Have a laugh!

Here we are in our pioneer bonnets and aprons!

And just me. Why do I always pose like that?

The lesson went well, and I think the crazy get-up we had on actually did add to rather than distract from the message.

Kitty Shorts

Logan has a deep and abiding love for all things kitty. So when I saw this Robert Kaufmann print in the remnant bin I couldn't pass it up! I don't know how I missed it on the bolt, as I'm always on the lookout for good boy fabrics! Anyway, it wasn't a big piece, but big enough for some cargo shorts! So, I hit up my go to boy pattern, Butterick 3475 and went to town. The pockets are a sturdy twill that I had in stash.

Aren't those crazy kitties cute? I love Posh Kitty!
Logan is at best a reluctant model, even with a pudding pop.

But Godiva seems to approve (or maybe she just wants some chocolate.).

So, I snuck a quick pic while he was licking banana bread batter.

Pardon the complete lack of matching. Logan picks out his own clothes... Anyway, they fit and he loves them! And so do I.

Buttercup Bag!

This is my interpretation of Made by Rae's Buttercup Bag. How cute is that? Here is the inside. Pretty lining... You can't really tell, but there is also a little pocket.
This was such a fun project! The pattern looks complex, but is really quite simple. The instructions are easy to follow. And the end result can't help but be cute! Another big bonus - it only takes two fat quarters to make. I got mine at Walmart, so they were a buck each. Add the snap and buttons and this freaking adorable bag was about 10 bucks. Sweeeeet.

The only down side, for me at least, is that it is a rather small bag. While this adds to it's adorable-ness, it definitely won't fit two sippy cups, four diapers, wipes, a bag of pretzels, three fruit snacks, Cheerios, and six Matchbox cars, which is the approximate contents of my bag. So, obviously this bag is not for me. When I saw the pattern the first time on Rae's blog, I immediately though of my sister-in-law, Heather. She is super cute, ridiculously fashionable and LOVES bags. So, this one is for her.

I followed the pattern pretty faithfully, which isn't like me, with the exception of the addition of craft interfacing to the bag outer. I like a bag to have a bit of body of it's own. I think that I will do that the next time I make this as well, as I like how it makes the bag feel - more sturdy than if it were just quilting cotton. It also might work to use Home Dec fabric or something thick. You'd get the same effect. I also think that next time I'll add another pocket, cell phone sized.

Did I mention that I love this bag?! I hope Bebbs likes it.

Why?

I know you'd all rather see the cute bag I'm working on (and it is CUTE!), but it's not done and I've had some thought percolating in my head that I want to set free. This is my medium.

I've been thinking about why it is that I sew, and love to sew. I've only really been bitten by the sewing bug for the past year. I've been able to sew for as long as I have conscious memory. I remember Mom letting me use her machine to make Barbie clothes when I was a kid, and I took a sewing class for Home Ec in Junior High. I suspect that I was the only eighth grader to make her own 5 pocket jean style denim miniskirt. As an adult, I've always been in the midst of some great educational venture, and sewing wasn't a big part of that, although I made sorority letter shirts in college and a few costumes in Medical School. This last year I have suddenly discovered how much I really love to make things; real things that people can use and love.

I observed yesterday, as I was blogging about the shorts and working on this bag (which is not intended to be for me - no room for sippy cups), that I really enjoy sewing for other people. Other people and not myself. Since I have always been an essentially selfish person, this realization surprised me. What?? I would rather make a pair of shorts for my good friend's kids than a cute skirt for myself?!? That is so not me! But I think it might be the emergence of a better me. A better me who seeks to serve others through the medium of creating. That idea really excites me and makes me grateful that I have the opportunity to become a better person. And I get to make really cool stuff, and give it to people. That rocks.

OK, OK. you want to see the bag. Well, it is almost done. Here is a preview.

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.