Week 1

 

The Project Run and Play theme for week one is “pocket full of sunshine” and I decided to go LITERAL! Almost every time I make a new dress for my seven year old, she tries it on, oohs and aaahs, then checks for pockets. I knew she was going to love this theme, and when I recruited her bff Scarlett, she was even more excited. 

I have been holding into this rainbow stripe cotton from Joann for about a year trying to decide what to do with it. I thought it was perfect for this challenge since it’s so cheerful. I self-drafted a flat front gathered skirt with a curved slash pocket. I pieced together the skirt panels to create a chevron pattern, purposely mismatching the colors when they meet at the seam. The intention was to reduce fabric waste,  because I didn’t think it would distract from the design on a fabric with this small scale design. Whew, that was almost as much as work as if I had matched them! I added solid colors for the pockets and sunshine appliqués, and a homemade bias trim hem to match the pockets. For the top, I started with the DIBY Club ABB kids tee as a start. I scooped out the neckline a little more and added a center gather. I love sleeve details so I added a keyhole and a tied band. Fabric is cotton Lycra from Purple Seamstress. 

For Scarlett’s outfit, I made a self-drafted a-line tunic with a boatneck and dolman cap sleeves from Cali Fabrics rayon/poly French terry. It is so soft and drapey! I pieced together a rainbow kangaroo pocket with more PS solids and a bit of the French terry. The rainbow was a perfect match to this rainbow stripe dbp from So Sew English, so I used to it make matching leggings. I used Made for Mermaids Bonny leggings pattern (another free pattern that I use time after time), but instead of turning up and hemming, I cut off an inch and did a lettuce hem, or “ruffles” according to my daughter. Both of my daughters love lettuce hems, which is great, because I do too—they’re sooo easy, and I am lazy. 

Both girls have self-drafted accessories as well. Scarlett got a covered faux-tied headband made from the same fabric as her leggings. For Juliet, I used a woven to create a wired hair wrap. I keep seeing these online and while I can’t create the cute hairstyles as advertised, it is a pretty simple accessory even for people like me who can barely make a ponytail. 

Both of these outfits were fun to make and the girls absolutely LOVE them. I hope you enjoy them just as much, if that’s possible!