a few months back, Robin of Nested in Stitches had a really great idea to bring together a bunch of sewing bloggers with similar taste and style for a handmade kid clothes swap extravaganza. i was lucky enough to be involved during the planning phase, and it was so, so fun to see it all unfold. we were inspired by our swap partner’s pinterest board to create an outfit for their kid, all in secret! you can read more about the swap here.
i think a lot of us sewing mamas are pretty generous in our sewing – we sew for our kids, other people’s kids, baby gifts, wedding gifts, house stuff…but we don’t usually get too many handmades in return. i bet the reason we have blogs is that we DON’T know too many people in real life that are our age and do what we do. the internet brings all of us crazy late-night modern sewists together and it’s a cool thing to share our passion with others.
but sometimes it’s also nice to receive, and Robin’s swap is the best of both worlds – sewing for someone else in a really thoughtful way, and getting something in the mail from another mama that puts just as much love into her sewing as you do.
you know who drew my name? DELIA! oh i love Delia, she’s such a bighearted and kind person, a fact that was proven when i opened up the adorably wrapped package she sent. it was obvious she put an incredible amount of thought and love into what she made for Em, taking into account both her likes and my own tastes. she also filled gaps in Em’s wardrobe – i rarely make tunics and Em was in dire need of leggings, especially because these days she loves to layer all sorts of pieces together to make her own crazy looks.
i’ll let Delia explain more about the TWO beautiful and perfect outfits she sewed for Em, but first i need to point something out. i think many of us swap participants were really nervous about sewing for our partner, thinking a fellow sewist would judge us more harshly on the straightness of our stitches or our finishing techniques, but when Em and i opened that box from Delia i noticed zero of the “imperfections” that she talks about below, and only saw the most beautiful chiffon Geranium tunic, the perfectly-fitting sparkly and striped leggings, the fantastic mustard linen top. Em got SO excited about the outfits too! really, just perfect…and it felt so special to see her sewing firsthand, with those pieces so caringly made just for my little gal. i nearly cried.
anyway, here’s Delia talking about her inspiration and what she made, with a bunch of photos and my comments in italics. 😉
***
When Robin told me that I had Kristin, I was both excited and super nervous. I mean…this is Kristin of Skirt as Top! I knew whatever I made would have to be perfect. (and it was!!!)
So, I didn’t create perfection (yes you did) but I had a lot of fun perusing her awesome girls pinterest board and creating something for her cute adorable Em. It was SO hard to not repin a bunch of stuff from there. I didn’t want to tip her off you know. 😉
Using Made By Rae’s Geranium pattern, I sewed my first Geranium. I felt a little ambitious and decided to line it with white linen and add a white and silver polka dot chiffon overlay with chiffon flutter sleeves. I whipped up some glittery teal leggings to go with and threw in a sparkly zipper flower clip my friend Tori made for me a long time ago. It just matched so perfectly that I just couldn’t not, you know? (and Em LOVES it!!! she’s a huge fan of hair clips she can put in easily herself)
The whole ensemble was inspired by the many sheer or ballet style outfits she pinned along with the flutter sleeved tops she pinned. See here, here, and here for just a few examples. I made it inspired by the ballet look without looking like a tutu. (mission accomplished – she didn’t stop dancing/leaping through this whole photoshoot, as you can see)
I also tried to infuse what Kristin had said Em liked. She mentioned sparkle (check), twirl (even though it’s a tunic, it twirls, check), and polka dots (check).
Even though I felt like I had sewed something Em would love, I was super nervous that Kristin might not love it (poppycock!). So, I sewed some more.
I was heavily inspired by this pin here, and this color scheme here and ended up making my favorite piece yet. This tank has a slight high low rise hem, flutter-ish straps, a single covered button at the back and a faux “placket” of black buttons on the front all sewn in a yellow linen from Jo-Ann. (i love the linen and the fit is so nice too – Em wore it with grape-colored shorts for Easter dinner and it’s perfect for spring/summer)
I sewed more leggings using Go To Patterns Leggings pattern again which is a really great pattern. It takes out the sizing guess work and makes great fitting, professionally finished leggings every time.
In the end, the stripes on one of the leggings don’t line up and the buttons on the chiffon top are off center – ugh (didn’t even notice). But, it all fits her and she likes it, which is what was I was most worried about. I learned that sewing a tiny hem on chiffon is not so bad, and that I need more flutter sleeves for Natalie too because they are so fun and perfectly pretty!
I felt so honored to be a part of this sewing swap and that I got to have my dear friend Kristin as my secret sewing assignment.
Kristin sent me a few texts of Em twirling in her outfits when she got them and they MADE my day. She is the cutest Kristin! (aw thanks, Delia!!! you really nailed Em’s style but it’s all so perfectly YOU too…i wish i could give you a big huge hug!!)
***
isn’t it all so great? thank you SO MUCH Delia!
okay, so what did i make?
well. i was lucky enough to draw Danielle, one of my first sewing blog friends – i emailed her after i found her blog when she posted for No Big Dill two years ago because i noticed some similarities in our lives that could not be ignored. Danielle was kind enough to write back rather than think i was a crazy person and ignore me. we became fast friends, she encouraged me to start my blog and our friendship has only grown since (I even met her and her kids last summer, our little gals hit it off and Em still asks if she can play with Avery sometime…). i was thrilled to sew for both of her kids!
here’s a preview – click over to my sparkle for her cute little towheads rocking their outfits!
check out all of the swap participants for more bloggy fun! some really awesome stuff happened here – can’t wait to do it again sometime!
cherie from you & mie | danielle from my sparkle | delia from delia creates | gail from probably actually | heather from well-crafted | kristin from skirt as top | meg from elsie marley | sanae from sanae ishida | vanessa from lbg studio | robin from nested in stitches
skirt as top 
Delia nailed it- Em looks so happy! I LOVE what she made for you… Gotta get me some of that yellow linen! Off to Danielle’s now…..
