I was so pumped to sew up this dress for my youngest, Emily. Both my girls have seemed to be a bit more interested in actually wearing things I’ve made them or ask me to make things. It usually goes a little something like this, “Mama, I couldn’t find a shirt I want to wear to school tomorrow, you can sew me one and have it ready in the morning, right?” Sure, sounds good kid, I’ll see what I can do. Sometimes in the past that really has happened, but lately I reserve my ‘after the kids are in bed’ time for snacking and watching any movie from the 80s.

Anyway, I cut out this Lulu Dress, which I specifically remember practically begging Jess (Craftiness is Not Optional) to send the pattern my way. It’s a dress I knew my girls would like to wear, who doesn’t love a good knit dress for the summer?! It went together pretty quickly in an evening and I even snuck upstairs after I was finished to see if Emily was still awake. Luckily (?) she was and I scooped her out of bed and she tried on her dress. This girl loves to act so silly when she feels comfy in something and she just beamed! The pockets totally sell the dress to my kids who always love toting around something they found in their pocket.

I envision a mini fleet of these Lulu Dresses being sewn for my kids, so I’d better get on it. Happy summer sewing everyone!

Pattern: Lulu Dress by Craftiness is Not Optional
Fabric: Briar Rose knit by Heather Ross for Windham Fabrics

Surely you know I am low on stock in the shorts department of my wardrobe.  My double gauze Essential Shorts haven’t gotten worn a ton yet, but there’s still plenty of summer left! But my kids go through shorts like crazy too! I always am having a hard time finding shorts that fit my youngest, Emily. She’s got a tiny waist and it’s just awesome that I can make a pair of shorts that she can feel really comfortable in. Plus you gotta have a cute pair to help show off all your summer time battle wounds. So here we are scrapes, bruises, and all.

This post is part of the Shorts on a Line series. Just another fun reason to whip up something new! Last year I made Emily a pair of french terry shorts and she loves them and has worn them a ton. We even had to go in this summer and make the elastic just a smidge bigger, she grew! Lucky that’s so easy to do when you make clothes yourself.

I couldn’t resist trying Purl Bee’s new City Gym Shorts pattern. I hope to make some for myself, too! For now my girls each got to pick out fabrics they loved and can sport them around! I’ve had the Riley Blake raindrops fabric FOREVER! I love using it finally. I also busted into the precious Les Amis foxes.

They fit and they love them, double win. The only thing I changed was to add some topstitching along the crotch and front/back rises. I know how my kids beat things up, so hopefully this will give the shorts a little more durability. I also added some edgestitching along the top edge of the waistband casing, to help the elastic from rolling over on itself.

(Oh, and just a little tip. If you plan on making a bunch, I find it comes in handy to write down the other measurements for the waistband and bias tape, etc. right on the pattern. That way, I don’t have to look it back up when I go to make more.)

Anyway, I’m super glad to have sewn these up, and happier to say they won’t be the last!!!

Pattern: City Gym Shorts (free tutorial/pattern from Purl Bee)
Fabrics: Lizzy House Pearl Bracelets, Robert Kaufman Chambray, Robert Kaufman Carolina 1/8” Gingham, Riley Blake Raindrops, Les Amis foxes by Patty Sloniger.
Sizes: 4/5 and 8/9

I always appreciate it when you take time out of your busy schedules to stop by! Thank you!

This post is part of the Shorts on the Line sewalong.  Shorts on the Line 2014 is sponsored by: Britex Fabrics, Hawthorne Threads, miss matatabi, and Soak Wash.  Hosted by imagine gnats, small + friendly, and Kollabora.

When I saw Teresa’s (Dandelion Drift) version of the Spring Showers Jacket pattern I immediately purchased it and ordered fabric.  I know my girls will wear coats that I make them.  Unlike some other clothes they’re less picky about how a jacket feels.  Remember I made them each a spring coat a few years ago?  Now Emily fits in Natalie’s, but I couldn’t resist something new!

I thought the pattern was really straightforward and easy to sew.  I made this one for Emily in a 6/7 and it’s quite roomy.  She adores it though.  It’ll definitely work for at least one more year.

One tip that I would definitely recommend is to use fusible hem tape (I use the 1/4” wide) on the zipper insertion.  I struggled with getting mine aligned and in the right spot until I whipped out the fusible hem tape.  That stuff is a must have in your arsenal.  I did have to shorten the metal zipper.  I’ve only done it once before, and there might have been some choice words in the sewing room.  It worked out great in the end.

We might still add some snaps to the pocket flaps and I’ll be stamping her initials on the twill tape tape, but other than that it’s ready to go!

Pattern: Spring Showers Jacket Pattern by Elegance & Elephants
Fabrics: Hampton Twill by Robert Kaufman, Lizzy House Catnap (here at Pink Castle Fabrics)
Size: 6/7