I made this shirt using McCalls 3610. I changed the sleeves and the collar. The fabric was really inexpensive, so I experimented. Next time I will make it a little smaller overall. Yesterday I was at my mother's house we were looking through some of her trims and bias tapes. She had a whole collection from the 70's. There was so much orange and brown! I now have some, and can't wait to use it.

Morning at the Farmer's Market

Every Saturday morning we go to the Farmer's Market. It used to be a relaxing trip where I strolled along with Saga. Now she does not want to stroll, she wants to explore. This means she explores, and I chase after her. She only stops to listen to the bluegrass band. She loves music, and I swear she is a better dancer than I am. While she bops along to the music we eat freshly made tamales. Hope you all had a relaxing weekend.

Memories of Lavender

I used to live in Paris a lifetime ago. I enjoyed Paris, but I loved the French countryside. I would travel through the countryside during the harvest seasons amazed by the simple beauty of nature. Nothing would compete with the harvesting of lavender. Year after year I would go to the fields right before they were to be harvested, and I would be speechless. I have several postcards that I love looking at to remind me of the past. I think it would be fun to use them as inspiration for the clothing I make for Saga. When she wears this dress I will visit those fields again through memories.

Day Nine

Here is a new dress for Saga. I love the fabric. (I bought it on clearance, only $2.00 a yard.) This is how the blue dress should have looked if I had enough fabric. I much prefer the updated version. I am going to participate in the mini wardrobe challenge over at Creative Reveries. I better start finding some patterns. I only want to use fabric from my stash, so this really is going to be a challenge.

Day Eight

I took a dress of mine and some polka dots and turned them into a kimono top for Saga. You can find the pattern here. It was very easy, and enjoyable to make. I love the bold and colorful fabrics that Amy uses. I remembered this dress and thought I would be perfect for this project.

Thank you Amy for sharing.

Day Seven

Here is Saga wearing her new smock made from the pattern in Bend-the-Rules Sewing. She just woke up from a nap, and went looking for her water and came back with these lemons. I am working on the Simple Kimono from Habitual. I should have it ready for tomorrow.

Day Six

I have fabric envy. I constantly see the beautiful fabrics everyone uses and I know I just can't swing that right now. I support a family of three on a teacher's salary, you get the picture. But I am lucky enough to visit Joann's regularly with my 40% off coupon in hand, and I do so happily. I teach and live in the same neighborhood. When I visit our local Joann's several of the employees there have children at my school. These fine ladies have befriended me, and give me little perks. They hold aside remnants that they think I would like, they will offer to check back stock on patterns for me, and most importantly they do their best to entertain Saga in her least favorite store. (childhood karma coming back to get me) I always leave happy to have seen these women and to have another connection to our community. Connecting with your community in the Silicon Valley is not easy. In the end, I wish I was waiting for a huge order from Super Buzzy or Sew Mama Sew, but then I would miss my time spent with the ladies at Joann's.

Oh, and did I mention teachers get a 15% discount on everything.

Day Five

Starting in the fall I will be facilitating teacher trainings. I was thinking that I need some nice blouses to wear for these trainings. They have to be lightwight because I am going to be so nervous speaking in front of a large group. They also need to look like I put some effort into what I am wearing, know what I mean. So, I tried this pattern Simplicity 4112 BBW. I am happy with how it turned out, but I did change the sleeves. At first I sewed a gathered sleeve then changed my mind after I tried it on. They just seemed too puffy for me. I then just did a standard set in sleeve, and I feel more comfortable with that style. Feeling comfortable and confident in this shirt is what I am going for.

Day Four

I have to admit when it comes to sewing I am stubborn and a poor planner. This dress is meant to have a full gathered skirt. I did not have enough fabric, so I just made it a straight skirt. To tell you the truth I am not very fond of how it turned out, but I have created a purpose for this little aqua dress. It is perfect to pull over Saga's swimsuit after a swim. I swear I am going to start measuring the fabric first before I start cutting.

Day Three

I finished this pair of denim shorts for Saga. Making sure the rickrack was straight takes forever, there must be a better way than what I am doing. I am planning to make one more maybe with red rickrack. She figured out she could take off her own clothes today, and I know lots of fun is going to follow this discovery. Tomorrow I will go to San Francisco for the day. It will be one of the summer's Spare the Air days. All public transportation is free. Now if this could coincide with the SF Zoo free entrance day I would be set.

Day Two

I couldn't help myself . I made another BBW 3835 top. I It is made from chambray and two fat quarters. I just loved the way the two fabrics went together. I have experimented with different sleeve variations. (Here is the view of the back.)This top has short sleeves with ties. I have also made it with elbow length sleeves with ties. Every time I make one I think I don't like to do casing, but I love how forgiving casing is. I have at least one more of these tops in me. I made a blue gingham one and love it. I found some red gingham that would also work well.

I need to give another pattern a try.....

Day One

Last night I finished the shorts to go along with this little top. I used my own pattern. I made the top too big, but I just want to get some miles out of this fabric. I bought the fabric at the Alameda Flea Market. It was only $4.00 for the 2 yard piece. The vendor just opened a vintage fabric shop in San Francisco. (I am hoping to visit later this week.) I lined the top using one of my old button down shirts. I have enough of the gingham left to make a slightly larger pair of shorts later.

Off to a new routine

To celebrate the completion of another year teaching first grade I will sew my way through the summer. I plan to work on a piece of clothing each day. I will fight the urge to just use the same tried and true patterns. I already have a collection the ubiquitous BBW shirts. I want Saga to have clothes I have made for her. As a child almost all of my clothes were made by my mother, those clothes and memories of them are now almost entirely lost. This summer I will document what I make for Saga, a bon souvenir.