warm weather wardrobe for the girl

The hand-me-downs from Z to M stop at size 5, so this spring Little M needed some wardrobe padding.  I ordered yards of fabric and started tracing patterns from Happy Homemade, vol 2, which I possess in French.  It was given to me before an English version was available, and it speaks volumes that I still really like the patterns a decade later.  They're classic and lovely.  

But! Before I started stitching the several items from Happy Homemade, I slapped together two Geranium dresses (size 6).  Little M loves purple, and I don't especially, so I ordered some fabric we could agree upon.  The print is this; the solid is this double gauze, which has been a hit before.  My sewing is...meh.  I've made fifteen(?) Geraniums over the years, and I've become a bit careless.  These are meant for play dresses, and hopefully Little M will be moving so quickly the uneven hem and crooked sleeves won't be so obvious.  They just need buttons and button holes to be finished completely.  I dread the buttonhole step, and this time I'll need to make eight total.  

 

I've completed two Happy Homemade projects.  The first was a quick pair of shorts from a fabric remnant that I really like, but can't remember what it is so I can order more.  It's thicker than other dobby fabric I've ordered, perfect for durable, lightweight garments. (I would love to make myself a dress out of it in a different color, so if you know the maker, please share!) The shorts were a muslin, of sorts, so I could suss out Little M's size.  They're a bit big, so they should fit for the next two or three seasons.  The same for the top that I made.  It's in a dreamy, drapey lawn, and has no buttons (which is a bonus!) I added the sleeve pieces for the dress pattern (k-dress with flared sleeves) to the shirt (c- ribbon tied blouse) because Little M requested "fluffery" sleeves.  The same sleeves appear on one of the Geranium dresses above, but I learned a valuable hemming lesson when making the Geranium, and used bias tape rather than try to fold the curved hem twice.  I'm pleased with the results!  Little M has another dress, a skirt, and another pair of shorts coming, so that should fit her out for the summer.