Yeah!!!!! I’ve finished 2 pieces for the PR Wardrobe Contest. Here are a few pictures of my dress (HP 102) and jacket (HP 104) modeled by my favorite dummy!

This dress is made of 100% cotton jersey in solid black. It is a beautiful, wash and wearable fabric. The style itself is perfect for me: easy to wear, wrestle kids in, and take care of. It is made from Hot Patterns 102 No Sweat Easy Sew Triple T-Shirt Dresses. I used the low-scooped bodice, short sleeves and the straight skirt. It took about 1 1/2 hours to start and finish this dress. I love projects I can finish quick! (4 yards of my stash used! 2 for the dress, 2 for a muslin)

This jacket is made in a sweater knit I bought at Hobby Lobby some time ago. I have no idea what it’s made of, but that’s part of the fun of stash shopping! The facing on the jacket are actually the satin I will be using on a top. (2 yards from my stash!)

The jacket is also a Hot Patterns pattern. It is from HP 104 Sugar Babe Set. I will be finishing a top and pants to match this week, I hope. The biggest change I made on this piece–I didn’t use the drawstring neckline like the patten recommends. Having made this once before, I found the drawstring terribly impractical, especially for the Mom of a 3-year-old imp. Instead, I measured the neckline I wanted and cut a piece of 3/4 inch elastic. I ran that through the facings, stitching it in place 1 inch from either front edge. From there I can adjust the gathers as needed. As for a closure–it is being debated. My Big Girl wants me to use a big rinestone button. I’m leaning more toward a fancy hook and eye type closure.

Nope, this dress doesn’t match my wardrobe. It’s actually a dress for Mom. I started it back before Christmas, but I stopped, dreading the lapped zipper. I decided to finish it so that I could reposition the cushioning on the dress form to fit my figure instead of hers! She tried it on today and it fits quite nicely, I must say. It is Simplicity 3744 and you can read my review here.

What’s a mom to do?

I know the same rule that y’all do about keeping a child home until they are clear of fever for 24 hours, so when my big girl ran a fever 101.3 Sunday afternoon, I choose to keep her home from Kindergarten on Monday.

First dillema-is it worth taking her to the virus-filled doctor’s office waiting room to get a school excuse? I called the MD and here’s what my MD said: yes, I was right to keep her home and as long as the fever is completely gone by Monday pm, I can just swing by and request an excuse without seeing the MD. In days past, they would’ve faxed it to the school, but thanks to privacy policies (thank you Mr. Clinton), I now have to go in and pick it up.

Second dillema-it’s back to school on Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday. My Big Girl seems to be running and playing fine, but when she is resting, doing chores, and working on homework, she complains about a headache. I’m giving her tylenol or ibus when she complains, but is she sick? Yet again, is it worth risking all the germs at the doctor’s office for a sometime-headace?

Finally, on Thursday, this Mom has had all the whining she can handle. So, I send my hubby to the pediatrician with BG. Get this–the child has strep! Not once, has she complained of a sore throat! What the heck? In fact, after she returned home from the MD, I asked, “Does your throat hurt?” The answer–“no”.

Apparently this bout of strep is one of 3 things: 1. A new case (not likely); 2. A flare-up of the strep that we had on Mardi Gras Day that never went away (after a 5-day Z pack); or 3. The child is a carrier for strep and will always test positive for it, in which case, removing her tonsils would help to prevent recurring infections. Lovely.

And all this on the weekend before I get 2 of my wisdom teeth cut out. It looks like it’ll be Wednesday before I get back to my sewing machines. I guess I can wait that long.

BTW, check out the new froggy jon-jon on www.personalitychildrens.etsy.com and the new strawberry jumper and bloomer set on www.personalitychildrensclothes.com in the summer section of my boutique.

Happy Leap Day!

I spent a lot of time sewing and knitting Christmas gifts during the month of December. Here are a few of the gifts I created:

Fleece vests for my hubby, FIL, and LM. The BIL and nephew also got matching fleece Arkansas hats!

I finished fleece robes for my LM and my favorite little cousin. I also finished several for customers.

Wow, this was a first! This was my first sweater. I started it this summer for a dear friend who was expecting a baby. We all expected him to be a little bigger than he is, but it still bundles nicely.

And, this cool purse was a piece I finsihed for my dear friend. I actually had someone offer to buy it, but silly me, I didn’t sell. I’ve knitted 2 more since then!

Obviously, I used a lot of fleece! 25 yards in all!!! In addition to robes, scarves, hats, and vests, I made 2 “nap sacs”. These fleece blankets fold up into a handy carry bag.

Well, I’ve started my Christmas sewing. My 1st project? A fleece robe for my little man. And I’m using most of those tips I found last week.

• Because I cut my fleece without determining which side was which, I used that water test. And sure enough, the water soaks in quickly on one side and just rolls off the other. As this is a bath robe, I used the side that soaked in the water as the wrong (inside) side.
• I marked, marked, marked. I made sure that I marked the wrong side of every piece.
• I sat my stitch on 3.0 (is this in mm or what, I really don’t know).
• I used a size 14 ball point needle and it worked like a charm.
• I set my iron on the poly setting, but it was a little too warm. Thankfully, I was using a pressing cloth. After I turned it down to a little below half-way, it worked well.

I started with Simplicity 5874. I cut a size 3 because my 2-year-old LM is about 39.5 inches tall. I am using a bright red fleece that he picked out at Hancocks. And now, I am so frustrated! This robe is enormous!!!! The length is perfect, but I could wrap it around him twice. Sure, it is a robe, but come on!

Anyway, I have since started over. I have basically drawn my own robe pattern for him. I used what I liked about this Simplicity pattern, and what I liked about 2 other patterns I found. It fits better. It is still a little big, but at the rate he grows, it may just fit perfectly by Christmas! I will probably grab a picture soon and then put the robe away. He will forget about it by the time he opens it Christmas morning.

And one more thing–I also finished a Thomas pillowcase to go with his robe!

Well, it’s time to get my Christmas sewing underway. This year, that means lots and lots of fleece!

I’ll be using several patterns to make my Christmas gifts, including a bean bag pattern I’ve drafted myself, Simplicity 3874, Simplicity 4053, Simplicity 5831, and Simplicity 3575. Since I really don’t want to waste fabric (and $$$) on bum projects, I have been researching fleece tips. Here’s what I’ve learned.

1. Spend money on good fleece. Splurge on anti-pill. (Note: the pilling doesn’t damage the fabric, but it certainly isn’t attractive.)

2. Most fleece can be used on either side. If you really want to know, you can determine the right side by pulling along the selvage. The fabric curls toward the right side. (According to one website, you can also find the right side by sprinkling water on 2 different areas on either side of the fabric. The side that wicks the water the fastest is the right side. )

3. Once you know the right side, MARK IT!!!

4. Fleece has a nap! Follow the layout on that pattern guideline.

5. Use a zig-zag stitch or a serger.

6. Use a size 14 needle.

7. If pressing is necessary, use a cool iron and a pressing cloth.

Myspace Countdown Clocks at JazzyCountdowns.com

Less than 50 days to finish all my Christmas sewing. I suppose it would help if I started! I have fleece jackets, kids’ robes, bean bags, and much more planned. Now, where to start?