Sewing with my boys.

So the other day I went shopping and came home with a bundle of fabric and could not wait to start sewing but thought that I would need to wait for the kids to go to bed as I was feeling guilty about the time it would take but then it occurred to me. Why couldn't my sewing time also be time I spent with my kids. Back at Christmas my boys used the sewing machine for the fist time on pillowcases. This time we went a bit further and mad sleep pants...

The boys pinned the pattern in place and then cut it out. (I got new scissors that worked for them. Last time we had to use embroidery scissors as they were the only ones I owned that they could get to work on material.) 

This is the first pair finished. He would not try them on until bed time as they were pajamas :-).

I don't have any more photo's of the process as I was too busy hovering. Can you imagine 6 year olds around a sewing machine and a overlocker (serger). I was always ready to pull hands out of the way (and the odd pair of pants when control was not at it's greatest.) The greatest issue was occasionally they turned to talk to me and as they did down the foot on the pedal would go.

They both did really really well. Lots of lovely straight seams and the overlocking is mostly not over the top of sewing. The only bit they did not do was around the hem. That little circle just a bit to tricky to handle when you have the pressure of a Mum leaning over you saying keep your fingers away from the needle (again and again.)

Now this lad of mine did want to model his and a prouder little boy you could not find. I think they turned out great. And I love that for a change I was able to find patterned flannelette that is not just for little boys without having to resort to camouflage. I love this cowboy pattern and the animals on checks.

So there you have it. In the end it was lovely to spend time with my boys sewing, it has to be one on one when a machine is involved which made it a really special experience. At the end the boys could not be more proud of what they made and I think everyone who has visited our house since has had to admire their handiwork...

Pokemon cards.

So I was informed that a mat to play Pokemon on would be desirable. Happily I was furnished with dimensions and design. So here is one of my little projects. It has been since glued on a board for more rigidity but these are my show and tell photo's. A little hard to see all that appliqué under a game in progress but this one was purely for the boys. Must say I love to be able to do something for the boys especially when I know they are going to love it :-) .

Show sewing

So ages and ages ago I entered the Sydney Royal Easter Show. I know I told you about my dress but I never showed it to you and finally it has arrived back from the show. 

Please excuse the headband after trying it on and thinking it did not look that great little miss decided it did so needless to say it stayed.

 

It is very brown as requested and has scallops as most things I do at the moment have.

The back has a traditional huge bow and orange buttons.

Do you remember my triple sleeve?

 The bottom one of mine does not really twist and it does look quite good. I am thinking of making the top again but turning it into a jacket a la Elizabeth ( probably a different bottom considering I will not be catering for a chest)

There it is looking a little like it will fly away.

Here is my award. Must say a highly commended feels much more impressive when you get a felt ribbon to go with it. I can not really explain but growing up competing in agricultural shows it was achievement to get felt over cardboard. So I am definitely smiling and next year? We will see.

 So here is my beautiful darling in her brown dress. I think it suits this season, very autumnal (I will have to remember that about brown).

Bejeweled jacket

I bought this pattern from blank slate patterns for my boys but did not have any fabric lying around for them so made one for my littlest first. We love it, her and me, when she gets it on she won't take it off until it is dirty. Unfortunately I don't have any photo's of her in it (I keep losing my camera argh!). It is a mighty cute pattern and I will definitely be making it for the boys so stay tuned. 

Oh and I just have to show you what was left on the bobbin at the end of construction...

Here are the buttons. Have you ever seen the like. I think they are what made it a perfect jacket in my daughters opinion. Everyone who has seen her in the jacket has been shown the buttons :-).

And I was also told that this button was essential to complete the jacket, it does look like a badge and makes her oh so happy.

Can you see our lining? Flannelette to keep us cozy this winter. 

Those perfect curves on the bottom...

Oh and for the first time I have made welt pockets. Not as bad as I was expecting. Definitely looks the goods.

So there you have it our new jacket. I have mostly stopped buying patterns at the moment except when it is something very complicated or I haven't made it before. This was in the second category and I am now looking forward to a little experimentation.

Oh and with the little bit of fabric we had left over. We got a new doll, one that wee's so was in need of new nappies. Ones that are not disposable. As soon as the doll redressed she is given more to drink, we went through all of the nappies in just a couple of days and then I came across this tutorial so now our doll is blessed with her own nappies.

Tartan and lace.

So ages and ages ago I got some tartan from a remnants bin sure it would make something cute. It really did though the tartan is hard to see in my photo's.

I am a fan of tartan paired with lace, so here is another pair of winter pants with some peek-a-boo lace at the cuffs and on the pocket. I have not decided for sure weather it was inspired that will be proved when I see if they spend all the time dirty from being so close to the ground...

Such cuteness, my little lady was a little concerned when I made them that they were not very pretty but has since been persuaded by Daddy and myself that the lace means they are, somehow I got away with that (no pastels or sparkles and we are both content...

They look different from up so high.

And they work well on the swing (I don't think I have made something yet that does not.)

And to chase us both inside look at this spectacular specimen that was planning to take up residence on the wood pile. Daddy has made sure its home is somewhere else...

Gecko Pants.

