Easter Bonnet

I'm sorry guys. There have already been so many pictures of this bonnet here.

But...I am posting it again! It's almost Easter after all and in case you are new to my blog and were in need of a bonnet pattern (like I was when I created it) I wanted to mention it.

Plus, selfishly-- I really miss this little baby girl and her soft little arms. I like to look back at her sweet little baby self.

The bonnet is adjustable and I had originally said it fit 6-24 months but I have had people make it and tell me it fits their older girls (5 or 6) too.

Here area few photos of my baby girl so you can see the progression of how it fits at different ages:

Around 11 months old

Same bonnet (and shirt as it turns out) 15 months old:

Same bonnet 2 years old:
(and desperately in need of an iron! please excuse the wrinkles)

So my baby girl is now almost 3 years old and it still fits her, but goodness help me...I can't get her to put it on for a photo.

Anyway, the pattern is available in my Etsy shop if you'd like to make one for your little girl. It's really easy to sew...totally doable if you are a new sewer.

I am thinking of making a new one for my little girl--in white linen. Her birthday happens to fall on Easter this year so I'd say that calls for an extra special outfit!

Not a Total Loss

Isn't this a darling bride!





She sent me a cute note last year when I entered my dress design for the shabby apple contest and asked if it would be OK if she used the design as the inspiration for her wedding dress. Of course I said YES!

And then this year when I re-entered the dress, she sent me photos of her in the actual dress inspired by mine, and the big day. I was tickled to say the least.



Aren't they just adorable?




The funny thing is that I have no idea where she is from (she speaks English but I have no clue what language is on the photos...which makes me feel fairly ignorant...$1 to anyone who can tell me!) or even her name! But I am just thrilled that I got to contribute just a tiny bit to her special day.

And you know... Newly-wed blissful love looks the same in any language.





And even if Shabby Apple doesn't love my dress...somebody did.





Don't you want to put on your wedding dress and twirl around for photos now?

I do...

Capelet...Sneak Peek

I know I've mentioned that my smock pattern is going to appear in the upcoming "Fabric Extravaganza: One Yard Wonders", but I thought I'd share a little sneak peek of the other pattern of mine that will also be included. Its for a little self-lined toddler capelet, and it just screams brisk fall day to me (which is also what the newly crunchy leaves in my yard are screaming!). I just love the kind of old fashioned charm of clothes like this. I meant to make a little hat of some kind to go along with it...and maybe a hand muff, but oh-- the projects I never get around to.

This book will be kind of like the first book...projects featuring one yard of fabric, but this time with a focus on slightly more advanced projects that utilize a more diverse range of fabrics.

I made this one (this summer while seriously battling pregnancy nausea!) using the fabric that the girls doing the book sent me. Its a buttery soft wool plaid, and drapes just beautifully. It also provided quite the exercise in matching plaids...inside and out!

I have to admit, I was more than a little sad sending it off in the mail.

Little Avery looked quite darling in it, but I have to say that the chances of me getting my act together enough to make her another one in a timely fashion are quite slim.

Look for the book sometime this next summer.

Or if there is any interest I might try to release the pattern in my etsy shop before then?

Happy Monday

Smock Pattern Review: Katy

I couldn't be more thrilled about this latest smock review.
It's from Katy Dill of No Big Dill. Katy is a seamstress extraordinaire, and is always whipping up some clever original design for her, or one of her 5 darling daughters and share's her ideas, and great tutorials. (Seriously, there are at least five things she's done lately that I am filing away to try later!)



She is currently celebrating September sewing month, and has included my smock in the festivities. Hooray!
And,

we are giving away 3 patterns on her blog .

Here is little Clover enjoying her new smock. (Could that name be any cuter? Could that face be any cuter?)

click on over and check it out! She has several other giveaways going on right now... so go! You're going to want to bookmark her I promise.

Thanks Katy!

Smock Pattern Review: Michelle

Here is cute little Jacob in his new smock, made by possibly the most efficient person I have ever met, Michelle. This girl is a project maniac! I love seeing all the things she creates.

Love seeing all these different takes on the smock. Michelle used cotton bias tape in a thicker width instead of making it from the oilcloth, and it turned out great.

Check out more of her pattern review and tips here.

and as always get your pattern own smock pattern here.

Thanks Michelle!

Smock: Fabric Choices

In the "Mustn't Spoil Your Frock Smock" pattern I go into a little detail about things like fabric choices for the smock and how you can customize the size to fit your child, but I wanted to give you a little info here too.