You’ve outdone yourself, Delia! Marvelous, fun, cute! I’m amazed at how well everyone’s pieces fit the children! Nicely done.
We set up a Google Drive spreadsheet with our kids’ measurements – and it seemed to work really well! Big relief. 🙂
Now I’m the one crying! You are the nicest ever Kristin! Thank you for your sweet, thoughtful write up. I hope we get to meet soon!
Aw girl, hugs. I hope we do too!
I am stealing the yellow linen top and stripy leggings and making them for my daughter post-haste! too cute!
ME TOO! I can’t get over it. I need it.
I’m a lucky duck. Let’s hope Delia releases a pattern for that top!
Love it all! How adorable, cute and stylish. That yellow top is fantastic, paired with those leggings- perfect! What a fun project this swap thingy is- can’t wait to see it all!!!
is beautiful, great pictures!!!! (you have flowers, I have snow yet) She looks so happy in her tunics. Great swap, will be a busy morning for me seeing all you made, 😉
spring comes early here, pretty nice! it teases us though – it’ll be gorgeous one day then will rain a few weeks. plants love it.
Gorgeous! Delia did it with perfection and I love the ones you made too!
I’m smitten with both!! Beautiful job, Delia and Em looks so happy in her gorgeous new outfits, Kristin!
Those are fantastic!!! Such a fun fun fun sewing swap!!!! I am loving that chiffon overlay on the geranium!! And Delia’s color choices – the typical amount of swooning going on over here – maybe more!
I am DYING over the yellow tunic with the black and white leggings. Adorable. And those shorts you made for Ollie are fantastic. Nice work to everyone. What a cool project!
Love love love love love love love!!!
It’s been so fun seeing the swapped looks! I’m a follower of all the blogs involved, and the neatest part is how you’ve all made great looks for the recipients that also reflect your own style. It’s been inspiring to see you all share your talents and gifts!
This is such a fun series to be bouncing around with so much great sewing! Delia did great, and I have to say WOW on sewing for both Danielle’s cute kids! Loved the stamped tee shirt for Ollie and the shorts! The sparkled collar was what any girl would love!
delia’s stuff is BEAUTIFUL and sooooooo perfect for em!
Divine outfits-especially that geranium tunic!
Seriously..how cute are these outfits! I am especially in love with the yellow top + stripe leggings. Em looks so adorable in her new clothes. Awesome job, Delia!!
Oh I am so impressed!! I love each of these outfits and they look perfect on e! And I’m a sucker for linen. That yellow top is just the cutest thing ever. Love your photos! E is such a cute jumper! I’m glad you received something so lovely after all the work you put into mine!
LOVE this idea!
These are SO freakin’ cute on Em, Delia! I agree, you totally nailed her style. The ruffles on that yellow top are so adorable, I love it! Thanks again for joining in the fun!
all super great, I don’t even have words. 🙂
I LOVE THIS!!! The yellow top is my favorite!! Did you use a pattern for it or just your super creative brain made it up?? Please share:)
SERIOUSLY. I mean, SRSLY (or whatever the kids say). These outfits are ridiculously cute – I LOVE THEM!!! They seem like such a perfect combo of Delia’s, Kristin’s and Em’s styles and Em looks soooo happy and comfortable in them and what else could you ask for? I’m totally in love with that mustard top and I want one right now. Amazing work, Delia!!!
And Kristin, you know I adore all the pieces you made for Danielle. Both of the kids look sooooo cute in their outfits and I love the fabric you chose for Danielle’s pouch. Perfect!!
That yellow top is GORGEOUS! Seriously, I love the back on it. Do you think she’d sew one for me? 🙂
Gah! How cute! What a fun fun idea!
Em looks positively thrilled with her outfits – and no wonder!! Love them both! That yellow linen looks gorgeous, and I love the color scheme you created with the striped leggings.
What darling outfits. Live the mustard top with the black and white leggings. What is the fabric you used for the bag for your swap person? Loved that bag too.
i bet the reason we have blogs is that we DON’T know too many people in real life that are our age and do what we do.
Truer words have never been spoken! Or written!
These look fantastic! I really love the mustard and black and white stripe! Em looks really pleased too!
This series is AWESOME. I love how happy she looks running and jumping around. I’m also loving those ruffles… Off to check out your creations next 😉
~monica
PS: I do so love your pinterest boards!
super cute and so springy. love your outfit you made too, esp the sparkly collar on that roller skate dress. too cute.
I adore them both but that mustard top is perfection! Kristin I love the outfit you made too!
wow, these are possibly some of the cutest outfits ever! Being a mustard and stripe lover, that combo just kills me. I have some of that linen here too…..if only I was smart enough to figure out how to make that tunic.
Gorgeous! the yellow top is awesome. Nice pictures
Awesome! the yellow top is beautiful. Nice pics