Simple Woman's Daybook

For Monday, July 28, 2008

Outside My Window... The big maple tree swaying in the wind.

I am thinking...that I am tired (from cleaning the kitchen), and that I should get the raspberry bars out of the oven soon.

I am thankful for...the ability to BREATHE! I'm also thankful that our van is now in working order.

From the kitchen... ack! my raspberry-nut bars! ...ah, yes, finally, safe from the oven

I am wearing...my sister's pink t-shirt, and black sports capris.

I am creating... more like I should be creating 3 summer skirts from the material that I've bought.

I am going...to practice violin... when I finish this.

I am reading... Anne of Windy Poplars.

I am hoping... to have time to come up with a suitable plot for a 50,000 word novel within the week.

I am hearing...air conditioner, Kara's sewing machine, & my brothers discussing where to next place the pet tarantula.

Around the house...it's clean! wow! :D

One of my favorite things... dancing... I haven't done that in a while.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: the aforesaid plot, work at the Farmers Market, violin lesson, and ...hoping for some serious progress on learning the guitar.

Here is picture I am sharing... nothing this week.

Thanks to the Simple Woman for hosting the Monday daybook!

Pattern Review: Itty Bitty Baby Dress

It really is itty bitty! Designed for preemies or small newborns, it almost looks like a doll dress.
The pattern, available for free from Rae, is super simple to sew, and great fun to customize. My only addition to her instructions would be a recommendation to use French seams--it looks so much nicer.

The inspiration to make these dresses came from my mom, who wanted me to use up some of our fabric stash. (think DE-CLUTTER!!) Some of them may end up as gifts, but my favorites are going straight to the Hope chest. :)

These two were trimmed with piping and bias tape, as suggested on the pattern.

Here I got a little more creative, adding an underskirt of lace to the one on the left, and trimming the hem with lace and sewing an applique to the bodice of the one on the right.

This one is my favorite, because of its vintage look. :)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Monday, July 21, 2008

Outside My Window... The morning sun lighting up our patio trellis.

I am thinking...many things. Most recently, that I need to figure out my shopping list for Walgreens.

I am thankful for...my littlest brother. He just turned 11, and is a joy to my heart. We've spent many happy hours reading stories aloud.

From the kitchen...my mom made crepes this morning. Topped with whipped cream and strawberries.

I am wearing...A yellow knit dress with coral flowers, sunflower/gingham apron and blue kerchief on my head: It's cleaning day at our house!

I am creating...a plan for sewing some summer clothes.

I am going...nowhere today. I love it!

I am reading...Power Through Prayer, by E. M. Bounds

I am hoping...to work on my memory verses (Psalm 2:6-8) before Bible study tonight.

I am hearing...the "thunka-thunka" sound of our washer in spin cycle.

Around the house...it smells like vinegar. Courtesy one of my healthful cleaning recipes. :)

One of my favorite things...listening to messages on my MP3 player while I work. Today I'll finish one by Douglas Wilson on "Christ in our Calling"

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Working. Planning the upcoming school year for my siblings.

Here is picture I am sharing...

Some poppies at a Dallas Arboretum, taking sometime in March.

Thanks to the Simple Woman for hosting the Monday daybook! I think it will be a fun feature for our blog. It has helped me think about some of the small things that might otherwise be missed in the business of life.

Journey to a Blouse

I wanted to make a blouse. Either Regency (Empire line) or a peasant blouse; but I had no material, and no idea what kind of material I wanted. After a day of work at the Farmers Market we (Kara, Matthew, and I) made a trip to the fabric store. After picking out several batiks for some skirts, I made my way to the clearance section, and on a whim, grabbed a bright, green material with yellow embroidery-- it had possibilities (especially for $2 a yard). After reducing the numerous rolls of fabric I had picked up along the way, to a petty few, (a pink with brown splatters, a lavishly colored one, and the green), I had them cut. I distinctly remember the “cutting lady” saying ‘I can tell you like color’. Oh yes, indeed, I love color!

After considering, I set my heart on an Elizabethan blouse, McCalls 2293. Of course that wasn’t my original plan, but…flexibility is the key, is it not?

As Kara helped my lay out my fabric and pattern pieces, we soon discovered that there just wasn’t enough fabric for the blouse. Ok, time for Plan B— a peasant blouse, McCalls 2608. I was sure of what I wanted now; it had to be longer than “normal” shirts, and ruffles along the neckline and the short sleeves were a must. That meant pattern alterations. Simple alterations, but alterations none the less; we added 2 inches to the neckline, 2 inches to each of the sleeves, and 7 inches to the bottom edge.

It was the easiest pattern I’ve ever sewn. Even with the small alterations. For the ruffles I turned under about a ¼ inch on the neckline, sewed it, and then followed the instructions for the neckline, only I sewed the bias casing an inch from the edge! Hence, a neckline ruffle. Ditto for the sleeves. I finished it within the afternoon.

I am very happy with the result. A few things I’d do differently next time: make the slit in the sides bigger (I only did about 3in), make the sleeves a little longer (about elbow length) and in order to do that, I’d need to alter the underarm to make it fit right. But overall? I really like it… I’d like to make some more.