sew girly

More title-cheese.

All I need is a wagon and a prairie and Esmé would be set. Plus a faithful dog who can swim wild rivers and of course 'Perfect Pa'. My dh has refused to read any more of Laura Ingalls; hearing about the continuous Perfect Pa has worn thin for him - inferiority complex? I asked... hmmmmm.

This sun bonnet pattern is one of Angry Chicken's. But I first saw it on my friend Meldoy's blog and knew I had to make it. The pattern is super easy to follow and comes in three sizes, baby, child and adult .... yeah I know, we could really play at being Laura and Mary here if only I could persuade the boys or get Esmé to understand that being baby Carrie means to be quiet and good All of The Time - I don't think she'd be up for it.



I made the child size as Esmé has a big head. I think this size would better suit her next summer though I think it will be fine it I'd bother to iron it and tweak here and there right now. She tested it out well this morning after my late night sewing session and promptly bumped into a wall not being able to see beyond the brim. I think there was a reason Laura and Mary had their's constantly loose dangling down their backs.... but I do so love it - I used some Laura Ashley print from a pair of oversize PJ's I wore when pregnant for the outside and some super soft cream brushed cotton (pillowcase re-used) for the lining. It is so lovely and soft maybe I will wear it.





Also on the sewing front I seem to be addicted to making these quick pants. They are rife in blogland so I have neglected to mention them before now. However I am approaching maybe 10 pairs just for the wee girl and my dh keeps wondering where his old favourite t-shirts are disappearing too. Whoops. Re-purposing old clothes into new use means just that, I forget though, and constantly swipe things from current wardrobes :) The pattern can be found in Soulemama's Creative Family book, it's a simpleton pattern, they could be whipped up in ten minutes even by someone who has never sewn. Old t-shirt, snip here, snip there, sew, sew. Voilá, not even hemming to do.



I have lots of pretty ribbon so used some to trim these little pants - I wanted to pretty up the functional look you get otherwise. I also made these slightly shorter than regular trousers, so they are below knee-cute length (which look nice under dresses too - she has a pair on under the green dress below in the herb garden). Also all ten pairs are for nappy less times. This girl constantly taps her nappy and screeches to let me know she, er, needs the nappy off. Little cotton pants are easier to wash and dry than thick nappies so her million new pairs of nappy-pant trousers are needed now. Sew girly. She really is so girly! Or at least looks it. See, title does fit :)