SEWING / CHILDREN : Racer Back Flower Dress

Sometimes a fabric jumps out of you.  This is exactly what this fabric did to Miss A when we had a girls day recently resulting in a trip to Pitt Trading.  The flowers are beautiful and the fabric is so soft. 

Armed with a few new patterns for her we were very happy when we walked out with a brown paper bag filled with a few things to make her a few special pieces.  I am finding it rather difficult to purchase RTW things for her at the moment.  She is quiet small and short for her age, she really does take after her mother this one.

I tried my hardest to talk her into the shorter version, but she would hear of it.  She had a 'long' dress in mind, she is very fortunate that she has a mother who can sew as this required a little bit of fiddling to get the length correct for her.
It was worth it though, it is already in very high rotation and also makes a great dress to throw on after being at the beach all day.

Pattern:  New Look (Tween) 6297
Fabric:   Pitt Trading Floral Knit 
Size:     8 
Alterations:    Altered the hem length by 10cm before cutting and then took another 5cm off once sewn.  Added cotton tape to the shoulders and down the sides to give it some stability (the weight of the dress kept making the length grow. Took in in my 1 inch on each side.
Didn't do the back bow, , instead made a tube from a co-ordinating fabric
Changes for next time:  I won't purchase as much fabric.  I was able to get this out of Amelia's length as the fabric was wide.
Location: Palm Beach; NSW.

 

Sewing for Camp

The crazy Victorian weather and a girl heading off on her first school camp called for a few new clothes. 

First up is long jumper that reminds me of something from the 80's.  She tells me that it is comfortable and has worn it a few times since camp so it is a winner.  She loves the cowl neck and the drawstring.  I made her a size 7 and it will more than likely fit her come next winter.  I left off the pockets and had to adjust the sleeves and cuffs to fit.

The hyper colour tights with it finish off the outfit and make for an easy wear outfit.

This is the Perri Pullover.  This time I made it in a fleecy lined stretch and left off the pockets.  Again another favourite in the wardrobe.

 

Pattern Details
80's style Purple Jumper:  Burda 9482
                                          
Perri Pullover                 : CaliFaye

Tights                             : Go To Leggings

WIP WEDNESDAY :: All Stitched Together

I'm getting there.  One week until the end of the term.  Which means that I have one more week to go and it has to be finished. 

I think that I am doing well.  The pictures look great all framed in different colours (even the Hawks ones don't look to bad)

Now onto sandwiching, backing and binding,  all terms that this knitter is not familiar with so any advise and links would be wonderful if you have any you could suggest (is this where I admit that the only quilt I have done before this is a few doll ones?)

I havn't picked up the knitting needles in weeks, I have a few things that I need to cast on but I really want to get this onto the finished pile before the end of the term and am quiet looking forward to gifting it.

Joining in with The Aussie WIP Wednesday over at The Dove Nest.
What are you working on at the moment? 

A Cat in a Hat

During National Literacy and Numeracy Week the school held a Book Character Parade.

Being a book lover and having missed the last few Book Weeks, I wasn't disappointed when Baden asked me to make him his costume.

He narrowed it down to six (yes, six) different characters and then chose

THE CAT IN THE HAT

I could have easily have purchased a $20 costume in a bag made in a factory somewhere in China.  But that would have been the easy option.  Instead I made him a hat and tie and then he asked for a onesie with a zip, white chest and paws. How could this mother say no!
 

We finished off the costume with some face makeup and with a wave of his tail he was off.

“Look at me!
Look at me!
Look at me NOW!
It is fun to have fun
But you have to know how.”
― Dr. Seuss : The CAT in the HAT 

Pattern Details:

Hat and Paws : My own.  Measured his head and winged it.  The brim is a circle in a cirle and stitched on. The stripes are 3 inches wide and made for a very tall hat.

Onesie:  Kwik Sew 2704. Pattern A, minus the feet and with the sleeves and legs turned and elastic added.

Materials : Rathdowne Fabrics 

WIP WEDNESDAY : A knitter out of water

A few months ago, I came up with a brain wave of an idea (I get those often).  Amelia's teacher had announced her pregnancy and I thought that a quilt might be a good idea from the class. 
With some secret conversations with another teacher, the two of us hatched a cunning plan.

The kids all drew a picture with fabric pens or crayons.  I gave them a few guidelines and left them to it.  Clearly there are a few Hawthorn supporters in the class, not really what I was expecting, they clearly missed the 'baby quilt' explanation.

Fast forward to a few months later. The tummy is getting bigger and the term is coming to a screaming halt and I've just started the sewing part of it.

HELP: would you strip it or just sew it together with a boarder?  This knitter is wading into unknown territory with this project.

What are you working on at the moment?  Head over to The Aussie WIP Wednesday hosted by The Dove Nest for more Works in Progress around Australia.

Perri Pullover {Pinspired}

To say that Amelia is in love with this Perri Pullover would be an understatement.

I made it a few weeks ago from fabric that I purchased off of the $2 table at Darn Cheap Fabrics. 
She is getting so much wear out of it and there will be more (in fact there is already a second cut out for her and one for me that I will get to when my over locker is back from getting repaired)

 This is the size 6 and as you can see there is still plenty of room.  The only modification I did to the pattern was move the pockets down slightly.  The pattern has them quiet high up and therefore pointless as they can not be used.

