Because I love you: Up My November Sleeve

Oh, yes!  

I am concocting another Once Upon a Thread!  If you're new here, this is an event where I invite guest bloggers to join me in a bit of sewing inspiration from children's books.  Here's a glimpse from the March fun we had:

Instead of being a month long, though, it will last just two weeks.  Two lovely, sweet weeks that I will savor!  I would, of course, like everyone to play along, but here are the guest bloggers I have lined up, some returning, and some first-time guests, all amazingly talented women:

Anneliese from Aesthetic Nest

Ashley from Li'l Blue Boo

Christy from A Lemon Squeezy Home

Dana from MADE

Delia from Delia Creates

Elizabeth & Liz from Simple Simon & Co

Vanessa from V and Co.

What are the rules?

I want this to be fun.  If you want to use a pattern, great!  [Just give credit if you've used someone's tutorial or pattern.]  If you want to come up with something completely your own, kudos!  It can be something literal, like an outfit from the book, or something more abstract inspired by the words and story. You are welcome to do clothes for kids, clothes for you, toys, accessories, games, whatever strikes your needle, just as long as it's made by you.  Knitters and crocheters are also welcome.  I'm not picky, hehehe.

What else should you know?

In addition to inspirational work of you and the above bloggers, there is going to be a ThanksGiveaway Day on Thanksgiving based on the theme of sewing, children's books, and reading.

When is this party starting?

Beginning November 14th and going until the 25th.  I will do a wrap-up and feature of some of YOUR projects after that, as well as announce winners of the giveaways, so make sure you add your projects to the Once Upon a Thread Flickr group. 


To see the projects from March, click on the link on my sidebar.

    Now get sewing! 

Stone Soup

Did you think I'd ever get this posted?  I didn't either.  But here it is: my first inspiration of the Once Upon a Thread Series!

I know there are a lot of versions of this story, but I adore this particular version of Stone Soup, set in China with three monks and a quaint little village.  Just take a look at the cover, with the little girl peering into the huge pot.

I used a vintage pattern for the overalls, the Oliver + S Music Class blouse, and the bubble skirt [aka the pot] was my own pattern.

The story begins with the question "What makes one happy?" and the oldest monk goes on to show them where happiness is found...

I took out the seam allowances along the outer edges of the overalls and straps and just used bias to finish it instead of a facing...easy peasy without the added bulk, since it's a quilted, double sided fabric.  I placed the pocket too low, after reviewing these photos and think I'll remove and lift it because it's going to bother me every time she puts these on.

Back to the book: the villagers are all suspicious of the new comers and retreat into their homes and spy on the monks...

...all except for a little girl who decides to help them make their stone soup by fetching her mother's huge pot, whereupon the villagers' interest is piqued and they want to know how to make soup out of such lowly objects.

My large button love surfaced again on this project :)

The fabric for the overalls and the fabric I used for the bubble skirt lining came from fabric.com.

As the soup production progresses, one by one, the villagers bring offerings of herbs, spices, roots, vegetables, to make it tastier and tastier.

I am always on the lookout for simple white blouses for my baby dills to wear with skirts and sleeveless dresses on Sundays, and they seem like an endangered garment.  Why is that?  I found some luscious Italian woven cotton shirting at my most recent fabric outing [more on that later] and pulled it out for this sweet blouse.

Here are the detail photos of the buttonholes.  I did the top two button holes horizontal and the rest vertical, with the last one sewn with contrasting red thread and small, spherical milk glass buttons.  Very pleased with how it turned out.

In the end, the villagers bring their rice and steamed buns and gather for a village feast of stone soup.  Don't you love the lanterns all aglow?

Here's a peak at the lining of the bubble skirt: carrots!!

After supping on stone soup, the traditional entertainment of shadow puppets amuses the masses.

and the villagers learn that happiness comes from giving of themselves. 

And I had to incorporate the stones, right?  At first I attempted to drill my own buttons.  I bought my stone drill bit and had my stones ready, my goggles on...and I drilled and drilled and drilled all for a little dent.  I even called a friend whose husband is a stone expert, and then my dad just for a second opinion.  Slow and add water was the consensus.  As I exasperatedly put my drill down and walked out of the room, Ryan asked what I was going to do.  I told him I would find something on Etsy, you can find anything on Etsy, right?  And I did!  I fell in love with this set of drilled stones found at Allybean's shop.  She has some pretty amazing stones that she gathers and drills herself.  And! she sent an extra set with the ones I purchased for one of you!  I'll choose one of the comments left and even engrave some words of your choice.  What would you put on your three stones?

