For William

William is my newest nephew, he is 25 days old. I started subscribing to Ottobre when my kids were already passed the baby stage, so I always grab an opportunity to use try out the patterns for smaller people. My sister picked out the Mustikka romper (pattern 4) and Outo otus (pattern 2) patterns from Otto 6/2009- pictured above. Then she picked out some spotty and stripey knits from my stash.

I must admist I was really worried about how the romper would turn out. I am not the best at doing zippers, and I thought an invisible one into a stretch fabric would be a disaster. But as you can see it went in beautifully! The binding all worked out to neatly as well. Overall I am really really happy with how the outfit worked out and I had a really nice day working on this.

The romber has little decorative pockets on them... and somewhow I managed to get those attached at different levels. I had to unpick one and reattach it!

The top looks fairly straightfoward, just a simple inset sleeve. However, this one has press studs at the shoulder seams, which means the neckbinding had to go on before finishing the shoulders. Nothing too complicated, but just s different order to how I would noramlly sew a t-shirt so the pattern kept me on my toes! Otto patterns in general seem to add the binding before the seams get done. I makes it easier to attach the binding I guess, but I think it doesnt look as neat at the edges off the seams. Imuch prefer the finished product when the binding goes on last.

The pattern called for a "flatlock" stitch on the edge of the cuff ribbing. Which I am pretty sure I know how to do on my overlocker, but instead I just overlocked the edge of the cuff and stitched it on with the sewing machine- you can see the blue thread where I stiched it on. It would have looked nicer if I had used white thread. oooops.

The pattern also said to flatlock the neck bindings- but I decided to do a traditional twin row of stitching for the neck binding on the top (I didnt use a twin needle... just stitched two rows with a regualr needle)

However, for the romper I decided to just use good old zig zag stitch on the neck binding. I think this looks really great and I am going to remember this technique for all future t-shirt bindings!

Snapshot sunday- tartan tunic

I started this back here and actually finished it about 2 weeks ago. I have been to mad to blog it because its too fricken small! I really should learn not to trust the size guides on the pattern and make "calico's" up before I cut into the nice fabric hey? Anyway it was a heap of fun to make, if a bit challenging because all those tartan patterns had to meet up perfectly in the seams and darts, pleats etc had to be formed symmetrically.

There is a zipper in the back and I used a black spot to line the bodice

One of the inverted pleats.

New pants for George

I had a tiny bit of olive green corduroy left in my stash and one evening this week I decided to make george some new pants. I've had this idea about knee darts, so I figured I'd try them out on a pair of pants for George so I can see how they work out during play etc.

Knees; I did two sets of darts on either side of the knee and then topstitched.

Front pockets, they are essentially a patch pocket,but I extended the width of it so I could sew it into the side seam. I think it looks kinda cool.

Totally copied the bum pocket detail from here. Hmmm well now that I have actually gone back to Cherry Rockettes blog post my design doesnt look anything like hers... but its where the inpiration came from and its a really nice blog if you're into boys stuff so I am still going to link it anyway :)

George modelling pants.

And while I am here I will show you the coolest jumper my mum just finshed for George. I will try and get a modelled shot (and some buttons sewn on the pockets) soon.

Snapshot sunday- pinny

Ok well here is abother post about the pillowcase...

...because its finished. It seemed to take on a life all its own. I think its safe to say its the worlds most elaborate 'kindy rest time' cushion.

George's reaction (and in case you're wondering why there is a cake book next to George... which you probably werent, but are now that I have pointed it out. Georges favourite book at the moment is the Womens Weekly birthdaycake book. He has picked out the cake he wants for his next birthday. Its a pity he still has 4 months to wait until I make it for him!) Front of pillowcase

I had to get creative with the back because I didnt have any more of the white homespun left.
Ooops took to long taking photo's

Awwwwww

More on 'GEORGE' pillowcase

Here is George checking out the top panel of his "GEORGE" pillowcase.

The centre 'GEORGE' panel has lots of little unfinished 1/4" seams (obviously) and because its not being made into a quilt I was a bit worried that they would fray and come loose. So

I backed the panel with some white homspun and overlocked the last bits of sashing on. The raw seams are now protected and the remaining seams will all be overlocked.

Snapshot Sunday- Improv alphabet letters

Ever since I stumbled accross Tonya/LazyGals blog I have been desperate to try out some improv alphabet letters for myself. This week the project presented itself. George's new kindy wants them to have a labelled pillow to use for rest time after lunch.

So armed with my scrap box and a yard of white homespun I got to it. Tonya has a great website with tutorials for each letter. Here are my finished letter 'units'. Next I need to add sashing between each letter and then square it off into one Big "george block", after which it will be incorporated into a pillow slip.

Here are close-ups of each letter. I think I like the 'R' the best, with the owl keeping watch, but the headless cowboy on the second "E" is pretty funny.

George

Of course yesterday when we went to see Shrek for ever after in 3D he refused to put the glasses on. Now I cant get them off him. However, your really here to look at the new t-shirts. They are made using my favourite vintage raglan t-shirt pattern. The first one uses some knit I got here teamed with chocolate Stella knit from Crafty Mama's. The ribing comes from Textile Traders. They had a great selection this year, including some really unusual colours. My local spotlight is still waiting for its shipment of ribs!

I designed the applique myself using one of the cars from the knit fabric as inspiration.

The second top uses the same Stella chocolate knit and some stripe knit I bought at Spotlight a couple of years ago.
The giraffe applique can be found in the Ottobre 6/2009 pattern book. I like to secure my appliques with a straight stitch a close to the edge of the applique. It frays softly after a few washes but remains firmly attached. I think this method less fussy and more modern than using blanket stitch or satin stitch. Its also easier to do a neat job which means you end up with a less "home made" looking garment.

Stock to red feathers July 2010

I dropped these off earlier this week. If you live in Perth and like the look of any of it then make sure you pop into the store (details to the right ---->).

Size 1-2 Miffy Tunic

Couple of pinny's in bigger sizes

Matching Pinny's (size 2 and 4).

Some redondo's- size 5-8

Tiered skirts

Dungarees, various sizes

This garmet is my favourite of this batch... Saggy baggy elephant dungarees in size 2

I also did a few pairs of boy pants/long shorts

I did end up dropping off the undies as well. They are priced at $30 for the singlet/undie set or for the 3 prs of matching lion undies. I am not sure that anyone will buy them at that price. I will give it a month and then I will take them back and George can use them!