Potholders Again!!

I finished these for Potholder Pass 3. I almost didn't buy the brown stripe that I used for the bias. I made a remark to the saleslady that I hate sewing stripes. She replied that she usually likes to use stripes for binding so that is what I chose to do. Overall, I think it works. The back is a black cowboy boot print with a linen and red check piece slightly off-centered. I wish I hadn't used the scrappy look to the back, but I realized that I didn't like it so much once the entire potholder was quilted. I'm hoping to go back to the store today to see if they have any fabric left of these prints because I really do like the way it worked out.

I participated in Potholder Pass 2. I really like this pattern and it is much simpler than it looks. The original pattern created 12 inch blocks which are much too big for a typical potholder. My first try at changing the size created approximately 10.5 inch squares. My second try was a little smaller than I prefered so I added a 1/2 inch border. I hope my swap partner likes these.

Ottobre Design Gilda/Jalie 2447 tankini

I sewed the Gilda tankini top (#39) from the 03/09 issue of Ottobre Design with a few modifications, of course. First of all I lengthened the top, added a lining to the front and I dyed foldover elastic to match the brown hearts in the fabric. The bottoms are from Jalie 2447 - Choice of Tankinis. I sized up three letters after reading a review on patternreview.com. I ended up trimming almost 3/4 of an inch off the leg openings, and I used 1 inch more elastic than what was recommended in the pattern.

So far, my daughter likes the pattern. I am curious to see how it will hold up as she moves through the water. Swimming lessons start in a few days so we'll find out soon.

Portobellopixie Gracie Tiered Top/dress

This is a dress I sewed the end of May. I used the Portabellopixie Gracie for the Tiered Top,
but I made a few changes. First of all, I lengthened the bodice and I used the bottom ruffle for the Tiered dress (wider). I made several muslins and the bodice was hard to get on and off even though it seemed to fit well. I tried adding snaps to the back, but when I sewed the bodice using the denim I found it had a LOT more stretch than I thought so that really took care of the problem. If I sew this again using a non-stretch woven for the bodice, I will definitely add snaps or buttons to the back. I also added three buttons the bodice after seeing Patty Young's Modkid patterns done in denim.

Faith Double Layer Dress top

I tested the cute SewSensible Faith Double Layer Dress top. Aimee is in the process of converting her PDF patterns to paper patterns.
This is a pattern that I have watched and watched since it was featured on youcanmakethis.com. My hesitation is buying this pattern has been that the pictures that sewers have sent it don't have the cute ruffle at the top. When I sewed this pattern, I asked Aimme about it. I believe she has corrected the problem; I can't wait to try another one.

The capris are just a pair of holey jeans with the knee area cut off and a ruffle sewn on. These ruffles were 21 inches by 6.5 inches. Next time, I think I'll make the ruffles a little shorter.

This is a close up of the bodice seam and gathering. I used a honeycomb stitch above the piping. This is the first time I've used piping in almost eight years; it wasn't as hard as I remember it!

This is another Ottobre Design Strawberry Tunic. This time I hand-dyed the fish fabric. I added navy piping and decorative embroidery above the bodice seam, used navy foldover elastic on the neckline and sleeve edges, and sewed navy stretch lace/edging to the hem. The 3/4 pants are from the 02/03 Ottobre Design issue. The pants are made from a stretch denim remnant.