August Sewing Projects

21 August 2006

I haven't been doing much sewing lately, mainly because I've had to take work home and also because David has been feeling a bit neglected.

I made a skirt for myself on the weekend it was supposed to be a dress but I didn't like the way the top section turned out so I cut it off and made it into a skirt.

I also made this apron dress for Kimberly but I think the bib section is too big, I have already unpicked it once to make it smaller but Kim refuses to try ti on so I have no one of knowing for certain.

Kimberly modelling the top that Sam made for the sewing swap. The top is absolutely gorgeous and gets lots of wear.
Kimberly in Ingrid's sewing swap outfit. Kim adores the top and alternatives between it and the one that Sam made.

I bought these buttons a few weeks back and Katelyn had a ball "organising" them for me.

10 August 2006
It's official - daggy home made clothes is restricted to my work only. I have been so spoilt by my sewing swap partners I recieved the most gorgeous parcel from the lovely Ingrid on the weekend.

When I opened the parcel I found a beatuiful bag with satin ribbon draw string with the letter K monogrammed on it. Inside everything was matching, there was a t-shirt with a crown and button jewels, jeans with a ruffle swirl and turn up contrasting cuffs, and a little pinni top that is reversable. It was all so adorable and beautifully made. I was speechless. But to top things off Ingrid also incuded a handmade card which is now sitting on our mantle and swing tags.

I haven't taken any pictures yet but you can find the lovely Miss C modelling the clothes in Ingrid's blog. Thank you Ingrid we love everything and you are so talented.

Silly me forgot to take pictures of the things that I made for Ingrid, but luckily Ingrid is very organised you can see the items here.

Last night I received another sewing swap parcel from Sam, I am still amazed by how lovely everything is. If you think I am exaggerating I am not. David thought that I had bought the clothes from Europe, when I told him that it was part of the sewing swap he gently told me that Sam's sewing is better than mine. Which is a huge compliment as David thinks the world of me and everything I do.

I don't think photos will be able to do either ladies work justice but I will take pictures none the less on the weekend.

I have started a little apron dress for Kimberly and (drum roll please) I have completed a pinni for Katelyn, yeah. It's not very good as it was just a trail and I am hoping to make another one in fancy fabric for her soon. I have also started on a floral print top for me, I forgot to allow for seam allowance when I traced the pattern so I'm not sure if it's going to fit. Hopeing to get all the items completed this weekend and post pics.

1 August 2006
Happy Horse's Birthday (and Happy Birthday Lawrie, my brother in law). I didn't get any sewing done last night but I did get a chance to look at some sewing magazines. David commented on how daggy some of the outfits looked and I tend to agree wtih him. Which leads me to wondering whether "home made clothes" equates to daggy clothes and if so am I being cruel making clothes for my girls?

I hope I haven't offended anyone, I love most of the things that the ladies in my sewign group make. I'm really just reflecting on things that I have made. I really enjoy sewing and don't want to give it up, but I don't want my girls to look daggy either.

I think I'll keep making clothes for them but when they tell me no more then I will stop, so really I probably only have a couple more years.

July Sewing Projects

31 July 2006

Last day of the month already. I managed to get a few hours of sewing done on the weekend I made bags to hold Kimbelry's birthday party favours. I made 4 of the ones pictured and am in the process of finishing 4 dark denim draw string backpacks for the boys (with sock monkey applique).

These bags are very big so even though I have filled them with a packet of chips and 5 chocolate bars they look emply. I'm now thinking that I should have made them a bit smaller. I'm hoping to get some time later this week to go to a book shop to buy each guest a book which hopefully will make the bags look more full.

I really need to stop buying fabric, my fabric collection keeps growing but I just can't seem to find time to sew all the things that I would like to. My first priority is to complete the bags for Kim's party and then I need to complete the items for the EB sewing swap. After that I would like to finish my UFO's and start on an outfit for Katelyn.

25 July 2006

I received a parcel from Germany last night full of Oilily fabric that I had ordered several months ago. I was a bit unsure when I made this purchase because of the cost but now that the fabric has arrived I am thrilled with it.

Most of it is Winter weight fabric, the babycord is so soft, much nicer than any cord that I have seen in Australia. Even David (who considers himself an semi-expert in fabrics) was impressed with the quality. I got two pieces of jersey and as always tested the quality by rubbing it to see if it would pill and the result was great and it is so soft.

I want to start making something for Katelyn (maybe an overall dress) straight away but I think I might leave have to wait a few weeks because I have lots of things to make as party favours for Kimberly's birthday.











The above is only a sample as I couldn't be bothered loading a picture of every piece. I don't have a favourite, I just *heart* them all but to my surprise Kimberly's favourite was the grey cord. My little girl has good taste, I really liked it but wasn't sure whether to get it for her or not because it's not pink.

I only decided today that I will try to make a library bag (with handles and draw string) for each of Kimberly's party guests, I was going to use the noodle boxes to hold party favours but I like the idea that the library bags can be reused.

