tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8637920231878035152024-02-20T14:02:11.426-05:00Polka Dot Overload | Sewing, knitting & embroidery projects by Mikhaela ReidIncidents in reckless sewing, glacial knitting, retro and vintage styles, bold prints and bright colors, brought to you by Brooklyn-based cartoonist Mikhaela Reid. Sewing pattern, notion and New York fabric store reviews, sketches, illustrations, cartoons, alterations, tips, tutorials and (free!) projects for women, maternity, nursing, babies and toddlers. I love vintage and retro styles, especially the hourglass and pinup looks of the 1940s and 1950s!Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.comBlogger335125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-71314070296874141682017-01-02T00:43:00.006-05:002017-01-02T00:46:35.322-05:00A Perfect Wrap* Dress & a Not So Perfect Photo Shoot (Simplicity 1653 review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyZJHUztmCs/WGnNJ9gyVZI/AAAAAAAAVRc/rUTSUHJwFjsMtECbndnoKqhC7fuZY4hXwCPcB/s1600/IMG_1074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyZJHUztmCs/WGnNJ9gyVZI/AAAAAAAAVRc/rUTSUHJwFjsMtECbndnoKqhC7fuZY4hXwCPcB/s1600/IMG_1074.jpg" /></a></div>
<center><b><i>Do you hate taking garment photos as much as I do?</b> It took me 30 minutes to get this underexposed pixilated shot, all the while dreading the awkwardness of having to explain to our new neighbors why I was preening and fake laughing in a shared hallway.</i></center>
<br>
<p>Yesterday, I finished a happy dress. A dress that hugs, but doesn't squeeze. A dress that drapes but doesn't gape.
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<center><b><i>A dress that makes you want to touch your hair for no actual reason.</i></b></center>
<p>Today I tried to photograph it, and my happiness turned to ANGRY TEARS.
<p>Our new apartment faces an alley. So even squeezing myself against the window on my tip-toes at the brightest part of the day, I can't get enough natural light to take a proper indoor picture. So I covered my flash with some white interfacing to soften it, with mediocre results.
<p>Also, my old Canon Rebel XSI hates me and refuses to autofocus in self-timer mode.
<p>Also, I have covered every wall of our apartment with bright paint, cartoons, and sci-fi art, leaving no neutral backdrops to be found.
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<center><b><i>I extended the self-fabric belt around the back for more waist-hugging points</b> (<a href="http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.com/2013/08/simplicity-2369-mock-wrap-border-print.html">as recommended by the Slapdash Sewist</a> in her review).</i></center>
<p>But I digress. You're here to make yourself an amazing happy dress, not to pity my photographic incompetence.
<h3>The Inspiration</h3>
<p>Diane von Furstenberg-style wrap dresses—a cornerstone of my <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2016/05/how-to-build-happy-personal-style.html">Personal Style Uniform #1: "The Dress That Always Fits."</a>
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<center><b><i>Amy Adams rocks a green DVF wrap in <i>American Hustle</i>.</i></b></center>
<h3>The details:</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Pattern</b>: Simplicity 1653 Amazing Fit mock wrap dress, picked up for free <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2013_05_01_archive.html">at a Brooklyn Sewing Club pattern swap</a>.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ukTDOhkk-y8/WGna2HAMEDI/AAAAAAAAVSQ/CBNepbWnfvUHuA2UnFY-XUCuhv2NwCiBgCLcB/s1600/1653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ukTDOhkk-y8/WGna2HAMEDI/AAAAAAAAVSQ/CBNepbWnfvUHuA2UnFY-XUCuhv2NwCiBgCLcB/s1600/1653.jpg" /></a></div>
<center><b><i>I stand in awe of this woman's ability to stand in such shoes. I can barely handle kitten heels for a few hours.</i></b></center>
<p><b>Fabric</b>: $6/yard ITY jersey from Spandex House (where else?)
<p><b>Notions</b>: foldover elastic (to bind the neckline and crossover for a snug, no-gape effect), <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Warm-Company-Steam-Seam-Fusible/dp/B000WWOBWY/">1/4" Steam-A-Seam Lite</a> (to hem the sleeves and bottom).
<p><b>Sizing:</b> This is one of those heavenly patterns with multiple cup sizes in the package. I made the size 12 with a D cup bodice and the "Slim" skirt based on the stretchiness of the fabric, my love of negative ease and my hatred of gaping loose necklines. (By my actual body measurements, I would have made the 16. Also, I may not be actually "Slim" but I have narrow hips in relation to my frame).
</blockquote>
<h3>Modifications</h3>
<p>I bound the neckline with tightly stretched foldover elastic (FOE) instead of just folding over and stitching, which would have been a sure recipe for gape disaster.
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<center><b><i>100% gape-free neckline. You can do this.</i></b></center>
<p>I'm not sure FOE is the best elastic for this, but it's what I had lying around. I serged and stretched it, then folded it over and topstitched with a zig-zag. Here's the underside—kind of hard to see, as the FOE is gray.
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<p>Even my FOE wasn't quite snug enough at the back neck—I ended up making a giant (4") dart in the center back to make it lie flat. (Husband helped me pin out the bubble, since I couldn't reach).
<p>I also found the order of construction in the pattern baffling. So I came up with my own:
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<center><b><i>Good thing I wrote this down, since I started this dress in May... and didn't get back to it until December</i></b></center>
<p>I extended the self-fabric waist belt around the back for extra waist-hugging points <a href="http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.com/2013/08/simplicity-2369-mock-wrap-border-print.html">as recommended by the Slapdash Sewist</a> in her review.
<h3>Construction Notes</h3>
<ul>
<li>I used my sewing machine to baste, top-stitch and sew darts, and my serger to sew the final seams.
<li>I basted the sides and back to check fit as instructed (it is an "Amazing Fit" pattern, after all). It felt like Too Much Work at the time but I'm glad I did—it was just a smidge tight, so I went with 5/8" side seams instead of the 1" built in.
</ul>
<h3>Wear for...</h3>
<p>Work...
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<center><b><i>Why yes, this is a perfect hallway in which to have a pretend phone conversation.</i></b></center>
<p>...Date Night...
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<center><b><i>My knitting is NOT going to fit in this vintage purse.</i></b></center>
<p>...And occasions on which you randomly jump up and down in hopes of getting a funny photo...
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<center><b><i>I do not advise doing this in heels. Luckily my ankles are still intact.</i></b></center>
<h3>In sum: make this dress for yourself!</h3>
<p>If wrap necklines are your thing, please go make yourselves this perfect knit happy dress right now. It has a great flexible fit system and fun details: raglan sleeves! a self-fabric belt! cool waist pleating!
<p>Plus it's as adjustable as a wrap—minus the risk of your skirt blowing open in the middle of a crowded city crosswalk (ask me how I know).
<p>Bonus photo: Z helps me with some pinning!
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<p><i>*Mock wrap, actually.</i>
Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-20592656531499887062016-12-31T01:54:00.001-05:002016-12-31T01:57:02.176-05:00Harry Potter family cosplay (or how I sewed a Dumbledore costume out of random thrift store items in just 2 nights)
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<p>Have you ever tried to knit or sew nice things for someone you love to find that they just don't ever... actually wear them?
<p>Yeah, me too. I gave up knitting for my husband after two consecutive hats and a pair of fingerless gloves went unworn for years. I can barely convince my daughter to wear the latest dress I made her. My toddler could care less about Mama-made clothes.
<p>Halloween costumes are ANOTHER story. They did not want to take these off! (Yes, I realize this post is several months belated).
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<p>I had originally intended to just buy all the costumes (we've had a lot going on)——but soon realized that you can't actually buy Professor Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall costumes--just the hats. I also found out that they don't make Harry Potter robes in toddler sizes.
<h3>The basic costume details</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>For all costumes:</b> We got the wands on eBay (some are knockoffs, some are just used proper ones), plus the hats, ties and scarves.
<li><b>Dumbledore costume:</b> Spent way too much time studying photos of Dumbledore and sketching my ideas and almost ran out of time. Made under and over-robes from some thrift-store curtains, thrift-store shirts, and discount-store gray shiny polyester fabric. Sewed on lots of trim and embroidery at random. There really wasn't time to make it the right way, so instead of making a pattern I just pinned and draped everything directly on him repeatedly until it was done. You do NOT want to look too closely.
<li><b>Harry Potter costume:</b>Bought gray sweater vest at kid's clothing discount store, and toy glasses at Amazon. To make the Nimbus 2000, husband darkened a cheap toy broom with a paint marker and lettered it with a Gold Sharpie (thanks to fellow Professor McGonagall <a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/">at Cation Designs</a> for the inspiration). Bought a larger-size Gryffindor robe on eBay and hemmed the sleeves and length to the right size (left extra fabric so I can let it out later).
<li><b>Hermione Granger costume:</b> She already had the robe (just because), so just added tie, socks, skirt, scarf, wand, cauldron and vest. Only actual sewing was to the skirt, the discount store skirt I bought was way too big and I took it in.
<li><b>Professor McGonagall costume:</b> Hat, wand and brooch from eBay. Plus a black knit turtleneck dress. The green velvet robe I sewed together from some cheap Halloween store velvet capes—I altered the fit and added armholes. I meant to make big sleeves but ran out of time. CLOSE ENOUGH.
</ul>
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<p>Bonus images of my husband's previous favorite costume I made for him, from our pre-kid days: Two-Face. (I cut two thrift store suits and ties up the middle.)
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<p>Wishing you all the best New Year possible! The kids are with my parents for a few days so I am hoping to take a sew-cation day tomorrow and finish the dress and top I cut out months ago and maybe even start something new. Stay tuned!Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-89567941296641672202016-05-02T00:30:00.003-04:002016-05-02T15:14:58.228-04:00How to build a happy personal style uniform (plus Me Made May kickoff)<p>
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<p>I don't know about you, but when I drag myself out of bed in the morning, torn from sweet sleep by the phone alarm or a child screaming "Mama!", I am far too groggy to make complicated garment-and-accessory coordinating decisions.
<p>Yet for a long time I resisted the idea of a personal style uniform, because it sounded far too boring and restrictive.
<h3>Style Reality vs. Style Fantasy</h3>
<p>In my fantasy life, I'd improvise amazing/surprising/creative outfit and accessory combinations each morning. In reality, I had neither the time nor energy for this, and my remaining garments left after an intense KonMari purge brought me joy separately but didn't necessarily play well with others. My thrift shopping, sewing and knitting tended toward the random "hey I like this piece, WHEE!" without a larger wardrobe plan or goal in mind.
<p>As a result I'd been really feeling that awful "frumpy mom" feeling, often heading off to my (very casual-dressing) office in random assortments of jeans, T-shirts, hoodies and a ratty ancient backpack big enough for toting breast-pump supplies... or skirts tops and shoes in an assortment of silhouettes and patterns that somehow just didn't really "go."
<h3>Wardrobe Architecting It</h3>
<p>So for some months now I've been on a project to try to pare down my style to its core, curate a few select silhouettes and styles and color schemes, and develop a more cohesive and happy personal style. To move from frumpy random chaos to creativity within happy constraints.
<p>I've also been slowly working on replacing worn-out cornerstone wardrobe pieces — my winter coat, hat/scarf, work bag — with second-hand or deep-sale items (mostly via ThredUp — <a href="http://www.thredup.com/r/QWV9ET">here's a $10 coupon referral code if you haven't tried it</a>) that can elevate the others and will last for years. For example, my 13-year-old wool winter jacket had more holes and patches and no original buttons left, so I replaced it with this clearance-rack Guess wool jacket that makes me happy every single day... the perfect backdrop for my bright hand knit accessories.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kpw57BDP0HI/VybPp4EjB-I/AAAAAAAAOtA/lLvfR4laPHwupP4-D6jcpF_CCFooycPqgCLcB/s1600/graycoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kpw57BDP0HI/VybPp4EjB-I/AAAAAAAAOtA/lLvfR4laPHwupP4-D6jcpF_CCFooycPqgCLcB/s400/graycoat.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>All while keeping my wardrobe lean and purging as needed. I have ONE winter jacket. ONE spring trench. ONE pair of knee-high boots. ONE pair of winter boots. ONE pair of sneakers. One work bag. One purse. Three pairs of flats. Three pairs of heels. Etc.
<p>I got a lot of ideas and inspiration from the <a href="https://blog.colettehq.com/wardrobe-architect/my-silhouettes">Colette Wardrobe Architect</a> series, as well as the<a href="http://into-mind.com/"> Into Mind wardrobe curation blog</a> Sarai recommends in that series, as well as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3CLRL32Mcw">this Ted Talk on the "10 Item Wardrobe.</a>"
<p>I still haven't identified all my key silhouettes and combinations (especially with skirts), but so far I've built out two main uniforms of style happiness.
<h3>My personal daily elements of style</h3>
<p>So here are the constraints I gave myself for these first uniform drafts:
<ol>
<li><b>Casual—but polished</b> (as in a ponte knit blazer, not a ratty old hoodie)
<li><b>Stretchy—but not sloppy.</b> (as in dark wash high-waisted skinny jeans)
<li><b>Fitted and feminine—but not constrictive or skimpy.</b> (as in a colorful ITY jersey wrap dress, but not a tight mini skirt.)
<li><b>Bright and bold colors and patterns</b>—but in reasonable doses. (Still working on this).
<li><b>Mostly flat shoes</b>—but not orthopedic or overly chunky looking.
<li><b>Scoop or V-necklines up top</b>.
<li><b>Classic pieces, but nothing too boring or conservative</b> (if it has a neutral color, it has to have fun details or shapes).
<li><b>Comfortable and stretchy—but still structured.</b> (Stretch is my friend, whether in knit ITY jersey wrap dresses or dark skinny jeans or a ponte blazer).
<li><b>A nod to vintage</b> 40s/50s silhouettes and styles when possible.
<li><b>Soft fabrics that feel great against the skin</b> (such as merino, modal, microfiber.)
<li><b>Makes me feel happy and confident.</b>
</ol>
<p>Edited to add two criteria I thought of later:
<ol>
<li><b>Nursing friendly</b> (though I don't pump at work any more, so non-wrap dresses are OK if I can change when I get home).
<li><b>Doesn't show stains easily</b>.
</ol>
<p>Which basically boils down to the formula:
<h3>Fitted + stretchy + bright & bold + casual yet polished = a wardrobe of awesome secret pajamas at all times.</h3>
<p>And here are the first two variations I've come up with on that:
<h3>Uniform Formula 1: The Dress That Always Fits</h3>
<p>(See collage image at top of this post). This is a more strict example than it sounds, but basically, this means a ITY jersey wrap/mock wrap dress in a fun print plus a fitted cardigan or ponte blazer + a fun necklace and flats. DONE. I wear variations on this maybe 2-3 times per week.
<p>Here's an awful work bathroom selfie from one of my first attempts—I'll get better photos during Me Made May, but I wear this striped ponte blazer + polka-dot dress combo a fair amount:
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HbeVV262Og/VybSD0fkpdI/AAAAAAAAOtY/bAMjUFdOs0I1_icA0xFbmY8wLEkQK-YAwCLcB/s1600/20160229_182331.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HbeVV262Og/VybSD0fkpdI/AAAAAAAAOtY/bAMjUFdOs0I1_icA0xFbmY8wLEkQK-YAwCLcB/s1600/20160229_182331.png" /></a></div>
<p>And here's an example of Uniform 1 with a me-made dress and cardigan—obscured by a baby carrier, but you get the idea. (That's the fantastic <a href="http://cmany.org/calendar-3/sew-what/">"Sew What?" exhibit</a> at the Children's Museum of the Arts in Manhattan, by the way).
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<p>The other uniform sounds so basic it hardly needs a mention... but it's taken me a bit of time to get just the right thrifted dark skinnies and soft fitted secondhand scoop-neck patterned tops in just the right length.
<h3>Uniform Formula 2: Colors + Stripes + Skinnies</h3>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_V53TgK0ZSo/VybUYqk6tCI/AAAAAAAAOt0/Zmdz2NqxGiYAo6afUbb4t2R_gcE49UXRQCLcB/s1600/Uniform%2BStripes%2BSkinnies%2BColorblocking%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_V53TgK0ZSo/VybUYqk6tCI/AAAAAAAAOt0/Zmdz2NqxGiYAo6afUbb4t2R_gcE49UXRQCLcB/s1600/Uniform%2BStripes%2BSkinnies%2BColorblocking%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>What you see above is the winter version, but the warmer version is basically the same minus the wool socks and boots and with lighterweight cardigans and shorter sleeves. Sometimes the top is patterned and the cardigan is solid or color-blocked, and sometimes it's the other way around. The backpack pictured is my new Timbuk2 Sunset laptop-friendly work bag.
<h3>The Result: On the Road to Personal Style Happiness</h3>
<p>My wardrobe/uniform building project is still very much a work in progress, but it's amazing the difference I've felt so far. I have so much less clothing stuffing my drawers and closets, but what I do have goes so much better together, fits better, and feels better. I feel happier about the way I look, more self-confident and less self-conscious and embarassed. Also: it is 1,000 times faster and easier to get dressed in the morning.
<p>It's basically the equivalent of having a logo and style guide and short list of fonts for my personal brand... instead of using lots of different fonts, size and colors that all look weird and jumbled together, ransom-note style.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8ZEi6FvVF8/Vybg3hlZXBI/AAAAAAAAOug/-XGV0-KKP_Icjjx_hi7cthhfpGVIzZ1RwCLcB/s1600/Too-Many.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8ZEi6FvVF8/Vybg3hlZXBI/AAAAAAAAOug/-XGV0-KKP_Icjjx_hi7cthhfpGVIzZ1RwCLcB/s640/Too-Many.gif" /></a></div>
<h3>Oh yes, and I'm doing Me Made May again.</h3>
<p>My first Me-Made-May photo is basically Uniform #2, but since I'm dressed for bike riding in the rain with the husband, the look is more casual than polished (and yes, don't worry, I was wearing a helmet it's just out of frame)...
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wwy2MIGB9ls/VybWQdTnGJI/AAAAAAAAOuE/JlOap6Siks8AZcTkRWfEbQ0CeKuHf5EGACLcB/s1600/13086751_10102810906263111_1957302285421479166_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wwy2MIGB9ls/VybWQdTnGJI/AAAAAAAAOuE/JlOap6Siks8AZcTkRWfEbQ0CeKuHf5EGACLcB/s1600/13086751_10102810906263111_1957302285421479166_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>My hope for this Me Made May month is to see what other basic formulas and uniforms I can develop to integrate my existing me-mades into my new world of constrained style happiness... to get photos that help me build what works and discard what doesn't... and to sew a thing or two or three.
<p>I am also hoping to up my hair and makeup game (i.e. to actually do my hair or put on makeup sometimes). We'll see!
<p>What are your favorite outfit formulas? Do you have a uniform?
<p>P.S. Bonus adorable sibling photo, with my daughter in an Oliver + S Ice Cream dress I made two months ago but have yet to properly photograph or blog:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-APXrpSm7_Ec/VybXmUeJpMI/AAAAAAAAOuQ/QWpLWPqffLgNwHBwHTPILFXiNpbnubQ-gCLcB/s1600/My%2Bloves%252C%2Bmy%2Beverything..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-APXrpSm7_Ec/VybXmUeJpMI/AAAAAAAAOuQ/QWpLWPqffLgNwHBwHTPILFXiNpbnubQ-gCLcB/s1600/My%2Bloves%252C%2Bmy%2Beverything..jpg" /></a></div>Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-56687478852978143942016-02-15T00:06:00.002-05:002016-02-15T00:06:51.530-05:00Slow Knitting: The Starry Starry Night Socks That Kept Me Going
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5UQaI6VHUNw/VsFDXhIV73I/AAAAAAAANLU/cl-94VLiQSk/s1600/IMG_9305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Starry Starry Night socks (Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt from Interweave's Favorite Socks)" border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5UQaI6VHUNw/VsFDXhIV73I/AAAAAAAANLU/cl-94VLiQSk/s640/IMG_9305.jpg" title="Starry Starry Night socks (Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt from Interweave's Favorite Socks)" width="640" /></a>
<p>I always laugh when friends exclaim "you should sell those on Etsy!" over my projects because I'm pretty sure there is no sustainable business model for selling socks that take three months to knit.
