Getting started on the summer wardrobe...

Actually, I'm finishing off last years summer wardrobe attempt first, then getting started. I'm on 2 weeks annual leave at the moment for the school holidays (in the middle right now). The first 3 days were slow as the Little Miss came down with a virus/bug of some sort, and spent 3 days on the couch. she's still not 100% but starting to get back into her activities she'd planned. You would think I got a lot done in those 3 days, but no. being nurse/Mummy came first, but the house is looking pretty tidy for a change!

I decided to be completely selfish and only sew things for me! I didn't even know about this when I decided! But I had a backlog of stuff I'd cut out and never gotten too, or started and not finished (known as UFO's or 'unfinished objects' in the sewing world). I'd also made a few things recently that needed adjusting, in particular waistbands (taking in, which is always nicer than letting out!). Boring jobs though.

This particular maxi dress was cut out and started last year- as in last summer. I've made it before, too. Don't know whats happened to that dress, possibly tossed during a non fitting stage. I think there was another dress out of it, but I don't have that one anymore either! Anyhow, it's now spring, nearly summer again. I cut it out as per measurements, a size 18 apparently, and it was mahoosive on me! I had to check and remake the bodice- I'd gotten the fabric quite cheap at Spotlight and bought more than I needed, luckily.

I took the chance on the sunny afternoon this afternoon for a dress up- not realising it was so windy! No, not pregnant, just look it!

Ooh, the moon glow! It was a long, dark winter hehe.

  I'm not 100% happy with how it fits around the boobies, but I think it will depend on the bra I'm wearing with it. Which on hot, at home days will probably be none anyway! I don't think it's too sheer for a voile, either, but if anyone comments when I'm wearing it I can whip up a lining.

 Oh, WORST PHOTO EVER alert. Can you tell Miss 9 was grumpy and tired and didn't want to take pics? She neglected to tell me I look like He-man from the back! Grrrr....

 And I am nearly all prepared for spring with a pedicure yesterday, and haircut today. It's getting shorter and shorter, I think...

  

So once I'd gotten that UFO out of the way, I started on a new purchase (once again ignoring the precut pile hehe). I wasn't 100% sold on this style on me from the original pics, but once I saw lots of different versions I thought I'd give it a try. I even had this op shopped rayon-ey stuff to try it on. Horrid but like able at the same time!

 It looks terrible on the hanger- but like all of Tasia's pattern, amazing when on!

Even a quick check late at night got me excited!

Yep, Murray agrees. Always in for a photo bomb, that dog!

 

It feels so good on! I didn't retie the straps, which is why the bra straps are showing I think, because the other try on times this didn't happen. I didn't put the zip in, as I read that many people didn't and it still went on easy, which is true. But then I didn't know how to finish the blousy bit at the back, I'll be hunting for a tutorial on that bit, or working on it a bit better next time.

It's going to be a 'wear with caution' on a windy day! Must remember clean knickers that day hehe. I had enough fabric to make the maxi length, but the fabric wasn't wide enough, so I have a little left over, maybe a tank top for summer or something.

And the cute shoes with this frock- my fave platforms I picked up years ago op shopping with Ms Curlypops! They're getting me excited about warmer weather- I just wish the warmer weather was excited enough to stick around longer than 3 days!

My totally Selfish Sewing was of course interrupted by Henry needing a new hat- a quick one was whipped up from Nikki's book, as his head is finally big enough! Some more of the unknown mystery fabric that just goes well as anything, with a cute Spotlight print. I'll be adding straps once I measure it on him to get the placement right. Totally cute!

Keeping Out Of Trouble Part 2....

I was asked to make a special gift for a special Dad for Father's Day this year, and I couldn't refuse! 

It started with "I'd love to buy a hexie brooch off you" and "Do you have any blokey fabric in your stash?" and a deal was done! (I'm cheap sometimes...hehe)

Surprisingly (or not if you've ever seen my stash) I had it all in there. I added some Curlypops fabric, of course! Also a mix of quilting cottons and thin to thick corduroy. For some reason I wanted texture in this quilt! (I had free reign, but checked in regularly with Cam).

