[Mama_Knowles]

Heidi you have been busy! Are they for Christmas gifts?

I am going to make a Strawberry Short cake Apple Picking dress for Sweet pea and a sailer outfit for the baby (non O+S). Then onto pj’s!! I have waited on this pattern for ever and still haven’t started any. I am hoping to make a few pairs for each child (five kids) for winter. maybe I can also get to some sandbox pants as well.

[Tamara]

How long is the sewing time allowance for the vests Hiedi? I haven’t made those yet but should as they would be ideal for trip out to the tractor seeding time etc – they remind me of the life jackets you have in boats except less puffy.

Sounds wonderful – strawberry shortcake apple picking dress. I’m gathering by a few you mean three at least and that would be fifteen pairs of pj’s??? I didn’t make the fourth pair in time – I broke a button whilst cheating and using the machine to sew it on and I think that sleep deprivation of the no excuse to get up early sort does not do me well when it comes to sewing.

So I am looking forward to bonding with the machines on my own starting this afternoon. I plan first though to dress like hubby and go feed the chooks so the rooster don’t attack (we have a prison and possibly death sentence for the use of spurs on anything human!) as one which came to us from being a pet did just that before – he is awaiting his sentence. Honestly they are horrible animals but hubby adores them – I’d much prefer sheep!

I plan to finish off more of what I didn’t but also trace and cut out the croquet dress. I have visions of this made in corduroy (light purple) with a floral contrast so it can be worn with t-shirts underneath and leggings -have to make those too. So this afternoon may be used for cutting and preparation purposes. The smocking pleater is also calling to me …. I wonder if I can’t utilise this in the same project? We shall see.

[Mama_Knowles]

Yep, Tamara, 15 pairs! I have all the fabric for Sarah’s pj’s and most for the baby and one print for my 6 year old. I am going to make all the kiddos matching pj’s for christmas with red and green plaid fabric. I just have to wait on grandma to send it this next month. Grandma is awsome!! Plus a pair for the boys in Children at play flannel. I can’t wait to start these!!

I have never tried to use the sewing machine for sewing buttons yet. I would be one to break a button for sure.. I can’t wait to see your croquet dress!! It sounds so lovely. You mut show sneak peaks as you go!

I just cut out two Apple picking dresses in a 3T for the winter for Sarah. I hope to get them done in the next three days.

[with love Heidi]

Hi,

Mama knowles, they are not for Christmas gifts (woulddn’t it be great to be that organised!) they are gifts for firends children I am hoping to see when I go on holidays in a couple of weeks.

justsewit – the Explorer vests without the bellows take less time but the bellos look cute and may be more functional for the farm if you want to put things in them. The vests are not difficult to make but I needed time to get my head around the bellows (ie reading instructions and working out what to do). Leisl’s instructions and wonderful but I wouldn’t start it late at night. They definatly get faster the more you do (on to my 7th and 8th) and without the bellows.

For the first one I would probably allow 4-6 hours, this would probaly include thinking time and unpicking time. Fantastic vest and boy’s present.

[Tamara]

Sharon, little C must love the soothing sound of the sewing machine to allow you to actually sit and sew let alone plan!! The apple picking dress is just so pretty. I’ve only made one but I found it a breeze to get through. I do have fabric for another waiting it’s turn but it’ll just have to join the long list of things and wait it’s turn. I’m loving the Children at play fabric – have plans for flannel pj’s from that range too although actually have to purchase some first. I have pink and black tiger print flannel and red/white stripes and stars that will have to be turned into pj’s first though.

Heidi I was thinking of doing the explorer vest in corduroy with a fleecy type lining and that way it would be more body warmer than anything. I may forego the pockets but will ask N if he really needs them as he may want to have them to house the toys. I do agree though, they make the whole garment! I can’t imagine it would take absolutely forever to do one but I would imagine that each would take less time with many to do. They would come in handy eventhough our winter months are not as cold as some parts – as I say this it is chilly as anything and I’m wondering why I haven’t heard the heater start up yet.

Yes of course I will take photos of the progress. I can’t wait to share.

[Nicole]

I am hoping to draft the After School top and trousers tonight for Matilda.

I have some lovely Cloud 9 organic cotton and wide wale cord in shades of coral set aside just for this project.

After a hiatus,I am in desperate need of an O+S pattern fix.

~Nicole~

[Lightning McStitch]

Wow, there’s some serious production going on! I’m a bit of a one garment at a time, and give me a week to do it sewer!

Yet, I do use my sewing machine to sew the buttons on, so shouldn’t I be much faster than you all?! The trick I found for doing buttons on the sewing machine is to apply a tiny bit of double sided sticky tape to hold the button in place. Then, when I slide it under the sewing foot it doesn’t move. I test the stitch width gently with the needle unthreaded (popping through the double sided tape) then thread the needle and let ‘er rip! I use a pin as a shank so it’s not too tight, then just rip the tape out from underneath.

Speaking of buttons I need to go button shopping tomorrow for the Bear Carrier I’m making as a birthday gift for my nephew…..

[Mama_Knowles]

Thanks for the great tips on the button sewing! I will give this a try while I make the pj’s.

