hanndmade wardrobe // mini cottelsoes

swimsuits: Megan Nielsen Patterns Cottesloe and mini Cottesloe

gingham fabric: Raspberry Creek Fabrics

pink monstera leaf fabric: Spoonflower

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Guys, I’m so excited to finally be able to share these with you of the newly released Mini Cottesloe swimsuit! I went a little crazy during testing and made P three new suits (you’ll see two in this post, I’ll show you the last one in another post).

You may recognize my suits and the fabrics from previous posts. Luckily I had saved all my leftover fabric after making mine, and had just enough to squeeze out Penny’s matching ones.

Just like with the mini Eucalypt, Penny fell just under the measurements for the smallest size 3. For the gingham one piece, I shortened the one piece by about 3/4”, but probably could’ve taken off a little bit more, too, or at least tightened up the elastic along the back neckline. See how there is a bit of gaping underneath the back ties? Thats where I would re-work it next time.

On the two piece, I left it as is, purposefully leaving it a little bit big. She only was going to wear this one a couple times this summer, so I wanted iit to fit her next year, too! Overall, I’m pretty happy with the coverage on her. I may add a little bit more width to the bum next time, though. Just my personal preference. The coverage is pretty good, but with a lot of movement (hello, toddler) it shifts a bit and rides up. Still not horrible, and shes not like, flashing everyone haha, but just thinking a small adjustment might help!

handmade wardrobe // mommy and me rompers

my romper: Peppermint Magazine / In the Folds playsuit (free pattern!)

Penny’s overalls: Hello Dear Kids

fabric: rayon/linen from StoneMountain & Daughter Fabrics

Penny’s shirt: Lulu and Roo

my hair clips: Target

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Not much to say about this one, sorry guys! We recently got back from a week back home with family in farm country WNY and I am TIRED. You’d think vacation would be relaxing, but traveling and trying to see a million people and do all the things is HARD.

I used this neutral striped linen that I have been holding onto to make P and I some cute matching rompers. Mine is the Peppermint Magazine x In the Folds free playsuit, and it is soooo good. My favorite romper currently in my closet. High neck + non-fitted waist + tie straps is the recipe for my perfect garment. All my favorite things.

Penny’s overalls is the same pattern I used for her pink floral ones here, I just left off the ruffles!

Handmade wardrobe // lena horne

Dress: Tabitha Sewer Lena Horne dress

Penny’s dress: McCall’s 7739

fabric: bubble crepe from Cali Fabrics (interfaced and lined for body and stability)

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GUYS, I’m SO excited about how this dress turned out! When Tabitha Sewer first released her Lena Horne pattern, I immediately pictured it in this mustard-y medallion fabric I’ve been hoarding in my stash. Problem was, this fabric is a crepe. A lightweight and drapey crepe. Something suited more for a flowy dress or blouse, and I really wanted the ruffles on my Lean Horne to have body and weight. But I was determined, so I interfaced the ruffles to give them stability so they stood up more and didn’t drape, and I lined the bodice in a cotton for more added stability. and as a quick add-on, I attached a ruffled flounce along the bottom hem. It just made sense to me with the whole vibe of the fabric/dress combo. Kind of like a 70’s boho vibe, I think. Yes?

I did have a few set backs with this make. I had to completely remove the bust darts, but thats my issue, not the pattern’s (no boobs problem. Like literally, no boobs. I can get away with no bust darts at all). I also struggled with the fact that the interfaced underside of the ruffle was visible. I really wanted to double layer/line the ruffles, but didn’t have enough fabric since I was determined to make a dress for Penny too. And speaking of Penny’s, I also kind of struggled with hers, too. The pattern seemed like a perfect match. But because I was working with limited leftover fabric and I was in a rush to finish it, it didn’t turn out quite as much of a match as I was picturing. The dress itself was huge, even though I cut out her size. I ended up having to add a little pleat in the front to help keep it on her shoulders. And the shape of the ruffle is much wider and drapy-er than the Lena Horne ruffle. If I would’ve been paying more attention and slowed down when making it, I would’ve modified her ruffle to be less wide, longer and more gathered. So that it looked similar to mine. But c’est la vie. It’s still a really cute dress once I get past the fact that its not a perfect match for mine. She looked freakin adorable twirling around in it. And since its so big, she’ll be able to wear it for years, ha.

But seriously - my dress? OBSESSED. I need some place to wear this baby more often.

handmade wardrobe // double stripes

my top: Megan Nielsen Rowan Bodysuit

Penny’s dress: self drafted

striped fabric: modal jersey knit from Cali Fabrics

Penny’s necklace: me-made DIY

both of our boots: Target , my jeans: Urban Outfitters, my sweater: thrifted

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You’ve seen this bodysuit around here before - I made it back in September. But I realized I had some leftover fabric, so I made up a quick dress for P to match! And duh, we obviously needed a whole photoshoot for it, ha.

not much to say here for this set, just a lot of pretty pictures :). As I say all the time, Rowan has become a wardrobe staple for me. And for reference - I have a long torso and add an inch in length to the bodysuit!

Penny's handmade wardrobe // yo mama made this

I recently set aside some time to do some sewing just for Penny. I mean, I did use fabrics that were left over from my projects (that turban fabric is from my Rowan bodysuit from my last post), so she’ll still match me, but the time and the projects were just for her.

