[Mama_Knowles]

I was on a sewing roll until yesterday. I have started sewing the hunting outfit for Garrett but have not got far at all. I woke up yesterday with a swollen, painful eye and sever pain in both my feet and ankles and I still have it today. I really want to get his shirt done today!

On the bright side My mom, Sarah and I went up the road to a fabric store in the middle of the country and found some really great fabrics. Sarah found a vintage Plum Pudding (a.k.a Strawberry short cake) pillow fabric panel. We bought two after she asked me so nicely. Sarah also found lots of great buttons. I found some lovely knits and gorgeous wool. I am not sure what I will make it yet though.

[meleliza]

I’m trying to finish her Liberty music class blouse for playgroup that starts on Thursday. I’m so excited its running. It is an excellent and well run program. This will be her “back to school” outfit. However, after much deliberation, I cut short sleeves (nearly two weeks ago that’s how slow things are going here!) thinking she would get more wear out of it. And of course, we are having unseasonably cold weather. Layers, I suppose. I’d like to do a matching Sunday brunch jacket, but given the scarcity of sewing hours these days, I’m not sure I’d actually be able to get it done. Every day, there’s something in the way of my sewing time. Yesterday, I gave it up to make and deliver chicken soup to my uncle who had spine surgery. Sunday, I gave up some precious time to see a friend I don’t get to see as often as I’d like. Today and the nest fe days are busy on their own. I thought having both boys in school full time at the same school would make a world of difference, but so far, it’s only a tiny difference.

[needlewoman]

Hi there, I’ve been on a sewing roll, too. More from necessity than industry but the results have been impressive. Finished and handed over the roller skate and popover to Miss 4’s mother yesterday arvo to pack for Bali. (half their luck; although our temps are becoming milder, the rain and wind continues in Adelaide), and have made very good progress on the Vintage Romper dress in raspberry corduroy for another Miss 4 which I hope to finish asap so that it can be collected and delivered to relevant persons next Sunday. I tell you, lined flutter sleeves really do look very posh, and really a lot easier than trying to get nice narrow hem. One of the many joys of sewing the O + S way is the tips and tricks given for avoiding fold up hems. Just when I’m trying to top-stitch a hem perfectly, the machine decides to go nuts but I can fool it with O and S methods (even when it’s not in the instructions). I’ve also found the perfect buttons for my first Sandbox trousers for Master 2 – a couple of acorns that I’ve had for years. When I’ve done the buttonholes on the vest that’s to go with them, I’ll post on Flickr, and you all die with an excess of cuteness.

Thank latte, and Lightning for hot-finishing ribbon ends (and for extra tips about old knives/surfaces) I have an old breadboard that I use for cutting button holes open with a special button holes knife/scalpel. Even my quilting cutting mat doesn’t stand up to this special blade but it does a lovely job of clean cutting holes. For the ribbon that I threaded through the RSkate, I hemmed the ends.

All the projects described above sound wonderful but I’m concerned about you waking up with sore eyes/swollen ankles, Sharon. Did you get bitten by something? Allergic to something you ate? Hope it goes away soon. Lovely to find some new things at the fabric store, and I can imagine SP having a lovely time choosing buttons. Dear Mel, you are a very good woman to forego your precious sewing time to be kind to others. It’s always such a pity that we can’t do both, isn’t it? Be nice, and get what we want, too. Oh to have more hours in the day, but still have the energy to make the most of them. Hopefully, when the school year gets properly underway, you will be able to maximise the time you have with both boys in the same school. Think of this way; when the inevitable concerts/class days come up, you may be able to save some time/energy by them being on the same night.

Meanwhile, really look fwd to seeing the Liberty blouse fabric; and the name day dresses you are working on, Tamara. The Sunday Brunch jacket is a sweetheart of a pattern so whenever it’s finished, I’m sure your little girl will look gorgeous in it.

[Maggie]

I have been sewing everyday and getting so much accomplished. It is compensation for the month of August when I hardly sewed at all.

Today I made an enlarged version of the backpack from LTTS. I had to improvise a bit especially with the lining, but the end result is great (if you don’t examine the lining too closely.) It is perfect for my 4 year-old who is too big for a small bag and too small for a big one.

Yesterday I knocked out a hopscotch dress. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

I’m hoping to work on winter pjs for the kids. Fall is nearly here and the nights are getting chilly.

[Mama_Knowles]

Oh Fiona, in corduroy! Oh now I on the edge of seat to see this finished! How was it to sew with the romper pattern? How are pleats? I am making Sarah’s fall clothes and this has got me thinking.

Well I did to my surprise get some sewing done yesterday. I have Garrett’s shirt about 1/3rd of the way done. He is getting very excited about this one. I am trying my best to make it like grandpa’s hunting shirt, I was able to just enough fabric left up the road at the county fabric store to make his. It’ not the kid camouflage print but tree, sticks and leaves one. I am hoping she gets more of this fabric in for my other two boys if not their shirts will be in knit.

My poor feet/ankles are still sore and swollen. I am hoping it’s an allergic reaction to some vitamins I have been on, I am stopping them today so I’ll see if that works.

