Baby clothes sewing project

These two little overalls turned out great--with a lot of study of the directions and slow, careful sewing. I've never used a Burda pattern before.

They are for grandson Julius in Houston...this is the nine month size and I'm crossing my fingers that they fit. He's nine months right now. I meant to get them done in May but it took longer than I thought...it took me a while to figure out how the bib front and back attached to the body.

Buttonholes! Always tricky. I must have made a dozen before committing to sewing on the overalls.

And snaps! I was so glad my mom--80 and still sewing as best she can with macular degeneration--came up with her Dritz gripper snap pliers I could use. She had it neatly organized, directions attached, in a plastic bag with all her supplies.

I've always wanted to try sewing two of the same thing at once, and use one color of thread in the machine. It didn't feel like that great of a timesaver, except now that I'm done I have two to show for my work instead of one!

Senior Fashion Show

I'm inspired to sew something fantastic because this weekend I saw the senior fashion show at the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. The portfolios of fourteen graduating seniors, including that of my daughter's friend, Amanda, were debuted on a runway at Rapson Hall by models with attitudes of pure couture.

Every imaginable kind of outfit was shown: exquisite tailoring with unexpected twists of color and cut, dresses of fluid yet geometric shapes, fantasy evening gowns with over the top ruffles and full skirts, elegant gowns of hand painted fabric, anime-inspired characters, an androgynous dress (worn by a guy, of course), and the inevitable Lady Gaga colors and shapes.

Amanda's designs used raw fibers carded, spun, dyed and knitted into basic pieces paired with simple sewn items.

I'm someone who can hardly figure out how to use a sleeve from one pattern for another to get exactly the look I want...it was extraordinary to see a collection of over 50 garments designed and sewn from people's inspiration, imaginations, and mastery of the craft.