Tops

Tulip

October 06, 2016


Today I am happy to be sharing my version of the Tulip top (and dress) - a beautiful new pattern released by two talented Belgian ladies! Eva from With love by Eva and Katrien by Kaatjenaaisels, released this pattern collaboratively about a month ago in Dutch. This week, it is now available in English! They were kind in asking me to join in their blog tour.

leggings

Some Sunday stretch sewing

May 17, 2015


I went to Spotlight yesterday for an invisible zip for an Ishi dress I am making, and came out with some gorgeous jersey which was on sale as well.  'Spotty' has a great range of jersey these days.  Lots of gorgeous prints which are usually around $15 per metre. They were on sale for 30% off so I managed to make this outfit for about $12. Issie only had one pair of leggings and I thought, I really should make them, since I can, even though I could probably buy them for the same price.  I love sewing for my kids and they only took about 15 minutes of sewing time.

Applique

Kids' Clothes Week: A deer top

April 20, 2015


I am sewing along with this season of Kids' Clothes Week (which, for those who do not know, is sewing an hour a day for your kid/s for one week and sharing your makes). The theme for this season is "Wild Things". My girls (particularly Isabella) love animals, so this theme is perfect.  I did start this top on the weekend but finished it today.  All up, it probably took about 90 minutes.

Tops

An autumn peplum top

April 17, 2015



Following on from my late posting of this dress (that was made six months before I photographed it), this top is finally on the blog after I made it around about the same time.

Pants

Perfect Pattern Parcel: A Celestial tee and some Hosh pants

April 16, 2014


Hi there:) Today I am sharing a little outfit I made Isabella with two great patterns - The Celestial tee by Figgy's and Hosh pants by LouBeeClothing.  These patterns are two of the five that are bundled by Perfect Pattern Parcel.   

The patterns included in PPP #2 are:
Celestial tee by Figgy's Patterns
Hosh pants by LouBeeClothing
Hanami top and dress by Straightgrain
The Caroline party dress by MouseHouseCreations
The September Tunic by Too Sweets Patterns

PPP is a new company that allows the buyer to select what they wish to pay for the bundled five patterns.  A percentage of the sales goes to the designers of the patterns and the rest goes to charity. If you pay more than $24 you will 'unlock' the bonus pattern - the Prefontaine shorts by That Moxie Girl.


I used a cream jersey I had in my stash for the tee.  I changed the neckline a little - made four exposed pin pleats instead of the three inverted ones.  The pants are made from a funky printed stretch cotton drill.  I found it at Lincraft.  It reminds me of little sequins. As you can see from the photo above, it is autumn here in Australia! Our property is looking beautiful with green grass, falling leaves, ripening pomogranates and birds galore!


Both patterns are great, quick and easy.  The hosh pants have no side seams which is cool. I love the general shape and how smart they look.  The tee is feminine and I like the uneven hem...it reminds me of a ballerina t-shirt - one to be worn over a leotard by elegant dancers!


Isabella was happy for me to photograph her on this particular afternoon as long as I capture her and her new talent - finger knitting! 




Make sure you head over to Perfect Pattern Parcel if you would like to pick up this bundle as it expires in a couple of days...

Pattern drafting

Introducing: The Little Betty Top and Vest

November 28, 2013

So if you read my post yesterday about my 'work in progress' dress/tunic pattern, you will have read that today I am sharing with you another pattern I have been working on.  It is further along than my dress/tunic and I plan to release it first.  It is called the Little Betty Top and Vest....
 

The Little Betty Top and Vest is a sweet little top with a ruffled frill that extends from the front bodice line to the back bodice line.  There is a button and loop closure at the back, wide waist band and three sleeve options - long with long cuff, short with short cuff (pictured) and sleeveless with short cuff. Sizes 12 months - 8 years.


This version was made up in a super soft interlock.  I think a slightly sturdier jersey may allow the frills to sit out a bit better, but I love the softness of this top. 


Emily is impossible to photograph...my photoshoots with her last about ten seconds because that's as long as she will stand still - and only if my 'big' girls are singing twinkle twinkle behind me and my camera!
 

