Sailboat Top and Pants

This week I have spent a lot of time thinking about back to school sewing,  shopping online and waiting for fabrics and patterns to arrive in the mail.  While waiting for things to come in the mail I needed a sewing project.  I really should have sewed the sketchbook shirt I cut out for Luke last June.  But I decided to make Stella an outfit instead.  While looking at my patterns I realized the Oliver and S Sailboat Top and Skirt pattern only went up to 3T so that made my decision easier.

I love the skirt but thought pants might be more practical.  Her preschool is at a gymnastics center and they do gymnastics each time she goes.  I figured pants would be better if I was going to have her wear this to school.

I made a size 3 for both the top and pants.  I didn't do any changes from the pattern.  I added a little lace to the top where you top stitch.  For the pants I cut the elastic to what was recomened for a size four  because I thought sometimes pants and shorts are tight around Stella's middle.  But I'll have to take it in because it is a little too big.

The top fabric is Fig Tree Butterscotch and Roses. The lace and buttons are from my stash.  The courdoroy for the pants is also from my stash.  I've had for over five years.  Some fabric I can date to before I had kids.  Actually a lot of fabric I can date like that.

I am very excited about the first day of school outfit I have planned for Stella and the lunch bags I am making the kids.  I'm still not sure about the backpack I'll be making Stella.  They start school in a week and a few days so I think I am going to start needing to set the alarm super early to get all this done. 

And a few modeled pictures ....

Puppet Theater

I don't know where to begin writing about this item.  This has definitely been one of my favorite items in Little Things to Sew (probably tied with the penguin backpack).  I have thought about making it for a long time.  The challenge really motivated me (um.. at the last minute) to finally do it.  (Sorry about the wrinkly photos - I finished it yesterday and we have been keeping it rolled up when not in use)

I have always loved the look of the theater.  We also happen to be really into puppets in our house.  We have always been doing puppet shows and often making our own puppets.  We use to drape a quilt over a gate in our home and stand behind it to do  a show.   But it was time to take down that gate a few months ago.  So we really needed something like this. 

The pattern and instructions are wonderful. I thought sewing with canvas might be tricky but it wasn't for this.   I think we may have small doorways because it is really snuggled in there but it fits. 

Everything was from my stash except for the canvas.  Even though I have so much fabric I actually had a difficult time finding a fabric that I had enough of for the house that would look okay. Finding the other fabrics and the ribbon too was a little tough.  But I love how it all came together.

I wish the Little Things to Sew cover to cover challenge would go another year.  I still want to make everything in it.  I think the art smocks and aprons should be next once I have all the back to school stuff, halloween costumes, Luke's birthday items, and Christmas sewing completed.  So maybe I'll get to them in January.




I could write a few more paragraphs about how much I love this theater.  I think it is one of my favorite things I have sewn.  And my kids are so excited about it too.  I think I need to stop typing and go play with it right now.