Project Run & Play "Signature Look"

My signature style is usually whatever's handed down. Or gifted. Or on sale.

But if I have a choice, I gravitate toward a few things for the kids' clothes.

Simple, classic silhouettes. Appliques. Vintage fabric. Upcycled fabric. Knits. Practical, comfortable stuff. Coordinated (matchy matchy).

Generally I like color, but this outfit has been speaking to me for a while now, ever since I saw this dress. It captures my "signature look" pretty well.

I took the tunic and leggings I finished the last day of the Kids Clothes Week Challenge and added an applique and headband.

I'm throwing it into the Project Run and Play flikr sew-along pool. It's the last week for the competition, so the final three are competing with their own signature looks. They're sure to be dynamic.

Bonnets x3

Last week while the boys were at art camp and Eliza was napping in the mornings, I got lots of sewing done.  These three bonnets are made from the Peekaboo Bonnet pattern, which I highly recommend.  It's easy to follow, and the PDF versions of patterns are quickly becoming my preference.

The Stats:

Pattern: Made by Rae Peekaboo Bonnet

Fabric & notions: feed sacks and cotton plaid from a free swap (for the first and third bonnets), cotton from a fabric swap and a thrifted sheet (for the second bonnet), bias tape, piping

Total Time: roughly six hours total

Total Cost: $5

I'm planning to submit these, along with five pairs of bloomers and two pairs of booties (that I'll share soon) to the local Arts and Crafts guild to be sold at their shop down the street.  A jury will evaluate the items to decide if they're a good fit for the shop.  My goal is to submit them this week.  We'll see if I get the booties finished.

(If they're accepted and I make more, they'll all have black, white, or cream bias tape and piping.  The majority of my time was spent trying to match piping, bias tape, and thread.)

If they're accepted, I'll buy the selling license for this bonnet.  Eventually I'd like to add some simple A-line dresses and things.

I'm not really sure what to expect, but I'm excited to try something new.

Mini-Boden Knock-Off

Mini-Boden is my favorite children's clothing line.  Hands down their clothing consistently makes me want to spend copious amounts of money on tiny shirts, dresses, shorts, and bathing suits.

Practicality always wins, but fortunately, I can sew!

I've copied their appliqued shirts, but this time I went a more ambitious route and copied a dress.  The result is my favorite project to date.

The stats:
Pattern: Simplicity 4711
Modifications: Lined the bodice, added piping, applique, and matching bloomers
Fabric: Feed sack for the dress; polka dot cotton bought at Just Ducky warehouse sale for bloomers and lining
Total cost: about $10 (the Mini Boden version is $40)
Time spent: 5 hours total

It's pretty long on her, so she won't be wearing it until she can walk.  The feed sack material is too delicate for her to crawl around on.

Up next on the list are a few bonnets and another Mini Boden knock-off, even cuter than the birdie dress.  I'm already getting twitchy as my feed sack stash grows smaller and smaller.  What's a sewing stash without feed sacks?