24 July 2006
I made a few things on the weekend but I think I'm making too many things for Kimberly, she is starting to expect mum to make her new clothes every weekend. I had planned on making something for Katelyn but I couldn't think of what to make, she already has lots of clothes (but so does Kim) and is growing so quickly - but I promise the next thing I make will be for Katie.

I made a simple skirt with the Barbie fabric for Kimberly and still have enough left to make a pair of shorts.





















With the Polly Pocket fabric I made a Summer dress (not sure why I'm starting to make Summer clothes given we're in the middle of Winter - maybe because stores are starting stocking Summer clothes has something to do with it).


















I finished the shirred top/skirt that I started during the week, Kim is very happy with this skirt and wore it most of the weekend. Kim loves the idea that when she pulls it up it's a top and down it's a skirt.




















21 July 2006
I managed to finish a little overall dress last night for the sewing swap but I haven't punched the buttons in yet. I'm thinking of sending the dress off with the buttons because I'm worried that I might put them in the wrong spot and the dress won't fit properly.

I also started on a little shirred top for Kimberly last night, it's a basic tube top made with spotted fabric and I am going to use some grosgrain ribbon for straps.

I've been quite good at finishing things that I've started of late, I think I have less than 10 items. Over the weekend I would like to put elastic in all the pants that I have made, finish the shirred top for Kim, finish a dress that I am making for myself that I started two weeks ago and if I can find the right ribbing I would like to finish a jacket that I am making for the sewing swap.

I really need to stop myself from buying anymore fabric, I check my credit card statement the other day and got a bit of a shock when I worked out how much I had been spending on my new hobby. Here are some of my recent purchases;

Liberty of London that I would like to make into a skirt for me (it's only 50cm so I am going to try to find some contrasting fabric to go with it)














Polly Pocket for a little dress and Barbie fabric for a skirt for Kimberly





























There are lots of things that I would like to make but mainly I would like to make a few things for Katelyn. I am concious that most of the things I make are for Kimberly and really she already has lots of clothes. My problem is Katelyn has a lot of clothes too, of course there's Kimberly's hand me downs but I also buy her new clothes too. One of the reasons I haven't been making things for Katelyn is because I prefer her to wear all-in-ones which are comfortable, keep her warm, and because they have snaps are easy for nappy changes.

Here are some of the things that I would like to make for Katelyn;

• overall dress with layered ruffle skirt
• shirred romper with snaps
• dark denim turn up jeans (would also love to make a matching pair for Kim)
• white tiered ruffle skirt

I think that by the time I finish making these 5 items it will be Summer already so I'll jsut leave it at that.

20 July 2006 Thank you Coryn
Coryn thank you for the topkids magazine, I love looking through it and have traced a boys jacket that I will make for the sewing swap. Some of you might know that I'm not very big on using patterns, mainly due to the cost. But after looking through the magazine I'm starting to think I should invest in some patterns.

17 July 2006

I made two tutu's over the weekend, one for Kimberly in light pink (she is wearing it in the picture below) and a hot pink one for Crystal (Kim's friend). I also made Kim a little cami it's a copy of one from the Gumboots catelogue that I recieved last week. I asked Kim what she liked from the catelogue and she singled out the cami. Not something I would have choosen for a nearly 3 year old but if that's what she wants then who am I to deny her.

The back is shirred (rows of elastic) which makes getting it on and off easier, it was the first time I did shirring. I hope she doesn't want another one exactly the same because I don't have a pattern - as usual I just cut up the fabric so won't be able to replicate it exactly.

I also started two items for the sewing swap, but I don't ahve photos of these as they are not finished yet.

13 July 2006

This is the dress I made for Kimbelry using an adult singlet and then I sewed two layers if lace for the skirt. The dress is a bit squashed as it's been in Kim's wardrobe for a while but the lace more full when the dress is on.






12 July 2006

Not much sewing by me, I've been more focused on Katelyn's birthday and also planning for Kim's. I did manage to make this skirt, not sure who for as it's a bit too big for Kimberly.

I also made a skirt for me but I haven't had a chance to take pictures of it yet.






3 July 2006

I don't think I did much sewing this weekend, but David seems to think that I get at least 10 hours a week. Blahh blahh blahh blahh, talk to the hand I say. We had a deal!!!!

I made two mei tai's for Etsy, a pair of jeans and also appliqued a pair of jeans that I bought (these will be for a friend). I didn't take photos of the jeans because I don't want the recipient to accidently see them before I send them off to her.

June Sewing Projects

28 June 2006

I have changed my settings so that anyone can now leave comments!

I finally got around to doing some applique last night and here is the result. The tops turned out OK, I just used Bonds tops. The first top was a bit tricky because I cut around the pattern so there were lots of corners so the second time around I didn't cut around the pattern as much and it was much easier to sew on.



My sewing corner. Sewing machine and overlocker.
This is my fabric stash, which is right next to the sewing machine it also houses all my trims, elastic and other bits and pieces. I am glad I can close the cupboard doors as the contents can get really messy. Also nappy boxes come in really handy.

