This weekend I’ve been a very busy bee. I was inspired by these pictures of a SWAP (sewing with a plan) contest, and by these pictures of Debbie Cook’s SWAP page. Miss O really needs some summer playclothes that match. It so happens that I have some excellent fabric in my stash that is bright and cheery, and they are colors that look nice on Miss O. (She and I can’t wear the same colors.) The big challenge with this wardrobe comes from the fact that, here in the desert, sunburns are a big problem. So her clothes need to be cool enough to play outside in, but also offer sun protection. Also, I want her to be able to wear these clothes next summer, too, so I’m making them all a size larger. I went thru all of my kid patterns to come up with some fairly easy things to sew. Here’s the page I drew up of all the things I’ll be making. I narrowed it down to Kwik Sew Sewing For Toddlers, OTTOBRE, Jalie 2005, and two New Look patterns.
You can click here to see photos from this project: http://bramblestitches.typepad.com/photos/olgas_summer_swap/collage51.html

Finished! Tan stretch baby wale corduroy. (Still no camera batteries… I’m looking!) I also made these purposefully too large, then made up for it by shortening the bottom band on the cuff of the legs. I also put elastic in the back of the waistband, and turned these into button fly pants, since I didn’t have an appropriate zipper. I also omitted the star-shaped back pockets. She’s wearing these today, and looks so cute! Mistakes I made: I didn’t interface the waistband, and with stretchy fabrics that is a big no-no. I also should have interfaced the leg cuffs, or at least used stay tape on the seams. I like these pants a lot, so I’ll probably make more, and I’ll do it right next time. Even so, these are quite wearable.

Finished the long sleeve shirt 23.04.2006. This is super cute! I used the floral for the center front and back, and the pink tie dye for the front side panels and sleeves. I hemmed the sleeves and body with a lettuce edge.