All dressed up!

Here is Eli modeling his new clothes for us.  I think he's more interested in his wee hand.

Isn't he the cutest ever?!

Burda 9711

My friends Polly and Santino asked a special favor last week. I'm usually pretty greedy with my sewing time, since I don't have a lot of it, and only sew for family, but their sweet little boy Eli is going to be blessed on Sunday, and he needed something special to wear. I'm honored that they thought of me! I really love making baby clothes, and this was no exception. Polly and Santino were looking for something simple, and after we talked a bit about what they wanted, I looked for a few patterns, and they chose Burda 9711. It is such a sweet pattern! We went fabric shopping together and Polly chose a wonderful seersucker to make it. Here is how it turned out! I think it is just perfect!

I also really adore this pattern. It's Burda, so it is well designed. It is not for the beginning seamstress, however. There were a few things that I'll do differently on the next go round.
For one thing,the sleeve could have used some ease stitching. The pattern actually specified to ease in the shoulder seams, which didn't need it, but not the sleeves, which did. Meh. I ended up just pinning a LOT, but next time I'll just ease.

I did ease stitch the hemline, which made it go ever so smoothly, and it turned out very well, unlike my last curved hemline. I did the same with the curves on the pocket and again, success.

The collar went on very nicely. It is bound with a bias strip, which was a much easier way of attaching it than the method I've used before, but does require some visible stitching along the neckline. Fortunately, the pattern calls for some very cute decorative top stitching, both on the collar and around the hem and facings of the shirt. The topstitching is echoed in the hem of the pants, which is just adorable. I like the look of the hem band on this pant. The pattern calls for a contrast fabric for the hem band, (as well as the sleeves, collar, pocket and lower shirt) which we didn't do, but I did still like the detail of the hem band. The pattern instructions call for you to simply stitch on the band and then topstitch the seam allowances toward the shorts, but since the seersucker is a little sheer, I didn't want my seam allowances to show, so I stitched them downward. In retrospect, I think it would have been cleaner to use the band more as a binding and enclose the lower edge of the pant. Next time.

I love the look of the topstitching, even though it is in the same color, I think it really is a nice detail that gives the piece a personal look. I can't wait to make this outfit again!

I really can't wait to see it on Eli!!

Wearing McCall's 5664

Happy Cinco de Mayo! I'm celebrating by wearing my new top today and I am so far, very pleased! It is comfortable, although the sleeves feel a little strange at first when you tie the tie, as it pulls them forward, but it doesn't restrict movement at all. It is great to nurse in, and I was a little worried about that. Even having sewn the placket up twice as high as the pattern called for (apparently, McCall's thinks the world is interested in seeing my nursing bras), there was plenty of ease to move it aside to nurse. I think that if I pulled up the shirt to nurse there would be a lot of fabric in Myra's face, though. The ties are a good length, as they don't dangle into "stuff". As a mom of babies there is a lot of "stuff" I don't want on my clothes.

As an added bonus, Myra finds the contrast tie to be absolutely irresistible. So, a built in baby soother. Can't ask for better than that! I've tried to get a picture of her playing with it, but she finds the camera more compelling and drops the tie whenever the camera comes in range, so you'll just have to take my word for it.

For next time, I will definitely use a fabric with some stretch again, but I think that I will lengthen the hemline a bit in the front, as the tie tends to pull it up, and I would like the ties to be just a smidge wider. I also think it would be cute in a fun print with coordinating solid ties.

In other news, Eli's little blessing outfit (Burda 9711 out of white seersucker) is coming along swimmingly. I got the pants completely done this morning and the shirt already has both pocket and collar. More on that once it's all done, but I will say that I am loving this pattern! Cute and easy are a very good combo in my book.