18 Mar Birdie and Me
Greetings from the desert! A beautiful baby and gorgeous warm weather greeted us upon our arrival to Scottsdale. Can life get better than this?
I’ve been asked countless times if I plan to sew for Birdie (now 6 months). The answer is YES, but I have decided not to smock again.
It’s been a long time since I’ve attempted to sew baby clothes, and while times have changed, baby patterns have not! After a 25 year break, I was led back to The Children’s Corner patterns and discovered many of the cute patterns I sewed for Katie and Mimi are now online waiting to be sewn once again.
I chose the Taylor romper pattern for Birdie,
using Jennifer Paganelli’s floral cotton, Mabel from the Hotel Frederiksted collection.
Jennifer’s cheerful website, Sisboom is a source of endless inspiration for sewing cute clothes, home dec, crafts and all things related to fabric! I quickly fell right in line with all of its cuteness and sewed myself a companion garment 🙂 So here I am a generation later in my play clothes with my playmate.
What I really wanted to make was the skort featured in this Simplicity Pattern,
but after making yards of bias-cut piping for Birdie’s romper, I was short on fabric and made skirt D.
The pattern features a wide, fitted waistband making it perfect for this very old tie-waist shirt (the ill-fitting back is the RTW giveaway!)
I substituted an invisible zipper for the conventional zipper and suggest the Brother YouTube sewing tutorial for no-fail results (even if you use a different machine).
The skirt was rather short even on me, so I added a one-inch ruffle to lower the length and give it a more playful look. The ruffle is made from a 3-inch piece of fabric cut twice the width of the skirt’s lower edge. The ends were stitched together, folded and gathered, then sewn to the skirt using a 1/2 inch seam. I finished the seam allowance in the serger.
Birdie’s romper is lined and my skirt is underlined in the softest Japanese cotton batiste I have ever touched which I found under a table at Mary Jo’s Cloth Store in Gastonia, NC.
Play clothes, work clothes, party clothes, baby clothes……. one garment leads to another and indeed there is a season for everything in our lives, but all I need to do is peek in a window or overhear a distressed RTW customer to remember ~ it is always the season for sewing.
Until soon 🙂
Sharon kane
Posted at 09:50h, 18 MarchSo cute, and yes I can see all the piping on Birdie’s romper. However, you adapted and the ruffle on your skirt is perfect! Great job. Thanks for the tutorial links and without a doubt Birdie is adorable!
Sharon
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:39h, 18 MarchThank you, Sharon! I agree the ruffle worked out well. You will love the Brother Zipper Tutorial 🙂
Annie
Posted at 09:50h, 18 MarchAAH! Mary Jo’s. I am so jealous. Also jealous of your beautiful skort. Love reading your posts.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:40h, 18 MarchThank you, Annie! Mary Jo’s has changed a lot and not for the better. It looks like all garment fabric is being discontinued ;(
JEB OBARR
Posted at 10:07h, 18 MarchI love the outfits, but I’m curious as to why you have decided not to smock again. I smocked for my children and have assumed I would smock for my grandchildren.
Jill
Posted at 10:32h, 18 MarchI sew agree. Smocking is so special
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:43h, 18 MarchIt is very special indeed!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:42h, 18 MarchJeb,
I liked smocking but I did not love it and I LOVE sewing. Who knows I could eat my words 😉 Many thanks for the comment!
Cindy Symes
Posted at 10:10h, 18 MarchSooooo cute! Baby and clothes! And now it’s playtime!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 10:44h, 18 MarchThank you, Cindy! We’re having fun now 🙂 🙂
MaryEllen
Posted at 10:47h, 18 MarchLove both outfits ! Lucky Grandma 😍 Do you line all your skirts ?
Enjoy our heat 🌵
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 11:26h, 18 MarchThank you, Mary Ellen! One of these days we’ll have a meet up!! I line all straight skirts 🙂
MaryEllen
Posted at 15:51h, 18 MarchAnytime 😍
Kathy
Posted at 11:26h, 18 MarchLove your skirt and the Taylor bubble is always cute! I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to smock – it’s so timeless and beautiful on little ones. I smock for all of my granddaughter and will continue until they outgrow it. 🙂 Have fun with that precious little one!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:05h, 18 MarchThank you Kathy for your nice comment! I think smocking is adorable ~ my comment is not a reflection of smocked garments for they are very special. I’m not ready to do it again as it is a skill I would need to learn all over again, and Birdie was handed down numerous smocked garments to carry her through the next several years 😉
Fran Giacobbe
Posted at 12:00h, 18 MarchA wonderful post and a most adorable granddaughter! Enjoy sewing for her; I know you will!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:05h, 18 MarchThank you so much ,Fran!