[with love Heidi]

hi justsewit,

I have made 2 (and 1 coming) out of cord, it is fantastic for the vest. I like to turn the fabric around 90 degrees when I cut the pockets as this gives a nice contrast witht he stripes going the other way (I’ll see if I can get a photo up so you can see. I had been thinking about polar fleece as the lining as well (I bought too much orange to line the trench with and now not sure what to make with it). If I were making them for a cold climate winter I definatly would but mine are going to WA (Western Australia) and I want them to be more all year round.

A hint for the flat pockets (much faster to sew) I fold down 3/4″(? need to check) off the top of the pocket and cut one lining fabrinc and one outer fabric and then sew them togeter leaving the bottom open to turn though. I then sew them with a 1/2″ seam allowance turn them through and sew onto the vest. I found this makes a much faster pocket than turning over the top twice and sewing it down, then turning over the seam allowance and sewing the pocket on. I’ll try and remember to take pictures wehn I make the ones I’m doing now.

hope that made sense.

Heidi

[Tamara]

Heidi I can so relate to the weather in WA (it’s where I am presently) – bring a brolly if you are over in the next week of so, we are in for rain!!!!

So you turn the nap the other way for the pockets? hmm that would give an interesting effect. I did that with the bottom panel (only 45 degrees though) on N’s after school pants and loved the effect although didn’t love how it didn’t entirely match (corduroy and it’s lovely stretchability when it wants it!). It is still corduroy and polar fleece weather here at the moment and if you are staying southward it will remain so for a fair while.

Makes perfect sense! I will muster some energy of sorts and possibly attack the pattern tonight when I finally get to the croquet dresses – I’ve decided on red corduroy with a print and purple with a print. We shall see how they go.

[with love Heidi]

justsewit, I’m starting in Perth then going north to Geraldton (yay, warmer weather and white sandy beaches with blue skies), i hope they get the rain the farmers need it. Thanks for the reminder that I might need wet weather gear. I do like WA rain though, as it seems to rain and then fine up again rather than days of grey skies and drizzle.

I’ll see if I can get a picture up this afternoon of the cord vests, the stripes go up and down on the vest and horizontally on the pockets.

I have finished my second modified badminton skirt. Just need to take and post pictures. 10 pockets and 6 pocket flaps for 2 exploer vest sewn up.

[Tamara]

I know Gero – go there all the time! Have you visited before? We are experiencing really cold nights and if you know the windy city (the one in WA) you will know the wind is crisp and is likely to chill you to the bone. Having said that though you won’t need scarves, beanies and snow gear! You may even be inclined to remove the jumper as it can get warm in the sun but it won’t be hot, just mild and wet! As for farmers needing rain….. yes we do need it to keep coming. We thought we wouldn’t get a break at all but then it got here finally and we managed to do what we do best. After more than 100mm for June though, we like to keep having a bit of sun in between because if it gets too wet that can have side effects also.

There is a lovely little place in Geraldton called the Finch’s Nest that has beautiful quilting type fabrics. Great place to pop in and take a look if you feel so inclined.

I got as far as pleating the front of the first croquet dress last night – that’s all I did! But since my family haven’t returned home from their urban adventure yet I may have the chance to get going on the second front before they get home.

[Nicole]

I drafted the size 18 month AfterSchool top&trousers for Matilda but after comparing the top pieces with her SailBoat top I decided to size down and redrafted the top in the 12 mnth with added length.

I started sewing three 2+2 blouses in a size 2 hoping that she will get this summer through to next winter from them. I used some pretty Japanese lawn from Spotlight.

I do so love this pattern(hence 3)and have taken pictures so I must try and blog the construction.

Next up I would love to make the Croquet dress in some funky fabric Tildy picked out herself. At 80c metre,it will do as a dress up if it all goes horribly wrong.

Tamara,you must get your I-pad sorted so that we can see some of your sewing.

~Nicole~

[with love Heidi]

I’m attempting to sew up my 2 explorer vests but I am having an argument with the sewing machine about working properly. I will need to drop into spotlight this afternoon to get some bigger needles ( I am trying to use the small ones from my multi pack, they are not happy with really thick denim and cord, unsurprisingly).

I have just dragged out some precut strips to make layered twirly skirts for the sisters of the explorer vest recipients. I would have liked to make the girls vests too but with time a big issue the skirts will only take an hour or so each (providing the overlocker works!).

Justsewit, I lived in Gero for a few years about 10 years back (that’s getting scary!), but haven’t been back for a couple of years. I’m really glad you’ve had some rain, I remember flying over and driving through brown, dry, dusty landscapes even in the middle of winter. Even mild wet weather in Gero will be warmer than freezing wet weather in Tassie! I hope there’s some sun for you and me.

Nicole, those 2+2 sound like they will be lovely and you can’t go wrong when trying a pattern with 80c/m fabric!

Off to check out the op-shops and then spotlight for some new needles.

[Mama_Knowles]

It would be wonderful if you would post on the constrution of the 2+2 Nicole! You always have wonderful tips on sewing everything!

I am planing a little sailor outfit for baby. I can’t to see it done! Right now I have about 15 things I am wanting to sew for Sweet pea and 8 things for baby, not including three pairs of sanbox pants for my two middle boys. I have all the supplies but need the time!