New Bag

A while back, sadly about 3 months ago now - where does the time go! - I made myself a new bag. Unfortunately the one I made here, was starting to wear out at the corners from such constant use.

I liked that bag, but I wanted a few changes - such as better pockets inside, a zip closure and a key clip at DH's request (so I wasn't always digging into the bottom of my bag for my keys).

 

The shape of my old bag was lovely, so I used that as a base to draft up my own pattern and cut out the sides. It was way too big, so I cut the front and back in half and removed a good chunk - this left me with the problem of seams in the middle of the pieces. Scrummy ribbon to the rescue. What a better to use up some of my ribbon stash :)

Midway through I chose to add a gusset(??), not sure if that is the correct terminology, anyway, so that the pockets I was planning sat in the right place and weren't wrapped down along the bottom seam. Oh the joys of designing something yourself :)

So inside I did 3 elasticated pockets, the middle one, due to a slight miscalculation on the designers behalf, incorporated a pleat hehe. A zippered pocket that sits between the lining and the outer, and a key clip. That key clip has been invaluable. No more scrabbling for my keys when running through the rain or with hands full of shopping.

I followed the instructions loosely for the pockets and the top zipper from The Bag Making Bible. It is a great book that covers many techniques that are found in most bag patterns - lots of pictures and clear instructions.

Fabric is denim from the op-shop, I think it cost a grand total of $1 for a huge piece, and some quilting cottons - possibly Michael Miller. The ribbons are Farbenmix from Crafty Mama's.

To go with it I made a small zippered pouch - to use some scraps hanging around.

Cheers!

Super Dooper Quick Christmas Present Roundup

(coz I forgot to do it before now).

For the kids, they both received a mummy made outfit. Ottobre shorts for DS, with a Farbenmix Hilde t-shirt. Ottobre tee and Farbenmix Carolyn skirt/leggings combo for DD. All fabrics are from Crafty Mamas, also the ribbon embellishments.
EDIT: The Otto patterns are: shorts - 1/2004 #24 (I think they were pants, but I made them shorts, in a size 134).
DD's tee is 3/2010 #31 in a size 116 - I found it is on the small side, or intended for a very slim child.

They also asked for a set of beanbags - so I did 4 sets, so my nieces received a set each too. Except I was a little overzealous making these, I made the outer with velcro so they could be removed and washed - never, ever, again!! That was pure madness - though they will be easy to wash :)

For my younger cousins, and another young family member, I made covered journals. Super happy with these. The bigger ones are A4, and the smaller ones are A6. Embroidery designs are all from Huups.

A lanyard for a great Aunt. I was unsure of the colours in this before sewing it up - but it is just perfect for her.

And lastly, a Keyka Lou Half-Moon Bag in Meadowsweet fabrics. This was for my Aunty and she loved it! So do I :)

Cheers!

Dortje (finally)

These pants have been made for ages! At least a month if I remember correctly. But every time DD wears them, I totally forget to take a photo. Well, here they are, and DD declined to model them for me.

I used both mid wale and baby cord and stitched the embroidery directly onto the pants. That was a worrying time, as I had already put the pockets onto the front, and have done very little stitching onto the actually garment before. The design took about 40 minutes to stitch out, and I sat there with my fingers crossed that it would work properly and I wouldn't ruin the front of the pants, as I was using remnants of both fabrics.


Thankfully it did, and it looks great!

I did have one issue with the pants, and that was after stitching the legs together, and overlocking, my elastic for the gathering in the side seams wasn't so gathered. So I stitched some clear elastic in to make it more obvious. It worked, but seems to pull the legs in on themselves a bit. Never mind, she will grow and then I will need to make more soon :)


Cheers!

Farbenmix Fano

Yesterday I received a scrummy parcel from Crafty Mama's. Best of all, it contained 3 patterns just for me! One of those patterns was the lovely Farbenmix Fano. I had it traced and completely sewn and was wearing it out the door within 24 hours! New record for me.

As the pattern is in german, I just picked the pieces I wanted for the long sleeve version, minus the pocket (no point adding extra bulk to the old baby storage area lol) After that I abandoned the instructions and it went together just like a t-shirt.

Excuse the pj pants ;)

I am super impressed by this pattern, I did no modifications anywhere - other than adding the seam allowances, and it fits beautifully! The sleeves are slightly long, perfect to keep your fingers warm, and the hem is adequately long, but next I will add a little extra (I like my tops just a touch longer). The fabric is very similar to Stella, but isn't - it was hiding in my stash.


It is comfortable, red (one of my favourite colours) and I want to make more. Shame my twin needle played havoc again......galloping horse, galloping horse lol

Cheers!

Farbenmix meets LoveChirp

And a very nice meeting it was!

I had two new baby girls to make gifts for, so I pulled out my copy of the Farbenmix Baby pattern pack (it has a very long, unpronounceable name I can't remember) from the CM Shop. I decided to do the jacket, as it is coming into winter here and I had some gorgeous cotton velour I wanted to use (stash busting and all that).



LoveChirp was the very first embroidery I bought from Huups - and wow! It is just so gorgeous :)



The jackets are identical apart from the colours I used in the embroideries. A slight mishap with my placement meant that I ended up making them into badges to sew on - but that also allowed me to position them exactly where I wanted.


