Adventures in Vintage Resales... fka adventures in baby-sewing

I will close out tonight by 10pm CST, so leave an entry!

The previously mentioned tops, The multicolored is from the 1980's B3070 modified to have some shape and a vneck. The black and white is from S4176, my first time to make it as a knit. I have made it before, last summer, in a stretch faille, but the pleats look too billowy and the bodice was short. This time I added 2" to the bodice, used the shorter lower skirt and used a cotton knit. I also eliminated the facings and used a black rib to bind the neck. I tried it on several days ago and liked the outcome. Today was finishing up, threads to the inside, etc. I also put twin rows for the bottom hems on both, not a twin needle, just two rows lined up. I am scared to buy a twin needle, too technical for me. Just sew slowly and used steam a seam first. Now which do I wear tonight with black capris?

Free pattern, stash busting, a 1967 (good year) McCall, #8865, size 18, bust 38, a great little A line dress with an unusual neckline. Sort of funnelled with a button near the neck to appear like the center panel is buttoned down at the neck. Kind of looks like some of the Vogues from recent issues. Enter your name by posting a comment (make sure there is an email or blog link) about how you would make this dress and post a comment on your blog about the giveaway. I will draw and post by Monday morning. I am finishing 2 tops for me right now, had some dress disappointments and also working on other items. I will try to post one top later as I plan on using it tonight.

Gadget of the day: Your Word is "Peace" You see life as precious, and you wish everyone was safe, happy, and taken care of. Social justice, human rights, and peace for all nations are all important to you. While you can't stop war, you try to be as calm and compassionate as possible in your everyday life. You promote harmony and cooperation. You're always willing to meet someone a little more than halfway.

Edward and Lilly at http://www.edwardandlilly.com/ has a giveaway that you should check out. Some cute fats, a few other things.

Thanks Lory! I am grateful to anyone out there who helps me out with the sewing questions, comments, etc. I am also grateful for the kids and husband. Who knew we would have this many kids when almost 10 years ago we were told we would probably never have them? Also for the oldest son with CP. He has challenges we may never know yet he maintains a pretty positive can-do attitude. He hasn't been able to walk yet, but he adapts and well. As far as passing this on, if anyone wants to pick it up, please do so. I am kind of strapped for time right now to pick out any blogs. Besides, I think alot of you have been picked already.

Leopard print appliqued onesie and matching diaper cover/bloomer to be added to etsy/artfire stores. These are for Baby H, but can be duplicated in typical onesie sizes: 0-3 mos, 3-6 mos, 6-9 mos, 12 mos, 18 mos. I think that is the highest I can find in the stores for onesies to work with. After that it would be a t-shirt. I think they will be $20.00 for the set, which would be a great baby gift. I can make matching receiving blanket with white flannel and appliques ($12.00) and burp pads ($12.00 for 2). Otherwise, working on multiple things at once. I have started a wardrobe for Daughter #1, summer things, and have other items almost finished. The usual around here...

Popped by the local shop for an extra piece of fabric for a shirt for daughter #1 to make the facings. I didn't have enough, imagine that! She was closed today, many shops out here are closed on Mondays if they are open Saturday and are sole-owners. But she was inside and let me in. It was worth it since a $3-4 sale turned into $19 for her. Sarah is the owner and is a great gal. She takes online orders and has a cute selection.

I received this for me & my readers from Tracy at Fabric.com: Hi Myra, Thank you again for mentioning Fabric.com on your blog. For your readers, I have a $5 off coupon for them to use. The coupon code is blogadventure.This coupon is also valid for one week, from May 19th thru May 26th. There is no minimum purchase and the coupon is a one time only coupon. Thank you "sew" much. Enjoy! They are a worthy source, I have gotten some great things through them. I love their $1.95 section, too. BTW, Cole's Corner is the winner of the girls patterns giveaway, please email me with your information.

