Finally some sewing and a sore head

Well after more than a month of non-sewing I finally pulled the machines out yesterday to make Edward some clothes. Poor little man really has no pants that fit him anymore, they are all ankle-freezers! So I pulled out some Ottos and decided on the "Taku" linen pants from 1/2009 and the "Reko" raglan-sleeve t-shirt from 4/2008.

I used fabric already in my stash, which is fabulous because I have this fabric addiction thing going on that I have to curb ;) The pants are made from a denim look linen blend from Lindcraft and the t-shirt from stella knit in my stash. I bought the froggy ribbon that I used as trim from the Crafty Mamas store. Anyway Edward loves his new threads :)

Edward wanted me to take a photo of the back pockets...he loves pockets...good thing because these pants have 7!!!

However, last night Edward took a leap off Harry's bed and ended up hitting his head on Harry's desk. Originally I though he was fine as it stopped bleeding really quickly...however when Marty gave him a shower the cut was really deep, all the way to his skull!!!!!! He ended up in hospital and is now that proud owner of two staples. He seems fine and is happy enough but oh what a scare!! And finally a shot of the staples!

Hip Hooray, it's my birthday.

I've had a wonderful day with my family today...yep I'm terribly old but still young at heart ;) Here's the five of us together, not the best pic but hey at least we are all in it!

Woke up to pancakes cooked by my sweet Harrison, then we all went out to lunch which was really lovely. Here we are together in a rare photo...always hard to get him to pose!!

Me with my three gorgeous babies.

With my beautiful sister Nicole at lunch.

Harry with his girlfriend Emilie....he still looks like he has eyeliner on from his stage performance last night.....too funny!

After lunch I decided to do some sewing for me!!! Cut out a child's pattern from Ottobre 6/2008, no 37 - Nana knit dress....off course I made a few adjustments...eg a 'bit' extra in the hip/chest areas ;) Hopefully will get a chance to actually sew it up this week.

I also managed to get to Office Works to buy some magazine holders for all my sewing magazines using the money my mother and father in-law sent to me for my birthday, really happy with the display now. So easy to find the magazine and pattern I need.

So all in all a lovely day, family, food, wine, shopping and sewing...what else is there!!

New-born outfit from Ottobre 6/2008

Now I have to apologise for the pictures, I took them after 10pm so they are not great. My photography needs help...especially late at night!! These pictures don't do the fabric any justice, it's so pretty in real life.

So anyway I wanted to make an outfit for a new little baby girl and was looking through all my back issues of Otto. I already had the fabric picked out, just needed something soft and easy to put on and off to make with it.

I decided to make no 2 - "Lelle" leggings and no 3 - "Elly" raglan-sleeve blouse. I had never made a top with neck-binding or with shirring. The shirring ended up being super super easy and I'm kicking myself that I haven't tried it before. I really love how it turned out. The neck-binding was OK too...still need to perfect it a little more but I was reasonably happy for a first try. On the little leggings I decided to add a frill....I wish I'd gathered a little more than I did and next time I will.

What I'm really happy with is the top stitching, I really love this and I love how it worked on the hems of the top. This this stitch is going to become a bit of a fave.

Anyway the outfit was received very well and everyone at the party couldn't believe I'd made it...people who don't sew think that sewers are amazingly clever....if only they knew!! And it still wasn't perfect. I need to make another outfit for another new born baby girl, so I think I'll duplicate and hopefully it works out even better.

Barcelona skirt and matching bag.

Well after a week of celebrating Harrison's 16th birthday I finally had time to finish off a couple of projects that have been hanging around for a while. An A-line skirt from The Amy Butler Barcelona skirt pattern and a matching hand-bag that my friend Levineke helped me make. I've never made a bag before and I loved doing it, thanks so much Levin for the help....I'd still be trying to work out how to sew the lining to the outside if you hadn't of helped!!!

The fabric is quilting fabric from Spotlight, I really like the quality, nice and thick and irons well.

I think next time I'll try and do a zip compartment in my bag too, I'm happy that I have a custom size mobile phone pocket though :)

Now I have the apron over-lay cut out to match and hopefully will get that done in the next few days. Also I have some fabric to make an Ottobre women's top to match...just have to find the time!

Of course after I got all dressed up in my new outfit...where did I go??? Spotlight of course, where else ;)

The picture quality isn't fabo, I really need to learn to take pictures!

My Princess in her new Jule top.

I have to admit I wasn't 100% sure about the fabrics after I had made the Jule but once I put it on Gracie this morning, I am LOVING it! It really needs to be worn with jeans, anything else would be too busy I think. Anyway here's my doll-baby this morning in her new top, she loves it, especially the pocket! And don't you just love her "model" faces - no idea where she got those expressions from!

My Jule is finally finished!!

After a full-on weekend with lots of parties, visitors etc etc I didn't get much chance to finish it off. So this morning I had a bit of spare time before work and finally finished it.

I used some Spotlight fabric from my stash because I wasn't sure how hard/easy it would be and I didn't want to waste my "good" fabrics. I have to say that the hood and the pocket, the two parts I was worried about were actually really easy and I enjoyed sewing them. The hood is lined because I'm sick of seeing stitching lines in my children's hood, so I lined it in the opposite fabric...looks much better that way I think. I love love love the pocket and went to town with top-stitching around it...love top-stitching, my fave part of sewing.

The frills are what annoyed me the most. I decided against the lettuce edge and went with a folded edge where the material is doubled over...no need for a hem that way. I do like the results but geez I hate doing frills...yucko. The double stitch, all the thread that needs to be pulled at the end...does my head in ;)

I have no idea why this pic is sideways as it isn't on my camera or computer...you'll just have to turn your screens to see my awesome top-stitching - hahah

Will get a picture with the model at a later time as she's not here at the moment, off enjoying a day with her Grandy and Grandpa.

Start of the Jule

Lettuce edges.