<p>No, slow knitting projects are like stately redwood trees, each ring (or row) imbued with depth and character and carrying echoes of the time in which you knit it—good or bad. The last three months have been tough—but these socks help me get through, and I thank them for it.
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
1. The Big Sock Bang</h2>
<p>I first matched this intergalactic hand-painted yarn (<a href="http://www.doneroving.com/frolickingfeet.htm">Frolicking Feet in "Starry Starry Night" by Done Roving Yarns</a>) to pattern ("Embossed Leaves" by Mona Schmidt from <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Socks-Ann-Budd-ebook/dp/B00DH40QWI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1455508950&sr=8-2&keywords=favorite+socks">Favorite Socks</a></i>) during the crafty high of last Me-Made-May. I was still on maternity leave, starting to feel like myself again and amusing myself by trying to photograph the kids and myself in as many me-mades as possible at a given time. Whee, look at us, we're all wearing things I made! Me!
<p><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h2hr1k-hyxQ/VsFMSRm6W8I/AAAAAAAANLw/YuFYhRZ9vLc/s1600/IMG_1345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Me Made May: Me and the kids in our handmades" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h2hr1k-hyxQ/VsFMSRm6W8I/AAAAAAAANLw/YuFYhRZ9vLc/s1600/IMG_1345.JPG" title="Me Made May: Me and the kids in our handmades" /></a>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
2. Dark Sock Skies</h2>
<p>And then I went back to work, and I was just too busy between nursing the baby all night, getting daughter to kindergarten early in the morning and pumping and work and EVERYTHING to take five minutes to gauge swatch what size needles I needed to use (thankfully the answer turned out to be 0, and not 000 like my last sock-yarn project).
<h2>3. From darkness, light</h2> Fall came, and with it, misery. In November I started getting—and staying—sick. Constantly, endlessly sick, in a sickeningly familiar way. Our whole family would catch a mild cold, everyone else would get better in a few days, and I would end up bedridden with what felt like the flu—a high fever, aches, horrible pain in my face, unable to breathe through my nose, so hoarse I could barely speak. Over, and over, and over.
<p>I never really recovered fully, but after 2-4 weeks I would slowly start to feel somewhat less awful ... I'd have one or two days of joy where I could slightly breathe through my nose... and then the cycle would begin all over again. Chronic sinusitis strikes again, just three years after the surgery that was supposed to fix it. SIGH.
<p>So in the midst of this misery, I needed something happy I could do while:
<ul>
<li>Lying in bed feeling crummy
<li>Riding the subway to work terrified a nearby straphanger would cough on me
<li>Pumping and grimacing (I'm glad they exist but breast pumps are the WORST)
<li>Waiting in waiting rooms — at one point I had 8 doctor or lab test appointments in two weeks.
</ul>
<p>So I knit my Starry Starry Night socks. I knit while loopy with fever. I knit while feeling sad I had to cancel playdates and get-togethers and miss work. I especially knit after I had to cancel Baby D's first birthday party — it was the first time we had invited lots of friends over to our new apartment, but I wasn't in a state to host. (I don't think he noticed, because: CAKE!)
<p>I just looked down at those little needles and made one loop after another.
<p>And now they are done, and blocked, and they fit, and I love them. And I am getting good medical care and getting better, and I love THAT.
<p>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yCnecAK80Jo/VsFDVgS_ZvI/AAAAAAAANLg/6FHZ7PqZuoA/s1600/IMG_9294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Starry Starry Night socks (Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt from Interweave's Favorite Socks)" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yCnecAK80Jo/VsFDVgS_ZvI/AAAAAAAANLg/6FHZ7PqZuoA/s640/IMG_9294.jpg" title="Starry Starry Night socks (Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt from Interweave's Favorite Socks)" /></a>
<p>Too bad I chose a high-contrast variegated yarn for such a detailed lace pattern. You really can't see the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/embossed-leaves">embossed leaves</a> at all!
<p>This is my happy toes not caring:
<p><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rxYwqEcDeBM/VsFDXiA2UYI/AAAAAAAANLY/0HYM2Cx5F0A/s1600/IMG_9306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Starry Starry Night socks (Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt from Interweave's Favorite Socks)" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rxYwqEcDeBM/VsFDXiA2UYI/AAAAAAAANLY/0HYM2Cx5F0A/s640/IMG_9306.jpg" title="Starry Starry Night socks (Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt from Interweave's Favorite Socks)" /></a>
<p>I think the little dude loves them too.
<p>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QITor6Wry60/VsFDVqsxQ6I/AAAAAAAANLg/8crpChxhUCE/s1600/IMG_9284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Starry Starry Night socks (Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt from Interweave's Favorite Socks)" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QITor6Wry60/VsFDVqsxQ6I/AAAAAAAANLg/8crpChxhUCE/s640/IMG_9284.jpg" title="Starry Starry Night socks (Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt from Interweave's Favorite Socks)" /></a>
<p>I will say after all that slow knitting, I did need a quick-hit palate cleanser. So I've got a chunky-weight neon green alpaca "Wavy Moss" hat on the needles that I MUST finish by TOMORROW — I've lost three hats in the past month and it is COLD OUTSIDE.
<p><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd4gSirPcNs/VsFa3Q5PXeI/AAAAAAAANMA/ffGhaBoLzHw/s1600/When%2Byour%2Bhead%2Bis%2Bcold%2Bbut%2Bthe%2Bhat%2527s%2Bnot%2Bdone%2Byet...%2B%2528actually%2Bit%2Bis%2Bmy%2Bhat%252C%2Bbut%2Bshe%2Basked%2Bif%2BI%2Bcould%2Btry%2Bto%2Bteach%2Bher%2Bto%2Bknit%2Bagain%2Btomorrow.%2B%2529%2B%2523wavymossslouchyhat%2B%2523knittersofinstagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" alt="Wavy Moss Atomic Green hat in progress" title="Wavy Moss Atomic Green hat in progress" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd4gSirPcNs/VsFa3Q5PXeI/AAAAAAAANMA/ffGhaBoLzHw/s1600/When%2Byour%2Bhead%2Bis%2Bcold%2Bbut%2Bthe%2Bhat%2527s%2Bnot%2Bdone%2Byet...%2B%2528actually%2Bit%2Bis%2Bmy%2Bhat%252C%2Bbut%2Bshe%2Basked%2Bif%2BI%2Bcould%2Btry%2Bto%2Bteach%2Bher%2Bto%2Bknit%2Bagain%2Btomorrow.%2B%2529%2B%2523wavymossslouchyhat%2B%2523knittersofinstagram.jpg" /></a>
<p>P.S. <a href="http://ravel.me/m1khaela/el">full Starry Night socks Ravelry details here</a>. It's a lovely patttern, but the lace requires care and concentration and chart-reading, hence the slowness. I made them slightly snug so they wouldn't fall down and sag, and so far it is working a treat. Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-30533724926027169652016-01-24T23:48:00.000-05:002016-01-24T23:51:48.148-05:00Sweaters and Hats Like Nothing You've Never Seen
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUHf_IK6pKw/VqWY7JOt5zI/AAAAAAAAMsY/JTof89bd33M/s1600/23007297024_df999785b6_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUHf_IK6pKw/VqWY7JOt5zI/AAAAAAAAMsY/JTof89bd33M/s1600/23007297024_df999785b6_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<P>Like nothing you've ever seen... because I forgot to blog them. Brought to you by in vivid low-res Instagram-selfie-o-vision because I can't manage to take real photos since we moved (where is that tripod, anyway?).
<h3>Hetty at last!</h3>
<p>Anyway, I finally finished that Hetty cardigan (<a href="http://ravel.me/m1khaela/h1">Raveled details here</a>) by Andi Satterlund I started right before I got pregnant--it had been sitting around in need of bands, buttons and blocking for months. It fits nicely and I do love it, but I found the directions (especially for the lace pattern) confusing and I made an unsuitably rustic and weak yarn choice that basically required picking a barn's worth of straw out as I went. Still -- it is a done thing!
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iGJgUrv3frU/VqWaSuOVmFI/AAAAAAAAMss/OZj0HR_V52g/s1600/22949166234_3bfd1dff52_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iGJgUrv3frU/VqWaSuOVmFI/AAAAAAAAMss/OZj0HR_V52g/s1600/22949166234_3bfd1dff52_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<h3>Sewn Hats: A Brief Obsession.</h3>
<p>Two weeks before my maternity leave ended in June, I developed a brief fixation with sewing hats. My head is so large that "one size fits all" hats give me whamming migraines (if I can shove them on my head at all), yet I am also so pale and burn-prone that hats are a serious summer necessity. I became determined to master the not-so-arty art of sewing basic casual summer hats.
<p>And because I was fixated, I became excessively concerned with trying to find the proper interfacing that would create "just so" hat results (and bags, too, because if I was going to get stiff interfacing, I might as well also learn to sew bags too, right? In all my spare time between caring for baby and trying to find an affordable apartment to move to and getting ready to go back to work?).
<p>I spent way too many middle of the night nursing sessions googling "hat and bag interfacing types" and reading long forum threads <a href="http://www.dogundermydesk.com/category/interfacing/">and blog posts </a>on the subject. My sewing club friend Valerie then accompanied me on a trip to the Garment District where we went into one of those stores where they have lots of interfacing but nothing is labeled and the staff seem to look with pity on those who ask questions but they somehow had none of the brands on my list so I panicked and bought like, 10 different kinds that I didn't note the brand or ... well, now I have a lot of interfacing. And no me-made bags. I could have bought several hats and bags with that money.
<p>I started with a bucket hat for my daughter, using <a href="http://oliverands.com/free-patterns/reversible-bucket-hat/">the free reversible Oliver + S pattern.</a>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdfj6Ox_3Uo/VqWcIgTP2qI/AAAAAAAAMs4/4Si_PNBpQbc/s1600/20619761971_8cab67a6e4_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jdfj6Ox_3Uo/VqWcIgTP2qI/AAAAAAAAMs4/4Si_PNBpQbc/s1600/20619761971_8cab67a6e4_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>But the largest size of this pattern was no match for my then-four-year-old daughter's big beautiful Afro, and she couldn't wear it at all.
<p>I did manage to make her a circular sleep bonnet (from some bright-patterned ITY jersey I had hoped to make into a dress until my husband declared it "ugly" and "terrifying). I can't find the exact tutorial I used, <a href="http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/sleep-or-shower-cap">but it was basically like this. </a>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZReGyzslPs/VqWh0A-lgYI/AAAAAAAAMtM/vFZj0VKuYYw/s1600/18041182206_2cae68712a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XZReGyzslPs/VqWh0A-lgYI/AAAAAAAAMtM/vFZj0VKuYYw/s1600/18041182206_2cae68712a_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>It's just two circles of fabric sewn together, with an sewn elastic casing channel and it took maybe 15 minutes total. Yet it is one of the most practical things I have ever sewn (so much better than the cheap breakable drugstore ones) and she wears it to bed EVERY night. Hat win?
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AfMWf4LJFnA/VqWiISzATEI/AAAAAAAAMtU/MTUz_5JLWQs/s1600/20425800759_9799e517b5_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AfMWf4LJFnA/VqWiISzATEI/AAAAAAAAMtU/MTUz_5JLWQs/s1600/20425800759_9799e517b5_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>And I bought this fantastic book of hat patterns in a wide range of sizes and styles, <a href="http://scientificseamstress.blogspot.com/2012/09/sewn-hats-is-here.html">Carla Crim (aka the Scientific Seamstress)'s</a> <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sewn-Hats-Carla-Hegeman-Crim/dp/1118131959">Sewn Hats</a></i>:
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118131959?keywords=sewn%20hats&qid=1453695106&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpBCXCVBBCw/VqWgxOIiryI/AAAAAAAAMtE/RZ608MXxiUs/s1600/sewnhats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpBCXCVBBCw/VqWgxOIiryI/AAAAAAAAMtE/RZ608MXxiUs/s1600/sewnhats.jpg" /></a></div></a>
<p>(Do note that the book has been sold to a new publisher, so to get the downloadable patterns, you'll need to <a href="http://scientificseamstress.blogspot.com/2012/09/sewn-hats-is-here.html">email the author</a> for a link).
<p>Finally, hat success! I made a striped black denim "Liesl Cloche" from some scraps leftover from a skirt.
<p>The largest size fit me fairly well (though next time I'll scale it up even bigger):
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mdLGZXYWj2o/VqWjaG2iMxI/AAAAAAAAMtg/fbr0Bg6ZNQA/s1600/19992270263_6eb5e6642e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mdLGZXYWj2o/VqWjaG2iMxI/AAAAAAAAMtg/fbr0Bg6ZNQA/s1600/19992270263_6eb5e6642e_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>And it is only slightly too big on Ms. Z, who likes to borrow it:
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6U8UOVAHuU/VqWj5hpkqII/AAAAAAAAMto/yKJYRtI5oyk/s1600/19576281239_f26511f01c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6U8UOVAHuU/VqWj5hpkqII/AAAAAAAAMto/yKJYRtI5oyk/s1600/19576281239_f26511f01c_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<h3>4 other random things</h3>
<p>And then I went back to work, but not before making this Spoonflower fabric headband:
<br><center><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PzCI0_DiPSU/VqWlU-X6vWI/AAAAAAAAMt8/1XZEOHO_FvY/s1600/17881819769_07ccde2802_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PzCI0_DiPSU/VqWlU-X6vWI/AAAAAAAAMt8/1XZEOHO_FvY/s1600/17881819769_07ccde2802_o.jpg" /></a></center>
<p>And some bibs:
<br><center><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HiWRbhhKWDg/VqWlUa4ZCDI/AAAAAAAAMt0/lAMwSX4YovE/s1600/17379395162_2ae427a2e8_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HiWRbhhKWDg/VqWlUa4ZCDI/AAAAAAAAMt0/lAMwSX4YovE/s1600/17379395162_2ae427a2e8_o.jpg" /></a></center>
<br><center><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-675pNx6TwkY/VqWlU1x_abI/AAAAAAAAMt4/y9kT9Wkmvh4/s1600/23959185301_b1b447523b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-675pNx6TwkY/VqWlU1x_abI/AAAAAAAAMt4/y9kT9Wkmvh4/s1600/23959185301_b1b447523b_o.jpg" /></a></center>
<p>And I've been knitting all along, like this preemie Kürbis pumpkin Halloween hat (<a href="http://ravel.me/m1khaela/kbh">Raveled here</a>) I made for a friend who was collecting them for the children's hospital her preemie baby spent eight months in:
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcRMaVZb32c/VqWmqAQlG1I/AAAAAAAAMuQ/ail-6tF8XYM/s1600/21356644253_78cb273d1e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcRMaVZb32c/VqWmqAQlG1I/AAAAAAAAMuQ/ail-6tF8XYM/s1600/21356644253_78cb273d1e_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Or these Embossed Leaves socks that are ALMOST done now (I am at the tip of the second sock toe):
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D65_NN-fSbM/VqWnTla3tyI/AAAAAAAAMuY/6Br-WWM-_j8/s1600/24038545755_3eb98b95b4_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D65_NN-fSbM/VqWnTla3tyI/AAAAAAAAMuY/6Br-WWM-_j8/s1600/24038545755_3eb98b95b4_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Why the rush to blog the unblogged, you asked? Well, baby turns ONE this weekend so is waking to nurse less (just 1-2 times per night) which means I actually feel relatively rested these days (in between bouts of winter illness). AND I finally set up my sewing machine, which had been near inaccessible since our move almost five months ago...
<p>So... SEWING. It may actually happen around here sometime soon. Stay tuned!
<p>P.S. Please tell me I am not the only one who hates that women's hats are usually sold as "one size fits all"? Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-31046025804501222472015-11-18T22:50:00.003-05:002015-11-18T22:50:29.817-05:00How we bought an affordable 3-bedroom apartment in Manhattan. (PSST: SEWING ROOM)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eD-65BoR-Es/Vk06YoHS3GI/AAAAAAAAKyo/EQwWB437BGU/s1600/20150912_185033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eD-65BoR-Es/Vk06YoHS3GI/AAAAAAAAKyo/EQwWB437BGU/s640/20150912_185033.jpg" /></a></div>
<p><Center><i>Me, painting our new three-bedroom apartment bright orange and turquoise, as one does</i></center>
<p>Yeah, so, we bought a three-bedroom prewar apartment in Manhattan through an affordable housing organization. It was all rather sudden. We couldn't afford our neighborhood in Brooklyn anymore (<a href="http://gothamist.com/2015/06/12/jesses_deli_has_the_anti-gentrifica.php#photo-1">see here for explanation</a> of the below image)...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh5b5pLxo0I/Vk07YRHrjlI/AAAAAAAAKyw/ODf1KKty074/s1600/20150829_173141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh5b5pLxo0I/Vk07YRHrjlI/AAAAAAAAKyw/ODf1KKty074/s640/20150829_173141.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>So we started hunting around in June and it looked like we were going to be moving to New Jersey or high up in the Bronx, and we kept applying to housing lotteries with no luck and <a href="http://www.brickunderground.com/blog/2014/10/mitchell_lama_affordable_housing_guide">all the waiting lists for Mitchell Lama buildings</a> were YEARS long and then I randomly started reading about income-restricted HDFC coop affordable housing apartments...
<p>And I came across <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/realestate/affordable-new-york-apartments-with-a-catch.html?_r=0">an article about UHAB, a non-profit organization that fixes up dilapidated buildings and then sells the occupied apartments to current tenants and vacant apartments to moderate and low income families</a>. What's especially cool about these apartments is that they are permanently affordable — they are real homes, not market-rate investments. Under new HDFC rules, they can only EVER be sold to families who fit the income restrictions for pretty much the exact price paid (plus inflation).
<p>And I randomly called this organization and they had ONE three-bedroom apartment left for a family of our size and income in a building in Harlem and it could MAYBE be ours if we got our application in right away. So we stayed up all night assembling a massive pile of documents and bank statements and landlord letters and identity papers and paystubs and I messengered it over the next day.
<p>After months of additional paperwork and various hurdles, it was done. We moved in September just in time for the start of kindergarten for Ms. Z and here I sit today in our new home in a 1910 elevator building in beautiful Hamilton Heights, Harlem.
<h3>So what about that sewing room, you ask?! Do such things exist in the isle of Manhattan?</h3>
<p>Well, sort of. It's really a bedroom for one of the kids, but the little baby dude is still in a crib in our room for now, so I am going to temporarily luxuriate in the feeling of having an actual sewing room.
<p>Except that it is just a big pile of boxes at the moment:
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GuSxq_ypt2A/Vk0_YDBVEaI/AAAAAAAAKy8/U0KV-k_nXfc/s1600/20150910_152456.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GuSxq_ypt2A/Vk0_YDBVEaI/AAAAAAAAKy8/U0KV-k_nXfc/s640/20150910_152456.jpg" /></a>
<p>And the only thing I've actually sewn in there so far was a gusset to expand Z's Ghostbusters Halloween costume because we didn't have time for a new costume idea this year.
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oif5ri8EpZ8/Vk0_0vhnwAI/AAAAAAAAKzE/Weh8tTGh1gM/s1600/FB_IMG_1446609492645.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oif5ri8EpZ8/Vk0_0vhnwAI/AAAAAAAAKzE/Weh8tTGh1gM/s640/FB_IMG_1446609492645.jpg" /></a>
<p>Because life these days has been all about the sleep-deprivation of being a full-time working mom with a nursing-through-the-night baby, plus some unpacking, painting, and assembling of furniture...
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CKPZzeVxBx4/Vk1AAMbOQmI/AAAAAAAAKzM/U5ilOK8wweI/s1600/20150909_141454.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CKPZzeVxBx4/Vk1AAMbOQmI/AAAAAAAAKzM/U5ilOK8wweI/s640/20150909_141454.jpg" /></a>
<i><p><center>Ruby the Riveter: My dad helps Z assemble her IKEA Kura bed.</center>
</i>
<p>I can't complain though. I may be a sleep-deprived half-functioning zombie, but the little dude is CUTE. And massive. And outgrowing all of his hand-knits which I have not had time to replace with newer, bigger knits.
