Warm and woolly

In between birthday celebrations and party prep I have been sewing!

We decided that turning five was a very good reason to take the girls on their first trip to the snow - which for one reason or another has just not happened til now.

You never quite know what you will get when asking them to pose!

I remember going to the snow on camps as a young adult without the appropriate gear and feeling cold and miserable, so I was determined the girls would not be the same.

For that reason I made the most of The Fabric Store's recent sale and picked up some stretch merino in these gorgeous 'jewel' colours to make some layers for the girls.

The merino is very thin but super-warm and comfortable to wear, yet also has excellent water-repelling properties.

I chose two shades of their favourite colours each and made leggings and a long-sleeved top.

It is beautiful quality and was an absolute dream to sew, so smooth and lovely.

Still a little shy in front of the camera!

The tops are all made using Toni's Big Basic Tee pattern - I used the boy version as I didn't want the gathered sleeve head on this occasion. This is a great 'go to' pattern for me - quick and easy to put together and lots of options when it comes to mixing and matching fabric and also sleeve and band hem options.

Miss G's top is a size 6 with size 7 length on the sleeves and body and the other two are size 9's cut to the 10 length.

My purple-people-eater

The larger leggings are made using Ottobre 4/2013 pattern 30 and the smaller ones are also Ottobre, issue 6/2012 pattern 26, again with a little added length.

She finds it easy being green!

At one point today each of them declared they were too hot, so I think they well and truly did the trick.
Oh and these shots were taken after having been worn all day and for four hours in the car, so you can see they don't crush either!

I bought a metre of each and had enough left over to make 'the guy who lives here' a top too, with a blue body and green sleeves and there is still a little more left over, so we will see what becomes of that.

Finally some sewing!

I have actually made a bunch of things in the past few months - not that you'd know it from this blog!

Here's one thing...

This long-limbed-lovely started gymnastics this year and wanted a new leotard, so we went to the fabric shop where she chose the exact colour she wanted and also a sparkly butterfly for the front.

To say she loves gym would be the understatement of the year!

This is made in a stretch velour - so soft and stretchy, it must be lovely to wear.

Every gymnast needs a leotard with a 'skirt'

She wanted the same leotard as her last one, just in a new colour and of course with added length.

There's a little room through the back for when she puts her hands up and stretches.

This pattern is from Ottobre 1/2007  and I have made it before here and here in different colours and with different sleeve lengths.

I think I had brain-fade when cutting this though as I cut a size based on her height - and whenever I do that they are always too big through the body as she's quite petite in build.

What I should have done (as I did before) was cut a smaller size and add length.

Not sure what I was thinking - but it meant I had to take out about 1.5 cm on each side through the waist to get it to fit her!

Then I had to tighten the leg elastic as it was too loose so wasn't holding when she exercised.

And here is the perfectly matched butterfly she chose - not what I would go for - or what I tried to steer her toward but she loves it and is very happy with the end result.

With the new term of swimming nearly upon us, coming soon - more bathers!!

KCWC - Day 2

Day two of KCWC saw me make up this little jacket - for Miss L to throw on over her new dress when  the weather is a little cool.

This still needs a press-stud at the neck on the binding - but that's pretty close to a finish I think!

She's pretty pleased, even though the poor kid was freezing!

This is also from the Summer 3/2012 edition and this jacket is design number 31 and it is called 'Lime Juice'.
I made the same size as the dress, 134cm. The sleeves are a little long and I told her I'd shorten them but she asked me not to, so when she raises her arms they don't pull halfway up to her elbows.

Using a twin needle makes for a neat and tidy finish.

It was incredibly easy to make and the only changes I made were to omit buttons and buttonholes as I doubt she will ever wear it buttoned up anyway, and also to do the neck binding in a woven fabric the same as the shoulder straps and waistband on her dress, rather than the prescribed knit.

I did all the internal seams on my overlocker, with cuffs, hems and the button placket top-stitched using a twin needle because I like the finish it provides.

Incredibly I had this knit in my stash - I can't believe how well it matches the dress colour.

Of course if I was clever with the needles like Rachel or Kylie I could knit a cute shrug or cardigan which would look even better... (might take you up on that swap Kylie!)....

Day three of KCWC will involve the tracing and cutting of the croquet dress that I was supposed to do yesterday - until the jacket caught my attention!

