Delilah and her ruffles.

I've posted a picture of Delilah before wearing an outfit I made for her. 

 

This is the free Marilyn's Slim Fit Peasant Dress & Top pattern, available to download free on Fabric.com.  I paired with ruffle pants from the book "Little Girls, Big Style". 

 

Delilah had so many compliments on this outfit, I made her several more! 

I just love this ice cream toy pic. 

 

Here it is in another fabric.  Sorry not a close pic of the outfit, but I love this pic of D with both of us.  Too bad Shane didn't make it into this pic.

 

 

For D's first day of school this year, she wore the same outfit, but with Dr Seuss!  Paired with red polka dots.  Yeah!

 

 

So there it is, the Marilyn peasant pattern.  Sews super fast.  Is free.  Is cute.  What more could you want?!?

 

Janimal

 

 

 

Easy Peasy Coat Sewing

Super Easy Coat Sewing!

Well, I have been doing a fair amount of sewing lately.  Just not so much blogging! 

Since I have a few new items done, it's time to get some pictures taken and share them.  This morning I wore a garment I made to work, so I managed to ask a coworker to take a pic. 

Here is my new coat!

The

This is a Burdastyle pattern #6989.  It says "Super Easy" and it really was!  The pattern calls for loden wool, but I wasn't about to cut up some expensive wool for an untested pattern. 

There are pockets on seam that you can't see in this pic.



There were no reviews on patternreview.com.  After a disappointing visit to JoAnne's, I ended up using a $10 blanket to make this coat.  Yep, a TEN DOLLAR BLANKET! 

The seams are not hemmed, so that makes it super easy and fast.  But I think it would be nice to consider making this in other fabric and lining/hemming.













The pattern has two other options.  A shorter jacket version, or a vest. (Pattern pic of vest here)

This coat might do well with some embellishment of some kind.  It's simple and sewed up super fast.  I'd like to find a fabulous fabric for the next version. 

My pattern review is here: http://sewing.patternreview.com/review/pattern/92741

For now, I will enjoy staying warm in my wearable blanket!

Janimal
 

Another Summer Dress For Meeeeeeeeeeee!

One hour dress?

Well, the McCalls 6102 pattern I blogged about in my last post, says it sews in an hour.  (Not counting cutting time).  So, for the 2nd time around, I cut the pattern, ironed on the facing, and checked the time.  Kids and husband were sleeping.  I *think* this actually did sew up in an hour!

But while sewing I got a text from a dear friend and we chatted a bit, so my timing was a bit off. 

So it was more than an hour if you stop to chat!

Anyway, check me out!

 

 

 





 The fabric is a Marc Jacobs cotton print I picked up at Mood in NYC.  Actually I bought the print in grey, brought it home, realized how much I loved it, then called Mood to buy the other colors!  This kind of taupe and pink print was not one that caught me eye as much in the store.   But I think it works for this dress.  It's nice and light and loose and comfy and cool for the hot Georgia sun. 

This time I didn't make a belt and will just wear as is.  It's a little boxy, so not the most figure flattering as is, but it sure is comfy. Comfy wins.

I also have this print in blue and purple!  I think it's rather retro! 



And just because, here's a little collage of my peeps.  I am a lucky lady.

 

Take care,

Janimal

Janimal Dress

Lately I have actually taken some time to sew for myself. 
Whoot Whoot!

I need to snap a picture of the Traveler Dress I made.  I've actually worn it a few times but failed to get a photo. 

But I do have a picture of my latest selfish creation.  The pattern is McCalls 6102.   This is a simple pullover dress with or without cap sleeves and is slightly A lined.  This sewed up fast and I am so pleased that the dart was A-OK for my bodacious cups.  Yay!

Hello Pasty legs!!

Now, that fabric.  It's some kind of faux animal textured print that I hardly remember buying.  I sort of recall that it was inexpensive and I thought might be cool to make bags.  And I bought up 6 yards of it!  Gosh, it must have been cheap.  I tried to get a pic to show the texture of the fabric.

I like it!  It's very "Janimal" to me!

The best thing about this fabric is that it doesn't ravel.  So I got to skip some seam finishing steps.  I also had planned on making the version with sleeves, but once I tried it on, I thought it would be cooler without them.  Here's a more close up on the dress.  I like that it fits me well at the chest, and is nice and loose and swingy.  Hey - no Spanx required.

The belt was not part of the pattern.  I just thought it looked a bit better with it.  None of the belts in my closet looked quite right so I quickly sewed this up to finish it off.

If I don't count the belt, this dress does only take about an hour of sewing time!  (That's after cutting and interfacing)  Perfect for me.  I'm going to cut a few and keep them in my sewing room for when I have little time (always) but want the satisfaction of finishing something (I love that).

I made another in a cotton print.  Now the search for the right belt!  I think a thick leather belt would work with this dress, I just need the right one.  Hopefully I'll get it together and have a pic to post soon.

Take care,

Janimal

Hello July!

Last month our family went to the most wonderful family vacation destination.  Tyler Place in Vermont is a FABULOUS resort for families.  Our second trip there was every bit as wonderful as the 2nd time.  And we are already excited about returning next year!  You don't have to take my word for it, read the reviews on TripAdvisor - it's unanimous!

My handsome boys in Vermont! 

Before the trip, I did a litle sewing for the kids.  I haven't sewn much for Shane, so I picked up my copy of Sewing For Boys and decided on the "On The Town Jacket". 

 

 

I only have pics of this jacket on a happy moving boy! 

This was a perfect light jacket for the early Vermont Summer.  I made it a little big so hopefully he can wear it in the Spring too.  He grows so fast!

This jacket was lovely to sew.  I used a Kokka linen blend that was just divine to sew with, and a cotton print to keep it nice and cool and soft in the interior.

I am so in love with this boy.

Happy Summer!

Janimal

Delilah the Cute

Oh goodness, my poor neglected blog!

I have been a busy mom, employee, and sewist.  But I have NOT been a blogger lately! 

No apologies - because it just means I've been busy with life and that's a good thing.

Here's a pic of my sweet Delilah wearing an outfit I made her.

The fabric is fittingly called "Delilah" by Tanya Whelan.  Of course when I saw the name of the fabric I had to buy it!  The top is from the free Marilyn slim fit pattern available on Fabric.com here.

The pants are ruffle pants from a pattern in the book "Little Girls, Big Style" by local Atlanta author Mary Abreu (check out her blog here) 

Delilah has had SO MANY compliments on this outfit.  One woman actually stopped me in a store to ask where I bought it and asked me to make one for her daughter.  (Sorry, I only sew for love, not money)  It's been such a hit, I have similiar ensembles in the works in other fabrics.

Take care all!

Janimal