The Train To Crazy

Project Run & Play Week Three

I have survived Project Run & Play another week! Did you see all the boy outfits last week? So impressive! This week's challenge is to make something from another decade. What do you think when you hear that? Flapper dresses? 60's dresses? I turned to google images for a little inspiration. Every time I found a dress I loved I realized it wouldn't look good on a little girl (or be inappropriate) or it would probably be a popular choice. Then I realized the obvious choice for me was the right one. So I did a little google image research on dresses from the 1910's. That's right. I was totally inspired by Downton Abbey. Don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about because it is only the best show on TV right now!

The Edwardian Era of dress fascinates me. That transition from corsets to modern dress that happened during WWI was amazing. Shorter skirts over long skirts, sheer fabrics, straight skirts, oh my! And, of course, there was a huge difference in dress from 1910 to 1919. 

These are a few of the dresses I drew inspiration from. Yes, those are the sisters of Downton Abbey. Oh Edith and Mary, you vicious girls. Though I must admit I have a lot more grace for Mary. And Cybil, dear Cybil is the best. Love her character! Who is your favorite?

Enough about my inspiration, let's get to the dresses!

Two dresses because I can hardly make one for one girl and not the other. And, of course, their little sister is wondering why she didn't get a fancy dress.

This pink fabric is a taffeta from JoAnn Fabrics. I love the gathers. She picked it out so it probably isn't a traditional Edwardian Era color but who can deny this girl her pink dress? The floor length skirt is layered with a knee length over skirt of the same fabric, as was traditional at that time. The waistband is black satin and the shoulder straps are a gray silk. The top is fully lined, of course. The back is closed with an invisible zipper. It turns out invisible zippers are difficult when you have so many layers and pleats, etc. I've never had so much trouble getting a zipper to work right!

The second dress is made from a gorgeous satin from JoAnn Fabrics. The satin looks like it has a lace overlay and is very feminine without being too girly. The bodice is fully lined and the skirt is floor length. The top is overlayed with a black chiffon. If you have ever worked with chiffon you know its difficulties. I hemmed the neckline and the sleeves with a gorgeious trim that I think adds the perfect touch to the top. The dress is finished with a velvet wasitband. The back is closed with a zipper again.

What do you think? Did I hit the mark on the Downton Abbey style? We will just ignore the fact that during this era children stopped being dressed like adults. I love the adult style way too much to deny a little girl just a beautiful dress!

Now go on over and VOTE for me in Project Run & Play. Voting is in the top left sidebar on their website. I'd love your vote if you like my dresses! I'm hoping to stay in at least one more week!

Project Run & Play Week Two

***Have you been to Heart & Felt yet? Will you support my kids and their effort?***

Week two of Project Run & Play is here! It is Boy Week and I made "The Peddler". The outfit is completely inspired by Caps for Sale. Do you know that book? It is a favorite around here. I highly recommend it if you haven't read it.

I made these gray wool pants with a soft ribbed waistband, fly, front pockets, back flap pockets, pieced knees and ribbed ankle bands (perfect for growing boys!). 

The sweater is made from an adult sweater. I loved the stripe pattern and it is hard to find good sweater material. The burnt orange chevrons were sewn onto the sleeve to create a more modern, boy feel.

The knees are peiced. I rotated the pattern so they would stand out a bit and double topstitched just like the pockets and inseams.

And the caps. OH THE CAPS! Yes, I made them all. I used the Little Cap pattern. They are in the traditional colors of the book. I added appliqués to most of them for added appeal. There are nine in total. NINE. What was I thinking? Imagine getting a three year old to sit still enough to keep them stacked upright.

I happen to love the rolled ribbed cuff. This style would be especially great for quick growers and early walkers. 

So what do you think?? Go on over and VOTE!

Project Run & Play Week One!!

Project Run & Play is here!! Have you seen this week's challenge? Will you be playing along for the reader prize?? You should!

This week's challenge was to do a pattern remix of the Junebug Dress by Craftiness is Not Optional. 

Cute, right?

Now do you want to see how I remixed this pattern? Let me present:

MOD RECESS WEAR

Using a directional satin print I lengthened the sleeves and added a band at the elbows. Shortened the button placket and made the skirt a bubble style. Oh, and it is SHORT so we call it a tunic. It's cute. I like it. She likes it.

You'll need leggings or jeans for this one though! Which is why this is perfect for the playground! 

Here's the problem. I didn't LOVE the dress. I just wasn't excited about it. So I made another. But it is quite a diversion from the original pattern.

Yep, shortalls. I absolutely love it. These are made with linen. Beatiful gray linen. No sleeves, rolled cuff, exposed zipper. Yes, two exposed zippers. I love that recent trend and had to include it here. It just fits this style well. Plus when a girl's got to go she's got to go and fussing with 10 buttons isn't going to work!

Great alone with sandals or with leggings and boots. I imagine a long sleeve shirt would be fabulous too but it was 87 degrees Wednesday when we shot these photos. I wasn't that mean.

Though I do have to appologize for all the blurry photography. I'm not sure what was up with me that day. But apparently it wasn't just me. We were all a little off...

And I can't even describe how ridiculous they were here when I said, "PLEASE be serious for a second so we can get a good photo of you together!"

But there were some smiles.

See the zipper?

I cannot wait until those two top teeth finally fall out. They have both been crooked and dangling forever!

So go vote for ME the best remixed outfit at Project Run & Play! Voting opens Friday!