Sewing: Blue Gingham Button Back Bateau (KCW Spring 2014)

Do you ever need a quick fix between big projects? I should be working on Easter dresses right now but I'm using Kids Clothes Week as an excuse to tie up a few loose ends instead, such as this blue gingham Button Back Bateau Neck Top.

I cut out this blouse for Audrey late last summer but didn't get to it and it seemed more suited for Spring anyway, so I pulled it out this week. Audrey helped pick the vintage buttons for the back. I love the pop of yellow.

I added some side vents, but other than that this is a straight sew of the button-back version of my Bateau Neck Top pattern. The button-back version is suitable for wovens!

I think this top is perfect for Audrey. Actually, I like it for myself too. When is "sew for yourself" week?

Pattern: Bateau Neck Top by Wee Muses

Vintage Buttons: Brizel Supplies

Necklace: Erica Lyons Creme Statement Necklace

Shorts: Target

Shoes: Salt Water Original Sandal in Gold

Sewing: Romantic Dresses for Three (KCW April 2014)

I am not always able to sync up my sewing and sharing with Kid's Clothes Week, but it looks like I've got something to show after all! Yippee! Of course it helped that I'd already sewn Audrey's Romantic Blouse (for Katy Dill's Sewing All 26) and Scarlett's Romantic Dress (to wear with her Winnie Shrug), so this was really about a Romantic Dress for Tess! (Nice rhyme, eh?)

I've been working on this pattern for a bit now (hoping for a May release) with a bunch of variations in the sleeves and lengths and even a bottom ruffle option, and as I am wont to do, I wanted to get all three girls dressed up and get some photos. Maybe because I relish the difficulty of coordinating the three and the fraction of shots that turn out and the incredible bliss I feel when I get one or two good ones!

It was nice to find this lush patch of periwinkle flowers to motivate me.  It goes so nicely with all of this Anna Maria Horner fabric. (Tess's addition is Field Study Fine Feathered in Denim Blue.)

Looks like Spring is truly here! 

Hope yours is off to a good start!

Sewing: Faux Leather and Fleece Bateau Neck Top

I have some looming deadlines I've created for myself: it's Spring of course, which means Easter is approaching, and a birthday for Audrey, along with big sewing expectations. And I've got a couple other project deadlines thrown in the mix. But, that shouldn't mean I can't dally in a just-for-fun project, now does it?

I have been wanting to add some (faux) leather accents to The Bateau Neck Top, and thought it would be a great pairing with sweatshirt fleece. (And a bunch of other fabrics such as sweater knit or boucle or boiled wool or a medium weight tweed--especially in the button back version.)

Audrey insisted I line the Kangaroo Pocket with the reverse side of the fleece so it would be cozy to use. Smart idea.

I used elbow length sleeves, because that length is my latest favorite. Great for transitioning to warmer weather. Audrey chose to wear it with her camo shorts (from Old Navy) and her new coon skin hat. She's been wanting one and cashed in some tooth fairy money when she spotted it during our Spring Break road trip. A lot of discussion has followed about the differences between Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. Further research is required...!

I purchased the sweatshirt fleece from Harts Fabric last summer (sadly it doesn't appear to be stocked right now). The faux leather was purchased at Joann. It's got a bit of stretch, which is nice for wearability. I used my Bateau Neck Top pattern with the elbow length sleeve, which is part of the Bateau Neck Dress pattern extension, and my tutorial for adding a Kangaroo Pocket.

Just for fun. Hope you are having some fun this Spring too.