An easy gift idea

About a year ago I took my 2nd sewing class. My first being in high school where I learned to sew a kite and then progressed to a fleece vest, yes I graduated in the mid-90's, in Utah. I really didn't care much for sewing until just last year when some friends were going to take a class from Heather Ross learning how to make little girl smocks, tunics, and pants. Sounded fun, even though I didn't own a sewing machine or a little girl. But, I did learn how to make this very cute and easy summer smocked dress. Granted, the method she taught us included cording and a zig zag stitch, not too easy for someone that hadn't used a machine in 10 years, but it got me jump started. She later taught another method, using elasticized thread. Much, much easier, and not so homemade looking. Here are a few below I have made for friends.

How to:
*You will need fabric 1 1/2 to 2x's as wide as the babies chest. The bigger it is, the more full the dress will be. You will also need elasticized thread. Gutterman makes some, but JoAnn's carries a few different brands. If you search online just type in the elasticized thread and it should come up. Depending if you want straps the same fabric or not, you will also need the fabric for them or using single fold bias tape makes the project a bit easier too.

1. Cut a rectangle of fabric as wide as you need and as long. I suggest hemming the top and bottom of the dress first. I find it easier to hem before you sew it up the back. I typically do a 1/4 inch hem on bottom and 1/8 on top.

2.  Use regular thread for the top, and hand wind the elastic thread onto the bobbin and place in machine. With right side up, line the presser foot with the top hem and sew with a loose stitch along the length of the garment. Your first stitch will not be all that smocked but you can always pull on the  end of the elastic to get it to gather more. I don't recommend doing this until you have completed all of your rows. Line the presser foot again with the stitch you just did and sew along the garment. Do this for at least six rows. I usually do between 7 and 8.

3. Trim excess threads and sew up the back inside out. I usually just finish it off with a zig zag stitch, and will run it along the smocked threads a few times to secure it.

4. You are almost done. If you use fabric to make the straps. Measure an inch and a half and cut two pieces about 10 inches long. Fold both raw sides of the strip in with an iron about 1/8 of an inch. Fold together, iron, and sew down the side of the strip. Finish ends. Sew onto front for a halter tie lining stitches up with smocked thread. I usually secure it with 3 rows of stitching.
If you use bias tape. It is already pre-folded, just fold it in half again, stitch down the side, and finish the ends.

If these instructions seem confusing you can email me at alyshasmith@mac.com.

A haircut

A while back I had the guts to give haircuts without ANY training. Ironically, I didn't feel comfortable giving boy cuts. I guess I had some vision as to what I wanted for a girls cut, whether it be a shag, a-line, or layers and I would just cut until it looked cute. I just couldn't visualize the same on a male. Now I really don't dare to cut anyone's hair no matter who they are, except for maybe an experiment on Luke. I figured, I could cut it with no style, no shape, and no vision, I mean he's a baby, who cares. If worse came to worse, I could just shave it off and label it a "summer cut". Turns out, it wasn't that bad.

*Tip* put on their favorite DVD that might keep them distracted while you come at them with scissors as big as their head. Note the glassy eyed stare.

Lately he has been closing his eyes before I even take the picture. Maybe the flash is too bright. It was the best shot that showed off his new cut. Exactly as I envisioned, no shape, & no style. But doesn't he make up for it?

some summer projects

As the summer weather is getting hotter and stickier, I am inclined to wear the least amount of clothing as possible. Lucky for me, the "dress", is becoming increasingly popular. The week before I left to Utah, I made myself a crazy goal of 4 dresses. Probably no big deal for a expert seamstress, but for a beginner, it was a bit lofty. I completed three before I left and then one while I was there. Here they are in all of their glory. Let me know if you want the pattern info.

As you can see, I prefer cropping out my head. And thank you to Tara who in her half comotose state, took these pictures.

I also have really come to love the Built By Wendy top patterns. The inset is a little tricky, but the elastic neck pattern takes Katie only an hour, me a couple.

This last skirt isn't really worth posting but it did mark the first time I lined something. I used a regular a-line skirt pattern and extended it to make it wrap.

I am ready...

to teach Suzuki book 1.

