17 March 2011

A Tree is Nice: Me!

First of all, Happy St. Patrick's day from my two Clovers!  I made sure that all my baby dills had a bit of green on before I sent them off to their pincer clad classmates.  Olive even put green rubber bands around her ears and called herself a leprechaun.  What joy to be a kid.
Second of all, I feel like a stranger on my own blog!  It's been such a treat to have all this creativity buzzing around with my guest seamstresses, hasn't it?  I'm glad to be here today, though.  It just happened to work out that my post today has everything to do with green.  Sometimes I'm lucky like that ;)


This is a book that was given to me by a dear friend from Dallas, back during our grad school days.  I would try to describe it, but some books just need to be experienced:  A Tree is Nice, by Janice May Udry.
Every page contains one of the virtues of trees.
All of which are very nice.
For my inspired project, I made Azure a tree-esque outfit.  I've been accused of making clothes that are impractical before.  I admit I enjoy doing the fancier, tailored type of clothes.  It's my preference, what can I say?  But every now and again I get a hankering for something playful and more casual.
I used my Divine Ruffled Bloomer tutorial but made a couple of changes.  I lengthened them as well as lined them with a matching shade of knit, since Azure likes to wear them as pants, not just under a dress or tunic.  Just cut out a second pair in the knit and sew them up as a single pair, with the knit layer lined up on the wrong side of the ruffled fabric.
The tree fabric is a sheer that I found in the home dec portion [I think it's a curtain fabric?] at a store in Japan.  Usually when working on a project I'm rather bored of the fabric I use by the time I finish.  This time around, though, I found myself falling more deeply in love with it.
Every other illustration is in color.  It makes me want to go by myself a hoe and a basket of flowers to hang in my tree.

My mom found these sheer embroidered leaves in Korea and gave me a branch worth.  I made a little pocket for acorn gathering.


I won't give away the fun little ending, but really, the whole book is delightful.
The top was made using an easy-peasy pattern, McCall's 3591, but I lined the bodice with a white knit and left the sleeves as a single layer of sheer.


It just might make you go out, climb a tree, give it a hug,
or maybe even a kiss!

* * *
If you're a procrastinator like I am, take a look at Bloom's new shop, full of inexpensive St. Patty's day printables for cupcake toppers, wrappers, and scavenger hunt clues!  Your kids will think you rock.  Because you do.

38 comments:

  1. This is so pretty and peaceful looking. I love the fabric, love the pants, the pockets are great.

    The only thing I wish is that you didn't use such awesome fabric to make me drool and wish I could take a trip somewhere exotic and buy fabric and sheer leaves:). ;)

    Great job! As always!

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  2. Christie-I know, I'm such a meany. Please forgive?

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  3. I would like to hug that tree hugger! Wonderful, as usual!

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  4. This looks lovely and comfy...perfect combination!

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  5. That is one of our favorite books, in fact, we are now on our second copy as the other one was loved to pieces. Simply beautiful clothing Katy.
    Warmly,
    Tracey

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  6. The trunk legs on that cutie are clever. You are branching out!

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  7. O my gosh this is so cute! I want this in adult size :-D

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  8. You make the most amazing things! I need to find some sewing skills somewhere.

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  9. What a delightful book and gorgeous outfit. I love the fabrics you've used!! Thanks for the lining tips too. This is on my to do list. :)

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  10. Wow! This is beautiful! One of my favorite books...and such a lovely outfit.

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  11. Is the pattern for the top the toddler seperates? When I googled the pattern, I got all kinds of Mccall's 3591 patterns.

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  12. The Merk-ster-It is McCalls 3591 that includes Toddler's dresses, tops, pull-on capri pants and headscarf. I made view B, but lengthened it by a few inches, but the dress would also be cute with leggings.

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  13. I want a shirt just like that for my daughter! It's perfect. I enjoy that book very much also.

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  14. katy, you never cease to amaze me with your clever ideas... are you published yet? you need a book deal & i would for sure buy your book :)

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  15. how much do I love that book? and this outfit--I am picturing already the boy version ;-) thanks, katy!

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  16. nest full of eggs-oh, how you flatter :)

    mama-pan-oooh! yes, please do a boy version!

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  17. Oh my! I love it! What an adorable outfit. You amaze me!

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  18. You are so creative. I really love this outfit. I recently discovered your blog and am a frequent reader. I am really enjoying the Once upon a Thread series. What a great idea!!

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  19. It is all so very cute, by I am extra in love with the print of the top.

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  20. LOVE that the leggings are ruffle-tastic. I am pretty much AH-mazed by everything you do, practical OR fancy.

    Just Another Day in Paradise

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  21. We love you just the way you are, fancy and all!

    And this outfit is stunning, I love the shirt best.

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  22. Katy, everything you make is just amazing! This outfit included! Your blog is my absolute favorite!!

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  23. Oh I was dying to know what you were going to make for this book. I love it! Its so clever and tree-ish without being too literal and kitchy. Its perfect. I love that book too. And I am extra jealous that its actually tree-climbing weather where you live.

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  24. beautiful! those fabrics are just spectacular as is the outfit!

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  25. That leaf fabric is sooooOOOOooo fabulous. I want that shirt! Only bigger. Because I'm pretty sure that one doesn't fit me.

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  26. I love those pants/leggings. I need to make my daughter some!

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  27. Anything trees is my favorite! My husband built our babies a tree bookshelf. It really looks exactly like a tree. I think we need this book. And our little Vivian needs this outfit! I love your style! And I'm addicted to sewing!

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  28. love love love those pockets!

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  29. Very pretty! And what a nice detailling...

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  30. Katy, I love all that you do. Where do you get your ruffle fabric?

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  31. My boys thought those leaf pockets were fantastic!

    What a fun outfit! I remember wearing a yellow dress with a yellow leotard and tights under it to school as a child; I called it my sunshine outfit.

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  32. Oh katie, this might be one of my favorite photo set-ups of yours. It really makes me want to jump in a tree too. Everything feels like a breezy summer afternoon, where you just hang out and watch time go by (in a state that's not 100 degrees and humid :)).
    Beautiful clothing, book, and photos!

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  33. Well, isn't that just about the loveliest little spring outfit around? I'd love a more complete view of the top, to get the full effect of the layered sheer fabric.

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  34. Just adorable! What a fun set of pictures! Thanks for the book rec, too - just added it to my list of books for my daughter's upcoming 4th birthday.

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  35. Tiffany Graham-There is a link in the post to a great source for the ruffled fabric with a huge variety of fun fabrics.

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  36. Beautiful project and pictures! It is charming and sweet, and I love the breezy feel.

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