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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.