November...

was an awful one this year. Two days after returning from Japan, a close family member passed away. So November has pretty much been a write off.

We did have a couple of birthdays to celebrate though. My beautiful Ollie turned 5 on October 27th (when I was in Japan - that was a hard day for me, but he had a great day!), so we celebrated with a yummy chocolate cake. He's very excited to be a big 5 year old. One of the highlights so far has been Prep orientation. He's had 3 one hour sessions at his new school, and was so excited and proud to be standing amongst all his new class mates.


My birthday passed fairly quietly (and not without a few tears). I was just happy to have family around me. I did splurge on my gift to myself this year (with some help from mum) - a Horn sewing cabinet, purchased on ebay, and in near mint condition. Previously, my sewing machine was set up on a very messy little table in the corner of my lounge room. I'm so excited to be able to put it out of sight when I'm not using it, knowing that it's so easy to bring out again.

I've been completely lacking in creative motivation since I returned from Japan, so I was hoping that this would be just the thing to get me sewing again. As you can see in the bottom right corner, today I've been working on the French General Flying Geese (FGFG!) quilt from Fat Quarterly eZine, Issue 1. Slowly getting there...

10 days, and counting!!

Konichiwa!

With only 10 more sleeps (not including day time kips) til I fly off to Japan, I thought it was high time to get some Japanese holiday sewing done.

I bought some beautiful Nani Iro double gauze on Etsy a couple of months ago, and searched high and low all over the internets for the right pattern for it. I ummed and ahhhed for a good few weeks over the Summer Blouse pattern in Heather Ross's Weekend Sewing, but wasn't overly happy with the shapelessness of it. Eventually, I came across this tunic that Bec made, and I bought myself the pattern that night. It's the Schoolhouse Tunic by Meg from Sew Liberated.

It finally arrived yesterday (things always seem to take longer when you're in a hurry to receive them!), and I got stuck into pretty much straight away. It's a very easy pattern to follow, and I had good intentions to follow it to the letter (a rarity for me!). When it came time to try it on, though, it was too big. Only a size or so too big, but it was feeling a bit sack-like.


I spent half the night unpicking and resewing, with a few extra modifications along the way. For example, I've made the pleats larger, I've crossed over the front bodice sections where it joins the skirt (mostly to stop the gaping), I've taken length off the bodice, and I've added darts onto the bodice back.


This morning I unpicked the hem, and took both sides in about 2 inches, re-hemmed, and now I have a tunic that I'm really happy with. It fits perfectly, the fabric is so soft, and I don't think I've ever made a garment for myself that I'm as happy with as this.I'm off to Spotlight now to get some black thread for the overlocker so I can get stuck into Version Two.

The Ice Cream Social (and a giveaway!)

Have you heard about the Ice Cream Social? It's basically a virtual sew-along of an oliver + s dress pattern called the Ice Cream Dress. It's co-hosted by Amy and Kate, the sew-along is starting soon, so if you want to play along, join up here.

Because I couldn't wait til July 18th, I've already made a start. This blouse (view C) is made in a size 2T using Kona snow for the yoke, and a deconstructed op-shopped skirt for the body.

It's modeled below by my petite 3 year old friend (her chest measures 52cm). I'd definitely go up to a size 3 if making one for her.

And of course, because it is winter here in Melbourne, she has had to model the top with a long sleever underneath.

The pattern was pretty easy to make. I'm not usually one for following a pattern properly (I like to make modifications), but I pretty much followed the instructions, for the sake of the sew-along. Next time, though, I'll be tweaking the pattern pieces a little here and there.

Overall, I'm happy with the garment, and would love to give it away!

If you'd like a chance to win this sweet blouse, please let me know in the comments who you'd give the blouse to. I'm happy to post internationally, so everyone is welcome to comment.

I'll randomly draw the winners name one week from today, at midday (Melbourne time) on Monday July 19th.

Good luck to all!

Cute Pinafore Dress

Although I love to flick through copies of Ottobre magazine to find new things to make for Ollie and his little friends, I'm often put off by the choice of fabrics they use. I sometimes have difficulty seeing past a fabric that doesn't tickle my fancy - too floral, or perhaps too pink?

