Archive for the ‘sew it’ Category

No matter how I try or how late I stay up, I usually wake up bright and early- with the sun.

This summer I decided I didn’t want to get up and try to be productive.

Instead, I head out to the porch swing to stitch in the quiet of the morning.  The birds sing.  It’s cool and quiet.  Much better than doing something I have to do.

I’ve been working on and am almost done with my “Make it Do” embroidery project from Sarah Jane.  When it’s done, I might shed tears, I’ve loved every dear stitch.

I’ve changed the colors from the pattern to fit with my kitchen.  The colors make me happy.  Color can do that to me.  When I’m done I’ll be looking for a wonderful way to frame it and hang it in my kitchen.

The other thing that makes me happy:

My girls are early risers too.

They love to wake up early and come out on the swing with me.  We all sit and swing and talk and stitch.  I’ve become an expert knot detangler… but for some reason a knot on porch swing just doesn’t have the power to aggravate like a knot anywhere else might.  They are working on “Cleaning Elephants” a free pattern courtesy of doe-c-doe, a site brimming with lovely free embroidery patterns.

It is such a simple thing… a time that is otherwise lost in sleep or mundane routine… that has become a balm to my soul.  I carry the peace and tranquility I get from that brief time out on the swing with my girls like a talisman long into my day.

Next project I would love to work on… if I can piece it together quickly…

I’m going to make this for my family room sofa.

This is the stack of fabrics I’ve been collecting for the quilt.  Most of them out of my stash or my mom’s. (Thanks for buying so much Old New, Mom… I’m sure you had your daughter, aka the Fabric Thief, in mind when you bought it.)

I’ve been thinking that I would hand quilt it… because having it machined is so pickin’ expensive… and because it might keep me happy on my porch swing all the nice days into the fall.

I’m so happy to announce that the Easy Breezy Summer Dress Pattern is ready!

Thank you, thank you for all the great name ideas.  I think I retyped the name at the top of the pattern at least 10 times.  I especially loved the Hawaiian names.  This dress makes me think of Hawaii and South Pacific every time I look at it.

But in the end, it had to be the Easy Breezy Summer Dress because it is such a breeze to make and because the dress is so light and cool.

The idea for the name came from Missy who suggested the EZ Breezy Cover Up  (clever!) and Heather who liked the Summer Breeze Dress.

Thank you Missy and Heather!  I’ll be emailing you both a copy of the pattern today.

Let me tell you a little bit about the Easy Breezy Summer Dress.  It is a halter style dress pattern in Girls Sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12.  It is easily customizable for a perfect fit in every size in between.

It’s just right as a swimsuit cover-up for the pool or the beach.  The fully lined bodice can even be rolled over to make a quick and versatile skirt!  It looks darling with a small close-fitting tee under the dress or with a light summer sweater.

The Easy Breezy Dress Pattern is simple and can be made in a few hours or less.  The dress has no raw seams on the inside (yeah!) (and no, you don’t use a serger, just a sewing machine).

It is suitable for a beginning sewer with some experience.

The .pdf pattern is 12 pages of step by step instructions and includes helpful photos, diagrams and tips. Click here to check out a preview of the pattern.

Here is a breakdown of the yardage needed by size:

*For sizes 8, 10, and 12 do not use a directional fabric (such as stripes -unless you don’t mind the pattern going horizontally of course).

You will also need:

• 1 large package (4-1/2 yards) of 1/2 inch wide Elastic
• Matching Thread
• Large Decorative Button
• Washable Fabric Marking Pen or Fabric Marking Pencil
• Ruler

The Easy Breezy Summer Dress Pattern is available in the Make it Do Pattern Shop or you can purchase the pattern by clicking the buy now button below.

$8

Buy Now

This pattern is a downloadable PDF.  No hard copy will be mailed to you.  After you make your secure purchase through Paypal, you will receive an email with a link to download your pattern.  If you pay with a credit card or with your Paypal account, it usually only takes a few minutes for your email to arrive. How’s that for instant gratification!

Once downloaded, you can store the pattern on your computer for easy reference or print a copy for your own use.

If you have any question I haven’t answered, be sure to leave a comment or drop me a line at callimakesdo at gmail dot com.