Some of you have asked if Once Upon a Thread will be an annual event.  I enjoyed it so much that, yes!  I think it will!  I'm even considering  do a bi-annual Once Upon a Thread for two weeks instead of the whole month.  It was suggested I even do a separate blog...which I have also mind mulled, but right now I'm leaning toward keeping it here, on no big dill.  

Someday: Cheri of I Am Momma Hear Me Roar

 Today is our very final guest!  Can you believe Once Upon a Thread is coming to an end?  I'm sad and relieved all at once, but have had such fun this month and been inspired by all those who participated.

  Cheri from I Am Momma Hear Me Roar is here today with one of her cute boys.  Cheri's blog is uplifting, if I could sum it up in one word.  Not only is she always positive, but she encourages others to be positive as well with her "Wake up Wednesday" challenges of doing something good in the world.

 Or her bag pattern that she made for the purpose of donating the proceeds toward the Japan Relief efforts, which was extremely well received.

 And then there is her creativity she uses for her boys.  What little boy wouldn't want Cheri as their mom!  Take a look at what they get to have as their bedroom!

What a treat to have Cheri with us today!

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Hey No Big Dill readers!  I am excited to be here today.  Katy's blog is incredible and packed full of creativity.

Today I'm sharing my very favorite children's book with you.  It's called "Someday."  It's simple and beautiful and frankly, it makes me tear up everytime I read it.

I love the simple, pretty illustrations.

The illustrations include a girl, but I don't have girls.  I have 2 boys, so I wanted to create an outfit that felt like this book.  The clothing the little girl wears almost always includes stripes.  It's baggy and free flowing.

So I used Dana's fabulous pants pattern to make comfy pants for my little guy.  I upcycled an old striped shirt from my husband.

Here they are.  I even left the shirt pocket on because I thought it landed in a cute place.

It's hard to see unless the photo is super close, but they are striped.

I based the shirt on this page.  My little guy loves to swing as high as I'll push him on the swings.

I used an exisiting shirt and stitched on a swing.  Then I wrote the words with a fabric marker.

"Then you were my baby.  Now you are my child."

This book helps me appreciate these moments when my children are so little.....

...because I know time is going to fly.

I wish I could show you all the pages, but here's the last one.

And here's the comfy number for my little guy.  Great for playing, running, and swinging.

Thanks for having me Katy.  It's been a fun month.  All of you are welcome at my place anytime.  Have a great day!

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What a perfect little play outfit!  Thank you for popping in today, Cheri!

Oh, What a Busy Day!: Rae of Made by Rae

all photos by Made by Rae

I think out of all the blogs I peruse, Rae's has my favorite bio photo of all.  It just makes me smile.  It is congruous with the general voice of her posts, witty, light-hearted, but informative.  

As I was plucking photos from her blog, Made by Rae, to introduce her here today, I clicked on her Buttercup Bag link and reminisced how I made this as my very first sewing giveaway on my blog a couple of years ago, back when I could count on my digits the number of people who read my blog.  Her instructions are easy to follow and enjoyable because of the way she writes.  I think perhaps she should write textbooks to liven things up for some poor students out there [did you know she used to teach physics?!]

Rae is a problem solver when it comes to sewing.  She doesn't just "make do," but really strives to make well, from her kid's clothes to her fun accessories.  I'm so pleased to have her here today!

Welcome, Rae!

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Hi No Big Dill Readers! Today I wanted to share a book with you that I find especially endearing and inspiring, along with an outfit I've made based on it. It's called "Oh what a busy day!" by Gyo Fujikawa:

I just love the illustrations in this book, full of bright colors and great design. This is a book that I loved so much as a child that by the time I was two I had much of it memorized. While my parents turned the pages I would recite the lines to them. These pictures in fact are taken from the very book my parents read to me, and now I'm the one reading it to my children!

One of the reasons I love it so much is that it captures the innocence and beauty of the carefree days of childhood:

How can you resist these round-headed cuties? This is something you'll find in all of Gyo Fujikawa's books, adorable cherubic children.

OK, so maybe not always so cherubic. But so true to life:

This little one in particular reminded me of my own round-headed cutie, my one and a half year old daughter Clementine. So I made her a little swingy polka-dot top, a pair of blue corduroy capris, and a little "daisy-chain" for her hair. This outfit evokes the busy days of childhood for me and is something she'll be able to run around barefoot in when it gets warmer outside.

 Eventually, all busy days must come to an end.

 You can see more pictures of the polka-dot outfit over on my blog, Made by Rae if you'd like. Thanks so much for inviting me Katy! It has been such a pleasure to follow along with all the great book-inspired projects this month!

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Clementine looks like she could hop right into this fun book!  I love those sewn in creases on the pants.  Thanks for visiting!