Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Alligators, Elephants and Taxes -- Oh, my!

Pardon my temporary disappearance!  I was buried under the avalanche of paper, receipts and forms that seem inevitable at this time of year.
I did manage to eek out some time to go on a safari,  returning with some mighty cute alligators and elephants!

Wanting to try a fairly new pattern, Willilam and Winnie by Children's Corner, I first selected a LakeHouse Dry Goods fabric, Elephant Toss.  There are tiny little elephants scattered all over!

A coordinating dot provided the perfect lining.  I also used the same fabric to applique a larger elephant on the lower skirt, as well as make covered buttons for the shoulder straps.

William is a romper for boys.  Mango Stripe Seersucker was used for the romper, while Kiwi Gingham was used for piping and alligator applique. 

For this version of Winnie, I decided to add a ruffle to the bottom of the skirt. 
If you wish to add a ruffle like I did, you will need to use a different method of construction than provided in the pattern.  Children's Corner has produced a series of videos with clear step-by-step instructions.  You may view the technique I used by clicking here.

 
And what girl alligator doesn't love a big bow and long eyelashes?  Some quick hand embroidery added a few fun details!  The bow was made using cast on stitches, while the eyelashes are back stitches.
Alligator applique may be found at Embroidery Boutique.
Elephant applique may be found at Applique Cafe.

This entry is linked to Sew and Tell Friday.
Please visit Amy's blog to see more sewing fun!



24 comments:

  1. Oh this is lovely Jan....

    well done!

    ciao bella
    creative carmelina was here!!!

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  2. what darling outfits!!! i want to make my dg's one of each!!! these are tooooo cute!!!

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  3. Oh, Jan, all are cute! I love the "girlie" alligator, and your fabric combinations are wonderful!

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  4. Those are so stinkin' cute! Love them, especially the prissy alligator. I'm so glad to see you sewing again.
    The twins are wearing size 7 and size 6, just sayin' ;-)

    Thanks for sharing dear.

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  5. Too cute, Jan!! :)

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  6. I'll go on a safari like this one any day!!!! How cute can you get!

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  7. TOOOOOOOO stinkin'cute!!!!! Love them all but that elephant melts my heart. Cute cute cute. Sorry about the taxes though. A necessary evil.

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  8. Sooo cute!! Love the girlie alligator!

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  9. Jan,
    These are so cute. I made applique jumpers for my daughter many years ago and she loved them. May have to make Emma an alligator....she says she loves them. At 2 1/2, she went missing (a long 30 min.) one day and they found her in the woods behind their house...quite a scare...but she told them she was "hunting alligators"! So we've have SEVERAL coversations about alligators since then. These are to good kind!

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  10. Those are so sweet! Love the little appliqued elephant and alligator.

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  11. What adorable little rompers! I must say, your machine applique is some of the best I've ever seen.

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  12. these are the most precious little outfits

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  13. your jumpers/rompers are so darling! I love all the little details you added, matching the lining to the elephant!
    thank you for checking out my little dress, it is almost done!
    and thanks for linking the children's corner video, I enjoy their patterns.

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  14. Those are such cute finishes. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. so adorable! I love the little girl dresses! My little girl loves alligators.

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  16. Jan, Your sewing is just beautiful and so perfect! I wish I could sew like that. These little outfits are just soooo darling!!! xo Paulette

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  17. These are just way too cute! Thanks for sharing!

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  18. can you please share brand and model of your embroidery machine??? thank you!

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  19. For the reader, Two Become Three, I was unable to access an email or blog for a direct reply. I have described my sewing machines in the blog post dated September 29. Hope you will find the information you seek there!

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