Happy birthday Scooter

So mad at myself for not taking more photos - actually, these were taken by my friend Anna.

Here is the birthday cake - Wayne did the decorating and this was the best cake I have made - the cake and icing tasted so yummy.

It ended up storming all night so the house was a mess

as party stuff was placed willy-nilly and then shoved out the way so people could eat their BBQ dinner - ah well. The kids and I are all wearing Mama made - I will have to do a review of Scott's outfit because it is a new Ottobre pattern (for me).

Some boyish duds

First up is this Ottobre singlet pattern (I size up because it is really tight otherwise) from 2/2005 (or free from their site) in a red lacoste knit. It is paired with some cotton check pants. I used a very simple long shorts pattern so as not to mess up lining up the checks with pockets etc...the fabric is kinda funny in that it has some parts of the check woven tighter or something, so that it has a light texture to it.
Next up is this unfinished romper. I am waiting for DH to draw a car to applique on and I still have to apply the snaps, but I felt like taking a picture of it. Fabric is hand dyed - meant to be mottled. Thank goodness DH has developed a liking for dyed items - I thought it would be too hippy-ish for his tastes but he is digging the dyed stuff I have done. I heart him. This is another curved raglan tee from Ottobre 2/2005 morphed onto a romper from Kwik Sew (any would do!)

Under the sea print using an easy long shorts pattern. Again I did not want extra seams and pockets affecting the look of the print - which is big and loud. I think this took all of 15 minutes all up.

My favourite short pattern - another Ottobre (2/03 I think). With a faux fly, back yoke and bellow pockets, it takes a little more time but the results speak for themselves I think. I can't help buying dog prints at the moment. This pair is destined to be a present for a little boy - Scott is going to have overalls in this print.

I have a few more projects cut but next up I will have to make a birthday outfit for Scott...he is one on Saturday.

I love my coverstitch machine...

...and so here are some projects that I have done to practice on it.

I haven't used this pattern for so long, but it has been my staple tee for many years now. I think the pattern is Kwik Sew 3003 but redrafted the neckline so that I would have a crew neck version too. I did not have enough fabric for 3/4 sleeves, so I made half sleeves instead. The fabric is a lovely rayon stretch knit. And look how neat the neck binding is on the coverstitcher.

These are actually the first garments I made on the c/s - 2 nightdresses and some PJs, made from a spotted rayon stretch knit (not the best to practice a new machine on). The PJs are made from the otto best tees pattern and the shorts are vintage Kwik Sew. The nightdresses are made from the Otto singlet pattern (there is a free one on their website, but I used one from 2/05) with just a gathered rectangle. The one on the right is for Jalisa, the others are presents.

This is the Ottobre curved raglan tee (from 2/05) morphed onto some Kwik Sew rompers (3090 from memory). I had intended to cut the sleeves from a contrast knit, but I couldn't find a blue or yellow in the right shade and the other colours I had just look, well, funny. I did topstitch in a navy so that you can see the groovy curve of the sleeve.

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.

Vintage Pauline Trigere

I picked up this pattern (bottom right, McCalls 7530, circa 1964) for 20c and decided straight away to make the jacket using the hot pink wool belnd that I had been stashing away for a Winter jacket.
Just looking at the pattern envelope just now and it is a Pauline Trigere design. No wonder this pattern is so fabulous. The pattern describes it as follows - a lined, single breasted jacket, have panel seaming, elbow length sleeves are set into angled armholes.

In time I may make this up again - would look really nice in a lot of different fabrics, over a nice dress (otherwise you may see my tummy like above, I had been wearing a jumper).

Another Pauline link.

Naughty Mummy

This is what happens when I go online when Scotty is awake - somehow he got the left over porridge (still feel Jalisa must have gotten it down for him even though she denies it) down from the table where I left it and spread it all over the floor and himself.

Push it - the sequel

SIL just had another baby boy and I decided to make a small outfit to send with some other presents. Since she likes to dress the older boys in matching outfits I had to brilliant idea (just kidding) to make the older boys matching tees.

I used a blanket stitch this time for the appliques - took a lot more time but it shouldn't fray this time. The tees are Ottobre and the romper is Kwik Sew 3090 ( I think).

The only difference in the appliques is the size of the dirt being pushed. It gets bigger as the size gets bigger - hopefully the boys will be able to tell the difference when it is time to get dressed.

If you click on the title, you can see the original post I made about the applique.

English Rose

Jalisa looks like an English schoolgirl in this outfit - well, she is 1/4 English so I hope she gets away with it.

The patterns are from Ottobre (#301 Best Tees, #14 from 4/2007), the fabric care of some clothes found at Lifeline. These were whipped up in no time, especially as the hems were already done. The skirt has little pleats at the front and back and I will definetly be making lots more of these as they use up very little fabric and are so easy to do.

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.