<p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqIjo9DGp-s/Vk1GTbNM6BI/AAAAAAAAKzc/2qF-jTJrenU/s1600/Handknit%2Bsweater%2Bweather%2521%2BCan%2527t%2Bbelieve%2Bthis%2Blittle%2Bdude%2Bis%2B8%2Bmonths%2Bold..jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqIjo9DGp-s/Vk1GTbNM6BI/AAAAAAAAKzc/2qF-jTJrenU/s640/Handknit%2Bsweater%2Bweather%2521%2BCan%2527t%2Bbelieve%2Bthis%2Blittle%2Bdude%2Bis%2B8%2Bmonths%2Bold..jpg" /></a>
<h3>P.S. Dressmakers, Tailors, Milliners and a Cartoonist</h3>
<p>AND to top it all off, the building has a cool history. Z loves that we live just blocks from the former home of famed Harlem Renaissance anthropologist and writer Zora Neale Hurston. Plus my amazing mom put her genealogy skills to use and dug up the census records for 1910, 1920 and 1930. Upon which I learned that amidst the early residents of our building were quite a few:
<ul>
<li>dressmakers
<li>milliners
<li>tailors
<li>silk and fabric salesmen
<li>... and even a well-known cartoonist!
</ul>
<p>So there you have it. It was MEANT TO BE. Now if I can just get around to hemming the curtains we hung up more than a month ago... Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-34085538358097484472015-08-02T22:59:00.000-04:002015-08-02T23:00:40.413-04:00Finished: Fuschia Floral Maxi Dress (McCall's 6070 hacked for nursing with Simplicity frankenskirt)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s02MBFe9d4w/Vb7UABjDvgI/AAAAAAAADHc/qV2FhZo7zyA/s1600/18395661560_e6541eb1f9_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s02MBFe9d4w/Vb7UABjDvgI/AAAAAAAADHc/qV2FhZo7zyA/s640/18395661560_e6541eb1f9_k.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>So a few months ago I made this dress and went back to work before I could blog it. I wear it all the time and pretty much love it BUT I have to say my memory of its construction is rather hazy at this point.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rHSNdNcdwo/Vb7T_-MYlZI/AAAAAAAADHY/I7BFZki3yo0/s1600/17962651283_c56156eb97_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rHSNdNcdwo/Vb7T_-MYlZI/AAAAAAAADHY/I7BFZki3yo0/s640/17962651283_c56156eb97_k.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>I do know that I used my trusty McCall's 6070 for the bodice but did a (1"?) FBA to make room for a nursing mama's bust. Fabric is ITY jersey from -- where else? -- Spandex House.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOXomK4qWAc/Vb7T_0DvO_I/AAAAAAAADHU/LHzD8c-r8zk/s1600/18397116669_96ed694b7b_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOXomK4qWAc/Vb7T_0DvO_I/AAAAAAAADHU/LHzD8c-r8zk/s640/18397116669_96ed694b7b_k.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>The skirt was sloppily adapted from a random midi-length Simplicity dress I got free in a pattern swap — and I realized after sewing I could not actually walk easily, so ripped the seam back to make an improvised walking slit. (I folded the seam allowances to the side, ironed them down with fusible webbing, and sewed them too for good measure).
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMvpheA1DEc/Vb7UA5f8RCI/AAAAAAAADHo/VuX486vK3iI/s1600/18583283425_c965485b14_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMvpheA1DEc/Vb7UA5f8RCI/AAAAAAAADHo/VuX486vK3iI/s640/18583283425_c965485b14_k.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>I needed the neckline to hold up to repeated nursing, so I bound the surplice edges with foldover elastic — it totally works.
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLQDB_fgr3U/Vb7Wg1x6CYI/AAAAAAAADH4/sjN1xoFxAWc/s1600/18578807622_6db35317ad_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLQDB_fgr3U/Vb7Wg1x6CYI/AAAAAAAADH4/sjN1xoFxAWc/s640/18578807622_6db35317ad_k.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>I really agonized over the hemline. I tried searching for maxi dress hemline advice (having never made anything non knee-length before) but found all these goofy articles advising me to let the dress drag on the ground or to wear it with high heels to "elongate" the figure, because it is apparently a woman's duty to always look as thin and tall as she can possibly manage even if she has to tear her dress and cover it in dog leavings in the process. Definitely neither safe nor practical for my lifestyle (on New York City streets? while carrying a baby?) so I hemmed to wear with my favorite flats.
<p>In other news, no idea why my daughter decided she had to throw a dress OVER her rashguard, but whatever.
<p>I also made a lot of hats and other odds and ends I have yet to post... but for now I will leave you with this photo of me and baby D at a free outdoor summer concert (I made the hat, too, but that's for another post).
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Us86PLfVJJ4/Vb7XxHyHRII/AAAAAAAADIA/nRCnpLWWkuk/s1600/19142064323_f7c99f9b9b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Us86PLfVJJ4/Vb7XxHyHRII/AAAAAAAADIA/nRCnpLWWkuk/s640/19142064323_f7c99f9b9b_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>P.S. This is still early but it is possible we might be moving very soon. Which may mean a sudden onslaught of sewing... curtains. And pillow covers. I'm sure you can't wait!
Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-8593724948084271732015-07-09T09:00:00.000-04:002015-07-09T12:40:08.173-04:00A 10 Item Wardobe? (Or: It's OK to wear the same outfit over and over!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jkq-UBgrvu8/VZ6gN3RByfI/AAAAAAAADEk/YTGTF8U4I7A/s1600/6696975393_f339e12183_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jkq-UBgrvu8/VZ6gN3RByfI/AAAAAAAADEk/YTGTF8U4I7A/s1600/6696975393_f339e12183_b.jpg" /></a></div>
<p><center><i>This orange dress (shown in 2011) survived multiple closet purges over the years because I loved the color and shape. But I hated the length and never wore it—and now it's finally gone.</i></center>
<p>So I still haven't had time to blog several sewing or knitting projects, but thought I'd drop in quickly to share a little video. We're doing some triple super ultra major decluttering in preparation for an apartment move, so I decided to watch some downsizing/minimalism TED talks for inspiration (found via Apartment Therapy: <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ted-talks-focused-on-minimalism-tiny-houses-downsizing-220917">Flirting with Minimalism or Downsizing? These TED Talks May Just Talk You Into It</a>).
<p>Anyway, thought I'd share this little one here — <a href="http://dailyconnoisseur.blogspot.com/">blogger Jennifer L. Scott</a> on the 10-Item Wardrobe:
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V3CLRL32Mcw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p>A lot of this material you might already have thought about if you've followed along with <a href="https://blog.colettehq.com/wardrobe-architect">Colette Patterns' Wardrobe Architect Series</a> (or read one of Sarai's blog suggestions, the <a href="http://into-mind.com/">minimalist capsule-wardrobe-building blog Into Mind.</a>)
<p>My big takeaway? It's OK to wear the same items of clothing or the same outfits multiple times in the same week. Really. If it looks good and you love it — wear it and wear it over again (change your accessories if you like), clean it, repair it, and take care of it. Quality and fit and style over quantity.
<p>That's why one of my goals for Me-Made May has never been "no outfit repeats."
<p>A minimalist wardrobe approach has another bonus — even though I only have very limited sewing and knitting time, if I make the RIGHT things, they can still make up the vast majority of my mini-wardrobe. Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-46458188689929438422015-06-30T21:57:00.003-04:002015-06-30T21:57:34.458-04:00Fabric (and other shopping) discount referral code!<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/18395661560" title="McCall's 6070 fuschia maxi dress by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/417/18395661560_98aa51ea04_b.jpg" width="1024" height="1024" alt="McCall's 6070 fuschia maxi dress"></a>
<p><center><i>Don't be too impressed now — I sewed the above maxi dress back during Me Made May and I STILL haven't found time to blog about it. Give me a few more weeks!</i></center>
<p>Just popping in quickly to share a quick <a href="http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=7XJFRVinwpMamgsaAR0wcg%3D%3D&eeid=26471">eBates discount referral code offer that expires at midnight</a> (you get $5 when you sign up and use the code and I get $5, plus various bonuses if more than one of you sign up).
<p>You might have noticed that I'm something of a frugal type (especially now that I have two kids and have just returned to work after the unpaid half of my maternity leave)... and while of course the best way to save money is to avoid buying unnecessary stuff, when I do buy something I try to get it the cheapest way possible — by buying secondhand when I can, and at a deep discount when that isn't an option, and always using a bonus point credit card* that I autopay each month in full. Every little bit helps, because when you save even just 5% you had to buy anyway, that's like getting a 5% raise.
<p>Anyway, on top of any coupon code searching or other budgety schemes you might already have going, there's <a href="http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=7XJFRVinwpMamgsaAR0wcg%3D%3D&eeid=26471">eBates</a>, a simple online shopping rebate site that seems to have discount links for pretty much every site I shop on, from eBay (1% rebate) to Fabric.com (3% rebate). You just visit eBates, find your shop, click the referral link, buy your stuff and a month or so later, you get a nice fat rebate check.
<p>And that's it — sorry for any spamminess, but I discovered the site via another sewing blog (<a href="http://www.erikamadeit.com/">Erika Made It</a>) and am super into it as part of my overall Thriftiness Strategy.
<p>Meanwhile, I am back at work, baby is not sleeping (predictably, he's making up for my daytime absence by nursing all night long), and I'm so tired that I keep stubbing my toes or burning myself or having other ridiculous small accidents (I think I put my bra in the fridge the other day?). I even ended up at the ER for a few hours not too long ago because I grabbed a hot pot without a potholder:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/18614503508" title="So sleep-deprived these days I grabbed a hot pot off the stove without a potholder and spent last night at the ER being treated for a second-degree burn. My sweet baby keeps waking up every 30-60 minutes (teething? Misses me when I am working?) to nurse t by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/274/18614503508_f512bf48bf_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="So sleep-deprived these days I grabbed a hot pot off the stove without a potholder and spent last night at the ER being treated for a second-degree burn. My sweet baby keeps waking up every 30-60 minutes (teething? Misses me when I am working?) to nurse t"></a>
<p>So maybe I shouldn't go near the sewing machine any time soon?
<p>But you know, the kids are awesome (I love saying "the kids"!) and life is good. I can't complain.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/18716674342" title="Tagged for #widn (what I'm doing right now) by @cliophineas : watching my 4-year-old read a bedtime book to my 4-month-old after a long day at work. What are you doing now @theslowsteady @moonthirty @melissajeangibson ? by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/542/18716674342_1450562ccc_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Tagged for #widn (what I'm doing right now) by @cliophineas : watching my 4-year-old read a bedtime book to my 4-month-old after a long day at work. What are you doing now @theslowsteady @moonthirty @melissajeangibson ?"></a>
<p>*<a href="https://applynow.chase.com/FlexAppWeb/renderApp.do?PID=CFFD2&SPID=FDY7&CELL=6RLJ&MSC=1513039019">My favorite is the Chase Sapphire (referral link)</a>, which has up to a 50,000 point signup bonus (translates to $500 in cash rewards)... though of course if you run a balance or forget to cancel before the fee kicks in, it's not as great of a deal.Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-29713724440304593062015-05-25T00:15:00.000-04:002015-05-25T00:43:00.785-04:00Quick Blue Ponte Pencil Skirt (Burdastyle Melissa Skirt) + Twin Needle Hem Troubleshooting<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17603284952" title="Burdastyle Melissa High-Waisted Blue Ponte Pencil Skirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5456/17603284952_ecfa73dae8_b.jpg" width="713" height="1024" alt="Burdastyle Melissa High-Waisted Blue Ponte Pencil Skirt"></a>
<p>In the interests of blogging the unblogged, I'll keep this brief.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16983064994" title="Burdastyle Melissa High-Waisted Blue Ponte Pencil Skirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8702/16983064994_cfbc6d386b_b.jpg" width="649" height="1024" alt="Burdastyle Melissa High-Waisted Blue Ponte Pencil Skirt"></a>
<p>After all, why take longer to blog about something...
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16985234643" title="Burdastyle Melissa High-Waisted Blue Ponte Pencil Skirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8743/16985234643_1976ffb6da_b.jpg" width="690" height="1024" alt="Burdastyle Melissa High-Waisted Blue Ponte Pencil Skirt"></a>
<p>Than it took to sew it?
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17579272076" title="Burdastyle Melissa High-Waisted Blue Ponte Pencil Skirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5458/17579272076_970ce512d4_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Burdastyle Melissa High-Waisted Blue Ponte Pencil Skirt"></a>
<h3>The details:</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Pattern</b>: <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/melissa">Burdastyle Melissa</a> high-waisted knit pencil skirt. It doesn't get any simpler than this dartless, three-piece (front, back, waistband) PDF pattern, a mere $3.99. I've made this before in <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2010/08/sewing-at-moving-target-pt-1-stretchy.html">a red knit maternity version</a> and <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2012/06/serger-free-spandex-mermaid-skirt.html">a sparkly spandex mermaid version</a>, but this is my first really wearable useful version.
<p><b>Fabric</b>: Bright blue ponte doubleknit rayon/poly/lycra, I think, from Mood a long time ago. A stash-busting win! As noted above I had made this skirt five years ago in a red single jersey but it was too clingy and thin — this is a much more substantial and appropriate material for a tight-fitting skirt.
<p><b>Notions</b>: None — it's an elastic-free waistband.
<p><b>Sizing</b>: I cut a straight size 38, which corresponds to almost two sizes smaller than my actual measurements. It's slightly snug, but I'm still slowly changing size in a downward direction almost four months out from giving birth to little D, so I'm sewing at a moving target.
<p><b>How I found the time</b>: This required just one baby catnap (for cutting time) and one short late-night sewing session after baby was asleep.
</blockquote>
<p>Anyway, even in my sleep-deprived time-pressed state, it was a quick sew. I basted the sides to check fit (better than unpicking serger seams later!), serged it and hemmed it with a stretch twin needle. No modifications needed.
<p>I'm trying to get back to twin needle hems after backing away from them in frustration and resorting to zig-zags for a while... this hem actually popped the first day I sewed it, but I redid it after playing with tension and putting wooly nylon in the bobbin and it's holding up much better.
<p>I read <a href="http://www.mariadenmark.com/2014/08/twin-needle-hem/">this little twin needle hem tutorial by Maria Denmark</a> and it gave me the confidence to get back into it, though I've generally used Steam a Seam Lite 2 or washaway stabilizer instead of the strips of knit interfacing she recommends. I even finally hemmed <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2013/07/finished-candy-striped-tiramisu-and-why.html">my Tiramisu knit dress</a> two years after sewing it:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17755767716" title="Me Made May 17: Red & White Stripes by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5342/17755767716_66217e4329_b.jpg" width="752" height="1024" alt="Me Made May 17: Red & White Stripes"></a>
<p><i><center>Me-Made-May gave me the extra push I needed to hem this thing... but baby pooped all over it while we were taking this photo, so I'm still trying to sun the stains out.</center></i>
<p>So yes: another fitted blue skirt. Not as playground-worthy <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/05/a-simple-stretch-denim-trumpet-skirt.html">as the stretch denim trumpet skirt I just made</a>, but I go back to work in less than two weeks and I needed some versatile basics. It also made a perfect date night skirt for when my parents watched the kids and husband and I went to see the Avengers movie (eh, it was OK... not my favorite Whedon thing).
<p>The little wool felt rose pin was made by my awesome Aunt Becky and the belt came with a cheap ready-to-wear dress I bought ages ago — I'm trying to broaden my accessory palette beyond just simple bright shoes and necklaces, but it really doesn't come naturally to me. Hmmm...
<p>Another thing that doesn't come naturally to me? Posing. I read recently that the thing to try is pointing your toes in, and I wanted to try something new, but... this is just kind of awkward:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16985228133" title="Me Made May 13: new blue ponte pencil skirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5469/16985228133_e3292bfeaa_b.jpg" width="1024" height="1024" alt="Me Made May 13: new blue ponte pencil skirt"></a>
<p>Will I make this pattern again? Probably, though I'm tempted to do something to it to keep it interesting — add some seaming or a flounce, or use a bold print.
<p>What's your take on twin needle vs. zigzag hems? (And I don't want to hear about coverstitch machines, there is no room in my budget or apartment for such things!)Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-46542066543919325962015-05-17T10:43:00.000-04:002015-05-17T10:43:22.349-04:00SHB Sew-Along Baby Clothes Roundup: Sweet, Cool and Geeky<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17342400872" title="Block-printed Lego Blocks Onesie/Bodyshirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8794/17342400872_0b478b12d1_b.jpg" width="775" height="1024" alt="Block-printed Lego Blocks Onesie/Bodyshirt"></a>
<br><i><center>Baby D in his way-too-big-but-he'll-grow-into-it Lego bodyshirt</center></i>
<p>Our <a href="https://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_143183652981110&key=6b0d3dfd50b90e9ad32a15dad3456f3e&libId=i9ryhocj0100imkj000DAlcdnd9zo&loc=https%3A%2F%2F863792023187803515_596cf83ced10f94b4a0ca1052df5c4d706e88338.blogspot.com%2Fb%2Fpost-preview%3Ftoken%3D1qrSYU0BAAA.zOOJ16fCqFOH3ib3qo6-DQ.d5MOFA5cF0YQl1Jzs8i3EQ%26postId%3D7203732178644830473%26type%3DPOST&v=1&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.polkadotoverload.com%2F2015%2F03%2Fsmall-human-being-sew-along.html&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D863792023187803515&title=Polka%20Dot%20Overload%20%7C%20Sewing%2C%20knitting%20%26%20vintage%20projects%2C%20tips%2C%20tutorials%20and%20cartoons!%3A%20Preview%20%22SHB%20Sew-Along%20Baby%20Clothes%20Roundup%3A%20Geeky%2C%20Sweet%20and%20Cool%22&txt=%20%20">Small Human Being Sew-Along</a> has come to an end (OK, technically it ended two weeks ago, but since your hosts all have small babies, let's overlook that, shall we?), and it's time to round up the final projects for Category 1: Baby Clothes! <a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/">Cindy of Cation Designs</a> will be rounding up Category 2: Baby Accessories and <a href="http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/">Clio of Clio & Phineas</a> will be featuring the Category 3: For Parents projects.
<p>We were impressed and inspired by what our participants made — especially since some of you had multiple small children running about, were tired and pregnant, and/or were working mamas to small babies.
<p>I know I personally was so fired up by the sew-along I've kept the momentum going, and have really learned to work in tiny baby-catnap-sized time chunks — tracing a pattern here, sewing a few seams there, doing a little handsewing.
<p>And on to the projects, in no particular special order. I do think I've captured everyone's clothes submissions here, but please let me know if I missed you, as we'd like to feature at least one piece from everyone. (Where I have used links instead of photos, it's due to photo permission issues, not because I didn't want to feature a piece).
<h3>The sweet</h3>
<p>Lindsay (aka <a href="https://instagram.com/lindsaystitches/">lindsaystitches on Instagram</a>) made a sweet pair of harem pants style leggings for her baby girl due in July, using heart print knit leftover from another project:
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://instagram.com/p/2PNXyMsPVf/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_top">A photo posted by Lindsay B (@lindsaystitches)</a> on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-05-03T23:07:45+00:00">May 3, 2015 at 4:07pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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<p><a href="http://dartandgather.blogspot.com/">Laurel (aka Dart & Gather)</a> made this adorable appliquéd rabbit tee using scraps from old maternity clothes, as well as <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/47125326@N03/17069865929/in/photostream/">the Oliver + S layette set and coordinating hats</a> I featured previously:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/47125326@N03/17076153257" title="Rabbit tee 12M by dart&gather, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8811/17076153257_1c0104238e_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Rabbit tee 12M"></a>
<p><a href="http://vintageorbust.blogspot.com/2015/04/completed-50s-romper-for-shb-sewalong.html">Lisette of What Would Nancy Drew Wear? made this fantastic rickrack-trimmed romper</a> from a 1950s vintage pattern, Advance 6063:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lovelisette/17254649905" title="Advance 6063 by Lisette, on Flickr"><img src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7705/17254649905_b69bc15f46_b.jpg" width="765" height="1024" alt="Advance 6063"></a>
<p>Dina fought through her pregnancy nausea and exhaustion to make this adorable bear-eared jacket and pants (similar to our sew-along logo!):
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/18Q4VgCi1z/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">First outfit for Baby O: Kwik Sew 3127. Hoodie with ears (of course!) and pants. Supposed to be 3-6 mo, but as you can see, it can sit on my couch, so maybe a little older. #SHBsewalong</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Dina (@babyoiscoming) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-04-26T14:32:51+00:00">Apr 26, 2015 at 7:32am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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<p>Sew-Along co-hostess Clio made a sweet elephant print baby sleep gown for her little Taco baby <a href="http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/2015/04/shb-sew-along-convertible-mitten-cuff.html">with a convertible mitten cuff, and wrote up a tutorial for the cuff, too!</a>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sAPQLztNYmM/VViaJ6picTI/AAAAAAAAC38/-x5ya4s3QyI/s1600/tacos%2Bgown1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sAPQLztNYmM/VViaJ6picTI/AAAAAAAAC38/-x5ya4s3QyI/s640/tacos%2Bgown1.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>Brianne Ramirez made a little floral ruffled romper — oh goodness this is cute!