I was therefore absolutely delighted to see this gorgeous Ottobre creation by Leisl of Jorth. Inspired!

I rifled through my stash to find some stretchy black denim and red and white striped quilting cotton, and set to work making this little pinafore for our little soon-to-be 3 year old friend who spends two days a week with my Ollie.

She is a gorgeous girl who owns far too many pink clothes for my liking (all hand-me-downs, I'm assured), so I steered well clear of anything pink.
Ollie and I made a mad dash to Chadstone at 9am this morning to find her some red leggings and long sleeved tee to coordinate with her new dress. I was very happy to see her wearing the outfit this afternoon for her party!

Pattern: Pinafore Dress in size 92cm

Mag: Ottobre 1/2007

Finally!

I made myself a new bag! I have searched and searched the internets for a suitable bag pattern, to no avail. Alas, I had to deconstruct my old bag to use it as a template for the new.

The old bag was one that I bought on Etsy from this seller - she makes lovely practical bags (highly recommended if you're in the market for a newbie).
My little Janome struggled over all the layers of fabric (I broke 3 needles on it!). My workmanship is a little shoddy, but hopefully it still lasts as long as my previous bag, which was of a much higher quality!

The front pocket features some fabric cut from an Aunty Cookie panel.

Skirts Ahoy

Melbourne has put on some summer weather this week, so I thought it was time to get into sweat shop mode.

A super lovely person bought me this gorgeous Clothkits skirt a while back. The fabric panel sat on a shelf, washed and ironed, for far too long. I finally cut it on Sunday night, and sewed it up today.

I'm delighted with it!

Before sewing it up, I traced a pattern from the pieces. I figured if I liked the fit, it would be a simple A-line pattern to have on hand. Needless to say, I liked the fit, and made myself another! This time I made one from an upholstery weight fabric - perfect for the cooler months :) I can barely even try it on in this heat!

Oh well, at least I have the perfect skirt for next winter!

Tea Wallet

A quick gift whipped up for a friends birthday today. I've seen these around the internets here and there, but just went with my own measurements as I couldn't be shagged hunting down a tutorial.

The colour is not a true representation - it's actually a limey green, but the time of day that I took the pics coupled with the dark green cutting mat has distorted it.
In case you haven't yet figured it out, it's a tea wallet. My friend drinks herbal/camomile/peppermint - types of tea (which I never seemed to have in the house), so I thought stashing this in her bag would be handy.

The outer fabric is Aunty Cookie's white on lime papercuts, the pocket fabric is from the ginger blossom range, and the binding is green and white woodgrain.

A pity the colour didn't come through in the pics - I really love the green!

I've become such an inconsistent blogger, haven't I? If it weren't for the quilting bees I joined, who knows when I might have found the time to blog again....

I have been kept pretty busy with a 6 week stint of work that finished on Tuesday, as well as school holidays, and lots of drama when my car broke down 110km's from home! It's a long story, involving a very dodgy tow-man/mechanic and a week with no car. I finally got to pick the car up on Friday, sweet relief!

Anyway, onto the sewing! The following block is a big one, measuring 18.5 inches square. It's made for Belinda from the Beehive. She's making a quilt for her son, who likes aeroplanes (hence the one in the centre of the block, found in my stash). The pattern she's using is from Material Obsession, the Retro Starburst quilt. I look forward to seeing it when she gets all the blocks - I've had real difficulty visualising this one (having not seen the book myself).

The following two blocks are for Brioni of Bee Addicted 3. She sent a heap of yellow scraps, along with the unbleached cotton, and requested wonky stars floating on the unbleached background.
I've not made wonky stars before, so didn't get too adventurous with the design. I did try to mix up the centre squares a bit in an effort to use each of the fabrics she sent.
All posted today! Which leaves me set to sew birthday gifts for the mother's group kids, most of them turn 2 or 4 in Sept and Oct, and I'm a bit behind!

