Latest purchases and b'day mail

Jalisa will need some new PJ pants this winter, so I bought these flannelette prints;

The pink fabric is a *feathers* knit, which was bought to line her winter jacket with (I am thinking of using a black and white houndstooth-like fabric that I have in the stash for the outer portion of the jacket). The lilac is a burntout voile - something to stash for next summer.
Thanks Cindy and Mick for the *retro* books you sent. My book was first published in the 1920 and man is it a hoot. Unfortuntely for the author, I picked up no useful information from the book. Wayne's Manners for Me looks like a good read too.

Paris maternity top

I modified Kwik Sew 2874 and used this cotton lycra with Paris features to make this maternity top. I hope this print is not too busy. Since I did not have any matching/contrasting ribbing or knit I decided just to turn and topstitch with a twin needle - very easy to do, as long as you make small clips along the curves. This is a great pattern, except I found it too narrow at the wrists compared with the rest of the arm.

Op shopping is such fun

Decided it was time to go and do some shopping after a 2 month forced "I am pregnant and feeling sick and tired" break. First we went to the baby store as it is moving and was having a sale. Picked up a toddler tourer, which I hope will be useful for out and about in the early times.

Next stop, Lifeline, where I spotted this delightful little sewing machine - I thought Jalisa might like to play on it while her Mummy is sewing! I also picked up this great little cash register for only $2, but that is for playgroup.

We also went across the road to the Hospice store. Got these patterns:

They also had a stack of fabrics, but I ended up with these.

The white is a pique, hopefully cotton, with "Marie Claire" kind of embossed in there. The grey pinstripe will be a winter tunic and I think I will make the check into a little kilt or dress for winter too.

Finally...

I felt good enough to do some sewing for me. Yesterday I decided to alter some Kwik Sew patterns into maternity using the instructions from Rostitchery (scroll down a fair bit) - I did also add 1 inch all the way around as I did not want my waistbands showing.

Pattern is KS2856 view A- basically a raglan sleeve top with a large foldover collar. I used a rayon/elastane knit - originally I was thinking I might be able to get a short dress out of the 2m length, but after the maternity alterations I thought there is no way there would be enough fabric.
This is the skirt I made the other day - same pattern as the last skirt I made. I just used a micro-model knit this time. A modelling shot would be better, but I keep forgetting to line DH up.

Remember that skirt...

That I made ages ago? I finally got a picture taken. Wore it for the first time last night out to dinner. I have decided to make one or two of these in knit, to wear for the next few months...just need to get into it. Since the other night, I have been challenging myslef to do more around the house. Hopefully when I catch up on the washing I can get into some sewing.

I can't sleep...

My joints and muscles were aching and my mind was racing plus Wayne needed to get a good night's sleep so I thought I would come online to read myself asleep.

Life has been kinda weird lately - I feel like I am stuck in this warp. I have been feeling tired but non-nausous lately but have continued to take it very easy around the house. I feel guilty that I am not pulling enough weight around the house, but I have to reason that I am better of doing things in moderation and feeling good rather than overworking myself and feeling terrible.

I have a few things on my plate to get me out of the house - playgroup (actually, that started today). A friend and I are organising it...plus I am doing Creche at church on Sundays. Love the kids but had an incident of Jalisa getting jealous of my paying attention to others during the story and she starting hitting to get my attention...tricky situation since the kids don't understand that she does not totally *get* how to handle that jealousy emotion the right way and I was able to get her to apologise or anything and I hadn't even thought of a backup plan if something like this ever happened. One parent offered to have her sit on her lap but I will have to think about it as I don't think Jay would like that idea.

I am getting to a stage where I need some looser clothing but I don't have the energy to make anything. I haven't touched the SM in a LONG time - I can't think about that right now. Maybe by the time I get around to feeling like my old self, it will be time to be making the full on preggo clothes, like these offerings from Japanese Weekend:

I have all the stuff - jeans, fabric, elastic - I just need some energy.

Happy birthday princess

Jalisa had a great time running around, jumping and dancing - I just wish I could capture her excitement into a bottle, it was just so special. The tutu ended up being very useful, as it cushioned her fall from the footstool when she was eating her BBQ dinner.

Some pics from Australia Day

I took the camera this time so I could show a picture of me driving the boat. Though I am only going snails pace for the camera, as I refuse to drive the boat or waterski while pregnant (which is a shame since the water temp was just beautiful.

You can see my friend Avril, Wayne and Jalisa's hat.

This is Jalisa and Opa (my Dad) sitting on the disk, since she refuses to touch the sand.

2 baby outfits

Boy - blue velour and lime binding.
Girl - Mauve with grey marle binding.

Nappy change roll tutorial

Fabric
Cut 1 - 62cm x 20cm (pockets)
Cut 2 - 62cm x 36cm (inside and outside)

Interfacing
Cut 1 - 62cm x 20cm
Cut 1 – 62cm x 36cm

1. Apply interfacing to one of the larger pieces – this will be for the outside. Pin the other piece of interfacing right side to right side of fabric and sew one long edge of fabric. Flip the interfacing over and iron on as usual (this method will provide a neat finish for facings as well).

2. Using tailor’s chalk, mark lines of pocket pieces as follows – 16cm from edge, 15cm from chalk line.

3. Place pocket on inside fabric piece, matching lower edges and corners. Sew up the two pocket seams over the chalk lines.

4. Baste two lengths of ribbon, cord or thin tubes of fabric to one short side.

5. Pin right side of outer piece of fabric to right side of inner fabric/pockets. Sew all four sides, leaving a good-sized gap so that you can turn. Trim corners.

6. Turn right side out and use crochet hook or chopstick to round out corners. Fold seam allowance in gap to inside and topstitch all the way around.

Fill your nappy change roll with goodies and away you go!