KCW - Shorts Ahoy

I've had one of *those* days. The days were you make plans and it all kicks off innocently enough and then next minute you're in the trenches with no idea how you got there reminding yourself that humans don't eat their young. Bed time cold not come soon enough tonight! onto the shorts....

I used Caila Made's summer short pattern again (blogged here). Its such a versatile pattern and free which is awesome. The fabric is Belle & Boo's "Pirate Games" which I grabbed 2 fat 1/4's of during Spotlights dollar fat flats. I love a pattern that can be made out of two fat flats! So all up these cuties cost $2! 

I used a lid to round the leg and bound them in navy bias, which came from my vintage bias stash.I originally wanted to bind the legs in red, but only had the smallest bit, which I used to add bows to each leg. I am so stinking in love with these shorts.

I had more short plans for today which I even got cut out, but Layla quickly put those plans to rest. Whats the proverb - Man proposes and toddler disposes. She even scribbled on the fabric with texta, just to make sure I got the message. Today's mantra was "I love my daughter, I love my daughter". I prefer when that mantra is spontaneous rather then forced. 

I briefly considered spending my evening at the sewing machine, but honestly all I'm fit for is sitting on the couch watching crappy tv and drowning my sorrows in a tin of milo! Bring on the new day!!!

KCW - Care bear count down

I'm sewing with Kids Clothes Week! In case you've never heard of it before the basic premise is that you sew for 1hr every day for a week. Simple yes?! I spent yesterday doing mundane things like printing off patterns taping them together, tracing them out, cutting them out etc etc etc. I was planning to do it before the official start of KCW, but I procrastinated. Its a crap job. If there's anyone out there who actually enjoys taping together a thousand pattern pages and then tracing/cutting them out please get in touch. I have a best friend positioning opening up just for you!

I kicked off the sewing with the It's a Party Blouse, by To Sweets. I made it from vintage care bears fabric and some plain pink cotton that I was given.

I sewed up a 3t, omitted the ruffle from the bottom of the top and cut it out a 5t length. I thought a 3t would be massive on my petite 2 year old, but it was a bit squeezy which means we'll only get spring/summer use out of it. I have to be honest,I just don't get american sizing. The top was also slightly more labour intensive then I was expecting and so took more time to sew then I thought it would. 

 

I'm committed to using patterns I haven't used before. I told hubby that I'd use all of the pdf patterns I have before buying any new ones - needless to say I've already broken that promise. I don't know why I insist on making promises I know I can't keep!

Anyhow, Layla loves the care bears and we have been reading the one care bear book over and over and over again. It's like freakin' groundhog day, but much much worse. I'm glad she loves them though. I loved care bears as a kid and have such fond memories of my Grandma taking me to the video store to hire Care Bears movies. Becoming a parent has made me even more sentimental and nostalgic then I ever.

I'm committed to sewing lots of layer-y clothes this KCW. Things that are perfect for spring, but will be equally as good come summer. I also want to keep costs low. Because the fabric for this top was either thrifted or gifted it cost about $4 to make. Gotta be happy with that xx

Plaid Hot Pants

OK so I know I said I was only going to sew along with PR&P once..... but I lied apparently.

I was flicking through my liked blog posts yesterday when I saw PR&P's themes for this season. I had a grumpy kidlet plastered to me so I thought I'd just have a little google-see at plaid kids clothes, especially as plaid kids clothes totally fit with my vintage aesthetic. 

I started thinking about plaid outfits I could sew for my miss, except none of my ideas were really that original. I becamefixated on a woollen, plaid hood I made for Layla from an old electric blanket (tutorial coming) and using plaid in an unusual way. And then I decided on hot pants, short shorts or running shorts whatever you want to call them. 

Because I used a woolen plaid they'll keep Layla plenty warm as Tasmania makes a pathetic effort to transition from winter to spring. I thrifted the material ages ago for a few bucks and the binding is vintage also.

I used Caila Made's Summer Shorts pattern as my starting point. I rounded the outside leg, and used bias on the hem and outside leg. That bias tape was tiny. I sewed it onto place and realised I'd have to hand stitch it if I wanted it to look any good wahhhh. So I sucked it up and sat on the couch, put some trashy tv on (Fashion Police) and got to it.

I then followed the Summer Shorts tutorial to construct the shorts. The one difference being that I didn't sew the side seams together before creating the waistband/casing. I simply tacked them in place. I added the heart buttons for two reasons 1: they're cute and 2: a bit of modesty. I had hopped to make a Banyan tunic to go with the shorts but didn't have enough stretch fabric. Jono's T-shirts were just too small. 

