[Tamara]

Hope you are gaining lots of ideas amidst the playing Heidi – I used to have to have a notepad and pen when playing with my kids – either to jot down the philosophical quotes of a three year old or to sketch out an idea for a dress.

I cannot believe it took all day to smock with beads this tiny panel for the pink library dress! I have just a couple of holding rows to do to stop the pleats falling every which way before sewing it into more loveliness. I can’t wait to have something completed!

[with love Heidi]

I got my latest edition of Ottrobe yesterday before I went and the 4 year old was reading it with me and asked for “a dress like that one please” We were looking at the line drawings page not the pages of ladies in clothes, I was so impressed! It was a basic Tee shirt lengthened into a dress length so totally appropriate and easy to make from a kids pattern, double win!

[needlewoman]

Hi there, in middle of sewing Roller Skate for Miss 4 to take on holiday in Bali. Has to be finished by lunchtime tomorrow. Completion is not worry but have put ric rac around neckline, and I’m really not sure whether it works or not. The colour was best I had. Taking it off is not really big deal. Please go to my photostream, and give me your opinion, asap.

Fiona

[Maggie]

I finished a Sunday Brunch jacket made of wool suiting. I had planned a lining, but my daughter tried it on and declared it not itchy. I used cotton for the interfacing and inner collar. But the very last step was buttons. Up to now I had never make a buttonhole on a garment, but I did it. They look pretty good too.

A second Sunday brunch is now half assembled. This one is blue denim with pink embroidered butterflies. It should be finished tomorrow.

Then I have an enlarged backpack from LTTS planned.

Whew! The kids are back at school, and I am keeping busy.

[Lightning McStitch]

Fiona the dress is lovely. Bold fabric that stands alone just fine.

I’m afraid I feel the same way about ric rac as Coco Chanel felt about jewellery:

“Before leaving the house, a lady should stop, look in the mirror, and remove one piece of jewelry.” -Coco Chanel

But that might just be me…..

[Masha Richart]

I love the fabric with the yellow ribbon at the waist! I’m also a bit ric-rac averse, grenerally speaking, so I am not the best judge of that.

[needlewoman]

Thank you friends for your prompt responses – JuliasMom2009 on Flickr thought the ric rac should come off, too. 3 out of 3 against (when you are all such stylish sewists) is enough for me. As Lightning says, ‘less is more’. Will get back to you after it’s unpicked. As usual, in these circs, it’s not the ‘mistake’ that gets me; it’s the time it took to put it on when I could have been doing the hem. C’est la vie.

Thanks again, I appreciate your opinions, always. F

[Tamara]

Sometimes what seems a good idea at the time isn’t always turning out to be the best when used. I have those times too Fiona but don’t you just love the constructive feedback these ladies give?

I have just finished doing the collar and bodice pieces of the white naming day library dress. I am doing the bodice as doubled hence omitting the top part of the back facing and the front facing. I spent the morning sewing pieces of orphan lace together to form the front band and then about and hour sourcing the right ribbon to feed through the eyelet lace – I wanted pink but it was too wide so it had to be white – hence an all white dress.

The pink panel is blocked and ready to go but I am working on the white one first.

[with love Heidi]

I probably go the other way and really liked the ricrac, but it will look awesome off and let the fabric shine through.

I spent this afternoon with a friend drafting an old fashioned nightgown with a yoke, gathers and ruffles on the bottom from the music class blouse. We even got as far as the cutting but it may have to wait as I have a birthday gift to sew this week 🙂

[meleliza]

What am I sewing these days? Yesterday, I attached a pocket to a skirt. Today, nothing yet. Given how tired i am, maybe nothing at all. My day started at 7:30 am and I didn’t stop until 1pm when I gave make a break just so I can be ready to start again at 2p and not even take a breath until probably 9pm because its back to school night today. This back to school transition is tough. I really hope I can get myself into the swing if things soon.

[Tamara]

Easy does it Meleliza! Fatigue is a horrible thing to keep one away from their favourite pastime. Just ease yourself back into it and schedule an hour in the diary to sew somewhere (doesn’t have to be everyday if it isn’t doable).

Because my day starts at 5.30am I usually conk out at 8pm and yawn all the way through reading stories to the kids (yes I still do that). Yesterday it baffled me as to how long it took just to sew bits of lace together to make the band but honestly today will be heaps more effective in the project finishing stakes. I am halfway through the little white dress and will sew the pink one today to completion also. Then tonight I will sit and hand stitch the binding on the little quilt I made closed and attach the label I apparently have to include.

I sincerely doubt I will be going to this anniversary of the school band thing this weekend. I have still too much to get on with.

[with love Heidi]

Tamara, those dresses sound lovely!

Hang in there Meleliza, I hope the kids are enjoying school.

I finished my messenger bag except I don’t have the right coloured snaps! So I’ll have to order them next week 🙁

I went to cut out the next art Museum Vest an discovered that the fabric I wanted to use is an inch too small! 🙁 So I’ll probably make a plain yellow one instead, just not the lovely one in yellow and grey checked wool.

[lattemama]

I’m working away (slowly) on Sofia’s Library dress. I got one sleeve in yesterday and I sewed up the side seam on that side. She has a friend over after school today and I hope I can get some sewing in while they play so I can finish the other sleeve.

I want to cut out a Pinwheel dress without the flounce for her to wear underneath like a slip, since the fabric is a bit see-through.I’ll get to that as well this afternoon.

I love the collar on the Library dress! It’s got such a nice shape.

[Nicole]

I have some deep coral linen drying in my laundry, waiting for me to get home and draft the (Library dress) pattern.

Tilly has finally grown out her summer dresses.

[lattemama]

Coral on Tilly will be amazing Nicole!

I received a parcel from Scotland and Kitschy Coo yesterday with some lush jersey for leggings and a Playtime Tunic for Sofia. I bought two prints and one jeans look jersey for leggings. Isabel liked the denim look so I may have to make a second purchase for her. She so very rarely ask for anything to be made for her so when she does I’d like to provide.