::tap tap:: Anyone there?

Hello!! Long time, no updates.

So I took an unintentional break from sewing and blogging and the internet in general but no worries, we're getting back to normal.

I have a stack of spring & summer fabrics just waiting to be cut into and a folder full of patterns I can't wait to try.

So we're back in business with a little surprise (for those who haven't heard already):

#2 Due in November! So, it looks like I'll have double the sewing to do in 2014 ;)

Hey!

Don't forget! We've got random life-updates on the lifethings blog :)

Guest post: DIY Bias Tape at Birch Fabrics blog!

Today we're talking Bias Tape over at Birch Fabrics blog! Hop over for my guest post on how to make your own:

Check back soon for a fun project to put this bias tape to work :) 

Thanks for having me, Birch!

Robotic! And the winner is...

AND THE WINNER IS...

Steph Greer! She says:

Congratulations, Steph! I agree – this fabric is great for boys and girls! Good luck with the little one and happy sewing!

(Just a disclaimer: if I don't hear from Miss Steph by 4/26 we will draw a new winner. )

Easter Dress: Oliver + S Rollerskate

I picked up the new O+S Rollerskate Dress pattern a few days ago and I am so glad I decided to go with this over the Pinwheel Tunic (for now haha) because while the Pinwheel is adorable and I also want to make it, I can see this pattern becoming a staple in Clara's wardrobe.

It can be dressed up or down depending on fabric choice and I also really like it as just a tunic (chambray, anyone?). ALSO ALSO: no sleeves to set in, no buttonholes, no zipper. It is fully lined and adorable and absolutely suitable for a beginner or someone who wants to make like, 4 in a sitting. 

Some of the sweet details: 1. button loop 2. cinched waist 3. fully lined 4. all done!

Matching hair bow.

Getting more use out of her Christmas coat.

Running wild & free!

So Easter is done. I have fabric enroute to me now for KCW (first time participating! so excited!) and that's about it. Yes – it's still cold enough here for her to be in a wool coat. womp womp.

Dress fabric: Confetti by Emily Isabella for Birch Organics c/o Fabricworm (coming April)

Coat: Janie & Jack Violet Royale Collection (no longer available)

A little of this & a little of that

So, as I'm sure you're aware, and if you aren't I envy you, but gReader will be no more. I know. wtf. I've done a *very* little looking at other options and at this moment in time thing that Blog Lovin is where I'm going to start doing all my blog-reading. You don't need a blog to use it, and you don't have to use it if you are continuing to read Littlest Pretty Things (which I surely hope you will) but anyway. Follow me there if you wish :)

In other not-sewing news I've opened a tiny Etsy shop for my digital invitations & announcements & blog kits. I emphasize *tiny*. 

It will be expanding slowly over the next few months but creating invitations and other sorts of printables is something I've done for myself and friends for quite some time. I have a few stock birthday cards available now and am happy to with you on custom orders. I tend to think my prices are incredibly reasonable ;) Anyway – there's also a link to the shop in the sidebar if ever you're looking for it.

  

Maybe I'll eventually expand to some sewn-goods but I'm not there yet ;)

So that's what I've been up to!

Sewing for boys with Robotic! GIVEAWAY!

I was recently given the opportunity to venture out of my sewing comfort-zone with a small project for Fabricworm.com, one of my absolute favorite online fabric sites.

I'm used to sewing pretty little dresses and ruffle-y tops and using lots of pink and purple and flowers and lace, oh my! So when I was asked to sew a little something using the brand new Robotic line by Rebeka Ginda for Birch Organic I was really excited and also a little terrified.

We decided on a sweet (can I still say sweet for little boys? yes?) little Military-inspired shirt and a handful of bowties – I cannot be happier with how everything turned out.

1. Library 2. The Lab 3. Invasion 4. Graph 5. Zoom Teal

Clara even had a great time modeling for me. Well, not the bowties. She throws enough of a fit for hairbows (I tell her it's the price of beauty, she doesn't listen to me). I award any of you boy-mommas a gold star if you're able to coerce your child into a constricting neck-decoration. Seriously. 

