Dyeing day

Jalisa and I did some dyeing this morning. Just some blank white tees that I bought specifically for Jalisa to dye. I wasn't sure if she was ready to dye in terms of motor skills but I thought it would be a good lesson in mixing colours.

I did not give Jalisa a choice in the procedure, just the colours. She chose dark pink, yellow, light blue, green and purple. I actually mixed the dye with some shaving cream to make the dyes visible rather than transparent in the mixing bowl. This was good way to show Jalisa the different shades of green that could be achieved by adding different amounts of blue and yellow.

We wet the t-shirts then placed them into the dye/shaving cream mixture. The dye was masssaged in, to cover all of the white areas. We then added one cup of soda ash mixture (while lifting the tee out of the bowl) and massaged this in. I was particularly careful with the pink and purple, since the red is the fastest of the dyes to strike.

I am pleased to report that the colours are looking bright and fairly solid. Maybe the most solid I have ever done. The original colours were golden yellow (I think), intense blue and mixing red. The purple that was created is gorgeous. No pictures, as we need new ones.

Just some unspectatular sewing - I like to blog to motivate myself. I made these pouches for Jalisa's go fish games. I finally finished these cord pants for Jalisa. They have been sitting in the UFO pile waiting for me to get my act together. They are actually a really nice green colour.

And I finally made a present for my friend whose bday was at the beginning of July. Just have to get around to the post office to send it now.

Flowergirl dress

Flowergirl dress is done (thank goodness). I quickly snapped this picture when I finished - I need to learn to take better photos. I think I might do a tute for making the gathers - I think they would look good on a regular dress/skirt too.

I have been making some cards too - very basic sew some fabric on type cards. I was planning to make patchwork-type ones, but this was much easier. They are going to be good to keep on hand rather than make the card at the last minute. I wasn't feeling very creative when I made them, but they will be handy for the moment until I am feeling more creative.

Space dye and dolly duds

I decided that the space dye that I did last week needed to be made up into a tracksuit. I finished it the other night but I ahve been waiting for some good weather to take a photo. Still overcast so I decided to take one anyway. It looks really good made up, so I plan to dye some more. I made up some nappies for Jalisa's dolly this morning. I overlocked the blue one the wrong way, so it is fleecy on the outside and smooth in the middle. Jalisa loves them and I think they would make a great present for a little girl, along with a little nappy bag or something.

Boring, fluffy, last minute

I find it difficult to think of exciting titles...

I snatched a little sewing time Tuesday night and yesterday when the kids were occupying themselves. The tee is the curved raglan sleeved one from Ottobre. I am thinking of adding some marbling in shades of blue and maybe yellow (red comes out pink). The cropped jacket is #5 from Ottobre 1/07. I think I will let Jalisa wear it so I can decide whether it needs a closure or not. I would have like a darker pink ribbing, but I could not find one anywhere. The pink feathers are left over from the coat I made last year (do you remember the houndstooth coat I made for the show).
Since I was seeing Mum, I thought I better get around to making her Mother's Day gift...I had really been putting on making up a pattern for the photo album cover I had decided to make. After being unsucessful in finding a suitable fabric that I thought my Mum would like (that I had enough of) I decided to think of something else to make. Since Mum is travelling to England later on in the year, I thought of maing her some bright luggage tags, to help her identify her suitcases. I found a pattern here .

The pattern is pretty wide, so if I made them again, I would reduce the width. I also have decided to add Mum's details (if she wants) on some white cotton with a permenant pen rather that sew on the plastic pocket like the pattern stated. I also added a snap so that they can be put onto the suitcase with ease. Mum was really delighted at the present and said they were so much better than the pieces of fabric they used to tie around their luggage.

Diggin' it!

This tee is the sequal to the Push It dozer. The tee was actually washed this morning, hence it is all wrinkled and starting to fray. I have learnt my lesson and will applique it properly next time (requests already, much to Wayne's delight - this is another one of his designs.)
I love reading the Textile Fetish blog. She sells some really neat things. I loved the look of her brag books and had to try them for myself. This one is for Wayne - out of his beloved Coke fabric but I already have plans for many many more. I will be buying the hardcover photo albums though - cost a little more but hopefully won't tear as this one has started to. These covers will also be great for journals, Bibles - maybe even my new sewing journal (D-ring binder).