The top and jumper are actually from the same pattern - Simplicity 8706. Which is technically a baby size pattern, the largest being about size 18-24. Penny is between a 2T and 3T. So I just cut all pieces roughly a little larger than the largest size, and it worked perfectly! I’ll even be able to extend those straps a little longer for more length as she grows into it, giving it a longer life.

Turban is my own pattern that I use for Nelly Lou, and boots are from Target.

Handmade Wardrobe // Wattle and Jarrah and Penny, too

top: pattern - Megan Nielsen Patterns Jarrah sweater, fabric - Style Maker Fabrics

skirt: pattern - Megan Nielsen Patterns Wattle skirt, fabric - shop well fibre

Penny’s top: Simplicity 8754 in same fabric as mine.

Penny’s turban and leggings: Nelly Lou

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Mommy and Me fashion - it will never get old for me. I hope she lets me match with her forever.

Can we talk about this fabric for a second? DO you know Star from Well Fibre? She runs a genius Instagram shop where she sells second hand fabric. If you aren’t following her, you should! She lists some true gems. When she posted a preview of this fabric, I was in looooove. And I stalked her page when it went live and jumped on it immedietly. And then the day it came in the mail, I was already cutting out my Wattle skirt. I just couldn’t wait.

And I’m not disappointed. It goes perfect with my knotted Jarrah sweatshirt, but it will also pair so well with tees, tanks, and bodysuits when the weather warms up again this summer. I mean, it would also be perfect for another Hawaiian vacation. Soooooooo hint hint, Zach ;) .

This version is bias cut view A with a buttom waistband. I didn’t get a good shot of the waistband, but I’ll get one next time I wear it!

Penny's Handmade Wardrobe // Checkmate

I've been sewing a lot for Penny late too, and thought this one deserved its own post. I mean, just look at that little model!

It's Simplicity 1470 (I can't find it on the website), but I left off the waistband and back bow because of lack of fabric. But still oh so cute. This might be my favorite thing I've made her. I might as well stop making things now, because she's just going to live in this all summer. My work here is done. 

Her sunglasses are from Roshambo Baby, purse and shoes are Old Navy (find them under 'Penny's Closet' at the top of the page!)

Snapshots : Orlando, FL // Magic Kingdom and Harry Potter

You guys, we came up with the idea of doing a Disney trip the night of my birthday. We booked it the next day and were on a plane a couple weeks later. That's crazy for us because we never do last minute trips! I'm a planner. But we wanted to squeeze in a trip before Penny turned two, so we could still fly her for free on our laps. 

Anyway, I wanted to share some photos from the trip! Surprisingly, I didn't take nearly as many photos as I though I would or that I normally do. I guess I was having too much fun to even think about pulling out my camera. Oh well!

We only had one day to spend at Disney, so we chose Magic Kingdom since it is the most toddler friendly out of all the parks. You guys, Penny did SO good and loved every minute of it. I'd been to Disney World when I was younger, but this trip was so much more fun watching her enjoy it. We rode the teacups over and over and over and she thought it was the very best thing every time. She also loved the Dumbo ride and all the singing fish on The Little Mermaid ride! Turns out she likes seeing all the characters from afar, but meeting them up close was disaster haha (see the photo below with poor Goofy). She took a nice long stroller nap while we sat near the castle and listened to one of the shows, and she picked out a Mickey bubble wand and kid's stationary kit as her souvenirs. And that hat. That freakin adorable hat that she kept on her head THE WHOLE DAY. We seriously did not want to leave at the end of the day. I can't wait to take her back again (and take more photos next time haha). 

We debated what to do the next day. Should we do Animal Kingdom? Harry Potter World? 

Ultimately we decided to do the park hopper pass to Universal Studios becauseas a diehard HP fan, I can't be in Orlando and NOT visit Harry Potter World. We got engaged there 7 years ago when it was only one side of the park, and I've been dying to go back. This time we got to finally see the Diagon Alley side and ride the Hogwarts Express. I highly recommend it to any big Harry Potter fan. It is seriously so magical. I didn't think it was possibly, but the Diagon Alley side is actually even cooler than the Hogsmead side. 

BUT. While I'm happy we did it and I LIVE for that place, Universal isn't exactly small toddler friendly. Unlike Disney, even most of their kids rides have height requirements that someone Penny's size doesn't meet. While she did enjoy her first truly leg and taste of bitterer, there were only 2 rides in Seuss land she could ride. She did enjoy the rope course play area in Jurassic Park though, so that come highly recommended from my almost-2 year old if you ever visit. 

Like I said, I'm glad we visited this time. But next time (hopefully next year!), I think we'll concentrate on Disney for Penny!

Handmade Wardrobe // Moana and Me and P

I'm so happy with the way this Papercut Patterns Moana top tuned out! I previously made the dress version (here) and fell in love with it, and have been waiting for the perfect fabric to make the top version. 

Bonus at the end of this post: a cute little Penny babe wearing some new Nelly Lou ;).

-rest of my outfit:

jeans: Old Navy

purse: Old Navy (old)

shoes: Target

-Penny's outfit:

jean jacket: thrifted

skirt and turban: Nelly Lou

socks: June and January

shoes: thrifted

Mama & her Little

Sometimes the bathroom just gets the best light ;).

So you know how me and P adore Mama & Little. Well now they have paci clips that match all your favorite teething necklaces and bracelets! Which is perfect because P just so happened to lose her clip recently, and you know she can't go anywhere without that thing nearby. Oh, and these tees are available, too! I'm completely obsessed matching with my little. My little Mama heart could just burst when we wear these together.