Hansel & Gretel Vest

I admit that I was drawn in by the cute use of fabrics on the Hansel & Gretel Vest by Kati Cupcake.

My plan is to make the boy version one day but I couldn't go past this fabric combination for a girl version.

This pattern is an easy and simple sew. I substituted the button holes with snaps and sewed the buttons on top just for looks.

Fabric: Spotlight (no longer in stock) - drill and quilting cotton (ruffle)

Make this look - Verily Cowl Neck Dress

I just may have picked up this pattern on the weekend. Vogue patterns were on sale and I couldn't resist!  This pattern was awarded one of the best patterns of 2011 by PatternReview.com and has a long list of great reviews. Some versions included added sleeves and a tunic or blouse version.  I think this will be an easy to sew, easy to wear dress and I love the Verily ready-to-wear version in a black and white print. Some style with a belt and a jacket. Another DKNY basic I look forward to adding to my wardrobe.

Burda boy shorts 9793

 


I've made Burda shorts 9793 a couple of times so far in my lifetime. It is a great boy short and easy to sew up. I highly recommend it. Some of the pattern reviews say the front pocket is too small but I think it is more for looks than for purpose.

This version uses fabric gifted to me by friends. The red fabric has been my stash for ages, just waiting for the right opportunity.

Front


Back

The trial run Parfait

Years (decades ago) I used to sew clothes for myself. I used to believe that I could take a commercial pattern and apply it directly to my body. No wonder they never fit right - too big, too tight, gapey, not sitting properly. No wonder I found myself disappointed and frustrated and gave up. Only recently when I decided to sew for myself once again that I investigated further and found that fact I had to alter the pattern to suit my unique, one-of-a-kind, not out-of-a-packet body. Yes, in this journey of self-discovery I have come to be very aware of my broad back, square shoulders (or are they sloping?), sway back and wide hips. And yes, there would be benefit in making a "muslin" version for fitting. So for the first time EVER I made a muslin of a dress - the Parfait - and then fitted it to my body. I then cut it out from the better fabric and made this trial run. I love it! It perhaps needs a tweak here and there but unless someone points out something that would make it look even better, I think I'm right to run into the good fabric and make another.

I'm wondering though if perhaps I need an adjustment for a sway back?

This is a great summer dress and I totally love it with my new shoes ($8 from Target!).

Pattern Description: A versatile dress designed to be worn as either a sun dress or layered over a shirt or blouse as a pinafore style in cooler weather. Features a gathered bust and flattering curved midriff that fits snugly around the high waist. The straps and gathered pockets fasten with buttons. Skirt is a gently flared six-gore style. Closes with a side invisible zipper.  

Pattern Sizing: 0-18  

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.  
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, the instructions are quite detailed except for the zipper. It just says to sew it in "according to the manufacturer's instructions". Now I'm still new to invisible zippers, and being that there were no instructions that came with my zipper, I referred to the tutorial on the Colette website. I also did a bit of a google search and find some hints relating to sewing in a side zipper. One was to allow a bit of extra on the seam allowance on the top to create a little "house" for the zipper pull.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the heart-shaped neckline. I think it is really flattering for my figure, particularly as I'm smaller up top. I disliked the length of the skirt. I like a bit more on the length.

Fabric Used: Poplin, on sale from Lincraft. A thicker fabric would have been better as I wouldn't need to wear a slip with it but for the purposes of a trial run it was fine.
  
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made a size 10 up top and size 12 from the waist down. I also adjusted the sides in a touch at the underarm as it was gaping a little there. I didn't include the pockets as I thought this version would look better without them as it was already quite busy. I added 2 cm onto the hem and would do this again as I like the length. Next time I might add a bit more next time as for this version I hemmed used bias binding as I wanted as much length as I could get.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?: yes and yes. I already have the fabric ready for the next . I thionenk though the straps need to be a bit tighter as they slip a little. Also I'll add in a little extra (just a touch) on the waist as it is a bit too firm fitting there. It is wearable, but a little bit of ease would make it more comfortable.  

Back view




   

Conclusion: Great pattern which totally lived up to my expectations

Pattern: Colette Parfait from Crafty Mamas
Fabric: Lincraft  
Buttons: Sewco and from my stash

Elsie Dress

Another cute creation, this time an Elsie Dress by Sew Sweet Patterns. Rather than have the contrast hem, I kept the dress plain and added a row of ric rac - not entirely intentional but still works.

I used ribbon ties for the back.

Skirting around

Now people who regularly read my blog would understand how I like to mix up the boy sewing with a bit of the "pretty". So when I heard that one of my work colleagues was having a girl, well I just couldn't resist.


Pattern: Pink Fig Patchwork Skirthttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Sizing: 6 to 12 months
Fabric: Mostly leftovers with the bottom trim from Lincraft

Pattern review is here.

And this skirt is in a larger size for a gift. It started off as a dress, and well, as you can see that's that didn't happen and it ended up as a skirt.


