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The new serger is working- I am up and running! I practiced a few stitches and made a few small items…the first thing I made was a simple pair of jammie bottoms for Flo. And then I made matching pairs for the boys. It’s definitely something to get used to – a machine with knives right next to my finger tips (!) as well as having to use two separate machines to make something (I need my regular machine for hems). But it is So. Much. Fun!
Making the kimono top takes much less time, because I don’t have to treat every seam twice. And the finished product is nice and flat without any bulky intersections.
Incidentally – a great pick-me-up when I’m down: A visit from my Mom and Sister! It started with the afternoon off work, a beautiful day, and Neko Case blaring with the windows down & sunroof open on my way to the airport. Wheee! It was a perfect weekend to celebrate my Mom’s birthday. I also managed to get a few more clothing requests out of my sister, one of which is this little long-sleeved version of the kimono top. I doubled the length of the short sleeves in the pattern, and added another 1/2″ for the elastic cuff. The fabric is Deer Valley by Joel Dewberry from Westminster Fibers, and both the fabric pattern and colors are 100% Flo.
It’s tricky to find motivation and enthusiasm when a part of me is experiencing deflated resignation. But, persevere we must. I can’t even process the last month, and again I have that sinking feeling of time moving way too fast. Another birthday will be here before I know it, and another year will have passed in what felt like 3 months, and the weight of it all will stress me to no end.
Sometimes I think I need to do MORE, and plan more. Other times I think I need to SLOW DOWN and just enjoy the moment. I guess it’s an ongoing journey. In the meantime, between discovering a disgusting leak from our washing machine drain behind a wall, I won this little beauty on eBay for $250. I’ve never experienced an auction on eBay, and it was a nail biter. That was 2 weeks ago – I had to go buy thread to figure out how to use it, and then I had get over my fear of opening the box. I have been wanting a serger for.ever. and yet I couldn’t bring myself to tear open the box. Go figure. But I practiced all day today and have big plans for these fabrics and a little three year old.
ps…. the kimono wrap pattern is coming. Learning the new software program and having to start all over with pattern layout in the midst of everything else going on has been a little, well, lacking.
The pattern is already under revision thanks to a helpful reader and fellow sewist! The dimensions needed a little modification on the lengths, and possibly some more. Soon, soon….
I’ve charted the sizes for the little wrap dress. It will be available in sizes 12months – 5years. Now I need to make some test sizes in the range, and make sure the extrapolated sizes work. I was considering another option for this pattern and would love some input: I want to make three sleeve options – short, 3/4 and flutter- but that will take some additional time to sort out. If the pattern were for sale (in lieu of free) with three sleeve options, would you buy it (for a very nominal fee)? Or is part of the allure that the patterns are free?I won’t be offended, I’m just curious.
Third mock-up; I think I have it. Distilled to dimensions I can explain in a diagram and instructions I can convey. Now the hard part…. writing the pattern. I currently only have the size 3 figured out. The next step is the scale it up and down into a manageable size range. Then I may make the largest and smallest sizes in the range to make sure I’m on the right track, adjust the pattern again as required, and then give it a final proof.
I’m going to do a little giveaway of some bias binding! It’s the binding pictured here, I had enough of the fabric left to make (2) 60″ pieces and I’m giving one away (plus two small pieces to make the ties of a kimono). The fabric is 100% cotton, a dark red background with dark pink polka dots. Leave a comment here by, oh let’s say Tuesday afternoon- and I will do the random number thing!
Another mock-up of the wrap dress. This time I tried a narrow bias binding on the sleeve edge. It looks lovley, but it’s a bit fussy.
I went a little nuts when I found this linen in the store. I was crazy about the color (so nuts I left the selvage on the hem because it was the perfect embellishment), but disappointed that there was less than 3/4 yard left on the bolt. I bought it anyway, never sure what I could make for myself with 3/4 yard. Turns out you can easily make a size 3 kimono sundress and have plenty leftover for some bias binding (for future projects).
This version lead to yet another idea for the sleeves, one that simplifies the pattern even more. So stay tuned….
ETA:
The dotty fabric is available here (note: I’ve never purchased from from that shop). It’s called Windham Fabric “Harmony”, then the rest of the selvage is cut off. The linen fabric is very similar to this one.
I’ve received numerous requests since I released the kimono pattern for a sleeveless or sundress modification. I haven’t really mocked up a version I liked until Jules requested one for Floria (that’s the power she has…) during their visit last month. I played with the pattern a bit, lengthening it and changing the proportions to suit the form of a dress, and came up with this. I like the tiny cap sleeves in lieu of a sleeveless version, and the cut is slightly A-line, which I think will look cute with little sandals or leggings if it’s a bit cooler outside. I still need to refine how the sleeves attach, perhaps simplifying the idea and adding a new download…
It’s really hard finding summer fabrics for boys. I love prints, but the vast majority of fabrics lean heavily to the girly side of things. On one hand it’s great because I always find great prints for Floria:
On the other hand, the boys don’t end up with a whole lot of handmade goods (in comparison to Flo). But I found these fabrics recently….
Okay, so that last one I actually used to make Floria jammie bottoms, but I think the colors could go either way. The 100% cotton fabrics are available here (many more boy colors available). They definitely have a retro feel, like those funky short sleeve shirts hipster guys wear with tight, black, skinny jeans. Normally you have to be careful when buying shirting fabrics, as often times they are a cotton/poly blend, which in my opinion is not only slippery but also just not as nice to touch nor does it wick away summer sweat. But these cotton Maverick yarn dyed fabrics are nice and light, perfect for summer projects!