This button and loop is not what will feature in the pattern...I had the idea to create a tear drop shaped opening, but this only just fit comfortably over Emily's head, so instead, the pattern will have a longer straight opening (as shown in line drawings).

This fabric is from Girl Charlee.  The girls call it "Emily's pasta bow fabric".  If you follow me on facebook, you will have read that I received it as part of my involvement with the most recent season of Project Run & Play.  Two of the other knits I chose will be transformed in to the other two views of the pattern.
 
I am hoping to work a lot on this pattern over the next week or two and get it ready for testing in about two weeks.  My blog is busy each day between 1-12 December with Laura and my The 12 Days of Christmas series.  So, if you are interested in reading more and seeing more about this pattern and possibly testing (there will be a long testing window due to the festive season), please follow me on facebook where I will be updating as I go. 


I would love to hear what you think of this pattern and if you would be interested in testing from around 10 -30 December.  I will create a sign up form and tell you all about in over on facebook!

pattern tour

Pattern Anthology tour stop: My Sweet Bonnie lasses

November 11, 2013

Hi everyone.  It's my turn on the Pattern Anthology Winter Wonderland Tour.  No, it is not winter here in Australia, but I couldn't say to no to such a lovely invite and I selected a pattern from the collection that can be worn year round - The Sweet Bonnie top designed by Shauna from Shwin Shwin.   If you've not heard of Pattern Anthology, it is a relatively new brand which is essentially a seasonal pattern collaboration by four great designers - Melissa, Shauna, Andrea and Kate.  You can read all about the designers here.  Each season, they release a new collection of patterns that are released together at a discounted price.  After two weeks, each pattern is available individually in each of the designers pattern shops. Winter Wonderland is Pattern Anthology's third collection.
 

So The Sweet Bonnie top is a Sweet (yep) raglan style top with peter pan collar and cool exposed zipper a the back.  The top can be made up with long sleeve with cuff or short sleeve.  It can be made up in stretch or woven fabrics.  Isabella (left) wears the top unaltered in stretch with woven collar. Juliette's (middle) top has three quarter sleeves and I added buttons down the front and omitted the pocket.  Emily's top is the main remixed top....

 
I opted for an asymmetrical pointed peter pan collar to complement an asymmetrical button opening down the front of the top.  I added a kind of 'flat piping' along the raglan seams. For this top I omitted the back zip as I felt it would not suit this remixed style.  I also repositioned the pocket lower on the top.   I do love the little peak of toddler tummy peaking through the button opening!  The cream is a cotton jersey and the floral woven is a piece from Australian chain fabric store - Spotlight.  I guess Spotlight is the equivalent of the American 'Joann's' from what I can gather.  I have one down the road and am there at least once a fortnight.  My store is huge and I love it.  I can always find something great and at good prices.  Since it costs quite a bit to have fabric shipped to Australia from the US, I buy lots of my fabrics from 'Spotty'!

After I made Emily's top, I wanted to make The Sweet Bonnie top un remixed too.  So I made this pale tangerine top for Isabella.  And because I made one for two of my daughters, how could I not also make one for Juliette?  We don't want anyone feeling left out!  Isabella's tangerine stretch is from another Melbourne supplier and the collar/pocket is some fabric I stole form my sister's quilting fabric stash!  Juliette's blue stretch is a bit heavy for this pattern but two out of three ain't bad!  Her collar is a liberty lifestyle and the mismatched buttons are thrifted.
 
I do love a good exposed zip and this pattern shows you how to instal one easily with good effect.
 
I did plan on doing this photoshoot at the zoo but quickly took some of these backyard fence shots before we all headed off, just in case.  When we got to the zoo, the older girls refused to remove their new zoo membership lanyards and with summer hats donned on a 25 degree (C) day, they were looking very un-winter wonderlandish! So the better shots of the garments are the ones I quickly took at home.
 
 Emily was more obliging....



There are eight great patterns in the Winter Wonderland bundle - four for boy and four for girls.  Boys include a cool shirt/hoodie, blazer, awesome pants and funky earflapped hat.  Girls includes a lovely twirly dress, sweet capelet, the sweet bonnie top and some groovy pants/shorts.  I have half sewn the Berkshire blazer for Isabella (just because I have never made a blazer and wanted to have a go).  It is almost finished but doesn't match this photoshoot so hope to post it in the next wee or two.
 
