Experiments in Construction and Composition

First Magic Baby Reversible Overalls
An experiment that worked

I am swimming in experiments. This past week, just as I am working like crazy on my fall and winter etsy line, I dropped my camera and broke it. Sigh. Since I can't show you what I am currently working on, I decided I'd show you my very first reversible overalls prototype, created several years ago. The design is very cute, with two bodices to play with and a cute crossed back strap. In addition to loving the challenge of creating reversible designs, something which sets my Magic Baby clothing apart, I also love the challenge of figuring out ways to create design elements that will allow my clothing to fit for a very long time. This experiment worked in that regard, too, going from baby to toddler quite easily.

Miss E was just a baby when she first wore
these.

I pieced one side of the overalls using a re-purposed wide wale corduroy blouse and some fun, striped cotton upholstery left over from making pillow case edges years ago.
On the reverse, I used a decorator-weight cotton sateen in light blue, and added pockets lined with the stripe, all of which blended beautifully with a fall leaf fabric in cotton. The colors were perfect for my red-headed granddaughter!

As cute as the design came out, there were  some problems I discovered while testing out my ideas. First of all, there is no leg opening for ease of diaper changes in this initial design. Since making it, I have, of course, made allowances for adding either snaps or snap tape to baby sizes.

Secondly, with the back bodice design including built-in crossed straps, the shoulder tabs would have needed to be lengthened in order for me to make them adjustable. I made this adjustment, as well.

Finally, the gathering into the bodice is adorable, but perhaps not great for a boys design, which would look better with pleats or straight. This, of course, is an easy design change that I have made moving forward.

In the end, I have saved this cute design as a special one for my own grandbabies, and have created four simplified overall designs for my Magic Baby line. I do love this one, though, and seeing it makes me want to sew up a new pair!

 

Spring is for Sewing

Robot Double Flannel Blankie

I love this time of year, don't you? With the days slowly growing longer, I feel more energetic. More energy means more fun, creative time in my world. I have been busy so far this week, trying to keep up with the piles on my sewing table. I sew during the day, but at night I like to hang out with my husband, so that is often when I size out my patterns, or cut out new pieces to be sewn.  This week, I have tried to move things along, sewing a bit on this one, a bit on that one. I was really pleased with the little robot flannel reversible jacket I am finishing up. It matches the Robot Snuggle flannel blankie already finished. I'll show you pix soon. By the way, my snuggle blankies are adorable, and I have several listed in my etsy shop. They make great shower gifts, as well. They are designed to be perfect for both infants and toddlers, with two sides, rounded corners, embroidered edges, and a tag for dragging : )

Last night I received my first custom order from Italy. The client ordered my always popular Little Frenchy dress in pink and lime green. This one is single-sided, but I also love making the reversible ones. I am partial to the design first, because I think it is so cute and, secondly, because it is the first design I made for my Magic Baby Designs. Love it! Single sided or reversible, Little Frenchy dresses are available from newborn babies to girl's size 8. Here are a few examples. Hope you love them as much as I do : )

This one is in traditional French Provence colors. It's completely reversible and height adjustable.

Look at these sweeties, two Little Frenchies! Oh yes, the design is available as a reversible overall, too.

 

A Little Frenchy baby dress