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/1PeHc-sdKo/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Finished an adorable ruffled romper today. I can't wait to put JeraRei in this cutie! #jerareiscloset #handmadebaby #diy #diybaby #sewingforbaby #SHBsewalong</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Brianne Ramirez (@beeglorious) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-04-09T05:02:41+00:00">Apr 8, 2015 at 10:02pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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<p>Finally, Flickr user a2assiramarah <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/58435546@N02/16829839670/in/pool-shbsewalong">made a raglan tee with a hand drawn elephant and coordinating leggings</a> for her second baby girl.
<h3>The cool</h3>
<p>Which is not to say the sweet items aren't cool, but only that I needed to make some categories here, so... these are cool.
<p>Emily Breck says she feels meh about these footed baby pants, but I think they are pretty awesome:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/33063709@N05/17377008252" title="baby got back leggings + feet by ofingleside, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8750/17377008252_ffc302ae6a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="baby got back leggings + feet"></a>
<p>Masha at the Itinerant Seamstress blog made some <a href="http://itinerantseamstress.blogspot.com/2015/05/more-baby-stuff.html">awesome outfits</a> for her fourth (not yet arrived) baby — I love her use of stripes!
<p>The free Brindille and Twig raglan hoodie pattern was pretty popular for the sew-along. My friend Lee made two awesome versions—the red is my favorite, I love the striped hood lining:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/liese-lotte/17035134479" title="second hooded raglan by Lee, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8730/17035134479_2b5d4f17e5_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="second hooded raglan"></a>
<p>Laurel made one too!
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/47125326@N03/17264569212" title="Brindille & Twig Hoodie 12-18M by dart&gather, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8717/17264569212_d77745f219_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Brindille & Twig Hoodie 12-18M"></a>
<p>And <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/04/shb-sew-along-bicycle-print-hoodie.html">I made a bicycle-print one, with matching bicycle fabric pants</a>:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17095117085" title="My first sewing project since D was born 9 weeks ago. Little dude doesn't mind it's two sizes too big. #SHBsewalong #brindilleandtwig #raglanhoodie #sewingforboys #bicycleprint by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8773/17095117085_1f0aa1ae3e_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="My first sewing project since D was born 9 weeks ago. Little dude doesn't mind it's two sizes too big. #SHBsewalong #brindilleandtwig #raglanhoodie #sewingforboys #bicycleprint"></a>
<p>Elena of Randomly Happy loved her Grainline Hemlock Tee so much she <a href="http://www.randomlyhappyblog.com/2015/04/diy-kids-hemlock-grainline-studio.html">made her little guy a mini version</a>:
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/1SaO-UMEXs/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Bam. A mini @grainlinestudio hemlock tee. Because little people shouldn't miss out. Read more about this DIY on el blogo. #hemlocktee #grainlinestudio #sewing #sewingforkids #memadeeveryday #SHBsewalong</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Elena Rosa Brown (@randomly_happy) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-04-10T08:26:28+00:00">Apr 10, 2015 at 1:26am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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<p><a href="http://brownpaperpattern.blogspot.com/">Ms. McCall of Brown Paper Patterns blog</a> copied a ready-to-wear cardigan and added a hood to her cute striped version:
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://instagram.com/p/1q8KLUkNwT/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">Copied-from-RTW cardigan for an SHB made from left over merino from @wearethefabricstore. The hood was improvised and it may be too small to be functional, oh well 😐 #SHBsewalong</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Ms McCall (@ms.mc.call) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2015-04-19T21:04:41+00:00">Apr 19, 2015 at 2:04pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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<p>And Flickr user oes1 made several fantastic outfits using patterns from Ottobre magazine — <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/57290697@N06/16526182163/in/pool-shbsewalong">I love the knee patches here especially</a>!
<h3>The geeky</h3>
<p>Given your hosts, how could there not be a large component of geek-tastic baby clothes made for the sew-along?
<p>We are huge Miyazaki fans here at Polka Dot Overload headquarters, so I may actually have squealed out loud in excitement when I saw <a href="http://confused-kitty.com/2015/05/01/totoro-costumes/">adorable Totoro costume that AJ at Confused Kitty Creations made</a> for her 9-month-old baby (and a matching one for her 2.5-year-old) using an online tutorial. (Like me, she mostly sews late at night when the kids are in bed):
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1OCjsj2YmgQ/VVgcGYtPyVI/AAAAAAAAC3w/moZERzWYNss/s1600/totoro_shoot_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1OCjsj2YmgQ/VVgcGYtPyVI/AAAAAAAAC3w/moZERzWYNss/s640/totoro_shoot_17.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>(I am definitely tempted to copy her with a set for my kids... but I know my daughter would far prefer to dress as Kiki from <i>Kiki's Delivery Service</i>.)
<p><a href="http://sew-and-so.blogspot.com/">Becky of Sew and So blog</a> guesstimated what size T-shirt her (not yet born) baby Jedi would fit into when the new Stars Wars movie comes out in December, and made this adorable colorblocked <a href="http://sew-and-so.blogspot.com/2015/04/sewing-for-boys-my-little-jedi.html">Star Wars quote top</a> using scraps and freezer paper stencils:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/83962102@N00/17288561565" title="Yoda shirt by sunnyb64, on Flickr"><img src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7717/17288561565_33ba38917a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Yoda shirt"></a>
<p><a href="http://makingrivendell.blogspot.com/">Hannah of Making Rivendell in the Desert</a> made <a href="http://makingrivendell.blogspot.com/2015/05/baby-elven-dress-and-baby-tunic-writeup.html">a gorgeous LOTR-inspired baby eleven dress</a> for her baby-to-be. Also: not only is she pregnant, she has three small children, so we were all in awe of her ability to find any time to sew at all. Here's how she did it:
<blockquote>With 3 kids under the age of 4, and being pretty pregnant with the baby that I'm actually making these things for (thus, needing sleep), I found with this sewalong how to get sewing time in: firstly, to sew in little chunks of time (15ish-25ish minutes) during their snack times or when they're in quiet play, the key being always being willing to walk away in a second when the kiddos were unhappy. This meant that I had less negative feelings about sewing, and the kids were happier, and I was happier (and less frustrated)... Also, exchanging my 1 hour or so after the kids go down that I used to spend on Pinterest/internet, for sewing time instead. I would have "sewing days" which were no internet days.</blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/130407346@N06/17308177156" title="Baby Elven Dress with Belt by Hannah Sadar, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8819/17308177156_d746697666_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Baby Elven Dress with Belt"></a>
<p>SHB Sew-Along host Cindy went into geeky baby sewing overdrive, <a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-geekiest-baby-my-little-hobbit.html">and made her little Hobbit a ... Hobbit costume</a>. To wear in front of a mini Bag End. While chewing on his Cindy-made teething One Ring. WOW.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/63585291@N06/16948690978" title="In front of his hobbit hole by Cindy, on Flickr"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7597/16948690978_16e270741e_b.jpg" width="1024" height="701" alt="In front of his hobbit hole"></a>
<p>Not to mention <a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-geekiest-baby-clothes-for-shb-sew.html">a slew of geek-tastic fabric marker decorated tees</a>, including a Firefly "Blue Sun" logo tee:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/63585291@N06/17311052636" title="Geeky SHB shirts by Cindy, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8814/17311052636_5581295237_b.jpg" width="1024" height="1024" alt="Geeky SHB shirts"></a>
<p>Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/05/a-polka-dot-lego-dress-onesie-and.html">I made my little dude a way-too-big blockprinted Lego-inpsired onesie</a> to coordinate with the Lego dress I made for his big sister:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16724046783" title="Block-printed Lego Blocks Onesie/Bodyshirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8866/16724046783_d7f7c10e24_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Block-printed Lego Blocks Onesie/Bodyshirt"></a>
<p>Phew, I think I got at least one baby clothes project from everybody in here? Please let me know if I missed you and I'll edit the post.
<p>Thanks so much for joining us, whether you sewed just a little baby bib or a whole pile of elaborate baby outfits! Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-7905523553561567782015-05-14T09:14:00.001-04:002015-05-14T09:14:27.059-04:00SHB Giveaway winners coming soon!<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16741309873" title="Baby D dressed for Free Comic Book Day by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img alt="Baby D dressed for Free Comic Book Day" height="2048" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8686/16741309873_e910e5cb04_k.jpg" width="1536" /></a>
<p>Just a quick note to let you know we'll be announcing the winners of the five giveaways for the Small Human Being Sew-Along soon. We were so impressed by all of the awesome projects that you all made that it is taking us longer to judge the Ottobre subscription winners than we thought.
<p>In the meantime, enjoy these photos of baby D — above in his Free Comic Book Day outfit (a hoodie I made for his sister with cartoon doodle fabric and a Doctor Who onesie I made with an iron-on transfer), and below in a bib I made him from some scraps.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17196013698" title="Decked out in his new #memade bib. 3 months old! #scrapbusting by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7745/17196013698_8490d95df4_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Decked out in his new #memade bib. 3 months old! #scrapbusting"></a>
Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-48519951914444648962015-05-09T23:35:00.000-04:002015-05-09T23:36:03.616-04:00The Me-Made Garment Graveyard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MT3X92HXuKI/UXpq6s8oPsI/AAAAAAAABmU/Pe0gV1PyQMo/s1600/sew_grateful_skirt_RIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MT3X92HXuKI/UXpq6s8oPsI/AAAAAAAABmU/Pe0gV1PyQMo/s400/sew_grateful_skirt_RIP.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<br><i><Center>I still miss my colorblocked wool jersey skirt (eaten by evil moths in 2013)</center></i>
<p>Baby D isn't feeling like going to sleep tonight so Mommy can sew something new for a Mother's Day outing tomorrow.
<p>So as I sit here in the dark snuggling with him I thought I'd take a quick moment to say goodbye to some of the me-mades I used to know that aren't here for Me Made May 2015 any more because they've been lost or donated or recycled.
<p>Some of these I am sad about, and to some I say: good riddance! My goal is to have a tightly edited closet/drawers full only of things I actually love to wear, and I can't hold onto the ill-fitting or unwearable just because I made them.
<p>Goodbye wide-legged blue corduroy Vogue trousers (you didn't hit at the waist properly and my husband always hated you):
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/6924089421" title="Trouser Triumph by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7203/6924089421_249ede7d6b_b.jpg" width="674" height="1024" alt="Trouser Triumph"></a>
<p>Goodbye McCall's 5529 chartreuse cardigan jacket — you did not fit at all and that doubleknit from Fabric.com was just the WORST:
<p><p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/14252880282" title="McCall's 5529 Chartreuse Cardigan Jacket Fail by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/14252880282_c921615c39_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="McCall's 5529 Chartreuse Cardigan Jacket Fail"></a>
<p>Oh where are you now my beloved reversible shirred skirt in Maggy London purple geometric lawn on one side and black swiss dot lawn on the other? I lost you on vacation two years ago and I still miss you to this day. Come home to me, please!
<p><p><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/8807601292/" title="Me Made May 23: Green and purple by M1khaela, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/8807601292_b8ca842017.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Me Made May 23: Green and purple"></a></center>
<p>Goodbye Burdastyle Melissa red pencil skirt — you wrinkled like crazy and always showed underwear lines. But I'll make you again — in ponte knit this time!
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/4390980558" title="BurdaStyle "Melissa" High-Waisted Knit Skirt--Red Maternity Version Side View by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4061/4390980558_6a2616beef_o.jpg" width="750" height="1000" alt="BurdaStyle "Melissa" High-Waisted Knit Skirt--Red Maternity Version Side View"></a>
<p>Oooh, baby is sleeping now! Time to sew.
<p>P.S. You <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/sets/72157652310829391">can see all my me-made-May outfits in this Flickr gallery</a> — I don't know that I will have time to do weekly roundups this year. Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-2545765825112308992015-05-09T00:53:00.002-04:002015-05-10T00:27:05.870-04:00A Simple Stretch Denim Skirt (With a Secret) - Simplicity 5914 review<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17254237020" title="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8749/17254237020_21947a9ca3_b.jpg" width="784" height="1024" alt="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt"></a>
<p>So: I made a plain solid-colored skirt in a neutral color with no embellishment. Somewhat out of character for me but I really needed this wardrobe staple to balance out all the wild print tops in my drawers. And, well, I love it!
<p><b>Inspiration</b>: Ten years ago I had a sudden urge to make a polka-dot skirt (as one does) and pulled Simplicity 5914 and some cheap $2/yard polyester woven from my then-small stash. The result was this simple gored skirt with petersham waist facing (a special type of flexible hat ribbon you can steam into a curve and use instead of a self-fabric facing):
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/216001339" title="Thrifty remix 8_15_06 by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/59/216001339_50ea381084_b.jpg" width="767" height="1024" alt="Thrifty remix 8_15_06"></a>
<p>I didn't actually adjust the pattern or check for fit, so the size 14 was way too big at the time. It was <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/review/pattern/10571">the first pattern I reviewed for Pattern Review</a>, and I was able to wear it as recently as last Me-Made-May:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/14219309601" title="Me Made May 19: Bottom of the drawer (running out of me-mades!) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5586/14219309601_85d32b9c9c_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Me Made May 19: Bottom of the drawer (running out of me-mades!)"></a>
<p>Post-baby #2, I can't squeeze into it any more, but when a thrift store denim skirt hunt turned up nothing good, I decided to turn to this well-loved TNT. When I first reviewed it in 2005 I answered the "Would you sew it again?" question with "Yes, I think I'll make again, since it's so simple. You can never have too many comfy skirts." And now I have and I'm so glad because I cannot stop wearing this thing!
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17441450551" title="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7792/17441450551_49a5da7cf7_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt"></a>
<p>This time I made View B, the flared hem trumpet version.
<p>This is my ideal skirt. It's everything I love and need in a skirt for both my casual workplace (that I'll be returning to in less than a month) AND the playground — a spitup-proof cross between polished and casual, with the best features of a pencil and A-line skirt combined.
<ol>
<li>Fitted through the hips, but loose at the hem for running around.
<li>Tight but comfortable thanks to hidden elastic waist facing.
<li>Can sit on the playground floor or grass if necessary without fear of stains or showing my underthings.
<li>Resistant to spitup.
<li>Stretch woven BUT with a "tummy tuck" or pocketless "pocket stay" style interior woven panel so I can wear my tops tucked in without fear of being thought still pregnant.
</ol>
<p>Anyway, FINALLY not looking pregnant AND having an awesome new wardrobe staple is definitely a booster on the self-image front, and I'm feeling a bit better than I did in my previous post about it all (<a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/03/what-to-wear-and-sew-when-nothing-fits.html">"What to Wear and Sew When Nothing Fits"</a>). Taking Me Made May photos helps, even if posing always makes me feel super awkward (what the heck am I supposed to do with my camera-proximate arm? why does it look weirdly distorted?).
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16819282124" title="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8836/16819282124_07793e88f3_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt"></a>
<h3>OK, basic details:</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Pattern</b>: Simplicity 5914 (out of print, but <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xsimplicity+5914.TRS0&_nkw=simplicity+5914&_sacat=0">easily available on eBay</a>), View B. A 6-gore woven fabric trumpet skirt with side zipper that hits at the natural waist.
<p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8NSOt6XTe0/VU2TrnQUeGI/AAAAAAAAC3E/e4T4A0t7zeY/s1600/5914.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8NSOt6XTe0/VU2TrnQUeGI/AAAAAAAAC3E/e4T4A0t7zeY/s400/5914.jpg" /></a>
<p><b>Fabric</b>: Dark wash stretch denim from Mood, I think it is the Theory denim everyone raves about. When I saw <a href="http://sownbrooklyn.com/">Nettie of Sown Brooklyn</a> recently she was wearing some amazing Ginger jeans in the exact same fabric. This stuff is AWESOME, the perfect medium weight with great stretch and recovery ... but I bought it in the store and have no idea which website item corresponds, sorry!
<p><b>Notions</b>: 7" invisible zipper, hook and eye, 1" waistband elastic.
</blockquote>
<p><b>Sizing</b>: Since I can no longer squeeze into my size 14 version, I figured I would make the 16, but I forgot to factor in that I was using a stretch woven this time, so... OOPS. I basted the side seams, checked fit and wound up taking them in by at least 1.5" (so about 6" total) to get a nice snug stretch fit. I'm sure it would have been more accurate to take some of that width out of the gored seams, but I didn't feeling like it at the time—maybe I'll do that if/when I need to take the skirt in again.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17254831148" title="IMG_8088 by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7740/17254831148_2a79f7ce33_z.jpg" width="640" height="424" alt="IMG_8088"></a>
<p><b>Modifications</b>:
<ol>
<li>I used an invisible zipper instead of the lapped zipper recommended.
<li>I was going to use petersham for the waist facing (a technique covered in Sandra Betzina's wonderful <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Power-Sewing-Step-Sandra-Betzina/dp/1561585726">Power Sewing: Step by Step</a></i> book), but hated the idea of something rigid at my waist when my size continues to fluctuate... so I pretended that a piece of 1" elastic about 3" shorter than my waist circumference was the petersham and it totally works, even if it looks messy inside.
<li>I sewed in a double layer of quilting cotton as a tummy tuck panel or pocketless "pocket stay" on the skirt front (I first got this idea from <a href="http://www.fehrtrade.com/gallery/556/my-colette-clover-jeans">Fehr Trade blog</a>, <a href="http://closetcasefiles.com/ginger-sewalong-pt-5-fitting/">Heather Lou discusses it in her Ginger Jeans sew-along</a> and <a href="http://www.cashmerette.com/2015/01/starting-new-year-with-hit-my-ginger.html">Jenny/Cashmerette</a> has blogged about it as well).
</ol>
<p>Here's what the innards look like:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17255555919" title="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7793/17255555919_21fb6bcab2_c.jpg" width="720" height="800" alt="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt"></a>
<p>The skirt has already passed the spitup test several times, and I was able to clean it no problem. Phew!
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16821549733" title="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8868/16821549733_3dc23ebca1_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt"></a>
<p>(I realize that looks oddly precarious but I swear I was holding my precious little guy securely!)
<p>Back view...
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17441450881" title="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7736/17441450881_d5593694cf_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt"></a>
<p>Skirt happiness... the end!
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17415798436" title="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7701/17415798436_076531bc33_c.jpg" width="670" height="800" alt="Simplicity 5914 gored stretch denim skirt"></a>
<p>Will I make it AGAIN AGAIN? Maybe, though I'm running out of time for sewing while on maternity leave and will probably be too tired to do much once I go back to work. This stretch cotton woven from the stash might do nicely, though the pattern matching might make me cranky.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/4235125779" title="Ink paint turquoise stretch cotton by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4018/4235125779_bd6c77ee00_z.jpg?zz=1" width="640" height="480" alt="Ink paint turquoise stretch cotton"></a>
<p>P.S. It is bizarre to think I first started sewing regularly 10 years ago. I did take a five year hiatus and didn't really pick it up again until 2010, but I still feel like somehow I should have more to show for 10+ years of owning my own sewing machine... but here I am, still making basic daywear skirts instead of, I don't know, tailored wool jackets and elaborate evening gowns. Maybe someday!Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-74526554542245094722015-05-07T00:51:00.001-04:002015-05-10T00:27:15.402-04:00A Polka-Dot Lego Dress, Onesie and Necklaces (Also: Fun with Block Printing!)