[Nicole]

Poor Sharon, it sounds like it could be your Graves playing up?

[needlewoman]

Have posted vest and trousers for Mr 2 on Flickr just now – finally summoned enough courage/energy to sew buttonholes on the vest this am. Am about half way thru Vintage romper – I’ve cut it as a skirt rather than culottes but the pleats have gone fine, and it looks very pretty. Heading towards trickier bit of sewing bodice lining to bodice tomorrow. The instructions/diagrams of this pattern are ok but there are significant gaps that you need experience to ‘fill’. Makes one appreciate dear Liesl’s conscientious and detailed instruction sheets, even more.

Hope the ankles go down soon, S. Very painful, and rather awkward to keep them elevated and sew at the same time. Really looking fwd to seeing camoflage outfits. Well done, Maggie – sounds like the Sewing Muse has alighted for you, big time!! What are you working on now, Nicole? Did the sheep win any prizes?

[Tamara]

I can just imagine Grandpa and three little shadows going hunting and having an absolute ball! Can’t wait to see G in his shirt. Swollen feet/ ankles sound sore. I do hope your find the solution to the problem fast.

Raspberry corduroy Fiona where did you manage to get that?.

I have lots of things planned to do for the weekend and they will mainly revolve around the new patterns. I do want to sew the little pink library dress up so that it isn’t forgotten and it can sit there looking pretty for a whole year. The kids need new clothes so there will be quite a line up. I need to start putting zippers in things, especially the badminton skirt as Imogen was complaining her latest one didn’t fit – personally I think she didn’t want to put it on but anyway, zippers will make it easier and help the pattern to last that bit longer.

There is a parcel coming for me that contains Lottie Da and Michael miller fabric which I am hoping to use this week. Part of it is for birthday outfits and the other lot is just for fun. Can’t wait to get and do some garment sewing again.

[juliamom2009]

Today was my day off (I work a 10/40 schedule with Wednesdays off) – I traced and cut out 3 pairs of bedtime story pajamas, then I cut a striped corduroy apple picking dress, two hopscotch tops and two coordinating hopscotch skirts, and a black Sunday brunch jacket. I can get so much done in the 6 hours my kid is in school!

I had to come to the realization that I can no longer use my size 3 patterns and continue to add length – I can’t believe that I’m now tracing off size 4’s….I was even considering cutting the 5 length…..how fast do these darn kids grow!

[Mama_Knowles]

Wow! That is great work cutting all that out. I need a day like this.

Yes, I do think the pain and swelling is due to the Graves. I am hoping it is the B12 so I will have to wait and see. Not to complain but I don’t want one more side affect of the graves. I did almost finished the sketchbook shirt today but I ran out of interfacing so I cannot finish the long sleeve button plackets tonight. It shouldn’t take much to finish up in the morning after I find some interfacing in the storage shed. It is coming out very nice too. I top stitched all the seems so it should be a great shirt for him to play/work in. I am thinking that hubby needs one too.

[lattemama]

I’ve been off work for two days because I’m coughing so much. SO I spent the days on the sofa watching television in peace and quiet when the kids were at school. I wanted to sew but decided not to as I believe the dust in there aggravates my cough.

I have a parcel of Lottie Da waiting for me at the post office. I’m going to trace the size 10 Library dress (and the Playtime too while I’m at it) and start on that next week. This weekend we’re busy celebrating my SIL’s birthday, thus no sewing at all for me.

[Masha Richart]

HOpe you feel better soon, Sharon. Janice, for some reason I thought our daughters were similar sizes? I am still tracing 2s (plus 4+ length) for her. I don’t think she will out grow the smaller pattern for another couple years! Her younger sister will outgrow them before her!

I am almost finished with the Tiana dress. Just need some time to make the flower brooch for the waist and it’s all done. I have my inlaws visiting though, and I haven’t had any time! I began cutting out the Cinderella dress for younger daughter and then realized I hadn’t yet washed he sateen I am planning to use for the peplum and sleeves. It’s nearly nap time and I plan to knock out the brooch and then get started on Cinderella today.

[Nicole]

I have not sewn anything since Tildy’s Secret Elmer trench, I am suffering indeed.

Hopefully, this weekend, I can make a start on Zara’s D&D dress that I cut out over a month ago!

[with love Heidi]

Tilly’s coat is amazing! I hope your up to sewing this weekend, I have been thinking about you and praying for you and the family as I am relying on your sketchbook tutorial for the shirt I’m making. It’s getting there but it has been slow going, I think I did more unpicking today than sewing! I’m off to sew up the side seams.

[Mama_Knowles]

I have just been drooling over D&D patterns! I have bought a few patterns for myself but I can’t seem to find time for sewing for “me”, always something I am making the kids.

I did finish the sketchbook shirt! Garrett has told me it’s his favorite shirt I have ever made him. This makes me feel so good. : )

I am on to pattern drafting now for the field trip pants for the two middle boys. I need measure both of them first thought. I think Garrett will be a size 7 but Wyatt in a skinny fellow so I am thinking a size 4 with the 7 length? I will have to see.