[Tamara]

So how’d it go to make a new seat for the dollies? I confess I never had to make one as my children weren’t dolly type kids and I had my own good sturdy steel framed doll’s stroller ready and waiting too! Oh well hope it turned out great.

Today I am FINALLY in the sewing nook and will now commence the task of finding sorting and collating items into bags for the projects I need to make (or should I say instructed myself to make) for the upcoming shows – complete with calendar and to do list! Crazy? Yes indeedy!

[Masha Richart]

Didn’t do it. I haven’t sewn in days. Baby is keeping me up and the cumulative exhaustion finally won over. Add to that a nearly 4-year-old who is in a prolonged boundary-testing phase … and I am worn out. Better days will come. In the meantime I did have the girls choose fabrics (from stash) for new Class Picnic blouses. They will need them in a month or so.

[Tamara]

What a shame! I can relate to the kids delaying the sewing routine. My daughter is doing the “if he does then I have to also” thing and she’s nearly 11! 123 magic doesnt work for that I’m afraid especially when you are sleep deprived or (in my case) suffering the latest bug!

Do it when you can I say and it will be worth it when it happens.

I just got a newsletter from Hawthorne threads saying they have the new Riley Blake knits in. Has anyone tried these yet? I’d like to know the quality of the fabric.

[with love Heidi]

Hang in there Roundtheworldgirl! Enjoy your bub if you can through the lack of sleep. Is there something about 4 year olds that mean they are into testing boundaries? I know one as well!

I finally finished the sleeve hems and top stitching on the shirt I made myself! Now in the cupboard to be worn!

Since I have the machine and overlocker set for knits I’ll trace and sew some hopscotch shirts/dresses.

[lattemama]

I have three Roller Skate tunics cut out (one almost sewn) for my big girl and I need to decide on something to make Sofia now that school starts again. I was thinking another Jump Rope, but she has a few of those already … suggestions? (I have pretty much every O+S pattern and she wears a size 8-10).

[Tamara]

What about a croquet or even an apple picking dress? You could use the long sleeve from the jumprope to adapt for the weather. Or perhaps a family reunion with long sleeves?

[with love Heidi]

I’ve made 2 hopscotch dresses. I want to put ruffles on one of them but I will do that in the morning when I am awake 🙂

[with love Heidi]

Mostly through my first sketchbook shirt! Took it so the recipient could try it on for length and the response was “Can I come tomorrow and help sew the buttonholes? I like sewing buttonholes!” He had his first (and only) go on a sewing machine 2 weeks ago including a demonstration of buttonholes, I didn’t realise it had made such a big impression! So once I’ve found some buttons it looks like I have a helper for the buttonholes! 🙂

[Masha Richart]

lattemama: how about an Ice Cream dress? I am going to do one for DD1 for her first day of preschool. I figure I can layer a long-sleeved shirt under it when it gets cool, and it will be cute with tights too.

Last night I pulled out my one remaining sewing WIP – a hooded fleece jacket, in size 3-6 mo, that I started for my oldest daughter. She will be four in September …

Anyway, I had only been sewing for about five months when I started this project. It is quite painful to look at. I’ve definitely come a long way! My motivation for finishing is that it includes a zipper, and I’ve never done a zipper before. And if I muck it up, I won’t much care since the project is so messy anyway. So hopefully I can finish it tonight after the kids go down – nap time was a bust as it took me 45 minutes just to figure out 1) which was the zipper foot on my 30-yr-old machine and 2) how to attach said foot. But I’ve got that down now 🙂

[with love Heidi]

Wow, I’m impressed! Only one WIP to go, well done!

[Masha Richart]

I’m generally a very monogamous crafter, Heidi. Same with knitting projects. But this may end up being an abandoned project. The separating zipper is giving me trouble. I can’t figure out how to attach it neatly at the bottom. The retaining box has plastic around it, which extends almost all the way to the end of the tape, so I can’t sew through it. I am stumped.

[with love Heidi]

I think you do sew through that bottom piece of plastic, but that being said I’ve never used a separating zipper

[needlewoman]

Lattem, I was going to suggest ice cream dresses also for the trans seasonal beginning of school. Lovely on their own while it’s still hot; layered for cooler weather. Especially if you use drill fabric – nice weight.

I’m working on a BReport – size 8 lengthened in orange cord with some Denise Schmidt paisley fabric for contrast. Unfortunately, the child has grown since I cut it out (lesson there about not getting too far ahead of yourself), and have put a band of the contrast fabric between the bodice and skirt to give another couple of inches. Not sure whether to bind hem with paisley or hem and trim with black ric rac. Am about to send WIP to the mother, and hope she has constructive opinion. I got panicked today that sleeves cut are not long enough – I have made the cuffs, and have enuf cord to recut sleeves so also requesting new measurement. Ahhh, the hassles of the long distance sewist. WTC (work to come) includes 2+2 blouse in turquoise cord to complement 2+2 skirt in brown/cream/aqua Kokka fabric with cars on it; another 2+2 blouse in retro fabric (really cool), size 3 Ice cream dress in red cord/red and blue plaid, a Roller Skate, and two Bubble dresses (without the bubble) 6-12mths. And several other things in mind. My eyes feel tired just writing all this, but I’m conscious I haven’t contributed to this forum for a while so I thought it was time to catch you up.

Sympathy for the tiredness that comes with babies, rtwg; I think you are amazing to sew at all. Heidi, you must be an inspiring teacher to have your ‘pupil’ so willing to help with buttonholes.

[Maggie]

Last week I whipped up a couple ice creams–a dress and a tunic. Today I finished my first family reunion shirt. It came together so beautifully even if I did the pin tucks on the back backwards (ahem). It was my own fault for sewing while on the phone.

Tomorrow I plan to start on another family reunion–the dress this time.

[with love Heidi]

He, he, he, Needlewoman! But remember no one has told him they’re supposed to be difficult! So for him they are a really cool option on the sewing machine and something that he sees on all his clothes.

I have to be honest I don’t have a problem with buttonholes, unless I try to make them on the new machine I am borrowing, the automatic buttonhole foot would be great, if it worked! So I get out my old Elna and thankfully it works enough to make amazing dense 4 step buttonholes and it has a speed control which will be good for teaching with.