  

there was cutting, sewing and basting....

 and the quilting. I was with outlining all the squares, and then some diagonal lines. I had heard of and been recommended to try the quilter's gloves, and luckily Coles has the Ansell brand of gloves that worked a treat. (If you click on the link, just add 'quilting' to the uses haha). In case you've never heard of using them, they help grip the fabric to be fed through the machine. I don't think I've made such a heavy quilt before, due to the cord, so I literally had to pick it up to feed through; the gloves help you push it a bit more. Just what I needed!

  A 'mid quilting' layout and admire inspect

and a full shot when I delivered it to Cam. We were to busy gas bagging to remember to do it outside in the sun, so an inside shot unfortunately.

I named it 'The Bloke' haha

 Trying it on for size- my eyeballing on the design wall is always off- I thought I would need to add more before I tested it this way! Lucky the kid will sleep through anything...

We ducked out to vote on the quilting day (ie election day here in Oz) and came home to find the first seal of approval... (the backing was a lovely soft flannel with a teeny purple stripe. Poor cam had bought something similar it Spotlight for the back, but this from my stash trumped it- sorry Cam!)

 The binding is the Denise Schmidt green and blue check fabric, in a smart move I'd grabbed a bit when it was on clearance at Spotlight, I like how it's a bit scrappy with some bits green and others blue.

And the best pic and the reason I love making them? A happy new quilt owner!

 Awww! (yep, there may have been choking up at that!)

Keeping Out Of Trouble Part 1

Spring is in the air! I was a bit tired of the old winter wardrobe, and the beautiful week of spring weather recently spurred me to update the wardrobe a bit. I dove into the stash and found some nice medium weight denim, and 2 hours later....

a skirt! Pattern by this chickie, and you can buy it from here. I'm lucky (or unlucky, depends how you look at it!) to be the same size as I was the last time I made it, so I had the pattern all ready, and have made a few now so  it was a great quick make.

The top is another Alma blouse, the seersucker gingham *sigh* was bought specially for it- a few weeks prior! I love this fabric....I cheated this time and didn't put a zip in, as it fits easily over my head, and I could have taken a bit in the shoulders so the tight cardi doesn't sit a bit funny- but I'm hoping for less need for the cardi in a few weeks!

The warmer weather has (temporarily) altered the need for the knitted cowls; I threw together a quick 'infinity' style scarf, a long tube twisted and stitched together. I used some lawn from Spotlight as a practice, trying to get the guts to cut up some Liberty lawn!

Remember the Triple Zip swap I mentioned a few posts ago? Mine was very well received, with a wonderful blog post about it over here. I also received a gorgeous pouch, from manybooks4u (on flickr).

It was full of yummy goodies, I've never seen coloured magnetic snaps, and have fallen in love Glamping now I have a mini charm pack!

 And last update- the scrappy zig zag is pieced and ready to go....when I get to the Spotlight sale and pick up some batting!

This one's a keeper, that's for sure!

             Stayed tuned for part 2 where I reveal a special little job I was asked to do....

What i've been up too....

There's been a bit of quilting stuff happening, and other sewing of course.

I'm a bit of a fan of this girl, and her beautiful work. I spied this quilt in Feb and think I pulled all the scraps out for it straight away! It took till now with all the other projects that came up to get it started- and it only took me a week! I used a pink homespun with it, as I use so much white in quilts I wanted something different.

I haven't decided on the layout yet, there are a few versions in the original post that inspired Nova (who has now inspired me hehe) so I might put the design wall up tonight and get laying!

I also saw this on Nova's blog (OK, now I sound all stalkerish, but I saw it over here too, it was a coincidence, I swear!) Anyway, it was good timing, as I have been pretty slack for the nephew...I mean, only 1 quilt in 8mths....sheesh!)

I got out the blue cotton stuff I scored a while ago when the school was throwing it out;

and a plan formulated when I spotted this thread at Spotlight. I'm going a bit neon mad at the moment, I like 'pops' of it in things at the moment.

So I joined The QAL and got started....might be getting ahead of myself though, better slow down!

