Updating my list.

TICK Ispy quilt
TICK Stripey raglan skivvy for G
TICK Horrid yellow school skivvy's for E
90% complete Table Runner for EB quilt swap
TICK Moda sock monkey mini quilt for G
TICK Pinstripe corduroy pants for MOI!
TICK Tan corduroy wideleg pants with zipper fly for G
TICK Green Jelly Kimono shoes (potential new tin whistle item...will use scrap fabric)
Ottobre Hilda and Tilda tshirt dress and leggings for M (have fabric)
Bargello Rainbow quilt
TICK Fairy costume
EXTRA Jeans from recycled jeans
EXTRA polkadot pinny surprise

The Hilda and Tilda Tshirt dress is not urgent and the bargello rainbow quilt will have to wait until I can put more than a few days work into it. I just have the binding to go on the table runner, then its back to tin whistle sewing.

Ispy Quilt

I love the overall look of this quilt but am a bit dissapointed in my quilting. The fabric puckered in a few places because I didnt sandwich it properly. I rushed the quilting part because it got tedious and I was in a hurry to finish and move on to the next project. I tend to get a bit bored by the end of the long process of birthing a quilt. I need to learn patience and to enjoy the quilting process, it can add so much beauty to the quilt.

This is a little pair of 'jeans' I made for George by recycling the legs of a pair of my own jeans. You probably cant make it out but I added in some 'pockets' and a 'fly' using orange thread.

Tutu nice!

A School mum asked me if I was interested in designing a tutu for a Ballet mad little 3 year old girl. It sounded like an interesting challenge so I accepted. Now I have 2 little girls so obviously I have nad my own experiences with ballet dress ups. The thing that has always bothered me about them is that they arent stand alone clothes. Often they are just layers of Tulle an the childs knickers can be seen through the layers, meaning that the child has to wear normal clothes underneath. I think this spoils the look.

So after mulling over this issue for a few weeks I got cracking in the sewing room over the weekend. I had purchased some suitably pretty taffeta's and satins in the remant bin at spotlight for my trial run and there was so much fabric Elizabeth decided to join me in making one.

The skirt is based on the simple circle twirl skirt that Elizabeth has been making for a while (Matilda is modelling one in a pink floral) and I added in 2 smaller circular layers. Each layer has a simple rolled hem and underneath all the layers I have included 6 circles of bridal tulle. All the layers are overlocked to a waistband casing and elastic added. Its a pretty simple concept but I think it looks great. It is easy for small children to put on and off, nice and twirly but wont look over the top if they want to wear it out to a shopping centre!

The top is a modification of a halter neck dress I have made a few times- firstly I cropped it so it is no longer a dress and then I fully lined it with pink taffeta. I thought about attaching it to the skirt, but in the end decided it would be more versatile if it the outfit was in seperate pieces. The tu tu can be worn over leotards for 'proper' ballet or with the top as just a frizzy outfit.

Elizabeths skirt is a bit bigger than my one and lacks the tulle. I think hers looks great over some leggings as 'tween' wear.

Next time I dont think I would use the tafetta/satins. I just find them a bit slippery to work with and they snag easy etc. There is more variety in printed cottons anyway, so I think you could create some more fun variations.

And while I am posting about yesterdays sewing... I thought I would show you these. I saw this pattern a while ago being sold at the Etsy store "green Jelly" and thought they would be perfect with my tin whistle kimono outfits. Fortunately the seller is happy for WAHM sellers to use the pattern in this way! So from now on my newborn and 3 months Kimono outfits will have these cute little kimono shoes as a free gift instead of the cloth shoes I have been including.

pinstripe cords

Another job down... I really like these a pants... even with the disaster I had half way through making them (more on that later). They are a really nice fit and I like all the little details, like belt loops, inset pockets and bumpockets with topstitch detail. I used Burda 8085. Although now that I look at the pictures I do wonder if the skinny fit jeans in black is a bit too .... ummmm....bogan.

Half way through construction I tried the pants on for fit and accidently ripped the fabric about 3 or 4 inches. I managed to darn the rip and I hope its not too noticable. No one should really be looking there anyway! ;)

Working through my list

A few posts ago I typed up a list of "me" projects I wanted to get done. Here is the updated version...

90% complete Ispy quilt
TICK Stripey raglan skivvy for G
TICK Horrid yellow school skivvy's for E
50% complete Table Runner for EB quilt swap
TICK Moda sock monkey mini quilt for G
TODAYS JOB... STAY TUNED Pinstripe corduroy pants for MOI!
TICK Tan corduroy wideleg pants with zipper fly for G
Green Jelly Kimono shoes (potential new tin whistle item...will use scrap fabric)
Ottobre Hilda and Tilda tshirt dress and leggings for M (have fabric)
Bargello Rainbow quilt (have fabric)
Fairy costume (late addition)

Here are the horrid yellow school skivvies for Elizabeth. I made 3 using the Ottobre workshop 301 pattern.

