Sew Where Have I Been?

 It's been a loooong while since I blogged.  The main culprit is my sewing machine, my serger, my stash of fabric, and all the patterns I want to sew.  Also to blame are my three girls, who looks so darn precious in everything I make that I just want to make more and more and more.  I sew almost daily now, and it's caused me to neglect my blog.  

To try and resuscitate LifeAsASias, I am going to start with a blog about the things I've sewn over the last few months.  About 8 months ago, I bought my first pattern.  Prior to buying patterns, I self-drafted stuff or used free tutorials.  Some of it turned out great, like circle skirts and some t-shirt up-cycles.  

Adorable halter rompers and one of Katy's favorite skirts, all made without a pattern.

Prior to actually trying a digital pattern, I was so intimidated by patterns in general.  I had leisurely read a few old paper patterns and felt so overwhelmed by them.  I assumed all patterns were full of this technical language I couldn't understand. It turns out I was so wrong.  Digital patterns are awesome-sauce.  They are so much easier to use than those old paper patterns.  They have loads of pictures and instructions.  And most pattern makers now have there are online sewing groups full of experienced sewists ready and willing to help out, often with the very pattern you are sewing.  Digital patterns were a game changer for me! 

Chris suggested we take some nice photos of the girls in their first matching outfits I made using some digital patterns.  In hindsight, it was a good idea because I finished these just as the pandemic sent everyone into hibernation.  The girls outgrew them before we were able to start getting out again.  

Since those first pieces, I've sewn more articles of clothing than I can count.  Chris no longer suggests we take photos in any of them.  Instead, I think he secretly rolls his eyes at the amount of clothes hanging in our girls' closets and wonders why I continue to sew.  He has also asked me to sew him something multiple times.  

As much as I want to sew for someone else, I just can't stop sewing for my girls.  I know my window of time is already pretty narrow with Katy.  Soon she will become a lot more opinionated about what she wants to wear and will want mainstream styles and brands. And while I have a little more time with the twins, they won't want to dress alike once they learn they can pick their own clothes.  I have to take advantage of this time while I can. 

So, at first I sewed exclusively wovens.  

Matching rompers from Bebekins Patterns.  One of my favorite patterns.

Skirted Rompers.  These were so great.

Wrinkle free vintage fabrics for the win!

I've made so many diaper covers and bubble shorts.

Matching unicorn dresses because Katy loves unicorns.

Then I started up-cycling thrifted garments and sheets, and sewing with thrifted fabrics.  Get ready for a lot of projects because I really enjoy up-cycling.  It's great to breathe new life into an unwanted piece of fabric.  Thrifted fabrics also wrinkle a lot less than100 percent cotton wovens because they often contain some synthetic fibers. 

Katy wanted a maxi skirt.  A thrifted sheet was perfect.

The blue was one of Chris' shirts that he didn't wear.  This was a learning project.

A huge men's shirt was enough to make the skirt on this top, and....

enough for these rompers for the twins too!

Possible my greatest thrift store find: $3 for all this gorgeous fabric!

The same dress but styled differently; a really great thrift store find!

Ruffle bloomers from a vintage sheet and a thrifted pillowcase.

A shirt to match the ruffle bloomers!

A thrifted flamingo sheet. 

This was a huge women's tunic from The Gap.

A thrifted orange sheet and some thrifted fabric.

I really like the neckline on the back of this one.

The blue is from a thrifted men's shirt and is such dreamy fabric!

A women's linen skirt became these overall playsuits.

The overall playsuits match EVERYTHING.

Yes, they match EVERYTHING!

A vintage floral duvet cover and some thrifted poly-cotton.

One more picture of these because I just love this floral.

The plaid was a thrifted men's shirt.  I really like the curved hem.

Perfect fall dresses. 

As my confidence grew,  I started trying more difficult modifications to patterns.  

For my brother's wedding I tried netting overlay.

I added a high-low skirt and a satin lining.

And the back was pretty killer too with those straps and a sash.

This was a lot of work.

Used some of my fancy stitches.

Those straps again!

Most recently, I've started sewing more with knits. 

Made from a thrifted dress and athletic pants.  There will be lots of
peplums come spring!

 

Katy was over the moon for her first mama-made leotard.

There are more makes, but I'll stop there because I really need to get back to my sewing.  Just kidding!  Kind of....