Carolyn Castino
Posted at 12:23h, 18 MarchThank you Sarah for the tutorial info. I seem to use one with almost every invisible zip even though I have done lots. It just helps reinforce the process. I love the romper. Just wait til you get requests from your little ones. My granddaughter wanted to know if I was making her an Easter dress again this year. She would like pink with butterflies…Now I need to go fabric shopping. Although we are also in the Phoenix area for the month and finding a great fabric store is a bit of a challenge. Enjoy the sunshine and your grandbaby!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:07h, 18 MarchThank you, Carolyn! I’ll look forward to the requests 😉 As far as fabric I order most everything online these days …….
Hanh-Trang
Posted at 12:38h, 18 MarchYou must win the award of most cute grannie and baby. Can’t help smiling when looking at the pics.
After Scottdale, you should have some photo ops with the blooming dogwoods and azaleas, also with winning matching outfits of course 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:08h, 18 MarchMany thanks, Hanh-Trang! Those blooming dogwoods and azaleas make the best backdrops for photos for sure 🙂
Becky Bagwell
Posted at 13:27h, 18 MarchI’ve been waiting for this! Great outfits and love Birdie’s thighs!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:09h, 18 MarchLOL – thank you, Becky! Her little thighs are s t r o n g!!! 🙂
Jan Moore
Posted at 14:13h, 18 MarchBirdie and her Taylor bubble are so sweet! Children’s Corner patterns are the best! I am so glad you are sewing for that sweet babe,, and look forward to seeing many more precious garments on her. As long as there is needle and thread involved, I consider it sewing. So, that includes smocking! There are some who enjoy smocking, but not constructing. You just need to find the right person, which should not be difficult in your area, and trade skills. Also love your skirt, especially the ruffle! I am sad to hear Mary Jo’s is changing. No doubt, it will change even more, with Mary Jo’s recent death.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:10h, 18 MarchHi Jan! Many thanks for your comment and for letting me know about Mary Jo’s death. No telling what will happen. She was a presence that will be missed.
Lone Star Couture
Posted at 15:24h, 18 MarchTruer word were never spoken. Both outfits are adorable!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:11h, 18 MarchAh…… thank you so much, Dorcas!
Reader
Posted at 15:26h, 18 MarchI went to the pattern site. Cute patterns, but I was not happy with the zero diversity of the models. Not sure why I should support a company that thinks all its prospective customers are white.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:59h, 18 MarchDear Reader,
Your comment is quite the eye-opener, and for that I thank you. I would be unable to relate to a pattern company that had zero caucasian representation. Your comment has given new meaning to my statement in the post regarding little change in the last 25 years. It’s time for a change.
Reader
Posted at 10:44h, 19 MarchThank you. Sometimes when I’ve made similar comments people have become defensive, but there is a reality that needs to be addressed.
Karen Gaudet
Posted at 15:42h, 18 MarchI smocked 25 years ago for my children as we lived in the south and smocked clothing was popular. I don’t have any grandchildren yet and am considering selling my pleater and all my patterns I don’t see my daughters or daughter in law wanting smocked items fori their future children and frankly, I don’t think I have the patience for smocking any longer.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 20:13h, 18 MarchKaren,
I love smocked clothing but am not up for the task again and Birdie was handed down numerous smocked garments to carry her through the next several years 😉
Kim Dimond
Posted at 16:06h, 18 MarchI love Children’s Corner patterns too. Another favorite is Oliver & S. I think the current generation does not favor smocked garments. My daughter said please don’t mom. It looks old fashioned to them. So instead I do a lot of piping. I also like the whimsy sticks embellishments.