OK These were by special request, can you tell? I have been going through my pinterest boards and using them to make something I like. This time I wanted to make 

These pants. They are by Gail from Probably Actually. I wanted to make them just like they are. I really love the hedgehog but my daughter was having none of it. I showed her before I started and she declared that she liked them but would love them if they had reptiles instead. Daddy took her to the reptile zoo a couple of weeks ago...

My pocket is supersized. I made one once before and though I loved the look it was only just possible to squeeze a hand inside. This time I may have gone a little far in the other direction but there is definitely space for treasures and it does not look silly... It makes thing interesting to sew without a pattern.

I started the pants with two geckos but it seems my little designer thought I got it wrong, there was not enough green in my first gecko so number three crept in there. I am not sure on the whole if I will try putting geckos on something again as that is a lot of toes to try and keep neat but I have to agree that they are very cute.

So over all the two of us are very happy with the results, we stash busted, Pinterest busted and designed to request and have a truly unique pair of pants, bring on winter...

Dresden pleat skirt.

Okay I have to admit, I love weekend sewing. Having an idea, being able to bring it to life especially if everything I need is hidden in my stash ready to be revealed. This week I made a couple of things that I pinned ages ago into a reality.

The dresden plate skirt.

I do like dresden plates I think one day when I get back into quilting again I will do one of these. I stumbled across this ages ago and have been meaning to make it since. I got as far as drawing myself pattern pieces a number of times but could never work out what fabric to use.

This is my other inspiration. I love the revealing pleats. One day I may try if as a dress but for now it will have to just live in my little skirt.

Okay so I have not got any fantastic photos of this skirt when not in motion (my little model refused to stand still).

Not that I think it looks bad. I still like the dresden bottom and the tapering up to the box pleats.

But motion as I have discovered is this skirts friend. Whether running, sitting or sprawling you get to see the skirts best. Those tailored splashes of the contrast fabric is just so pretty.

Oh and it is very, very twirly.

Would anyone like to know how it is made? Well here it is. I made this for my 4 1/2 year old but it is probably more of a 5. If you wanted to make it for younger I would subtract one panel (or more to match waist measurement) of each colour and change the length to suit. For older the reverse add panels and lengthen.

Tracing paper
Main fabric- 24 inches
Contrast fabric- 20 inches
1/2 inch Elastic 12 inches
Fabric pen (I have a frixion that disappears with heat)
Matching thread

Step one is cutting the panels, you will find you don't need as much fabric if you have non direction specific fabric. I cut 2 -10 inch strips across the entire fabric for both colour and contrast.

The outer fabric is 2 inches at the top
                            3 inches at the bottom
You need 17 of these.

The contrast, hidden is 3 1/2 inches at the top
                                   5 1/2 inches at the bottom
You need 17 of these.

There is a 1/4 inch seam allowance. You need to sew them all together with smaller ends together and wider ends together.

Iron the wider sections towards the narrow panels. This is now called the skirt.

Okay. Next is drawing the pattern for the curves.
First draw the panel the same as you did for cutting 2 1/2 inches at the bottom, 10 inches high, 1 1/2 inches at top.
Draw a line across the bottom 1/4 inch high. Measure up 3/4 inch on each side line. Mark.
Draw a curve between the marks (I use the base of a glass).

Cut out the curve from the top.

Fold the skirt in 4 and lay on tracing paper.

Trace around the bottom of skirt and up 2 inches.

Move the skirt up to the top of your 2 inches and trace again.

This is for the facing, cut 4.

Sew together to form a giant circle. Edge the smaller side of the circle (overlock, serge).

Pin the right side of the facing to the bottom of the right side of skirt. If it's too big don't worry, Pin it how big it needs to be and sew.

Fits well...

Place your pattern over all the small panels and trace with removable pen.

Draw a straight line between the top of each curve.

Sew along your line. Iron if you have a pen that disappears with heat. Trim long seam, then clip curves.

Turn right side out and iron.

I then hand sewed the facing into place on reverse side. You could machine sew but you would see it on the right side and personally I like it being invisible. Can you see it?

Fold at joint, iron.

Find centre of the big panel. Mark. Bring the closest edges of contrast fabric to meet. Iron and pin at top and bottom.

Make sure your pins are facing outwards so it is easier to iron.

At the top edge of pleat mark 1 inch down with removable pen. Sew close to the pleat on both main fabrics. Remove the pins up this end.

Iron to remove marks. Continue until the contrast is all hidden.

Iron reverse side with steam to set in pleats. Unpin as you go.

Cut a skirt top, this is a rectangle. Measure the finished pleated section and add 1/2 inch seam allowance. Use this measurement by 4 inches. Sew short side together to form a circle (1/4 inch seam allowance).

Pin skirt top to pleats.

Sew and serge.

Top stitch 1/8 inch on the skirt top section through the serged edge.

Final step... Serge top. Mark centre front (opposite seam). Measure 10 cm to each side and mark. This is my secret elastic look. The elastic starts at these measurements, sew in place below the serge line. By leaving this gap your skirt will not be bulky at the front where little tummy's tend to be the largest. Now fold the elastic over and stitch the casing. I sew on the inside half way through the serging, make sure you continue around where the elastic is not and re sew vertically where the elastic is attached (to prevent pulling).

So that's it then. I don't know if I am always that clear in this tute but let me know if you want any clarification.

See you all again soon.