I made this little donkey last year for my neice Marlee but forgot to take a photo of it. I saw Marlee over easter and little donkey surreptitiously found his way into Isabella's bag! So a good chance for me to photograph...

The pattern is from the original Softies book which I have used many, many times and love.  The designer is My little mochi.  His body is made from a recycled wool coat.  His muzzle is linen and the pink print is one of my favourite fabrics, but I cannot find out what it is called. I bought it a couple of years ago from Patchwork on Central Park.  If anyone knows the name of the print - please let me know!

The print was also used to make these sweet little shoes that now sit on Isabella's dresser. I made them for her when she was a wee little one and they are absolutely tiny!

A little pic of me with the girls last night in their 'Royal attire'!

I made this little pinafore for Isabella last night. The fabric reminds me of the winter tunic I used to wear in primary school!

I used the "Tropical blend" pattern from the latest Ottobre magazine but adapted the hemline and added the bias binding.

We took some photos this morning. I enticed Isabella outside to look at the mist...but she decided it was called mischief and kept saying, "Look at the mischief!"

Most of my photos looked like the one above, a regular game of running away from Mummy!

Isabella loves the dress as she loves anything with pockets.  These have a bit of novelty factor too as they are circle shaped. I am looking forward to making a few more winter items for the girls' wardrobe.  I have made a sweet corduroy dress for Juliette but I can't post it yet because it is for her first birthday next week - time is flying by!

We have spent a lovely few days at home in Warrnambool with Mum and Dad and the fam over easter.  Isabella and Juliette have had a great time playing with their cousins and the rest of the family.  I managed to get to the local quilting shop and to their closing down sale to replenish my 'scraps'...

Juliette loves getting hold of my fabrics and making a mess!

I had seen an idea similar to this where a 'runner' would sit underneath a bed's mattress and then panels would sit either side of the bed with pockets to store books/ night light and teddies. I thought I would combine this idea with a drawer runner for Isabella's room.  This runner is 30cm by 180cm.  Here is how to make it...

1. Measure the desired length and width or your runner.

2. Cut scraps of prints and plain to fit these measurements. I cut various pieces of print and calico at 30 cm height to make up 180 cm in length (remember to allow for seam allowances).

3. Sew pieces together with 1 cm seams. Iron flat (opening seams while ironing).  No need to zig zag or overlock seams as they will all be hidden.

I varied the prints over the width of the chest of drawers but then used calico at each end.

4. Cut two pieces of calico (30 x 92 cm) and sew together to create a 30 x 180 cm length. Press seams.  You sill end up with two pieces of the runner - the plain calico will be the backing.

5. Cut pockets at various sizes to be placed on plain calico ends to store books and bits and pieces.  Add any embelishments you like, finish raw edges and stitch down tops of pockets.  Fold and press remaining three sides under 1 cm.

6. Pin folded edges to runner where you would like them to be sewn.

7.  Sew 1-2mm from edge around pockets.  Make sure you backstitch beginning and ending of seam securely as the pockets will be carrying weight.

8. With right sides facing, pin and sew runner top and backing together, leaving a 20 cm opening to turn inside out.

9.  Turn runner the right way around and press (also press opening edges under).

10.  Top stitch around entire runner (this will also sew closed the opening).

11.  I placed some adhesive velcro dots on under side of runner and on drawers to ensure runner will stay in place (no pic).

Finito!!

Side one

Side two

I have finally managed to post another sewing tutorial and to finish my second pram liner to complete the set for our double pram (Juliette is only 11 months old so it's only 11 months late!).  This is a good 'beginner' project for people learning to sew that also incorporates some technical elements (button holes and bias edging).  So here it is...

Materials:

- Approximately 40 cm (depending on width of your pram seat) of three fabrics - outer layer, inner layer and under layer;

- Approximately 1.5 metres of 20mm width bias binding

1.  You will need to take some measurements of your pram insert. You need the overall 'length' of your pram liner and the width.  The length is calculated by adding the seat height to the seat depth.  You will also need to measure the position of the upper straps (there are two pair on my pram) and the bottom seat strap, as these will require button holes to allow the straps through.

2.  Cut three layers of fabric in a rounded rectangle according to your measurements.  The three layers I have used are a printed curtain fabric for the outside (something durable is good), a polar fleece inner layer and a spotted cotton under layer.

3.  Pin the three layers together with the right sides of the outer and under layer facing outwards (the polar fleece will be sandwiched in between).

4.  Mark the position for the button holes with taylor's chalk.  Using a ruler, also chalk lines for top stitching or 'quilting' the liner.  I stitched a centre line which runs vertically and four horizonal lines divided between the length of the liner.

5.  Get your sewing machine ready.  Set stitch length to a long stitch as it is sewing through three layers.  It is also a good idea to lessen the foot pressure (check your manual on how to do this).  This will allow the layers to move more freely as they are being sewn.  Top stitch across the chalked lines and remove pins.

6.  Set machine for button hole stitching and use button hole foot.  Sew button holes.  These will be long button holes to allow for straps.  I went over mine twice to make them stronger.

7.  Folding button hole seams in half, cut centre to allow scissors to snip length of each hole.

8.  Open up the bias binding and sew along fold - allowing 1 cm from liner edge.  Sew around perimeter of liner and overlap binding where the ends meet.

9.  Turn liner over and fold binding over to reach the seam you have just sewn.  Keeping the edge of the binding lined up with this seam, sew approximately 1 mm in from this seam around the perimeter of the binding.

10.  Press your liner and you are all done!!

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This is 'Esmeralda' the latest softie I have made.  She will be given to Juliette in a few weeks time for her first birthday.  She was inspired by her cousin, Coccinelle who jumped in a post bag today over to Christchurch to join her friends through Leonie at Kiwi at Heart.

The body fabric of Esmeralda is this gorgeous and quaint floral fabric I bought at Fragrant Cottage a sweet quilting store in my hometown of Warrnambool.  Unfortunately, after 25 years in business, the shop is closing down.  On the bright side, this fabric was on sale.  There will be 50 % off everything in the store by the time I get home for easter so I am looking forward to some time in there on my own, child free!  Her face and arms are made from wool felt.  Linen and pink suede face detail.

I loved this shirt so much that I made another one...

Isabella is becoming quite the little model and happily obliges when I pull out the camera! Snapped here on the way to mother's group in Edinburgh gardens.