One pattern, three ways

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel like I only have  a few weeks left at the sewing machine – my belly and my back say so.  Which, is sad, because now that I’ve found something that keeps my interest and is both fun and practical, I’ll be all distracted by a newborn.

Wow…that made it sound like having a newborn is sad, and it’s NOT – it’s going to be a lot of fun and I’m very excited.  I just wish I had discovered this interest a long time ago. 

Anyway – I got this pattern a while ago and started working on cutting out the right size layouts, etc. for Sophia’s size.  At first, I was pretty annoyed at how long using a real pattern took, but I quickly realized that the best part of a “real” pattern (purchased and edited by a professional) is that the product turns out pretty perfect if you follow the directions.  It also gives you a starting point that lets you apply your own creativity and make the shirt/dress, etc. into what you want.  And that’s what I did!

First, I made the pattern as intended – long sleeve, with buttons and button-holes at the neck and I like it.  However, the idea of buying the patterns was to make good use of them and use them a LOT, and I wasn’t big on the idea of Sophia having 18 different Sailboat shirts.  This one seemed really fancy, somehow…I think it’s the buttons.  Maybe it will be a holiday shirt.





After the first one, I decided to make a cozy t-shirt, but I didn’t want long sleeves, so I went out on a limb and chopped off half of each sleeve, then lined the bottom with grey.  I also closed it with snaps instead of buttons, because I’m pretty sure the buttons would make it too fancy to be called a t-shirt.

This one was a little tricky because I wasn’t attaching any sleeves, but Soph has a great brown sweater for fall that will look great over this.  The main fabric was intended for a baby dress, but it didn’t go so well so I ditched it and went with this instead. 

 

Oh, and the best part of these three shirts is that the total cost, including buttons, was $12!  Goal accomplished!

There are a few more shirts I’ve finished, a handful of skirts and dresses cut and ready to go, and a two projects that I’ve made up on my own by combining the two purchased patterns I own, but that’s enough for now, don’t you think?