You can opt to buy the patterns as gender specific bundles or as the whole lot.  Click on the pic below to take you to the Pattern Anthology site!  While you are there, you can see what everyone on the blog tour has made so far by checking out the Winter Wonderland gallery.
 
www.patternanthology.com

Thank you for having me Melissa, Shauna, Andrea and Kate:)

Kid's Clothes Week

KCW: Polka dots and a bit of bling!

October 23, 2013


I finished this little ensemble yesterday for Isabella - some polka dot leggings and straw yellow raglan top with some sequin shoulder bling!  I pinned this image a while ago and decided to use pinterest as my inspiration this week for Kids' Clothes Week to make some clothes for my girls. 


I traced the leggings from a pair Isabella already had.  I used my overlocker for the main sewing, only using my machine for the leg hems and waistband.  I added some ribbon bows and buttons to the bottom of the leggings for fun.


The yellow knit is super soft and I had some sequined fabric in my stash which I ruffled to create some fun on the top.  My machine did not like the sequins though and a bit of hand stitching was involved to gather the pieces.  I'm talking super fast not too neat hand-stitching.


Isabella loves both of these pieces and happily wore them off to kinder yesterday.  She loves wearing leggings with skirts so I know the leggings in particular will get a lot of wear.  The fabric for both items is from Rathdowne Fabrics in Brunswick, Melbourne (the best supply of stretch fabric I have found in Melbourne).  They have heaps of stretch - mainly in plain colours, but they also have a lot of print lycras.  The leggings have a cotton lycra feel to them and are super stretchy.
 
 
Joining in with Kids' Clothes Week this week!

blog tour

Blog tour: The Bimaa Sweater (and a PATTERN GIVEAWAY)

October 15, 2013


I am happy today to show you my two Bimaa sweaters made with the great pattern by Sarah of LouBeeClothing and EmmyLouBeeDoo blog.  Sarah has released three patterns, the Hosh pants and Doli tank have also been very popular among sewing bloggers.

Sarah actually released this Bimaa sweater pattern many months ago, but since she has recently added the hoodie variation, she then decided to arrange this blog tour.  So the Bimaa now has three views - hoodie and cowl (which I have sewn) and a shorter shawl collar.  


When Sarah emailed me asking if I would like to take part in her tour, I, like all the other bloggers, signed up right away.  A super cute pattern that I could make up for all my girls which they would be comfy in for every day wear and that I could sew up quickly.  I sewed both of these up in less than an hour each. I used my overlocker (serger) exclusively for these tops.  Awesome!! So quick and no skipped stitches (but less room for error!!)


The hoodie view is so cute!  A great fitting hood that Sarah worked very hard on perfecting!  The whole hood is lined.  I used a pink marle fine ribbed stretch fabric and a soft cream stretch lining for the hood lining.  Sarah suggests specifically to use fabric with stretch that goes both ways.  This is because the pattern is a snug fit and to make it easy to get on and off, your fabric needs to be stretchy.

Sorry there are no photos with hood off...Juliette wanted to keep it on!



The cowl view is also gorgeous.  I found this two way stretch fabric at my local op shop! What a score.  This Bimaa cost me about $1.50!!  Sarah made a gorgeous version where the cowl is sewn up in a different knit so that it looks like a scarf layered over the top.  Fun!  A couple of bloggers on this tour have also adapted the pattern into an A-line dress which look great too.

I have seen a few sewers comment that they would like this pattern in adult size.  My thoughts exactly! In fact, I upsized the Bimaa (well not technically, but took inspiration from...) to make my own red and white big Bimaa for Selfish Sewing Week a couple of weeks. back.  


The pattern comes in sizes 12 months - 6 years and the hoodie and cowl view are both also suitable for boys.  If your child is halfway between two sizes and is of average size for age, I would recommend choosing the larger size as it is a snug fit.  I love this pattern and hope to get another one made up for KCW next week...perhaps with ears!!
Sarah has generously offered one of my readers a chance to win a copy of her fab pattern.  To enter, just leave a comment to let me know which Bimaa you would sew up first if you were to win and whether you are confident sewing with knits.  This offer is open to all facebook followers of EmmyLouBeeDoo and sewpony:  simply click on these highlighted links (if you are not already a fan) and click 'like'.



