From the monthly archives: June 2011
His old swimshirt* was all worn out from multiple years of use so I thought to myself, is a swimshirt something one can make? Then I thought, why ever not, you dum-dum? Plus I’m all about experimenting lately. His other swimshirts have always been raglan style (sleeves go all the way up to the neck) so I used the Tee for Two Pattern by Figgy’s that gets so much use around here and $10 worth of swim material from Fields. You could definitely use another t-shirt pattern and get a similar effect though. I made him a whale swimshirt, because he’s into whales lately:
*Other (normal) people call this a “rashguard,” but the thought of my…
Clementine got an awesome package in the mail a couple days ago from Karen. Karen is like our fairy godmother, she’s constantly showering my kids with handmade clothing. This time she made the Charlie tunic for Clementine as a dress!!! I’m calling it “Charlize”…does that work or is it totally cheezy? Anyway, I died at the cuteness. And then put it right on her.
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Sometimes when I’m taking pictures of Clementine I end up with a little story (makes me glad we don’t have to develop and pay for every shot like we used on film). You can almost see what’s going on in that little head of hers here:
{At this point both I and Mr Rae noticed she was about to drink it and yelled “No-no Clementine!”}
So the collection of photos of Clementine crying in her handmade clothes grows daily.
Polka-dot top and pintucked capris blogged here.
Chalkboard blogged here. Hard to believe that was less than two months ago! Welcome, summer!!!
The other day on a whim I tried the orange sunsuit from last summer on Clementine. Imagine my surprise to find that it (kinda, without a diaper) fit! Did not see that one coming.
Uncrossing the straps in the back added some room at the top. It’s still a bit too short to be worn this way and plus the snaps have pulled through the fabric a little between the legs so my current plan is to trim off the bottom and hem it to make a dress.
It makes me happy to dress her in…
Things don’t always work out around here. This time it started with a lightweight knit shirt of mine that had seen better days.
I took a scissors to it, without any real plan, and cut off the neck binding and the sleeves.
I used my serger around the neck hole and then started shirring (this is the elastic thread sewing technique wildly popular of late, used in my Baby Sunsuit Tutorial* and you can learn how to do it here, here, here, and here). As you can plainly see, the elastic thread was tighter for some of…
Just popping in real quick to say that I figured out how to put the whale fabric up for sale if you’d like to buy some from Spoonflower. If you missed the post with the whale fabric it is right here.
Just so you know, the designer earns 10% of the sale which is nice but my guess is that my total earnings here will probably amount to a couple of coffees at best and Mr Rae already makes awfully good coffee. Besides I will probably just spend it all at Spoonflower and then you would only have yourselves to blame for my deepening, frightening Fabric Habit. Anyway, please don’t feel me asking you to…
Here are the three four winners of the Charlie Tunic Giveaway:
COMMENT #8 was
Sisterino said…
I would make some sweet short sleeved ones for a couple of darling little girls in my life!
oops counted wrong! So Misty gets one too!!
Misty said…
I would love to win this pattern! I could make one for my one year old son and a girly one for my 2 yr old daughter. So many possibilites! I love the long sleeves, but the short sleeves would be great for summer. I can’t decide! 
Thanks for the chance!!
COMMENT #71 was
LisaReub said…
Oh yes please! Pretty please with cute whales on top! 
Yesterday when both kids took naps at the same (!) time for a couple hours (!?!?!) I decided it was time to conduct a little knit experiment with the Charlie Tunic Sewing pattern. The whale pajamas I made for Elliot last winter were an early knit version of what would later become the Charlie Tunic, but as I had redrawn the pattern for woven fabrics like quilting cotton and linens I wasn’t sure the NEW pattern would work with knits, you know what I mean? Would it be way too big? Would the knit fabric pucker like crazy when sewn to the quilters cotton?
As you can see, it worked. I had a tiny pucker…
You didn’t think I would stop at just two pairs, did you? Silly you. Once I find something that works, I just keep going (did you miss the other two? Click to see the Retro Radio Board Shorts and Green Medal Board Shorts).
Fabric: Caroline Gavin’s Cheerful Raindrops from Alewives. I have to say this fabric is absolutely lovely. While it’s a little lighter-weight for shorts, I don’t mind the airier fit and can’t believe how soft this cotton
…
For you to sew!
about Rae
Hi! I'm Rae, Head Boss Lady of Made By Rae Enterprises. I love to sew. This blog is a showcase for my crafty stuff.
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