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17318274756" title="Block-printed Lego Dress + Bodyshirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8874/17318274756_06e86e21fc_b.jpg" width="1024" height="789" alt="Block-printed Lego Dress + Bodyshirt"></a>
<p>What with all the Small Human Being-focused sewing going on, I think my daughter was feeling a little left out. So I pulled out one of the unfinished (unstarted?) objects I felt most guilty about: her Lego Cityscape sundress. I sort of meant to make it for Kids Clothes Week, but baby wasn't really napping, and I fell down the crafty rabbit hole of experimenting with block printing and... well, here it is.
<p>She loves it, if it isn't obvious. I really struggled to edit down the photos on this one!
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17318272666" title="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8733/17318272666_3ed25b9c57_b.jpg" width="1024" height="988" alt="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress)"></a>
<p><b>Backstory:</b> As some of you may recall, <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2014/05/lego-dress-showdown-which-block.html">about a year ago, I had a little "Lego Dress Showdown"</a> to choose which blocks-themed dress idea to make for my daughter's Lego-themed fourth birthday party.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/14194604853" title="Can't Decide: Lego Dress Ideas for My Daughter's 4th Birthday Party by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7436/14194604853_acfef66102_b.jpg" width="726" height="1024" alt="Can't Decide: Lego Dress Ideas for My Daughter's 4th Birthday Party"></a>
<p>The cityscape design with the sun (which was partly inspired by <a href="http://oliverands.com/community/blog/2013/02/customizing-with-oliver-s-raw-edge-house-applique.html">this Oliver + S tutorial on raw edge appliqué</a>) was by far the most popular, but alas, I was so tired and nauseous from my pregnancy it never happened. And her Lego birthday party was a disaster — shortly before the other kids showed up, little Z started throwing up EVERYWHERE. It was too late to cancel the party (which was in the lobby of our building) but she was so sick she didn't even eat a single bite of the amazing allergy-free Lego cake my mom made for her (no dairy, eggs or nuts):
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/14459128876" title="The #allergyfree #Lego cake awaits the birthday party guests... #dairyfree #eggfree #nutfree #sesamefree and more #foodallergy by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5471/14459128876_aeb15ac166_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="The #allergyfree #Lego cake awaits the birthday party guests... #dairyfree #eggfree #nutfree #sesamefree and more #foodallergy"></a>
<p>The other kids came and played with all the Duplos and games we had set up, and we recorded a video of them singing happy birthday to her and wishing her well. She recovered by the evening but is still sad about missing her birthday party to this day.
<p>But I digress. Back to the dress!
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17136865347" title="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8700/17136865347_b8a1e7ebac_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress)"></a>
<h3>Lego dress basics:</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><b>The pattern</b>: <a href="https://oliverands.com/free-patterns/popover-sundress/">The Oliver + S patterns free Popover Sundress pattern</a>. I actually own a bunch of not-free-at-all Oliver + S dress patterns, but I went with this free shoulder-tie dress because it is so simple — the plain front makes a great blank canvas for embellishment. It was a fun and quick sew, and the directions are just as great and detailed as with their paid patterns. My only quibble is that there isn't much ease across the tummy; if I make it again, I'll add some width and gather or pleat the dress front to the yoke.
<p><b>Sizing</b>: I made the size 7 (probably about two sizes too big) as I'd like her to be able to wear it for a good long while.
<p><b>Fabric</b>: Bright blue and yellow broadcloth from <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/trumart-discount-fabrics-new-york-3">Tru-Mart Discount Fabrics</a> (a crowded little store over by FIT that has some great deals sometimes).
<p><b>Notions & tools, etc</b>: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Warm-Company-Steam---Seam-Fusible/dp/B00114R66A/">Steam-A-Seam Lite 2</a> (for the appliqué). Fabric paint (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jacquard-Neopaque-8-Color-Set/dp/B00NVF7OYG">Jacquard Neopaque nontoxic paints</a>, which I already had around because I am a craft supplies semi-hoarder), <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Speedball-Linoleum-Cutter-Assortment-1/dp/B0017D8W5E/">Speedball Lino Cutters</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jacquard-Juice-Fabric-Marker-Classic/dp/B001EWR3OE">Tee Juice Classic fabric marker</a>s (for the dots), some <a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-e-z-cut-printing-blocks/">Blick EZ Cut</a> block printing material, a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Speedball-4-Inch-Pop-In-Foam-Brayer/dp/B000BYXF5W">foam brayer</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cornell-842-25-Piece-Brush-1-Inch/dp/B000W5IACS/">foam brushes</a>.
<p><b>Blockprinting references used</b>: I already had Lotta Jansdotter's <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lotta-Prints-Anything-Potatoes-Linoleum/dp/081186037X">Lotta Prints: How to Print With Anything From Potatoes to Linoleum</a></i>... which is very inspiring, but slightly vague on the technical info and handholding needed to get good results. Luckily my local library had a more nitty-gritty detail book available, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fabric-Printing-Home-Textures-Stencils/dp/1592539521"><i>Fabric Printing at Home</i></a> by Julie Booth.
<p><b>Techniques used:</b> Mock French seams (my first time trying this), homemade bias binding (for the straps) with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001703IYW/">Clover 1" bias tape maker</a>.
</blockquote>
<p>It took a lot of experimenting to get my DIY rubber blocks to print clearly on my fabric. <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/blog?s=2003029">Deepika has a cool tutorial on the Pattern Review blog using wood blocks</a> but I wasn't about to start wood (or lino) carving, so I used E-Z Cut Printing blocks:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17022690277" title="Trying #blockprinting on fabric for the 1st time to make clothes for the kids for #kidsclothesweek & #SHBsewalong but it's not going well... I carved a stamp from EZ Cut & it works fine on paper, but... by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8706/17022690277_eb3ebc785e_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Trying #blockprinting on fabric for the 1st time to make clothes for the kids for #kidsclothesweek & #SHBsewalong but it's not going well... I carved a stamp from EZ Cut & it works fine on paper, but..."></a>
<p>After I got the impressions looking fairly good, I blockprinted the Lego towers and sun onto the yellow fabric, and the yokes. (It's all the same block, I just painted different parts of it before stamping to get some partial impressions). I heat set them (oh goodness, it takes FOREVER to heatset with an iron on so much fabric!), used fusible web to stitck them to the dress front, then stitched them down with a zig zag for extra security:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17158078509" title="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7682/17158078509_39de8f1b8e_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress)"></a>
<p>For the back I decided to make it look like the blocks were tumbling down:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17342411942" title="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8807/17342411942_76936726b4_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress)"></a>
<p>I had a moment of panic when she tried it on and declared it resembled an IKEA apron (the yellow and blue?) but once I added the dark green polka dots with a Tee Juice marker, the resemblance faded.
<p>Z wore the dress on a walk to our local branch of the Brooklyn Public Library (doesn't it look cute peeking out as a skirt?)...
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17158073699" title="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8740/17158073699_82e961f9b0_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress)"></a>
<p>The librarians loved it and invited her to the monthly Lego Club.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17344306635" title="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8763/17344306635_35f4b631c8_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress)"></a>
<p>She had a blast building a "Flying House Pirate Ship" with some mermaids and wizards on it).
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16721818544" title="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8756/16721818544_cb11633ecb_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress)"></a>
<p>While I had the paints and block out, I decided to make a blocks onesie for the little guy as well using my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/K2433-Rompers-Sewing-Pattern-Jumpsuits/dp/B00889Y88A">Kwik Sew 2433</a> baby layette pattern and some random knit scraps left over from other projects. I made the 9-12 month size, so it's HUGE on my 3-month old, but he's growing fast.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17156503658" title="Block-printed Lego Blocks Onesie/Bodyshirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8813/17156503658_9d5e829bcb_b.jpg" width="1024" height="1024" alt="Block-printed Lego Blocks Onesie/Bodyshirt"></a>
<p>Big Sis tried to give him some building tips using her old <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Green-Toys-My-First-Blocks/dp/B0036WSVPU">Green Toys "My First Blocks"</a> but he was skeptical:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17156498908" title="Block-printed Lego Blocks Onesie/Bodyshirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8686/17156498908_2ccfd5c766_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Block-printed Lego Blocks Onesie/Bodyshirt"></a>
<p>So she gave up and played with the blocks herself:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16724046783" title="Block-printed Lego Blocks Onesie/Bodyshirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8866/16724046783_d7f7c10e24_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Block-printed Lego Blocks Onesie/Bodyshirt"></a>
<p>For the necklace, my husband drilled holes in some Legos and Z and I arranged them until we got something we liked. Hers:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17156738590" title="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7685/17156738590_2dcaa7c2c9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress)"></a>
<p>And mine (shown here on the day of her ill-fated party):
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/14479944364" title="Been sick for a few weeks and didn't get to sew special #Lego dresses for Z's birthday party today but I did make matching mother/daughter Lego necklaces. by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2929/14479944364_a2172cc440_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Been sick for a few weeks and didn't get to sew special #Lego dresses for Z's birthday party today but I did make matching mother/daughter Lego necklaces."></a>
<p><b>Conclusion</b>: Neither garment is perfect (but whatever, perfect is the enemy of good, etc), but I had a lot of fun and feel like I learned a lot in my block printing experiments and am now a bit obsessed with thinking about how I can decorate my own fabrics. While at the library I also picked up <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Field-Guide-Fabric-Design-Traditional/dp/1607053551">A Field Guide to Fabric Design: Design, Print & Sell Your Own Fabric (Traditional & Digital Techniques</a>)</i> by Kim Kight (formerly of True Up blog, now a fabric designer for Cotton and Steel) and it made me want to experiment more with Spoonflower again. (We'll see if that actually happens).
<p>In the meantime, Z is loving her Lego dress, and I am <i>thrilled</i> that I finally finished it.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17342410042" title="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7762/17342410042_5d0172ecd3_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="Block-Printed Lego Cityscapes Dress (Oliver + S Popover Sundress)"></a>
<p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;">**Disclosure: Actions you take from hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for polkadotoverload.com (quite likely to be spent on yarn or fabric or possibly diapers).</span>Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-33422231404437993732015-05-04T01:47:00.000-04:002015-05-10T00:27:28.952-04:00An Eye-Searing Top + Me Made May 2015 pledge<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17175367119" title="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7666/17175367119_2d5aba8cd5_h.jpg" width="995" height="1600" alt="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack)"></a>
<p>This top ticks all my sewing form and function happiness boxes. It's loud, colorful and super close-fitting. It's also soft, stretchy, comfortable and stain-camouflaging: I DARE you to find any spit-up in this wild print. (OK, there isn't any — yet — but it is a daily hazard in my life as the mother of a 3-month-old baby).
<p>And of course it's great for discreet(ish) breastfeeding!
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17173778918" title="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7739/17173778918_db53264e5c_h.jpg" width="923" height="1600" alt="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack)"></a>
<p>Yes, I made the Jalie 2921 scarf-collar jersey top for the fourth time, my second time making it in a nursing version using the 'So, Zo...' breastfeeding top tutorial. This is my fifth and almost-final piece for the <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/03/small-human-being-sew-along.html">Small Human Being Sew-Along</a> I did in April with <a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/">Cindy</a> and <a href="http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/">Clio</a> (reminder: <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/04/shb-sew-along-giveaways-wrap-up-comment.html">submit your sew-along projects here by May 7</a> to be part of the giveaways and roundup!).
<p>See my <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/04/shb-sew-along-jalie-2921-scarf-collar.html">wearable muslin version post</a> for all the basic details.
<p>So what's different in Version 4.0?
<p>Well, the fabric, of course — this is a really lovely, soft, but sturdy and substantial rayon lycra knit from Mood with excellent recovery. Rayon lycra jersey ranges so widely in quality, and I've been disappointed many times before (curse you, Fabric.com!), but this is the good stuff. I've been wearing my first nursing version of this top constantly but I am always worried it is about to tear apart it is so thin.
<p>I also changed up the elastic — I found the clear elastic recommended in the tutorial felt too flimsy to me for an opening that needed to be tugged at again and again. So I used a soft black ruffle-edged lingerie elastic from the stash, bought at Daytona Trimming some time back... you can see it here on the underlayer:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16739067164" title="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7724/16739067164_0478d388e9_h.jpg" width="1600" height="1600" alt="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack)"></a>
<p>And I made the sleeveless version this time, though I ended up with the Dreaded Armhole Gape (I have the same problem with ready-to-wear sleeveless tops) and ended up sewing some random tucks to tighten the armholes and keep my bra covered. I know there is a way to fix this at the pattern stage, but I didn't bother.
<p>Back view, sort of:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17361581375" title="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7684/17361581375_521703985e_h.jpg" width="1200" height="1600" alt="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack)"></a>
<p>And yes, I used a zig-zag for topstitching, as I've been having some technical problems with twin needling. I'm going to make the attempt again, but I figured zig zags went with the zig-zag print. Right?
<p>This top makes me really happy! I want to wear it EVERY day, but it's so distinctive I think people might notice? Maybe?
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17335616126" title="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8862/17335616126_30f746a404_h.jpg" width="979" height="1600" alt="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack)"></a>
<p>Though I gotta say having two kids makes even my cluttery sewing corner photo shoots night impossible... I was trying to get some photos of the top tucked in, but baby woke from his post-nursing nap and started to fuss, so I asked big girl to entertain her brother...
<p>Which she happily did...
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17173777138" title="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8685/17173777138_c69e1bf71f_h.jpg" width="1200" height="1600" alt="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack)"></a>
<p>... Until he accidentally scratched her in the face with his baby Wolverine claws (we DID almost name him Logan, so maybe this is our fault) and I had to separate them.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17361578745" title="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7731/17361578745_91de5a8d4f_h.jpg" width="1200" height="1600" alt="Eye-Searing Jalie Top (w/ So Zo nursing top hack)"></a>
<p>Don't worry, they were best buddies again a few minutes later:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17158514368" title="IMG_1341.JPG by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7673/17158514368_4a4a5af406_h.jpg" width="1600" height="1600" alt="IMG_1341.JPG"></a>
<p>And here we are in me-made sweaters and hoodies in our official Me Made May 2 picture, on our way to get comics for Free Comic Book Day (husband took photo, as he had no me-mades on):
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17346003742" title="IMG_1345.JPG by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8788/17346003742_273cc3a62a_h.jpg" width="1600" height="1600" alt="IMG_1345.JPG"></a>
<p>Oh, yes: Me Made May! Here's what I wrote in my signup:
<blockquote>I always love Me Made May! But I just had a baby and almost none of my me-mades fit, so I'm going to have to go easy on myself for this one:
'I, Mikhaela Reid of Polka Dot Overload, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '15. I endeavour to wear a me-made item at least three days per week for the duration of May 2015 (well, at least until I have to return to work at the end of the month)'</blockquote>
<p>I'm not even sure if I'm going to recap my outfits here each week, but you can catch them <a href="https://instagram.com/m1khaela/">all on my Instagram</a> and I will do a big photo collage at the end.
<p>But the embarrassment of wearing old maternity tops on Instagram has already inspired some frantic sewing and identification of wardrobe gaps (or chasms, really). I have an almost-complete gored denim skirt on the sewing table and a striped ruched-bust top copied from ready-to-wear in progress.
<p>What are your criteria for a really happy make?Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-56192646492386472432015-04-30T22:23:00.002-04:002015-04-30T22:24:51.890-04:00SHB Sew-Along: Giveaways & Wrap-up (Comment by May 7!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBTyf6IZPsE/VRDBw0PAhnI/AAAAAAAACzE/-H5Glguu0Is/s1600/SHBsewalongbadge1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBTyf6IZPsE/VRDBw0PAhnI/AAAAAAAACzE/-H5Glguu0Is/s640/SHBsewalongbadge1.png" /></a></div>
<p>So I startled awake in a sleep-deprived haze this morning to realize "Oh, hey! Today is the last official day of <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/03/small-human-being-sew-along.html?">the SHB Sew-Along!" (see here if you don't know what I'm talking about)</a>. The good news was: I did it! Somehow despite having a tiny baby and a four-year-old I managed to sew things. Lots of things, actually. OK, so I mostly had to sew in 15-minute chunks when baby was catnapping (or stay up too late and really deprive myself of sleep), but I still managed to finish four baby garments, a bib, two nursing tops and a baby carrier.
<p>But I'll save a summary of all my makes for another post: this one is to share yours! <a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/">Cindy of Cation Designs</a>, <a href="http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/">Clio of Clio & Phineas</a> and I have been following all the awesome, quirky, nerdy, pretty and/or cute things you all have been posting to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/shbsewalong/">the Flickr group</a>, Instagram, Twitter and your blogs, and we are super glad you decided to sew along with us -- whether you were a new parent, pregnant, or sewing for friends and family.
<p>And we have prizes for you!
<h3>Prize #1: a free copy of the adorable Oliver + S Lullaby Layette PDF pattern (random giveaway)</h3>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zu-79syJaS4/VULcX1HeVGI/AAAAAAAAC2I/KItCeqCaMvE/s1600/OLV-OS046LL1_Prod_Full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zu-79syJaS4/VULcX1HeVGI/AAAAAAAAC2I/KItCeqCaMvE/s640/OLV-OS046LL1_Prod_Full.jpg" /></a></div>
<p><a href="http://oliverands.com/product/OLV-OS046LL1.html">We have two copies of this cute and comfy layette set</a> to give away, sized for babies and toddlers up to 24 months. At least one of you already made this during the sew-along--this romper with coordinating hat is from Laurel of <a href="http://dartandgather.blogspot.com/">Dart & Gather</a> (who is too busy to blog these days, but still sews many lovely things):
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/47125326@N03/17069865929" title="NL6360 Hat & Oliver and S Layette Set by dart&gather, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8710/17069865929_985772503a_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="NL6360 Hat & Oliver and S Layette Set"></a>
<h3>Prize #2: A year's subscription to <i>Ottobre Design</i> magazine (one chosen from each category)</h3>
<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GD9be0083EQ/VULenNjedFI/AAAAAAAAC2U/kPfzA0mRQos/s1600/OD-cover_3-14-445px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GD9be0083EQ/VULenNjedFI/AAAAAAAAC2U/kPfzA0mRQos/s640/OD-cover_3-14-445px.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>We have three <a href="https://www.ottobredesign.com/subscription/index.php?lang=en">one-year subscriptions to <i>Ottobre Design</i></a> children and youth sewing pattern magazine to give away!
<p>That's four thick issues packed with stylish patterns — from sweet and classic to modern and edgy — for babies, toddlers, and kids. All modeled in inspiring fabrics by adorable children. Cindy, Clio and I are going to put our heads together and pick a winner from each sew-along category (baby clothes, baby accessories/quilts/toys, stuff for parents/maternity/nursing). Please don't ask me what our exact criteria are, because we're too tired and covered in spit-up to know yet.
<h3>The rules</h3>
<P>In order to enter both of these giveaways, please:
<ol>
<li>Leave a comment on this post linking to one (or more) of your favorite makes for the Sew-Along (whether on Flickr, Instagram, or your blog/website), with your...
<li>Email address or other way to contact you should you win.
<li>Basic details of what pattern and materials you used (if not already mentioned on the Flickr page or blog post)...
<li>A bit about who you sewed the for (your 6-month-old baby, a pregnant friend, whoever!)...
<li>And how you managed to find the time/inspiration to sew at all!
<li><b>Deadline: May 7 at midnight</b> (yes, we know it was an April sew-along, but we won't tell if you use an extra day or two to finish up your projects... I still have a half-finished nursing top and a few not-done baby bibs sitting next to my serger).
</ol>
<p>Once all the entries are in, give us tired mamas a few days to select and notify the winners, and post a roundup featuring your fantastic creations (spoiler alert: there will be lots of nerdy Lord of the Rings themed-items).
