Wednesday on Wednesday

My poor little baby got her first black eye a couple days ago. She bounced off of another little girl at the splash pad and then bounced off the concrete. The whole thing was just awful. At first I was in shock and couldn't believe how black it was that quickly, but my mom reassured me it was just a black eye. Not a bruise with a hematoma on a bruise with another bruise on top. (Which is what my brain was working towards.) After lots of ice, freezies, popcorn, Tylenol and the all important Daddy, Wednesday was in good spirits.

It looked even worse (which I did not think possible) yesterday. The swelling moved up closer to her eye and the bruise turned a raspberry colour. I was on the verge of horrified every time I looked at her. It is much better today, the colour already draining and a lot of the swelling has gone down.

Just so darn awful though. When she's sick I can dote on her, when she is sad I can make her happy, when she is scared I can comfort her. I felt (feel) helpless with this though. I just have to wait it out with her I guess. Poor baby.

How To: Fitted Front Girl's Skirt

You know what I love about sewing? Everything. And it is a lot like riding a bike. You really never forget how, and you might even be better than the last time. That is why when I made another pretty little skirt for Wednesday it whizzed by, even with photos for a tutorial.

Front View
The reason this simple skirt design is so wonderful is that while the front waistband sits comfortably underneath the little belly that little kids have,it doesn't ride up over the bubble bum.

Back View
That's right, this skirt is actually longer in the back than in the front.
After making Wednesday's Sunshine Skirt last week, I realized that without the patchwork the skirt was a super simple pattern. So today when I decided to make another one I wanted it to be light and simple for summer wear so this boldly coloured Ikea print was perfect.

Do you know what is not like riding a bike? Writing sewing tutorials. Forgive me i I rush through this, it was just so simple that I wasn't sure how many photo it required. Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions!

Alright! Here we go! Collect your supplies.

(2) Rectangles of  fabric 19 x 15 inches
1" No twist elastic
Coordinating thread
Sewing Machine
Bodkin (or safety pin)

Let's begin!

 Step 1. Cut your rectangles 19" x 15"
Step 2. Fold fabric over 1/2" and press.
Step 3. Fold fabric over again 1.25-1.5" and press.
Do this for both pieces.


Step 4. On BOTH pieces sew close to the pressed old.
Step 5. On just ONE piece (The one you want to be the front.) cut on an angle from the bottom corner to three inches IN from the corner. Make sure that the angled sides are not longer than the straight sides of your second piece. (You'll see what I mean in the next photo.)

Step 6. Feed elastic through casing of the second piece. Stop when the end gets just inside the casing.

Step 7. Sew end of elastic into the casing.

Step 8. With wrong sides facing, line up one side of angled pieces and sew.

Step 8.5 Pull elastic taught and sew second angled side to straight side.

Step 9. Roll a half inch hem and sew.

  And you're done!

Admire you're work!
 The skirt has lots of room for movement.
 Serious playtime only though! ♥ Happy sewing! ♥

New Arrivals at Modern Wednesday!

Things are happening! Things are moving! Things are never still for long! Today I have a few new items in the Modern Wednesday Shoppe Some hair accessories for mama and the little ones as well as some adjustable coffee cozies.


 
 1. Pretty Rainbow Clips 2. Pink Stripe Ruffle Flower 3. Suede Rosette Pink Center 4. Suede Rosette Blue Flower Center 5. Suede Robin's Nest Clips 6. Rusty Suede Rosettes 7. Vintage Fabric Coffee Sleeve 8. Pink Vintage Fabric Coffee Sleeve 9. Beige Coffee Sleeve
Coming soon will be some mug rugs/snack mats and with any luck a skirt or two! Stay tuned!

Wednesday on Wednesday

I couldn't resist snapping a picture of Wednesday in this vintage hand-me-down sweater and her hot pink Chuck Taylors' (So jealous!) with the knee high socks and the basketball she looks straight out of an old photograph. ♥

Recycled Leather Ruffle Skirt

One more entry into The Crafterhours Skirt Week 2012 contest. This time, it is something for mama! I am so excited to share this with you!

