Never enough time

Opening day

2011-03-31T04:04:00.000-07:00

So, 2 months passed and we've completed the EB kids clothing swap for 2011. This morning we opened parcels from Rainbowbrite (Tina), and Ourcompletedfamily. Both ladies did a terrific job of the outfits for Sophie and Emily, and the girls adore their new clothes.

Fleece jumper and cord pants from ourcompletedfamily

Cord dress, bag, and clip from Rainbowbrite.

EB kids clothing swap 2011- I'm finished!

2011-03-02T17:18:00.000-08:00

So, I've finished sewing my swap items for my two partners in the EB kids clothing swap, and wanted to share some sneak peeks. So here they are.

EB kids clothing swap 2011

2011-01-30T17:53:00.000-08:00

I had such a great time participating in the last Kids clothing swap, that I decided to have another go. This time around I am sewing for two children. It's such good fun sewing for other children that wear a different size, and are of a different gender to my own children, so I'm relishing the challenge. I've bought all of my fabric and notions but I'm still waiting for some things to arrive. I always end up buying way too much fabric when I sew, and this time I think I must've bought about 16 yards of fabric all up because I couldn't decide on just a few, I think it's called an obsession (or indecision)? Either way I don't need anywhere near that much. No wonder my fabric stash is growing so quickly! Anyway, here's the fabrics I think I'm using. More to come still, and I might alter them slightly yet.

EB kids clothing swap

2010-09-09T18:10:00.000-07:00

We received this fantastic outfit from Penny (ariatiaw) who made for Emily as part of the Essential Baby kids clothing swap. Emily just loves it. She wont take it off and is wearing it right now even though the weather is way too cool for it (with a long sleeved top and tights underneath)! Penny included a lovely sun hat, two different belts and some scrunchies with the dress. I believe the pattern is a 1975 Japanese pattern!

EBDQS3 - received from Bec

2009-11-09T23:41:00.000-08:00

Here are the two little quilts we received with much thanks from Bec (Beccaj74);

EBDQS3

2009-11-09T23:24:00.000-08:00

The EB Dolls Quilt Swap #3 is nearly over, and its been lovely being a part of it. I really hope to be a part of it again next year. Here's the Quilt that I sent to my swap partner car;

EB DQS3 underway!

2009-09-01T15:39:00.000-07:00

WIP- Yesterday we found out who our Doll Quilt swap partners are, YAY! Having never participated in a swap before I am so keen to get my project underway to ensure I'm finished in plenty of time. After much planning last night, and some sketching etc. Here's the fabrics in the wash this morning. (Minus one key fabric that I need to go and purchase today from the local quilting shop.)

One by request

2009-08-28T22:56:00.000-07:00

Another Farbenmix Vida dress. Yes, this is made out of yucky licensed fabric (Thomas the Tank Engine pinwale corduroy precisely). NO I do not like the fabric! However, Emily requested this one, and I felt it was right to let her have something she wanted just once in a while. It will be reserved purely for around the house adventures, maybe to local shop- certainly no further.

Now I'm a Happy Camper

2009-08-28T22:50:00.000-07:00

Look what the postman bought me! American Jane "Happy Campers." I've got two charm packs and a jelly roll at present. Now waiting on backordered yardage for my next quilting project. Finally one for our bed. I haven't yet made one for myself to keep (mostly because I hadn't found exactly the right fabric), so really looking forward to making this one!

More new projects, 60s mod dresses

2009-08-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

I wonder how comfy these will be for my daughter? They look great though.

New projects on the cards

2009-08-23T21:45:00.000-07:00

I found this pattern for an easy quilt made completely out of 3" and 3 3/8" squares (cut into triangles). I like how the shades of fabrics determine the pattern, interesting. Anyway, I've got a heap of fat quarters to use up that I bought to make another quilt with and have since decided that I don't really like that much, and this looks like a great easy project to use them up.

Yay, the postman came

2009-08-23T21:37:00.000-07:00

Here's my new fabrics courtesy of Etsy. I am loving Katie Jump Rope from Denise Schmidt at the moment, now just need to think out a way to use it. May make retro style aprons with it for Chrissy presents with this great Simplicity pattern. The other fabrics ate Timeless Treasures Asian print bargains. No plans for it yet, couldn't resist the bargain though.

Farbenmix Vida Dress

2009-08-23T21:29:00.000-07:00

Not a vintage pattern, but one I'd ben admiring for ages. The Vida is a Farbenmix pattern, and is great for using up scrap fabrics from my stash that I can't find another use for. I whipped up this dress in a couple of days and it turned out well. The pattern is great too, multi-sized so I'll be able to use it for years!

Smurf overalls

2009-08-23T21:23:00.000-07:00

I thought I might try another overalls pattern (looked identical too the other pattern, and same vintage as the last), as an experiement to see how it differently they sewed up. I don't like this pattern as much. The bib is much shorter width-wise, but still a respectable pair of overalls. These are made of denim, with vintage smurf curtains, vintage buttons, and vintage baby ric rac to give them some vintage character.

More pictures...

2009-08-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

Time to update the old blog

2009-08-23T21:16:00.000-07:00

So here it is, I haven't had a great deal of time to update my poor old blog for ages. But having completed some nice new projects of late I thought it time to add. I started collecting vintage patterns from the 60s and 70s a while back with the intention of making some clothes for my daughter, but the perfectionist in me wasn't happy with the finish of the seams, just using my sewing machine. So I lashed out and purchased an overlocker, now all is right with the world. *sigh* Here's the first pair of overalls I made in size 5 with a great 70s pattern, and some great vintage fabric and buttons purchased from Etsy.

Don't believe everything you read on Ebay!

2007-12-07T22:17:00.000-08:00

Oh dear.....WAY too long. I have an idea!

Not many pattern pieces, looks easy enough.....

So I have FINALLY finished (sort of) making this pattern. OMG- I read that a newbie sewer could make it in 2 hours. I DON'T THINK SO! About 10 hours later (lost count) I have come up with my dress. A little long though.... Whoops, my fault didn't read the pattern right. I am currently making corrections..... Sigh.

A new project for today.

2007-12-05T14:42:00.000-08:00

I found this fantastic pattern last night on the net and downloaded it. Its my project for today, the aim is to finish one dress in size 3 for Retro Babe #1.

A brand new sewing machine for a brand new sewer.

2007-12-05T14:23:00.000-08:00

....and my third attempt. Bored with making these now, its time to move on to bigger and better things.

My second attempt went like this. I am thrilled with how this one turned out.

My first attempt was using this fantastic Timeless Treasures Icecream Treats print. I just love this fabric!

I received my first ever sewing machine the other day. A brand new Brother Innovis QE200. I haven't done any sewing since using Mum's vintage Singer in Highschool. I bought it as a gift to me with the intention of making Modern Cloth Nappies- largely to fuel my cloth nappy addition. I unpacked it several days later and began to sew. Starting with something easy was my plan, and after finding this great easy pattern for babies smock dresses I was underway.