Groovy Sewing

My girls inherited several Groovy Girl dolls from some friends a few years back and enjoy brining them out every now and then and playing together.  The only problem is the girls are a little short on clothes. K has most of the outfits but there are still not enough.  Needless to say there are way too many naked dolls around their rooms. 

I found some easy patterns from CraftGossip.com to make an A line skirt and a strappy top. I modified the pattern slightly just for time.  I used a zig zag stitch on all the edges since I don't plan to wash these clothes and I didn't sew down the velcro.  

My girls are really excited about the first outfit I made tonight. I hope to make some more sets out of my scrap fabrics in the coming weeks.  Total project took probably 30-45 minutes for both the top and skirt, and that included searching for the supplies.

Thanks to CrafGossip.com for the tutorials:
Free Pattern Strappy Top for a Groovy Girl
Free Pattern A Line Skirt for a Groovy Girl

Sew this is Christmas...

Ok, really bad pun but I have been in sewing world for about a week.  I love making special dresses for my girls but don't have a ton of time to do it.  I also love to procrastinate so everything gets done at the last  minute.  Personally, I think I do my best work that way!  Anyway, I am using a great, simple pattern from Carla C at youcanmakethis.com.  Her directions are so easy to follow and the outfits are easy to put together.  I am making a simple jumper with ruffle.  Elizabeth's dress is done.  It is a bodice and ruffle of white fabric with tiny red dots.  The skirt is red fabric with tons of cute little Santa's all over. E requested Santa's and red is definitely her color!  I was on such a roll that I didn't measure out the length of the skirt like I was supposed to so she have a very long, flowey.  Luckily, she LOVES it long.  She will wear it tomorrow in the school Christmas program.  Even though it was 70 degrees today, she will wear a plain white shirt under it.

I am now assembling Katherine's dress.  Her dress will have a lime green bodice and ruffle with tiny white dots.  The skirt is white with different sized dots that are red, lime, and kelly green.  I was lucky to find fabric exactly as she described she wanted. I am going to leave the skirt long to match her sister's.  Plus, K said she liked the idea of the long, princess-type dress.

I have made enough dresses to know I hate gathering.  It is too time consuming and a pain.  But, I have daughters and all the cute dresses have gathers or ruffles or both.  Today, I found a gathering foot for my sewing machine for an awesome price (1 cent plus shipping!) so I ordered it.  I won't get it in time for this dress, but will have it for Easter.  So exciting!

Wonderful Wednesday

Today was a busy day.  I got to take my daughter for her 5 year check-up and was traumatized when she asked to go home while they gave her 5 shots!  I am pretty tough, except when it comes to my girls.  Then I can be an emotional wreck.  I for the second day in a row, I got to drive my girls to school which was fun.

Also, today, I spent my first real day of planning for their Christmas dresses.  I went to lunch alone, which I really kind of like, and did some calculations about fabric for their dresses.  The plan right now is to make 2 jumpers with a single ruffle, then a simple white shirt if I have time.  I have two options for this dress:  make a solid skirt with coordinating bodice and ruffle, or a striped skirt.  This pattern is one I bought from youcanmakethis.com and I love how easy the directions are.  Perfect for a working mom!  I am not sure what fabric to use yet as I will need some much needed input from the girls.  They are both pretty opinionated!

Tonight, I was pretty excited to see my new Runner's World magazine in the mailbox.  I always renew my subscription in the school magazine sale so I can never remember how many issues I miss between my last issue and the renewal.  This is the reader's issue so I hope to read a lot of articles about regular runners like myself.  Don't get me wrong, I love the advice and personal stories of more elite runners but it is nice to know there might be others out there like me.  Maybe someone who struggles to get out there with a crazy life or people with health issues who persevere and run anyway.  Running is truly for anyone who is willing to try.  I may not be an awesome runner, but running gives me peace, improves my health, and gives me something to strive for.  Here is a pic from the October 1st Montgomery Half Marathon.  My husband and I both participated and thought it was a great event!