Super-Puppy Photo Shoot

The favourite puppy has had a great day today. As well as receiving a new puppy quilt, he was also lucky enough to get a super hero cape. He was more than happy to model it for us (despite the sad look on his face!)

It's simply made from a circle of stretchy red fabric, sewn onto an elasticised loop.
Easy for the boy child to put on when he thinks that puppy wants to fly (which is often).
Poor old puppy is looking a little worse for wear! He gets thrown around, sucked, chewed, pummeled, and cuddled near to death. I really must look for another, but this one was a gift to my daughter about 10 years ago, so I fear I may never find one the same...

Puppy Mini Quilt

Yay, it's done! Not that's it's hard to finish a quilt that measures 13.5 inches square. But it's nice to finish something :)

Pictured with the boy child's favourite puppy toy.

Close up of the pebble quilting.

It has been well received by the boy - he immediately jumped on it and magically turned into a puppy! I didn't realise it was a portal when I was creating it...

His puppy has been bundled into a 'parcel' countless times already, so i'd say it was a hit.

WIP Puppy Block

For the puppy-obsessed boy child.

Pattern purchased here.

Sweet and Simple Bubba Quilt

Made for a new babe (sister to my daughter) who is nearly cooked. No, I'm not my babe, rather, the babe of my ex and his wife.

Very simply made from two of my favourite op shopped sheets, sandwiched with some cotton batting, quilted in random criss-crossing stripes, and bound in the same green cotton that backs these cushions.
Nice and simple.
Just awaiting the birth of said child so I can attach a quilt label.

Kitty Cushions

The wife of my ex gave me a panel of screen printed fabric she found in an op shop, with a request that I make it into a cushion (they are expecting a babe at any time now, and the green coordinates with other things in the babes room)

I don't know her too well, and despite asking questions to work out exactly what she wanted, I was left feeling very unsure of what I needed to do (ie, she was very obliging, telling me to do whatever I wanted!). The panel is actually printed with all the pieces and instruction to make the kitty backpack pictured below.

Did she want the cat on there? Or part of it? Or bits of everything? I did not know. In the end, I just cut out the kitty's overalls (front and back), and teamed it with some green cotton for the back.

They actually turned out quite cute, I think. I particularly like the front panel, with the peter pan collar and buttons down the front.

Hopefully she'll love them!

I was also a bit pleased to have sneakily sussed the main colour of the babes room - I have made a sweet and simple little baby quilt in coordinating colours that will match well. More pics to come (once I've taken them!!)

Fabric Manipulation

Has anyone seen this book? 'The Art of Fabric Manipulation' by Colette Wolff? It's fantastic! Inspiring, beautiful, a great reference for my ever growing collection of sewing and craft books.

It goes through different methods of fabric manipulation like gathering, shirring, ruffles, flounces, godets, pleating, smocking, tucking, cording, stuffing, quilting and darts. It contains black and white photos, as well as drawings, of each type of manipulation. I'm not sure how comprehensive the instructions are (the visual instructions aren't great, so some sewing skill is required), but I'm feeling totally inspired nonetheless.

Tonight I made this birthday card for my mum (happy b'day mum!). It's fairly simple - knife pleats with a couple of yoyo's stitched on, but I'm loving the 3 dimensional aspect of it. I've added a bit of thin sashing to frame it, then just folded the edges under and sewn it to a piece of cardboard (unfortunately, it's a piece of yellow corrugated cardboard, but hey - when the creative inspiration hits at 10pm, you have to go with it, right??)

I can imagine a quilt top in my future with 3 dimensional blocks, each different but pulled together by the fact that they're all made from a single colour....

The case of the disappearing nine patch.....

Motivation has returned to the House'o'knickers, thanks to some lovely parcels of fabric!

Nice to have the ol' sewing mojo back again!

The quilt top pictured above is half completed - I still have 10 blocks to sew, than all the blocks need to be joined together. I have based my design on this pattern I found whilst randomly googling the other day. I am using HR fabrics in blues/oranges/yellows, and the squares are all 4 inch.

