Sweet Baby Isla's Pumpkin Costume Faces

Lucky me to get to sew Isla's first Halloween costume! Momma Jenn sent an inspiration photo (you can see itoff to the right in the photos below). I cut it out on Friday night, so forgive the dark photos, but here's some potential faces. The eyes and mouth are all like the inspiration photo, but the mouth has 3 styles. Of course, it can be anything!

This Week's Custom Work

Blue Daisy Options

Option 1: Add new ruffle underneath current ruffle for a double ruffle look.

Option 2: Remove current ruffle and replace with a new, longer ruffle. The mock up with pins shows the ruffle on top of the seam but the top edge of the ruffle will actually be sewn into the seam creating an appearance like the current ruffle.

Carla's Montreal Ruffles!

Montreal style custom ruffle pants thanks to the custom request of Carla!

The pink 21 wale corduroy pair feature more modest ruffles than our Genevieve Style Ruffle Pants, and a double pocket for holding your sweet girl's little treasures. The fun peacock blue on chocolate brown on equally soft corduroy has the owl always love you fabric on patch pockets and big ruffles at the cuff!

Owl Ruffle Pants with Pockets for Treasures

These custom pants are headed to Montreal! Based on our original ruffle pants, these have pockets for treasures and ruffles at the bottom. Right now, the ruffles are pinned in place while one final decision is made: shorter ruffle or longer ruffle? Then its final attachments of the ruffles and off to Canada!

New Pony Tee to Match the Pony Skirt

Early in life, my Mom began taking us to the library thereby instilling a life-long love of books. Every Saturday I worked to finish my chores so I could head to the local library and pick up as many books as I could carry in my bicycle basket. Of the many books I read in childhood, Misty of Chincoteague and Stormy: Misty's Foal were standout favorites. Did you love them, too? Published in 1947, it's been adored by many generations of young readers. It came to mind when I saw the pony fabric used in the luxuriously soft brown corduroy twirl skirt http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29387048 and stayed with me as I designed the matching pony tee http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30849090.

This pale pink color was chosen by Chelsea who wants it to match her pink cowgirl boots, but the pony applique looks great on white, ivory, sky blue, and red, too. The tee features a polka dot pony and a fringe mane cut from the same fabric as the inside dot of the skirt.

Two Pinks

Hot pink on the left and fuchsia on the right.

The Sweet Rewards

One of the things I love most about creating custom made children's clothing is the happiness a made-just-for-you dress brings a little girl. That beaming face, that twinkling eye, that shining smile. It's a joy I remember from my own childhood.

In fact, not long ago I asked my Mom about the clothes she made for my sister and me when we were kids. Was it to save money? Because she enjoyed it? Because we wanted her to? "Yes," said Mom. "All of that, but mostly it was because you girls loved having something created just for you. Something no one else would have." While I can recall many of those little dresses, it's the joy I felt from wearing them that I remember most.

So recently, when I received this sweet little note written without prompting from sweet little Maddie, age 6, I understood just what she meant. That drawing on the front is her in her new frock.

Fall Preview - A Few Items

Sew, what have I been up to? Sewing samples! The Pony Skirt, Ruffle Pants in super soft corduroy and denim, and scarlet twirl skirt are already posted.

For fall, there will definitely be lots more corduroy - yeah! Look for jumpers, skirts/tops, peasant tops and dresses, and the popular ruffle pants. Here's a few newpatterns I've been toying with.

Little Ruffles - You Can't Have Just One!

The Pink Chickadee Denim Ruffle Pants have been popular in our shop and with in-person customers, too! Thanks everyone!

A couple of customers have requested smaller ruffles, so here's a peak at the Big Ruffles little sister Little Ruffles. Same denim, same waistband, same basic pant, just half the ruffle.

Beautiful Corduroy

Isn't this shade of blue lovely? It's a Robert Kaufman 21 wale corduroy called Robin Egg Blue.

The drape of the fabric is perfect for clothing, skirts, dresses, pants, jackets. Plus, it is super soft so kids will love wearing it!

I can't wait to make something from it! Watch for something new in my shop soon.