This is my other fabric stash which is up in the loft, there are also boxes on the floor that I need to put away and not all the boxes have fabric in them. Some of the boxes are clothes that I have bought for the girls to grow into and the top three pigeon holes are shoes for the girls to grow into.
26 June 2006

We had a very busy weekend activity wise so I didn't get much time for sewing, actually only about half an hour during whole weekend. I started on the stuffy for Katie and fixed up the straps for the mei tai that I'm sending off to the USA today (yeah my first sale on Esty).

I've taken some photos of my sewing corner and my fabric "stash" and will post those later this week.

19 June 2006

I think I am going to have to change my plans because I am not going to have the bag made in time for my friends birthday so I will have to buy something instead. I did make a pair of pants for Kimberly but it took me a while because Kim and I made them together, she helped me cut the fabric up, and she sat on my lap while I sewed it. She even did most of the overlocking (I controlled the foot thing). I bought some more fabric, not sure what I'm going to make with it yet:





















16 June 2006

I though that with all my recent purchases it would be a good idea to do a mini stocktake, of the things on my to do list:
* balaclava for Katelyn because normal hats just don't stay on (Katie pulls them off)
* footless tights for Kimberly to wear to Callisthenics
* ballet wrap also for Callisthenics
* circle skirt to match the pants that I made for Kimberly on the weekend
* patchwork bag to match the Amy Butler patchwork skirt

I have only completed two items, the tights and the circle skirt. I have partly made the balaclava for Katie but I need her to try it on before I finish it to make sure it fits. She is not a willing participant.

I haven't even started the ballet wrap and the patchwork bag is sitting around unfinished. David asked me the other day why I always start projects using the fabric that I had just purchase. I think it's because I have no patience and am easily side tracked.

I have cut out all the pieces for a Dalmatian bag for Kim and also a little pink stuffed toy for Katie (my first go at a toy). I still haven't started on the bag I wanted to make for a friends birthday next week but on a high note I did finished making a bag for Becs last night.

Started but not finished item list:
* 3 skirts (cherry, denim, and vintage fabric with lace) my excuse is I have no elastic
* patchwork bag
* Dalmatian bag
* Stuffy for Katie
* Dalmatian pants (all done just need to put the elastic in)
* Red twirly skirt with rosette
* Katie’s balaclava
* appliqué Oilily fabric on Bonds top for Katie

Want to start list:
* bag with AB fabric for friend (I think I'll have to stick with the same style as I won't have time to buy a magnetic clasp this weekend)
* tutu for Kim's birthday (with the pink net and tulle below)

Hopefully I can get the AB bag finished and in the post by Monday and also 2 items from my started list completed. I really hate having unfinished projects lying around...

15 June 2006

This is unrelated to sewing, but I thought that a friend of mine (Ingrid) who made a pair of pants with very similar material would be interested. I bought these jeans from DJs the brand was Bennetton.











Here's some of the fabric that I bought from Spotlight on Monday, the pink tulle is for a tutu, because I destroyed the last one I made by putting it in the washing machine.

And here are the things that I made.




I made two pairs of these pants but only put the elastic in one as I have no more elastic :-(

9 June 2006
I have made the footless tights and balaclava so that's the top two things on my list, but the balaclava doesn't fit Katelyn. I made it too small.


I have also made a start to the circle skirt but Kimberly doesn't like it as it's not twirly enough and not pink! I told her I would give it away and she was fine with that so she really mustn't like it, oh well.

1 June 2006

I have so many sewing projects but never enough time to do them all, and then there are new projects!

Maybe if I put my to do list in writing there might be a greater chance of me actually completing them. Here's my list:
* balaclava for Katelyn because normal hats just don't stay on (Katie pulls them off)
* footless tights for Kimberly to wear to Callisthenics
* ballet wrap also for Callisthenics
* circle skirt to match the pants that I made for Kimberly on the weekend
* patchwork bag to match the Amy Butler patchwork skirt (I have just enough patchwork squares for a little bag)

I still need to complete two skirts that I have started but can't be bothered finishing. They are 90% done I only need to put the elastic in but I have lost interest. I also cut up some pink fabric to make an Oilily inspired "Twingy" skirt for Kimberly (I just can justify paying $100 USD for a skirt) it's a Summer skirt so I might wait a few months.

I have lots of other things that I want to make, like a new Mei Tai (baby sling) as my old one is starting to get a bit small. I still get lots of comments on how nice it is but I'm a bit over it. I made one a few weeks ago out of the denim that David bought home but it's too big for me so I have listed it on Etsy.

If we do end up going to the snow then I want to make Kimberly a balaclava too, pink of course so she doesn't look like she's about to rob a bank. Hmm, what else??? A bag out of the Amy Butler fabric for a friend's birthday this month. I am tossing up between the same style that I have already made or a clutch purse. Geez I really do have lots of things that I want to sew. If I can get two items done from my list by next week then I will be doing well.

Patchwork skirt that I made for Kimberly with matching pants (it's too cold in Melbourne right now to be just wearing skirts), I don't think she likes it much as she hasn't worn it yet. But she does like the stripe PJ pants that I made for her :).