Two Skirts

Because I'm not deviating from my to-do list enough, and one post just won't cut it for a Sunday, I bring you two versions of Simplicity 2226!

Project 8: Oliver + S Class Picnic outfit

This project should not have been as taxing as it was.  It was a breeze to cut out and it had been patiently waiting for me to finish my Wiksten patterns.  But, alas, something was off about it.  Maybe it's because elastic and I don't get along.  Maybe it's because I'd had a bad day Saturday, and even sewing cute baby clothes wasn't knocking the funk out of me.  Or, maybe it's because my sewing machine broke unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, causing me migraines and arm strain from carrying my old machine up from the basement.

Really, it could have been any of these things.

But now it's done and I can rejoice!  And throw them into my storage ottoman with the other baby stuff that never sees the light of day.

I don't have a two-year-old to model these, so my table will have to suffice.

Pattern Description

Oliver + S Class Picnic blouse and shorts.  The blouse has a yoke and raglan sleeves; the shorts have elastic in the back and a faux fly.

Pattern Sizing

Baby sizes!  Six months - 12; this is a 2T.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the envelope when you were done with it?

Yes, I think so!

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes, absolutely.  Sometimes I have trouble with Oliver + S because I feel like, to get the best possible result, there are a thousand steps, but these were fun.  Once I got into the project, it was easy peasy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I like how adorable it is.  It's very sweet!  I dislike how much trouble elastic gives me.  The elastic in the shorts wasn't an issue, but in the shoulder casings?  Forget it.

Fabric Used

Cloud9 Fabric's "My Happy Nursery."  I've had this for over a year and have planned on making two different baby gifts with it.  Well, that never happened, and I was tired of seeing it sit in my bookcase.

Pattern changes or any design alterations made
Due to sheer frustration, the shoulders don't have elastic in them.  Other than that, nothing is changed!

Would you sew it again?
Probably!  I mean, not anytime soon, as there are no buns in my oven, but it'd be a cute gift for a little kid.

Conclusion
Elastic is the pits.

So I'm now using my old machine, the most basic one, until I can figure out what's wrong with the machine my mom gave me.  I'm thankful for back-ups, and I'm hoping nothing requires a buttonhole anytime soon!

Weekly Lists

Does anyone else love lists as much as I do?  I love ones that I can cross off too.  Accomplishment is everything in my world.

• Tonight is the last episode of the Office with Michael Scott.  I'm definitely a Janey-come-lately to the Office, but I watch it every night (thanks to syndication) and I just don't know how it will be without him.  Mr. Scott, we hardly knew ye.
• After reading Smitten Kitchen all morning (my to-do list was short and I was productive, I promise), I now want to make lots of good food and blog about it.  That probably won't happen, especially in my baby kitchen.  But once we move and I have a real kitchen, I'm so there.
• My mom went to a quilt shop yesterday and I was insanely jealous.  It still bothers me that DC doesn't have one and, even if I wanted to take on that endeavor now instead of waiting, I could never afford the rent.  Sigh.  Eventually, I suppose.  I just like to look at fabric.
• Speaking of fabric, does anyone know where I can find some Cloud 9 Beyond the Sea fabric?  I'm dying for it.  Especially this print:

• Finally, I've decided what my problem is, and I think it's the main problem that relates to all other problems.  I want to do everything.  I want to blog and have people read about it--but I want to blog about food and I want to blog about fabric and on and on.  I want to open a fabric store.  I want to get married--or do I?  I want to be single--and I want to have a family--or not!  I want to live in Paris, no, Charlotte, no, Boston, no, Portland, no, Oxford, no, Savannah.  I want to be successful and a stay-at-home mom.  I want a wedding and I want to elope.  It's completely ridiculous how mixed up I am, and I think that's why I'm so itchy for time to pass.  People, it's almost May!  I've lived here for four months!  This is crazy!
• Oh, speaking of, I'm considering two classes: Mastering Macarons at Sur La Table in Arlington and a letterpress class at the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center right down the road from me in beautiful Silver Spring.  Anyone have an opinion?  They're a bit pricey so I'm not taking them lightly.

Yay, tomorrow's Friday!  Yaaaaay.  (le sigh.)

Weekend Sewing

I hope I didn't already use that title, but I probably did.  I'm the worst when it comes to titles, names, etc.  I still haven't thought of a name for that big etsy business idea, and Nick is no help.  (However, I do already have a name for the fabric store I'd like to open in three to five years, so I guess my priorities are in order.)

I did lots of sewing over the weekend!  Lots.  And I have more planned for the week.  The days are longer and warmer and I just feel like I'm using all my weekend hours instead of sitting around, watching Say Yes to the Dress.  This weekend, in addition to sewing, we ran errands, went on a looooong walk to places we've never been (and saw a car accident--yikes), and did laundry.  And that was just Saturday.

An iPad cover for my aunt's birthday, thanks to this pattern.  I had been looking forever for a tutorial, but because I don't have a laptop (and I work better with patterns anyway), I decided to spend a few dollars and buy one.  The fabric was also bought on etsy and blogged about here.  The only thing I didn't like was that the pattern called for two inside pockets, which I made, but the pattern never tells you when to sew them in, and I forgot about them until I was all done and they were just looking at me, sad and blue.  So the next time I make one I'll remember.

Gotta love that classy mirrored wall we have.  Anyway, this is Simplicity 2211, the Lisette Market blouse.  I cut it out last week and didn't have a moment to spare until Friday after work.  It wasn't difficult at all to sew, but the sleeves gave me trouble, just because I've never done a set-in sleeve (ha! Can't say that again!).  I wore it yesterday to run errands and it was so comfortable!  A tip, though: make the tunic length.  I have the torso of a toddler (seriously.  I go from boobs to hips in three seconds) and it was short on me.

Inspired by Amy at Helen Ethel Studio (seriously, go check it out--gorgeous), I decided to make an Oliver + S pattern though I don't have any kids.  This is the Ice Cream Blouse in Cloud 9's My Happy Nursery fabric.  It's a size 5, so I'll probably give it to my parent's neighbor's daughter (whom I babysat from the time she could crawl), but I'm worried her sassy self will tell me it looks like "boy fabric."  I'm on the hunt for something girly and fun (without being tacky) to make the Ice Cream dress for her before I visit in June.

This photo reminds me: I need to buy some hooks at Target tonight.  My sewing photos are pitiful.

What was everyone up to this weekend?  How was everyone's Easters?  We don't really celebrate but the weather was gorgeous and perfect for a weekend outside.