More Handmade Felt Christmas Stocking

I finally finished our full set of wool felt Christmas stockings, late Christmas Eve. I originally posted the first two, with a little bit about how I constructed them, here.

Homemade Running Tights (Sewaholic Pacific Leggings)

Finally my two hobbies collide! I promise this isn't going to turn into a running blog. But I do love running, (and sewing), so I decided to try making a pair of Sewaholic Pacific Leggings. I really love the whole Vancouver pattern collection.


The fabric is tricot nylon/spandex blend from imagine gnats. I don't sew with knits all that often, and had never sewn with this kind of slippery swimsuit knit, but it went pretty well. I used her navy and peacock colors. It is "matte" but definitely a tiny bit shiny. But not at all see-through and perfectly thick enough for running tights, although it won't be warm enough for super cold days.

I sewed View B in a straight size 6, but shortened them one inch at the shorten line.

Wildwood Swingset Skirt

I decided to join in last week's Oliver + S Swingset Skirt Sew-along and made Lottie one out of leftover pieces of Elizabeth Olwen Wildwood (also seen here.)

I made the size 12-18 months and used Gail's tips for making a contrast waistband.

Hedwig Baby Owl No-Sew DIY Costume

Lottie dressed as little Hedwig to go with her big sister, Hermione.

After looking at many, many baby owl and Hedwig costumes on Pinterest, I found this one and knew it was the one. Her tutorial is here.

The main fabric is some cheap white polar fleece that was left over from the Max costume I made Leo a few years ago.

Hermione Granger Costume

Louisa loves Harry Potter and so do we. She is reading the Sorcerer's Stone for the 4th time right now. Hermione is so smart and brave and I was very happy that she chose her for Halloween this year.

I made the robe, the blouse and the skirt.

Upcycled Hummingbird Dress

My mom recently offered me a dress from another era of her wardrobe to be used "for fabric." Wanting something simple I could make for Louisa while keeping the skirt intact, I immediately thought of the Hummingbird Dress by Rabbit Rabbit Creations (which I had seen Erin make before).

Here is the before, as seen on my dining room floor:

Not adequately pictured: legit shoulder pads. And how 'bout those poofy sleeves?

And here is the after:

Since the bodice uses barely any fabric, (I used Kona Cotton in candy pink, leftover from other projects), it only cost me the price of the PDF. Which is nice, because often my sewing projects tend away from "budget friendly"... whoops. Yay for fabric shopping!

I suggest using the RTW sizes for this pattern, because going by measurements, I started out making a much-too-small bodice for Louisa, who is an average sized 7 year old. In the end, I cut a 6 and it is actually still a little snug I think.

Also, I overcompensated on the strap length, thinking I was adjusting for Louisa's above-average height, and unfortunately the bodice ended up a little too low-cut as a result.

I used this popular technique for encasing the waist seam and finishing the elastic. A+ tutorial.

I kept the original dress skirt whole--hand-picked it from its bodice, preserving side-seam pockets and hem--and re-gathered it. Since the original dress buttoned up the front, and I flipped it around for Louisa's, the pockets are now angled the wrong way, which makes them even harder to find in all that fullness. I don't think she minds though. Pockets are very, very important to her, as is twirl.

It was so nice not to have to hem it when I was done. She wanted it to be longer, but oh well. Maybe I'll make her a proper maxi-length version next summer.

I made this back in July, and had wanted to photograph it at the beach, but this is how far we got off the beach house steps...

Happily, however, she is still rocking it in October with this sweet cardigan my mom knit for her.

Thanks for reading!

Oliver + S Nani Iro Baby Gifts

Sewing for babies who haven't yet arrived is really fun and special.

I loved imagining the little baby girl that my dear, dear friend is expecting (in only a few short weeks!), while carefully sewing these sweet, small things for her to wear one day soon.

Sen Ritsu Bedford Dresses

FYI, indie pattern designers, your blog tours totally work.

I liked Brooklyn Pattern Co. immediately from her launch. (Yes,  I am biased—I love Brooklyn, our old home, and I ♥ NY. Plus, it is where Louisa was born!)

I fell in love with the Bedford Dress when I saw this version (by Andreia of In a Manner of Sewing) during the Henry & Bedford blog tour this July. I bought the Bedford right away and ordered a bunch of nani IRO (always on my wish list) to make a total copycat version.