Offer closes on Friday 18th October at 8pm Melbourne time.  I will announce the winner shortly after and Sarah will email you with a copy!!

You can buy Sarah's pattern HERE.

Thank you Sarah for your lovely pattern...I will be making more Bimaa's in my sewing future!!
SUBSCRIBE TO SEWPONY NEWS HERE.

Sewing for me

Selfish Sewing Week//Garment Two: Shorter days top

September 25, 2013

 

Here is my second offering for Selfish Sewing Week.  A super simple two piece t-shirt. 


The pattern is Burda - Shorter Days top 11/2012 (although I think it should be called "longer days top" since we are nearing daylight savings here in Australia!).  I am very fortunate to have a big stash of current Burda pattern magazines at my local library (which is a two minute walk from our house)...love it!The fabric is a poly/cotton (with a tiny bit of stretch in it) from my local op shop and knew it would be cool for something.  I finished the neck and armholes with royal blue bias binding for fun. 


Keeping it real in this shot...me crouching so Isabella can get my head in the shot, and Emily making her way over to me to get picked up..."I ge... ah..."/Translation: "I get UP!" is her first phrase!! 

As you can see, you need to wear a singlet underneath as the armholes are a bit gapey.  Unfortunately, the stretch in this top is minute so in hindsight it was not the best choice of fabric for this pattern.  It is tricky to get on and off but I still know I will wear it because I love the look.  I will definitely make it up again in a stretchier knit.   The pattern can also be made up as a knee length dress which would look cool. 

I hope to get two more garments finished this week - my first washi dress that I started yesterday and a little skirt I have cut out ready to go!  This is fun!

Sewing for me

Selfish Sewing Week//Garment One: Bimaa Hack

September 21, 2013

 
So I am doing some sewing for myself this week.  Inspired by Selfish Sewing Week (organised by Rachael from Imagine Gnats and Jill from Made with Moxie).  Basically, Selfish Sewing Week is an impetus to get sewing bloggers to sew for themselves instead of just their kids!!  This has come at just the right time for me...I have been wanting to sew up a few things for myself for ages so here is my first garment.  Selfish Sewing Week officially starts on Monday, but this post is ready now, so I am posting it!
 
After having recently being generously given the awesome Bimaa Sweater pattern by Sarah from EmmyLouBeeDoo (for her upcoming pattern tour), I decided to have a go at making a 'grown up' version of the pattern. 
 
 
I found this lovely red and ivory striped super stretchy viscose/spandex stripe and thought it would suit an adult more than a child.  I used one of my stretchy long sleeved tops to trace the basic pattern and used Sarah's pattern as a guide on how to cut the big cowl.  Since this fabric was super stretchy, it was very forgiving in letting me ease the neck and cowl edges together.  I sewed the whole top with my overlocker (serger)...I have never done that before - it was cool!  No skipped stitches or stitches breaking when I pulled the garment on and off. The only downside of constructing the top like this was that I couldn't make a mistake, unless I wanted to unpick four rows of intertwined stitching.  But luckily, I had a win and made no mistakes. 

I love how this top turned out.  It is super comfy, easy to wear and a little bit stylish...which is something I need more of in my wardrobe!!  I hope to make and blog two more garments for Selfish sewing week - a Batwing t-shirt from some thrifted retro poly/cotton and a gathered blue and white seersucker skirt with big pockets and a little button placket.  I will be adding this project to the Selfish Sewing flickr pool - check it out for some grown up sewing inspiration!!
 
Note: This post is short on pics since Isabella (my five year old) was my chief photographer and mostly took photos of my head and neck due to her being half my size (the above pic is not fab of me with my half smile, but it is one of the few decent ones I had to choose from). 
 
And as an important aside, I want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to comment on my Lovely Lollipop Dress.  It made my week!!
 
Are you doing some selfish sewing this week?