Little Lizard King: Harbor Dress-Sew Patriotic!

We got back from our trip to New Mexico earlier this week and can I just say that I just really missed my sewing machine! I was excited to get working on some projects I had been obsessing over the entire 820 mile drive home. I have been crushing on the Harbor pattern by Little Lizard King for a while. I just love the military style details in this pattern. It was perfect for creating a fun patriotic dress for the Fourth of July! The full gathered skirt kept it sweet and feminine and the peplum gave it a bit of a vintage feel. It reminds me something Agent Carter might wear.

If you haven't noticed already, I kind of like anything antique or vintage. I have a modest collection of vintage Pyrex and other housewares that makes me almost as happy as sewing does. I like to think about the history of an item. While they are just "things" I know that they were a part of someone's everyday life. I enjoy imagining what that life was like. I get really excited about creating thing that have story behind them too and this dress has a little "story" in it.  While I was brainstorming about what comes to mind when I think of the Fourth of July, of course, Stars and Stripes, Red White and Blue, Sparklers, Watermelon, and Fireworks all popped into my head. Then, I thought about our military. My Grandfather, Uncle, and Brother have all served in the military and worn a uniform. They are just a few of the many that have worn a uniform for us, for our country. While we were on our trip, my brother let me have one of his old uniforms and I knew it would be perfect to use for this dress. I used the entire length of a pant leg for the bow on the back!

I hope this gives you some inspiration to sew-up your own patriotic dress for the Fourth. You can get Little Lizard King's Harbor pattern HERE.

Made for Mermaids: Daphne at Red Oak II

My little brother went into the Air Force straight out of high school. For the past 11 years I've only seen him intermittently in between deployments. He has never lived somewhere within driving distance, so when he moved somewhere that was only 12 hours (more like 15 if you are traveling with kids) we were all thrilled! When he met a nice girl and asked her to marry him, we were even more thrilled, not just for his happiness, but because we know that means he will be around more! Ha ha! This week we all made trip halfway across the country to be here for his wedding. I obviously spent sometime thinking about and planning my family's outfits for the wedding. I still hadn't decided on what pattern I'd use for Pretty Mama's dress when I was asked to test Made for Mermaids' newest pattern, "Daphne". Sometimes, the stars just align and the perfect pattern presents itself and Daphne sure was the perfect pattern. I planned everyone else's outfits to coordinate with it. I will post some family pics from the wedding soon. Before we left, I had to get my tester photos done and I thought of the perfect location.

I had heard about Red Oak II and seen many photos taken there over the years and I had been dreaming of doing our own shoot there for a while. I mentioned it to my husband and he thought it sounded like fun. We packed up all the kids and headed out. Lowell Davis relocated many old buildings from his childhood hometown of Red Oak to his farm to create Red Oak II. This sort of Made Ghost town is like a giant piece of art filled with Davis' sculptures and chippy vintage goodness. It was an absolute dream to shoot there. My husband and I often take turns with the camera, so there is a good mixture of shots taken by both of us here.

This post is less of a pattern review and more about showcasing it's beauty! Made for Mermaids Daphne comes with options for top, dress, and Maxi length, It can be made with a full off the shoulder ruffle or off the shoulder flutters and can be made with or without tie straps. I made dress length with the flutters without straps.  I added a little scalloped lace to the flutters and I love how it looks, although it did change the way the flutters fell a bit. It was a super fast sew and it fit my daughter pretty perfectly.  She loves her dress and had to run and show daddy right away as soon as she tried it on.  We love it! Daphne and Mama Daphne release tomorrow! Make sure you pick them up. 

Anyway, We took lots of pictures! Enjoy!