Sewing: Camoflage Maxi Skater Dress

I so rarely sew for myself. I would rather focus my energy on what seems a sure thing--sewing for my girls. Just about everything works out and looks cute on them. On the other hand it seems that sewing for oneself is always a bit of a gamble. I guess I need to do it more so I learn what works and what doesn't. And wouldn't it be great to have a whole set of muslins, which fit me perfectly? That's a project to add to the list!

Well, whether it was the inspiration of all of you out there sewing for yourselves, or my acute need for a wardrobe boost, I took the gamble. And I'm happy I did. Granted I've always had a thing for camoflage, which not everyone shares. There were a few raised eyebrows close to home...but there were also some unsolicited compliments. So I'm calling it a success.

I purchased the Lady Skater sewing pattern during the pattern tour last year and have been wanting to give it a try. This grey and black camo knit fabric seemed the perfect opportunity.

I made a few modifications (though I also want to try this pattern as designed). I made the sleeves elbow length and added a maxi skirt with pockets. I was inspired by the SOLEIL Dress with it's front pockets and concentrated gathers so I created patch pockets with front gathers inbetween. I didn't gather the skirt on the sides and concentrated them in back again and the result is something like a bustle. I love the downward curve on the waistband. I didn't hem the skirt because I like the raw curl. It works for something casual.

This dress works nicely for summer trips where the evenings are cool, such as, say, the Rocky Mountains.... It rolls up for wrinkle-free packing. I know we are smack in the middle of summer but I'm excited about the way it will transition into Fall too.

Sewing: Shorts and T-Shirts for Roadtrips

We're doing a bit of road-tripping this summer. I love driving to nearby spots and showing my girls how beautiful this country is. It's amazing how much the landscape can change in a couple hundred miles. I've notiecd I'm particularly fond of re-traveling the routes I was driven as a child. Does this nostalgia mean I'm getting old? Maybe just appreciative.

A change of scenery is always nice, and selfishly, it's always nice to take advantage of a new backdrop for documenting these girls. It makes the trip that much more fun for me if they have some handmade things to wear along the way. And now I am wise to the fact that it's fun for them too if the clothes are casual and comfortable.

These shorts and t-shirts worked for everyone! Except for Tess, who decided not to wear the darling plaid racer shorts I sewed to go with her shirt and instead donned leggings. She loves her leggings.

Tess's strawberry t-shirt is made with the Nessie Top pattern from CINO. I have made several with this pattern and love it! Such a great swingy silhouette. The fabric is Heather Ross Briar Rose Jersey (of course--yes I bought all the jersey options).

Scarlett is also wearing a Nessie Top, sewn with this cute cotton lycra "Wild Flower" knit from landofoh on Etsy. And she wore the shorts I made her--the racer short view from Dana's (MADE) Kid Shorts pattern with some patch pockets I added to the back. I used quilting cotton in a pink crosshatch pattern purchased at FabricWorm a couple years ago and trimmed them with narrow prefab bias tape.

Audrey is wearing a sleeveless version of my Bateau Neck Top pattern (inspired by this sleeveless take on it MADE by Dana). I used a striped jersey I purchased from this funkaliciousfabrics Etsy shop. I used Dana's Kid Shorts pattern again for Audrey's fish shorts. This time in the longer length and with the patch pockets. Isn't that fabric great? I bought it in the Jo-Ann home decor section last summer.

We're headed off on another little trip soon but will be back. Hopefully with more summer sewing to share.

Cooking: Classic Lemon Poundcake (Recipe)

My brother's wife comes from a family of amazing cooks. And they really know how to cook for entertaining. They have a wealth of recipes fit for a crowd and I am sure they are constantly asked to share them. Fortunately they've shared a few with me.

I was fortunate to eat with them recently and enjoy this amazing pound cake. It's such a classic. And they had the recipe memorized so I could go home with it. I baked it about a week later!

This cake has the density you would expect of a pound cake, a hint of lemon, and really yummy crust on the outside. It's pretty amazing to eat plain, but I love it with whipped cream and berries. I'm fantasizing about topping it with sweetened ricotta and grilled peaches. And my sister-in-law toasted it and topped it with ice cream. Even better, it travels well on a picnic and keeps for over a week in the refrigerator. It's the perfect summer cake! I understand why my father-in-law was such a fan of pound cake. I wish I'd had this recipe to make it for him.

Click through to get this classic recipe.

Sewing: Floral Lulu Dresses for Summer

I am trying as quickly as I can to sew summer dresses for these girls so they can wear them for the next few months. And it's working. And it's so much fun. Scarlett couldn't wait to wear this dress and Tess quickly followed suit. It's been difficult to convince them they need to be occasionally washed.

These were made with the darling Lulu Dress and Top Pattern from CINO. I think Jess has an instant classic with this! I love the extended cap sleeves and the easiness of the cut. And of course the potential for mixing fabrics.

I chose a blue floral jersey knit for Scarlett from this Etsy shop (it's sold out but they have a lot of other cute fabric!) and combined it with a pink and yellow stripe (from this Etsy shop) for the bindings. Actually, Scarlett is the one who picked that combo--what an eye she has!

Tess's dress is a combination of Heather Ross Briar Rose Jersey Knit and this Sunny Yellow Dot from EuroGirls Boutique. I love combining florals with these graphic prints.

I followed the pattern pretty faithfully but I did make on seam pockets and top-stitched them on the front of the dress for added fun.

I think these dresses have a great vintage feel. As do piggy tails...  and cane sugar sodas... yum.

Sewing: Casual TShirts and Shorts for Summer

Our summer of reading is being fueled by weekly trips to the library to stock up on books. Granted we aren't very far into summer, but so-far-so-good. The girls are loving it.

I don't always coordinate their outfits, but today I nudged and they were happy to oblige because who wouldn't want to wear new, super soft t-shirts and shorts?  Audrey's and Scarlett's fishy raglan t-shirts are sewn with the Field Trip Shirt pattern from OliverandS, which I converted to short sleeves. The colorful fish cotton jersey was purchased here on Etsy. Their shorts are sewn with Dana's Kids Shorts pattern, which is so quick and versatile. I made Audrey the racer shorts style (cut somewhere between the boys' and girls' lengths) and Scarlett the basic shorts, and made them both flat front. I purchased the striped linen from Jo-Ann. Pretty fun combo. Audrey has worn hers a few times already.

And what about Miss Tess? She is sporting her own knit skirt with a new Nessie Top (pattern by CINO) sewn with a very lightweight floral knit purchased last year at Girl Charlee. Very lightweight knits are not my favorite to work with but I worked it out. In fact, I made a duplicate for Scarlett, which may appear here soon.

Sewing casual clothes seems to be a good strategy if the idea is to make things my girls will wear. In fact, a couple of the dresses may soon be worn out! How great is that? Only probably is, I'm feeling rather compulsive about the whole thing so other summer projects haven't quite launched... Oh well, that's how it goes in summer.