[Emily]

I’ve started my annual big push to sew Eleanor’s fall wardrobe. I tend to break it up by week, with one pattern on the agenda every week or two. Cutting and planning on Monday, then sewing the rest of the week. I do 3-4 versions of each pattern (the batch sewing is definitely much more efficient for me) and by the end of the summer she’s ready to go back to school. I’m expecting my 2nd in December (due Christmas day!) so I’ve started a little earlier than usual to give myself a little bit of leeway as I get bigger and more tired. This week I’ve finished 4 Class Picnic blouses (pictures to come) and I have two days left that E is in preschool (my sewing time), so I’m planning to spend some time tidying my sewing space today and I think I also might give the new Hula Hoop skirt a go. I bought the pattern yesterday and it looks pretty straightforward, and Eleanor will LOVE that it “spins WAAAAAY out.” It’s just a matter of choosing two complimentary fabrics from my stash…

[Nicole]

Oh,congratulations on the new baby-how exciting.

I tend to bulk sew too,then when one makes a single garment it is such a treat!

I am half way through my 2+2 blouse’s and ‘blogging as I go’ so it takes a bit longer. I do adore this sweet sweet blouse.

My Afterschool set is drafted but still have not completely cut it out.

I am still wading through holiday washing/ironing.

~Nicole~

[with love Heidi]

I always find that the washing and putting stuff away is the worst part of the holiday.

I have just finished my 2 medium explorer vests and 4 tiered twirly skirts. Now just to cut and sew 3 small explorer vests in the next few days, well see if I can get it done.

[Tamara]

Emily congratulations on your new little one to be! The kids came home from their urban adventure with cases full of washed clean clothes! Thanks mum! All I have to do is put them away but have been feeling really not so well so they are still waiting.

I managed to do a bit of smocking yesterday – well the whole front actually as I was feeling not so well.

Today I will try again with pleating the next front of the purple croquet – a bit less this time to just see what the difference would be and the effect that goes with each. This one may take longer as I am tossing up whether to do the bullion flowers from the pattern I using ti compliment the pink starburst fabric I intend to use as the contrast.

I broke two needles feeding it through last night – right mess of one but then they were probably ready to be changed over anyhow.

Tomorrow I will set to work sewing the two and then miss nearly 10 can have two new dresses to wear.

[Emily]

Thanks for the congratulations! Eleanor is very excited that she’ll be a big sister, and we’re all looking forward to our new addition.

Yesterday I finished a Hula Hoop skirt and a Lazy Weekend skirt. I liked the way the Hula Hoop went together – straightforward and it turned out well. I think with the next one, I might shorten the yoke and lengthen the flounce to see if I can make it spin out more. Today I’m working on a Music Class jumper in a medium green and cream repro print, and I have another in the queue in a pink Liberty ditsy floral.

I have to confess – we took a weekend trip over the 4th, and I still have yet to unpack that suitcase to tackle the laundry…

[Nicole]

One week later and I have nearly caught up!(including the extra 7 sets a day).

Now to wash the fabric,thats the fun bit. I have special powder and fabric softener for that.

After-School cut and ready to sew.

~Nicole~

[Tamara]

Halfway through the first croquet dress – decided to sew this first before starting on the next one. Wanted to be further along but have been interrupted with a lunch trip out to the guys and with N insisting on “pet lamb shopping” – he didn’t make a purchase and then had to watch a movie with him because “I promised”. He’s happy now so I am free to start sewing again.

[with love Heidi]

Have just finished my last 3 Explorer vests, ended up deciding on 2 small and another medium. Started them about 10:30 this morning and finished just after 7 tonight. I was very happy with that for 3 vests, about 8 and a half hours including snack and ‘if I don’t have a break now I am going to start making mistakes’ breaks. I did start with the patterns (not the fabric) all traced and cut. I think my guesstimate of 4-6 hours for one vest if you haven’t made it before is quite reasonable.

Now, no more sewing, I just need to clean up the kitchen table before I go away!

[Tamara]

Have a fantastic trip Heidi – hope you have lots of fun enjoying our Western Australian sunshine (and remember the brollie).

Well, my first croquet dress has now got a completed bodice. I tried it on miss (I have to do something other than stand there and try on this thing) and she decided on a plain band and bow. Probably just as well as I think the smocking would detract from the patterned fabric and vice versa. Anyway, after a bit of trial and error (the sleeves were interesting as the notches didn’t quite match) and quite a bit of basting (again of the sleeves) we got there. I’m going to do a bit more after dinner and hopefully have it almost complete tonight. Only the skirt waistband and bow to go!

I can already see this in silk in fact it is taking over my mind with visions of white and pink – similar to that of a flowergirl at a themed wedding (not that such an event is ever likely to include me). My mind is just spinning with ideas as it does very very often. I’m even tempted to do a vintage version with lace for the up coming show …. time permitting of course!!!!

[Tamara]

One completed croquet dress. Photos to come.

[Mama_Knowles]

Yippy! I can’t wait to see it!

I am almost down with Prince C sailor outfit. I made some mods so it has taken me a bit t make. It’s hard to think little sleep. Next 3 pairs of sandbox pant for the two middle boys to share. then shorts for all three big boys then some more fall sewing for Sweet pea.( two 2+2 skirts, music class sew and an after scool set, 2 jump rope dresses and Sunday bunch set)

[Tamara]

To be honest with you Sharon, I like it better on the hanger than I do on Miss 9 going on 21! Mind you having said that had she tried it on minus her clothes it may have looked a little better but I was impatient and she just wanted to stall so I got her to pop it on as is.

Being corduroy, I think with the smocking across the bodice the way I did it changed the whole outlook of the front so I’m thinking that when the picture is finally put up and you can see for yourself, that it may not have been the best idea to do that all the way across. Just a little bit though or even just a panel in the centre might have been a little better for the whole look. I would do it again in a lighter fabric, maybe a voile, so that it would keep the shape and look of the front alot better.

I just wanted to try it out – as you do – just to see – as you do.

Next on the sewing list is some school pants for the missy as she trotted off wearing her brother’s trousers by mistake this morning and hence they look more 3/4 than anything. I’ll make at least two pairs out of the black I have in the cupboard and that can free up some space. No more uniforms after that until we know what the new one will look like and then I can possibly get started provided the styles are simple enough to copy.

[Lightning McStitch]

I’ve just unpicked a linen maternity shirt and cut out a shameless copy of Britmark19’s beautiful grey linen croquet dress. http://www.flickr.com/photos/62965189@N02/7464191204/in/faves-79480359@N03/

The fabric I’ll use for the waistband and bow was originally intended for a Family Reunion dress, so i’ve cut that out too. It’s a pink fabric with white spots and white bows on it. I was intending to make view A and use a white tab and put a pink bow on the tab instead of buttons. After looking at Family Reunion dresses in the Flickr pool, I’m now wondering whether I should make the neck facing white as well.. I’ve cut both and I might lay them out and take some pictures to see which I like better….

[Pink Zipper]

O how I love that linen croquet dress too. I actually bought the pattern just from seeing that version.

I was sorting out my sewing table last night to discover that I have 5 garments waiting for buttonholes. Talk about avoidance issues.

[katybellabug]

I have all my pieces cut out for a Sunday Brunch Jacket. My first crack at this pattern and I am a bit nervous. Can’t explain why other than I am so used to sewing tops that a jacket seems like a big deal. Going to size up so it will see her over the autumn/winter. Making it in a brown micro dot corduroy that I have been itching to use up!