Kids Clothes Week!

*image from kidsclothesweek.com*

I was hoping and wishing that I would have time to participate in Kids Clothes Week this year.  I usually sit back and watch all the beautiful things everyone is posting.  This year, I decided, I'm all in!  And I am so pleased that I have been squeezing it into our fairly busy schedule.  It just happens to be the week that we have  no parties or anything!  :) SCORE!

Really, the goal is to sew for kids (yours or someone else's) for an hour each day this week.  Whether that means you only get something cut out and started or you finish multiple items. 

So my day one project actually got completed ALMOST in day one.  I really wanted to take my time and not rush through it to see how much I could accomplish this week.  I want the things I am making to be special and really show time and effort.  Because that's what makes sewing worth it, I think. 

I chose to make The Sweetheart Dress from Very Shannon.  I have had this in my "want to sew" pile for quite some time now.  Then, the perfect situation arose.  Not only is it Kids Clothes Week, but we are celebrating Allie's birthday on February 15th.  Her party will be Valentine theme.  Ummm, couldn't get better.  So I went to JoAnn's and found fabric to go along.  I love it.  Red and grey but not hearts or too Valentine like.

It is similar to the Geranium dress except this has a fun surprise on the back.

A heart cut out!  How cute is that??  And perfect for a Valentine's party!  

I mean seriously!  So cute!!  I just need to put the button on it where that needle is.  I am going to attempt a fabric covered button in the grey lining fabric.  I will also add a flower embellishment on the front waist as well.  But I'm saving those little details for the weekend.  

The skirt is enclosed in the lining so there are no itchy seams, one of my favorite features.  If a pattern has this feature I am almost certain to buy it!  

I am so excited to take her 3 year old pictures in it!  

Day Two for Kids Clothes Week was also successful!  I'll post about that tomorrow!  :)  

Are you joining in the sewing festivities?  What are you making?

A Geranium Dress

I LOVE sewing.  And I especially love sewing when I don't have a specific deadline to finish a project. (Like Christmas presents) Our neighbor JUST had a baby girl.  She came early, before her shower even!  I'm working on a little present for the shower.  I like to make something and get something off the registry.  Even if the thing off the registry is super small like a paci.  I LOVED my showers, and everything I got from them but I was always a little bummed that most the stuff I received was stuff not on my registry.  

The Geranium Dress pattern from Made By Rae is one of my go to patterns for dresses (also an option to make it a top). You have two size groups to choose from when you buy, 0-5T or 6-12!  Yep, all the way up to 12! They were the girls Easter dresses last year and they have gotten PLENTY of wear since then.  

Back on to the topic.  Baby girl!  I made her a little Geranium for summer time in size 6-12 months.  I made the version with a slight cap sleeve. 

It's one of my go to patterns because of how quick it sews up.  I usually cut the fabric out in the evening and sew up the bodice, then the next morning finish it up with the skirt and buttons.  Done and done.

One of my favorite parts of the pattern is how well the inside seams are finished.  I chose a black and white polka dot just to have some interest for the inside.  :) 

See?  No raw edges hanging out to bother sensitive little bodies.  They are all tucked into the lining.  Perfect!

I also really liked the bigger buttons.  Gives it a little extra pop of color!

It's different fabric than I would normally pick but I love how it came out.  I think I will add a little flower pin to it to help brighten it up some.  Or leave it.  I'm still up in the air about it.  :)  

My other favorite thing to make for little baby girls are these really sweet baby sun bonnets.  So that's next up on the sewing list.  It's another pattern from Rae, you can get it here.

And that's a great little handmade shower gift.