Baby Romper Doo doo do

What do you do when the one who taught your son "Baby Shark" announces she's pregnant? Make her a Baby Shark Romper, of course! My son's Preschool teacher recently let us know that she was expecting, and she was also his teacher in the 2-year-old room where he learned that little ditty, so... turnabout is fair play, says I. 

I'd been sitting on this main fabric for a while (as in, since my kids got into the song), and it paired nicely with several PurpleSeamstress solids I had on hand. Ultimately I chose lime green on either a hunch or a whim. 

For the pattern I re-used the Brindille & Twig Polo Romper. Its methods for creating the placket are starting to grow on me, and for a yet-unborn child, its unhelpful RTW size chart isn't so critical. I made this in the 3 month size, and figured the baby will just wear it when he gets to wear it. 

And I hope he will wear it! I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out, with Daddy Shark swimming across the placket and the lime green collar popping against the turquoise/bright blue ocean. Now when the song comes up, this "baby shark" will have an outfit for the occasion!

Bayou Cardi

I'm always hung up when it comes to doing my own selfish sews - I don't think I ever figured out how to dress my "mom bod" post kids, and so investing time and beautiful fabric in a wardrobe item that might not be flattering (or comfortable!) is a genuine concern. I should probably get in the habit of making muslins, but my sewing time is already so precious that I hate to spend time dithering on something I'm not excited to wear.

That said, earlier this year I did talk myself into taking the plunge on a pattern I'd been eyeballing for a long while - the Halla Essie. I'm very pear-shaped - so the circle skirt appealed, and a cardigan doesn't *have* to be flattering if it is comfortable.

I'd been hoarding 2 yards of this lovely "Bayou Flowers" print from Firefliez Fabrics for over a year, and it was time to start enjoying it on my person rather than on my shelf!

I'll admit I underestimated how labor-intensive the Essie would be, with the cuffs and the circle skirt. I always forget how long it takes just to cut out the individual parts of adult patterns. But, once I figured out the options, the Cardigan came together pretty nicely. Halla patterns have so many options, so well defined, and I adore that their patterns come with pre-printed rulers that help with grading. Here was the final result:

I do like the silhouette on me, but I sized down rather than up in the bust area, and I wish I'd gone up instead. Plus, my loving husband - who, make no mistake is 100% supportive of me and my sewing - took one look at my Essie hanging up and said in confusion, "...you made a Hugh Hefner Robe?"

So of course, now I can't un-see it. Styling it has been a bit of a challenge as a result - especially since I made it right as weather started warming up for us - but hopefully I will figure something out. At the very least, it was a good stash buster, and a chance to work with a really lovely print!

Gotta Catch More Fluff!

Shortly after my nephew W was born, I sewed him a blanket made from "fluff," a super-soft and fuzzy fabric imported from Japan. As fate would have it (and not unsurprisingly, if you've ever handled it) my SILs loves that blanket not just for its looks, but also because it contains what she calls "magical properties" that help my nephew fall asleep.

Therefore, when I got the chance to order some fluff again - and in another fandom my SIL loves - I jumped on it. It took about 4 months for this beauty to make it FROM Japan to my sewing room, but it was absolutely worth it. Normally my projects linger before I work up to them, but I cut this blanket out the same weekend I picked it up from the post office.

I also ordered some coordinating fabric: the intent is for this to eventually be a set. But when you have a baby who depends on that ONE thing to get to sleep, a backup for the new mom takes priority.

So, Auntie RLQ to the rescue!!! Legendary Lullabye is still clearly Baby W's favorite, but now he (and my SIL!) have a plan B when it's in the wash.

2019 Completions

2019 was a pretty productive year for me, sewing-wise. First off, my MIL moved just down the street from us, so I had a few more options for kid-entertainment when I sewed. Second, falling in love with and following some pretty amazing professional seamstresses online encouraged me to branch out. I bought a New-to-me used Babylock Imagine, which paved the way for some more ambitious sewing adventures and kept me excited. With my new, easier-to-use serger I got back into woven, and even tried out Tulle and organza skirts for my creations. Plus my first local nephew was born, and of course having a baby to sew for is always fun.

In addition to baby clothes, 2019 was the "year of the set" for me. I made sibling sets, Father/son sets, a mother-daughter set, and even Grandma got in on the action with one of my "sibling sets" turned multi-generational. I also managed to lure my daughter in for a *little* bit of sewing - she made a skirt and some shorts - but I think she's not quite ready for the speed of the sewing machine yet (she's 7). My family also made a last-minute trip to Disneyland (weekend commando raid), which provided the inspiration (motivation?) for a three-week sewing blitz that ended in cute Disney outfits for my husband, son, and mother.

And finally, it was the end of an era on my Oz quilt. A decade after I made the first pillow, and about 6 years after I made the quilt, I finished the last pillow and gifted it to my MIL. It's kind of crazy to think that I have been sewing for over a decade (and actually now that I think on it that means this blog will also be ten years old in 2020), and to realize that when I started that project, my husband (and the father of my children) was just my boyfriend and I hadn't made a single quilt yet.

At any rate, without further reminiscing, here are my completions from 2019:

Here's Your Frog Hoodie (link)

Completed: Jan 2019

Pattern: Megamax Raglan (with CKC Haven Pocket)

A Fun Hoodie for my son, whose favorite color is green. A fussy cutting masterpiece!

Aurora Fun Dress (link)

Completed: Jan 2019

Pattern: Girl's Fun Tee + SLPCo Isla

My daughter fell in love with this panel, and though it was cut off at the bottom, we found a way to make it work!