This is another never used before pattern so that's two patterns busted out of my stash and two garments in two days.

I'm on a roll...

KCWC - Day 1

Well I am covering three categories with this post; it is Day one for KCWC, Day 9 of Blogtoberfest and pattern one of my pattern stash-busting

I spent the first hour of KCWC putting the finishing touches to this little summer dress for Miss L.

It's none of the patterns I showed you on the stash-busting post though - it comes from one of my beloved Ottobre magazines. So it still counts, as it's a pattern I have never used and was even from a magazine I have never used.

These colours make me feel summery, even if the temperature is not yet!

This is made from some Paula Prass Flights of Fancy fabric that I have been hoarding for ages, waiting for just the right project.

The dress has lots of lovely details that made it fun to make, pleats, invisible zip, piping on the princess-line seams and cute little gathered shoulder straps.

Flat piping highlights the princess-line seams of the bodice

I enjoy having a challenging project on the go - it makes me feel like I am really making something special for my little girl.

I chose to do the straps and waistband in contrast, so I omitted the piping from above the waistband as I felt it would have been lost, given they would have been made in the same fabric.

Now that invisible zip is perhaps the most invisible one yet.

I don't want to get ahead of myself but after procrastinating a bit about the zip I went ahead and did it and it went in perfectly on the first attempt. Phew!!
Could it be that I am getting the hang of them at last...

Here is the design in the Ottobre magazine

The dress is design 30 'Trumpet Flower" from the Summer 3/2012 edition of Ottobre. See this post for details of how I store my Ottobre patterns once I have traced them out.

I made the 134cm as Miss L is 131cm tall , but then I took a total of 4cm out of the bodice to get it to fit her! I should have made a smaller size and lengthened it but luckily it was relatively easy to alter.

Lining gives the dress nice body and adds to the twirl factor

I used a very boring white waffle for the lining.
It's not something you would traditionally use for a lining as it's a little heavy but I had it on hand and I wanted to be sure the dress would not be see-through.

It does provide the dress with a lovely fullness and it's nice and soft against her skin.

Here's the edition so you know what you are looking for!

Today I am planning to trace the next dress out - a Croquet dress, and also cut a cute little jacket to go with this dress.
The fabric for the jacket is what I used for the background in the dress shots, so I know it is going to match really well.

The girls are back at school today after our term break so I will try to get some action shots at some point...

How'd you go on Day 1 of KCWC, get much done??

Variation on a theme...

I know I've been showing you a couple of these lately but when you are on a good thing - stick to it I say! 

(I've actually made quite a few more than I have shown you, so be thankful for that!)

Lara has been getting into them too and made a couple with a rolled hem while we were away - so when I had to whip one up in a hurry and didn't want to fiddle with the bias bound edges, I too rolled the hem.

 I chose to use a strong contrasting colour for a 'pop' of colour and I love the finished result.

This pic is more true to the actual colour than the one below.

Then I ironed on this cute deer from Crafty Mama's for the finishing touch.

The birthday girl - and her mum - were very happy with it.

Terrible colour - but you get the idea...

KCWC - Day Five

Hooray - a good sewing day.

I have to say that KCWC has really got me inspired to sew again - and trying out some new patterns too, as well as a couple of old favourites.

It has reminded me to get my Otto's out and have a flick through them when I want to make something as there are patterns for many, many garments in there.

A versatile little piece to add to her wardrobe

This is the perfect example - a simple but sweet skirt that could be made in stretch or woven, in winter or summer weight fabric.

I've gone with a lightweight denim and pink trim. I chose to use one colour binding rather than the two shades of one colour shown in the magazine.
I also omitted the extra embellishments as I sometimes find too much like that limits how the item can be worn, so I kept it simple.

A bit out of focus but you get the picture!

This was very easy to make - you start with six rectangles and just bind the edges of two of them then gather them onto the other, waistband, piece.

As Miss G would (and frequently does) say "Easy, Peasy, Lemon Squeezy".

I think there will be a bit of 'skirt as a gift' sewing coming up for Day Six.
Stay tuned!

KCWC - Day Four

Day Four = Epic Fail!!

Day four resulted in me not having even a tiny slice of time to sit at the machine or to cut or even unpick...