<p>Baby D says: thanks for joining us! (shown here in a Basquiat bodyshirt I originally made for his big sister, on a polka-dot Peanuts quilt made for him by a friend):
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16993165859" title="Baby D enjoying a beautiful handmade gift from a quilter friend - a polka dot Peanuts quilt (we both used to work for the company that licensed Peanuts) . Little dude is wearing a #memade Basquiat onesie upcycled from his Daddy's T-shirt. by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8760/16993165859_fa19daf8a8_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Baby D enjoying a beautiful handmade gift from a quilter friend - a polka dot Peanuts quilt (we both used to work for the company that licensed Peanuts) . Little dude is wearing a #memade Basquiat onesie upcycled from his Daddy's T-shirt."></a>Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-55685409263121481822015-04-19T22:56:00.000-04:002015-04-19T23:57:41.460-04:00Finished: Quick & Cheap DIY Tablecloth Ring Sling (& Thoughts on Finding Time to Blog AND Sew)<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17189092111" title="Better photos of my DIY tablecloth ring sling, with actual baby. #SHBsewalong #babywearing #babyDWood #isew #tcrs by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7607/17189092111_d3833004cb_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Better photos of my DIY tablecloth ring sling, with actual baby. #SHBsewalong #babywearing #babyDWood #isew #tcrs"></a>
<p>Becoming a sewing blogger is contradictory: blogging can inspire you to sew and can be creative in itself, but it can also be a time suck that takes you away from your sewing machine. Suddenly you have to find time not only to to make your project but to photograph (and photoedit) it, write it up (and edit it), answer comments — and, if you're really intense, provide detailed tips, tutorials and even patterns.
<p>So given my limited free time lately as the mother of an 11-week-old boy and a 4-year-old girl I've been trying — and failing — to shorten my blog posts, limit the excessive amounts of detail and cut back on all the sketching and sewing planning and organizing of fabric and patterns I enjoy so much, but which rarely turns into actual sewing. And I'm giving myself permission to take really quick photographs in front of the only spot in my apartment which is vaguely clean and not worry that I can't crop out all the clutter.
<p>I do think planning and sketching can help ensure a garment fits and flatters and actually gets worn ... but since I'm trying to break out of a sewing lull and seriously squeezed for time, it's probably better just to grab a pattern and fabric and just SEW.
<p>(And yes, of course I realize it is possible to sew or knit without publicly documenting it... but at this point, it's almost a compulsion. Part of me just doesn't feel a project is truly complete until I've blogged it, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/m1khaela">Raveled</a> it or <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/search.pl?search=1&ProfileID=37823&heading=All_Reviews_By_m1khaela">Pattern Reviewed</a> it... or at least <a href="https://instagram.com/m1khaela/">Instagrammed</a> it.)
<p>So, anyway.<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mahogany-Jaisalmer-Jacquard-Rectangle-Tablecloth/dp/B00C7I44GO"> I made a baby carrier out of a fuschia Mahogany brand tablecloth</a> for the <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/03/small-human-being-sew-along.html">Small Human Being Sew-Along</a> and it was ridiculously easy and satisfying. Start to finish the whole project took less than an hour for pressing, pinning and sewing, and that was INCLUDING watching the video tutorials and reading the instructions. It probably took less time than typing up this blog post.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17182919191" title="DIY Fuschia Tablecloth Ring Sling by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7642/17182919191_a405f2fc03_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="DIY Fuschia Tablecloth Ring Sling"></a>
<h3>The details:</h3>
<blockquote><b>Pattern:</b> Used the free <a href="http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/sling.html">"A simple un-padded sling</a>" ring sling tutorial <a href="http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/shoulders.html">with gathered shoulder option</a> from Jan Andrea's Sleeping Baby Productions baby crafts page — she has a huge wealth of free baby carrier sewing patterns, with great videos and essential tips on selecting <a href="http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/fabric.html">safe and supportive fabric</a>, <a href="http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/fabric.html#rings">weight-bearing rings</a> and strong thread. I didn't bother with a pocket as I didn't have enough extra fabric.
<p><b>Fabric:</b> Half of a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mahogany-Jaisalmer-Jacquard-Rectangle-Tablecloth/dp/B00C7I44GO">90" x 60" Mahogany fuschia and yellow tablecloth (100% cotton jacquard)</a>. After washing, my piece was about 87" x 29", and the final sling measureds 75" (12" is taken up by the rings area).
<p>It can be hard to find high-quality, supportive and pretty fabrics at a budget price for babywearing, <a href="http://manicpixiedreammama.com/baby-origami-diy-style-tablecloths/">but Mahogany cotton jacquard tablecloths have been road-tested extensively by many babywearers</a>, come <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_0?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A1055398%2Cn%3A3742031%2Ck%3Amahogany+jacquard+tablecloth&keywords=mahogany+jacquard+tablecloth&ie=UTF8&qid=1429496378&rnid=1063498">in many cool patterns and colorways</a>, and are quite popular for DIY wraps as well.
<p><b>Notions:</b> Weight-tested size large silver aluminum rings from <a href="http://slingrings.com/">SlingRings.com</a>, high-quality polyester thread (I used <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_0?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A2617941011%2Cn%3A12899561%2Ck%3Ametrosene+thread&keywords=metrosene+thread&ie=UTF8&qid=1429496095&rnid=2617942011">Mettler Metrosene</a>, but <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=gutermann+sewing+thread&tag=googhydr-20&index=arts-crafts&hvadid=31125374570&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9174246380020350441&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_1wt7zcyjbv_b">Guttermann</a> is also popular for sling-making).
<p><b>Cost:</b> About $25 for the tablecloth half and sling rings together. Which is pretty sweet as commercial ring slings often cost between $85-$200.
</blockquote>
<p>I split the other half of the tablecloth with <a href="http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/">Clio</a>, so we're going to be babywearing twinsies.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17183500755" title="DIY Fuschia Tablecloth Ring Sling by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5446/17183500755_a2f0b21c08_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="DIY Fuschia Tablecloth Ring Sling"></a>
<p>I cannot emphasize enough how much I ADORE this carrier. I've been wearing it all over the place for the last few days — even for outings of several hours. I love the bright pink color, I love how soft and supportive it is, and how "grippy" the fabric is (it really grips the rings and stays put once well-tightened). Baby D seems to love it too, as he falls asleep very quickly in it! And it is much more comfortable than it might look, as most of the weight is spread across the back, not the shoulder.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16997337009" title="DIY Fuschia Tablecloth Ring Sling by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7711/16997337009_5262fc3d85_b.jpg" width="607" height="1024" alt="DIY Fuschia Tablecloth Ring Sling"></a>
<p>I'll probably get more practical use out of this sling than anything I've sewn.
<p>This shot probably best shows the actual color:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16995762718" title="DIY Fuschia Tablecloth Ring Sling by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8756/16995762718_fda07b1109_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="DIY Fuschia Tablecloth Ring Sling"></a>
<p>Again, I'm trying to keep this post short, but<a href="http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/sling.html"> the Sleeping Baby Productions instructions are great and easy to follow</a>. Do read them carefully, though, especially in regard to fabric selection — you are going to be carrying a precious baby in that thing, so you want to make sure you select good fabric and sew it carefully and securely with strong thread (she recommends three parallel lines of stitching, spaced about 1/4" apart).
<h3>A word or two about safety:</h3>
<p>Making your own carrier can be a quick sewing high, but please make sure you know how to use it SAFELY — that baby is high, tight, secure to your chest (tummy to tummy), breathing freely, and seated in a nice deep pocket. I took a little free babywearing class with professional educations when I had my daughter, and I've also been to some great babywearing meetups with volunteer educators who can (I've just joined my local <a href="http://www.bwiofnyc.com/">NYC chapter of Babywearing International</a>, and besides meetups and baby carrier education and troubleshooting they have an awesome baby carrier lending library!)
<p>YouTube is also a great babywearing resource. Here are my two favorite ring sling troubleshooting videos by WrappingRachel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2BCdRfQAvQ">"How to Use a Ring Sling With a Newborn"</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQiBPJEzRdk">"Ring Sling Troubleshooting: Keeping the Rings at Corsage Level"</a>.
<p>But don't be too intimidated — wearing your baby should be done carefully in a safe carrier, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy, fun and life-changing. Ring slings are great for sleepy little snuggly newborns who need to nurse a lot (you can nurse in the sling and use the tail as a cover), or tired toddlers who can only walk so far before they want up on your hip. And they don't need to cost a fortune, either — if you sew, you can make a sling.
<p>I have one more pair of sling rings and I think I want to do a brightly-colored double-layer silk dupioni or shantung sling with a pocket (I own one and it is AMAZING, but the color is rather subdued). I think I need about 2.5" yards of 56"+ wide fabric... I've been eyeing this <a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0380648/dupioni-silk-fabric-lime">lime silk dupioni from Fabric.com</a>...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0380648/dupioni-silk-fabric-lime" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2rzZus5-lY/VTRoQaLjI1I/AAAAAAAAC1g/1at392s_e6s/s640/Large_0380648.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>... and I have a 20% off coupon, but it is only 54" wide, so that might be a bit narrow once folded and sewn into a double layer... I think I'll keep my eye out for bright-colored nubbly silk on sale.
<p>Or maybe I'll just get another tablecloth!
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17157587256" title="DIY Fuschia Tablecloth Ring Sling by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7603/17157587256_33a5b9f187_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="DIY Fuschia Tablecloth Ring Sling"></a>
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16561085384" title="DIY Fuschia Tablecloth Ring Sling by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5442/16561085384_9b248b07c9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="1024" alt="DIY Fuschia Tablecloth Ring Sling"></a>
<p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;">**Disclosure: Actions you take from hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for polkadotoverload.com (quite likely to be spent on yarn or fabric).</span>Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-83865843651487929452015-04-17T12:03:00.000-04:002015-04-17T12:48:28.719-04:00Done: A striped Jalie 2921 Scarf-Collar Top, hacked for nursing (SHB Sew-Along)<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17136729306" title="Baby only took catnaps today but somehow I finished my #jalie scarf top hacked for #SHBsewalong as a #nursingtop ... by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7700/17136729306_1e0740ee16_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Baby only took catnaps today but somehow I finished my #jalie scarf top hacked for #SHBsewalong as a #nursingtop ..."></a>
<p>"Rip!"
<p>Is not the sound you want to hear when you have a project that is actually turning out awesome, and you are managing to sew in ten-minute baby catnap-sized chunks, and it is just SO close to done, and...
<p>I had snagged this tissue-thin unstable rayon-lycra jersey on a broken plastic piece of my sewing table insert while hemming, opening up a hole right over the bust area. I was not about to scrap this thing, given how hard it had been to cut out (like slicing through water, argh!), so I repaired it with a little hand-stitching, and I hope no one is looking close enough to notice!
<p>This breastfeeding hack of my beloved Jalie 2921 scarf-collar jersey top is my fourth piece for the <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/03/small-human-being-sew-along.html">Small Human Being Sew-Along</a> this month with <a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/">Cindy</a> and <a href="http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/">Clio</a>.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16973194178" title="Jalie 2921 scarf-collar top--hacked for nursing by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7681/16973194178_b2441b7e2d_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Jalie 2921 scarf-collar top--hacked for nursing"></a>
<p><b>The inspiration:</b> Specialty nursing tops aren't necessary for breastfeeding – but I love them anyway. Any top that can be pulled up or down or unbuttoned can work... but I like to be able to get baby his lunch quickly without a cover, and I don't want to show off my belly. So easy access is key, and tops that open right above or right under the bust fit the bill.
<p>Recently, I acquired a few nursing tops in a great front overlap style by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=boob+nursing+top&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aboob+nursing+top">Boob Designs</a>, and while I love the way they work, I foolishly bought light, solid-colored ones that developed breastmilk stains almost immediately. Here's how the Boob Nursingwear tops function (in a smarter colorway, too):
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KTTf6GByvfI/VTDwpbXS1vI/AAAAAAAAC1I/dPCFlFWeWxI/s1600/boob-design-simone-long-sleeve-nursing-top-black-white-stripes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KTTf6GByvfI/VTDwpbXS1vI/AAAAAAAAC1I/dPCFlFWeWxI/s640/boob-design-simone-long-sleeve-nursing-top-black-white-stripes2.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>So I decided to make my own versions in distracting stain-hiding prints.
<h3>The basics:</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Pattern:</b> Jalie 2921 scarf-collar top (basically a knit version of a bow-neck blouse!), hacked with <a href="http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/2014/05/tutorial-how-to-pattern-hack-coco-for.html">the So Zo nursing top tutorial</a>. I'd previously made this fantastic top pattern (not hacked for nursing) in a <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2012/04/done-scarf-collar-floral-knit-top-jalie.html">floral</a> and <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2013/04/finished-polka-dot-scarf-top-jalie-2921.html">polka-dot version</a>, both of which I wear, and get complimented on, constantly, so it is a real TNT.
<p><b>Fabric:</b> Slippery thin striped (rayon lycra?) jersey knit with good recovery that I got for free in a fabric swap. Horribly thin and unstable while cutting and sewing (I was swearing a LOT while cutting) so I can see why its former owner ditched it.
<p><b>Size:</b> Because I still seem to be shrinking slowly post-birth and this fabric is super stretchy, I decided to stick with my usual size even though my bust, waist and hips are all 3" bigger than last time I made this thing. Which is a size S (34" bust) overall, but a size V (37") for the bust and front sleeve armhole. My actual bust is 41.5" right now, so there's a lot of negative ease going on here.
<p><b>Notions:</b> 1/4" clear elastic for the bottom of the overlap and the top of the underlap. But I think next time I will use a heftier knit elastic, the clear stuff seems too flimsy to me for frequent nursing.
</blockquote>
<p>So it's maybe slightly TOO thin and clingy, but I think it will loosen up over time, and I personally rather a top be slightly too tight than too loose.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16540801813" title="Jalie 2921 scarf-collar top--hacked for nursing by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8739/16540801813_92db2ccfe5_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Jalie 2921 scarf-collar top--hacked for nursing"></a>
<p><b>Instructions:</b> Zoe's free tutorial was clear and thorough, and I found it easy to apply to this pattern I had already made several times. I did cheat a bit by just adding marks to my existing traced front pattern piece rather than creating new pattern pieces for the overlap and underlap, and it worked out fine.
<p><b>Modifications:</b> In her tutorial Zoe recommends the overlap ending 3/4 down the bust instead of under the bust, but I personally prefer the underbust line, so I moved it down. And the overlap front piece is split down the middle, but I made the underlap a single piece cut on the fold.
<p><b>Construction notes:</b> I made this all on the sewing machine with a zig-zag stitch, as I was visiting my mom and she doesn't have a serger. The fabric was so thin that it practically seemed to tear apart as I stitched, so I hope it holds up over time.
<p>Side seam stripe matching win (nevermind the sleeves and shoulders):
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16953557207" title="Jalie 2921 scarf-collar top--hacked for nursing by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7602/16953557207_1d5e122c59_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Jalie 2921 scarf-collar top--hacked for nursing"></a>
<p><b>How I found the time:</b> I was visiting my parents when I cut and sewed most of this, and they held the little guy quite a bit while he was awake. I finished it when we returned to Brooklyn in very small chunks during baby's way-too-short naps.
<p>Pretend nursing shot (baby was actually full, but you get the idea):
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17160948795" title="Jalie 2921 scarf-collar top--hacked for nursing by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8754/17160948795_7b0c63cc30_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Jalie 2921 scarf-collar top--hacked for nursing"></a>
<p>I've been trying to be more minimalist when going out with baby — no large bag, stroller, nursing cover, etc. So here I am about to pick up my daughter from Pre-K and take both kids to the playground... just wearing baby in a ring sling and carrying a diaper clutch with diapers, wipes, a change of clothes and my keys, ID and debit card. (My daughter wears her own small backpack with her Epi-Pens, water bottle and an allergy-friendly snack.):
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17160948485" title="Jalie 2921 scarf-collar top--hacked for nursing by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8788/17160948485_6f0197de3f_b.jpg" width="720" height="1024" alt="Jalie 2921 scarf-collar top--hacked for nursing"></a>
<h3>Outfit details</h3>
<blockquote>
<center>
Top: Made by Me
<br>Leggings: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yummie-Heather-Thomson-Control-Shaping/dp/B00J0EXE5K">Yummie Tummie by Heather Thomson compact shapewear leggings</a> (<a href="http://www.ebay.com/bhp/yummie-tummie-leggings">scored on eBay</a> for $3.50 due to a tiny flaw).
<br>Diaper clutch: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Skip-Hop-Changing-Station-Chevron/dp/B00B7XUVOE">Skip Hop Pronto diaper changing clutch/station</a> in a Jonathan Adler print,<a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2053587.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xskip+hop+pronto+station.TRS0&_nkw=skip+hop+pronto+station&_sacat=0"> also scored on eBay</a>.
<br>Orange flats: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ahnu-Womens-Karma-Ballet-Flat/dp/B00E0WRQIS/">Ahnu Karma ballet flats in Red Clay</a>, bought on deep sale at Amazon.
Ring sling: <a href="http://www.sakurabloom.com/essential-silk-collection/">Sakura Bloom essential double-layered dupioni silk ring sling</a>, can't remember the colorway as I bought it in 2010.
</center>
</blockquote>
<p>By the way, I do realize leggings are not actually trousers/pants/jeans. But since I don't have a single pair of non-maternity jeans that fit at the moment, I hope you'll forgive me. And these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yummie-Heather-Thomson-Control-Shaping/dp/B00J0EXE5K">Yummie Tummie high-waisted tummy-control leggings are pretty amazing</a> — thick and supportive and comfortable, and I immediately had people telling me "wow, you look great, getting in shape!" etc, even though my actual size and weight have not changed in over six weeks.
<p>Oh, and I'll definitely make this top again, as this striped version was intended to be a wearable muslin. Next time in this chaotic Mood rayon lycra jersey, maybe in a sleeveless version:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/8730166294" title="Amazing chaotic rayon/lycra print knit ... by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/8730166294_b2ef583839_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Amazing chaotic rayon/lycra print knit ..."></a>
<p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;">**Disclosure: Actions you take from hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for polkadotoverload.com (quite likely to be spent on yarn or fabric).</span>Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-47233998372310160712015-04-13T23:09:00.000-04:002015-04-13T23:35:39.008-04:00SHB Sew-Along: Bicycle-Print hoodie, pants & bib (Brindille & Twig Free Raglan Hoodie)<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17095117085" title="My first sewing project since D was born 9 weeks ago. Little dude doesn't mind it's two sizes too big. #SHBsewalong #brindilleandtwig #raglanhoodie #sewingforboys #bicycleprint by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8773/17095117085_1f0aa1ae3e_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="My first sewing project since D was born 9 weeks ago. Little dude doesn't mind it's two sizes too big. #SHBsewalong #brindilleandtwig #raglanhoodie #sewingforboys #bicycleprint"></a>
<p>Somehow, despite having a 10-week-old and a four-year-old I actually SEWED something. Three somethings in fact!
<p>So I am very glad that <a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/">Cindy</a>, <a href="http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/">Clio</a> and I decided to do a little <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/03/small-human-being-sew-along.html">Small Human Being Sew-Along</a> this month, as it has given me the extra kick I needed to push on through the sleep deprivation and squeeze in time at the sewing machine again. (Not that giving birth to and parenting a small human being isn't in itself creative, but I thrive on MAKING and SEWING and DRAWING and KNITTING).
<p>This outfit isn't quite as geeky as say, <a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-geekiest-baby-my-little-hobbit.html">Cindy's AMAZING Hobbit outfit for her baby boy</a>, but it still makes me super happy. I am a sucker for baby hooded jackets and bicycles, not to mention <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2014/11/done-bicycle-applique-cashmere-cardigan.html">bicycle-themed baby jackets</a>. So: fun all around!
<h3>The hoodie:</h3>
<p><b>The basics:</b>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Pattern:</b> The sweatshirt is the <a href="http://blog.brindilletwig.com/2014/10/free-hoodie-pattern/">free raglan hoodie pattern</a> from <a href="http://www.brindilletwig.com/">Brindille & Twig</a>, a new-to-me pattern company with lots of great modern designs for baby and toddler knitwear (<a href="http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/2015/03/brindille-and-twig-free-raglan-hoodie.html">found via So Zo</a>).
<p><b>Fabric:</b> About 2/3 of a yard of bicycle-print organic cotton interlock from Birch Fabrics ("Just For Fun Bike It Multi") purchased at my fantastic neighborhood sewing/knitting shop, Brooklyn General (<a href="https://www.fabric.com/buy/0330876/birch-organic-interlock-knit-just-for-fun-bike-it-multi">but out of stock at the moment on Fabric.com</a>), plus <a href="http://www.sewbaby.com/shopbaby/product_info.php?products_id=7701">golden yellow rib-knit from Sew Baby</a> and some thin gray soft cotton lycra knit from my mom's stash.
