Thrifting

Flea market finds

October 25, 2011


I love going bargain hunting and have had some success recently at a school fete and little second hand market.  The above little tambourine and buzzy bee were a dollar each from the fete as were these three sweet tops I picked up for Isabella.




My favourite find though was this awesome retro flour sifter.  It reminds me of one Mum used to have (but must have thrown out! - Why would she do that?).  Anyway, now I have my own.   Found this at Wesley Hill market in Castlemaine on a recent weekend away.  Light, fluffy cakes here I come!


I'm linking up today with Her Library Adventures - a new blog I have discovered.

Make it Perfect pattern

Winter jacket

June 16, 2011


Since my labels did not arrive in the post yesterday, I was unable to 'launch' my little label today and my madeit store as I had hoped. This was a little disappointing, but every cloud has a silver lining...it meant that I didn't have to go hell for leather yesterday getting the final pics up and stitching the labels on everything, and it also gave me some sewing time to work on a winter jacket for Isabella.



We spent the long weekend in Anglesea at my Uncle and Aunty's holiday house which we are lucky to be able to use a few times a year. They are very generous in letting us stay and I made some cushion covers for the house recently as a little thankyou. My Aunty then gave me a 'thankyou for the thankyou' and gave me this great 'Make It Perfect' pattern. I was keen to make it but was unsure of the fabrics to use.  The Anglesea op shop came up with the goods! I picked up a piece of wool blanketing and some super sweet red and white spotted voile/cotton, for a total of $7.00 and I am so happy with how it looks! I think it will be super warm and will fit Issie this year and hopefully next too.  Then of course, Juliette will be able to wear it in a couple of years time!


As for my label, I am hoping to open the shop in the next few days and will certainly let my blog readers know!!



Project details:
Pattern - 'Make it Perfect' Uptown girl pattern, size 3.
Fabric - 120 cm of apricot wool; 120 cm red spotted voile/cotton
Bits and bobs - recycled red button

I'm sharing today over at Kootoyoo.

Recycled

Rainy day smock - a tutorial

May 30, 2011


You will need:
  • Approx length of smock if using wide fabric or twice length if fabric is 90cm wide (my smock was recycled from a small cot sheet found at the op shop).
  • 5mm elastic
  • 10cm of hook and loop velcro

Directions:

Step 1.
Draft a pattern - mine is drafted for a 3 year old. You could make it bigger or smaller by adding or subtracting a cm or so all around to go up or down a size (no need to be exact as this is a very free fitting pattern).


Step 2.
Cut out pattern pieces as indicated on pattern. Your pieces will look something like this...


Step 3.
With right sides together, sew arm and back together at raglan seam (I have just overlocked to save time).


Step 4.
Repeat all around until your smock looks like this... (back attaches to sleeve to front to sleeve to back)


Step 5.
Take  a little break... Hmmm...comfy concrete!


Step 6.
Neaten end of sleeves with overlocker or zig zag, then with right sides together sew underarm seams on both sides.


Step 7.
Neaten around neckline and bottom hem with overlocker or zig zag stitch.


Step 8.
Turn neckline under 1 cm to allow for elastic.  Do the same for the sleeves (not pictured).  Allow opening in sleeves for elastic to be pushed through.


Step 9.
Use a safety pin to secure the elastic and thread through the neck casing.


Step 10.
Sew one end of elastic casing to secure before gathering up and securing other side.  Thread elastic through sleeve casings also, secure elastic and close openings (not pictured).  Thread elastic through wrist seams, secure and sew up openings (not pictured).


Step 11.
hem back openings and bottom hem (not pictured).

Step 12.
Attach two pieces of hook and loop velcro to back edge - making sure hook is attached to right side and loop to underside (or vice versa).  Match position of velcro with both sides before sewing.


Press and hang and you have finished!  Great for rainy day play.