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Showing posts from July, 2013

KCW July 2013 - Pyjamas for James

Finally - the finished pictures of my only KCW "summer" 2013 efforts.  Some "proper" pyjamas for my nephew James: Overall I am quite pleased with these, though I don't know if they fit him yet (arrives tomorrow!). The top is Butterick B5586, which I picked up in a discount bin in a fabric shop in Brisvegas when I last visited (that's Brisbane to non-Australians...). The last PJs I made for him were the pants only, with a (purchased) t-shirt top.  Apparently he loved them but did express a desire for Harry Potter style pyjamas (everyone else hears "cute request", I hear buttonholes...sigh!). Overall I am happy with the top:  I did lots of super finishing on it like for the pants, to make it as nice as possible.  However, the crappy fabric I used (flannel, Spotlight, nuff said...) was "out" so the lines didn't match the grain.  I could either cut with the grain and have it look out, or cut with the stripes and have

Not KCW (camera fail) but cute kid stuff anyway...

I wanted to share my finished pyjamas for KCW "Summer" 2013 (my one and only project).  Sadly the camera battery is beyond flat (I may have left it on....) so I have to be patient and will show you something else I have been meaning to blog. This was my present to a good friend having her third baby (a lovely little girl). First the bunny: This is from Debbie Bliss:  Booties, Blankets and Bears.  He (I somehow feel this bunny is a boy, despite the pink accents) is made from gorgeous Milla Mia yarn, from The Stash Cupboard here in Hobart. He has a cute little tail, made with a pom-pom maker and more of that gorgeous wool. His wrapping is the free baby snuggler pattern by Lotta Jansdotter . I made this from some super soft knit (the outside grey and white stripe) and a snuggly flannel with sheep on it from my stash. The pattern is simple to follow and it looks useful - I must follow up with my friend to see if she is using it (I haven'

Kids Clothes Week (KWC) - July 2013 - Day 1 and 2

I can't call it Summer 2013 as it's definitely not summer here! I ummed and ahhed about doing KCW this time as my kids have no serious clothes needs right now. and I am in the middle of other projects.  However, my sister and nephew are coming for a visit so I decided to use the time to make him some more pyjamas. I used a blue check flannel, which is annoyingly shown here on the wrong side. I cut this out a while ago and I think I cut it too short, so I am also going to add a cuff, likely via the method in Sewing for Boys. I only plan to make one item this time (well a top and and bottoms), or maybe a few - as I have some skinny flashback tees already cut out from last KCW...don't judge my extreme slackness!  Because I am not making much, I wanted to make this something I did super properly.  So I decided to concentration on the details and finish, using nicer seam treatments etc.  Here are some rather boring shots of that! Here is the turn and s

Heidi and Finn Chevron Dress - Pattern Test

I love a good pattern test and I can honestly say all of the ones I have been lucky enough to do have been great.  I have done a couple of Heidi and Finn pattern tests before and have also bought a variety of their patterns - they are a great mix of stylish but still young and comfortable. This latest pattern (to be released next week I think) is the Chevron Dress - and here is my version: The dress is knit dress with a lined bodice and a different take on a tiered skirt.  There is an elastic waist for definition at the meet of the bodice and skirt.   The skirt is constructed as four panels which are then sewn together.  I love the chevron look at the front and the zig-zag hem. The other versions I have seen of this dress so far are I think mostly from northern hemisphere testers and so they are summery, floaty jersey versions.  I decided to go for a winter party dress version as it's colder than a cold thing here at the moment and I wanted her to wear it now.  I pla

Camp Stitchalot Bag - Pattern Test

I was lucky enough to get to test one of Sara Lawson 's bags from her Sew Sweetness range.  This is the Camp Stitchalot Bag ( pattern available here ). This bag is a great size for craft supplies - note my dressmaker's dummy shown above is normal size, so you can easily see how big this is! Despite the size the bag feels compact and sturdy (compact might not be the right word - it feels neat or super organised or something...no idea if that makes sense!).  In particular some good use of a variety of interfacing and wadding makes this nicely sturdy, the bag isn't floppy or unwieldy at all. It is designed and named for a craft retreat called Camp Stitchalot , hosted by Pink Castle Fabrics.  Given the retreat is in the US and I am in Tasmania, chances of me ever going to the retreat are somewhat slim.  However, if I did, I would take this bag! Firstly, the bag has a bazillion pockets: Above are the back pockets.  There are three back pockets stacked on the ou