And here is sock monkeys all finished. The orange won out as the backing, but I bought a piece of orange spots instead of using the girly floral piece I had intended. The binding is a brown/cream zebra look fabric. Which isnt usually my thing, but looks ok with the monkeys as its the right colour and matches with the animal theme.

Thats my favourite square on the quilt.

Duds for Dudes

Who woulda thought a really daggy 70's pants pattern like this could turn out a really nice pair of classic cords....


I had a little bt of fun with the fly facing. I am a bit frightened of zips and was worried the 70's pattern would have insrtuctions that were difficult to follow. I sometimes find that old patterns either assume too much sewing knowledge or use terms no longer in current use or the garment is sewn together in a more fussy way. But this Zipper went in really well and I found the instructions quite clear. There were a few more steps involved but I think it make the process easier and resulted in a nicer looking fly. This pattern can definately stay in the house!

Sneak Peek

of the table runner am making for a 'swap' in my online quilting group. Cant want to see what I get in return. I could only photograph this little bit... any more and it would have given away who it is for. I think I might be a bit off the mark with the colouring... they arent quite the same as the brief my swap partner provided. I bought them over the internet without realising they were so muted and 'dirty'. It was my first go at curved piecing (drunkards path). Its not perfect but I am pretty happy with my attempt.


When I returned from my daily walk today George was still asleep in the pram so I decided to sew together this top. Below is a pic of George wearing it while he tries to do a puzzle. You can see his little 'ruggy quilt' next to him. Thats one I made just before he was born and he used it as a bassinet blanket. I blogged about it in one of my very first blog entres.

Bugaboo Makeovers.

What is the perfect colour to choose to co-ordinate with a PINK pram?? More pink of course! With a splash of turquoise for contrast. This is my stardard tin whistle liner and detachable stowable blanket and fits nicely into a Bugaboo cameleon pram. YAY! Little Elsie seems to like her new look pram.

Hows about this for a GORGEOUS pram make over? Not that the brand new 2008 denim bugaboo cameleon was ugly before! This set consists off a pram hood made from stunning red and white damask fabric pram hood with co-ordinating basketweave lining the inside. Fabric is from the Joel Dewberry "manzanita" range. The bugaboo branded seat topping has been replaced with a reversible seat topping (Damask/basketweave) and a damask and birdsfeather quilt is to keep brand new, and extrenly cute and tiny, baby Chloe warm. Chloe's Mum designed her own little nappy clutch and I made it up in the manzanita scrap pieces. .

This week I also completed an order for a "lugger" bag using this gorgeous Michael Millar Disco Dots fabric. I am pleased to report that because of my new Phaff machine I have now mastered sewing with plastic!

I love sock monkeys

I bought this MODA charm pack of sock monkey fabric at the quilt fair a few weeks ago. It is intended as a little "ruggy" for George. He likes to carry his cot quilts around as comforters, but they are a bit large, not to mention being too precious to be dragged through plargrounds and the like. I havent added any borders because I want it to be small, but also wanted to use as many of the charms as I could (I love themm all too much... as it was I had to discard two). So plain and simple sqaure piecing it is.

Now for some voting please. Please leave a comment on which backing you like best (if any!).

(A) BRIGHT ORANGE flowers. This is gorgeous quality quilters flannel... I am not afraid to do BOLD or ecclectic and I love orange right now. I cant get enough of it but I am afraid that this may actually be warping my sense of taste. LOL. ..Is this floral too girly for a boys quilt? I would use plain chocolate brown binding (I love chocolate and orange together) .

(B) Green/brown/cream check. This is a remant scrap of flannel of dubious quality. The colours go and it is boyish. But says SAFE and BORING to me. Also worried the flannel will pill and the will cheapen the look of quilt.

(C) Blue chenille. Looks great and the colour combo is pleasing to the eye. It seems appropriately snuggly and boyish. It would look nice with the chocolate binding. I love the idea of it, but maybe if it was orange chenille LOL.

(D) Yuck Milly none of these look any good and you need to go fabric shopping.

Market stall creations

Well I have had a massive sewing week getting ready for a small craft market I am attending TONIGHT. Its a pretty small affair... an AGM for a local club. The committe oganises a bit of a craft market as a way to encourage members to attend. I have no idea how I will do as none of my items are particualrly cheap. I rather suspect I will end up spending more money on the other stalls than I will make on my own.

What ever doesnt sell will be carried over to an August market stall I am thinking of attending or put up on my minicuteture store.

Size 00 Kimono outfit

"Bandana" Newborn Kimono outfit" Rose trellis" newborn Kimono outfit
" Shabby gingham" newborn kimono outfit

"Newsprint" explorer pants with detachable 'treasure pouch'

"Transport" Explorer pants with detachable 'treasure pouch'

choc drill Explorer shorts with detachable 'treasure pouch'

Elizabeths two favourite twirl skirts

Elizabeths hand made tags

Ava retro dress in multi stripes. This dress is reversible and has faux-pockets on the front.

Ava retro dress in red stripes/flowers

Ava retro dress in navy stripes/sailor