Gear Up For School

A new school year is swiftly approaching!  I'm not ready...yet.  So, in order to get ready for a new year, I have a few things that need to be made.

This year, I hope to have 2 kids in school, not just one, which means twice the school supplies and twice the preparations and twice the homework once school starts.

My 4 going on 5 year old, Brielle will be turning 5 just before school starts, but must test into kindergarten because her birthday falls after the deadline here.

However, even if she does not get to go, she will need some things for her birthday...and for winter.

So, in an effort to prepare early, I'm going to start now sewing her "school" dresses.  Brielle absolutely refuses to wear anything but dresses and tights or leggings.

One of the patterns I plan on using is this one:

This pattern is from Oliver + S.  It is called the "Family Reunion Dress"  and I love the simplicity of it.  I think that the subtle accents and pintucking add an elegance and playfulness that are perfect for Brielle.  Now to find the perfect fabric to pair with the pattern and showcase Brielle's personality.

I also plan to make this pattern, also from Oliver + S:

This is the Ice Cream Dress.  I love this one as well.  These dress patterns are perfect for little girls who like to look pretty but like to be able to move as well.

Of course, they have one other pattern I would like to tackle, but it's a "3 scissors" pattern, meaning it's a little more difficult than these 2, which are "2 scissors" patterns, so I think I need to practice up and hone my craft a little more before I attempt it.  But, I will share it here, simply because many of you are at a "3 scissors" level or better in your craft and you'd have no trouble with it.

Here it is, from Oliver + S:

 This one is called the "School Photo Dress".  I love it, but it's a little more than I'm able to handle right about now, so it will have to wait.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, I do not get paid to promote this line of patterns, or any other product for that matter.  In fact, I don't get paid at all.  I just really find the retro styling and clean lines of these patterns quite refreshing. 

After the dresses are made, I plan to make a few of Brielle's needed school supplies for her, instead of buying them.  The big one is (drumroll please) a pencil case.  It's not like it's a difficult project and I can use leftover fabric to sew one up.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I made one, complete with grommets when I was in 8th Grade.

So here I go, getting geared up for school, and sewing away, so that my hopefully brand new kindergarten girl can look fabulous and have some fun too, all while saving me money.

Happy Creating!


Kristin