Top 12 of 2012

Happy New Year's Eve!  Hard to believe another year has come and gone!  Looking back at all my posts over the past year, I decided to select my 12 favourite garments/outfits of the year.  Since this is my first year of blogging, and it's been interesting to see the changes from the first few posts to now.  I have learned so much about blogging, sewing, designing, photography, etc!  And an unexpected benefit to being a part of the world of blogging, has been the incredible community of fellow bloggers I've been introduced to.  I'm so grateful for the amazing group of ladies I otherwise would never have gotten to know, had I not embarked on this blogging journey!

So, without further ado, my favourites of 2012, ranging from very simple garments made in an hour or two, to self-drafted full ensembles created for the Project Run & Play competition.  (If you click on the photos, it will take you to the posts.)

Anja's First Birthday Dress

Although I sewed this in 2011, I didn't blog about until this year.  Peter pan collar, polka dots, full sleeves...I can't help but just love how this looked on her!

This outfit was one of the very first outfits I ever contributed to the Sew Along for Project Run & Play. It was for Decades Week in season 2.

My signature look for PR&P Sew Along, Season 2.  

One my favourite outerwear creations for Tobias, also contributed to PR&P Sew Along, Season 2.

PR&P Season 4 Sew Along, Sportswear week.  I really started getting more adventurous with self-drafting designs.



Another Season 3 Sew Along contribution...Movie Week.  Great memories of my baby girl having fun in the summer sun in this dress.

The Bayern Sundress made for Melissa's (Melly Sews) Sundress series.  I ended up making three variations of this dress, and Anja has worn them through all the seasons.  Love the versatility of this dress.

I'm counting my pocket capris and shorts as one selection since they were made from the same pattern/tutorial.  Just love how these turned out...and so comfortable to play in.  I'm still tempted to make some for me, but well, when's the last time I've actually sewed for me?!

The super easy, super simple Breezy Tunic.  

And then there was Project Run & Play Season 5.  If you told me at the beginning of the year I'd be a competitor by the fall, I wouldn't have believed you!!  This look for Fashion Icon week is probably my very favourite outfit of the whole year. 

Another favourite ensemble from Season 5.  My first attempt at embroidery on a garment.  J love how that competition pushed me to try new things.

My signature look from Season 5.  I was so excited to be in the the finals!  This was by far the most fun photo shoot ever.  It even rained a little, but it didn't dampen our spirits at all.  This photo captures my boy's personality so well...oh, yeah, and I love how the outfit turned out, too! 

So that wraps up the top 12 of my personal creations, but I don't feel this collection of year-end favourites would be complete without including the Knock it Off series contributions made by this incredible group of ladies I've grown to admire so much since entering the blogging scene.  It was my first series, and definitely won't be my last!

             

I'm so excited about 2013 and sharing with you, all that it will bring.

Wishing you the very best of everything in the New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Fun with Freezer Paper

                         

If you ask my son who his favourite author is, without a moment's hesitation, he'll tell you it's Mo Willems.  His witty, humorous stories are heard frequently in our home, and for Christmas this year, I wanted to stencil a shirt for Tobias with one of his most beloved characters: the pigeon.  

Supplies:

Plain store bought shirt

Freezer paper

Acrylic paint

Water-based screen printing ink

Foam brush

Craft knife

First, I found a great resource for drawings of the pigeon:

source

source

Then, I got out my paints.  I like to mix the acrylic with the screen-printing ink so that the paint is less stiff when it dries.

The best resource I've found for instructions on freezer paper stencilling is here, courtesy of Dana.

Here's the results of my stencil after I painted (minus the centre of the eye that has since gone missing!):

And this is the final result:  

Here are some other freezer paper stencilled shirts & onesies I've made for my nephews and a friend's baby girl.  

Blogging Day of Remembrance

All Dolled Up

Completed another little Christmas gift...this one is going to find a home with my adorable little niece.  I haven't made very many dolls, and I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable it was to actually complete this one (admittedly, Anja does have a couple hairless homemade dolls floating around).  

I used a hand drawn freezer stencil for her face.

For easy clothes changing, there is just a simple velcro tab closure at the back.

While I thought the hair would be super difficult, it was actually easier than I thought.  I cut the yarn and then sewed the strands onto some tracing paper.  Then, I simply removed the tracing paper and hand stitched the 'hair' to the doll's head.

Can't wait to see my niece open this on Christmas Eve!

Up-cycled and Colour Blocked

Thanks to the X Large cardigan I used to make the Zara leggings knock-off, I had a lot of useful fabric leftover.  The bottom edge was perfect for making a comfortable oversized sweater for Anja, so I got busy with this project over the past couple days.

Here are my pieces:

Sleeves.

This is the placket for the back.

The first step was sewing the bottom piece together.

Then, prepare the button placket by adding some very lightweight interfacing.

Cut down the centre of the back, half the length of the placket.

Attach the placket.

Stitch front to back at shoulders.

Attach sleeves.

Stitch side seams/under arm seams.

Make a casing and insert elastic for the cuffs.

Stitch top of sweater to the bottom.

Cut two pieces of twill tape for the back ties.

Stitch a strip of fabric to the neckline.  Fold over and stitch in the ditch to make a casing for elastic and ties.

Insert elastic.

 Insert ties, and stitch casing closed.

Done!