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.

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.

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.

Doggy duds

I used a Robert Kaufman dog print on drill and Ottobre 2/2003 #5 to make these pants. You can't see all the details (panel seams, topstitching, bellows pockets, faux fly) but they make the pants. Still a little long for Scotty, but hopefully he will get lots of use out of them.

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.

Oops, it's been awhile since I posted

So I took Jalisa to the park to get some action shots of her in her new pants and she goes on the slide and lands face first in the dirt. Here are her new cord pants, pink version. I used Ottobre 3/02 #14 and my only camplaint is they are a little baggy, more suitable for boys pants.
This is the purple version. Exactly the same fabric and pattern, this pair spent some time in a blue dye bath.

His and her leggings. This fabric was an op shop find.

Ottobre best tees is a great pattern. The rainbow tee has matching leggings. The purple fabric was from an op shop. I will decorate the white tee later when Mum's group has our craft day.

Ottobre curved raglan sleeve tee, from 2/2005. Blue has hand dyed by moi. I love this pattern, and there are several versions in this issue (the curved colour blocking looks great). The curve makes the sleeves only a tad more fiddly, but the results look great. I am undecided whether to leave this tee plain or decorate it.

Challenge yourself to sew (or something else) everday for a week

It is a great way to kickstart your sewjo (or equivilent). Now some of this was done in the day that I had a few child-free hours to sew and not offically in the challenge week. But I did manage to sew 5 garments, plus the appliques plus cut some things out...not bad.

Okay, here is a tracksuit from the vintage Kwik Sew for Babies book. I saw a similar fabric combo in an Ottobre magazine and quite liked it, but it is a bit meh in my version. I think the ribbing looks a little old fashioned when done in contrast colours. The positive was the ribbing was from my stash - so bit by bit I am chipping away at my fabric. The spotted fabric is polar fleece, so toasty and warm for my little boy. Next up is the coordinating overalls. The pattern is from Ottobre 3/02 (#2). I bought this magazine is German and it is funny how much I thought I could use the intructions. I had no idea how they did the opening from the diagram they had, with no words for back-up. Forgot to cut out the crotch piece too, so that made it a little easier.

Another VKSFB jacket, this time in hand dyed (by me) cotton fleece and grey marle ribbing. Once again, not super impressed with my fabric combo, but the fleece was free and ribbing from stash so this jacket was very inexpensive to make.

This sock monkey was destine for the polar fleece overalls. Sadly, the brown was not suitable. However, he found a home on the blue jackets. I love him.

This is the snap shoulder tee from Ottobre 1/07 (#1). Cotton lycra hand dyed by me. Looks huge, not sure if it will be too big for Scott this Winter.

Meet Dodgy Bob, so name because it rhymes with dodgy job (which is what I did with this little applique). He actually looks pretty good from the inside (where I was sewing him from) but the lock stitch did me no favours. This is Kwik Sew 2433 view D in a brown french terry knit. It is supposed to have cuffs, but I found them to be too small, so off they went.

Close up of Dodgy Bob

Finally, some leggings. I love these - they take under 15 minutes including ample tome pinning. There is a stack of them in Ottobre magazines, so take your pick.

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.

Push it

Wayne was so excited drawing some applique pictures for me - all machinery so far. He was going for a cartoon rather than realistic type look. I like how it turned out - I hope it washes okay because I only used a short straight stitch around all the bits.
As you can see, I did the applique on a woven before sewing on to the ready made tee - I thought it would be way to tricky trying to sew all the little bits on the shirt. In the future I will go back to making my own shirts I think, at least if I am going to do anything other than a very basic one.

I love ottobre patterns

Jalisa wore one of her new Christmas outfits to a BBQ on the weekend, and I realised that in my attempt to keep it a secret from her, I never took any photos for the blog. Anyway, her she is wearing her "genie" pants and floral peasant top.

The top is made from a Robert Kaufman seersucker (from www.fashionablefabrics.com). The pants are made using Ottobre 2/2005 # 14. I used elastic at the bottom instead of the drawstrings. You actually can't see all the panels in the pants - each leg has four panels at the front and two at the back, with double topstitching along each seam. The length is a little long for "capri" pants but she should grow into them. Also, they are a little baggy for my skinny minnie -even though I used a size down for the width. Still, a very nice pattern and Jalisa actually said Wow, cool when she opened them up.
And I ahave finally done some sewing for the first time this year. I made 4 pairs of these shorts for Scott, two in the blue and two in a grey marle knit. Pattern is Ottobre 1/2007 #2 (leggings, but I cut them down to size). I have to say they are a perfect fit for over his cloth nappies, as you can see. They will be great for around the house - and I have something to add to my sewing journal - yay.

Candy cane stripes with a touch of reindeer...

I swear that I don't normally dress my children in ridiculous outfits just to take a photo but this hat was too cute and I wanted to get one with the other part of his Christmas outfit.

Isn't he a doll?

Small bit of sewing

It seems like an eternity since I have used my sewing machine (though in reality it has really only been just over a week).

I got a bit of a hit this morning, sewing the waist on a black rayon knit skirt as well as the velcro on the bouncer cover. The bouncer cover will be completely finished when I apply the snaps to the right location.

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.

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.

Amatuer hour (aka I dislike rib knit)

I had finished this baby gown AGES ago, but I felt it needed some applique on it. I struggled for days trying to find a good picture of a frog to copy or to think of a word.

Anyway, I should have looked at the signs and left in plain. It was fine as it was, really. But no. It did not matter that I lost the words that I had traced onto the webbing - I could trace it again after I finished pulling out my hair. It did not matter that I did not have a suitable woven to applique to - I could use the very stretchy rib knit that the gown was made from. It did not matter that it was almost impossible to get to sew the *patch* in the place I wanted - or that it would stretch and slide all over. Argh.

So I am happy that it is done - it is better than in the UFO pile I suppose.