Donation picture

Before M sends her hair off here's one last look of her donation.

Locks of Love: Before and After

M decided her hair was too long and in the way and really wanted to donate it to Locks of Love. So, she got it cut today; 13" total! At first she wasn't entirely sure that she liked it (I got a glimpse of shiny eyes in the car afterwards). For sure she didn't like how the stylist curled it up at the ends. We got home tonight and she tried on a new dress that we bought and put her hair in piggy tails (she says pig, I say pony) and was grinning from ear to ear as she LOVES the new look. Here are the before and after pictures (I forgot to take a picture right before we left and of course didn't remember to take the camera with - this is a picture of her right after her final orchestra concert of the year in May.

Ottobre swimsuit for a friend

Last December I made a swimsuit from Ottobre for a friend. Can't remember the details about which issue, etc. I lengthened the top to tankini length. The bottoms are boy cut and came out pretty tight. I also added a belt to this pattern per D's request.

Swimsuit Jalie 2447 Redux

Re-traced and re-made M's suit in a size P. For the torso on the tankini top I traced a P at the top and graduated it to an M on the bottom. I figured it would probably look good as an M still since it's not pulling from the front on this one. It's amazing how well a suit fits when you make the correct size! I also modified the bodice so that it crosses a bit higher in front. I marked approximately one inch higher at center front on the tracing paper and just pivoted the pattern piece and redrew the line to go through that mark. Worked very slick. She's much happier with the more modest neckline. I also added length on the top to the size R length.

The leg elastic on the bottoms is too tight. Since I made this with the full coverage I think I can take the elastic out and cut the front out a little to get the legs to fit more comfortably. I can't just replace the elastic with longer elastic as it's not actually gathered that much. The leg holes are just small and very low cut.

I also added a belt. M chose the placement . I think I would like it higher but she's happy so that's what counts. I much prefer the half belt sewn into the side seams to doing a full belt with beltloops.

Fabric is from Anne at Needlenook. I need to get some more and make another suit for M. Wonder what color she wants the next one and what Anne has in store for us. ;)

Swimsuit Jalie 2447

I made the the Jalie 2447 swimsuit for M and accidentally made the wrong size. I was supposed to make a P as the bust and hip measured P and I accidentally made an M. She measures M at the waist. Darn it. So, of course it's too small. The only thing is that the top is a little too big at the waist. I'm wondering if I should taper the torso part from a P to an L when I cut it out. Here's the pictures of how it looks now. You can see it pulling under the bust and really tight across the back. It only sticks out in the back waist. Is this telling me something?