Back to school jumper remix

Have you ever started a project and for about until years later. Yes, I mean years. About 3.5 years ago I got it in my head that I was going to start sewing clothes for my oldest daughter. I had a need to create and she needed some new outfits. The only things I knew about sewing and my sewing machine was what I taught myself. I used to scour the craft store for the patterns marked "easy" because I was afraid to try anything different. With the McCall's M5684 jumper pattern and some adorable pink flannel material I started cutting our what was probably the 3rd or 4th dress I'd ever made Maddie. After I got the pieces cut I got side tracked and now fast forward 3.5 years and here we are. 

Two nights before the first day of school I was looking through all my patterns for something that I could make my Abby for the first day of preschool. I started opening old pattern totes and this pattern and cut out pieces caught my eye. I knew that Abby was about the same size now that Maddie was then so I decided to finally put the jumper together. I didn't mark any of the pieces so I got the pattern pieces back out to match them up and that's when I ran into a problem. 

NONE of the pieces matched. The cuts weren't straight and there were too many of some pieces and not enough of others. I started to put it back in the box when I though better. I've come a long way in the last 3.5 years with my sewing skills. I could figure this out. I set aside the instructions and set all the pieces in front of me along with the picture of the envelope as inspiration. 

 I started with pleating the front and back pieces then adding the outer side of the top piece. Next came the straps and then the lining piece. I just top stitched around the bodice from there. The buttons are supposed to be in the front, but the buttons I chose were bigger and the straps were wider than the ones pictured so I decided they looked better in the back. I didn't even sew up button holes, I just put the straps over the back where I wanted them and sewed the buttons through both pieces.  

 The dress turned out similar to the one in the picture. It's somewhere between a 4T and a 5T in size as well. I finished the inside a little bit nicer than the pattern instructed, but it's nice to see how far I've come since I started sewing for my little ladies. 

I'll leave you with Abby's version of a silly face. 

Have you ever had a sewing fail turn out better than expected? 

Linking up at: 
What Kids Wore Wednesday 

First Day of School - Preschool and First Grade

My girls started school last week. Abby is in full day preschool now and Maddie is it 1st grade. They are growing so fast!!! 

I made them each "What I want to be" first day of school signs like I did last year.

In keeping with her love of animals, Maddie said she wanted to train police dogs when she grows up. Last year she wanted to be a farmer. 

This was Abby's first year to announce her future plans. She kept going back and forth between a princess and a ballerina, but this particular morning she landed on a princess. 

Maddie got a "big girl" backpack this year and I am all about the owls. Abby went with her love of GIANT bows and Minnie Mouse. :)

Abby was excited to have a seat with her name on it that was all her own. 

Maddie was excited about a "real" desk with a spot for her books inside and everything. 

How your little ones are enjoying the new school year as much as mine. 

Whimsy Couture Pattern Review - Boho Tunic

I recently started back to school. With work and my little ladies it has been crazy around here. With what little free time I have I have been sewing up a storm and I hope to be able to share some new posts with you here soon. 

Earlier this summer I had the opportunity to pattern test the Boho Tunic from Whimsy Couture. This pattern is a really quick sew and a great introduction to shirring. There are only 2 pattern pieces to cut and the instructions are very straight forward.

 

This top can be made out of knit or cotton. I went with the cotton on this top because I let Maddie choose her fabric. The neckline is serged then shirred. Sewing with elastic thread is not as intimidating as it sounds. This pattern has great tips to get it done.

There is an option to shirr across the bodice to give the top a more fitted and flared look, but Maddie looked at the test pictures and specifically asked that I didn't add it because she wanted the shirt to be 'flowy'. I have learned by now that I might as well make things like my girls want or they will never wear them. 

My little hippie at heart is happy with her new top and I'm glad that she likes it.

**This pattern was provided to me to test for free, but the opinions are all my own.**

Linking up at:

What Kids Wore Wednesday