Two cute Little Tops

Hello.

I made a couple of little tops the other day using one of my Japanese Pattern Books.

The brown top was made from a doona cover I picked up from the op-shop for $1

It is such nice fabric, with a little silky shine to it.

I used this pattern but decided not to add the ruffle to the sleeves,

instead adding some elastic.

I made the second top for my daughter to wear for her school photos.

This one I made plain red using quilting cotton and just added some black buttons and ribbon.

I'm sure I will make a few more of these tops.

They are just sooo sweet!

Linking up here.

Maggie Mae Dress

Hello.

I purchased the Maggie Mae pattern from Shwin Designs the other day
when they were offering 40% off all their patterns.

I bought the larger size which covers size 6-10. I thought I'd make one for my 10 year old.

This pattern has simple instructions but is probably best suited

to a competent sewer as they are not overly detailed.

It comes in 2 lengths, as a top and as a dress.

I made the top, which is more like a dress.

I really loved the look of this pattern but when I made it I was not 100% happy with the result.

This is most likey due to my sewing and not the actual pattern :)

It was really quite wide and shapeless so I ended up

adding some ruched elastic to the sides to bring it in a little bit. 

 I will try this pattern again, making a couple more changes

that will suit both me and my daughter better.

I guess the beauty of making things yourself is it allows you to change things

and customise as you wish.

She had complained that the neck felt a little chokey so I will round it a bit more

at the front and I might also round the underarms a little more too.

To solve the width around the waist I might add a casing and enclose elastic all the way around.

We achieved the same result with a thick elastic belt today.

Linking up here.

Little Red Riding Hood Dress

Hello.

My girl needed some warmer school clothes.

The little red skivvy she wore yesterday is almost a 3/4 sleeve now.

I decided to make a jumper dress for her.

I took an ugly red boys jumper...

...and turned it into something a little bit special.

It reminds me of something Little Red Riding Hood would wear.

I used the Pink Fig Scrapbook Jeans & A Sweatshirt pattern.

I actually added 4 inches extra to the length to create more of a dress than a jumper.

I also joined it much higher up at the front. This is the 3rd jumper I have made with this pattern and I found that when making it the way the pattern suggests the jumper keeps slipping off at the shoulder.

The only request my daughter made in regards to the fabric choice was she wanted lovehearts.

I couldn't find any red and black fabric (school uniform colours) that had lovehearts,

except this fabric. It is sooo cute, perfect for a sewer.

There is little stick men with button heads, holding needles with thread.

I am really pleased with the result of this dress, and so is my girl.

She put it on this morning, even though she doesn't have school today.

At least I know she will be happy wearing it.

Linking up here.

Pretty Little Top from my Japanese Pattern Book

Hello.

I received the books I chose with my Amazon gift voucher the other day.

They definately don't disappoint.

I have completed the first project from this book.

I chose a top that has a crossover back. It is so pretty.

I have made a size 5 and have traced the pattern in a size 4.

This one is off to my facebook page and is now for sale. The size 4 will be kept for my girl.

The next project I have in mind is a long sleeved dress.
Here is a sneek peek.

See you when I'm done.

Linking up here.

A $3 Skirt and More Bargain Finds

Hello.

I wanted to share some of the great op shop finds I have made over the last couple of weeks.

This skirt would have to be one of my favourite things.

Just check out this pocket. I just love it!

I am going to try to copy it on one of the next skirts I make.

It has lovely ribbon edging around the pocket and such pretty embroidery around the bottom.

 A pretty skirt for $3

Then I found a cool boys shirt.

Not bad for $3 

For the first time I searched out sewing patterns at my local op shop and I found these ones.

I got the 3 patterns for $2

The PJ's (on the left) is size 2 and will perfectly suit my little one for next summer.

The skirt pattern is size 6. I don't have any one to fit it yet but I just LOVED it and couldn't not buy it. 

This t-shirt pattern I bought to use as a standard t-shirt. It is size 4-5-6

so I will get some use out of it with my 4 & 5 year old.

That's it for today.

I'll be sure to share any other finds from my op shop adventures soon.



Baby Shower Gifts Galore

Hello.

My best friends daughter is having a baby. I thought about what I could get her and it was obvious that it was going to be something I made.

This is what I ended up with.

The pattern I used for the top was Kwik Sew 3035.

Here and here are some other things I have made with this pattern.

I tried out a new technique - reverse applique.

I'm not sure if that is the technical term, but I think the result turned out how it should.

The top is made from poplin, cool for the summer.

Even with such thin fabric I couldn't manage a decent buttonhole with my machine.

I thought I'd stuffed up the top on the first buttonhole but I managed to unpick it without too much of a mess and decided to use press studs instead.

The pants are Rae's Big butt baby pants. I love this pattern.

Check out some other pants I made here and here.

We know a baby girl is on it's way so I just had to make a hair bow to match.

Let's hope she has enough hair to hold it :)

I also made up a dummy clip to match.

Then I made a couple of bibs,

and a travel wipe and nappy pouch.

I used this pattern and tutorial from Melissa Esplin.

Here is another one I made for myself.

And here is it all wrapped and ready to be given.

I hope she likes it ♥

I've been featured at Threading My Way

 

Lemon broderie anglaise top with cargo pants

Hello.

I made this little outfit up the other day.

I'm getting ready for the cooler weather with this little Burda pattern.

I really like this pattern, especially with this lovely lemon broderie anglaise fabric.

Using such a light weight material makes this top suitable for warm or cooler weather.

For the top I had to make the buttonloops by hand (as the pattern specifies) using a couple of loops of cotton covered with lots of little knots. This is easy enough except I found it a little hard to judge the size. I made them a little too big and the buttons keep popping open.

The pants are super cute. I love the little pockets, although you can't really see them using this fabric. A plain material would work better to notice the detail on the pants a little more. For the elastic casing at the cuff I firstly made it a little too tight, then I made it a little too loose. I am yet to fix it up to make it perfect, so i am just rolling the cuff up once to stop them from falling down over her feet.

I can't wait to try this pattern out again soon.

Another Summer Outfit For Baby

Hello.

I purchased a couple of new patterns the other day and used one of them to make this.

It was the Burda 9802. I was looking for a different style top for my baby and liked this pattern because it also offered the ruffle pants.  It was the first time sewing with a Burda pattern.

Hmmm...I have to say that Burda is not one of my favourite patterns  :-(

I prefer tops to have a lining/facing rather that use bias tape to edge the collar and armholes.

It makes for a neater finish.

I added black piping around the collar to tie in with the black pants.

I followed the pattern when sewing the pants but they just didn't match up.

The front pieces were about an inch shorter than the back pieces so I had to cut them down to make them even.

I made the pants out of black drill. I had this in my cupboard to make my son some school pants. After making these cute ruffle bloomers with it I now think that black drill is way better for boys school pants than a sweet baby girls outfit.



Of course I added a matching bow.



Nevertheless I still am happy with the overall result.

I think next time though I will make the pants with ruffles that match the pant fabric rather than having such a big contrast.