So rather than dwell on it I'm going to show you what I plan to get up to today, Day Five.

Cute Ottobre skirt I cut out a few nights back.

It looks like this one will be nice and easy to make, and a bit fun too.

Some of my favourite Patty Young for the bias edging

And on a more practical note - pants for PE (Physical Education) at school.
I couldn't bring myself to buy the terrible ones available in the uniform shop.

And at least I know theses will fit properly.

The fabric is in the wash now so hopefully these will be on the machine tonight.

I wouldn't mind some of these in my size!

Ok - so off I go to slot in thirty minutes now.

Happy sewing!

Winter sewing???

I know that a few posts ago I was showing you a winter coat - made in wool - and now this??

Confused??

I've mentioned before that my kids are part fish so regardless of the season we swim a lot, either indoors or out depending on the season.

The result is the bathers I made earlier in the year are completely worn out.

Repeated exposure to chlorine or even salt-water pools will do that.

So with a pool party looming last Sunday, I made these up on Saturday night.

The fabric is some of the lovely lycra I picked up on the Sew It Together shopping trip In March.
While there I also got some swimwear elastic - so that's what I used in the knicker legs and waist this time.

The top is the Brooklyn Tank from the book Sewing clothes Kids love - fabulous book!
I'll definitely make more of these tanks for summer - cute and easy.

And the pants are again the bottom half of the leotard pattern from Ottobre 1/2007 pattern 29 or 30.

This time around I cut each pattern piece twice from the fabric, then I placed the matching pieces wrong sides together and basted them around the outside before then following the pattern instructions and sewing the two pieces as though they were one, effectively lining the suit in the same material as the outside.

I would have used a coordinating lining or nude if I had it on hand - but I didn't.

The result - a much more stable and strong bathing suit. It won't go see through easily - it holds its shape well and it hangs nicely due to the extra weight of the fabric.
All round a far nicer result.http://and-so-i-sew.blogspot.com/2011/04/weekend-that-was.html

Frilled with the results

OK, it's been a long time coming - but I am at last back with the last of the bathers/swimwear.

Here is the littlest madam in her new swimming gear, which she adores. 

I think she loves putting them on because it means she gets to swim and this kid is seriously part-fish.



Pants are the 'Dumbo' underwear from Ottobre 6/2010, all I did was do a rolled hem on some white lycra strips and ruffle them (just by hand) across the bottom.
Because I love frilly bums, because I couldn't resist the urge to do it and because soon she (or her Dad) won't let me!

The top is a singlet top from Ottobre 3/2007 (design 9) with a couple of modifications. Instead of tying the straps on the shoulder I measured them and cut so they joined under the arm then looped straight around. And I omitted the ruffles on the front - wouldn't want to over do it...

After doing that I browsed my 'Sewing Clothes Kids Love' book and of course found that the Brooklyn tank top is the same as this pattern, but with no modifications required.
I'll be using that in future, especially as it goes to larger sizes too.

So this less than wonderful pic was hurriedly taken just before they jumped into the local pool. The bathers passed with flying colours for comfort, lack of gape and general performance - but I should have thought to line the white top - not that the toddler cared.

I have since had to remake the top (after unpicking the bindings as I had no more dotty fabric) after the smallest, on this very first outing, spilled an 'all natural' raspberry/pine Calippo down the front - and nothing I tried would shift it.
Special treat - great idea!

Seems I am not the only one who likes a ruffley bottom!

Oh and I forgot to mention last post that I would, in future, put elastic into the armholes as well as necklines of the one piece bathers and unbound tank tops so they sit better.

Also if you haven't tried Wondertape and sew, or want to sew stretch - then seriously do yourself  a favour.
It is fabulous, and made sewing some of those fiddly little hems way easier.

Also, thanks for the swimwear love, glad to hear I am not the only one with 'issues' about commercialisation and inappropriateness of kids clothing.

Going Dotty

Ooops, I disappeared for a while there didn't I! My computer is dying a slow death, making posting pics a very tedious business, I'd like to help it along, perhaps through the window, but anyway...

Here are the bathers! (Cossies, Swimwear, whatever you like to call them).



Yes the clip matches, I'm weird like that!



The first pair for Miss L were supposed to be a one piece but then I got her to try them on before joining the two pieces together she asked if i could just put elastic in the waist of the pants - so I did.

