[Tamara]

I have one “zen” t shirt from Ottobre design but have misplaced the neck binding piece. I want to do a couple more of these and then move onto the hopscotch and field trip t shirts. Miss 10 is very into dresses right now so will keep the t shirts to a minimum for her and make more of the dress style. I have three Hilco stripe pieces of knit that I’d love to use for this. Picturing a pink striped hopscotch maxi dress for some reason.

Air con going flat out again but a little cooler today, not parting from the air con though! Hope no one is close to those fires and if you are stay safe!

[with love Heidi]

I just finished a adult bucket hat in navy pinwale cord and a blue floral. Now to finish off the grey/purple one.

[Tamara]

Maxi dress was a no go- not quite enough fabric to accommodate the length of my girl. Maybe next time I order some I will add enough allowance.

I did however, sew a blue and white striped Hopscotch dress and length ended it by 1 1/4 inches to add more length after the hem is done. I don’t like dresses that are too short on miss legs eleven.

I just have the hems to do and that is done.

I also started on another sketchbook shirt for N and just have to do buttons and buttonholes on that after hand sewing the collar.

Now I am working on a short sleeved Book report dress that has been half made since before Christmas and I just really need to get this made.

Next up, is pj shorts and a few other bits using white thread. Them it is onto another colour.

[Lightning McStitch]

When I showed my hubby my latest dress he agreed it was lovely, but pointed out that A really needs shorts and plain skirts…

So I’ve drafted the Badminton skort (undecided what fabric yet), the Swingset skirt and had just enough leftover pinwale cord to cut it out. I’ve also drafted and cut out the largest size Puppet Show shorts I’ve got in the little pattern packet. The hip measurement is more than 2 inches bigger than her measurement, but the next size down won’t even go over her thighs so I don’t hold out much hope.

Then, just in case, I’ve drafted and cut a Japanese short pattern and a Japanese skort pattern.

Let’s see if that lot doesn’t keep me busy

[needlewoman]

That lot should certainly keep you busy Lightning, good luck with the shorts fitting. Justsewit, one of my favourite patterns to date is the Book Report. How did you draft short sleeves for it? I’d be really interested to know what you did; copy another sleeve pattern, or chop off/taper existing BR sleeve.

I’ve finally finished my sewing to take away; well there are still two buttonholes to do on the little dress but other than that it’s ready to go. Two little T Party (Make It Perfect) Skirts look very sweet altho I kept re measuring the 2 yr old – it look so small! I even managed to take up the leg hems of a new pair of smart casual trousers for me. I bought them on sale last year some time, and despite my resolution to fix them before the last minute – it was the last minute. I’ve been saving them until my other navy trousers were too faded for “good” (and they still fit!). I’ve packed O + S’s Tea Party, Play Date, and Puppet Show for my sewist hostess, as she will get good use from the very little sizes for ‘our’ 7mthr, and some of her friends’ new grandchildren. Needless to say, I expect to have them returned in the fullness of time.

So I’m saying so long, farewell to you ladies as I may not have access to the forum for the next week. Still have packing jobs to do tomorrow morning early, but I couldn’t miss my ‘fix’ of you guys before I hit the sack. Stay cool, weather wise, and sewing wise. Hopefully, I will be able to see some of your stuff on Flickr.

Fiona

[Tamara]

Have a fabulous break away Fiona! Hope you stay cool where ever you are!

I actually have to take a look at the amended sleeve pattern to tell you what exactly I did as I drafted it back in November sometime. That’s how long it has been sitting there waiting to be finished. Well it is done now and miss 10 wore it town today to pick up our new additions – two fish, yellow comet and celestial ( googly eyed cutie). It fits her well although next one I make will have to be lengthened slightly as it is a wee bit short. Photos to come – may have to stick it in the wash first!

Found some Lisette fabric at my local spotlight! Ecstatic! It was marked down too!

So I plan to do more white sewing tomorrow as today was a shopping day – after housework! We have a storm forecast thanks to Cyclone Narelle so it is pretty important we tidy up a bit! Just hoping she doesn’t decide we don’t need power!

[Lightning McStitch]

I hope Narelle doesn’t cause you too much trouble. There was a stunning photo in the paper yesterday of a storm cloud full of red dust and with rain, over the ocean. It looked just like a giant red wave with a foamy top. Bizarre and very beautiful.

Last night’s Puppet Show Shorts (sans pockets) are a nice fit once they’re on, but the problem I have with the pattern sizing is neither the waist nor the hips, but getting the waistband past both thighs at the same time. That seems the widest part and it’s a squeeze. Fine for me to shove her into them, but won’t be any good come potty training as she’d never get them off herself. I’ll make them again another day and split the pattern at the sides (middle of the pattern piece) and add half an inch each side, plus one inch to the waistband. Should work, at least it does in my head.

Today/night I sewed my first Japanese pattern proper (not counting hats) and I’ve made the most insanely cute pair of shorts. They are adorable. I chose the pattern that had the most detailed colour photo instructions (but not a word of English) and I used quite a few Oliver + S techniques and it all came together really well. Now I think I need a little family reunion blouse to go with them…

[Tamara]

Well the cyclone hasn’t done anything drastic because it is too far away and now has been downgraded to a category 3. I’m hoping the next one will be more successful. We got a whole 5mm of rain out of the prediction of 90% chance of 40 – 80mm! Doesn’t matter about the rain for now of course just the path of the first cyclone generally predicts the path ( not always though) of the next ones of the season. Rain would have been nice but we ended up having a forecast of 31 degrees for today – super cool compared to every other day this year so far!

