One More Kinley

Just a few more pictures of yet another "Kinley". I know, you are probably getting sick of seeing this little kilt. The truth is, they are just too much fun to make. One of my testers said to me "They are kinda like M&M's you can't have just one!" as she was busy making her third "Kinley"! I took that as a great compliment. This time around I did manage to remember to take a few photos of the details of this design so you can see the wrap-around feature and also the buttons. I even have a few more kilts that are sitting here in a pile but I promise to give it a bit of a rest for a while and move onto something new. I am anxious to get back to sewing this week but I am testing out a new schedule trying really hard to find a balance between home school and designing/sewing time. Currently the plan is to do school 4 days a week Monday through Thursday and then I work the remaining three days. It's a constant struggle trying to juggle so many things and because I am a self confessed over achiever it's even more challenging. I wish there were about 10 more hours in each day to do all the things I would love to do, not only with my children but also in the studio, but I'm trying.

Dawn

What's Black & White And Cute All Over?

Here's yet another "Kinley", however this time I have styled the outfit in a bit more modern way.  Because not every little girl likes the "preppy look" here's "Kinley" with a sweet little peasant top that I designed with an A-line silhouette and a ruffle at the neckline and also a little flounce at the hem. Abby has fallen in love with both of these designs and commented that not only were they not as "babyish" but also "super comfy"! So, there you have it, straight from the source.

Dawn

Back To School

With "Kinley" just a few days away from it's release Abby and I decided to go out today and do a little photo shoot with her in one of my favorite outfits that I put together using "Kinley". I have to say this photo shoot was an absolute hoot because of the fact that we home school our children so Abby was a little upset by the fact that I chose to go to a traditional school to take these pictures. However, after a brief explanation she understood that I was just wanting to "set the mood" for the photos and then she "got it"! This pattern is so much fun and I've got a stack of "Kinley's sitting on my cutting table all finished and I have heard back from my testers and everything is a go. I just have to put the few finishing touches on the pattern and then I will release it. Just remember this pattern is completely customizable and you can adjust the length of the kilt to any length you like. Above the knee, at the knee or below it's up to you to choose. Keep a close watch for news of "Kinley" arrival in my shop and  all you other favorite shops that carry my designs.

Dawn

Fun With "Kinley"

While "Kinley" is out with my testers I decided to have some more fun with her as well. I can't tell you how much fun this pattern is to put together and easy too. In fact, one of my testers reported in and said "that she and her 9 year old daughter were putting their kilt together and even her 9 year old was having fun with this one." I see so many possibilities with this design and as I said before, it's written in a way that you get to customize it to be the perfect fit and length just with a few simple measurements. So, far today I have made up these two in between baking bread, home school lessons, laundry and so on and so forth. Therefore, it's pretty obvious that this is fast and easy.

First off, I made one up with some flannel I had in my stash and then paired it up with a sweater that Abby had from last year that still fits. Yeah, another outfit for fall. Then I made up the next one in some classic red plaid wool and paired it up a little blouse and a navy blazer over the top. Just imagine this with knee socks and little navy Mary Janes, cute cute cute!!! Next, I want to make one out of some soft denim, perhaps with a different colored stitching to add some interest and then one in yummy baby wale cord...and then maybe one in pique, or twill, Oh...the possibilities are endless and so much fun. You are going to love this pattern!!!

Dawn

Meet "Kinley"

"Kinley's Kilt"

 "Kinley" with a classic blouse and a simple cardy.

"Kinley" with the little blouse I made the other day 

and a little hooded vest I made for Abby a while back.

Wow! I received a ton of email after my last post about this little skirt and it appears that I'm not the only mama out there who is frustrated with the clothing choices for our growing girls. Needless to say, I spent most of the weekend working on this new pattern for you! Meet "Kinley's Kilt". Love love love this one because in the pattern you get to decide how long you want the skirt to be. So, it's perfect for everyone and you can customize this one to fit any size. Even grown-ups! Although, I have to admit I haven't tried it in a grown-up size but, there isn't any reason why it shouldn't work for most women. I should get a mama to test it for me in an adult size. Speaking of testers, "Kinley" went out to my testers yesterday evening and fingers crossed I get great feedback and don't have to "tweek" very much. As you can see from the photos above this little skirt goes well with so many things. Just imagine it with a snappy little blazer and argyle socks. Especially if it were done in a great plaid! I am itching to make one of these in a wool plaid for Abby but sadly I didn't have any in my stash so I just may have to run out this week to see what I can find. Anyway, hope you like it and keep an eye out for news of "Kinley's" arrival in the shop soon! Yeah, finally a new pattern and more are on the way!!!

Dawn

I Feel A Bit Like A Mad Scientist

Warning. . . This is just a prototype, not a finished piece. 

It still needs a bit of "tweeking" here and there.

As I mentioned in my last post I am really beginning to grasp the challenges of wanting to dress Abby in a certain way, but taking into consideration that she is growing up and is now not so much of a little girl anymore. It had to happen at some point but I so wish I could stop the clock and keep her small just a little longer for my own selfish mommy reasons. But my spunky, happy-go-lucky 8 1/2 year old is wanting and needing to dress a bit differently these days. She is loving the shorter style skirts mixed and matched with fun tights or leggings and worn with boots. Comfy shirts with sassy little appliques of things she loves and cosy sweaters and fuzzy vests to snuggle up in. Who can blame her, that whole look is just adorable. So, I'm finding myself in new territory. Trying to mix my style with what Abby is wanting to wear. Still keeping things feminine and pretty and not "too grown-up" or "tasteless". . . and coming up with some new designs.

This morning I felt like a bit of a mad scientist stepping into my lab and mixing up some new experiments. The skirt above was my attempt at "What tweens want". A wrap around skirt with a wider waist that has just a bit of elastic in the back for shaping. Then the bigger pleats, each one stitched down to give it a more polished look. There is a hidden button on the inside to secure the wrapped part of the skirt and on the outside two loops to catch the buttons on the side. As you can see I've not even sewn on the buttons yet, but I did try it on Abby and she loved it!! In her own words "Now, this is what I'm talking about!" Okay, well then, it's official, I don't think I'm going to be able to get her in a pinafore ever again. 

I knew this day would come and I know there are going to be a lot more changes around the corner. Before I know it she is going to be a real teenager and then the real fun will begin. With my oldest just turning 13 last week I am now a mom to a teen. Wow, how did that happen? It seems like just a few weeks ago he was a new babe in my arms and now he is talking about college, driving and managing his own money. Okay, I'm getting a little misty here so I should wrap this up before I start rambling and blubbering. 

I just wanted to show you what I was working on and say "Hi"! Oh, I'm not sure if this is going to become a pattern or not it depends on interest and time. 

Dawn