Pattern: Adapted dress
Fabric: From stash
Sizing: 2

Ruffle romper

Not set to finish with the ruffled bloomers, I made a pair of ruffled rompers. They look very cute and while I haven't seen what look like on, the photos here do not do them justice. I think that it adding snaps to the bottom to make nappy changes or toilet training easier for this size (size three) would be a good idea. Here's the link to a finished pair by the pattern designer Tie Dye Diva to give you an idea of the finished look.

Fabric: quilter's cotton from Spotlight
Made for: Lily
Pattern: Tie Dye Diva, size 3, Ruffle Romper (no pattern alterations)

Ruffle pants and swing top

It seems like ages since I have posted about a finished item. I have been crafting; just the time has been shortened, especially as I have been feeling tired at night and knitting a few rows here and there is more appealing. Now also that I'm working full-time my crafting time will be especially tight. Before I changed working days, I was able to make this cute little ensemble for a work friend's little girl. The cuteness factor is huge!! It was also a change to fiddle and learn how to use my new overlocker which deserves a post of its own. The patterns were super easy, especially with doing the rolled hem on my overlocker and for extra cuteness I made a covered button for the back.

Ruffle pants back



Front of the whole outfit showing the swing top

Back of the whole outfit


Made for: Miss Lily, aged nearly 3
Fabric: Cotton from Spotlight
Patterns: Tie Dye Diva

Kid's clothing sewing swap - second oufit

I have to admit the instructions looked simple and easy but sewing the bottom half of this outfit was a bit of a stretch for me. Partly because I like little diagrams and in-depth instructions that I can follow to the rule, and secondly there were a few things about the bottom half that I'd never attempted (successfully) before. Even in my decades of sewing I've only tried a fly front once and that was a semi (that is, still wearable) disaster. So then when I go to work out how to do it this time, years and years later, I search the internet and find there are lots of different tutorials which show similar yet all different ways to do a fly front which ends up just confusing me more. Yes, I did pick one way and yes, next time I will do it differently. Finally, though it is finished and here is a sneak peek.

One of my favourite bits (from the top piece which is also Ottobre but quicker to sew)

Tutu Bag

I made this the other week for a little girl in a Secret Santa swap. A little birdie told me that something with ballerinas would be a hit so this bag instantly came to mind. The pattern is now available as a free download from Jodie Charlton (Ric Rac's blog).
Fabric, tulle, trim: Spotlight
Pattern: Ballerina bag by Jodie Charlton

Doll's Quilt / Wall Hanging Swap

(Photo by Tina)

It has been quite a while since I have unveiled a major finished item and this is the reason why. I have been concentrating on this wall hanging for the Doll's Quilt Swap on the Essential Baby forum for the past month (apart from a few little projects here and there).

My partner was Tina who requested a wall hanging for her little girl's room. The colours in the room are aqua and red and she was after something with a 'whimsy' feel, think "Alice in Wonderland".

I have such great sewing friends on EB and this lovely lady came to my rescue again with a bundle of aqua and red, including some fabrics which were exactly the same as quilt in Tina's daughter's room.

So I sketched out a design based on a pattern in a Homespun magazine then found this hand embroidery pattern which I happened to already have saved in my files.

Add some fabrics from Spotlight, a few from local quilt shops and some many nights doing the embroidery and she all came together.

But then I had no idea how to quilt it. Fortunately, another very talented EB quilter, Emma, saved me with a diagram and then I set forth to quilt.

There were so many things which were 'new' for me in the process. I'd never made pinwheels (aren't they a type of sandwich?) or pierced together my own patchwork design. I'd never binded a quilt and never made my own label.

But I still gave it a go, and even pierced together fabric to make the backing fabric.

I'm really pleased with how it all turned out. I think would look fantastic on a little girl's wall. Especially if you like aqua and red.

BACK


LABEL IN POSITION

In the boy zone - EB Kid's sewing swap - sent item #2

I challenged myself to make for two people in the swap. After all, it wasn't fair for one of our boys to receive and not the other? The second person I made for was Claire's little boy who is just a little bit younger than Jordan.

I made a pair of Oliver & S shorts and embroidered them with an applique and words in a car theme. The t-shirt was made using an Ottobre pattern and embellished with an applique. I finished off the outfit with a little vest, still going with the car theme.



Fabric: See I am using fabric from my stash!! Shorts made with denim from a Gardams sale purchased 2009. It had been folded for storage so had some fold marks in it which were only slightly noticeable but I couldn't remove them so I created more marks by distressing the fabric some more! I wanted to do some form of distressing anyway. I stitched some seams, then ran over them with sandpaper dipped in bleach, let them dry then unpicked the stitching.



T-shirt made with stretch fabric from Spotlight purchased 2006.



Vest made with Michael Miller fabric purchased from Sewco 2007, lined with denim same as the shorts.



Notions: buttons from a Ravelry swap.

