summer's coming...

It felt heavenly yesterday to work on a summer dress, listening to the sounds of the spring rain outside my window, and my babes (with Papa) hopping outside and then back in when the sun would appear (and a few times in the pouring rain). Ah...spring really is here and summer is coming. I've got two little ones telling me every day that I need to make them shorts (it's true - how is it that they each have just one pair that fits?), and a little one (who insists on dressing herself now, by the way) who could use a few easy-to-pull-on things too. This little dress was a start, of sorts, on the Soule Kid Summer Wardrobe project.

Calvin and I have been flipping through a few kids clothing catalogs looking for inspiration - Mini Boden, and Garnet Hill mostly, and he pulled a few things that he wanted to try to make, or have me make for him. The canvas, zippered, multi-pocketed, cargo pants? Probably not. But the elastic waist pants, and this little sundress (i think it's actually a top in the catalog)? I can do that.

This was really just a trial, so to speak, of what I have yet to make, as this particular dress is headed to my local (and family!) Bernina shop for them to have as a sample of the Ruffler foot. Will work for sewing machine feet? Yup, that's me. (Thanks, Uncle Ron!)

The sun is shining. I'd better get sewing...dresses, beach pants, and cargo shorts, oh my.

Comments

[lera]

a very sweet dress.

[earthchick]

Super-sweet dress!

I'm ready for summer, too. Well, ready emotionally and psychologically, not sewing-wise. So much making needs to happen before it officially gets here....

[joy]

looks perfect-i need to sew for my girls too-summer dresses means less laundry.

[susannah]

That dress is so adorable! Lovely fabric combo.
I hope you are enjoying your revamped space. You've got me itching to jazz up my studio and make it more functional!! Yours looks amazing and loaded with inspiration!! Fun!

[tamara]

lovely dress, and I'm still loving that gnome fabric. Have a great sewing day!

[Alina]

I love the dress and lil Miss A looks adorable in it.

[Nikki]

The dress is so cute! All of my babies are grown up now (the youngest is 7) but I remember making sweet little things for them. I'm encouraged by your plans for summer wardrobe. My son has only two pairs of shorts right now, so I'm looking for some to whip up. And my teenagers are now trying to supplement their wardrobe by making a few things. Good times. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Melissa]

My kids want me to make those drawstring knit pants as well for them this summer but I have yet to find the right material for the project. What material will you be using for the pants, if I may ask?

Love the little dress!

[AmandaMay]

Your children are so lucky - they have the cutest clothing ever!

[Amy Lu]

Oh! I can't wait until my sewing skills catch up with my knitting skills. I can look at a sweater in a catalog and make one up that looks just like it... but sewing? You've got some mad skills! :o)

Now I wonder what I did with my Mini Boden catalog? Ay yi yi.....

[Becky]

I love that dress! I would wear it if it were mommy-sized! And wow... your wee one is getting so big! I love the look on her face in the last photo. :)

[hannah]

mmm...summer. i need a good three months of adelaide summer photos. need them.

[Frank]

How adorable! Is that a purchases pattern or one you came up with on your own? You are doing exactly what I dream of some day with all the crafts and sewing for your family. AND you seem aware of how blessed you are. Can't get any better than that...

[SOULEMAMA]

Hi Frank (and thank you for your nice words!)! No, it's not a pattern - the design/construction ideas came from the catalog photo.

Melissa - I've got a few piles ready to go - I'll mostly be using old jersey tees of Steve's, and a few bits of some vintage terry that I picked up. I can't seem to find much new jersey and terry that I love (or, rather, want to pay for!).

[Mama Urchin]

Nice deal, to work for feet.

[Lori]

I am doing exactly the same kind of sewing here Amanda :o)
so far i have accomplished two very cheerful skirts for the two littlest girls. now my two oldest girls are reminding me that i need to get going on their skirts.
i also have handbags to make for our home business.
but the skirts are making me smile.
my son still wants his star wars inspired curtain for his room....it is dark and will ward off early mornings that the summer brings. ha! :o)
thanks for sharing your sweet girl in her dress.

[sjsd]

very sweet. my dd's, dh and i have been thumbing through the same catgaloges getting ideas. darling stuff....definitely could be 'homemadeable'. have a beautiful day.

[Beth]

How beautiful is she!!

It feels so good to be letting more and more skin out from under the winter layers.

[claire]

That dress is just adorable. So are the kiddies!

[carol]

love that fabric- I have a few yards of it and plan to make a shirt with it!

[erin]

good luck on those cargo shorts!

[leslie]

ahhhh! summer sewing......it really is about the time I switch gears from knitting to sewing.......those are all cute inspirational pieces....I usually need a pattern though!
Have fun!

[Madeline R]

That last picture is so telling about your relationship with your daughter. So trusting and loving. It's such a sweet picture.

[Johanna]

You are so talented :D

[janet clare]

Lovely little dress. It is a real shame that Boden is so expensive- I too could buy the whole catalogue! You probably know them already but have you seen Oilily's clothes?

[brandie]

do you know how badly I want to say you offended me somehow ;) that is one cute dress on one cute girl. I LOVE the fabrics! you are rockin' that ruffler foot!

[Kathy]

The dress is adorable as is the little lady wearing it:-)

[Andrea]

Oh! I adore that dress! I love it! I want one for ME!

[Beth]

The photo of the two of you is utterly beautiful.

[Linda]

No. Way. I had no idea there was such a thing as a ruffler foot! I have to have one now.

[Lane]

I've been lurking on your blog for far too long without posting. You (and your lovely family) are such an inspiration! Your links are always to something great, and your pictures make me want to pitch my tent in the woods for the rest of the summer with just my hubby, my kiddo, and my camera. Beautiful blog :)