It's hot! and other rantings..

It's burning hot outside these days. The monsoons have not arrived yet so it's still a dry heat but it's so intense that for me even 5 minutes under this sun and I feel like I'm on fire. This heat also zaps all of my energy most days and often leaves me with a massive headache. It's no fun, no fun at all! So, I am so excited to be going to the USA this summer. In a little less than 2 weeks from now my daughter and I will be hop-ing on some planes and land once again on US soil.  I'm already starting to get nervous about it! It seems everywhere I look people are having tough experiences with the TSA and luggage allowances are being cut. I remember last time I flew I was 'lucky' enough to get an enhanced pat-down and I am praying that I don't have that happen again or far worse have to see Anaiah go through that.  But I'm also not comfortable with those full body scanners.. radiation.. cancer.. naked pictures being viewed of my body.. no thanks! Where is this world coming to!!??

Anyway, in an effort to be fully prepared to keep my 3 year old happy and entertained I am trying to gather up little toys and idea for in flight entertainment. Have any great toy ideas to share I'd love to hear them. I've been working on gathering travel themed coloring pages that I am personalizing a bit and will make into a coloring book. I've also found a cool crayon that is like 6 crayons only all attached into 1 'wheel'  sort of thing which does not roll away. I've bought a sticker/activity book, and a new lift the flap book. I'm also hoping to buy some big beads and shoes laces and maybe a few craft type projects and of course some more little toys.

On the sewing front I did manage to make a neck pillow out of comfy soft flannel for Anaiah. I hope she'll like it.

Still have a huge list of things to-do, gifts to buy and essentials to pick up. But the big question is do I bring some knitting with me on the plane or not?

Speaking of skirts..

I had mentioned in the last post that I wanted to do some sewing for myself and lo and behold it's Skirt Week coming up soon on Crafterhours!

I love wearing skirts in the summer. In fact, I think they are just about all I will wear!  I've already sewn up a lovely tiered skirt in Chambray that I hope to enter and have a few more fabrics just waiting to be turned into skirts sitting next to my machine.  If you love to sew skirts you should definitely enter! They also have a children's skirt category so I might be sewing up a skirt or 2 for Anaiah as well.  

Happy Sewing!

KCWC - Day 7

I'm afraid that I didn't get anything finished on Sunday so I don't have anything to show for the last day of KCWC. I'm totally ok with that. I'm happy with what I managed to get done. There is still a long list of things I'd like to make for this summer for Anaiah but they can wait a little because I need to do some sewing for myself! I love to wear skirts in the summer and really need a few more so those at at the top of my list now.  Hopefully the un-finished things will get done shortly too.  

Here is what did get finished this week.  I feel so honored too that my fishy top was featured on Elsie Marley blog post. It was a great week of sewing. Thankfully other than a buttonhole issue the actual sewing went smoothly. I am coming away from this week feeling inspired by all the other moms (and maybe dads) who made beautiful things. 

I am very impressed by all the wonderful and creative kids clothes that were made with week by all the participants.  Just check out the Flickr pool!  There are hundreds of beautiful garments. Every time I scroll through them I find new 'favorites'!  Here are just some of the ones I loved most in random order:

Me Sew Crazy

Farr Better Life

A Rhythm of Joy

Baby Lux Design

Darci Bee

Daily Design Delivery

Maze & Vale

Sew Country Chick

A Sewing Journal

Aren't they just gorgeous?!  

KCWC - Day 6

I got to sleep in today! Sleep is amazing and I think it's what my body needed because I feel so much better now. I got up really late, so late that it was time for Anaiah's nap! Both she and my hubby took a nap so the house was nice and quiet and I could get a hour or two of sewing in. 