The quilt top below was made in an evening (well, technically I did sew well into the wee hours), and is again a disappearing nine patch, but this time each nine patch had nine fabrics (6 inch squares) laid in an identical order. I used a most of a fat quarter pack of Metro Market by Robert Kaufman (I weeded out the pinks, and substituted them for a couple of greens from the stash). It still needs a border and some sashing.

I'm hoping that my motivation sticks around long enough to finish these two quilts by the end of the week. I so look forward to laying on the couch under either of them!

Show and Tell

A very productive week! (see, I can do it if I put my mind to it!).

Table Runner for a birthday gift - finished. Un-ironed, but finished.

I even hand-stitched the binding!
All rolled up and ready to take to the party.
My skirt is also finished. Using this one I made in April, I embellished it with circles cut from upholstery samples (layered in 3's) which were then sewn into 2 circles. Then I bound the bottom edge in binding made from one of the upholstery samples.
I'm also wearing my new boots (yay!!).
And the most tedious of all the tasks - tucking in all the ends of the Ripple - was completed on Tuesday (whilst the 2 boys I baby-sat slept peacefully for 2.5 hours!!!). The parcel was posted on Wednesday, and surprisingly arrived in Swan hill the very next day!
I even had time to cut out circles for a new quilt...despite having several unfinished quilts calling my name for some assistance! Naughty, I know, but it's the thrill of the new...

Making a start on the list

Take 2 on the 40th birthday gift I referred to in my last post. The first attempt was made following the hexy table runner pattern and instructions in Sew Hip Mag. Dismal. Sewing all those bloody seams together was just a pain in the neck. I quickly threw that on the recycle pile (home to all failed attempts at creating something).

This is attempt two, where I scrapped the magazine pattern, and made my own half hexagon template (after reading about them here). Much happier.

I'm part way through some border stitching in red, then I'll attach some ticking for the backing. Currently measures 149cm by 49cm.

Progress... kind of...

Thanks for all of your encouraging words re: the crochet. Unfortunately I got to nearly the halfway point of joining my granny squares when I realised the first three rows I put together were done in the wrong order! Arghh! (It looked great, though!)

I've yet to pull it apart - too much to do, so little time!!
I've tucked in over half the ends for the ripple blanket, and know I will get the rest done on Tuesday when I'm baby-sitting (the boys sleep for about 2 hours after lunch!).

Miss J is off to Paris and London for a couple of weeks on Thursday, so I've sewn her a draw-string dirty laundry bag for the trip. I need to make her another for her shoes, and probably one to house the ripple blanket (which is to be posted off this Wednesday!!). Ollie needs a couple for his toys, which I guess isn't urgent....

I'm off to a friend's 40th on Saturday night, so nave to make her a gift, and I was also hoping to embellish a skirt I made from this book to wear on the night.

That's not too ambitious for just under a week, is it?

Too Hot To Handle

(must be why I'm single!)

I realised this morning that today is the last day Ollie will see his Teacher (carer?) at child care as she is leaving tomorrow.

Fortunately Ollie has already sussed that pink is her favourite colour, so it was time to raid my stash and make her a parting gift.

It was slim pickings as far as the pink was concerned, but I'm pretty happy with how the gift turned out.

As you can see, an oven mitt and pot-holder. I used a template from Denyse Schmidt Quilts for the mitt (with a few adjustments to make it more comfortable), and just made up a matching square for the pot-holder.

All fully lined and quilted. Now to find a drawing of Ollie's that I can magically turn into a farewell card....

The Eddie Cap

Have you seen this around the traps? It's such a gorgeous cap, and relatively easy to make. The free online tutorial is available here at Mushroom Villagers (how cute are her kids!!).

I made this one using the same green stretch pinwale cord that I'd used in Ollie's robot pants the other day. There was just enough left over for a matching cap.
Despite measuring Ollie's head before making it, it turned out waaay too big - big enough to comfortably fit Miss J or myself.

Miss J suggesting putting some elastic into the band so that it fit Ollie. Now it fits him perfectly! And he loves it, too, which is always a bonus.