I'm pretty happy with how the shorts turned out. I might make Layla a few more pairs, apart from the bias binding they're a really quick sew. I was concerned that they might be a little to Nana, but I think the hot pant style and the buttons help them steer clear of nursing home fashion. At least I hope this isn't the latest trend at the nursing home... that Nana would want to have some rockin pins ;)

Winged it

 

So the end of August/start of September is packed with Birthdays, about 2 a week. Because most of the gifts we give are handmade, it gets a little crazy. Luckily one of the birthday's is mine and I don't expect a gift - well from me. If other people want to give me gifts they can have at it.

 

My hubby thinks the drive to give handmade gifts is just more evidence that I'm certifiable (supportive right

?!). And I can see where he's coming from. What with my love of procrastination, a need for things to be perfect, and the tendency to become ever so slightly psychotic with rapidly approaching deadlines handmade gifting isn't all love and roses.  It often involves a number of choice swear words and is peppered with breakdowns.

And yet, when you finally finish the making and get on to the giving all that melts away - well it does for me. Jono may have some handmade gifting PTSD, I choose not to examine it to closely. There's nothing quite like picking the perfect gift for someone and then crafting it with your own two hands.

  

These owl wings were created for a very special 7 year old, and were an amazing vintage scrap buster. There are a hundred pinsfor these wings on Pinterest and you can find the pattern for wings to fit a 2 yr old here. Mine needed to be a bit bigger so I just winged it (love puns, no apologies). 

I love how these wings turned out. They ate a whole stick of sewline, and I got a massive blister from using my pinking sheers (I kind of flinch at the sight of them now), but it was all worth it. Now Layla is begging for a pair... I will have to add it to the sewing list, which is massive. I will never have enough time to complete all the projects that are in my head. My sewing machine and I are so in need of a week away together. Just imagine it.... pffft who am I kidding. If I had a week away from my family my sewing machine would sit neglected in the corner while I slept all. week. long.

popover culottes

So this is the first time I've officially sewn along with Project Run & Play. I've started a couple of ideas before, but never finished in time to link up. I will not be sewing along for the whole season because I've got the worst time management skills in the world, but this challenge appealed to me.

I wasn't going to play along... but then this little idea kept milling in my head after seeing a chiffon Dotti top that had the arm and neck bound in chambray bias tape. The Oliver + S popover sundress pattern (which is a freebie) was a perfect way to achieve a similar look.

I mixed the pattern up by drafting culottes turning it into a play suit. The fact that it's super cute, looks like a skirt, but allows my toddler to run and jump and climb easily makes this perfect for spring. Which is hopefully just around the corner... except its Tassie and we aren't really known for sunshiny weather! 

This was the first time I've ever drafted anything more complicated then a peter pan collar. I used this tutorial to give me the guide lines, but had to change it up somewhat in order to make it work for a toddler ( I'm totally crushing on the coluttes she made. want. them.)

The culottes are made from 4 1/4 circle skirts so they drape perfectly which means when Layla is still its a pretty convincing skirt. The fabric is flora and fauna which I grabbed from Spotlight's clearance section, it's very light weight (ie see through) so the play suit is fully lined.

   

 

Drafting is hard, this took 3 muslins, mainly because I should never do math unsupervised. We are not best friend or even acquaintances, I can do it... but i don't like it!! That's why its a rushed post so I can squeeze it in before the deadline!! 

You know what else is hard, taking photos of a less then co operative 2 yr old. I even bribed her with chocolate!

Have you ever drafted you own pattern? Is math your frienemey  too?!

Boo Designs! Design Your Own Pinny

Okay, so I'm totally ga ga for Boo Designs! patterns. I now own most of them (Hi, my name is jade and I'm a pattern addict) and love sewing them. 

I made Layla a pinwale cord Design Your Own Pinny for spring. The best part about the design your own patterns is you can put your own spin on it. Kristie provides you with options within the pattern, but there are countless other ways to customise your pinny. There's also a very help facebook pattern group to help you out if you get stuck or to show off your completed Boo Design! when your done!

I really love how the Pinny turned out, pure cuteness. Be warned there are no pattern pieces - just measurements, so if this scares you it may not be the pattern for you. I didn't mind it. The pattern is well written, and even though you have to really think through a couple of the steps, its not too tricky to get there in the end. 

I made Layla a size 2 and it fits her beautifully. Because of the elasticised back she's not going to grow out of it in a heartbeat, which is always a massive plus. She's a pretty petite 2 year old though, which is awesome for the amount of wear she gets out of clothes!

I utilised some gorgeous vintage Sarah Kay print for the bodice panel and the heart shaped pockets. I totally stole the pocket pattern from the Boo Designs! DYO Overalls Patterns and Layla loves them. That kid is all about pockets at the moment. I love that I can add special touches to her outfits that she *loves*. 

I also added a vintage lace trim to the straps. In the pattern group there's an easy run down of how to do this. I hadn't read this when I did mine, I just pinned it to the back of the strap before top stitching the strap. 

