Sweet Summer Swing Top

A month or so ago I picked up a pair of soft denim shorts for Emma (for $5, such a bargain!) and had been mulling over a top to make when I found this tutorial at Prudent Baby. The instructions for making a basic top from something already in your wardrobe were easy to follow, and I think the top turned out really well!

I've had this fabric for while, another gift from Mum. But I was never completely sold on it, and was really unsure as to what I'd use it for. Now that I see it made up for Emma I think it's perfect - very girly and feminine.

I had thought I'd put a ruffle down the middle, or as in the tutorial a white rectangle and sew the buttons on top (kind of like a bib), but sometimes simple is best right? Two covered buttons and it's so sweet, I didn't want to complicate it.

Now I'm onto a project for Harry...

Pillowcase Dress

I do love a pillowcase dress for summer. There are a million tutorials around for these, but one of my favourites would have to be this one, at Aesthetic Nest. Of course there are the beautiful finishes (think french seams) and gorgeous fabric choice, but the instructions are great and I found it really easy to follow.

So this dress was on the top of the list for Emma, but I was having a crisis of conviction with my chosen fabric. I bought a bundle of Amy Butler fabric when Sew Mama Sew had it on sale recently, but suddenly I wondered if it was all too much and I should go for something a little less retro and a lot more 'little girl'.

But I love a bit of retro, so I jumped in anyway. The fabrics were Passion Lily and Laurel Dots from Amy Butlers Soul Blossoms collection. Don't you just love the names?? And here it is...

It's a bit big for Emma, at one point I wondered if I might even be able to wear it as a top myself! I love the bright colour on her, and if she gets two summers out of it, all the better.

   

Dreaming of Summer...

If I start now, Emma and Harry will have a whole wardrobe of handmade summer clothes, right? That's the idea anyway. And it is very nice to be working with lovely bright colours rather than more muted ones for winter.

 

 So first cab off the rank - a simple skirt and appliqued  t-shirt for Emma.

 

No pattern for this one, I found a waist measurement for a size three skirt, and worked from there. The material came from Mum some time ago, and I absolutely love it.

Emma does too - she's been asking to wear it since I got her to try it on. I'll have to hide it away somewhere!