Sewing ADD

I had a mini tracing/cutting frenzy on Sunday. I had been meaning to trace some hoodies for Scott but always found something else to do. Anyway, here are some of the results.

This one is Kwik Sew for Toddlers (the newer version). I thought the grey marle needed a little jazzing up, so appliqued his name on the front in the same fabric.
This is an Ottobre hoodie ( #9 from 4/09). Has my fave curved raglan sleeves and is reversible. The pattern is meant as a top but I have used Polar fleece on one side so it is more of a jumper.

This is KSFT again, the jacket option. I lined the body but did not have enough fabric to do the hood. I still have to add the snaps and sew the hems shut, but I felt like snapping a picture anyway.

Here is Jalisa's coat. So far I have finished sewing the outer shell. I have to buy the lining fabric before I can progress. It has come along beautifully, as most Otto patterns do.

This is an inner shot, to see the flannelette interlining. The pattern has you press the seams to the centre and topstitch, but I have pressed them open to reduce bulk and topstitched on both sides of the seam. Hard for me to capture but the seams are nicely highlighted with doing it this way.

This is Jalisa trying it on. Good thing her face is not clear - she has jam all around her mouth. The sleeves are a little long but some of the length will be taken up with turning the sleeves in with the lining.

Here is another work in progress. This is my wearable art dress for the show. I only have to understitch the top seam and hem it. All the fabric is hand dyed. I am not sure how I feel about the results. It was supposed to be random and crazy but I am still not sure I got it close to right. I will still enter it at any rate - a lot of hours went into this baby. When it is completely finished, I will do a modelling shot. This is my first strapless dress and I actually don't mind wearing it.

Paper doll fun and a side of shirring

I am sure that being pregnant has made an impact on my creativity (being much less able to think of ideas at the right time, leading to many stalled projects).

Anyway, I had to think for some time of a gift I could make for the last minute party invite we received (well, I did hear about the party happening at MG last week, but without a paper invitation I had no chance of remembering all that time). It was a good thing I found an old list of suitable presents to make - I think I should update it and at least put it on the computer so I know where to look for it next time.

I decided a pencil roll would be appreciated by the birthday girl (the bonus being I did not need to guess any measurements like I did the hats the other week).

Rolled up

Unrolled


It occurred to me this morning that I needed to start making a big sister tee for Jalisa and, needing an applique idea for a shirred top, thought I could just do it on the shirred top instead (and get another project finished - yay!). Here is the work in progress.

Dachshund ditty and other doggy weaves

I finally finished the coat on Tuesday. Am very pleased with the result - the buttonholes were very tricky since the fabric ended up being so thick, but it worked out in the end.
This is the inside where the lining meets the outer fabric. It is only sewn on with french tacks at a few intervals internally, so it looks a little uneven in the photo.

I used black thread for the buttonholes, as I had selected black buttons. I thought it would blend in more.

My parents have always had dachshunds - and since Jalisa loves dogs I thought that I dog print shirt would be a good way of trying my hand at fabric stencilling. This pattern is Ottobre's best tee pattern, minus the neck binding.

This is #4 from Ottobre1/2007 - I just extended the sleeves. I have another cut out of the pattern - I think I will do some shirring on the sleeve to draw the fabric in a little - it is fairly wide without the elastic.

I had some leftover navy jersey, so I made another pair of baby pants from Ottobre 5/2006..with a smaller version of the dachshund print.

Trouble with WIP (Coat)

So the lining pattern was drafted too short. Like 5.5cm too short. It took me making two lining to figure this out - must have been too tired or something because alarm bells should have been ringing when I could see that it didn't look long enough ( I think I tricked myself, since I was able to get the seam at the front facing looking right without any stretching).

Anyway, here was the problem:

Way too short!

See the purple lining. That was were the lining ended with the original pattern draft. My measuring gizmo show you how much the hem it turned up.

So the new lining that I cut out is in exactly the right spot, 1 cm above the hem foldline.

I am not sure whether or not to write an email to Ottobre about it or not.

WIP - coat

I thought I would post a report on the WIP, since I am feeling dizzy from all the sewing. Back is sewn. Front is sewn. Pockets and side seams are sewn. Sleeves are sewn but need to be attatched. Ditto on the collar.
I kinda forgot to sew the faux pocket flats in - this is where they go...

I dont' think it makes a huge difference to the design. Two less buttonholes to do as well.

I have also cut the lining so things are well on line for it being made in time for next month's show.

Coat work in progress

This is going to be Jalisa's Winter coat. It is from Ottobre 5/2006, #24.

I found this fabric in an op shop and I really have no idea what sort of fabric it would be. I also don't really know how old it is either. For those reasons, I decided underlining it with a thin batting would ensure it was warm as well as give the fabric some support - it frays fairly easily.

So far I have sew most pieces of batting to the shell fabric. I have also sewn the collar, pocket flaps and back. It was only after I had sewn it that I thought I could have cut the panels to ensure the weave matched really well. But live and learn.
Here is the inside view (so far). It will be actually lined with a fluffy pink sweater knit.

Undecided whether I will attempt to make bound buttonholes. If the coat turns out pretty good I will enter it into the local show.