To be awarded on Friday: McCall #8400 from 1983, sizes 3-6 per envelope, Long Dress, very Gunne Sax, ruffly, could be modified for today. McCall #8766 from 1983, size 4, Pajama, Nightgown, Robe from Sesame Street Line with applique, classic. I did not check these for completeness, but instructions and pattern pieces are inside and the pajama pattern appears to be factory folded. I will draw Friday. leave a comment, no anonymous, please. US only, for free postage, please. If you are international and have an interest, please note that so we can research shipping.

A preliminary photo of the Sweetest Little Dress, you can see my embroidery is not the world's greatest, but it will suffice. This is my new TNT, the white top in the lower left, you can't tell, but it is really a box top. I curved the sides in and created a little kimono-type sleeve (like the little dress has) and made a gently sloped v-neck, no facing. It is out of my last piece of epaisse knit crepe from fabric.com. That stuff is so cool to work with. I hope they carry it again soon. I will buy many pieces of it. This is a cool top to work with, 1 yard of 60" wide, works better with knits, you can just turn under the neck, hems with steam a seam then topstitch down. I made it in an evening around kids' baths, etc. BTW, the wet spot on the bed cover is from the baby's wet head after bath, nothing else! My DH just got home, so I will end this one, good night!

First Communion is over, I can post pictures later, bedtime is looming. She looked great. The wrap turned regular dress came out nice for me, work-wise, but DH said it looked great, but not with a gathered skirt, so I am going to redo it with a flared skirt. I received from Sew Baby some new patterns, including Jackie Clark's Sweetest Little Dress. I mocked one up for Baby H in tiny pink gingham. I am down to the finishing hem, bodice inside and closures. It is cute, but my hand embroidery is not great. I find hand embroidery that is not cross stitch awkward. If I make these to sell, I will substitute other trimming. That being said I only embroidered the bodice. Maybe I can finish by tomorrow and put it on her for pictures. I am also planning on finishing a sale dress or two this week, so hopefully those can be posted soon, too.

This is the ruffle top I made last week for the oldest daughter. I will be offering it in my online shops as a custom item for girls or womens sizes based off chest and hip measurements. I can make it in a variety of color combinations and schemes. We are still progressing on the house preparations for 1st communion. Everyone also seems to be doing better after the stomach viruses. I still need to work on the two aforementioned dresses for this weekend. Last night, I was still feeling bad, so nothing was done. Today I register the youngest son, child #3, aka P, for public preschool next school year. Wow, how time has flown. Just seems like yesterday he was a baby in a carseat when we moved to the country. Cannot believe he will be boarding the school bus in the fall.

Busy cleaning house, we have had a stomach bug in the house since Friday, running through us like wildfire. I had 2 home yesterday, one today, plus the baby, Mike & I were not immune to it. I also have to clean since C's 1st communion is this weekend and we have guests coming to the house afterwards and I don't feel like doing anything! I still have the TAMU baby dress to finish for Saturday's shower and my dress for Sunday. Both are in the finishing stages. Today, I am working on woodwork, walls, doors, etc. Also neatened the desk some, need to dust though. I want major cleaning done by Friday evening, since I have to make food and cakes on Saturday, plus the shower and regular cleaning after the kids. Wish us luck on this one!

I found a cute little top that can be really cool. I made it for my oldest using 2 fat quarters for the bodice/sleeve ruffles and 1 fat quarter for the straps. I found the material at Seams Like Home here in our little town. When I told Sarah what I was making with them and how I was trying to make little girls things to sell, she said she would showcase something in the shop. I told her it would have to be made from fabric bought there, hence, a shirt would be great since I could make it from fats. I will go back next week, though and buy some yardage to make a dress to also showcase. I think in thanks I need to plug her generosity on this blog. Her store is http://www.alittlefabricstore.com and she has stock listed online for sale. They are very pleasant there. Check her out! Meanwhile, I will try to photograph the shirt on the oldest tomorrow as she is using it then. I would say it could be duplicated, so I will also list it in my shop.