<p><b>Size:</b> I agonized over this, but since he already had two me-made hoodies in size 3-6 months, I went for the 9-12 month size. It's way too big, but totally wearable for my big two-month-old guy — and he'll grow into it.</blockquote>
<p><b>Pattern thoughts:</b> I love the style of the hoodie—something about the shaping, especially of the hood and neckline, just feels very clean and modern to me. And I'm a sucker for piping, even if mine came out a bit wobbly (flat knit piping always seems to stretch on me!) It was also fun to make a pull-over hoodie—no snaps or zippers required this time! The lined hood is a nice touch, and the ribbed cuffs and waistband mean NO HEMMING.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16906412118" title="Bicycle print baby hoodie and pants by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8731/16906412118_317b27cd4d_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Bicycle print baby hoodie and pants"></a>
<p><b>Instructions:</b> The photo instructions were very clear and helpful, but I do have one small quibble — there weren't a lot of notches on the pattern for matching up pieces, so I added my own.
<p><b>Modifications:</b> I made the piping 1/8" wider than directed, as I was afraid it would disappear into the seam allowance, and I'm glad I did (So Zo also mentioned this was an issue).
<p><b>Construction notes:</b> I made this all on the sewing machine, as I was visiting my mom and she doesn't have a serger—I just used one of those stretchy fake overlock stitches on her Husqvarna Viking so any interior seams would look neat.
<p>It didn't occur to me until I started cutting that this bicycle pattern behaves like a large, off-grain stripe. ARGH. But I didn't have enough of the fabric to match everything perfectly, and somehow I went wrong with my attempt to match the pocket to the front—not even CLOSE. I seem to have incorporated a fabric run in there as well:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17093507161" title="Bicycle print baby hoodie and pants by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8814/17093507161_13784d3abf_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Bicycle print baby hoodie and pants"></a>
<p>Luckily, Baby D cares not a whit (especially since babies have little practical use for pockets):
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17093503631" title="Bicycle print baby hoodie and pants by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7599/17093503631_9301ee8a05_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Bicycle print baby hoodie and pants"></a>
<br><center><i>Whatever, Mama!</i></center>
<p><b>How I found the time:</b> I was visiting my parents and would sneak away to the sewing machine at night once baby was asleep in the portable crib. I even got some daytime cutting and sewing in while baby was sleeping in the swing (oh how I wish it fit in our apartment! lately he only naps in a carrier at our place) and big girl was drawing or playing with her grandparents.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17062803776" title="Newborn is asleep, big girl is busy drawing. #timetosew by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7716/17062803776_3235628737_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Newborn is asleep, big girl is busy drawing. #timetosew"></a>
<p>And a flat view:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16474036453" title="Bicycle print baby hoodie and pants by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8749/16474036453_b6e0937229_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Bicycle print baby hoodie and pants"></a>
<p>Pressing really saved this project. I turned the presser foot pressure down to 2 and was careful in my sewing, but I still got a fair amount of stretching and waving ... all of which totally pressed out. (I am slowly learned to love the iron.)
<p>For the little knit pants/trousers, I just traced a pattern from a pair of Baby Gap jersey knit pants in size 6-12 months (I had accidentally left my entire stash of <i>Ottobre</i> magazines in Brooklyn!) It's just one pattern piece, but it's not symmetrical—the back is lower than the front for diaper room.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16868181708" title="Tracing a pair of knit baby pants to make a #sewing pattern but the perfectionist in me worries the curve will be off by a few millimeters and wishes I hadn't left all my baby patterns at home in Brooklyn. #SHBsewalong #sewingforbabies by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8822/16868181708_b82e3e7ff4_o.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Tracing a pair of knit baby pants to make a #sewing pattern but the perfectionist in me worries the curve will be off by a few millimeters and wishes I hadn't left all my baby patterns at home in Brooklyn. #SHBsewalong #sewingforbabies"></a>. I decided to go for cuffed legs for laziness/cuteness, and a doubled knit waistband with no elastic (the jersey has some lycra, so it's sort of a yoga pants effect, very comfortable).
<p>I think the little dude likes them!
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16908943169" title="I traced the pattern for the matching pants from a Baby Gap pair, then added cuffs & a wide waistband so I wouldn't have to mess with hemming or elastic. #SHBsewalong #sewingforbabies by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8698/16908943169_c0a9d0f18c_o.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="I traced the pattern for the matching pants from a Baby Gap pair, then added cuffs & a wide waistband so I wouldn't have to mess with hemming or elastic. #SHBsewalong #sewingforbabies"></a>
<p>Again, too big: but he'll grow into them. Next time I may shorten the rise and deepen the waistband bit.
<p>Tummy time view:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16471743404" title="Bicycle print baby hoodie and pants by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7675/16471743404_0586ee057d_b.jpg" width="716" height="1024" alt="Bicycle print baby hoodie and pants"></a>
<p>Oh, and the fabric was way too expensive and cute to waste the scraps, so I pieced together a little reversible appliquéd handkerchief bib from the scraps (I just traced a bib a friend sewed for him, but there are loads of free patterns online) with yellow snaps.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17129993505" title="Reversible appliquéd bicycle-print handkerchief bib by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8817/17129993505_c231845104_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Reversible appliquéd bicycle-print handkerchief bib"></a>
<br><center><i>Holding Daddy's hand</i></center>
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16943812899" title="Reversible appliquéd bicycle-print handkerchief bib by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7663/16943812899_fb8665c10b_b.jpg" width="767" height="1024" alt="Reversible appliquéd bicycle-print handkerchief bib"></a>
<br><center><i>No print matching effort by mama</i></center>
<p>My husband thought there should be four bicycles to represent the four of us, and I think he was right:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/17130043865" title="Reversible handkerchief bicycle bib flat view by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7725/17130043865_963466d218_b.jpg" width="1024" height="579" alt="Reversible handkerchief bicycle bib flat view"></a>
<p>So that's what I've finished so far. I'm also halfway through a (barely) wearable muslin nursing hack of the Jalie scarf-collar top, but I think I need to go pass out now before baby wakes up hungry again.
<p>Also, a question: do my posts lately seem more disjointed/ungrammatical than usual? I can't help fighting this feeling that I am so tired I am not speaking/typing with any true coherence! So... sorry about that. If it is actually true. Or maybe not sorry?
<p>P.S. Here are all of the official April 2015 SHB Sew-Along posts and inspiration so far:
<ol>
<li><a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/03/introducing-small-human-being-sewalong.html">Cation Designs: Introducing the Small Human Being Sew-Along!</a>
<li><a href="http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/2015/03/b-is-for-baby-s-is-for-sew-along.html">B is for Baby, S is for Sew-Along!"</a>
<li><a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/03/small-human-being-sew-along.html">The Small Human Being Sew-Along: Sewing Stuff for Babies and Parents. Join Us!</a> (that's the post with the badges you can grab, by the way).
<li><a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/03/baby-girl-clothes-inspiration-small.html">Polka Dot Overload: Baby Girl Clothes</a>
<li><a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/04/shb-sew-along-baby-boy-inspiration.html">Cation Designs: Baby Boy Clothes</a>
<li><a href="http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/2015/04/so-you-having-gender-neutral-baby.html">Clio & Phineas: Gender-Neutral Baby Clothes</a> ("So You're Having a Gender-Neutral Baby")
<li><a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/04/shb-sew-along-baby-accessories.html">Cation Designs: Baby Accessories</a>
<li><a href="http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/2015/04/shb-sew-along-inspiration-sewing-for.html">Clio & Phineas: Sewing for Moms & Dads</a> (diaper bags, baby carriers and more)
</ol>
Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-90720639970860538702015-04-08T18:53:00.000-04:002015-04-08T18:53:12.477-04:00FINALLY: Cabled Chartreuse Knotty Gloves<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16883121410" title="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8790/16883121410_781cd1ea0f_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves"></a>
<p>"They remind me of rubber dishwashing gloves."
<p>Said my husband, innocently enough, as he photographed me doing the dance of knitting victory with my FINALLY complete spring-green merino wool Knotty gloves.
<p>It wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear about the gloves I had started over a year ago and finished on size 000 needles after three false starts. Maybe it was the color, or the length, or my pose?
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16883123160" title="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7702/16883123160_93b147e364_b.jpg" width="1024" height="767" alt="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves"></a>
<p>Anyway, they fit perfectly now and I just love them. Chartreuse makes me happy!
<p>These gloves were made to fill a serious wardrobe gap. I have several pairs of me-made fingerless gloves, but on truly chilly days I needed real finger coverage. So I've always ended up wearing ill-fitting cheap acrylic RTW gloves that were too short and left my wrists exposed to the cold.
<p>Hence, the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knotty-gloves">Knotty Gloves by Julia Mueller</a> -- a free pattern designed for fingering-weight yarn with actual fingers and lovely cables and just the perfect length (she <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/laris-designs/patterns">also has many other gorgeous glove patterns, all currently available for free since she closed her business</a>).
<p>I made mine with Studio Avenue 6 Bellwether Sock in the Spring colorway, a 100% merino wool hand-painted fingering weight yarn that seems to be discontinued (boo!).
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16883117720" title="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7683/16883117720_772022fdcd_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves"></a>
<p>My husband made up for his comments by taking an inordinate number of photos for me. We struggled with lighting and focus, though -- most of the outdoor photos (we're visiting my parents, so there actually IS an outdoors) came out terribly, so we came indoors:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16450512243" title="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8712/16450512243_33cfe96e11_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves"></a>
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16450507523" title="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8788/16450507523_09b4f5d06c_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves"></a>
<p>Oh, and here's a closeup, but it's preblocking, so the stitches look a bit wibbly wobbly:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16448221704" title="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8783/16448221704_726e1e41f1_b.jpg" width="1024" height="1024" alt="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves"></a>
<p>And why FINALLY? Well, I started these gloves in February of 2014, and gave up on them halfway through the first when they were coming out way too big even on size 0 needles. I finally found size 000 double-pointed needles (none of my local yarn stores had them, but you can find them <a href="http://www.yarn.com/product/blackthorn-double-points-knitting-needles/">on yarn.com</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Bates-Sock-each-size/dp/B000QHGVZK">Amazon</a>) and started them over again in January 2015 while I was waiting for baby and needed some serious distraction.
<p>It felt like I was knitting with fragile bits of straw, and I went SO slowly for fear of the needles just snapping on me:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16301902795" title="Ever tried #knitting with Size 000 needles? Going so slow because I feel like they are about to snap any minute. (I had been knitting the Knotty gloves with Size 0 and they were coming out way too big so I frogged them and started over with these teeny Bl by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/16301902795_e085ebb198_o.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Ever tried #knitting with Size 000 needles? Going so slow because I feel like they are about to snap any minute. (I had been knitting the Knotty gloves with Size 0 and they were coming out way too big so I frogged them and started over with these teeny Bl"></a>
<p>And they were STILL way too big, so I ripped back to the beginning AGAIN and added in lots of decreases (<a href="http://ravel.me/m1khaela/kg">modification details here on my Ravelry project page</a>).
<p>So: hurrah for finishing UFOs, hurrah for chartreuse, and hurrah for the spring weather that means I will need to pack these up pretty soon.
<p>My current creative focus is on the <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/03/small-human-being-sew-along.html">Small Human Being Sew-Along for April</a>, but my next knitting project is finishing up the Hetty cardigan by Andi Satterlund <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2014/09/hetty-cardigan-try-on-for-your.html">last seen on this blog when my waist disappeared mid-pregnancy</a>:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/14934133298" title="Finally ready to start the sleeves on my Hetty lace cardigan by @andisatt ... Can you tell I started knitting this a few weeks before I knew I was pregnant? But based on my gauge swatches am still very confident it will fit post-blocking and post-pregnanc by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3899/14934133298_c352ee06af_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Finally ready to start the sleeves on my Hetty lace cardigan by @andisatt ... Can you tell I started knitting this a few weeks before I knew I was pregnant? But based on my gauge swatches am still very confident it will fit post-blocking and post-pregnanc"></a>
<p>She just needs sleeves, and then she will be Me-Made-May ready.
<p>P.S. Has a casual comment ever made you feel bad about a just-finished sewing or knitting project that you put a LOT of effort into? I certainly won't be taking these gloves anywhere near soapy dishes!
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16883119500" title="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7659/16883119500_dd1b6b72c4_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Chartreuse Knotty Gloves"></a>Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-9352231885343562802015-03-31T01:35:00.001-04:002015-03-31T12:18:40.422-04:00What to Wear (and Sew) When Nothing Fits? Rebuilding My Wardrobe from Scratch<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/4872855541" title="BurdaStyle "Melissa" High-Waisted Knit Skirt by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4120/4872855541_4125e59f31_b.jpg" width="610" height="1024" alt="BurdaStyle "Melissa" High-Waisted Knit Skirt"></a>
<i><p>"Congratulations! When are you due?"
<p>"Mommy, how come your belly looks so OLD and WRINKLY and PREGNANT?"</i>
<p>The first comment is from a nurse when I went for a doctor's visit several weeks after giving birth. The second is from my daughter, who happily has no clue as to why this sort of comment might make Mommy feel less than totally amazing.
<p>I've tried over the years to develop a magic body image "bubble of peace", in which I dress for and embrace whatever size and shape I am at the moment, avoid incessantly comparing myself to others, and shut out impossibly Photoshopped and personal-trained skinny celebrity imagery. But sometimes it is harder than others and I really have to <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=christina+hendricks&espv=2&biw=1280&bih=679&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=DZoaVfflBsWXgwTPkIHgAQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#tbm=isch&q=joan+mad+men">pull out the Joan photos</a> and the pictures of <a href="http://www.jadebeall.com/#!/index">some beautiful real-life moms</a> and <a href="http://shamelessphoto.com/">gorgeous women of all shapes and sizes</a> to calm myself down. This is one of those times.
<p>If you read this blog regularly, you might be wondering: what's with all the baby clothes and doll-making lately, Mikhaela? Where are the vintage patterns, fitted cardigans and otherwise body-conscious garments you used to sew for yourself?
<p>Readers, eight weeks out from having my gorgeous little baby boy, I am in a serious postpartum style and body-image funk. I realized this week I really need to Do Something to Feel a Little Fancy or I might just sink under Mom Frump Lake never to be seen again. In fact, the photo at the top of this post IS me post-partum... with my previous baby, in 2010. Er...
<p>Every day I feel like I wear the same thing: too-loose maternity top + too-loose maternity leggings/jeans + me-made wool socks + ugly old sneakers. I'm carrying diapering stuff in a disintegrating 10-year-old backpack. The only pretty accessories I'm wearing are my wraps and ring slings...
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16914396896" title="Super excited that I FINALLY got the hang of nursing baby #2 in the ring sling, something I was never able to do the first time. D got hungry in the line at the thrift store, and instead of (a) getting out of line or (b) letting him scream, I was able to by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8686/16914396896_9f242a7cd3_o.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Super excited that I FINALLY got the hang of nursing baby #2 in the ring sling, something I was never able to do the first time. D got hungry in the line at the thrift store, and instead of (a) getting out of line or (b) letting him scream, I was able to"></a>
<p><center><i>Nursing baby in line at the thrift store in a silk sling while wearing ugly old sneakers</i></center>
<p>Luckily this guy is so cute hopefully no one is noticing.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16356245404" title="Morning baby smiles! Can't believe this little dude is almost two months old! #babyDWood by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7636/16356245404_e4853a562c_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Morning baby smiles! Can't believe this little dude is almost two months old! #babyDWood"></a>
<p>Anyway. Right after D was born, I mostly lived in stretchy nursing nightgown/dresses (see one of my most popular blog posts ever: "<a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2010/04/easy-access-nursing-nightgowns-that.html">Easy Access: Nursing Nightgowns that Double As Dresses</a>"). You can't see my belly in this photo, but I still look rather pregnant.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16342446630" title="Happy Valentine's Day from the four of us! by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8653/16342446630_daf3cb936d_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Happy Valentine's Day from the four of us!"></a>
<p>And really, I still feel pregnant-looking today, and it is bumming me out. I feel silly feeling bad about the same belly I was so excited about when I was pregnant, but I have even been congratulated a few times on my pregnancy and it HURT (though I was with my baby at the time, so I was also PUZZLED).
<p>I've lost over 32 pounds since giving birth, but I gained a whole lot more than that, and things are just CHANGED in various ways — my bust and waist are both 4" larger than pre-pregnancy (though my hips are just 2" larger), I have a 3-months-pregnant-looking tummy, and everything is just more, I don't know. Squishy? And I'm not going to get into nursing bras here (that's a whole post of its own!) but I'm currently rocking a 34I (as opposed to my previous 32E).
<p>So rather than sitting around in milk-covered old maternity clothes and feeling sorry for myself, I think I need to take some thrifty body-im-limbo wardrobe rebuilding action. Here's my little plan so far:
<h3>1. Stop wearing maternity clothes. Just STOP.</h3>
<p>I think I am at the point now where it is no longer cool or working for me. I may still live in leggings and stretchy skirts and knit tops for a while, but I would like them to be actually fitted and not baggy around the middle. I've sold most of my nicer maternity clothes on eBay and given away or donated the rest.
<h3>2. Assess my pre-pregnancy items and TNT sewing patterns for fit & nursing friendliness</h3>
<a href="http://shop.karinadresses.com/collections/spring-2015/products/gala-wrap">
<p>"One size fits sizes 2-12. Seriously." So goes the tagline </a>on a pretty Gala wrap dress from Karina I was ogling for inspiration the other day. It's way out of my budget but just the sort of thing I need to make or buy right now — nursing-friendly, super-stretchy, a bright and distracting print, fitted and curve-hugging, but not too tight around the belly.
<p>Luckily I have always been a fan of knits, stretchy things, wrap styles and surplice tops. A few of my me-made dresses have necklines too high and tight for a breastfeeding mom, but most are just fine. As far as TNT items I hope to sew again, I think I might do a few variations on <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2012/07/polka-dot-ombre-dress-overload-mccalls.html">my McCall's 6070 dress</a>, maybe a top version too. I don't look like this in it right now, but it totally still works on me:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/7626514842" title="IMG_0590 by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7277/7626514842_79e5f3972e_b.jpg" width="638" height="1024" alt="IMG_0590"></a>
<p>And I think I can play around with versions <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2012/04/done-scarf-collar-floral-knit-top-jalie.html">of my beloved Jalie 2921 scarf-collar top</a>, which somehow still fits as well:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/7097271017" title="Tie-neck knit blue floral top (Jalie 2921) by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7097271017_046977e0d8_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Tie-neck knit blue floral top (Jalie 2921)"></a>
<p>My me-made handknit sweaters are holding up just fine, and hopefully I can finish up my Hetty cardigan by Andi Satterlund in time for Me Made May... here's where I left her:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/14934133298" title="Finally ready to start the sleeves on my Hetty lace cardigan by @andisatt ... Can you tell I started knitting this a few weeks before I knew I was pregnant? But based on my gauge swatches am still very confident it will fit post-blocking and post-pregnanc by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3899/14934133298_621e057298_o.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Finally ready to start the sleeves on my Hetty lace cardigan by @andisatt ... Can you tell I started knitting this a few weeks before I knew I was pregnant? But based on my gauge swatches am still very confident it will fit post-blocking and post-pregnanc"></a>
<p>As for fabrics to make tops and dresses in, I have plenty of ITY and rayon jerseys waiting in the stash:
<p>From Spandex House:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/14118508508" title="Fabric stash additions from Spandex House by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5526/14118508508_fb3012660e_c.jpg" width="800" height="434" alt="Fabric stash additions from Spandex House"></a>
<p>From Mood:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/8730166294" title="Amazing chaotic rayon/lycra print knit ... by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/8730166294_b2ef583839_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Amazing chaotic rayon/lycra print knit ..."></a>
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/8730163926" title="Purple and white rose print rayon/lycra knit from Mood by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/8730163926_64667cc747_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Purple and white rose print rayon/lycra knit from Mood"></a>
<h3>3. Fill major wardrobe holes.</h3>
<p>The biggest gaps are in the jeans/legging, shoe and nursing top categories. As much as I'd love to try my hands at a pair of high-waisted Gingers, I'm not going to sew fitted jeans while my body is still so much in flux, so I hunted down some cheap second-hand shapewear jeggings and leggings on eBay from <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/Jeans-/11554/i.html?_from=R40%7CR40&_sop=15&_nkw=spanx+jeans">Spanx</a> and <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=spanx+jeans&_sop=15&_from=R40%7CR40&_osacat=11554&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xyummie+tummie+leggings.TRS2&_nkw=yummie+tummie+leggings&_sacat=11554">Yummie Tummie</a>—we'll see how they fit.