Both these first two pair were made using the leotard pattern from Ottobre 1/2007, patterns 29 and 30.

I cut them sleeveless then once I had the bathers together I tried them on the child and drew onto them where I wanted to cut to lower the neckline and make the arm openings larger.

The next issue of Ottobre is going to have patterns for swimwear in it - so I wll be making sure I get that one.

You can trace off your own pattern from existing bathers.

Dana shows you how to do that here, as well as giving a bunch of other helpful hints and links.

Check them out - it saves making mistakes that someone else has learned from. 



Oh to have such a cute little bottom!

The ruffles are just done with a rolled hem on my overlocker.

This is the second pair - I am not so sure about the large ruffle around the chest, but she loves them - and they stood up to several hours of pounding in the surf while boogey boarding, without incident, or wedgie! (go on, click the link, you know you want to!)

A perfect fit for my long and lean child

No need to buy size 10 girls bathers that are too 'mature' for her anymore.

So, onto the details.

Before you sew lycra, read this post by Amy at Angry Chicken and make sure you watch the YouTube clip she links to of the man (yes man) sewing in the elastic into the legs. You'll be glad you did.

It's particularly important to use the right needle. Make sure you rneedle is fresh and a STRETCH needle.

Don't do a straight stitch around high stretch areas where you have elastic, such as the arm, leg and neck openings.

Instead do a zig zag or a twin needle stitch so that there is more 'give' in the stitching.

If you have a coverstitch machine then that's clearly the way to go (lucky you!).

Lycra doesn't fray so there's no need to turn things under multiple times - that makes it warp and sit funny.

(again, watch the YouTube thingy).

I joined the chest ruffle into the garment - in hindsight I think I should have sewn it on top of  the completed garment as it created a little too much bulk.

I didn't elasticise the arm openings on these ones, but I will in future to make them sit flatter, they curl a little.

I'd probably also line the bathers to give them a little more strength and body.

This fabric cost me $35 for a metre from Trimmings and Remnants and is really lovely quality - nice and thick.

From one metre I got these two pair and the bottoms and some binding for the smallest child's pair (which I will show you soon), so I think that's pretty good value.

I have to say that overcoming my fear of messing this up was the part of the job that took the longest.

When I dived in with an "it's only the cost of some fabric if I mess it up" attitude, it was pretty easy.

I will definitely be having another go at doing this because I was able to get age-appropriate bathers that fit well and are comfortable for my kids, so they tick all the boxes for me.

Go on, don't be scared, give it a go!

Ottobre 301 - the basic T

Sometimes after a long or difficult project you want something fun and easy to sink your teeth into. Like these Ottobre 301 long sleeved T's.

I finally made up the dinosaur pants I promised to a friend (and gave them away with no photos - doh!).
It was the first time I had done a proper zip fly, so I procrastinated for a while (well, ages really)then finally got into them.

Then I sewed the back pockets on in the wrong spot, forgot to add seam allowance to the fly shield and had to recut it, cut the waitsband wrongly and misplaced the belt tabs that I had already sewn and had to make more.
So by the time I gave these pants away I was very happy to see the back of them!

Tanya asked me one day how I was going with my list, the one in my sidebar of things to tackle in 2010.
It included sewing stretch items other than knickers.


So I dug out my Ottobre 301 basic T's pattern (that I have only ever made once before!) cut into some stretch fabric and got stuck into making two Ottobre 301 long sleeved 'boy' tops and two 'girl' tops.
(I made a 'girly' one with hot pink stars on grey for the body and hot pink sleeves but it's in the wash!)


There are some great stretch sewing tips around at the moment.

Including these on Sew, Mama, Sew by Patty Young (she has a fabulous colourful new range of stretch knits out), one of which was to use woolly nylon in the bobbin - which is what you see above on the reverse side of the bottom hem.

I also used a twin needle for a bit of a mock coverstitch finish, on the sleeve and bottom hems and also the necklines.


There are more tips from Patty on hemming stretch fabrics at the bottom of this post.



Leisl Gibson, of Oliver +s patterns fame also offers some stretch tips to be found here.
They are releasing a great line of knits later this month, and their new Hopscotch skirt and shirt pattern uses stretch fabrics.

