Think Spring (or, early retirment in Florida)

Update:  I've added some pictures of my daughter wearing the jacket at the bottom of the post.  Definitely looks better than expected-- maybe it's a keeper after all!

You know when you have a vision for something, and then the end result turns out a little bit....different?  That's how I feel about this project.  The first item on my KCW checklist was the Lily Knit Blazer from Peek-A-Boo Patterns.  I had been ogling this pattern since it was released this past fall, and was glad to finally have an excuse to sit down and make it for my two year old daughter.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I planned on using some turquoise jersey for the main part of the jacket and then a yellow floral for the accent pieces.  That is, until I remembered that I had this in my stash:

A beautiful, bright, spring-like floral that I bought on clearance at Hobby Lobby a few months ago.  And since it's January, and I live in the Midwest, something bright and cheery sounded like a good idea.

That is, a good idea if you want your two year old to blend in to a retirement community in Florida.  So, here it is:

  
I'm thinking of making some pink polyester pants to match.

In all seriousness, it's a really cute pattern, and I think it has a lot of potential. I think the print and color combination turned out to be a little over-the-top, but may be able to be salvaged if I remove the pockets for a cleaner look.  There is also the possibility that it will look much better on her tomorrow morning in the daylight, rather than on the hanger at midnight. 

 But anyway...my favorite part of it is the ruffled panel in the back, which can be seen here:

My daughter is sometimes a 3T/sometimes  a 4T, so I made the size 4 to have a little bit of wiggle room.  But there seems to be a lot of wiggle room already built in to the pattern, to the point that I had to take off 3.5 inches off of the sleeves.  I included the optional princess seams, which helps give it a more tailored look, but omitted the piping.

Overall, a good pattern.  I'll try to take some pictures of my daughter wearing it tomorrow to see if that improves the look.  And I'd love to have some second opinions!


Updated photos:

Bueller?  Bueller?  Bueller?

Starting a new blog makes me feel a little bit like Ben Stein in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off":  it's hard to know if anyone is actually out there listening.  But this is an exciting new adventure, and I can't wait to get started!

So....Kid's Clothing Week is January 27th through February 2nd, and there's no time like the present to plan, right?!  It's a good thing we started our planning (relatively) early, because I felt like it took me a looooong time to decide (it really didn't, but I was being indecisive, so it felt longer than it actually was).  Here was my problem:  There are a lot of fantastic patterns out there.  And I have a lot of wonderful fabric.  And KCW only lasts, well, a week.  So it was hard to narrow down the patterns and the fabric and be realistic about what I can actually do in a week.  But, I think I finally made up my mind (although I reserve the right to change my mind at any time, including but not limited to, the week of KCW).  Here's what I'm thinking:

Lily Knit Blazer by Peek-A-Boo Patterns

I'm planning on using some turquoise jersey knit that I picked up at a thrift store last summer.  It was $5 for three yards, it's hard to beat that price.  The yellow floral cotton was a hand-me down fabric, and I think it will make a nice contrast for the waistband and cuffs.  I'm not sure yet if I'll do the princess seams, I'm not impressed by the pictures I've seen where the piping becomes very wavy.  So that feature is TBD.

   
The Geranium Dress by Made by Rae

I love Made by Rae patterns-- but really, who doesn't?  They are quality patterns that are fairly simple, but also have the possibility of lots of variations.  The sizing is roomy, without being too large. If I make one of her patterns, I don't have to worry about my daughter outgrowing it in two weeks.   Last May I made a Geranium dress with flutter sleeves, and I think it's about time for another one.  The time I'm thinking about including the cap sleeves and the front notch, just to spice things up a bit.  I definitely live on the wild side....  I found the pink heart fabric on the clearance rack at Joann's last week, it was an additional 50% off, so only $3 a yard.  It's a nice medium weight cotton, it will be perfect for the dress.  I haven't decided yet whether I'll do the bodice in the purple background fabric or if I'll do it all in the hearts.   Another element that I appreciate about this design is that it is just as cute with a long-sleeve tee underneath.  Since we live in the Midwest and it will be cold for at least another 4-5 months, I appreciate the versatility of a pattern than can be worn year-round.


The Josephine Dress by Violette Field Threads

 I've eyed the Violette Field Threads patterns for a while now, but this will be the first one I've made.  I think many of their designs are on the frillier side, which I occasionally like (it's like a food craving, every once in a while I just want to make my daughter something really girly and frilly, even though it's not my style, and once I do, the craving is gone!)   For KCW I plan on making the long-sleeve dress with the ruffle along the button placket.  I was recently given six or seven yards of quilting-weight toile in a rose color, and it seems like it would be perfect for this classic style dress.  I am indecisive on what color to use for the belt-- a contrasting color, something similar, dark, light?  What do you think? 


 And finally,  The Lucille Top by Shwin Designs

Shwin Designs has patterns with a very contemporary feel--- not many ruffles here.  The Lucille Top is one of their newer patterns, and it's an interesting twist on the basic tee.  I really like the look of their designs, but the one pattern I made previously (the Pepper Pinafore and Cami)  had sizing issues.  So I'm a little apprehensive of their other patterns, but because I love the look, I'm going to give it a second chance.  Hopefully because this is a knit instead of a woven it will be a little more forgiving in terms of the size.  This project is going to be an upcyle/recyle project.  The bottom half will made made out of an old royal blue t-shirt, and the top will be made of of some eyelet knit that was given to me by my grandmother.  Depending on where how low the v-shape falls on her, my daughter may have to wear a cami under it. 

So those are my plans, we'll see where KCW takes me!