Here is a page from the pattern:



When I originally conceptualized this pattern, I was trying to figure out a functional way to use quilting cotton for a smock. My original pattern had a seam at the shoulder and the body was lined in vinyl to make it waterproof and I used Scotch Guard Fabric Protector to guard it against stains. This method worked out OK, but Scotch Guard must be applied after every wash to really maintain its protective properties and that just isn't practical. And the purpose of using cute quilting cotton is defeated when there are food stains all over it. So I scrapped that plan and once I realized that most waterproof fabrics could still be cut on the bias and used to make bias tape (I cover this in the pattern), I went full steam ahead in that direction.

Here are my favorite fabrics to use for this smock:

1. Ripstop Nylon
Its not really a flashy fabric, but its so practical. Its lightweight and breathable, water resistant, easily washes out in the sink, dries super fast, and can be found at almost any chain fabric store. Oh and its cheap. This fabric can be ironed on a low setting to make the bias tape.

I have mostly seen it in solid colors-- but simple is beautiful, plus I am working on some ways to jazz it up a bit. Stay tuned.


2. Oilcloth
I am no expert on textiles but from what I've gathered the term "oilcloth" covers a broad spectrum of treated fabrics and has evolved significantly from its original namesake.
Because there are so many fabrics that can fall into this category, for the sake of making this smock I'd like to address a few things.

The oilcloth that I used on the pattern cover is acrylic coated cotton. It worked beautifully. It retains the qualities of fabric, like stretching on the bias and gathering easily, but water beads easily off BOTH the right and wrong side, making it really easy to wipe or submerge to clean. Also, I should mention that to make the bias tape, I didn't iron it (although you can on a low setting using a pressing cloth) I simply used my fingernails to crease the fabric and it stayed quite nicely.




Lately many top fabric designers are releasing ultra-cute designs in "coated cottons". The up-side is that these fabrics come in so many cute patterns and colors and are widely available. However, they are only waterproof on the treated "right" side of the fabric (although I suspect they'd maybe fair OK if submerged...but I haven't tried it), so can only be wiped clean. This is fine for a smock, but I'd recommend using a piece of vinyl for the pocket (sorry to be repetitive here) so that the back of the fabric won't come into contact with the food messes.

Also, many of these coated cottons seem to be a tad expensive (But oh how cute!)

Another kind of oilcloth that I am familiar with is that really substantial and stiff plastic-feeling stuff that you often see used for tablecloths etc. Its a PVC coated cotton mesh. I haven't tried using this yet, and am not sure how it'd work for a smock, so use it at your own risk!

Have any smock fabric suggestions? I'd love to hear them!

Toddler Smock Pattern

*Smock Giveaway Closed, but please visit my Etsy shop if you are interested in a pattern!

Introducing...

I'm so excited to share this pattern with you. It's been a long time in the making...meaning I made it a long time ago, but getting it into PDF format has been a challenge for me! At any rate, it's done and I couldn't be more pleased because I think it's a pattern that will be really useful...for girls AND boys!

This is one of two patterns I designed that will be in the upcoming sewing pattern book, "Fabric Extravaganza: One Yard Wonders", but I am offering it now as a PDF in my Etsy shop.

And to celebrate, I am doing a giveaway...what else?!

But this giveaway is a tad different than usual.

Everyone's A Winner

If you'd like to make this smock and would like a free pattern, I'd love to send you one.
All I ask is that you be willing to actually make the smock, and post a photo and link back to my blog/Etsy shop when you are finished.

Deal?

If you are interested, send me an email: daniellebwilson(at)gmail.com

I may cap the number at some point, but for now its free patterns for one and all.

Happy Sewing!

More smock details Monday!

whoops...

It seems as though the month of March got away from me.
We've been busy sewing I guess.

I wanted to let you know that One Yard Wonders is coming out with a new book and they are taking projects if you are interested in submitting one.

This time they are focusing on original projects that use one yard of fabric, but that are specifically suited to fabrics, say...other then quilting cottons.
Get all the details here. (and hurry...the deadline is soon!)

I am submitting 2 projects...
we'll see what happens.

At any rate, Happy April.

patterns patterns

I've just finished putting together this little capelet for Avery. This one is unlined so its nice and light for spring. And its made in linen so it has that wonderful drape to it. So sweet and simple.

I'll have the pattern for you soon.

Hopefully.

And speaking of patterns, I should have the smock pattern in my etsy shop by tomorrow.

And I am giving away a few bonnet patterns over at Bloom tomorrow as well. Make sure and stop by to enter if you'd like one.

Happy Thursday!