Here are some of the goodies I have made for Jalisa's party. Peppermint scented playdough - just add peppermint essential oil. The hair pins were a snap to make once I had Wayne drill the holes a little bigger - the hemline brand ones were just too tiny to fit the bobby pin in. I can't believe my girl is turning 3. She seems so old and young at the same time.

Two firsts

This is Ottobre 2/2003 #5 - pants shortened into long shorts.
I am sure that this pattern will be a staple in Scott’s wardrobe - there are many options to change it up. You can choose from plain legs or extra panels, bellow pockets or patch, belt loops or none. I chose to add just one bellows pocket (first time, need to practice them more).

And just something very easy - a patch of fabric appliqued onto a ready made shirt. Not even worth showing but would be great for a beginner.

Finished some WIPs

I started this project some time ago, so it felt very good to finally get it finished. I picked these fabrics out of the stash because they vaguely coordinating (and I wanted them used).


I had wanted to make one of these for a while (to take to hospital and for sleeps during the day) but only just got around to making a pattern this morning. I used a scrap of black cotton jersey so it is super comfy and won't make me sweat.


One of Jalisa's good dresses. This is #12 from Ottobre 2/2003 (I picked this issue as my free gift when subscribing - as its a summer edition, there are lots of great garments suitable for our climate). I would have preferred to make the straps in the same fabric, but it was a remnant (a very yummy cotton stretch woven from my local fabric store) and there was no more.


Both the front and back have tucks sewn first before binding the top edge.


I am finally coming close to the end of Jalisa's summer wardrobe. Cutting out a number of projects and working on them over time has ensured there is always something to sew when I feel like sewing and will be a great system when the new bubba is here.

Christmas outfits plus some gifts

I have made both versions of the shell top a couple of times already, but since I had to size up and was pressed for time, I decided to add the lining instead of making constrasting bias like I normally would. This is the first time making this skirt, and I was hoping it had a bit of flare like the picture showed. I bought this fabric way back when I was pregnant thinking I would make a jacket...but lately it said it wanted to be a dress or a skirt.

I am happy with the result. The bias skirt is more flared than it looks below, and the rayon/linen is so yummy to work with.I did forget to understitch at the right time, but I managed to fit a little bit in before it got too narrow at the straps.

Jalisa wore her Christmas outfit, so I could finally take a photo. She is a wee bit sick but we had a great night out.

I made a few more origami tissue pouches as part of gifts for my friends. The other half of the gift is some yummy soap from Shellie at Rustic Luxury - jellybean and hazlenut+vanilla.

Pouches open.

And closed.

Yesterday's creations

I finally got around to getting a new ink cartridge, so I could do the applique on Jalisa's stocking. I was stingy and only used one of the Michael Miller FQs (Santa disco dot). I think the J was placed a little too high, I forgot to make some type of loop and the shape of the stocking looks more like a boot, but I am still happy with it. Since I have no mantel or *nice* place to hang it, I have pegged it to the Christmas tree. I just wish the photo had captured the beautiful lights.

The other thing I made yesterday was some playdough - I thought I had made it way to runny so I left it out to dry while we ran some errands and it came to the right consistency. Next time I am going to add some scent as it so fun for adults to play with to. I made green and purple yesterday, to add to the pinky-red that we brought home from the creche room at church. I am thinking that bright lots of scented playdough would make great gifts for the kids at mum's group and playgroup on their birthdays.

Jalisa is cutting her back teeth, hence the dribble. Oh, and the only cookie cutters I have I put in the dishwasher, so she is using some measuring cups/spoons for now.

Origami with fabric

Sewing mamas has a download for making these really cute origami tissue pouches - it seems like the folds won't work until you have sewn it and turn it right side out. Really nifty. You put your tissues/hankies in the slot, and there is a space for other things too.
After making the above puches, I thought it would be possible to make a wallet with some tiers for cards etc. After two attempts to get the folds and proportions right, I came up with this:

Hmm - you can faintly see the lines where you can put cards, money etc.

The other purses

The other three were done production line style, so they only took a few minutes each. I have all these ideas now for making wallets for everthing, but I need to build up my scrap stash first. Or maybe I just need to bite the bullet and cut into some FQs that I am hoarding.

A wedding photo + a teeny project

Cindy came around to scan some photos to show Mick...pity I could only work out the borrowed scanner today. We ended up taking a photo of the photo but I thought I would post this picture for Sam to look at. BTW she made her top and skirt and it looked fabbo.

This is the first of a few coin purses that I want to make for my nieces. I changed the pattern this morning so that the part folding down lines up properly with the rest.