Abstract Wrap Dress (NL6097) & More Baby Shower photos

I needed a dress for the baby shower so on Thursday night, I decided to make New Look 6097. It had the casual look I wanted and the pattern is rated highly at Pattern Review.  The fabric is from my May 2012 PR weekend in New York. I think it came from Metro Textiles but I'm not positive. The pattern needed 2.5 yd and I only had about 2 1/8 but with some very clever fabric placement, I squeaked it out. I thought I lined up the stripes perfectly but alas, the side seams are off a bit. Not so much that I won't wear it but enough that I won't wear it to any functions with my sewing friends!

I agree with the other reviewers that this was easy to put together and sized well. I made a 10 on top and graded out to a 12 at the hips. I had plenty of room. The sweater knit was a little sheer so I ended up underlining the skirt with a lightweight black knit that I had. If I hadn't decided to underline, I estimate the dress would have taken about 2 hours to sew. I don't love the fabric belt but that's my opinion about all fabric belts to be honest. I will wear it with a black belt next time.

More shower photos:
My daughter, her MIL and me (the two Grandmas!)

 My two daughters, my mom and me.



The adorable cookies made by a friend of a friend.  They were delicious, too!

Baby Shower Loot

As I've mentioned before, my daughter and son-in-law are expecting a baby in December. I made some things to give her at the baby shower today. 

They decided on a policeman theme for the nursery (daddy is a police officer) but couldn’t find much in the way of bedding / accessories so we decided to design something as described in a previous post. My daughter ok'd all the designs and picked out the fabrics.  After piecing the quilt top, I took it to a local quilt shop to do the actual quilting. I was very happy with how it turned out - $35 well spent! Using some tips I found on various quilters’ blogs, I used my machine to put the binding on and added a little tag for my future grandson.

 

I scaled down two of the designs I created for the quilt to make a couple appliqued bibs. Rather than make the bibs, I purchased some fingertip towels at Big Lots (removed the monograms) and created over-the-head bibs by cutting a hole and serged ribbing to the neckline.

Other goodies include a University of Cincinnati bib (mom and dad’s alma mater) and another onesie (like this one) made from Jalie 3133 and an old t-shirt from dad.

 

I made coordinated Christmas stockings for my daughter and her husband last year and used the same pattern in different colors to make a stocking for the baby. Purchased Christmas socks will go with that present. I also knit a hat but it turned out way too big. 

The final project was a diaper cake. I used instructions found at this tutorial. My version took 67 size 2 Pampers, a 14” cardboard cake base, about 3 yd each of a wide and skinnier ribbon, and a BAZILLION rubber bands. I found the cute little Fisher Price police car on eBay and some blue pacifiers for accent. The bibs and onesie were also included as accents.

Sunshine Skirt (M6402)

I purchased a black ponte skirt for one of my daughters back in the spring but I liked it so much, I kept it for myself (Bad Mom).  I've worn it a few times and always seem to receive compliments so I thought I would make another out of a small piece of yellow ponte knit I had.

Originally, I wanted no waistband but couldn't find a pattern like that and didn't feel like converting a pattern (Lazy Mom). I found this skirt pattern that I liked WITH a waistband that had woven and knit options.  I finished this about a month ago but never got around to photographing and blogging.  It really has more of a summer vibe to it so I missed the boat for this year.

Details:

• McCalls 6402, View A
• Size 10 Ok, so I was a bit optimistic due to recent weight loss and a 12 might have made more sense but with some Spanx, it will be just fine. But I am KICKING myself that I didn't check the length. I'm a little over 5'3" so normally I have to shorten skirts / dresses but this one is SHORT. The length is ok for going out but I wouldn't be comfortable wearing in a business setting. I may make this again in a more conservative color for work but will add 2".
• Fabric: Yellow Ponte knit remnant I picked up at Banasch. I think it was only 3/4 yard.
• Conclusion: It was a little tricky matching the 4 points but I'm happy with the results. It went together fairly quickly. Mark thinks is looks "hot" so I'm calling it a success.