My favorite detail on the shirt was the little sleeve-strap. I have a few shirts myself with one of those and I love it – definitely something I want to incorporate into some of CBs tops.

The bowties are so freaking cute I can't take it. If I made them again I would probably do a velcro closure in the back though. I can't imagine having to actually tie a bowtie on a toddler. I had to watch like 6 YouTube video tutes to even be able to tie it on a stuffed dog.

And really, there is no reason why this fabric couldn't be used for something girly. I can see Invasion on a full skirt (maybe with a really feminine accent on a Boadwalk Skirt that I've been seeing all over the interwebs).

And there's even a coupon code! Save 10% on $25 or more with promo code "SPRINGFLING25"

What can you see yourself making with some of these fabrics? I'd love to hear it!

PLUS! Fabricworm has been so generous to offer one littlesprettythings reader a fat quarter pack of Robotic. All you have to do is pin your favorite image from this post and leave a comment :) Winner will be announced March 25th @ 8:00PM. Good luck!

Works in Progress

How's everyone's March treating them? It's rainy and gloomy but the extra hour of daylight is already making me feel awesome.

I'm working on a few bigger-scale projects right now which explains the lack of updates. Here's a look at some recent WIPs.

A secret side project that I'll be sharing soon:

Also some projects with the lovely people over at Fabricworm & Birch Fabrics (you'll notice their buttons in the sidebar):

So. Much. Bias tape.

And a twin sized quilt that I have challenged myself to complete by St. Pattys day. Which has been going great but I'm not sure I'll meet my deadline:

We also finally finished updating our bathroom (I'll post pictures on the Life page soon) and installed a new laundry sink (we've been in this house FIVE YEARS and never has my laundry sink worked. So I guess you can say I never missed it but oh my is it awesome to have!)

What's keeping you busy?

Inspired by: Zara Baby

Welcome to the first of what I hope will be many Inspired By posts!

What is it? Well, I regularly see really adorable tops and dresses and outfits (oh my!) and can't justify the price tag because a) she grows like a weed and b) I could totally make that.

First up this adorable Polka Dot Dress with Little Bow by Zara Baby dress:

Retails for $35.90. O.O Cute, but not forty bucks cute. Looking at it I decided what I really liked was that it has sleeves, the bodice is lined, the back button closure, and what looks to me like piping around the sleeve hems, and also the bow detail.

(I'll note here that this was my first successful self-drafted pattern – if you don't count Pebbles – so it's not perfect but it came out good enough for a 1½ year old)

So there you have it. $5.99 on sale fabric from Joann's plus some solid white I had in my stash (for the lining) two buttons and a few inches of white piping and you have yourself a dress. I may or may not have cut the bodice upside down on the scallop print but who cares really. For less than $8 (or even less if you consider I only used about ¾ of a yard).

Feel free to follow me on Pinterest to see what's inspiring me today (I'm looking at you, giant Osh Kosh catalog..)

Question: I'm thinking about trying this again, tweaking where needed. Also having the buttons go all the way down the back. Would there be any interest in a tutorial?

Works in Progress & Sewing for boys

Between mourning over Downton, swooning over New Girl, and dealing with a rough few nap-less afternoons I've also been working on some fun projects. 

Here are some progress shots – 

– Bowties in Robotic by Rebeka Ginda for Birch Organic (Zoom Teal, Invasion, & The Library)

– Boys Military Shirt in Robotic by Rebekah Ginda for Birch Organic (Graph Paper & The Lab)
– Bias Trimmed Apron in Yay Day by Emily Isabella for Birch Organic (Quilt, Grassy Meadow, & Pretty Floral)

Fabric c/o Fabricworm & available this Spring.

It was fun to sew some boy things for once! I can't wait for the buttons to arrive and I can take some pics of the finished product. Also, I hope to not make bias tape ever again. Or at least for a long time. Ay yi yi.