Plus I love Tootsie Pops anyway. Sweet tangy lollipops with a delightfully chewy, chocolate center. Who can resist?
So when I read that Project and Run and Play's theme for Week 2 was candy inspired. I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
I wanted something Vanellope Von Schweetz inspired. Young, sassy, stripey, modern but still incredibly sweet. In my mind I planned a pair of candy striped leggings, a fluffy tutu embellished with candy findings and raglan tee with a freezer paper stencil of a piece of hard candy wrapping across the front and side.
What does this have to do with Tootsie Pops you ask? Not much at all.
Wub's school uniform policy is pretty easy to follow. Solid colored polos or blouses with collars and sleeves and uniform style pants, capris, shorts, skorts, skirts or jumpers in khaki, black or navy.
The one thing I don't like about the uniform policy is it makes it hard to put her in something "special". (Which I know is the point.) On picture day I made her this blouse.
The beautiful piping on the peter pan collar and triangle buttons made it extra special without breaking any school rules. I did bend them slightly with the fabric choice. It's a white on white floral ditsy print. Technically prints are not allowed but this is so subtle it reads as white until you are right up on it.
We have a lot of uniform skirts because Wub is in a size that doesn't actually exist. Size 6 and a half waist with size 5 leg length would be the perfect size. Therefore making her uniform pants is pretty necessary.I was at JoAnn's buying some lovely navy (My favorite on her because it plays up the pink tones in her skin.) stretch twill to make Wub some uniform pants from Blank Slate Patterns W pants pattern. When I also discovered some wonderful fabric that threw my original idea out the window.
My brain started churning. How can I make something that's so everyday, like her uniform, special? I needed to do it so Wub wouldn't have issues but that she would know about anyway. Then I set about to sneak some candy into class.
I used a vintage pattern (Butterick 5776) I bought at Goodwill for either 50¢ or a dime and proceeded to stupidly follow the directions on the pattern instead of using my own good sense. The sewing/basting rip out took roughly 3 more hours then it should have.
I will note here. If your pattern says "Sew skirt sides together, then make pleats and baste them down, then pick out all the basting once the dress is put together, then hem." Your pattern instructions are stupid. Hem first. Then pleats. Then sew sides together. Really The other way lies madness and we don't need that now do we?
Other than that bit it went together pretty easy and I ended up with this:
But wait...
What's that peeking out? Is it...
Wise Mr. Owl?
And...the world may never know.
11 comments:
I love it! Where did you get that fabric? It is pure awesome!
That's awesome! Great job sneaking it in.
Kristi
What an inspired idea! I love how you stuck with making something that your child really could use and will wear often and yet added a fun, secret surprise 'in the center'. Brilliant! Your daughter will never forget this jumper!
Thank you all so much for the comments. I really enjoyed the end result (but not the wonky sewing, endless seam ripping aspect)
Charity, the fabric came form JoAnn's. While I was sewing I kept going "A one..two-whooo...thrrreeeee." I'm sure Mr. Husband Man was convinced I'd finally gone off the rails.
Love that fabric and how it is secret! I went to Catholic school so I know how awesome it was to have at least SOMETHING unique about the uniform! I bet your daughter LOVES it!
And for SERIOUS about some of those pattern directions, it is like the people who write them sometimes figure out the most difficult way to put things together.. I've been mad at simplicity before like "REALLY! Not so simple!!"
very cute! I love the lining print! I linked up a Milky Way inspired outfit for my son... SO much fun! Emily@nap-timecreations
So fun! Love that she has that little surprise in there! And I LOVED that commercial too! Thanks for the walk down memory lane!
I'd forgotten that ad which was a fun way to start your post. What a happy surprise piece of loving- lining for her school uniform. You must be a great mom. http://xoxograndma.blogspot.com/
I also loved this commercial.
Great creative way to add some fun to a school uniform!
LOVE that you made the them the lining!!! I bet she is happy to put it on knowing that there are tootsie pops in her dress!!'
elizabeth
She wore it to school on Thursday. When we got out of the car she bent over, lifted up her skirt and said "Mommy, where's my secret?" Thank goodness for playground shorts. She likes it so much she asked to wear it to school on Monday. I plan to do this with all of her jumpers as I make them. (Not necessarily Mr. Owl mind you.) A sweet surprise lining that only she knows about.
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