Kids Clothing Week Challenge

I'm joining Meg over at Elsie Marley from next Monday for Kids Clothing Week Challenge . I'm pledging to sew one hour a day for my kids for an entire week. This is just the inspiration (read shove) that I need to get into that stash and sew up a storm. If you're interested in joining, pop on over to Meg's blog here .

Something for suzy...McCalls 5388

Yesterday morning I had three hours of uninterrupted sewing time and it was pure bliss. I made something for me! Nothing short of amazing I tell you. I managed to cut it out, sew it up and wear it to lunch with a friend. I think a pretty good effort for a morning's work.

The picture is not great, because I was literally running out the door and running late!

Pattern Details: McCalls 5388 View D (out of print now I think)

Fabric: Cotton Voile. Valeri Wells for Free Spirit Wildfield Cherry Fabric.

Since I began referring to Sandra Betzina's More Fabric Savvy before sewing, the finish on my garments has come on leaps and bounds. Using the correct needles, thread and seams really makes all the difference.

Have a great day,

suzy xoxo

Sewing seams

Do you avoid making garments that need you to sew seams? I am usually disappointed by my efforts I have to say which is such a let down after the whole process of choosing pattern/colours/yarn, not to mention project process.

So then you can imagine my delight when Susan, a long time reader of my blog sent me this fantastic article from the Twist Collective, I'm seriously thinking about pulling out the seams on my Rand Cushion and doing them again with these tips!

Happy sewing,
suzy xoxo

Oliver + S sew along

So after yesterday's post about stash busting, it got me to thinking about doing some book busting. I'm sure some of you are like me, you see a gorgeous book and you HAVE to buy it. It arrives you are way beyond pleased because the projects are just as beautiful as you imagined...but then something happens, actually nothing happens. Trust me this is not for a lack of wanting to sew, but like most things it gets pushed aside. It was fortuitous then that I came across the Oliver + S Little Things Sew Along from a little gray. I think it's a well paced sew along - one wee project a month.

I have had the Little Things to Sew Book since it came out - and I love it!

So I'm in...and committed! Button on my sidebar - care to join me?

The perfect stash buster

I have been meaning to post about this for AGES! I made this garment a couple of months ago and let me tell you it was the perfect stash buster. I had both the pattern and the fabric in the stash for at least a couple of years and in a rare moment of clarity I put two and two together and voila, here is the result. It has been a great addition to Sophie's wardrobe and she just adores the little "ladybuggies" all over the fabric.

I'm not sure what the name of the fabric is, but it is a double sided heavy Japanese linen which is very durable and toddler friendly. The pattern is #17 from Ottobre 01/2009.

Mama made March - week two

Week two of Mama Made March...you'll see as you scroll down that we are missing Thursday and Friday - baby girl was sick and a bit too boo-hoo to pose for photos...but trust me she did wear Mama made stuff. Pattern details included in the link in each description.

Saturday 5 March - Sweeping the path in Mama Made shorts (a wee bit crushed after my nap!)

Sunday 6 March - In Mama Made cardigan
at the Kid's Day at the National Gallery of Australia

Monday 7 March - In Mama Made dress (Ottobre 03/09 #18) just home from school.

Tuesday 8 March - In Mama Made tunic (Ottobre 01/09 #7)
ready for school.

Wednesday 9 March - In Mama Made (actually refashioned) top. This was my favourite outfit from last winter, but the bodysuit/onesy was too short so I used my new coverstitch machine to turn the it into a top.

Saturday 12 March - Feeling much better in Mama Made shorts
and t-shirt (Ottobre 03/09 #32).

Winter skirt

Over the last two weekends I made up this wintry wooly skirt. This is me posing before work today!

I searched around for a VERY basic pencil skirt pattern: no waistband, two side seams, a couple of darts and a zipper. I found this one from Burda Style (then BWOF) 02/09 Style 128 which was originally meant for lace pattern, but I think it did the job admirably.

It was quicker to sew than cut out, and the whole thing from start to finish would have taken two or so hours, except the overlocker had to go see the mechanic in the middle, It didn't survive being "washed" with milk too well apparently.

So details of the pattern again will be on my sidebar via Sewing Pattern Review...but things I learnt from sewing this are:
1. Using a walking foot for the wool boucle - worth it
2. Other recommendations from Sandra Betzina's Fabric Savvy such as the side seams and hem - worth it
3. Adding a touch of lace edging to the bottom of the lining - not necessary, but worth it
4. Comments from work colleagues all day - priceless!

...and don't forget to put your comments over here for a chance to win one of my bib sets in a giveaway...