Look what I made...

   Dave bought me my sewing machine two years ago for Christmas. He has commented numerous times since then that I should sew his something. Every time he mentioned me making him something, I would think of that Cosby's Show episode with Theo's shirt. You know the one I'm talking about?! Mostly I've stuck to kids stuff, but I knew I could make some pj pants.

   I've had these in the plans for a while, and was excited to surprise him with them. I followed the pattern to the t, and when he tried them on on Christmas Day, they were all wrong. I was crushed that they apparently were 'old man pants' with an above-the-navel waist line... not cool. I removed the waist band, cut 3 inches off the top and then reattached the waistband. Lots of work, but now he can wear them! Just about a week shy of the end of the Cowboy's season... sad. I want to make matching pants for the kids and have plenty of fabric--- maybe in time for next season.

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    My sister made a comment early last fall that her yet to be born daughter didn't have to be blessed in white. While that's true, I wouldn't let it happen. Something provoked me to volunteer to make her a dress. I insisted it would be my gift to her. Why did I think I had the skills to make such a little dress?! I bought this pattern and some pretty white material and got to work. I took a very long break after I had to reattach the bodice because the gathers weren't working out, and another long break after having installed the first sleeve three times. After Miss Evelyn was born on November 2 (the day before my birthday), I got back to work and nearly finished it. Woo hoo! All that was left was the button's and button holes. Easy right? You would think. My machine was revolting against me and after one successful hole, it wanted nothing to do with the other 4. I cried. I gave up. I tried again, and again gave up. I tried on my mom's machine, and the fabric would just not feed. I got another hole in, just for it to be too small. What the what?! I cried some more. Ultimately my other sister saved the day and Miss Evelyn looked lovely on her special blessing day. It was a little big, but she's just so little compared to either of my babies (or at least what I remember). It was a good lesson and hopefully I can make another for #3's blessing day.

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   I picked out this cute sparkly plaid for Jenna's Christmas dress,  this simple pattern, and got to work. I asked around and was OVERJOYED when a girlfriend mentioned that she had downloaded a pattern for a little-boys tie. She forwarded it on to me, and I absolutely loved the way it came out! Adam has been totally fine about wearing it and I just cannot get over the face he's making in the picture! It was relatively easy, but the hand-sewing parts are always tricky for me. This fabric was a thicker knit, and the needles did not like going through more than a single thickness. Sewing the lining of her dress down, I drew blood many times, and ended up sewing lace to the lining and sewing the lace down flat. It was also my first attempt at a zipper. Thankfully, that wasn't nearly as tricky as I thought it would be. I see many matching dress/tie combinations in my children's future.... tragically, her Easter dress for this year is super PINK, and I won't put him in a pink floral tie. I'm sure we'll figure something out.