Two solid days of cutting and sewing were rewarded with this little number. 
 I was tempted to call it the 'Mullet Skirt' because it is "Business up front and party in the back." I love the simple colour blocking in the front and the feminine ruffles at the back.
  Hard to believe this is how the skirt began. I have been hoarding saving these two jackets for some time now. At first I was going to make a handbag (or three) but I think they were put to much better use don't you?
 When I began the skirt, I just took pieces of the jackets and clipped them to each other with alligator clips on my sewing dummy. I was going to do a sort of peplum detail at the front but I haven't the knowledge or skill set to make it work. I'm glad I didn't push it.
   This (the yoke/shoulders of the black jacket)was originally going to be the front, but it had too much of a 'western' look to it.  After it was sewn down I realized two well placed darts would have worked well, but because I didn't do them I was able to reverse the skirt. The points fit perfectly at the back.
   I broke three or four needles gathering these ruffles by hand.
   So worth it though. I love the ruffle detail!
   The last thing I did was peel apart the red leather to get a piece thin enough to cover a button. I sewed it at the top of the invisible zipper fly and snap (I cannot stand a zipper flap that won't stay closed at the very top!)  Business up front.
Party in the back.
♥ I can't wait for Captain Awesome to take me out to dinner in this! Thanks for looking! Wish me luck! ♥

Wednesday`s Rainbow (the Skirt)

Sometimes we make things we are ridiculously proud of. This skirt is on of those things. I made it as an Easter gift for Wednesday but I loved it so much I made a second and sold it at Modern Wednesday a couple weeks ago. I absolutely had to enter it in the Crafterhours Skirt Week contest.


 This skirt just has so many little touches I couldn't not enter it.
   Like the gorgeous pink, sparkly tulle peek-a-boo ruffle.
 This was the first skirt I added a soft liner to. I now add liners to every skirt I make with ruffles for added volume. The gorgeous sequined ric rac was from a box of vintage trims I bought on Ebay. For the longest time I couldn't decide what to use it on, this skirt was perfect (Even if I did break two needles on the sequins!). It glitters in the sun.
 This elastic waistband material is what inspired the skirt. 
Doesn't the ric rac echo the waistband perfectly?
   Close up action shot.
Don't you love how a little girl 'poses'?
I sew for wearing and playing, but I won't lie. Crawling on the concrete with sidewalk chalk ten minutes after receiving the skirt made me cringe. 
But doesn't she look wonderful?!

♥ Wish me luck! ♥

Sunshine Patchwork Skirt

It is no secret that Wednesday is my muse. From the moment I began creating since her birth. First scrapbooking and then sewing. So when I am in between creative bursts I look to her for inspiration. Last week I asked her what sort of skirt she would like next. She replied with a simple "Sunshine skirt."

At first I thought maybe I could do some applique work, use up some vintage ribbons and such but after a couple of hours of cutting and placing it.just.wouldn't.work. I decided to stop forcing it. Packed up the cut pieces and watched Sherlock. The next morning I woke up and was instantly inspired. I set to work after getting Wednesday off to school and by noon I had finished this little number. And so I present my second entry into the Crafterhours Skirt Week 2012 contest.

I call it the Sunshine Skirt. Made up of remnants from vintage sheets, new and vintage pillowcases and new(ish) yardage it is the sunniest skirt I have made.
It fit Wednesday like a dream with room to both play and grow.
I have finally figured out how to make the back of a skirt longer than the front to compensate for little girls belly's and bubble bums.
This is Wednesday's first skirt by me with a pocket. I would have liked to make it a bit more ornate but I think the simple approach works well with the skirt.
I have started to sew my waistbands with a 'stitch-in-the-ditch' quilting technique that lends itself well to clothing.
I wasn't sure what I was doing at the hem (I usually do something ruffled.) so when I found some old orange bias tape I used it instead of hemming and losing length.
I love how the skirt has a fitted front panel and this elasticized back panel. Style and comfort in one little skirt.
I could not resist making a matching hair piece. This is three gather flowers made from the scraps and glued to a French clip and finished with vintage lace.
I'd say the skirt is comfortable to play in wouldn't you?
My little lady. ♥

♥Wish me luck! ♥