<p>I'm not sure what to do about shoes right now. I somehow seem to have destroyed most of my comfortable flats by walking them to death while pregnant.
<p>I picked up some nursing tops on deep deep sale from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dfashion&field-keywords=boob+nursingwear+top">BOOB nursingwear</a>, thrifted a few non-nursing tops and camisoles that work just as well for that purpose, and hope to sew some for the <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/03/small-human-being-sew-along.html">Small Human Being Sew-Along</a>.
<h3>4. Embrace shapewear.</h3>
<p>I've always had a few shapewear items to wear under special occasion dresses, but I think at least for now I might start wearing such things on a more daily basis. (That's more vintage style anyway, isn't it? Right?)
<h3>5. Never talk myself down or talk about weight in front of my daughter.</h3>
<p>Which is apparently working, given her comments referenced at top. I felt like I was going to cry, but she was just genuinely curious—my squishy post-baby belly was just interesting to her.
<h3>6. Get fancied up for the camera</h3>
<p>This always helps, and is one of the reasons I love Me Made May. Just the act of PLANNING what I am going to wear knowing that blog readers will be watching and putting on a tad of makeup instead of just throwing on WHATEVER... well, it helps. (Edited to add — speaking of photos, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/25/rachel-hollis-bikini-body_n_6939564.html">how awesome does this mother of three look in her bikini, with her squishy belly and stretch marks?</a> Maybe a smile is the best accessory here!)
<p>(By the way — if I had the budget, I would totally book a session with <a href="http://shamelessphoto.com/">retro pinup style photographers Shameless Photo</a>—they do hair, makeup and wardrobe as part of their packages and their photos are just amazing!)
<p>Anyway, that's my tentative "fight the new-mom frump" plan. So: what do YOU wear when nothing fits?
<p>P.S. Back in my pre-mom cartoonist days, I used to draw a sarcastic regular series about body image called <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2010/03/your-yucky-body.html">"Your Yucky Body."</a> One installment I did was about the rise of the "Mommy Job", a popular package of post-partum plastic surgery. I think nowadays this cartoon maybe feels a bit judgmental to me of women who choose to have plastic surgery, but I think my real point was more about how women are made to feel ashamed if they don't somehow "bounce back" and have flat stretch-mark-less bikini bodies weeks after giving birth:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2314/1911808016_5d0b3fef70_o.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2314/1911808016_5d0b3fef70_o.gif" /></a></div> Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-87490761700194851892015-03-28T01:57:00.001-04:002015-03-28T02:26:38.375-04:00Baby Girl Clothes Inspiration (Small Human Being Sew-Along)<div style="width:1000px;margin:0 auto"><div style="position:relative;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/baby_girl_clothes_inspiration_fun/set?.embedder=1261613&.svc=copypaste&id=153748801"><img width="1000" alt="Baby Girl Clothes Inspiration: Fun Fabrics" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/IFNX6qAV09Mu6gArswbApQ/cid/153748801/id/msMvlP-U5BGR8cmSmu7EJQ/size/c1000x790.jpg" title="Baby Girl Clothes Inspiration: Fun Fabrics" height="790" border="0" /></a></div></div><br/><div style="text-align:center"></div>
<p>The most important thing to remember if you're joining us for the <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/03/small-human-being-sew-along.html">Small Human Being Sew-Along</a> in April is: take it easy on yourself. We have deliberately set the bar low, low, low so even new parents or tired pregnant ladies can participate — all you have to do at minimum is sew an item (clothing, toys, accessories, whatever) for a baby or new parent.
<p>If all you have is 15 minutes, well — go grab an old knit top or T-shirt, cut it up, and make a baby hat with <a href="http://zaaberry.blogspot.com/2012/08/baby-hats-tutorial-and-pattern.html">this free pattern</a> or <a href="http://www.comeonilene.com/2011/04/20/the-great-striped-shirt-challenge-baby-hats/">with a cereal bowl</a>.
<p>Don't know any hat-wearing babies? <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/269301252694054711/">Make a bib</a>. DONE. YOU HAVE WON THE SMALL HUMAN BEING SEW-ALONG. (By the way, please do check out our <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/cationdesigns/shb-sewalong/">#SHBsewalong Pinterest board</a> for sewing inspiration and links to cool patterns and tutorials, free and otherwise).
<h3>Baby girl style inspiration</h3>
<p>OK then. As the only sew-along host with a little girl (even if she is almost 5), it fell to me to provide a little baby girl sewing inspiration. Sewing for baby girls is pretty awesome. You can put a baby girl in almost any pattern or fabric you can use for boy clothes. You can keep it gender neutral, go for subversive with more traditionally boy styles OR you can sweeten things up with little dresses, ruffles, flutters and whatnot.
<p>Anyway. At top—a fun fabrics collage. I have so little time to sew kid's clothes that I like to try to make really special garments when I do, and not just everyday basics. Gorgeous kids clothes are often distinguished by their fabrics — soft cottons in funky patterns, fancy cashmere, fine french terry, loud wax prints. Go for it! For example, here is my daughter as a baby in <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2010/09/blue-doodle-digitally-printed-hoodie.html">a hoodie I made from custom fabric</a> with my husband's cartoons on it:
<p><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/4996267942/" title="Blue Doodle Baby Hoodie (worn by Baby Z, 12 wks) by M1khaela, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4996267942_c9c56dfb4d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Blue Doodle Baby Hoodie (worn by Baby Z, 12 wks)" /></a></center>
<p>And here's my baby boy today in a cashmere Kwik Sew hoodie I sewed for him from a thrifted sweater:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16325975794" title="Barneys sells cashmere baby sweaters for $150+, but you can sew one from a thrift store sweater for 1/50 of that price. Baby D is growing into his red cashmere hoodie that I made when I was pregnant, maybe I'll make some matching accessories from the left by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7634/16325975794_999041cee2_o.jpg" width="640" height="640" alt="Barneys sells cashmere baby sweaters for $150+, but you can sew one from a thrift store sweater for 1/50 of that price. Baby D is growing into his red cashmere hoodie that I made when I was pregnant, maybe I'll make some matching accessories from the left"></a>
<p>Another good example: <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2014/05/double-wax-print-impulse-sewing-made-by.html">these wax-print baby and big girl outfits</a> made from a mashup of free Made by Rae and Oliver + S patterns.
<p><div style="width:1000px;margin:0 auto"><div style="position:relative;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/baby_girl_clothes_inspiration_appliqu%C3%A9/set?.embedder=1261613&.svc=copypaste&id=153751650"><img width="1000" alt="Baby Girl Clothes Inspiration: Appliqué & Embroidery" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/EUnP5jBvjlcvFUqIDI1ww/cid/153751650/id/WLOtnALV5BGQv61CJx98cQ/size/c1000x800.jpg" title="Baby Girl Clothes Inspiration: Appliqué & Embroidery" height="800" border="0" /></a></div></div><br/><div style="text-align:center"></div>
<p>Appliqué and embroidery can elevate a simple garment to something amazing. Put a bird on it, put a cat on it, put a banana on it, put a robot on it, put a dinosaur on it, put a Time And Relative Dimension In Space on it. Whatever! Here is a pair of <a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2012/03/sewing-happiness-quotient-featuring-kit.html">Ottobre "Pupu" overalls I made for my daughter</a> with an appliquéd cat:
<p><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/6837478878/" title="Z in her Ottobre "Pupu" Overalls by M1khaela, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7207/6837478878_15abfb4c11.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Z in her Ottobre "Pupu" Overalls"></a></center>
<p><div style="width:1000px;margin:0 auto"><div style="position:relative;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/baby_girl_clothes_inspiration_colorblocking/set?.embedder=1261613&.svc=copypaste&id=153753029"><img width="1000" alt="Baby Girl Clothes Inspiration: Colorblocking & Stripes" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/7Rs9l75k0mr0EaWFdTn2w/cid/153753029/id/AEpgigXV5BGHZlgoq2AFrA/size/c1000x879.jpg" title="Baby Girl Clothes Inspiration: Colorblocking & Stripes" height="879" border="0" /></a></div></div><br/><div style="text-align:center"></div>
<p>Stripes, colorblocking, contrast color bands — always the right answer. Combine them with appliqué or freezer paper stencils for extra baby clothes sewing excitement.
<p>Here's a little color-blocked Ottobre outfit I made for my daughter as a baby, cut from clothes of my mom's that were headed to the Goodwill:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/4379233754" title="Red and gray polkadot baby ensemble by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2687/4379233754_e830a0fc29_o.jpg" width="753" height="1000" alt="Red and gray polkadot baby ensemble"></a>
<p>And here's a little outfit I made for baby boy out of a striped maternity top:
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/16746290322" title="IMG_7088 by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8625/16746290322_199cb645d6_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_7088"></a>
<p><div style="width:1000px;margin:0 auto"><div style="position:relative;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/baby_girl_clothes_inspiration_sweet/set?.embedder=1261613&.svc=copypaste&id=153753909"><img width="1000" alt="Baby Girl Clothes Inspiration: Sweet Silhouettes" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/n1EkbKsRs6jRDigCGsKHEQ/cid/153753909/id/dDBfwAfV5BGhZDZB7EzHKw/size/c1000x768.jpg" title="Baby Girl Clothes Inspiration: Sweet Silhouettes" height="768" border="0" /></a></div></div><br/><div style="text-align:center"></div>
<p>Finally, some things that are a bit sweeter and more ruffly or delicate.
<h3>Baby girl sewing pattern inspiration</h3>
<p>The big pattern companies have a variety of fun baby patterns (I've made a few Simplicity and Kwik Sew patterns with excellent results) but don't forget to look at the independents too. So Zo had a great roundup of these recently (see <a href="http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/so-zo-investigates-independent.html">part one</a> and <a href="http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/so-zo-investigates-independent_9.html"> part two</a>), with a particular focus on girl patterns. I was already a big fan of <a href="https://www.ottobredesign.com/">Ottobre Design</a>, <a href="http://oliverands.com/">Oliver + S</a> and <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/">Made by Rae</a>, but <a href="http://www.brindilletwig.com/">Brindille and Twig</a> and some of the others were new to me and very exciting.
<p>I'm also a fan of baby sewing books — my personal favorite is the versatile <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kwik-Sews-Sewing-Kerstin-Martensson/dp/091321213X"><i>Kwik Sew's Sewing for Baby</i></a></i> but there are plenty of others out there too by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0811861287/">Amy Butler</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Oliver-Little-Things-Sew-Accessories/dp/1584799102">Oliver + S</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lotta-Jansdotters-Simple-Sewing-Baby/dp/0811865487">Lotta Jansdotter</a> and more.
<p>And of course the Internet is overflowing with free digital patterns of varying quality — do check out <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/cationdesigns/shb-sewalong/">our Pinterest board</a> for free patterns for onesies, hats, sleep sacks, rompers, sunsuits, hoodies and more by a variety of talented designers and bloggers.
<p>So if you're joining us for the sew-along, what are you hoping to make? Are you going for quick & simple or elaborate and embellished? (Feel free to discuss this in <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/shbsewalong/">our little Flickr group too</a>—we're starting to share fabric and pattern ideas already).
Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-62447626529351728582015-03-27T00:23:00.000-04:002015-04-04T14:01:51.427-04:00Double Giveaway: Little girls dress pattern & maternity pattern bundles (Oliver + S, Megan Nielsen, Simplicity, New Look)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-byCGpvbITdQ/VRTVFtcEuCI/AAAAAAAACzw/rCew6lFA7g4/s1600/IMG_7571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-byCGpvbITdQ/VRTVFtcEuCI/AAAAAAAACzw/rCew6lFA7g4/s640/IMG_7571.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>As I gear up for the <a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/03/introducing-small-human-being-sewalong.html">Small Human Being Sew-Alo</a>ng in April (<a href="http://www.polkadotoverload.com/2015/03/small-human-being-sew-along.html">join us?</a> on <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/shbsewalong/">Flickr!</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/explore/tags/shbsewalong/">Instagram</a>!) and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/cationdesigns/shb-sewalong/">pin pattern and design ideas on the #SHBSewalong Pinterest board</a>, I've been doing a bit of deep "I never plan to be pregnant again" spring cleaning and wanted to offer up some lovely patterns I will never need again to readers who can actually use them.
<p>First up, I have a bundle of six girl's dress patterns in sizes 6 months to 3T or 4T. My little girl is not so little any more, and I never got to sew most of these before she outgrew them — I was holding on to them JUST in case I had a baby girl. Which I didn't. They are all in factory folds except the Oliver + S Ice Cream dress pattern — it's cut in a size 4, but done in a way that you can still make all the other nested sizes.
<p>Anyway, I've got two Oliver + S patterns (the Playdate Dress and Ice Cream Dress or Tunic), two Simplicity Project Runway patterns (2193 and 1924), Simplicity 4203 and New Look 6360.
<p>The Ice Cream dress is my favorite — I had to go ahead and buy it this week in the larger size, because it is just the BEST. Here's my daughter in a wax-print version I made for last year's school picture day:
<p>
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All of these little girl patterns start small enough that you could easily use them to join the April sew-along. Just saying.
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Next I have a set of three lovely maternity sewing patterns: Megan Nielsen's Simplicity 1468, and Simplicity 1359 and 1360.
<p>I will be choosing a winner for each via random computer drawing on April 3 <b>(<span style="color: blue;">THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR ENTERING!</span>)</b>. To enter:
<ol>
<li>Like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PolkaDotOverload">Polka Dot Overload on Facebook</a> and/or <a href="https://instagram.com/m1khaela/">follow me on Instagram</a>.
</li>
<li>Leave a comment on this post letting me know you've done so, indicating which bundle you would like to win (the dress patterns or the maternity patterns), and providing your email address so I can contact you.
</li>
</ol>
<p>P.S. As part of my spring cleaning, <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/m1khaela/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=">I'm selling all sorts of things on eBay</a> (sewing patterns by <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/291417020829">Oliver + S</a> and <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/291417025986">Colette</a>, maternity clothes, cloth diapers, kids shoes, a non-maternity <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/291415123759">Tracy Reese Plenty</a> dress), all at low prices with free shipping, so feel free to take a peek!
<p>P.P.S. At 7.5 weeks, the little dude seems to have graduated from being grumpy and gassy most of the time to giggly and smiley. He just looks up at me or my husband or his big sister and smiles and coos and I just MELT! Eek!:
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Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-863792023187803515.post-34544664774261448632015-03-24T00:49:00.001-04:002015-03-24T00:49:58.710-04:00The Small Human Being Sew-Along: Sewing Stuff for Babies and Parents. Join Us!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBTyf6IZPsE/VRDBw0PAhnI/AAAAAAAACzE/-H5Glguu0Is/s1600/SHBsewalongbadge1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBTyf6IZPsE/VRDBw0PAhnI/AAAAAAAACzE/-H5Glguu0Is/s640/SHBsewalongbadge1.png" /></a></div>
<p>It can be hard enough to find the inspiration and carve out the time to sew in daily life in between work, family, stuff, whatever... never mind when you haven't slept more than two hours at a stretch in three months and a certain very small human being in your life refuses to nap except while being danced across the floor in a sling as you loudly hum a lullaby in a very specific way. Which is why <a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/">Cindy (of Cation Designs)</a>, <a href="http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/">Clio (of Clio & Phineas)</a> and I decided to team up to encourage and inspire each other to sew for our new small human beings (and ourselves) during the month of April.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/2783969@N24/">Won't you join us?</a> You don't have to be a sleep-deprived, milk-spattered new parent to participate — you can make stuff for ANY baby or new parent in your life (your own, family, friends) or for donating to charities that ask for baby items.
<P>Cindy <a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/03/introducing-small-human-being-sewalong.html">has written up the official rules on her blog</a> and <a href="http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/2015/03/b-is-for-baby-s-is-for-sew-along.html">Clio has her kickoff post up as well</a>, but the basic gist is (grabbed from Cindy's blog, because I am trying to type while nursing and it is a struggle) ...
<blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Human babies only, not fur babies (sorry fur babies!).
<li>Items should be for babies or parents of babies ages 0-12 months old (It's OK if the baby isn’t born yet!).
<li>They can be for any baby -- your own, a friend’s, a niece/nephew/grandchild/whatever, or you can make baby items to donate to charity (we will be posting about a few charities that accept baby-related donations if you would like to do this).
<li>Sewing only (no knitting or needle felting or other crafts). Hand-sewing, serging and sewing machine are all acceptable construction options.
<li>The sewn item can be as simple or as complex as you like -- if all you sleep-deprived parents have time to do is sew a simple cotton knit baby hat or serge a pair of reusable nursing pads, that’s cool.
</ul>
<p><b>Timeline:</b> We'll sew during the month of April, and then at the end of the month we'll do a round-up of our favorite pieces and choose winners for some prizes!
<p><b>Categories:</b> Sew as many items as you would like to enter into three categories: 1) Baby Clothing, 2) Baby Accessories and Other Items, such as quilts, toys, burp cloths, bibs, etc., and 3) For Parents -- because you can still do somewhat selfish sewing! -- things like maternity clothes, nursing tops/covers/pads, diaper bags, and baby carriers.
<p><b>Prizes:</b> We will choose a winner for each category to receive a year's subscription to <a href="https://www.ottobredesign.com/">Ottobre kids' sewing pattern magazine</a>, and randomly select a couple of winners to receive a copy of the <a href="http://oliverands.com/product/OLV-OS046LL1.html">Oliver & S Lullaby Layette pdf pattern</a>.
</blockquote>
<p>To join the sew-along, just leave a comment here or on <a href="http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/03/introducing-small-human-being-sewalong.html">Cindy</a> or <a href="http://fivemuses.blogspot.com/2015/03/b-is-for-baby-s-is-for-sew-along.html">Clio's blog</a>, and <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/2783969@N24/">feel free to join us and share your in-progress photos in the Small Human Being Sew-Along Flickr group</a>. We'll be posting inspiration and pattern ideas for the sew-along on our blogs, and chatting about the sew-along on <a href="https://twitter.com/m1khaela">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/m1khaela/">Instagram</a> with the hashtag <a href="https://instagram.com/explore/tags/shbsewalong/">#SHBsewalong</a>.
<p>Oh, and I made some badges! Here's the badge and code in two different sizes...
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<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBTyf6IZPsE/VRDBw0PAhnI/AAAAAAAACzE/-H5Glguu0Is/s1600/SHBsewalongbadge1.png" alt="grab button for Small Human Being Sew-Along" width="300" height="300">
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<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBTyf6IZPsE/VRDBw0PAhnI/AAAAAAAACzE/-H5Glguu0Is/s1600/SHBsewalongbadge1.png" alt="Small Human Being Sew-Along" width="300" height="300" />
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<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBTyf6IZPsE/VRDBw0PAhnI/AAAAAAAACzE/-H5Glguu0Is/s1600/SHBsewalongbadge1.png" alt="Small Human Being Sew-Along" width="200" height="200" />
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<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8HEpPpVsa68/VRDl4zJIL6I/AAAAAAAACzU/lMG3y0bg-Fo/s1600/SHBsewalongbadge2.png" alt="Small Human Being Sew-Along" width="300" height="300" />
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<p>So what am I determined to find the time to sew? Well, at minimum I am hoping to make one item from each category — a summer outfit for baby, a baby bib, and a nursing top for me. If I REALLY get my sew-jo going, I'm also hoping to sew a ring sling, a baby quilt and some reusable wool nursing pads. WHO KNOWS?
<p>The second badge was based on one of my favorite quick little things I sewed for my first small human being: A Basquiat onesie from one of husband's old T-shirts, with foldover elastic binding.
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikhaela/4873390160" title="Boxing Basquiat Baby Onesie by Mikhaela Reid, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4080/4873390160_f1871a491b_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Boxing Basquiat Baby Onesie"></a>
<p>So, will you join us? WHO NEEDS SLEEP WHEN THERE ARE CUTE BABIES TO SEW FOR? (I write in the dark with tired eyes as I listen for sounds of baby waking to eat). Mikhaela Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02817367214920267825noreply@blogger.com17