Kitschy Coo Puffed Sleeve Smocky top (and shorts to match)

I just couldn't look at scrub blue poplin any more, (and I needed some fabric glue for the neckline) so I decided to work on Myra's summer wardrobe.  Since she spent all winter busily outgrowing last year's summer togs, she pretty much needs everything.  And since summer lasts about 10 1/2 months here in Texas, she needs it soon - like yesterday.

I got this pattern by the amazing Amanda of Kitschy Coo a few months ago, just as it was starting to get cool out, so I've just gotten around to sewing it up.

I have to pause here and sing the praises of her completely awesome patterns.  They are a-may-zing.  This is the second one that I have sewn.  The patterns themselves are hand drawn on heavy butcher paper.  If it wasn't against my personal code of ethics, you could totally cut them up, since they aren't nested like typical multi-sized patterns.  Each size is individually drawn.  The instructions are a full color photo tutorial, printed on cardstock.  The instructions are so good I really think these would be great "learn to sew" patterns for total rank beginners.  This pattern also includes instructions for serger and standard sewing machine.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure this top is going to be the staple of Myra's summer wardrobe.  I traced, cut and sewed it (and a pair of shorts) all in one naptime!!  Seriously, total time spent was less than 3 hours.  And it is freaking adorable!  OK, so the shorts pattern was already traced, but still!

I know, it doesn't get much cuter than that.  Wait, check out the back!

That awesome little notch makes it possible to get this top over Myra's giant melon (for real, she's greater than the 95% for her head circumference) without buttons or closures.  Love that!  I got this fabric in a remnant bundle at Hobby Lobby, and I used every last shred for this outfit.  The ladybugs are a mid-weight quilting cotton and the solid green is a lightweight, loose weave cotton - pretty much perfect for summer.  It was a total fabric score, since the bundle was 2 bucks and I still have three more 1/2 yard and bigger pieces in different prints left!

The shorts are Simplicity 4203, which I've made before.  There isn't anything particularly special about them, except that the pattern was already traced in Myra's size, but it's a fine basic shorts pattern.

I added a couple of rounded pockets to both the shorts and the top.  Myra loves pockets.  Ariel has already hitched a ride in there.

So, now I'll get back to the scrubs, but I've decided that I'm going to try some parallel sewing, since I have two machines.  Janome will do all of the knits and anything delicate, and the Singer gets cotton and other sturdy fabrics, since she's a bit more heavy weight.  It's nice to be able to switch back and forth when I get tired of something that I'm working on.  Then I can come back with clearer vision for whatever had me slagged.  So anyway, that is why my "In progress..." box on the sidebar has changed.  Now there are two projects in progress - one on Janome, and one on the Singer.  Fun, eh?

In triplicate

Apparently, I am sewing in threes this week. First, three aprons, now three pairs of shorts. It all started with this sweet outfit. The shorts are a modified version of Simplicity 4203, but what I really wanted to make was a short pattern from a Burda WOF that my sister brought me back from Europe. It's in French, so I've been a little nervous about trying out the patterns, since my high school French is a wee rusty and never included technical sewing terms anyway. But I figured shorts aren't complicated, so I was going to go for it, but the pattern starts at a 4T. Not helpful when Myra is a 12 M. Still I loved the look of the contrast fabric tie, so I decided to do a half elastic waist with a fabric tie/drawstring in the front. Not a big alteration, but I think it makes a big difference in style! After I made the shorts, I decided that she needed an appliqued onesie to go with. This is just with the applique ironed on, pre-stitching. I have to say that I am inordinately pleased with how this outfit came out. So cute! I know it's just shorts, but I love it when something so simple turns out so well.
but Myra REALLY wanted to wear it!
So here she is modeling her new outfit.
I LOVE the way these fit!! The length is perfect for crawling. There is plenty of diaper space, and she is comfy. I also think that between the drawstring and the generous hem that I can let out as needed, I should get more than one summer out of these.
After I made Myra's, I wanted to make some more! They were so fun and went together so quickly. So, I decided to make a pair for Anna and Lily. I had tons of this fun patchwork fabric, and it is so trendy right now for kids. I hope that the girls like their shorts!

ETA: Anna and Lily were so cute today sporting their shorts at playgroup! I was glad to see that I estimated the length perfectly. The girls looked cool and comfy in them! They got lots of compliments from the other mommies.