Arghhh, doesn't she just suck you right in! Anyways...I love this pinny. I have about 5 cut out at the moment waiting for me to get my act together and sew them up. The photos of Layla were taken on the ferry to MONA, and on the grounds of MONA on a recent Hobart trip. I hope to share more about the trip soon!

Do you own any Boo Designs! patterns? Or are you a complete pattern addict like me?!

2

My baby girl turned 2 today.

We celebrated with cupcakes

And cake pops - its cake coated in chocolate - who wouldn't jump on that trend bandwagon.

 in a dress made by mummy (don't let the watermelon fool you, she ate a. lot. of sugary goodness too)

and had a little joint part with a gorgeous girly who will be 2 tomorrow!

I struggle with her birthday. I took a couple of moments with my baby to remember. To remember how blessed we are, how scared we were and how tiny she was.

I always think of my self as a preemie parent and can't help but wonder if this will change. Will the day come when I look back on her birth and not feel so overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with grief, sadness and longing. The gift of being a preemie parent is that you are so damn grateful. For every look, hug, step, word and smile. 

Happy Birthday sweet girl xx

Australia Day

Happy Australia Day eve lovely people!

We hooked up the caravan this morning and have set up camp for the long weekend. I've already hit up a local oppie and did not leave empty handed (pretty sure I've never left an oppie empty handed though).

I just wanted to share my Aussie Day pants with you all. I used a pair of jeans I picked up on sale from k-mart to whip these up. We just didn't have enough Australiana happening - well apart from the caravan and the snags on the barbie. I simply embroidered a Union Jack on one pocket and the Southern Cross on the other to Aussie them up a bit.

If its warm tomorrow, I'm going to cut the legs off, even toddlers need a pair of cut off shorts, am I right! Because we're camping this post is coming to you via iPad and iPhone so excuse the pics and the fact that there all at the bottom of the post.

Hope you have an awesome Australia Day/long weekend x

A little lacy Santa dress

I recently completed Layla's dress for Santa photo's. I know not everyone goes quite as crazy as I do with outfits for Christmas photo's, but this time of year makes me put even the little common sense I have firmly aside. It was this time last year that I discovered my love for making special clothes for Layla and I've been hooked (and on a steep learning curve) ever since.

I made this dress for Layla from a thrifted sheet and curtain lace that I have no memory of ever purchasing... I mean, I don't even like having lace up?! And it's not even all florally and pretty... All I can think was that it must of been a steal, proving once again that I can never turn down a good bargain. It's a sickness really! 

I used a peek-a-boo pattern for the bodice - the Gracie Romper. I simply cut out the size 2t and then folded at the 3 month age line before cutting out my bodice. I sewed the bodice and added the ruffle so I could try it on my daughter and work out how much more length I would need to loose. I removed approx. 2-3" more.  The waist is still elasticated for easy on and off. I cut the ruffle twice the width, folded it in half and encased the raw and edge  and created the casing using bias tape.

I wanted a really full skirt so used the sheet from edge to edge and then cut the same amount of lace. You know what no one really mentions when they talk about a really full skirt - the hem. I hate hemming - well the folding over of half an inch and ironing and then folding another inch and more ironing! Bah hum bug! So I cheated a little. I ran the hem through the overlocker so I'd only have to do one fold and I used a 2" bias strip I had cut out to measure my 2" hem. The bias strip made it *so* much easier. You just fold the fabric over it and iron over the top. I didn't bother hemming the lace - I figure if it starts looking tatty I'll just do a rolled hem with the overlocker. 

To finish it off I made a belt from some scrap velvet I had laying around. I've mentioned I'm a sewing novice, right? Well my biggest downfall is usually measuring/cutting out. I always forget to allow for stretch, or the fact I've got the fabric pushed over an inch so I can read the markings. This time I decided that the elastic measurement was 19", so I'd make the belt 21", leaving myself seam allowance + a bit extra. Can you spot my mistake :( Elastic is stretchy wahhhhhh

So I whipped up a second belt as a just in case (did I fail to mention that I hemmed the dress and whipped up the belts the night before photo's eek). The velvet belt has snap closures and the purple belt is elasticised (is that even a word?) for easy on and off. I didn't use any tutorials, just winged it.

Over all I'm pretty impressed with how it turned out. I love that it didn't cost more then a few dollars to make, given it probably wont get a lot of wear. And I love the belts. I can *just* squeeze her into the velvet belt - *just* I also love Peek-A-Boo Patterns, I took advantage of their Black Friday deals and nabbed five patterns for 50% off. Such a great deal!

And on a side note the belt makes a pretty cute headband lol.

Do you go crazy with your kids Christmas clothes? (Tell me I'm not the only one!)

Whats your favourite PDF pattern or pattern makers?
Also don't forget to enter the giveaway - your odds of winning are looking pretty good :D