Thread problem - or is it the machine

I really do not like having a bad sewing day when I am making stuff for other people. I am having a problem where the thread is not feeding through to the needle properly - it bunches up and kinda only lets 1 little strand through. Is this the thread or is this the machine? FYI, I use Guttermann thread, and it has happened with several reels.

Girls night in

Our mums group decided to throw a hen's night for bride-to-be Sarah, since all her family and friends live out of town. We all had a great night (lots of food, talking, dancing - you get the idea).

What do you think of Sarah's dress? It features bows on shoulders, gathering under bust (delightfully highlighted with a little alfoil bling), thigh high front split and a bustled back. Very glamourous and cost effective.

Unfortunately it did not last the night, so with much regret, Sarah will have to find another dress to wear for the big day.

The V8s are in town

Jalisa and I were able to visit the track at Willowbank (which is only 15 minutes away) to check out the V8 supercars yesterday (with Wayne of course). We were able to get a whole 1 picture before the camera died, so at least Jalisa was standing in front of one of the HRT cars --the one Todd Kelly drives.
The cars were practicing on the track - a lot louder (with more backfires) than I expected but overall it was fantastic.

I have been working on this nappy bag for a little while (I blame lack of mojo) so I am glad it is finished. The bag is based on a Burda WOF (8/2005) pattern, though I added fabric handles, changed the base/sides, added internal pockets and did not do the 6 pleats (decided to do a central inverted box pleat instead).

I used a heavy black pique fabric for the outer, with a very stiff interfacing (probably a little too stiff for pleats). The lining is a poplin, the pockets are the pique and the binding is a stretch poplin with a soft interfacing.

I have learnt that pleats do not mix with pockets and that it is a better to use similar weights of fabric when adding pockets to the lining. I added snaps to keep the sides in at the top when out and about (I liked that better than having the sides stick out).

I thought I would add a picture of Jalisa for good measure, jumping on her new trampoline that Wayne thoughtfully assembled in the lounge room (meaning hours of jumping and tantrums when it was time to go out)...

Organised enough for a post

On the weekend, we attended the unveiling of a sign for Ashton's corner, named after Wayne's grandmother (seated). That is Wayne's parents on the right of the photo.
Grandma organised for the kids to have a jumping castle (Jalisa gained confidence later to bounce on her own, until she ended with a bruised nose)...

and some ponies to ride on.

Jalisa was in heaven, because she loves horses and jumping.

I finally got around to snapping a picture of Jalisa in her dress up outfit (crown and skirt) from Clair - thank you - they will be great to add to her dress up box.

I just realised I need to get a photo of the apron and oven gloves I made for Jalisa (after she desperately wanted the set that I made for Natalie's Jordan and Jai. Will get that done another day.

A use for that unusual fabric

When I first spotted this fabric, I thought it would make some great baby clothes. I decided to make a gown rather than trace off a KS all in one.

A big thanks to Helen of Nurture Sling - I recieved my order yesterday. I did a test drive with Jalisa and her dolly (seperately) and it should be brilliant for when the new bubba arrives.

A little unusual

On my latest Op shop adventure, I found this fabric:

It is actually a minty green colour, is most certainly a cotton lycra knit and there was about 5 metres of it. It will be great to make into some clothes for bubba, but it is the most unusual printed knit I have seen in a while. Those are apparently pumpkims that the babies are in!

Purple people eater

The extreme winds and cold weather made me feel like whipping up another tracksuit. I again used the KSFT hoodie pattern (jacket version) but left off the appliqued pockets (my monster baby inspired by the purple people looked more like a mushroom with an identity crisis).

I gave my snap press another micro-workout by adding a snap closure.

Stretch velvet pants

Seeing that the only maternity pants I had consisted of a pair of jeans, some leggings and some slinky (but pilled) pants, I thought I needed a pair of dressy pants. I found this embroidered stretch velvet on sale and used my favourite pants pattern (again) - this time leaving off the zipper and the yoke and using some black knit fabric for the waistband.
The knees have gone baggy since I have been sitting at the computer, and I have worn the pants all of last night and then this morning.

I do think I will need to add some elastic or something, they slide down slightly when I walk around. I loved how quickly they sewed up.

Warm snuggles

Since it has really cooled down this last week, I thought it was time to whip up a dressing gown. Jalisa selected the magenta coloured velour polar fleece (pitty, Mummy, pitty) - it is much nicer than the photo. Since I did not have a pattern, I used my favourite hoodie pattern (Kwik Sew For Toddler book). Hopefully it will last a couple of years, as I traced off a size 4, as well as adding some length.

Dress Up fun

Our playgroup is having a dress up theme at the moment, this week it is Prince/Princess. I thought it would be a cute idea to make some crowns, but I ended up using more fabric than I bought, so I added some tulle skirts to make up the numbers.

The crown pattern is from Ottobre 1/2007. The kids will be embellishing them today, but the magazine has you add beads and sequins - so adorable. I plan to take my snap press to get accurate head sizes. This Ottobre also has the tulle skirt pattern, but I did not look at it when I was making the skirt.