I was in the mood for a new shirt last week, so I cut into the cotton lawn print I’d been saving for another Heather Ross Summer Blouse.
I had originally thought that with such lightweight fabric, maybe a long sleeved shirt in summer would work out ok. But that was March, and this was August. By now there was no doubt in my mind that long-sleeves were out. They could be made of cheesecloth, gauze, or netting, and they’d still be out, as far as I was concerned.
No long sleeves in summer.
So I cut into the fabric with wild abandon and made myself this little number instead, from the fussy-to-make but nice-to-wear Simplicity 4589 (view C). I like it. I don’t usually wear small calico prints like this, but I do like it. And it is a lovely weight for summertime. I wore it a few times last week with jeans, and it made me happy.
Especially when I found the “matching” earrings I’d made two years ago.
So, since I ended up making a shirt without sleeves, there was still a nice chunk of fabric left. How lucky, then, that an opportunity to use it up dropped itself in my lap, in the form of my cousin’s 8-month-old baby girl. They’re here in New Jersey, visiting from Montana, and introducing the extended family to the newest second-cousin on the block. Not only is she the newest, she’s also the only girl: I have two boys, my sister has two boys, my other cousin has two boys.
Yeah, well, you’ve heard me talk before about all of the boy-ness in my family, so naturally I jump when a chance to make something the least bit feminine comes along. And this time I had just the fabric.
So now I, and my little first-cousin-once-removed can be all matchy-matchy from hundreds of miles away if we so choose
😀
I used a free pattern from Made by Petchy, and made my own bias tape from the same fabric. The instructions read very much like those for a pillowcase dress, with a few differences, the most notable being the lack of elastic. It was a nice, easy sew.
And so little! I felt like I was sewing in miniature. As much as there is a profound lack of Girl in these parts, there is an even more severe lack of Baby. I’ve never made a garment so itty bitty before. I just want to say “awwww” every time I look at it.
I mean, really. How can you not love a dress that can fit in a jewelry box?
That fabric is lovely and your top and little Gemma’s are perfection! Years and years ago I met the sweetest little Gemma and her parents at a coffee shop and have been smitten with the name since.
.-= See Heather’s latest blog post: SOOC Saturday: don’t go changing =-.
Thanks! Oh, it is a very sweet name, isn’t it? 🙂
Hello Lisa,
I came across your blog on Ravelry, and happily read down your blog postings where I have enjoyed your voice very much. Of course, anyone who adores Alicia Paulson is a friend of mine! I empathize with your spontaneous compulsion to create, and adventures in balancing business and family. Though, I had to laugh as probably the last 5 of my own blog posts had something to do with tomatoes. I guess we all have our differences. 🙂
.-= See Katielizabeth’s latest blog post: Another Checklist =-.
I’m so glad you dropped by – thank you so much for the kind words! It always makes me feel good to hear that someone has enjoyed what I am writing, and it’s nice to find new people who like the same things I do. Well, except tomatoes, LOL!
New blog post: Matchy matchy http://bit.ly/13NR5W
Oh, that little dress is adorable! I like the shirt too but you’re right about wanting to say “awww” every time you see it.
.-= See Ellen’s latest blog post: Helping =-.
Thanks, Ellen. Making little dresses is such fun, I think.
RT @lclarke522: Vintage blog post (aka #thistimelastyear): Matchy matchy http://tinyurl.com/3xeflnu
…well, now that tiny 8 month-old Gemma is 26 months old! i was looking at your most current post, and this one came up at the end of it. that little dress/tank is so lovely. i wish she had fit into it longer! maybe we can work out that trade sometime for a toddler version?
ps ~ G thought the closeup shot of earring, tank and your smile was me. 🙂
Maybe! I am pretty sure that I can size it up. It was a fairly simple design. I’ll bet it would look cute using a vintage sheet or pillowcase…
Cute that she spotted our family resemblance – I wasn’t aware there was that much of one. Don’t we both look like our mothers? 🙂
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