I used a size 62/68, so the bubs can grow into them, and they should be light enough to wear through spring.

Cheers!

Pitt Pants

Farbenmix Pitt. My first try at using a German pattern and it worked, so I must be doing something right :) If I am honest, I had to redo the zip a few times, and I stuffed up the top of the pockets a whisker, but all in all, the pants went together rather simply.

I did have the photo tutorial to help me along - though the babelfish translation really leaves so much to be desired. And just a side note, when they tell you (show you) to sew the tops of the pockets when they are right sides together, they really do mean it lol. I thought, what are they on about, ignored that part, turned, top-stitched and then realised what a dill I had been! That has been safely stored away for the next pair I make.



The best bit is that my son loves them! They do look a little too big on him, skinny, tall weed that he is. There is also a bit of length left in the hems, so that I can let them down when he grows. IF he doesn't wear the knees out first.



Fabric is a gorgeous soft cotton drill from the CM Shop, that has been maturing in my stash for many months. DS picked a bright orange zip from my limited collection.




And out of 5 belt loops, I managed to get one perfect bartack - I think I need to practice them a bit more.



Cheers!

April's Challenge Completed

Well it may not be a completely lined item, it was about all I could muster this month. For Carolyn's April Challenge of Something Lined, here is...... a hood! lol


It also completes a sew-a-long over at Crafty Mama's where many of us had a try at the Farbenmix Imke pattern.

I did one each for my kids, off the paper pattern not from the book, as I didn't feel up to tackling the tissue patterns in the Sewing Clothes Kids Love book. I also used the pieced version for both the kids. Fabric, cotton knit (I think the pink print has a touch of poly), is all from the stash - I am trying really hard to use it up - no small feat, let me tell you!
I really like this pattern, and the sizes I chose, the kids can still wear a t-shirt underneath for winter. I would like to try them in something warmer, more as a jumper style - but with the sporty hood from the book.


I did find the neck opening with the hood to be a little snug on my big headed people, so for DD's I cut the seam allowance from the jumper part, but not the hood, and then attached. I jsut means there is a bit of a gap between the edges of the hood, instead of them crossing over. Still looks fine though :)

Cheers!

A Birthday and 2 Challenges Completed

Last week it was my baby's 5th birthday - she is growing up. Awww. I also joined in with a Sew-a-long at CraftyMama's for the gorgeous Mamu Vivi pattern and I finished my item for the February challenge at Carolyn's blog :) These two items made up part of my daughters birthday present.

The Vivi pattern is gorgeous! A funky little skirt that has about 6 variations. I chose the college skirt variation, and altered it a bit too. This skirt has a pleat in the front and the back, I decided to make the pleat from a contrasting fabric, and used that same fabric for the waistband.




My knit fabric challenge was the Farbenmix Antonia top. I used a cotton/lycra for the body and stella for the sleeves and shoulders.




Both items were well received, and DD had a lovely day - she even got to take a tub full of biscuits to school to share with her class.



Cheers!

12 Month Challenge - For Me

is completed! And I am very happy with the result. I chose the Farbenmix Valeska skirt, some gorgeous soft denim fabric and an embroidery that I did on felt. It was also my very first applique embroidery - and so much fun!


I did modify the skirt a fair bit. It is meant to be an elastic waisted skirt, but I wanted a fitted waist, as I figure it would've been more slimming for someone with good childbearing hips like mine ;). So I started with the size to my measurements, and brought the seams in until it fit how I wanted. Seems that I then needed the smallest size. Which I lengthened to the XL size so it wasn't indecent :)


I put an invisible zip in the side seam - though I must say, I did botch it a little - but it is all on the inside, the outside of the zip looks pretty good. I finished the pocket edges and the bottom hem off with some bias binding I had made a few months ago. I think it gives it a nice touch.


Next time, I will use slightly wider seam allowances on the sides, as it is a bit loose still.



So my challenge for January is complete, but I have many more ideas of what I would like to sew for myself - a new top to match my skirt is just one of them.

Cheers!

Little Red Riding Hood

Dress up day at kindy this week and the theme is fairy tales. So DD wants to be Little Red Riding Hood. As I had a fair amount of warning, I knew I could do this. I wanted what ever I made, to be wearable as everyday wear too. And I wanted to make it out of fabrics in my stash. Which I did, I just bought the trim for the cape.


The top and cape are from Ottobre 6/2008. #20 for the top, and #22A for the cape. The top is just a thinnish knit from Spotlight, with a strawberry print. It is pretty and comfortable. Because it isn't very stretchy, I went up a size from the usual.
The cape is from gorgeous red fine cord, also from Spotlight. I had just enough in my stash to make the cape. The trim is gorgeous elastic gingham.


The skirt is based on the Insa pattern from Farbenmix. Going by the measurements, my DD's waist was too big for all the sizes, and I wanted a fullish skirt (ie: lots of twirl), and an elastic waist. So I used 5 panels instead of 4, and omitted the drop style waistband, just used a regular sized waistband. For the overskirt, I used red gingham from my grandma, and for the underskirt, I had some white cotton (I think that's what it is) from a valance I picked up at the opshop ages ago. I ruffled some white cotton poplin for the trim on the overskirt - just left the underskirt with a simple rolled hem.


I am really happy with this outfit - it is just so cute!

Cheers!