Spring Flowers

I had cut out the pieces the night before and made the piping that I used around the neckline and armholes etc.  So this afternoon it was just a matter of sewing it all together. I also made the little fabric flower today to finish it off because it seemed to need a little extra something.  I love the fabric. It's been sitting in my stash for over a year now. Intended to sew it into an Easter dress for Anaiah last year but never got around to it. Had even made a little shrug to match.. oh well. I think it might still fit if I can find it.. I'm usually a sucker for border type prints and at the cost of about $2.25 a meter this dress was cheap! :) I had bought about a meter and used just over half of it. The border is printed on both sides so I probably would even be able to make a second dress for a younger little lady.. talk about a good deal on fabric! I used a little left over plain cotton to line the bodice and for leftover blue cotton for the piping and edging. So the total cost of this dress is probably around $1.75 when you include the 3 buttons and the piping cord.  This is part of why I sew. I get to be creative and save money all at the same time! It's a blessing! 

For those who have been wondering, this is what my pattern looks like:

This is a short bodice block that fits my daughter just right. ( right now.)  I modify it to make other patterns or sometime just use it as it is like I did in today's dress.  Sorry that my picture is not better but on the pattern block I wrote the date that I 'modified' it on. (modified from the last pattern block), the size as in 6" short bodice and that the center front should be folded. I've added the seam allowance that I like to use around the edge. I've cut this pattern piece out of an old cardboard piece that came in one of my hubby shirts. I often use cereal box cardboard too. When I am using this to make the back I just modify it right on the fabric I am cutting for the back. (raising the back a little if needed - button placket - zip allowances  etc..) For yesterday's fishy top I used some newspaper (because it's plentiful here) and this pattern block to draft that simple a-line tunic.  I probably could have gone straight to the fabric for that top but I wanted it to be one piece so I had to draft the front and sides and then place them as one piece on the fabric to get it how I wanted it to be. 

I am still learning about pattern making and hopefully getting better at it slowly. You  also cannot buy patterns here in India, at least as far as I know. I tend to be a fly by the seat of your pants type of seamstress so moving into a more technical - thought out way of sewing is a slow transition. :) I hope to someday be able to write patterns that other people can actually use too, but I think that will be a while still! 

KCWC - Day 4/5

I don't have very much to show for the last 2 days. I am still dealing with illness at home and that is really slowing me down.  I have been getting in an hour of sewing/ drafting /cutting time but that's about it. Just don't have much energy. 


Here is what I did manage to finish, a pinafore style top. 

Because of the scale of the print I didn't want to use a pattern that was too busy. The simple lines of a pinafore work well for this. I also didn't want to cut the fabric too much so it's cut from just 2 pieces of fabric, front and back, and seamed only at the shoulders. Simple and straightforward.  I loved the fish print when I saw it in the fabric shop even though there is a lot more pink in it that I care for.  I'm not a fan of pink. not even a little. But somehow this print pulled me in so I bought half a meter. I've used basically all of it.  

 I don't think it's very noticeable that the back is basically a bit on the bias because the fish are kinda masking it. 

It may be simple but I am happy with it. Plus it was a bonus not to have to deal with buttonholes or zippers and it's reversible. (not that I think I'd ever NOT want to see the fish.)

Are you sewing clothes this week? 

KCWC - Day 3

Today my little one was home again. Neither one of us is feeling too great, but we both put on a brave face.  I don't know what is going on with me but she has a nasty cough. I hope tomorrow is better. 


I was able sew together the dress I had cut out yesterday. 
I'm calling it the "How tall am I ?" dress because of the fun measuring tapes on the fabric. It's bright and cheerful and I think she likes it.  

Cheese!  - (All important little bowl of gems!)

Don't mind her dirty little toes! She loves to get her feet wet on the balcony and it must not have gotten cleaned after the dust storms we've had this week.  It's a fairly simple dress with just a single button in the back. Lined in white cotton. The only real fiddly bit was sewing those little triangles! I don't think I'll be messing with that sort of detail again soon. . 

Now for some rest! :) 

KCWC- Day 2.

This morning Anaiah woke up not feeling so good so my sewing has taken a backseat for now.  I did get a little tunic made while she was taking her nap and she woke up looking a lot better this afternoon so I think tomorrow she can go to school again.  

I made the top on a whim with a scrap of this batik fabric left from a sundress I made for her last year. YAY for using up scraps! She still fits this dress which makes me so happy because I love those bright colors on her! 

