It's back and better than ever!

I started a post titled "What to do when your creative mojo abandons you?" about a month ago and it started like this.....

"It's official, it's gone, I mean really gone, I have utterly and completely lost my creative drive and energy. It left me literally mid-project the proof being the partially constructed dress left still in the hoop and attached to my embroidery machine that now sits dormant on my sewing table. That sewing table, once piled high with so many projects in the works it was difficult to choose which to work on when I got the chance now just sits there vacant except for the embroidery machine, dress still attached. It sits neatly in the corner of my bedroom, the first thing I see when I enter the room, a constant reminder of what is lost."

Well I don't know how or why, but one day it just out of the blue reappeared and I suddenly had a dozen projects I just couldn't wait to dive into. I'm really not one to look a gift horse but I can't help but ponder what it might have been that triggered creative inspiration to return. I have several therories, among them the weather(i sew most in the warmer months especially sundresses for my girls), an email announcing new arrivals at my favorite online fabric store, Farmhouse Fabrics, or maybe it was an overpriced dress I saw that I was convinced I could replicate and make even better by putting my own spin on it. Whatever it  was, I"m grateful.

I have been sewing every free moment I get and I have a newfound confidence to branch out and try things I never would have considered in the past, but more on that a bit later.

The project that got me back in the groove was from a Jackie Clark Pattern that I've had in my stash for quite a while. The pattern makes a cute little sleeveless top and pull on pant for babies and toddlers. Here is the link to the  Jackie Clark Designs website to learn more and find a retailer near you or online.

I think I was inspired to use the pattern because it only goes to size 4T and my youngest turns four in July, I couldn't bear the thought of this adorable pattern going to waste.  I  had also recently bought a sweet floral print fabric that looked amazing paired with some pink gingham I've had forever and never used. 

I have used a couple of Jackie Clark patterns now and I have found them to be incredibly user friendly for sewers of all skill levels and would even be a fantastic pattern for someone brand new to sewing garments. The Britches & Bloomers pattern, shown above, includes the basic pull on pant and easy to follow instructions for several variations and embellishments. Options include patch pockets, a contrast hem or cuff and contrast ruffled hem with or without rick rack. There is also the pattern for a darling (and easy to make!) popover top that is trimmed in contrast bias tape and embellished with a fun little flower pocket, template and instructions for flower pocket included. You can make the top even easier to construct by using premade or packaged bias tape. Last but certainly not least, is a pattern and template for a absolutely adorable little purse featuring a birdie applique. 

I was able to make an entire three piece ensemble in an afternoon, each piece took an hour or less and was fun and easy to assemble. I chose to make the pant with the contrast ruffle trimmed in rick rack. I made my own matching bias trim for the top and rather than the flower pocket I embellished it with a little machine embroidered flower, any excuse to use my new embroidery machine! The little birdie purse was a huge hit with my daughter, she didn't really think much of the top and pant but carried the bag everywhere for a week(in fact I couldn't find it to photograph it for this post). So here are a few photos of my completed outfit.

 I'm sure many of you in the sewing/crafty blogosphere have heard of a great blog called Dana Made It. Quite some time back she shared a tutorial for a cute and easy to make little skirt she named The Market Skirt. Here is her version and the LINK to the tutorial on her blog.

I had been wanting to make this little number but I never could find just the right fabric and after a while it got buried in my vast collection of projects, patterns and tutorials and I forgot all about it. Then on a recent trip to Joann's there it was, the perfect fabric, as soon as I saw it I remembered the Market Skirt tutorial and couldn't wait to rush home and get started. I have to be honest, the fabric on it's own is a bit much and it's what I refer to as "ugly cute" so ugly it's almost cute, no offense to anyone really, just my opinion, but for this skirt......adorable.

The pattern pieces are cut from a chart with measurements for each piece. The tutorial has clear and concise instructions for following along and features lots of photos. I may have misread the directions for the waistband  or miscut my fabric but I had to reduce the size of the waistband piece in order for it to look like the skirt in the photos and to fit my daughter who wears the same size as the skirt in the tutorial but other than that it was a breeze to construct and turned out so so cute! Here is my take on the Dana Made It Market Skirt.

I have many many works in progress that I can't wait to share. I'm excited to be broadening my sewing horizons and trying a lot of new and challenging  projects and techniques. I think what I'm most excited about is that I'm finally making things for myself! Everything from skirts and dresses to bags and even some pretty little chemise style nighties for hot summer nights! 

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!