Summer Sewing {And Why I Didn’t Get More Done}
I had so many projects on my summer sewing list for this year, but most of them just didn’t happen. Here’s my small list of completed projects:
This sweet little bride dress-up dress was supposed to be a Christmas present! And then we got the flu and then strep and then my husband ended up in the hospital twice, and it just didn’t happen. But at least I finished it before she outgrew the pattern! I already had all of the fabric and trim (which has been in my stash for years), so it cost me nothing to make except for the pattern.
I also made her a bridal veil to go with it, which was super easy to do, and again, I already had the trim. All I had to buy was a headband and a bit of tulle. She looks so sweet in it. I used this wonderful tutorial.
I made my two youngest girls these super simple cotton skirts, using the free Lazy Days Skirt Pattern from Oliver + S. I love how fast these are to make, and I love the added detail of the ribbon hem.
I found this skirt at a thrift store for a little over $2. It’s meant for a preteen/teen girl, but it’s way too short! It would be a super-mini skirt on my 14-year-old, and way above knee even on my shorter 12-year-old. But I love the fabric and the feminine details of the tucks and lace trim. So, I simply altered it using this method to fit my 7-year-old daughter, and for her it’s perfect.
And then there was my swimsuit experiment. Which, as I said, I’m not completely satisfied with, but it’s a start. I’m hoping next go around will be just right. But this one served me well this summer, so I think I’ll wait until next year to work on a new one. And I’m hoping the next one will be several sizes smaller, after dedicated time eating the Trim Healthy Mama way. 🙂
One of the main reasons I didn’t get more sewing done was that I didn’t have time. We had a busy summer, and it was hard to fit in everything I wanted to get done. But also, with the price of fabric these days, I found it was sometimes cheaper to just buy something ready-made from a thrift store or even Zulily. The girls have received several cute and inexpensive skirts and dresses from Zulily this year. Some were gifts from the grandparents, and a few others we bought when they were on sale. Here are just a few of them below.
The above pink sequin skirt was a great price, and the dress below was a gift from Grandma.
The dress below is a DownEast Basics dress, purchased as a Christmas gift from Zulily, when it was on sale. I love the vintage feel to this dress.
The skirt my older daughter is wearing, below, was a birthday gift (and she’s playing her sister’s mandolin!).
And I’ve previously mentioned this adorable tutu skirt, which my mom purchased from Zulily as a gift. With so many cute dresses and skirts being given to us as gifts and available from Zulily at reasonable prices, it’s hard to justify sewing when I don’t really have the extra time!
Have you been doing any sewing this summer, or, like me, do you find it hard to fit in? I still have some more sewing I hope to get done sometime this year, but I’m not sure when I’ll get to it. Some of them are more Christmas presents that I didn’t get finished last year!
Joy,
Your projects turned out so well! I didn't do much sewing this summer – just a few skirts for me before my Scotland trip. I know how hard it is to find the time to sew when you can find inexpensive skirts already made. As long as their available we buy, without feeling guilt. Our time as mothers and homemakers is valuable.
The bought skirts and dresses are so pretty too!
Deanna
That's great that you got some skirts sewn for yourself, Deanna! I kept planning to make myself a skirt, and then I never got around to doing it. 🙂 And, yes, no guilt on buying versus sewing! I love sewing so much, but you're right about how valuable our time is.
I so enjoyed scrolling through your feminine sewing projects. They are beautiful. I remember you mentioning, months back, the desire to use your gift of a sewing machine and I am glad to see that you are. Wonderful. All the colors are so pretty, too. I sewed skirts onto store-bought swim suits for my girls when they took swimming lessons. A friend helped me. You must be quite skilled to make yours.
Sewing is always a slow, gradual thing, done in starts and stops – in our third floor attic. I traced my favorite "summer" skirt onto some cotton fabric, slipped elastic in the waist, and now it just needs a ruffle at the hem. I hope it is completed before summer is over.
Karen A.
Thank you so much, Karen, for taking the time to drop by. That is such a great idea to sew skirts onto store-bought swimsuits! I may have to try that sometime. It would be much less time-consuming than starting from scratch.
I'm working on sewing projects gradually, also. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one. And I hope you share a photo of your completed skirt–I always love seeing your sewing and knitting projects!
LOVE the vintage looking Down East Basics dress!! My little girl would love it too with that little hat! Sweet.
Thanks, Rebecca! We got the hat at a local flea market, and it just seemed to go with the dress. 🙂
Sometimes we look at Good Will for nearly new sheets that we can use for yardage. I taught my oldest daughter how to sew by sitting side by side with her – I would show her what to do on her dress that I was sewing, and she would do that step on a smaller dress that she was sewing for her younger sister. I now have 3 little girls (7,4,2) and we often still sew side by side (though she no longer needs instruction!) in order to have matching or coordinating dresses for a special occasion. Do you have a JoAnn's Fabrics near you? The only way I buy patterns anymore is when they are on sale for 5 for $5.
I've used sheets, also, Carol! In fact, I have a very cute sheet just waiting to be turned into something for one of my girls. Thank you so much for sharing about how you teach your daughters to sew!
Our closest JoAnn Fabrics is almost 2 hours away. 🙁 We don't make it there very often, but when we do I try to stock up. I do love it when I can find a good deal on patterns, although since I've been sewing for myself and my girls for the past 13 years, I've got a pretty good stash built up. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Carol!
The white fabric with blue flowers is so beautiful!
I really loved the fabric, too. I'm so glad I was able to make it fit my younger daughter!
Joy…you got more sewing done than I did. Way to go!! However, I found a mid-calf length skirt for my daughter on a clearance rack for $5!!! It will be perfect for cooler temps. I am going to look up the pattern for the skirts and make us a couple to wear around the house. Thank you for sharing. Found you at Walking Redeemed.
Thanks so much for visiting, Naomi! $5 for a skirt is a great deal!
I'd say you did get a lot done. Love the skirts and the girly fabrics. I think I'm finally going to have to check out Zulily!
Thanks, Meghan! I really love Zulily. Sometimes the deals aren't as cheap as what I'd like, but if you know what you're looking for and you wait patiently, sometimes they're great!
WOW! You got a ton done, and I love it all. I think you know how I feel about skirt lengths, too 😉 So nice to see how you could adjust it. I will have to remember this.
Thanks, Nicole! Yes, I love being able to adjust skirts to fit my girls, since I find so many cute ones that are too short but a great price. 🙂
I thought maybe you were going to say it was because you were expecting again! LOL
Ha! That would have been a good excuse, but no, I'm not expecting right now! 🙂
These are all so cute! <3 I'm hoping to get to more sewing soon! I love the bridal dress up dress! So cute! 🙂
Thank you, Tabitha! 🙂
I'd say you got quite a lot done!
Laura
Harvest Lane Cottage
I think my list may have been a bit too ambitious! 🙂