About a year and a half ago I made this red shirt, but unfortunately I can’t find the “before” picture.  I was going for a “blousey-hide-my-belly feel” for the shirt and ended up making a mumu.  I wore it once, I think.  Now that I no longer feel the need to hide my belly (though I do need to work on more crunches), it was time to cut it up and try again.  I cut along the side seams, took off the sleeves and 3″ off the length.  I ended up with a more fitted, cap-sleeved top that I really like and matches my cute red shoes.  It took about a 1/2 hour to redo this top and I know I will get much use out of it this summer.  I just wish I had originally put the gathering a bit lower so it would go under my bust.  Oh well, I’m not going to redo it at this point.

Then, Anya needed a new swimsuit.  Her other one is getting some pretty decent fading from the weekly swimming lessons and the bottoms were a bit tight.  I have the hardest time drafting the bottoms.  I made these a little bit bigger and they still aren’t quite right. *sigh*  At least I have a bunch of black, so I can make her new ones no problem.  The top strap on this suit is just meant to be tied up behind her neck in a knot.  I left it continuous so it won’t be dragging when she changes into it, and she can just flip it over her head.  I think for the next suit that I am going to do it over one shoulder so she won’t have to deal with straps.  Must work on that design.  Fortunately I have plenty of swim fabric to test it out!

*****

I’m working on some projects right now – namely a basket of little boy stuff for a charity auction.  I have a hat, burp cloths and a blanket.  Now I just need to make a taggie/ribbon blanket and an article of clothing. 

I have been getting back into working out now, so it is harder to work on the sewing after the kids go to bed.  At least working out at 8:30 pm means that I tend to be quite awake and can get a little done.  I tried working out in the morning and I’m just not awake enough to do a decent job…so nighttime it is!