back in March, I didn't have the money for an Easter dress.  I had also lost quite of chunk of stubborn weight.  Enter Lacy and her collection.

"Can you fit this?"

It fit.  It better than fit, it hugged.

In fact, it made me feel beautiful, something I needed desperately at that moment in my life and I begged her to let me have it.

We came to an agreement.

1960's pink linen sheath dress with a tatted lace collar & mock snakeskin peep toe pumps in pale pink

I love the shaping details in liu of darts.  It really seems to give the dress a little something more than what you would expect.  I get complimented like crazy everytime I wear it.

A beautiful dress.  I pink puffy heart it.

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