Also when it comes to stretch guru's, you can't go past Sara of Willow and Moo fame.
She provided some stretch sewing advice earlier this year on Carolyn's blog when the monthly challenge was stretch.

• So what did I learn??
  The fabric I used for the sleeves (the white and blue) did not have enough rebound for me to 'self trim' the necklines of these shirts, and as such they are a little wide and loose.

• I folded the neckbands over twice (like bias) so there are no raw edges, one of the techniques shown by Ottobre in the pattern, but maybe I need to only fold once to the inside as it felt a bit overstretched?? (advice welcome!!)

• The woolly nylon works a treat and with the twin needle gives a lovely neat finish with a bit of give.

• I must use this pattern more - it goes from 92cm to 170cm and there are close-fitting and loose-fitting options. With embellishment there is a wardrobe of T's here, both long and short.
  

Do you stretch sew?

What tips and hints do you have to offer for a professional finish?

Ringo rocks

Well I finished the Feliz dress in the last post and it came up really well, but umm... well... I forgot to take a photo of it before I handed it over to its new owner!

It was for a friend of mine so I am sure I will get one soon that I can share with you.

I will say again - ruffler foot!! Get one!!
The hem frill is 4 metres of fabric gathered to 2 metres and it WAS A BREEZE!

So on to pants for the brother of the little girl who got the dress.
His mum had selected this cute "bears at the carnival" fabric and a pattern from Ottobre 1/2008 - the Ringo pants (design 23).

These have lovely detail at the top including little faux pocket flaps and a side zip. They were meant to have velcro on the waistband tab but I substituted a snap for this - because I can!

The waistband, while not perfectly aligned, is more even that it appears to be in this pic - not sure what happened there!

He's a little guy so a slim-fit pant fits better on him, which is what these are.

The little recipient was not as happy with these as his sister (and Mum) were with the dress.

I also have dinosaur fabric to make him another pair of pants and given his only comment when I asked him to try these ones on to get the hems right was "but they're not dinosaurs!", I think he will love the next pants more!

My Creative Space

Is all about what I am plotting and planning to do in the coming weeks, months and years!

I was recently been given these two amazing books.


So much to look at and take in that I have been reading them in little grabs over the past few nights and days, whenever a quiet moment presents itself.
(which means of course there is still a lot to read!)

They are quite different and while there are projects from both I will undertake, I have to say that 'Sewing Clothes Kids Love' has captured my heart.



It is filled with the most divine colourful images of clothing made in gorgeous European fabric (boy do they have a great range compared to us!).

The book also has some great tips for sewing stretch fabric, embellishing items and an excellent section about measuring your child properly and then making clothes to their size, to ensure a good fit.


Then of course there is this gorgeous pic of a Redondo skirt made by a lovely Aussie gal, well done Sara!


I also got a subscription to Ottobre which included a free back issue.

After checking out their website I came across this one which has two versions of a leotard (something the girls are dying for me to make for them)

And also some very lovely dresses and skirts with ruffles down the back that I would like to tackle for winter.

Should keep me busy for a while don't you think!

Check out what other peeps are contemplating in their crafty world by popping over to Kirsty's place.

My Creative Space

Is dominated by gifts from friends that beg to be explored.

When I can find some time for me I will be testing out this fearsome looking new ruffer foot and also devouring, in detail, the latest Ottobre sent to me by a very kind lady for my birthday.

To check out what other crafty types are getting creative with this week, or to join in, pop over to Kirsty's place.

Roses for Violet

We've got a few parties coming up, one of them for little Violet who is turning one.

Her mum (who is a florist) loves all things girly and pink and also loves flowers (well obviously!), so I thought there was nothing better in the stash than this cream and pink rose print for her present.

The top was super-easy - Ottobre 1/2008 - design 1, the Nirunaru top.
I did an 86cm one so it will be like a tunic in summer and can then be worn with a T-shirt as the weather cools.

The hat is another Make It Perfect Lazy Day reversible which I think will get lots of wear in this early summery blast of weather we have been having.

The flower is not actually attached to the shirt -it has both a hair clip and a brooch fastening on the back so it can be worn in her hair, on her hat or on the shirt, with her mum just removing the fastening that is not being used.

Another hat is cut and ready to go and I feel a retro dress/top coming on for the next birthday girl.
Off to trawl the fabric stash again...