dress. for sydney.

When I visited Peapod Fabrics for the pale yellow fabric that would become the yoke and pockets of this dress, a little girl overheard me say that I was making the Ice Cream dress. (She was about as tall as the cutting table... I remember seeing her eyes and the top of her head as she watched Yoshiko cutting my fabric.)

"You're making an ice cream dress?"

"Yes, I am," I said, trying to act as though I hadn't realized how my words must sound to a 6-year-old.

True to its name, the Ice Cream dress is a treat. This is the third time I've sewn it up and it is different and wonderful every time!

This has been a cool project. My client has been very hands-on, helping choose fabric and buttons. We work really well together. And I learned how she adores the recipients of this birthday gift (parents + Baby). Her love transferred to my fingers as I worked.

As the project concluded, I was inspired by  Alicia Paulson to create one more piece for this gift: a pocket doll. 
I found a pattern that helped me with the dimensions but she is too big for these pockets. I made her a little dress from the Lecien fabric left over from the Ice Cream dress. I think it will do nicely.


So that's that!
And next, maybe more bonnets. 
I have two cut out and waiting.
O what fun!


xo, Nancy

  

ah. kimono.

People ask me if there are BeeBabyMine garments for boys. Yes, there are! We love the little kimono-style top from the pattern "Storytime PJs" by oliver + s.

The kimono top is available for both boys and girls. In this case, I chose fabrics that I'm hoping a little boy might like.

I do not recommend this top for pjs because studies show that Baby is safer wearing close-fitting garments for sleeping. However, for all the other activities of the day, this sweet top is a great choice! The closure consists of two sets of ties, inside on Baby's left and outside on Baby's right. With ties the fit can be adjusted as your little one grows.

Inside, you will find the signature details that BeeBabyMine is known for: scalloped pinking and hand-sewn seam finishes, the bee baby label, and, with any oliver + s garment, the blue label that lets you know I used an oliver + s pattern.

This precious little top (size 6-12 months) will be appearing in the Etsy shop momentarily.

Thanks for dropping by, dear reader.

xo, Nancy

vintage. bonnets.

Two bonnets. Both vintage, each in its own way. 

The bonnet in the background is from my collection of vintage children's clothing. The bonnet in the foreground is the one I have just completed, using my precious vintage pattern, Simplicity 4704.

I'm still figuring out the best way to photograph bonnets. Even with the close-up, it is hard to see the subtle stripe of the interior fabric.

It's the detail in the back that sold me on this particular pattern. I love love love (!) the styling of this old-fashioned baby bonnet!

It's so much fun sharing my passion with someone who gets it.
xo, Nancy

vintage. voila!

I did some research and discovered that my vintage Simplicity pattern was probably published between 1934-1939. The article is an eBay Guide that shows how to date patterns by envelope illustration. Very cool!

 

And so, revisiting from the mid-1930s, a baby jacket in pink. Voila!

3 vintage baby buttons + silk ribbon

sweet Peter Pan collar + dainty cuffs

gathered to yoke both in front and in back

label placement least likely to bother Baby

finished coat ~ seamstress perspective

In the final 2 photos, I have turned the little coat inside out to show how it's finished. Can you see the precious Lecien stripe fabric lining the collar?

I'm SO glad you dropped by. Next time, the bonnet!
xo, Nancy

vintage. baby.

Do you remember when patterns were 15cents?

I wanted to do some work for brand-new munchkins and picked up this charming vintage pattern from a shop on Etsy! 

I'm guessing that Simplicity 4704 for Baby's wardrobe to be circa 1940s ...earlier? the tissue pieces have nothing printed on them. Zero, zilch, nada! The way to tell if a piece is to be cut on the fold of the fabric is by three holes punched in the pattern; the code for straight of grain is 2 holes and the seamstress lines them up along the grain. Smaller holes indicate 'other' critical construction, to be addressed as the seamstress works her way through the directions.

Since the directions have stumped me a couple of times, I decided to record what I do as I go. I plan to re-use the pattern and will be happy to have crumbs on this path!

pin and then baste body to yoke (front)

edgestitch yoke seams after serging

 Thank goodness I have completed four Sunday Brunch jackets by Oliver + S! Those patterns have fantastic directions. 


The construction of this vintage version is not as intricate as the Oliver + S jackets but I believe the result will have the same panache. On a smaller scale, of course.

I started a bonnet, too. To match. Such a sweet, old-fashioned look. 

That's all for tonight. Tomorrow the sleeves and hem, buttons and button loops. Ah, the joys of sewing!

thanks for dropping by, dear reader.

xo, Nancy

O baby.

I feel giddy when I imagine the little darling who will wear this dress! I love its delicate details. The neckline, the button tab with its wee buttons, the tucks front and back, the top stitching on the hem (there are six rows of stitching, spaced 1/4" apart). 

front

back

This is the same pattern as the one for Mia's blouse, except this time I made view A, the dress. The pattern is 'Family Reunion' by oliver + s. The fabric is by Lecien, the import from Japan that I'm crazy about. I love their whimsical and cheery prints. This one has a lovely very light yellow as its base with a scattering of light pink roses tinged with hot pink, tiny  blue flowers, and green leaves and stems.