Here is today's little tunic. It's simple, shirred, with wide straps that cross in the back.  I love the way shirring looks. If you've never tried it you don't know what you are missing! I  can really see how much she has grown! Slow down little lady, I want to enjoy you as a toddler a little longer!

She loves to share her gems with Charlie!

I've started on a dress today too and hopefully I'll get some time to work on it later tonight after Anaiah has gone to bed.  

What are you working on for KCWC? Or are you sewing for yourself this week? 

KCWC - Day 1.

 Since I was not quite as prepared as I would have liked to have been, I spent most of today's sewing time just sorting out my fabrics and drawing sketches. I did draft a bodice pattern too. 

Some of the fabrics I am thinking about using this week:

Not sure if I will stick to these as I tend to move from one thing to the next based on mood/inspiration so you never know, I might be pulling out something totally different. 


Did sew up a quick pair of ruffle bloomers. I love how this fabric looks but noticed very quickly how easily it and snag and unravel the ruffles. :(  Probably not the best choice of a very active little girl. I also made this muslin with the bodice pattern to check the fit. I don't know what I was thinking with the ridiculously huge butterfly sleeves! LOL. My model was moving all the time and it's hard to get a good shot but I think it actually fits pretty well. 

Sewing and celebrations.

I know I've not posted in a while. Life gets busy sometimes.  It was my hubby's birthday on Saturday! 

We had a little party at home. It was nice. I am very thankful for my husband. I'm not always the best at telling him that though so I wanted to take a minute to write it down. He works so hard to provide for our family and I really appreciate that. His job can be really stressful sometimes and there are lots of trips and nights spent in hotel rooms for him so I love it when he is home. It's so much fun to see how much he loves our daughter. Having a child was never a big deal to him but now that she is here he cannot get enough of her! I love that about him. I hope the year ahead brings lots of joy for him. Love you honey!

My first checkerboard cake! 

This week is the Kids Clothes Week Challenge. I'm excited to be sewing some summer clothes for Anaiah. It's fun to know that there are hundreds of moms just like me spending at least an hour a day sewing beautiful things for their kiddos this week. Hopefully it will be a productive week for me. I was hoping to be a little more prepared with the patterns already drafted etc., however it just didn't happen ahead of time. So, I am spending today mostly drafting the patterns. I always have a long list of things I'd like to make and this week is no exception.  

If you like to sew for your kids why not join the challenge with me and the hundreds of other ladies over at the KCWC on Elsie Marley.

Sewing for myself.

I actually did it! I made something for myself to wear! and it's a knit too!  I'm usually really intimidated by the thought of sewing knits. I've got a bad track record of sewing with them. Often I'd end up with wavy seams and very messing/sloppy finishing. I will not say this this top is flawless because it's not but for me it's a HUGE step in the right direction to getting over my fear of sewing with knits.  I broke out the double needle for the bottom hem and that really helped. 


I drafted the pattern based on a top I own from Marks & Spencers. I had to make some adjustments to the length and made a faux button placket instead of the actual button holes that had been problematic in the original top. I also added an inch to the bust so that it covers my ladies better and a few inches to the bottom. The fabric is a very thin and soft jersey knit. It was a little tricky at times because it liked to slide around on me but I kept at it and in the end I think I won. 


I HATE how I look in the pictures and sadly I didn't have a fabulous photographer to take them. (Well, he is fabulous but not at taking pictures ;) )  So bear with me. 

I'm hoping to sew a few skirts for myself this year too and possible a sundress. Are you making anything for yourself this spring/summer? 

Flower Maiden

I put the finishing touches on this dress this week.  I'm fairly happy about the fit. It's still a little generous around the waist but it's not too bad. I am realizing that my daughter really has not grown much since last year, at least not in her chest measurements. She certainly is taller! 

It was fun to add all the colors of tulle to the built-in petticoat. I didn't want to add too much puffiness so it's not a tiered petticoat, just the last few inches are gathered tulle. 

I think she looks like a dainty little lady in this dress so I've called it the Flower Maiden dress.  I think this will be her Easter dress this year. 

In order to get the pictures I had to bribe her with gems. (they are like M&Ms) She loves them but gets them all over her face. Thankfully not all over the dress! 

