Rainy Day Sewing : :

Yesterday was the best sewing day I have had in awhile! It rained all afternoon and the kids didn't mind one bit. We all worked on our own inside projects, which of course for me meant sewing!

I finished up my niece Sylvia's birthday crown and decided rather than making her a pillow, I would try to make her a little dress. YES!



Did you see, I joined in The Cottage Mama Pattern ~Blog Tour~ that my friend Lindsay, The Cottage Mama, is hosting all month to launch her three new amazing sewing patterns, The Ruby Ruffle Dress, Charlotte Apron Dress and the Run Around Romper. Now you're probably thinking, "What, Maureen you don't sew clothes??" And, you'd be right! I have only ever made one skirt for my daughter. But once I saw the Charlotte Apron Dress, I just had to make it! This was both my opportunity and the push I needed.

I had planned on making a dress for Haila, but like I mentioned the other week -- all the half yd fabric stashing I have done throughout these last two years hasn't been good when it comes to backing quilts and now for garment sewing. So, I decided the perfect answer was to try my dress-making skills out on a special outfit for my little, soon-to-be one years old niece Sylvia.

I'll be sharing more on Monday with a Pattern Giveaway!! But here's a little peek. I wanted to make something fun and colorful. Little Sylvia does live in Hawaii after all, lucky kid!!



I learned so much making this dress! First, that I can actually do this -- that's a big one! Lindsay's instructions were so well written that there wasn't a single point during the making when I thought or yelled out, "Wait...what???" And, I got to try out the Gathering Stitch on my Janome, which is amazing!



and another, beautiful leafy stitch detail as a top-stitch on each strap.



I think this pattern was such a success, that I may have finally caught the "clothes sewing bug" and I'm pretty sure my daughter's on board!

I also received some happy fabric mail recently -- have you see LillyBelle by Bari J. for Art Gallery Fabrics? It's the first stack of fat quarters that I get to turn into a tutorial for The Fat Quarter Gang. I'm so excited! This is the Cool Sunrise palette -- it's so pretty!



Just look at how perfectly my favorite Garden Rocket print goes with my Blogger Bundle, Sweet Summer Dreams, that I put together for Pink Castle Fabrics. I love it! This WILL become a quilt, just as soon as I can get some yardage of this Garden Rocket in turquoise.



Today the sun in shining bright! Happy Wednesday, Friends!   ♥ Maureen