This Tobago tank has me dreaming of summer!

Since I couldn't work on the swim suits for my girls, I decided to use up some bits of fabric I had in my stash. Inspired by Scientific Seamstress's blog post that you can check out here, I grabbed myself the Tobago Tank pattern, in the smallest size since my fabric bits where not very big, and chopped off the top to color block it. I had just enough fabric to make this cute little summer top, and boy, does it have me dreaming about summer!

Only a 45 min sew, and that's including pattern chopping, fabric cutting and finishing seams. That's a record, especially since I don't have a serger, so finishing the seams can be time consuming. At least my machine has an overlock stitch, which looks neater than a regular zigzag. Only downside? Not having a model small enough to model it! Still looks cute on the hanger though!

Thanks for stopping in for this latest tidbit!

Call me cray-cray, I'm sewing up some swim suits!

I've got a couple of projects going right now, but the biggest one is bathing suits for my girls. It's crazy enough that I'm even attempting this, since sewing with knits is new, never mind sewing with swim fabric. Crazier still, I'm not using a swimsuit pattern. Yup, crazy.
I've decided that I love the look of the cecile top so much, that I'd like to try it as a swim suit top. Sleeveless, of course, with one less peplum layer, and sized down to be more fitted. I'll be using the Katie pants pattern to make skinny shorts for underneath.

When I was fabric shopping last month, I mistakenly bought some swim fabric, two yards of 60" wide fabric. That'll make like, four swim suits! It's good though, because I'm making a test first, just to make sure I'm not off my rocker!
What started me on this crazy idea? Well, I like swim suits that provide coverage, and it seems like once kids hit past size 6, getting that is almost impossible. Unless I order online and pay like $80 or something. Anyway, I thought, hey, I can sew, and I'm pretty good too. Time to step out of my comfort zone. I love a challenge, so I'm excited. Plus, if they turn out good, I've got a good swim suit for each of my girls, at a total cost of less than $15 a suit. That has me sold!
Here's a pic of the fabric I'm using, my girls love it!

I had the tester all cut out and ready to sew, and wouldn't you know it, I haven't got any ball point needles at home! So, I worked on a cute Tobago Tank until I could head into town to stock up! It'll be in the next post. Thanks for stopping by!

The Annabelle Dress!

So pleased with the final outcome off this dress. If you've been following me at all, you'll know I started this dress weeks ago. The dress wasn't the problem, don't worry, I just take long to sew things. That along with spring colds, spring cleaning and renovations still going on, it kind of dragged it out. It really is only a 5 hour sew (3 if you're lucky and have a serger).

I loved sewing this dress, and its features allow it to have so many different looks, just by changing trim and fabric. I chose quilter's cotton this time, I had a great print that was given to me by my darling sis-in-law that I wanted to feature, and the front panel insert was the perfect place. I also put it in the middle chevron to tie the look together.
The other two prints I picked up at a local fabric shop. I am especially fond of the dandelion puff white on white print. I'd give the designer names, but I have no idea. I'm horrible when it comes knowing designers.

I was hoping Monkey would cooperate for pictures, but it was not her day. Thankfully, Jen was over, taking the pics for me and Berry was more than willing to pose for a few pics, provided there was a snack, lol.

This dress has a nice elastic back, which makes it fit great, and easy to pull on and off.







On a side note, my sewing room will be moved back upstairs, since that's where we spend the majority of our time and I need to keep both Monkey and Honey in my sight while I sew. Plus, the lighting is better too. So, one of the bedrooms, formerly the toy room, is being turned into my sewing room/office. Where did the toys go? We took out half, and moved them into storage, and the other half into their bedroom. Now that they have bunk beds, they have room for their toys in their room.

 

Thanks for stopping by, and if you're interested in buying this dress, or some of my other work, don't forget to check out our page Sweet Stitch Shoppe on facebook for more!