  Couldn't resist a mirror ball dot in there hehe

The girl decided she needed to make some new lavender sachets today for her drawer....and lucky Henry got one for his sock drawer too!

 I had the Maze and Vale prints already pieced for a cushion, and this scrap was in the scrap bin just waiting...

Oh, and I finally got a snap of the girl and her braces...only took 3 weeks, and I think she forgot about them for a sec! I really thought it would be a year before she let me take a pic of her again!

Speaking of cute (weren't we?) here's the little man himself- 8mths old and standing/cruising and has started those slobbery baby kisses. In. Love!

Triple Zip Pouch

  I was a bit late to the table with this one, as in I missed the original sew along when it was happening, but found out about a great swap over on Flickr for this cool pouch. I wanted to make one for ages, and this got me motivated!

Of course, I wanted perfection, so I had a wee practice. The first one was for me....and I am pretty happy with it!

It's the perfect purse for my work bag-the zips all open into separate pockets, so I can have tea bags in one, headache tabs in the other, lippy and hand cream in the big one- you get the drift, and in neat little compartments!

 

The 2nd one didn't get as good a review as the first one (which was always mine mwah mwah mwah) but I've kept it for the 'pressie pile'.

 

There's an extra tute to go with the original one for finishing it off, see here

But I still wasn't happy. So I started what I thought would 'the one'

 only to find my zip had been written on! Another present pile add on...

 

And finally I was happy!

This one was stuffed full of goodies and is probably over the ocean right now. I'm excitedly checking my mailbox too. It's so nice knowing someone is making something for me, hopefully as thoughtfully as I did haha. And I know what I'm making for Xmas pressies!

Going to get up to some Hijinks...

Oh, I love having something to look forward to!!

Gillian and Jodie have put their heads together for this....It's going to be ace! I haven't been to a bloggy catch up thing for ages. Meeting some new bloggers and crafters, and catching up with old bloggers that have become real-life friends. Hopefully I wont go all shy and not talk to anyone on the day, then become friends online later on (der, but it has happened).

Sign up now if you haven't and can make it, and we'll see you there!

A finished quilt!

Another bit of a break between posts (I'll try not to say that at the beginning of EVERY post though) but I have a good reason! The battery in my laptop died a few weeks ago (may have been a few months, actually, have lost track). It was around that same time as a few other things broke, so a new battery wasn't high on the list of priorities. So I decided to leave it plugged in and use with the charger...fast forward to the charger dying! A week and a bit to order a new one...lets just say, nice to have it back!

I've been working a bit more the last few weeks too, my colleague going on leave meant I was able to do 4 weeks of full time work! Eeek! Could I do it? Turns out- not very well! maybe for other little black ducks, but not this one! Keeping things running at home was a lot harder, and my time to 'look after myself' (usually by doing chores on my spare days the kiddo is at school, so we can spend the weekend together) was gone! So happily, due to work being quiet, the last 2 Fridays were cut off and I could breeeaatthheee!

I also got asked to do a custom quilt in the middle of all this! Of course, I said yes! It was for the sibling of the girl who got this quilt; and I was allowed to pick the pattern and fabrics! (had some colours to guide me).

I chose this pattern, and am really glad I did!  Easy to follow and accurate, I'm really hoping to try a few more of Allison's patterns, and get a copy of her book. Only problem is deciding which on to make first!

The fabrics were picked from GJ's Fabrics, during one of the Sit n Sew days of the MMQG. I had a few helpers thankfully, as picking fabrics is not my forte!

 

 (Sewing is a lot more fun with sparkly nails I've decided!)

 lots of trimming!

  

and finally came putting it all together. A rockin' Saturday night that was!

I planned it to be finished by this weekend coming- but I got absolutely motivated at the sit n Sew day on last Saturday with the Guild, and got it basted, quilted and nearly bound in one day! I finished the binding that night. Then went to bed and died of back pain haha.

  Yummy binding!

  I'm happy to say it was all worth it! I didn't get much time in the old grey weather for good pics, as it was picked up quick smart- so some indoor shots to show the quilting, and outdoor for the colours.

I'm going to miss working on this beauty!