Not to be outfoxed this time

Another reversible version of Ottobre 1/2012's issue Home Sweet Home apron dress.  Sewn in 100% cotton: Outfoxed by Lizzy House, corduroy, and gingham seam binding.

Happy things:

This was a much smoother operation the second time around.  Using very soft, loosely woven fabric for the binding and stretching it a bit while sewing made a huge difference.  I also sewed the straight part of the perimeter separately from the tricky straps, and gave those straps lots of TLC via many pins and sloooow sewing.  Strategically, I topstitched the binding tape on the corduroy side so that any craziness on the underside would be partially disguised by the busy print of Outfoxed.

Less-Happy things:
I feel deep regret for not having cut the appliqué gingham on the bias, which may make the corduroy side resemble the latest collection from Kountry Korner.  And I still can't figure out how to add buttons on both sides to create a truly reversible garment, since that would be very bumpy for the wearer's shoulders.

For the shoemaker's children

Since starting to sew more seriously for other people, I have sewn very little for my own children.  Which is to say, I've hemmed one pair of pants in 7 months and that's about it.

Over February vacation week, however, I got my act together and sewed a few spring items.  Dress your children in lawn and linen this spring, I say!  They'll look beautiful and you can pat them to cheer yourself up (if, that is, you're the kind of person who perks up by handling nice fabric).

I haven't made this pattern since Jonah was a little one, and I like it better now.  This is a 2T of the Oliver and S sailboat top in Lisette cotton lawn.  I love the Indian print of the fabric and its unbelievably soft hand (did I really find this at JoAnn?!) but the lines of flowers were printed significantly off-grain which rendered it impossible to have straight rows of flowers while cutting the pieces on grain (proof that oh yes, I did find it there...).  Regardless, I love long-sleeve lightweight tops for spring and summer and this is a great one.  For reasons I cannot fathom, this chunky child slipped into the shirt much more easily that my skinny boy did.

"I want to see Ye-oh-ya!"

 Here you can see the four buttons at the neckline.  Some trouble, but classy.  Don't mind the four extra buttonholes I accidentally sewed on the front of the shirt (now hidden by the buttons).

As for Jonah, he's getting his first pair of linen pants for dress occasions this spring and summer (maybe someone will invite us to an elegant party?  Anything is possible).  Again, this is still the Oliver and S sailboat pattern but in a 4T with the hem modified to be full-length.  I'm trying to extend the pants' life by adding elastic in the waist that I can let out when needed and by adding cuffs, which could open to lengthen the pants down the road.  Linen is a very sophisticated fabric for children's clothing and I like it for that reason.

See how happy my children are that I sew for them?  They just love it.

See that extra elastic?  Only a few more sticks of butter in that boy and we might get there.