So because of the anticipation I didn’t sew at all yesterday. Today is a sewing day though! More white ase things – trying to empty the basket.

[with love Heidi]

Lightning, maybe try measuring her around those lovely thighs and use that as the hip measurement or look at the final measurements and choose a size one or two bigger than the thigh measurement.

I finished my grey bucket hat and am onto sewing a 3-6m teaparty playsuit, first time sewing the playsuit and I’m really enjoying it, for a friends first baby due in the next few weeks.

[Mama_Knowles]

I love to sew for baby girls too! The Tea Party dress is a summer favorite here at our house.

I need to cut out a few more cold weather clothes for my two little ones, I think. It has been warm here the last few days buyt it still might get cold and have a need for them. Maybe I’ll make Sweet pea the size 4?

I am still working on Sweet pea’s two pj’s. I did finish the tops last night with all that they need is snaps and buttons. I could have done a much better job on the ruffle but at the moment I feel like I will never finish these! I haven’t been sewing this last week really though, I started on my spring cleaning early. That and baby Prince C wants a TON of cuddleing this past week. How vould I say no to him? 😉 I hope to finish these pants to night!

[meleliza]

I’m catching up with everyone’s projects this morning. We have been busy for a few weeks here. Hubby’s company went rather suddenly bankrupt right before Christmas and its funny how busy and expensive it is to be unemployed!

I don’t mind cutting too much, though it is time consuming. I like the feeling of shears moving through lovely fabric. I put music on as well. I hate the marking and prep, though, so I do all of it – interfacing, gathering, staystitching, clipping, darts marking – before I start sewing. That way, I can just sew and it seems to go faster.

So I still can’t figure out what the WHA stands for. UFO is popular in the knitting world too. I always thought it was funny. I find myself “frogging” sewing projects too.

Lightning, doesn’t a little girl always need another dress?

Needlewoman, did I mention I successfully convinced baby girl to name one of her new dollies Fiona? 🙂

I decided to cross off some things I’ve been meaning to get to for a while before I dive into spring sewing. I bought a matching set of king sheets on clearance when I bought K’s nursery bedding. I finally cut them up to make her a crib sized duvet cover and little pillow cases and I’m plodding through those boring projects while also making her dollies a little string pieced quilt for their cradle out of the same ones. You know I’m not interested in fiddly quilting, but this is so easy and small that it is relaxing.

Yesterday, I had to stop what I was doing and make a new seat for her doll stroller. The flimsy fabric the thing came with had ripped and she was absolutely in tears frustrated that it wouldnt sit in the frame the way she wanted.

I just received some of the new Anna Maria Horner rayon challis – probably my last purchase for a while:( – and will make myself a blouse. I’m eager to see how this stuff handles and wears. But I may have to wait on that because I need to work up a quick muslin for a – drumroll please because I’m so excited – a FAIRY TALE COMMUNION DRESS! I’ve been thinking for a while Fairy Tale is perfect for this and I now have a little girl to sew it for.

Oh, and I wore my modified Lisette blouse Friday and I like it, now that I’ve had a break from it. 🙂

[Tamara]

Family reunion dress in a Sarah Jane out to see floral print. It is one of those that has been sitting there waiting. Size 12 of course!

Really hot today after a brief cool spell.

[Lightning McStitch]

looking forward to seeing it. It’s such a nice pattern to sew isn’t it. I had the white yoke and tab from another dress where I thought white might work, so the one I made today came together really quickly with half the tricky work already done.

I’m on a sewing bender as I’m on holidays from work and finding time during the day as well as in the evening. Lovin’ it.

Tonight I made a Swingset skirt (pattern bust, yay!)

Technically it fits my husband’s directive of “plain, simple skirts or shorts please”. But then it’s the loveliest, softest pinwale cord ( a little leftover) and some dreamy soft batiste cotton lining. I can see it’s not really going to be a playground skirt after all…..

[Mama_Knowles]

It sounds so cute McStitch! I can’t wait to see it!

Sewing is still not happening here. I have been trying to get to these pj’s and still nothing sewn over the weekend. Today lots of house cleaning and that’s not going so fast either. Baby C wants to have lots of cuddle time but sadly nothing is getting done here. I did get my Picnic pattern in the mail Satuerday and Sweet pea has order a few tops already with some of her fabric from her stash. I have lots of planning done but not much is getting done!

[Tamara]

Is little C getting more teeth Sharon? Or just feeling like he needs you a lot? I haven’t gotten into the sewing nook since Thursday so today was a bit of a miracle to spend a good deal of time sewing. We had a four legged visitor lob on our doorstep over the weekend, in the form of an old white male chihuahua. We get the occasional stray stopping by from time to time when they jump out of the cars parked at the parking bay on the other side of the bush reserve adjoining our house track. We have been busy trying to get him to eat and drink and relented to letting him inside because it was so darn hot and the poor thing was howling! We have made notices to stick up around town tomorrow in the hopes that someone will claim him. If not then the kids will be happy as they have already given his (rather bizarre) name and N wanted him to move into his room! We draw the line at that seeing as he is old and not ours.

So besides all the excitement of miss 10’s “dreams coming true” I managed to get started on the FR dress. Looking at the pattern I think I may have lengthened it slightly which is good or else we’d have a tunic and not a dress. Tomorrow I will finish it off with the sleeve hem and buttons and then I can move onto the green and white “lush” Jumprope dress I have ready to go.