I've fallen hard for Heather Ross' Ruby Bloomer found in the Weekend Sewing book. Not only are the bloomers super cute and super easy, but they use one of my new favorite tricks...elastic thread on the bobbin. Elastic thread is another bit o' sewing magic. Right up there with the gathering foot and the invisible zipper. Seriously. Here's how it works. You wind the elastic thread on to the bobbin (by hand), slip the bobbin into your machine and sew as usual. After you are done with the seam, spray it with a little water and...MAGIC. A perfectly gathered stretchy leg hole. No casing. No threading elastic with a safety pin. No hassles. Blissful, really.
The top for this set was stitched with an old pattern I have in my collection. I used it on this top, too. Very cool and summery for baby during these warm months. Or it could be worn over leggings and a long sleeve shirt when cool months come upon us again.
Look who came to visit when I was trying to take a picture. This is one of the horses that lives in the pasture behind my house. When the girls were little they used to feed the horses apples from our tree. They would put the apple on a roasting stick from the fire pit and dangle it over the fence. The horses would eat the apple off the stick. Quite amusing. There hasn't been a lot of apple dangling lately. The girls seem to have bigger fish to fry. The horses are always hopeful, though. They come over when we are out in the yard, just in case. I try to give them a treat every so often. I figure that nobody likes to get the snub all the time. Not even a horse that belongs to the neighbor.
Super cute. I always love your fabric choices! I'm going to have to try the sewing with elastic thread - love the non-bulky look. What size do you think the bloomers are?
Posted by: Paula | July 18, 2011 at 01:11 PM
Omygosh. Is it really that easy??? I am going to try that right away. I really dislike putting in elastic (creating the sleeve, threading through, trying to get even-ish gathers, sewing the ends...) but do enjoy making small person clothes. Can't wait!
Posted by: Lisa | July 18, 2011 at 02:37 PM
Adorable bloomers! My little grandgirls would look so sweet in them. Now I must find me some elastic thread. Thanks for the tip!
Jody
Posted by: Gumbo Lily | July 18, 2011 at 09:25 PM
I do more than agree, thanks for sharing ! Yet i was wondering about the water ? Nice fabric association, by the way ☺
Posted by: Lune | July 19, 2011 at 02:23 AM
That little outfit is SOOOO cute! I love the main fabric -- you're amazing at putting the combos together. Now...onto that elastic trick. Did you use a straight stitch or a zigzag stitch? And do you have to change the tension in your bobbin or anything?
Posted by: Thimbleanna | July 19, 2011 at 07:49 AM
that little outfit is darling; the patterns complement each other very well!!
Posted by: Amy | July 20, 2011 at 09:01 AM
So can you iron the elastic thread? What about high heat from the dryer? Can it handle that well? It does sound like a dream come true. I have lots of ideas that have been put off simply because the casing was a hiccup. I will have to look into this. Thanks for the heads up. Hope your summer is going well. Carolina
Posted by: The Muse of The Day | July 21, 2011 at 06:01 PM
That's a very, very pretty little outfit! Pity they don't make these in adult sizes, hm? :) x
Posted by: Stacey | July 22, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Love the photo of the horse checking out the little outfit. Found your blog on Two Little Banshees blog. Visited your Etsy shop also. Subscribe by email to you blog. Stop by and visit sometimes.
Patricia aka Mamaw
http://itsabouttimemamaw.blogspot.com/
Posted by: It's About Time Mamaw | August 07, 2011 at 06:32 AM
oh wow cassie!!!
i'm always in awe of the things that you sew. i'm going to have to get that heather ross book.
darling fabric choices.
Posted by: brigette | August 21, 2011 at 11:13 AM