Outfits for the Nieces

Are not my nieces adorable? Why, thank you! I think so too. 

One thing on my list for this summer was to make matching outfits for these sweet girls. I decided on little tee shirts and skirts.

You can't go wrong with pink, flowers and ruffles for little girls!

I used NewLook 6016 for the shirts. If I use this shirt pattern again I will probably make the neckband a little shorter and narrower, because the neckbands didn't turn out as nice and flat as I would have liked. 

For the skirts, I followed this tutorial. I created an ombre effect by using graduating shades of pink for the ruffles. 

It was really fun sewing for the smalls. I guess that's because I have always like tiny things. I couldn't help holding up a shirt now and then and exclaiming, It's so little and cute!". ;)

Picture a Polaroid

This is a scene from my sister's dresser top. I had not drawn anything for months, but I was in the mood yesterday. I used to start a lot of drawings and leave them unfinished or throw them away because I was discouraged with how they were coming together. My dad always challenged me to sit down to draw for 15 minutes and make myself complete a picture no matter if I thought it was good or not.  I didn't keep track of how long this took me, but I did finish it in one sitting! My sister has another vintage camera that I want to draw next.

Do you like to draw?

Simple Ruffle Necklace Tutorial

Sometimes in the midst of a lot of involved sewing it's nice to stop and create something simple. This was my simple project last week -- a little leather necklace with a ruffle!

Here's how you can make your own.

All you will need is leather string and some cute cotton fabric.

•  Cut a piece of leather string for your necklace. Mine was 30 inches long.

• Cut out a rectangle for the ruffle measuring 1.5 inches x 6.5 inches. Cut another rectangle on the bias measuring 1.25 inches x 3.5 inches. This will be your binding piece.

• Using a quarter inch seam allowance sew with a basting stitch down one long side of the ruffle piece leaving long tails of thread. (If you want to finish the edges of the ruffle piece you can zig zag around the edges, turning the fabric slightly under as you go.)

• Fold under 1/4 inch on all sides of the binding piece and press. Then fold in half and press.

• Gather the ruffle piece until it is the same length as the binding piece. Center the ruffle on the leather string and sandwich both in the binding.

• Stitch along the edge of the binding to secure the ruffle onto the necklace.

• The best part about this necklace is you don't have to use a clasp! All you have to do is take both ends of the necklace and knot them on the other side. Another plus is that it's adjustable!

 And here it is. A very simple summer-y necklace!

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