I also thought that I would join in with Little White Dove's: Pinspired posts.  I have so many Pin's that I reallly should do something about using some.  Pinterest is telling me that I pinned this 17 weeks ago. 

Watch out for Emu's

Around these parts we don't often have to keep an eye out for cars.  It is the wildlife that you have to keep an eye on. 

With the warm weather we have many feathered friends going for a daily walk with their young and showing them around.

When I saw this fabric at Spotlight I just knew that I had to have it and turn it into something for Amelia for Christmas in this special and unique location that we call 'home' at the moment.

The skirt pattern is Tilda Sash Skirt by Anna of Tilly Tom.  It is a very easy patten and has just enough twirl to keep the fussiest of girls happy.

 Joining in with these crafty minded people.

A slumber party : #2

A low key birthday party was in order this year.  She decided on a sleep over, she did not want anything too over the top. (how I love this kid) 

I don't think I would have normally agreed to a sleep over at such a young age.  But I know both of her little friends parents and we live within a stones throw of both of their homes.

They made pizzas

and drank pink cordial (very grown up in a grown up style flute)

Enjoyed Banana Splits with homemade strawberry and chocolate syrup (more on that at a later stage)

They wore matching PJ's to bed made from a Holly Hobby Sheet set that I picked up many years ago on an op shop hunt.
 

They all past out after the necessary jump on the beds and a movie.

 Pancakes were the order for breakfast, they ate them as quickly as I made them.

 We just sent two little girls home and I have one tired little one left here and that is a sure sign of a successful slumber party.

 I believe that it is the little things and I'm certain that these three girls will remember there first sleep over for years to come.  Keeping it simple meant it was alot less stressful for this Mum too and even the little man enjoyed his night.  She did not have a cake last night as had also celebrated her birthday before school broke up for the term with these same little friends, but I will share those tomorrow as they are very special.

A new dress

What is a mother to do when she realises that her daughter has (finally*) had a growth spurt and all her current dresses just cover her bottom.

Hit the sewing machine.  Cut out and sewn up in a day,  Amelia chose the fabric the last time that we were in Spotlight.  She has always looked great in hot pink so who was I to say no.

The pattern is the Cowl Neck Jumper Dress by the talented Heidi and Finn. The pattern comes in sizes 12months - 6 years. Amelia is only a small 6 year old and she is at the very end of the pattern sizing's, but I'm thinking that with a little alteration I should be able to up size it for at least another year or two and we still have two little nieces that will fit the size range for a while.

I have not sewn in months, actually this is the first time I have sewn since our move and the first time I have used my new (to me) Horn Sewing Cabinet.  I think I may be getting my sewjo back finally.

*Now measuring 112cm, she best keep growing before Baden passes her (he currently stands at 111cm)

For more creative spaces head on over to Creative Spaces: Vintage Voices.

A golden find...

It has been months since I have had an op shop find.  This one however saw my heart skip a beat and me handing over the cash a quickly as I could.

A positive in the week of sickness that we have had here (Yes, the little man is still unwell) We have been back and forwards from Dr's and Hospitals , tests have been run, blood has been taken and we are now playing the waiting game.

We walked out of the Dr's surgery yesterday. We wandered across the road and into the opshop. I had a look around, let Baden chose a car to go with his growing collection and was about to walk out when I spotted it.

HORN...

A quick skip over, the nod from the lady to say that it was infact in working order. The exchange of cash and into the back of the car (lucky for me the man of the house insists I drive a Ute) and home we went.

Today I cleaned it up and placed the machines in their new home. The man of the house says that it is ugly and is researching paint.  I however am just thrilled to have somewhere to put my machines, a space to sew and a bargin to end all bargins.

Now to find the safe spot I placed my sewing scissors when I unpacked all those boxes. Hoping to have something of the sewn variety to show you in next weeks Creative Space.

that thing...

That thing called life and living has gone and got in the way of my plans again this week. She seems to have quiet a habit of doing that in these parts.

I had massive plans last week that I would join in with Kids Clothes Week Challenge over at Elsie Marley.  Well that was last week.  Enter this week.  A sick boy, a rush down to Melbourne to buy warm coats for the kids as the weather has decided to turn cool (almost over night) Anzac Day and then the return of the sick boy.

I have managed to finish off a beanie for Amelia for school, lots of cuddles, a pattern or two cut out and a growing list of knits and dreams.

Hoping that you have a great weekend.  I am hoping to manage a little behind the sewing machine time. For more creative spaces head over here.

Pattern details for the beanie are over at Ravelry

Amazing Amelia

 

Amelia, dressed in her cape for the last day of term. They spent the term learning about Hero's and finished it off with Superhero's

Here is the belt detail

Of course Baden the Brave could not miss out.  A boy and a cape is dangerous business.

 I used this tutorial and I think they make a great safe cape for children.

A Birthday Apron

A little apron for one of Amelia's little friends 5th Birthday. 

Amelia helped to choose the fabric (I was told "She is my friend, I will descide"  - What am I in for?) 

I finished it off with a set of matching hair ties and a little bought baking kit.

I used this great tutorial and will have to make another one for Miss Amelia before the school holidays.