embracing the matchy-ness

Having thrown my hands up at the 'to do' lists around me, and with a slight feverish haze, I rebelled against myself last night by making a skirt. Totally unnecessary on one level, and completely integral to my sanity on another - you know how that goes. I've had this skirt on the brain since seeing it in the Garnet Hill catalog, and so this is the version I came up with - using one of my favorite color combos at the moment. I am so pleased that it worked out (ie. it fits), as I never do know what will happen when I start measuring and cutting without much of a plan. It often ends up back in the pile of fabric to be cut up again, rather than actually on me. This was just the kind of minor success I needed this week.

Remember these? I didn't intend to make a matching holiday outfit this year. Really, I didn't. But once I finished my skirt, I had a vague memory of using one of the fabrics before on a dress for Adelaide. I dug around the unfinished work pile (mountain) and found this dress, which I now remember abandoning when I realized it was too big. Now it fits, and even though it's summery, it will be just perfect for a party at my grandmothers house, where the heat is never below 90 degrees (ack!).

I still can't believe I'm someone who makes coordinating clothes for my family. I swore I would never do that, didn't I? And here I am. And I love it. With this set not being the first, and matching holiday pajamas for the babes up next on the work table. Oh my. I guess I'm embracing my inner matchy-ness.

Comments

[jenny vorwaller]

beautiful. i love that idea of seeing something in a catalog and putting your own twist to it too, :) makes it so much more special, you two are sweet!

[Alisa]

UG! That skirt is beautiful! It looks as good (better!) than the Garnet Hill skirt. Congrats on such a success.

[AmyDe]

Lovely! I was always one of those - no-matching idealists too, but somehow when you get so wrapped up into your children and their personalities and the LOVE that is family - matchy-ness seems even more connective. Thanks for always inspiring creativity!

[Denial Renae]

Love the skirt! I so wish I could sew! I have seen so many skirts that I would love to re-create!

[Elizabeth]

That skirt is absolutely smashing, the greys and the pinks look just beautiful for winter. You both look adorable.

[carol]

wow- can not be any cuter!

[Sandy]

Hee hee! They look wonderful!

I remember when I was younger, my mom would make my sister and me matching clothes. One year it was bell bottoms - hers were a cool red/white/blue and mine were this godawful orange paisley! Then the culottes, oh and the robes! LOL

Go with it! The love will always stay in their hearts because you do this for them.

[Christina]

I LOVE that skirt!!! I want to make one now.
I say make matching outfits now because one day she might not like it anymore :O) Enjoy it while you can.
You just saved over $100.00 making the skirt yourself...Kudos.
Have a beautiful week,
Christina

[blossom]

i think this sort of matchy-ness is very modern and tasteful. i love your creation of garnet hill. so sweet!

[joy]

I heart matching!!!! my girls (5 years apart) do it all the time:)

[Jan]

Very, very cute. (And I mean that in the nicest way.)
My goodness, Adelaide is looking so big lately! Starting to look more *little girl* than baby. Awww.

[robin]

Oh, embrace that inner-matchiness and enjoy!! I have been making matiching clothes for my whole family since my 14 year old was born and have 5 babes now. They all LOVE the matching clothes (so does hubby!) and yours will, too! Your dress/skirts are FABULOUS! I make matching stuff for every holiday (including father's day, 4th of July- you know..) I love your color combo and Lady A is looking so big! Good job:) Your skirt is very similar to the style I used for our Thanksfiving skirts! I love your wide band of fabric on the bottom- it adds so much.

[Tania Ho]

gorgeous, gorgeous skirt, Amanda ... and you both look so cute :)

[Heather in Washington State, USA]

Sounds like it's time for you to have another daughter, so you can have matching little girls, too.

I always loved the April Cornell dresses that had a mother's dress and matching girl and baby dresses. How sad I was when they went out of business. Sounds like an excuse for me to start sewing, huh?

If only I had your talent and ENERGY!

[Susanna Alonso]

Adelaide looks so grown up in the last photo! I love the matchiness...its not so bad if its done tastefully. The skirt is great!

[sally]

Love the matching outfits [coming from a matchy-mama]. I was just cutting fabric for my niece's Christmas present--a patchwork skirt in gray + pinky peach...love your version!

P.S. My mother's house is always stinkin' hot too!

[denise in c'ville, va]

look at her! she's not a baby any more.
sigh
sweet expression

[martha]

You have made "matching family outfits" cool. I predict we will see this soon in the style section of the NY times sunday edition.

