December sewing

I'm a couple of days early, and I'm going to spend those days working on doll clothes with my little girl so she can work out some of her problem spots with the patterns and technique.  There won't be much to report on from that, but if I'm lucky I'll end up with some extra outfits and maybe even re-open my Etsy store.  Who knows.

Anyhow - I started out this holiday month by using a new (to me) pattern company - Jalie !
The little miss has requested a long-sleeved leotard for these cooler months, and we both liked the look of this twist-top leotard.

My first attempt ended up in the bin, because the instructions were lacking.  I put the project aside for several days as I made up a Christmas gift for my Mother-In-Law (more on that later), but I did go back to the leotard, and managed to make my way through it.  I posted a review for this on one of my favourite sewing websites - www.PatternReview.com - and was quite honest about the troubles I had with the pattern.  I was floored to find a response from Jalie within 24 hours, AND updated and corrected instructions on their website !

I also entered this leotard in a contest that Pattern Review runs - I don't expect to get a good outcome, I never have - but I like to challenge myself anyhow, and it's fun to sew outside my personal comfort zone sometimes.  And this Twist-Front leotard was **WAY** out of my comfort zone !

 





Now, to show what I did before I tackled that leotard !  I made another of the Boyfriend Cardigan's from the pattern at Love Notions.  I used the same thick sweater knit I used for my own, but in a gorgeous raspberry colour, and a much smaller size !  In the end, I had to shorten the sleeves 3" for my Mother-In_Laws' preference, but the rest fit nicely.  The shawl collar on this is one of my favourite parts of it, it is SO cozy.

And since I was on a roll with the Boyfriend Cardigan's, I made one for the little miss too - but in a much lighter weight fabric, with contrasting pockets and collar.

Just before my husband's Mom's side Christmas gathering, I remembered that one of his cousins was getting 18" dolls for her young daughters.  The girls are about 2 and 5 - and I have had this lovely butterfly jersey knit sitting in my fabric stash for a few months just waiting for the perfect project.

Well - matching dresses for girls and dolls seemed to me to be the PERFECT project for this.  I'd also picked up some nice blue jersey at a local store not too long ago and they matched so nicely.

The girls dresses are the Mallory from Love Notions and the doll dresses are a free download available via the blog on that site - it's called the Everyday Play dress for dolls.

After finishing the matching girls and dolls dresses, I realized I had some of each fabric left over and made a Bluezette dress for the little miss (again - a Love Notions pattern) so that she could look like her little cousins :D

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !