eyes open?

It makes me crazy when the obvious answer is right before me and I can't see it.  One right around my wrist.  And if that wasn't enough, another right in my bees nest of a bun.  Three inches of elastic cord in the form of a hairband (or baby tail holder, as I used to say).  Exactly what I needed to finish the Bend-the-Rules artsy clutch in one sitting.  But I couldn't see it.  Thanks to Jeanne's MacGyver mind, the now-finished clutch -- with repurposed silk from a dress on the outside and a shirt on the inside -- is on its way to my fancy pants sister.

Speaking of fancy pants, the little lady has been sporting sewn-by-her-mama simple light cotton pants like these for most of the summer.  Now that autumn is nipping our knees I think another batch is in order.  I'm thinking soft cordouroys and cottons with flannel lining.   And, if your eyes are open, you might see that she's found a tiny bit of green beachglass.

Comments

[Angie]

Very cute clutch :-)

[emily]

the clutch is beautiful! and the hairband, of course!

do you use a pattern for the pants? i've been wanting to make some here, but i usually trace old favorites and i've been thinking of using a pattern this time.

[Stefani A]

Ha! A few pairs of my boys pants have elastic handbands as waistbands :-) The clutch is gorgeous. Your sister is a lucky girl. Happy new fall to you!

[Grace]

I've been thinking about fall pants for my babe, too. My girl is kinda more of a dress-wearer. Which I can make, too. But not as quick to whip up as pants. Anyway, I'd been thinking corduroys, and your idea of cottons lined in flannel is awesome, too! Will have to steal it.

Gorgeous clutch. Hairband!! Of course! Very clever and useful in soooo many ways.

[Elizabeth]

LOVE THIS CLUTCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[h.]

The clutch is beautiful, and what a wonderful idea to use a hairband for a closure. I, too, often find myself improvising for little loops of stretchy stuff. I will have to keep that in mind! Great tip!

My girls have grown up with flannel lined pull on pants which my mom makes for them. (I am a chicken when it comes to sewing clothes...) We roll a cuff so the lining shows. This also means that we get an average of 2 (sometimes 3!) years wear out of the pants.

[Meg]

Ditto on all of the above - and what a great shot of a toddler's discoveries at the beach!

To answer your question about the Barcelona skirts, I found that the skirt peeking out from underneath the apron looks really great. You don't really see the reversible side - it lays quite naturally while seated.

:) Meg