I think for my next dress for Anaiah I should challenge myself do make something more 'Modern' looking because I tend to make slightly 'old fashioned' looking dresses for her.  But then again, I like the 'old fashioned' look on her.  We'll see. I've signed up for the Kids Clothes Week Challenge, (see my side bar) held towards the end of April and maybe I'll try something more 'modern' for that. 

Are you joining the Challenge?

Cakes, Cupcakes and Cuddly Pillows

It's been a while since I've posted anything here and I'll tell you why, I've been busy.  


My daughter Anaiah turned 3 on the 22nd of March. She is growing up so fast. I still vividly remember the moment I heard her cry for the first time like it was last week.  She is rapidly becoming a little girl instead of a toddler. I am so thankful for her. I love her curiosity and watching her discover new things. Love seeing her learn more about the world around her. Love her 'big hugs' and all the kisses. Love how she pretends my finger is an inch worm and gives mine a hug. Love her curls. Love her giggles and smiles. Love her..

 For her school, I baked cupcakes and a little cake for her to share. She had been talking about singing happy birthday for days and it was so much fun to hear her sing to herself loudly with the other kids.

I got to use some of my new fondant tools on the cakes which was a lot of fun. I'm still learning and enjoying that process. I tried to copy the school's logo on her cake.

Her cake for at home:

It was SO yummy! The top layer was fresh strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream filling and the bottom was a 4 layer chocolate cake with dark chocolate ganache filling. all topped with more buttercream and marshmallow fondant.(or as my daughter calls marshmallows, 'baby clouds')


I've also been busy with other projects. I'm still finishing up a blue dress but I did complete this simple sundress this month. 

I've also joined a knit-along in the South Asian Crafters group on Ravelry. We are all knitting/crocheting pillows or pillow covers. I've finished my first one: Hootie. Made using novelty yarn that I was happy to use up and other stash yarns. 

Finished on Friday!

Today I put the finishing touches on this dress.  It is the first of hopefully many dresses for my daughter for this summer. I LOVE making her dresses. However because she is a growing child I have to adjust the master bodice block every year and that comes with it's share of issues. I always make my own dress patterns for her and crazy as it sounds,  I like it when the dresses I make actually fit her. Yes, it's sometimes nice to have tops on the big side so that they will 'last' longer but somehow I still like it best when they just look like they fit perfectly.  Usually the first few dresses of the season I make do not fit her the way I wish they did, and this one is no exception. I'll have to adjust the bodice pattern again.  I know what you are thinking, "Why didn't she just make a muslin first?"  and you are right I probably should have done so.  Hopefully I'll get the next dress to fit beautifully. 

This one thankfully is easy to 'fix' with a tie that cinches in the waist a bit. I could also just take in the sides a bit but I don't think I'll be bothering with that.  So the bodice it a little too big but otherwise I like the dress.  I wish I could have gotten a pic of her standing in the dress but she didn't want to take pictures so after about 30 or so these were the best of the lot.  The sash is satin, the dots are poplin and her petticoat is tulle with a cotton lining for comfort. The tulle peeps out a bit from under the dress.  The head band was a cheap plastic one I just covered and used scraps of satin and a few beads to add the flower. 

Originally the poplin dot fabric was white with purple dots however I had to get the tulle, satin and lining cotton dyed to match the dress and I didn't wash them enough apparently because they bled in the wash.  I am so happy that I always toss all the fabric for a dress together in the washing machine before I sew up a dress just in case. I've had many painful experiences where the project has been ruined by fabric already sewn in that bled.  I was sad that the crisp white of this poplin was lost but I didn't hate the resulting pale purple so I decided just to go with it. 


Looking at it now I think it might make a great Easter dress. But maybe I'm just thinking that because she is holding a bunny in this picture. 

Have you ever had a 'bleeder' in the wash that ruined your clothes? I wish they sold those dye catching pads that you can toss in the laundry to catch dyes before they ruin your stuff here in India. They would be super handy! 

Check out some other crafters lovely Finished Objects here on Tami's Amis!