mending and hemming

The sunhat was mended, just in time for the weather to turn chilly.. the pants were hemmed, just in time for a trip out of town. I decided to buy a backpack for the little one, it has buckles and padded straps, and things it would just be tougher than it's worth for me to do. So far he seems to like it, but it did make a little red spot on his neck.

Mini Backpack

Wouldn't it be nice if the little one could carry some of his own things? Just think, snacks and toys right there on your back! This might be one that's better to buy than make, I'm just pondering at this point.

Messenger Bag

I almost finished this today! I had been planning to make one from scratch, then looked around at all the pants I have that are busted out at the knees (or butt) and turned one of them into a great bag! I used the back of one leg for the bottom of the bag and the other leg for a flap. I haven't put on a strap yet, I'm thinking of looking at Goodwill for a belt that might make a nice strap. This one might actually be a diaper bag for my cousin; I've got plenty more pants to be turned into another one for me!

Ao Dai and 'Tie' Gored skirt

These are a set: a friend brought a beautiful reversible red-and-gold silk brocade from Singapore, I've been daydreaming for almost a year what to make from it. Then I checked out folkwear patterns and found the lovely Vietnamese Ao Dai (they say that red and gold is for a wedding outfit.. oh well). I'm picturing it a little shorter, more like a fitted jacket than a tunic. If I have enough, I want to make a swirly many-gored skirt, swapping sides of the reversible fabric. Way fun for dancing!

Khaki Flared Skirt

This one is still just fabirc and inspiration. I have oodles of a very drapey lightweight khaki polyester. I want to sort of copy a black calf-length skirt I have, with sort of a narrow yoke/wide waistband, that flares out around the knees.