Embroidery: Car and lettering from Bunnycup designs

Patterns: Oliver & S Sailbox pants size 12 - 18 months. I hadn't used this pattern before despite it being in my cupboard for a year. I found these easy to sew but next time would use a lighter weight denim as it was quite thick in parts. The fit is quite trim so if I was making these for Jordan I would increase them in the rise.

Shirt pattern: Ottobre 1/2008 I found the neck too tight so cut it lower either that or my tester Jordan has a big head. Made a little car applique which is appliqued onto cotton fabric first then straight-stitched to the shirt. I don't think this is my best effort, I don't like stretch sewing!! I don't think making a baby's t-shirt will be in my future again.

Vest pattern: Free pattern download from Leila & Ben

Releasing my inner girl.....

The EB kid's sewing swap is the one time of the year that I can go "girly" with my sewing. This year I sewed two outfits, one was for Lisa's little girl Ashley. Lisa has included a pic of the dress I made being worn, plus the photo from the Ottobre magazine on her blog Beetlehouse Designs. I also took a photo of the dress before it left but it was hard to photograph well.

The outfit is the Romantic Dress and underskirt from Ottobre Issue 3/2007. It was quite easy to make once I worked out how to sew it up as the instructions in Ottobre are quite basic and there are no pictures / diagrams to guide you as you go along. It has given me more confidence in sewing from the Ottobre magazine and I loved making something different to what I normally might sew.

The dress can be worn with the underskirt although I put an extra button down lower as I thought it could always be undone to let the underskirt show through.

A special thank you to Karen for her advise with button placement and the girls over at Crafty Mama's who gave me lots of help with my Ottobre questions!

And I can't forget Kaiden...about half-way through making the dress I realised the Kaiden and Lisa's little girl were very similar with their measurements. While Kaiden did think the dress was very pretty, there was only so many times I could bribe him with chocolate to try it on for size.

Pattern: Ottobre Romantic Dress and underskirt Issue 3/2007
Fabric: Lincraft purchased July 2010
Notions: Ribbon, lace trim from Lincraft. Lace dyed grey to match the fabric. Buttons from Spotlight

Sandi Henderson Market Bag

Lining on inside

My first attempt at the gathered version of this bag. It is also my first attempt at creating and using piping and inserting a magnetic snap. I don't know why I was worried about piping and snaps as they are very easy and there are lots of tutorials on the internet to help. This is a roomy bag and fully lined - also meeting Carolyn's challenge of the month - to make something lined. Despite the pattern missing a step in the instructions it is an easy-sew. The fabric is from Sewco. When I first saw this version I didn't really like it but now I have seen it sewn up I quite like this version of the bag.

Present for Mac

A little girl's top in Christmas fabric from Lincraft, the blue fabric from Spotlight, pattern by that*darn*kat

Pink Fig Patchwork Skirt

Made this, using this pattern for my niece Lauren. It has lots of twirl!

Montessori Child's Apron

I finished this recently for a Secret Santa swap for a little boy who enjoys a good session of biscuit baking. The pattern was too easy, and I like how it is designed for the child to put on themselves, promoting learning and independence. I think our little chef deserves one too - its on the 'to sew' list for 2010.

Tommy Turtle

Jordan's nickname before he was born was "turtle", so for Christmas I made him one using another Funky Friend's pattern. I gave personalised him by embroidering Jordan's initials onto his underbelly. The cheeky thing snuck into Jordan's cradle this morning to say 'hello' before he is wrapped and put away ready for the big day. Then he went for a little look out in the garden although it won't be long before he comes out to play again. I used the same fabric as I did for the giraffe (from Lincraft) with some fabric from my stash for the underbelly.

Very baby nappies

Before Jordan was born I made a couple of Very Baby newborn fitted nappies in the newborn size. I knew they wouldn't fit for very long, but I just wanted to have some of the teeny tiny nappies in our nappy stash. Well, at four weeks they no longer fit but have served their purpose well and have looked very cute. Some I made with a flannel outer from the Quilters Store in Salisbury, some I recycled some flannette pjs. (photo shows pj version).

Cupcake Dress Revealed

Dress back

I made this dress for Xena's daughter Jazynthe in the EB children's clothing swap.
Dress front

All in all pleased with how it turned out. Took alot of time to sew given that the dress is 16 different panels, all sewen together and topstitched, plus adding the trim to the bodice and hem panel. Jazynthe has a big smile so I think she liked it - not sure how the fit was though, it's always hard when you don't have a model the right size. It was loads of fun picking fabric and sewing for a little girl for a change. It made me stick to and finish a project on deadline. Thanks to Ingrid for organising.

WIP
Before I started working back at work four days a week, I tried to make Wednesday's my WIP day. I did one WIP Wednesday and to finish one item off, a pair of shorts for K. I preferred this pattern in the baby cord, not so much this version. The denim is a bit stiff and I don't like the different fabric for the pockets. I do like the topstitching in red though. Sorry the photo is a bit washed out because of the flash - must remember to take photos during the day!