Things in my world were too crazy to even consider sewing along with Project Run and Play this past go-around, so it's a good thing that the sewing prompts didn't excite my imagination at all. I can't imagine being a contestant for that round because I was just "eh" on them all. The stuff people sewed was amazing though, so I'm the one at fault on that side of things. I did still use the time available to good use.
The first week while they were sewing "Willy Wonka" inspired outfits, I spent a long weekend in Edinburgh, Scotland visiting family and managed to find a source for Harris Tweed.
Edinburgh Fabrics is a tiny little shop well off the tourist path, but worth the time to walk there because they carry an amazing selection of Harris Tweed and a bunch of other lovely wool fabrics. I got a remnant of a pretty pink tartan wool labeled "Merida" . I don't know if it's a film tie-in, suspect not, but it's the perfect size for a little winter pinafore/jumper dress for the Puppy this fall. She thinks she's getting something from this gorgeous bit of Harris Tweed I bought.
But she's not. At 55 Pounds per meter and it being incredibly narrow, it will be for me. I got three meters, so maybe a light jacket or a skirt. If I cut wisely there might be something for her. I suspect that precious fabric will marinate for a while though.
And on the subject of travel, for the first time ever, I was able to take the Puppy on a trip and have her occupy herself sufficiently on the flights that I could knit!
AND - it's not for her. Another first in two years. Some of my older socks are wearing out and a good friend sent me some yarn last year that she wasn't going to use even though it was one of those super hard to find limited edition sorts of yarn. It's a Halloween theme, but I'll wear them whenever it's cold because the black with pops of neon make me smile.
Finally, there have been pants. The Puppy has more clothes than she needs...for warm weather. She's got just about what she needs for cool weather, but if she has another growth spurt, that won't we true. So, a few pairs of pants. I've found the right sizing for her in the Oliver + S After School Pants, so those will be my go-to pattern for her until she outgrows them. The first pair just exactly fits her, but they're for Halloween (pics when the whole thing is done) so I don't care that they won't fit in a month. And thank heavens she's mostly potty trained, because they won't go over diapers! The second set are much better - I sized up two sizes to the 2T to accommodate flannel lining.
The After School Pants have an optional ruffle, which is adorable but ruffles aren't my thing. Instead I added piping to the front pocket, from Farmhouse Fabrics, which I'm pretty sure I also got the lavender corduroy, and color blocked with the lining fabric. That's a flannel I bought when I was still pregnant and planning to make flannel crib sheets. Still haven't made those, but that may be a weekend project as the weather here cools.
Isn't the back adorable? Those little pockets? Those little pockets kill me when I'm making them though. The point at the bottom middle...and the top stitching. My top stitching is improving though it's still far from looking polished. I need to remember to take my time because I rarely am willing to rip and re-sew. There's a matching Sketchbook Shirt, which was a wearable muslin for the second part of the Halloween costume. I figure I might as well sew multiples if I'm going to trace the pattern.
It's not reversible because of the pockets, but who wouldn't want that softness against them in the cold winter months ahead? There's a nearly identical pair of pants for the daughter of a friend, who is 9 months younger than the Puppy but is exactly the same measurement wise in chest, waist, and hips! She's about 2 inches shorter, but I suspect will shoot by P within the year. I love that P is really appreciative of my sewing, even at 26 months. She wants to wear everything, even if it isn't finished yet, which can be a struggle, but aside from an early dress, she has embraced all of the clothing I've made. The best thing about these pants, though?
Pockets!
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