sewpony: February 2011

The epitome of cuteness and a sweet cupcake suit

February 24, 2011

I am biased but I swear Juliette is getting cuter by the day!! I am super excited about making some baby suits for her. This first one has turned out so well and was very satisfying to make! The only changes I would make would be to make the banding on the legs 1-2 mm wider to better accommodate the snaps.

I used an Ottobre pattern but added my own touch to the front with some little frills and a pink panel of buttons. I love how making do with what you have encourages you to come up with new ideas. I didn't have three of the same colour button but had one of each of these which match the cupcakes! I used a leftover scrap of flannelette from my baby bib for the buttons to sit on - was a better contrast than straight on the interlock. I am loving my twin needle for sewing stretch edging and the snaps make the suit look very 'profesh'!

Details:

Fabric - Printed stretch cotton interlock and cream contrast interlock

from Spotlight

Pattern - Ottobre 1/2010 (modified bib)

Bits and bobs - three white snap fasteners (paired), three buttons

Sewpony has made it to google!

February 23, 2011

I was just playing around with my blog and typed in 'sewpony' to google. My blog is listed! About the eighth site down but it's there! This means that enough people have looked at it to allow it to register with google. Fun. I have found a prolific sewing blog which I will be referring to regularly. It's here. A mother of two in America who has made so many beautiful things (I am mostly interested in the children's clothes she has made)... I am wondering how she has managed to accrue 1,800 + followers - that's epic!

Bibs

How to make... a little bib (my first tutorial)

February 21, 2011

Hi there! This is my first sewing 'tutorial'. Thought I would go for something simple and cute... a baby bib. I hope you like it and find it useful. I would love to hear from anyone who uses it.

Materials:

30 x 20 cm piece of backing fabric - towelling, polar fleece, flannelette or soft cotton
Assorted scraps for front (soft cotton)
Velcro tabs for fastening - 3 x 3 cm piece each of hook and loop
Bias binding - approx 1.3 metres (best to use 16-20 mm wide to enable 8-10 mm of bias edging)

Method:

1. Simply trace around an existing bib and cut around outline.

2. Use bib pattern to assemble scraps for front of bib – allowing seam allowance of 1cm for all seams

(do not include seam allowance around outline of bib). Press seams as you go.

3. Cut assembled scraps into bib shape using template to trace around.

4. Pin bib front and back together – wrong sides touching. Place pins away from bib outline so will not get caught in bias binding seam.

5. Open up bias binding and pin to outline of bib (do as I say, not as I do... I didn't pin as my bias was too narrow). Sew in ditch of bias fold matching up edge of bias with edge of bib.

After you have done this, your bib will look like this...

6. Fold bias binding over bib outline and pin.

7. Top stitch around bias binding - 1mm away from seam (sewing on bib back).

8. Pin velcro to bib ends - hook on underside of bib and loop on right side.

9. Stitch velcro in place - ensuring is sewn securely and with back stitch.

And that's it! One super cute baby bib - modelled here by Juliette, who is just learning to stand up!

Ottobre creations

Gingham shirt

February 19, 2011

I saw this little shirt on the cover of Ottobre 1/2010 and thought it was a 'must have' for Isabella's wardrobe. It took me a while to get around to making it but here it is...

I love the detail around the neckline and the sweet rounded collar. It took a while to make but was worth it. There is gathering around yolk (front and back) and sleeves. Fabric is cut on the bias for button frill and sleeves are gathered in with elastic around arms. I think it would look really sweet in a small spot too.

Details:

Fabric - 100 % cotton navy gingham from Spotlight (almost like a seersucker - nice and soft);

Pattern - Ottobre 1/2010 (cover pattern);

Bits and bobs - 5 x 10mm buttons; iron on interfacing for collar; thin elastic for sleeves.

Ottobre creations

Pink heart top

February 15, 2011

The lastest little number I have produced is this sweet little top for Juliette. It was adapted from a jump suit pattern - simply because I didn't buy enough material. Just turned it into a t-shirt instead. It has a baby friendly neckline and gathered little sleeves. I'm loving having my new overlocker to finish all my garments - makes them look so much nicer - thanks Dad!!

Details:
Pattern - Ottobre /2010 (jumpsuit - adapted)
Fabric - Printed interlock and cream interlock (both 100 % cotton from
Spotlight)

Sewing

Another one...

February 11, 2011

I decided to make another of these tops as the first one worked out so well. This one is made with Amy Butler's Wallflower in Sky which I just love and was holding on to for a while trying to decide what to make from it. Lined with cotton chambray. This pattern is great as it fits Isabella now but will also fit Juliette soon as a dress/top. I checked out my local op shop for buttons but unfortunately they had 'remodelled' the shop and disposed of their button collection. Disappointing as I had to choose from Spotlight's limited button selection but managed to find some that suited.

I should also take the time to introduce to those of you who don't know, a little friend of Isabella's who is sure to feature highly on this blog. Minnie is her favourite little furry friend and is named after her Grandparents dog, who is now referred to as 'real Minnie'!

Note early blog posting time means Suz actually got some good sleep last night - thanks Juliette!

Details for making top listed on post below.

Sewing

A pattern laying dormant produces a gorgeous top!

February 08, 2011

I bought this fabric a while back from Spotlight. I was surprised how 'unspotlightish' it looked! I also bought the blue stripe for the pants and envisaged a matching little outfit. I made the pants a while ago and stole some of the red for a pocket on the back. I was looking through my old patterns and found this sweet little cross over top which suits the fabric really well. The top took me no more than 45 minutes to make - will definitely have to make some more. Little effort for maximum effect! That's what I like.

Details:
Pattern - Butterick 5493 (Size small)
Fabric - 70 cm of red and cream cotton print; 70cm pink print - both from Spotlight.
Bits and bobs - 2 Recycled buttons

Recycled

Oh deer!

February 07, 2011

A friend loaned me "Palm Sized Softies" and I decided to have a go at de-retrofying the little deer...

I ended up with this little guy...

Made from recycled wool (a chopped up skirt from the op-shop!) and a sweet cotton print from my 'fabric stash' I think this one is too cute to give away. Eyes are done with black and white felt and nose is brown suede. He is 15 cm tall.

The book is filled with lots of cute little creatures. On my list to make are a sweet little cat and some sleeping goats!

Quilts

How to make...a quilt for Juliette

February 02, 2011

Decide on pattern - I found mine in "Homespun" magazine
Select fabric six months before she is born to make sure it is ready for her when she arrives
Go to Patchwork on Central Park with colour theme in mind then let a key material choose you

This was the one that I based her quilt around (I love deers):

Choose lots of green fabric so husband won't mind how much you have spent
Purchase fabrics and following pattern, start cutting (use rotary cutter for precise cuts)
Iron all fabrics
Machine piece quilt top together, baste onto wadding and backing and tack evenly
Hand quilt with hoop from centre out around selected areas
Do a hundred projects in between....
Fast forward 13 months and complete hand quilting
Bind with bias binding or fabric cut on bias sewn into long panel (Go to Red Pepper Quilts for binding tutorial)

Hey presto, you have a cot sized quilt that is ready for the cooler months ahead!