Fairy Tale Birthday Shirt (link)

Completed: Feb 2019

Pattern: CKC Esther

My first commission! My MIL picked out the fabric and pattern, and we gifted this shirt to my niece on her birthday.

Pajamas of WarCraft (link)

Completed: Feb 2019

Pattern: Brindille & Twig Baby Kimono and Footies

A gift for my local Nephew, who was due Valentine's day.

Pokemon Baby Set (Blanket) & (Outfit)

Completed: Mar 2019

Pattern: Brindille & Twig Baby Kimono and Footies

A set for my local nephew, gifted shortly after he was born.

A Collaboration with A (link)

Completed: March 2019

Pattern: Math!!!

Lots of straight lines made for a good first project for my daughter, who made this skirt mostly by herself!

The Happiest Dress (link)

Completed: March 2019

Pattern: Peekaboo Violet

Gifted to a Friend whose family was making their fist trip to Disney World.

Midsummer LOLs (link)

Completed: Feb 2019

Pattern: Striped Swallow Designs Midsummer's Dream

My Daughter had to have this fabric, and this was a quick summer-y sew!

Final (!) Oz Pillow (link)

Completed: April 2019 2019

Fabric by Quilted Treasures

The final pillow in a 7-pillow series, for my Wizard of Oz loving MIL.

Stormtrooper Father/Son Set (link)

Completed: April 2019

Pattern: Cole's Creation Jerry Raglan (Dad)/ Max & Meena Max Raglan (Son)

A quick set of raglans so the RLQ men can match!

Guardians of the Galaxy Father/Son Set (link)

Completed: April 2019

Pattern: Tie Dye Dive Zee's Tee/ Stitch Upon a Time Huntsman

One good turn deserves another.

Strawberry Shortcake Sister Set (link)

Completed: May 2019

Pattern: SLPCo Isla

Gifted to the children of a close friend over 1500 miles away! My first effort with a Double Border.

A Christmas Shirt for Father's Day (link)

Completed: June 2019

Pattern: Peekaboo Yukon

A Christmas shirt for my train-loving Dad, gifted when he came out to visit for Father's day.

Rainbow Brite Mother/Daughter Set (link & link)

Completed: July 2019

Pattern: Striped Swallow Designs Desert Breeze

Because why should the boys have all the parent-child fun?

Small World Sibling Set (Intro Dresses Romper Finale)

Completed: July 2019

Pattern: Violette Fields Threads June, Ruthie; Brindille & Twig Polo Romper

For my Brother's kids who live just a hop, skip, and a jump from Disneyland!

Zelda Set for Baby W (link)

Completed: August 2019

Pattern: Brindille & Twig Polo Romper

A Sequel to the Pokemon Set.

Back to School Creation for A (Top Shorts)

Completed: August 2019

Pattern: Violet Fields Threads Ruthie & Allie

A Ruffled back-to school shirt from mom, and some shorts she sewed herself!

Should You Need Us... (link)

Completed: August 2019

Pattern: Hey June Lane Raglan

Gifted to a friend who had recently lost a pet.

Golden Sun for Grandma too! (link)

Completed: August 2019

Pattern: Pattern 4 Pirates Basic tee (modified sleeves) 

A last-minute project #1 when we booked a surprise trip to Disneyland

Star War Mickey (link)

Completed: September 2019

Pattern:  Cole's Creations Jerry's Raglan (Dad) / Max Raglan (Son) 

A last-minute project #2 when we booked a surprise trip to Disneyland... this one was really down to the wire!

Descendants Hoodie Dress Repeat (Dress & Socks) 

Completed: October 2019

Pattern:  CKC Haven's Hoodie 

A sized-up version of one of my Daughter's favorite dresses from 2018

Rainbow Cheetah Tulle two-piece (link) 

Completed: November 2019

Pattern:  SbPP GIrls' Fun tee and CKC Delaney mash-up (with original tulle skirt)

Inspired by trends at some of my favorite designers, a "test effort" with Tulle 

Frozen Premiere Dress (link) 

Completed: November 2019

Pattern:  SbPP Girls' Fun Tee 

Using Organza, another 2-piece creation, the top can go with Jeans or a fluffy skirt!

Boys of Frozen (link) 

Completed: November 2019

Pattern:  Max Raglan

A Frozen premiere outfit for my son, with a matching shirt for his friend!

101 Dalmatians Raglan (link) 

Completed: November 2019

Pattern:  Cole's Creations Jerry Raglan 

A Christmas gift for my youngest brother

Christmas Train Mickey Raglan (link) 

Completed: December 2019

Pattern:  Cole's Creations Jerry Raglan

A Christmas present for my youngest brother to turn my Father's Day gift to my Dad into a Father/Son Set

Glad Tidings (link)

Completed: December 2019

Fabric: Glad Tidings by Henry Glass

Made with love (and help!) from my mom, using a panel we picked up in Houston in 2017

Zombie Hunting Princesses (link) 

Completed: December 2019

Pattern:  CKC Haven's Hoodie

A Christmas Gift for my niece and her Zombie-loving Dad!

Call Me Khaleesi (link) 

Completed: December 2019

Pattern:  SbPP Girls' Fun Tee

A Christmas Gift for my niece nicknamed "Princess"

Stats:

Garments: 37

Woven vs knit: 4 vs 33
Kids vs Adults: 26 vs 9
Garment Sets: 8
Baby sets w/ Blanket: 2
Other projects: 1 (pillow)

WiPs without any progress in 2018: Star Wars II, Christmas Traditions. Quilting is shelved while there are so many fun outfits to be made!