What are you sewing for spring? Now that the weather is suddenly gorgeous here in New York, I’m feeling energized and ready to make all sorts of things!
I was looking through Little Things to Sew again the other day (just going into its fourth printing, hurray!), thinking about all the things I could make for S again.
First of all, there’s the bias-trimmed smock, which is (obviously) perfect for gardening, as demonstrated by the most adorable little girl in the world and her smelly flower.
Of course we’ll need a Tea Party Sundress and matching doll dress for the warm weather.
S has been wearing her Red Riding Hood to school in the mornings when it’s still a bit chilly. It gets cold along the water when she’s riding on the back of the bike, and the cape looks pretty adorable on her.
We still love the Penguin Backpack, which is a nice size for short excursions. S brought her backpack to the library the other day during our Crafternoon event. It was just the right size for her current stitching project and embroidery hoop, and she also included a few toys so she wasn’t bored when she had to hang out with the grown-ups at the Oyster Bar at Grand Central afterwards.
Todd and S sometimes carry their matching Messenger Bags, and they look pretty awesome with them. They hold a lot of stuff and are great when we take a picnic over to the East River and have a lot to carry.
I never made S an Explorer Vest and probably should! The pockets would be really handy for all the little toy animals she likes to tote around.
And, of course the Bucket Hat. Perfect for sunny days and time spent at the beach.
Also useful for picnics is the Bento Box Lunch Carrier. We like this because S can bring her own favorite foods, and when we arrive she can open it and use it as a little placemat (which also helps to prevent spills on the picnic blanket).
And then there’s the Bear Carrier. Bear still goes almost everywhere with us. When Bear doesn’t go, another doll takes his place.
And one last project. The Art Smock, which probably gets used more for messy meals at our house than for art projects. (We save the really messy projects to do when we’re at the studio.) But we’re planning some big-scale art projects for this spring (fabric dyeing, anyone?) and the smock will be a necessity.
I’ve got to say, S and her friends have grown so much since Laurie Frankel took these photos! It’s been fun to look back at the book to see how many of these items are still in heavy use at our house. It’s definitely time to make a few of them in larger sizes and remake the projects that are starting to wear out after heavy use.
What about you? Do you have a favorite project from the book?
I made raincoats for my two year-old twins out of the Red Riding Hood pattern. They (and everyone else) love them, and are getting good use out of them this rainy spring week.
Explorer Vest! The reason I go into Oliver and S. I have made 9 or 10 of them so far. This has become my go to boys gift.
But great for the girls too!
I love the red riding cape. I made one for my 4 yr old last year in a dark pink cord with butterfly fabric lining which she loves. It was allot easier to make than I first thought. Both my girls wear all their little bucket hats that I’ve made. I really need to get a wriggle on to make all the other adorable items. I have a thing for little houses, so they may be next! I love the bias trim apron, that has to be near the top of my list too. Thanks for making such a great sewing book.
Hi! I have your book and I have trouble deciding what to make next- they are all so adorable! Luckily my baby is not yet two so plenty of time to make them all 🙂
I was wondering if you could help with something, if you could please point me in the direction of the pattern for the little green and white stripped dress featured on the girl in the doll tea party sundress photo. It appears to me to be a different pattern to the tea party sundress. Thank you for your help 🙂
Alecia, that dress was provided by Tea Collection for the photo shoot. Unfortunately, it’s not available as a pattern.
I would like to know how to get a pattern for the little bear carrier. I am giving my great niece, who will soon bea big sister, a baby doll and would love to make a carrier to give her also.
Kathy, it is included in Liesl’s book Little Things to Sew.