[Sarvi]

That is so true, Robin! I just put in the pockets on the Art Museum vest last night and got a real thrill from it. I love in the instructions it tells you to flip the piece halfway through and admire your work, haha. “That *does* look impressive,” I thought.

[Tamara]

There is one thing to be said about those welt pockets though and that is if you fold the flap up too much it will cause a crinkle in the corners. I actually had to redo mine on the vest because of that but the second time they turned out a treat.

Fiona I will keep the dress for a rainy day. I am still holding out hope for another wee one and if all fails then it’ll go in the Grandmother’s hope chest.

It was quite funny watching the kids go for opposite sides until it started getting nasty and the pillow fighting began. I was trying to stitch the vest shut and was being hammered with pillows (only because the telly that has “normal” tv is in our bedroom). N was absolutely devastated his team lost but then again partly to do with media hype. Next year they will do it just like teams before them and it will be more special seeing as it will be two decades worth of playing.

I have a library dress laid out on some Heather Bailey Lottie Da fabric. It will be one of two I want to whip up today. Huge problem about the difference in background colour but oh well. I want to try some seminole piecing on one of them and the other will be all the one print. Oh but then she saw the Sew Beautiful Natalie pattern and decided she wants me to make that aswell! That will have to wait I think.

I have to get Noah to try those trousers on so that I can fit the elastic and then we should be all done for a bit.

I will post pictures but towards the end of the week.

[Tamara]

I have just completed the second Library dress made this week. This one is from Lottie da butterflies and the purple dot that matches. I tried the seminole piecing technique in the waistband which worked well. The other one I cut out will have to wait for later in the week to be sewn.

[Lightning McStitch]

Robin, I completely agree, it is so much easier sewing for kids. I’ve just done my first WAS (wide arse salvage) which wouldn’t have been necessary if I’d ever learnt how to measure myself properly. Anyway, the dress is saved and it kind of fits so long as I stand up straight all the time.

[Robin]

Really, who has time to sit down? I bet you look great in it. WAS is brilliant. It’s right up there with FWA (full waist adjustment).

[needlewoman]

Congrats, Lightning and Robin on making important fitting adjustment for yourselves – standing up straight is very good for you, L – makes you look younger and empowered. 2 Library Dresses in one week, J – amazing! I finished my first Sailboat top today, and handed it over to the mother who was pleased. She really liked the look of the Library dress, too, and her Miss 6 will look very well in it, I think so it might be fun to give it a try. Last two efforts – ice cream dress, and vintage pinafore were delivered to Miss 4 today, too. The mother loves the look of them; just hope the littley likes them too. My concern is that I feel like I’m running months behind time. Most of the outfits I’ve finished lately are really winter frocks, and it’s warming up here fast! 31C forecast for Adelaide tomorrow – already!! So pleased the Lib Dress has short sleeves- I may be able to “force” it on a few victims for the coming summer. I’m also looking forward to trying out the Pinwheel dress on a few girls – this is the problem of loving the new patterns of a northern hemisphere company. So glad to know that the Vest is proving so satisfying to sew – it looks very intimidating on the envelope.

[Tamara]

No not intimidating at all, but completely charming. N will wear his tomorrow to the show when I get to see that $50 prize winning quilt of mine in all its glory (and the white library dress of course) I will try to take photos but there are no guarantees before collecting them up again. I am going to try sending the exhibits down next year because if all things go to plan I will be busy with other things.

So no sewing until at least Thursday where I get a day’s reprieve before galloping around the countryside again and hitting the urban sprawl. I am hoping to locate the bodice front piece of the dress I had cut ready yesterday – I think it got caught up in the scraps – and maybe I can get that made so she has yet another dress to wear. It will be sewing shorts and t shirts time very very soon but I can’t even think about that until at least late next week! Obligations of family complaining we “never” see them! I will blame that!

[with love Heidi]

After doing a major clean of the sewing area yesterday and tracing the pattern pieces for my jacket, instead of making the adjustments to the pattern (including FBA and adding length and probably width) I got sidetracked after reading this post on the differences between front and back measurements. http://sewingplums.com/2011/11/26/getting-to-know-my-sizes/

I am now sidetracked and am drafting my own skirt block/sloper! I am trying to work out the back darts, I may be over thinking them but I have noticed that all my pattern manipulation (like turning the Nature Walk pullover into Hogwarts robes!) is making me see this draft differently.

[Tamara]

I think I have to make the size 12 in the art museum trousers. Noah tried them and they are a bit like Mick Jagger pants, leaving nothing to the imagination. I am a bit annoyed actually because my mother has made him change and wear his khaki field trip cargos which doesn’t really appeal to the vest and sketchbook shirt type look.

When I get home I will take another look at them because I feel they fit everywhere else but around that particular area.

[Nicole]

I finished Zara’s dress and blogged it, it fits her like a glove.

Now I am working on some shorts from a vintage pattern. The Biggies have a camp this term so several new outfits need to be made.

[with love Heidi]

Sewed my fleece jacket together today and discovered I need to rotate sleeves back half an inch for them to be comfortable! I really appreciate sewing with someone else who knows how it should look on your body!

[with love Heidi]

I have got my jacket to wearing point! It needs some finessing on the front armhole and sleeve but I have been wearing it today, it is like wearing a blanket, very comfy. Now to hope Spotlight has it’s fleece on sale again as I want at least 2 more!

[Nicole]

I finished Zara’s shorts and she is so happy. I can see why we can’t get shorts to fit her in the shops. I ended up adding half an inch to the bottom but took several inches from the waist.

Major Brownie points for Mummy!

There was a lot of polar fleece on sale at Spotlight Mt Barker Heidi, I didn’t look that closely as it is not really cold enough for it here. But it was very cheap.

[Tamara]

There is no time here to make fleece jackets unless I want to get a head start on next year. The heat has arrived as we found out on arrival back home from Perth. My pattern from craftsy has turned up which is rather exciting but I am going to keep that until school returns so that I can immerse myself in a little selfish sewing.

Tomorrow though I will go hammer and tongs on some summer sewing – both the kids and I need some summer clothes but in a day I will be pressed to even complete one item. What I might do is cut a heap and overlock/ serge the pieces so that should I get machine sewing time next week I can go right ahead and do just that. And that means carting just one machine to Perth not two.

[with love Heidi]

Great work on fitting Zara, Nicole! I will check out the fleece next time I’m in there. I wear fleece all year round here! At the moment it is pouring with rain and cold, and has been for the last few days!