Yesterday was a stunning warm spring day in Melbourne.  Of course, by the weekend it will be cold again, but it was enough to have me ferreting through the stash and wildly pulling down brightly coloured fabrics and tossing patterns onto my cutting table.  I quickly called the girls, and we started to pair patterns and fabrics together to plan my summer sewing.  Be warned – there are many photos ahead!

First up, a Feliz dress for each of the girls, from Heather Bailey fabrics. Must learn to use my ruffler first!  Must also find my copy of the pattern (although it is in the “Sewing Clothes Kids Love” book as well, which I have).

Croquet dresses for each of the girls. This is a border print, and I’m looking forward to playing with the pattern placement. They both want the same fabric for this dress. It’s a cotton voile from Darn Cheap Fabrics.

Shorts for Clare. Black denim, with the floral trim. I’ve made skirts from this denim before, and it washes up to be incredibly soft.

More shorts for Clare. Blue denim, with pink trim. It will coordinate with lots of her clothes.

Voile blouse for Clare. I suspect that this will get loads of wear. It looks cool and comfortable, and easy to construct.

Voile bubble dress for Stella. Have already subjected myself to taping together the pattern pieces (it was a pdf download). I like not having to pay postage for pdf patterns, and that they are instant and easy to reprint when making different sizes, but oh boy I hate all that taping together.

Seashore sundresses for each of the girls. Clare’s fabric pick on the left, Stella’s on the right.

Badminton dresses for each of the girls. Clare’s fabric pick on the left, Stella’s on the right.

Best Dresses for each of the girls. Clare’s fabric pick on the left, Stella’s on the right. Clare wants the v-neck with frilled sleeves and gathered skirt, as per the cover. Stella wants the round neck, frilled sleeves, and whatever skirt I like as long as it is twirly. Can do.

Dress for Stella. I’ll find a coordinating fabric from stash and do the version with the underskirt and contrasting godets.

Dress for Stella.

Another dress for Stella. She wants the version in the red on the pattern cover. I’ll use a solid red for the contrasting heart applique.

And last but a very long way from least, a Fairy Tale Dress for Clare.

My goodness, what an awful lot of dresses! Of course, that is only what is planned – I wonder what will actually get made? There are also two summer dresses for Clare already cut out from earlier in the year, and one for Stella in the same situation. I promise to finish them before I make a start with the scissors on any of the above choices!  I did ask both girls if they wanted anything in solid fabrics, and the answer was a resounding “no”.  Are you planning some summer sewing too?