Reader
Posted at 16:50h, 18 MarchOliver & S reminds me of Children’s Corner, although CC’s clothes made up look nicer. But at least Oliver & S is firmly in the 21st Century in terms of the models it selects. It’s not surprising: The designer and founder of Oliver & S went to the Fashion Institute of Technology, one of the most diverse schools in the world, and she and her family live in New York City.
Nancy Nardozzi
Posted at 19:13h, 18 MarchPerfection! What could be better?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:32h, 19 MarchIndeed 😉
Many thanks, Nancy!
Reader Too
Posted at 21:35h, 18 MarchWhy has no one asked about that gorgeous necklace? Where can I get one? Birdie is a doll and you two look adorable together! I plan to copy you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:34h, 19 MarchPlease copy away! I bought the necklace at a local Lily Pulitzer store last year. It is my all-occasion necklace and I hope you can find one. Many thanks for the comment, Reader Too 🙂
Karen of Fifty Dresses
Posted at 22:16h, 18 MarchSo cute on your granddaughter and timeless on you! Birdie is so dear! (I agree with you on the smocking – I love to sew for my little granddaughters, but I’m not smocking again….)
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:35h, 19 MarchHi Karen and many thanks for the comment! There was a time in my life for smocking but it has definitely passed 🙂
Yvonne
Posted at 23:51h, 18 MarchIf you don’t already own on, may I humbly suggest a KAM snap press? Lori, from “Girls In The Garden” blog turned me onto that awesome tool, which is indispensable for sewing children’s garments. I’ve also found many other uses for setting snaps on household items as well. I’ve purchased a few dies to set jeans buttons also, as I hope to make all of mine and my seven year old sons, eventually. They’re a small company here in the USA! Love yours and Birdie’s outfits. Precious! I hope a link is okay. https://www.kamsnaps.com/
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:39h, 19 MarchThank you for the link to the KAM snap press, Yvonne! I bought a snap setter but I’m loving the starter set offered by KAM. Many thanks too for the nice compliment 😉
miriam d'innella
Posted at 04:41h, 19 MarchFantastic! You gave to me a great idea !
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:40h, 19 MarchThank you, Miriam! Would that idea be to make something for you and your Grandchild? If so send me a pic when you finish 🙂
Sandy
Posted at 15:29h, 19 MarchBoth the skirt and the bubble romper are adorable. There are so many cute ideas besides smocking these days. I love smocking and always will, but you can find some pretty dang cute things to do that look fresh today.
Always love seeing your work.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:10h, 20 MarchThank you, Sandy! I agree, I love smocking too and it was an enjoyable part of my sewing journey, but I’m looking forward to take my children’s sewing in a different direction now 🙂
Mary Lynn
Posted at 17:51h, 19 MarchI will happily do the smocking, if you and Karen will do the sewing! Of course, I haven’t even put new needles in my pleater yet! My baby girl is now 34, so those needles may need to be replaced! She’s expecting a boy in June. 🙂 Looking forward to see you and Julie next week.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:07h, 20 MarchHa-ha-ha! I have a pleater in the garage – would not begin to know what to do with it 😉
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:08h, 20 March….. and congratulations on the news of your upcoming grandchild ! We look forward to The Tunic Bible workshop. See you then 🙂
I blame Paris
Posted at 06:26h, 20 MarchThat romper is absolutely adorable! You looks so cute together!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:05h, 20 MarchAh…. thank you! It was fun to sew a little baby garment again 🙂
Maggie ecger
Posted at 12:48h, 20 MarchThis is just too cute. I know your having a wonderful time with family and especially little Birdie.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:04h, 20 MarchThank you, Maggie! Birdie is such a sweetie 🙂 🙂
DArby Logan
Posted at 22:18h, 21 MarchOh my goodness, so beautiful ! I hope you will consider at least 1 smocked garment. This is such a special keepsake, and having done smocked garments for my babies, they are special now, most especially since my children are grown. And you can’t get this time back! Love your work and inspiration.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:15h, 01 AprilThank you, Darby, and who knows ~ I may change my mind. Birdie has received several family heirloom quality smocked garments and they truly are so special 😉
Heather Mayfield
Posted at 04:26h, 30 AprilSmocked dresses are all the rage in the UK because Princess Charlotte is always dressed very traditionally for public outings – a smocked dress, a cardigan, socks and Mary Jane’s I suppose it is her uniform!