It has been almost 25 years since I learned book one at the ripe age of five. Turns out, age five seems to be a bit on the older side to start violin lessons. Shinichi Suzuki, the founder of the Suzuki method really was a brilliant man. After teaching violin for a few years he concluded that ALL children posess the ability to play the violin, and play it well. In traditional study, children usually do not begin playing until they are eight or nine, because reading music is challenging and they typicaly cannot grasp it until they have learned to read words. If the child is exposed to learning the violin through the ear, they can begin playing much earlier and then later develop the skill of reading music. By this time they already have the musicality to play the instrument.

Suzuki began teaching this method to hundreds of children well before it got to America. It wasn't until much later that out of disbelief, a professor of music traveled to Japan to hear these children play. It brought him to tears when he heard a auditorium of children play the Bach Double Duet beautifully. Now there are over 20 different institutes across America offering the same courses that I took when I was young and the course I took this week to young children and hopeful teachers. My first Suzuki institute was in Logan, Utah over 20 years ago, and included all instruments. Today, the strings have formed their own institute with over 700 participants, just playing the violin.

Today was my last day of training. I am exhausted. We had class every day from 9-5pm. It did have a good variety of activities. My favorite, being the observations. I watched 15 different lessons and wrote at least 1-2 page paper on each including ideas and techniques I thought would be beneficial, and things I know I would do differently. The youngest student I watched, Hannah, was 2 1/2. She was so tiny and precious holding and playing her little violin. It was very exciting to watch the teachers interact with the kids, some with success, and others with some barriers. What I have learned is the parent involvement is one of the most critical pieces in the Suzuki method, without that, the child will have a very hard time progressing. It was obvious which kids had the the parent involvment and which ones didn't.

I am excited for Luke start lessons. It seems hard to believe that he could begin in as little as a year from now. He already has a love for music. He sings along to the hymns in church, and has a dance routine that he breaks out everytime he hears something with a beat. It is the constant need to run around, I am worried about. Hopefully with the Suzuki method, it will teach him how to hold still and bow, give him a regular structured activity with accountability, and win him a scholarship later down the road.

Utah thus far...

I had one free day before I started my training, which happens to be very intense. I am not sure if it is my teacher or the course in general. Anyhow, more on that later. With that free day, my mom made sure that I was thrown back in to regular suburban activities,  even to my dismay.

Luke actually seemed rather excited to hit the road, maybe because of the SUV, much better view.

First on the list, Ikea. Haven't ever been there before, at least not this particular one. Lots of kids, lots of blonde kids, lots of people in general, even for a early week day. Not much was different about this one, except that it carries fabric. Cute fabric too! I can't think of any needs right now for striped apholstery fabrics but maybe at some point, if I ever get around to making oven mits or dish towels, I might head back for some.

Next stop, Costco. I got to actually stock up on stuff. I am only here for two weeks, but I couldn't resist the chance to buy in bulk.

Third stop, the Cotton Shop. A small fabric store in Sandy. They don't carry much designer fabric but they have a lot of reproduction prints and usually for a pretty good price. I didn't get much because they have a sale starting soon, which I will I will definitely hit.

Fourth stop, McDonalds. Admittingly, we go there in New York too, but it was fun anyway. I can't resist the new southwest salad, without the dressing. And Luke loves the chicken nuggets. Here are a few pics, of his first icecream cone. They also rent $1 dvds, random, I guess they don't trust New Yorker's.

Friday morning I took off for a run. I have a loop that I run in New York that is exactly 4 miles door to door, and even if I don't feel like running the entire thing, there is a path I can cut into that cuts it down by a mile. Needless to say, I didn't have a loop and I just started running. Half way through the run I realized I was running just too far. I ran 6 miles, which typically would have been a stretch but the elevation change really did a number on me. I haven't run since.

That night we hit our next essential suburban stop, Cafe Rio. The Chipotle chicken salad just doesn't compare.

:Luke and his auntie's:

Saturday after class we hit the pool. It took Luke a few minutes before he was doing back strokes and swimming under water.

Sunday, we filled up a wading pool that I bought for Luke. I thought about buying one in New York but I was afraid the water would ruin our newly sanded and stained floors. There is something so nice about having a backyard and porch. Luke is constantly grabbing anyone who will lend him a hand and dragging them outside to help him collect rocks or climb the patio stairs. If only....

Luke has also been enjoying time with his Bean extended family. He apparently now needs to be watched closely, he has been caught putting one of his cousins in a headlock and biting the other on the nose.

Things I have almost successfully avoided so far; the mall, freeways, chili's, & jordan commons.