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.