When you look at the reverse side up close, you can see how I finished the raw edges. For example, there is very pretty lace binding the seams where the sleeves and bodice join. That's one of my favorite hidden touches. Another is surprise fabric (also by Lecien) for the hem facing. If you have been following me you know I love surprises when they make you smile. This pop of color makes me smile.

back

front

Perhaps it will be a special occasion dress for someone! At size 6-12 months, it may be small for most birthday girls, but I can sew one for you in another size/color way. Please feel free to contact me to discuss options!


xo, Nancy

springtime. delight.

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, autumn has arrived. But in the southern hemisphere, it's springtime. This little Tea Party sundress is offered with sunny days in mind (even though it's raining here)! 

Size 3-6 months, this little dress is a delicate confection in cream and lavender. Let me invite you to click on the piccies to see the pretty lavender print on this fabric up close. You will also get a better look at the contrast fabric for the piping, the hem binding, and the bloomers for the fun pop of colour.

What I love about this pattern are the sophisticated details. From the button straps and top-stitching to the arched bodice seam front and back (shown off with contrasting flat piping), this dress shows off baby's sense of style. 


Even if it's not springtime where you are, this dress would make the perfect baby shower gift for a little girl due to arrive mid-winter!


Available at my etsy shop right away! or contact me for one in your favorite colours!


thanks for dropping by,
xo, Nancy

cute. buttons.

This Sunday Brunch jacket was looking cute in pink. 

And then I found the buttons!

I think these heart buttons were made for this jacket. They are the softest pink (just right with the floral print on this corduroy) and the perfect size.

This is the second time I've made up the Sunday Brunch jacket in corduroy. The texture of the pinwale invites hugs and cuddles all on its own. I can just imagine the effect when paired with the little girl who receives it!

For the inside binding, I chose a sweet floral print in green and natural that repeats the dainty green leaves in the corduroy.

Autumn. Cool days. Pink cheeks. and a little pink jacket.

(size 12-18 months... to be listed on beebabymine.etsy.com soon!)

thanks for visiting!

xo, Nancy

autumn. preview.

 Think "Sunday Brunch." Yes, that's the name of this little jacket! I can just imagine a precious little girl wearing this when she needs an extra layer as the days of autumn grow cooler. The lace at the collar and pearly flower buttons add the perfect feminine touches!

As you can see, the little jacket is double-breasted. It has cuffed sleeves and, in the back, the yoke and gathered bodice that you see here are repeated. The yummy fabric has a diamond dobby weave that gives it a quilted feeling though it is not heavy. This color-way is buttercup (yellow and white mini-gingham). 


I'm still deciding whether to repeat the lace at the cuffs... then I will put this Sunday Brunch jacket (size 6-12 months) in the shop.

Thanks for checking in to see what I've been up to!

xo, Nancy

mini. etsy.

Here is a mini Etsy shop! You get a preview of the real shop right here on my blog. How cute is that?!! 

Several of my separates mix and match.... 


The shop has even more items. There's a pink party dress that you don't want to miss. I love the whimsical print (Lecien fabric, from Japan). And a sweet peasant blouse and a pair of red pants that would make a darling outfit for visiting the farmer's market. Come take a peek!

xo, Nancy

first day. etsy.

it's Opening Day!

I listed 10 items and look forward to comments, questions, and making customers happy. I'm feeling confident and upbeat about this venture because, whenever I sew one of these little garments, it makes me smile. I'm just passing along the love! 


come visit! beebabymine.etsy.com

(so very excited!)

xo, Nancy

countdown. etsy.

The studio has been bustling! Bustling with creativity, delight, 

puzzles, mood swings, and a few solutions.

The packaging for the BeeBabyMine garments finally came together over the weekend. And I finalized a design for my Thank-You/Artist-Info card to accompany purchases. Since BeeBabyMine garments are meant to become family-loved heirlooms, describing the extra-special handiwork that goes into each one plus how to store keepsakes when the original wearer out-grows them was very important to me. Also, I wanted a nice thank you card for my customers. The ribbon on the card matches the ribbon on the package. Awwwww.

So, the countdown to opening my Etsy shop is into single digits now! I spent most of the day today making photos for listings. It was gorgeous outside but not all of the photos show off the colors of the garments accurately. Check out the indoor vs outdoor exposures of the Ice Cream dress.

Yes, that is the same dress in both photos. (sigh)

Dressing Fern (that's my mannequin) isn't easy. She wears size 12-18 months best. Some of my ready-made garments are size 6-12 months. We both got tired and cranky with all the outfit changes today. However, my goal to open the shop has been 12 garments and that's why all the outfits. Not complaining!

Tomorrow will see me setting up lights, camera, action all over again!

thanks for checking in, dear reader.

xo, Nancy

sunshine. baby.

 This Ice Cream Dress has earned the nickname Sunshine! (the boy who gave me his college pin called me Sunshine... I only just remembered.)

 It is very sunny in person. Can you tell in these piccies? 

The fabric combination makes me smile.

If you love hand-stitched details, this dress has more than any oliver+s garment I have done to date. I used a blue-green thread that I dubbed 'oliver+s aqua' for the blanket stitch that finishes the bodice, sleeve, and hem edges. Size 6-12 months. Available soon on http://beebabymine.etsy.com

Thanks for visiting!

xo, Nancy

dress. brightly.

 I started another Ice Cream Dress today.

I'd forgotten how much I enjoy this pattern! 

The fabrics are part of the City Weekend collection by Liesl Gibson and printed by Moda. Liesl creates the delightful oliver + s patterns that are the foundation of all BeeBabyMine garments.

Check back tomorrow for further developments with this sunny little dress (size 6-12 months).

Thanks for stopping by.

xo, Nancy