guess who started kindergarten yesterday??

this gal.

i was glad to see that her school shopping list was slightly less cleaning-supply-based and more art supply/glue stick based this year – she even got to pick out “homework folders” (thank you Target for having an elephant folder!).  and one thing that was actually on last year’s list for pre-k as well as kindergarten but i somehow completely neglected to send last year was a “button up the back art smock.”  of COURSE i’m not buying something like that!  😉

it seemed easier to make one from scratch than to even try to repurpose one of my husband’s old shirts, and i knew just the pattern to use – the Art Smock from Little Things to Sew (affiliate link) by Liesl Gibson!   that book remains my favorite sewing project book ever.  i’ve sewn six separate projects from LTTS but some (like the bucket hat) i’ve sewn multiple times.  i was reminded of the art smock pattern because of Gail’s version (always so good, that Gail).

this is my first time sewing the Art Smock, and since we were out of town for Labor Day, i ended up sewing it quickly on Monday afternoon (skipping the pockets).  the fabric combo was kind of difficult to figure out – i wanted it to be cute and make her happy, but not too precious to my stash since the goal is for it to catch stray paint and marker.  i made the medium (size 4-6).

i ended up going with two prints from Denyse Schmidt for JoAnn – i had just the right amount for the sleeves and was just a couple inches short on the body, but you can’t really tell; it’s just slightly less a-line in the front.  the date on the selvedge said 2011, so i figure after 2 years it was time for it to get used!  it’s quilting cotton but not thin quilting cotton.

here’s my little kindergartner in her brand new shoes and art smock – you can see her first day skirt (sewed Monday night) a bit too – i’ll post that another time.  she also had me french braid her hair the night before so it was curly the next day – crucial.

i did not make her backpack this year.  she chose one on a back to school shopping trip with her grandparents, it’s covered in Disney princesses, and i’m totally fine with that.

her brother wanted to wear his backpack on our walk to school, too.

how are your kiddos doing so far this school year?  Em was thrilled to be back at school – and I think I worked through all my “my baby is growing up!” emotions last year, so it was a fun and exciting morning.  can’t wait to see what fun things she learns this year!

this is the type of outfit i’d sew for Em if it was wholly up to me, which is usually isn’t….i keep her taste in mind quite a bit when i sew so things actually get worn.  but for this outfit, i just went with my gut and sewed what made me happy.  felt great.

and considering i made this outfit for my own creative pleasure, Em actually likes it, and chooses to wear it quite a bit!  yay!

the top is the Olive + S ice cream blouse (view C).  i had seen Gail’s fantastic version and was reminded how much i like that pattern and wanted to sew it again.  i’d made multiple dress versions of the ice cream, but never the blouse, and it’d been a while since i’d sewn it anyway.  such a fun one!  i sewed it in a 3T with a 4T length and the fit is great on my string bean.  she was more interested in climbing the tree than modeling, so here’s a taped to the wall shot.

the yoke is natural linen lined with cream batiste, and the body is storybook 2 by jay-cyn designs for birch fabrics.  my pal CINO Jess sent the awesome print to me, just 1/2 yard i think, which worked out perfectly for the top!  i finished it off with a little apple button that my pal Cherie sent me.  she also sent me the cute little strawberry patch that was the perfect thing to add a little whimsy to the shorts!  i believe the button and patch were both from Daiso.

the shorts are, once again, Dana’s fabulous Kid Shorts in a 3T.  these are cut to “girl length” and have a fully gathered waistband.  i made them in a charcoal gray baby wale corduroy from fabric depot that is so soft with a nice drape.  baby wale is so perfect for kid clothes.

i got the idea for corduroy shorts from these awesome OP inspired ones on hungie gungie – i love them!  i topstitched the serged seams down (super seam #3).  i also did a double stitched hem, which i think makes them look more pro and keeps them sturdy when she’s climbing trees.

she’s a barefoot climbing girl after my own heart – i used to read books while nestled 10 feet up in a tree when i was little.

my favorite thing about this outfit was how collaborative it was.  many of the supplies that make it special were given to me by friends, both of the patternmakers are also friends, and both pieces were inspired by fellow sewing bloggers.  this outfit wouldn’t be possible without Liesl, Dana, Jess, Cherie, Gail, and Caroline.  it feels like a total team effort, ya know?

and that’s my favorite way to sew – supported by and supporting the gals in our online community, all while making cute/practical/comfortable outfits to clothe my little ones.  it just kind of all came together so nicely this time, and it makes me so happy.

be on the lookout, tomorrow i’ll be back with a fun guest post!  🙂