Summer Sewing -- The Summer Tote

Oh summer, you hold such promise...  Slow mornings, sunny porch steps, adventurous travel and lingering picnics.  With a very important July birthday coming, and a summer adventure scheduled not long after I was longing for a light hearted, carefree, summer tote that could faithfully lug all of my necessities around with style and grace, not to mention delight the above mentioned birthday girl.  I mean, who doesn't need a great new bag?!

Well, let me tell you, I was in luck one night at the library and found a Lotta Jansdotter's fantastic book, Simple Sewing, complete with patterns!  Super Score! After going through the entire book a couple of times to get the old creative juices flowing I kept being drawn back into the All Day Tote. 



All Day Tote from book Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter

A fantastic sewing book for beginners and up, in my opinion!

Well, wouldn't you know I made two totes?  One for me and one for a very special birthday girl! 

My tote is the grey chevron lined with a very bright and summery Lazy stripe fabric in Sunset by Tina Givens.  The outside is a poly/cotton blend twill with a cotton screen printed twill for the chevron pockets and handles.  Totally Adorable!

The pink and red version is the gift bag.  The main body of the tote is a Jenaveve linen blend in raspberry by Valori Wells with a red velveteen main pocket (got a great deal on a remnant at my local Joann Store) and handles and a grey wide wale cord (also a remnant from my local Joann's) for the side pocket.  The lining is a soft green from Nest, also by Valori Wells.  Almost too hard to part with!

One modification I think I would make for next time it to add a heavy duty interfacing to add some body and stiffness to the bag sides and bottom.

Looking for a fun summer project to expand your sewing skills or just to get away from it all for a bit behind the sewing machine?  Look no further!

Perfect for the Farmer's Market!

What goes great with summer, fresh veggies, and active children?  A bubble dress!  I love the vibrant combo of blue (woodcut in sass blue by Anna Maria Horner) and magenta polka dot (little matroyshka dots in purple by Riley Blake).  There's a magenta woven ribbon with a fun veggie beet print sewn around the bodice and trimming the pants as well.  Doesn't this outfit look twirly?

 I can even see it at perhaps an rustic summer wedding...  Endless possibilities!   

 

 

One final note...Isn't the little model gorgeous?!

Ourfox Summer 2013 -- The Battersea Bubble Dress

I have to admit...I'm head over heels for these bubble dresses.  New to the shop this summer I've got one option in a fun red and aqua combo and one in a nautical, navy and yellow, theme.
 

 

They are beyond belief cute and perfect for summer.  The double layer skirt is 100% cotton and wonderfully breathable.  The top is done in elastic smocking for easy dressing by your little one.  The bottom of the bubble dress is elasticized to move with your kiddo through all of the summer activities they might decide on.  The type of dress that is as at home at a beach party as it is at a garden party.  

 

Interested in getting a closer look at these beauties?   Head on over to Ourfox on ETSY to have a look!

 

Spring has sprung!

We've got flowers everywhere and, luckily, we got some flowers of them before the rain set back in.  My girls graciously modeled their new summer tank/ruffle pant outfits for me in their favorite way...by wrestling each other in the grass. 

 But, with a lot of patience and a great camera I prevailed and snagged a couple of really great pics of each of them that really reflected their personalities.

When it comes down to it, it was never about the pictures to them...it was all about the fun!

Like these tank tops or ruffle pants?  Want one for your little?  Head on over to Ourfox on ETSY and see what's in store!

Eye Candy

A Fun Pant Up-Cycle Project

OK, OK...  I know that school just let out and that most of us are in full blown summer mode but I just had to share this super cute tutorial from the Coats and Clark Sewing Secrets blog for what I think would be a great way to extend the life on all those jeans that still fit in the waist but have turned into floods or even capris since you relegated them to storage for summer. 

It's never too early to get a head start on back to school sewing, right? 

Here's another idea...take those jeans with holes in the knees and make them cut-offs with this super cute ruffle detail on the bottom.  Seriously, there are some adorable creations to be had, here! 

Photo courtesy of Coats and Clark - Sewing Secrets (www.coatsandclarksewingsecrets.com)

As soon as I wrap up some custom orders you know that I'll be posting some pics of my version of this!