LOVE adelaide's dress. Did you make the pattern?

[Kelli]

You know, when the clothes are cute and handmade, you are so allowed to match. That skirt is great!

[Sarah]

I love both your skirt and Adelaid's dress, Amanda. They're both lovely and fabulous. You inspire me to capture my inner matchy-ness and if you knew me you'd understand that that's saying A LOT.

[tiffany]

You rock...plain and simple! That skirt is beautiful (love the fabrics) and wow, how much does Adelaide look like you! So cool!

[sarah]

That is sooo funny! I just got that catalog and saw that skirt and thought of you! Yours is much nicer even!

[Cristina]

they look great!! and the dupioni silk at the bottom ~ swoon. Ooh how I love those chunky baby legs:)

[Grace]

Amanda! When did Adelaide become such a big girl?!!! Look at her in that bottom picture! Happy tears!

I love the skirt. I am always wondering if I'm brave enough to copy something out of Garnet Hill since, you know, I can't actually BUY anything from there.

[Di]

The skirt and Adelaide's dress look great Amanda. Congratulations on the fact that they both fit! That's got to be the most frustrating thing - when after all of the work - it just doesn't fit properly and back into the fabric bin it goes. I used to hate it when my mum made me stand and try dresses and skirts on while she was making them - know I know why! Thanks as always for your inspiration.

[homemakerang]

its beautiful! I don't know what is more beautiful, the skirt itself, that you made it or that you saved $128!

[Courtney]

Oh my, so sweet! And tasteful...

[Alison Whittington]

Oh, that skirt is amazing! I've been wondering how soon I'll be able to make skirts, since I only just started sewing, with curtains. Yours is most encouraging.

[nina]

the clothes rock...and you've got yourself one (well, three actually...but i'm talking about the one pictured here) sweet babe.

[rebecca]

Lovely skirt and dress - enjoy your Grandmothers party!

[stephanie]

really sweet! mia would love it if we had matching outfits.

[loribird]

Beautiful skirt and dress! My girls wear jeans and turtlenecks under their "summery" dresses to extend the season. It's not a look I could pull off, but it's awfully cute on li'l ones.

[Denial Renae]

One more questions, how many different patterns of fabric did you have? Does it have a zipper?

[molly]

oh MY i love it! don't you get so overwhelmed with ideas when you thumb through the garnethill catalog?? so much inspiration packed in there....
and i love A's dress. especially the elastic around the neckline and sleeves? your pattern? i'd love to know...

[erin]

great skirt Amanda!

[Lynn]

You're toooo much!!!! They're perfect!!

[Sue]

it is the coolest thing ever - that you take a skirt that you are in love with from the garnet hill (love) catalog and make your own and to top it off, your daughter's dress matches. it's so cool.
you so inspire me!

[Dacia]

your little girl is so sweet in that dress! love the skirt, too.

[Gwyn]

You know she looks remarkably like you!

[Allison]

Very cute. I have no problem with matching outfits. Actually, I have a problem with bought matching outfits, and identical outfits in different colourways. But, different items made for mother and daughter with the same fabric are just gorgeous. It shows resourcefulness with a little whimsy. I like that!

[Leta]

I'm not usually about the matchyness either, but this is pretty subtle and its so sweet! Love the skirt!

[sara]

wow!
how beautiful is your skirt? and the dress for adelaide? simply amazing...
and what cute and "big" is ada?
she i s a little woman... i can see now, she is a beautiful little woman!
have a nice party ;-)
kiss

[Sasha]

Oh lovely, much nicer than the one that inspired it!

[lazylol]

Wonderful - both dress and skirt!

[leslie]

hi.....i too made matchy things this year, even for the hubby(YIKES)....pajama bottoms......i too swore i never would, but boy does it feel warm and cozy!

[bernie]

Great job on the skirt. It's fab.

[Devorah]

Sometimes matchy-ness is a good thing. Both outfits look great. Enjoy them! (Please note that this is the woman who put her entire family into matching squid tee-shirts a few months ago.

[jillian]

Miss A is getting so big! Not a baby any more methinks, a real little girl. And a very beautiful one at that. Love her baby blues! I love your matchyness too, pure loveliness.

[joleen]

beautiful!!

that fabric makes her eyes SO blue!

[Dannielle]

oooh love the matchiness! so sweet!