Spring Sewing

Before I start the spring sewing I really need to finish (mmm and actually start) a spring clean of the house. That doesn't make for very interesting pictures so here are some piles on my cutting table.

Fabrics for Olive.

Patterns for all the girls. Sewing for the twins now involves serious negotiations on fabrics and patterns.

 I pulled out the muslin of Kwik Sew 3422 I made months ago and it isn't quite as bad as I remember.

 I'm testing the Negroni before I cut into the good fabric.

Upsized Giraffe

There has been progress on the giraffes. Now I just need a few days with no sick kids and a house cleaning fairy and I can write it up.

Lola

After seeing so many great Lola dresses around I made one. I printed it out a couple of weeks ago, but sticking it together can only be done at night now Olive spends her days destroying everything. I finally did it the other night. Organising the pattern took nearly as long as sewing it. It really is a great pattern, all the pieces fit perfectly, the explanations are clear and as it can all be done on the overlocker it is quite quick to make.

I used some  fabric I found on the clearance table at Spotlight, no idea what it is, I don't love it, but it was less than $5m, so great for trying a new pattern.

I love the big pockets on it, but not sure I'll use them, I think I would like to try and make one without the pockets or the band at the bottom.

This was my first time sewing a pattern from a Victory pattern, I really enjoyed it and I'd have no hesitation in trying another one.



 

Loft in Bridgetown

 How adorable is this little shop? We are so lucky in Bridgetown to have four very clever and creative people open Loft recently. It is filled with all sorts of beautiful handmade products.
I have a rather large wish list of things I need from there and it gets longer each time I go in there.

 

 A few of my quilts and  toys can be found in there including these little lap or cot quilts I dropped off today.

Little Granny Vest

I bought this pattern the moment I saw it. So completely gorgeous and a great use for all the little bits of dk weight yarn I have.

I think this is my first crocheted garment and I am pretty happy with it. It did take me a couple of goes to get the top the right size as my initial chain was too tight and I couldn't get it over her head, but once I had that sorted (loose chain with large hook) it was pretty easy and finished in  couple of nights. The rest of the details on ravelry.

 I love it when babies start doing the actions to songs. We all spend a lot of time singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for her.

Bits and Pieces

It's cold, I can't seem to knit socks fast enough. One done, one to go.

Some of Eva's dolls are freezing at night. Apparently they really needed a new quilt.

I know I have promised people a giraffe pattern for about 3 years. I have made a start.

Sails on the Harbour

My Sails on the Harbour pattern which was in Homespun magazine earlier this year is now available as a PDF download in my shop, on Craftsy and on Etsy.

While I was pattern writing this weekend and chained to my computer I finally made all my patterns on Etsy instantly downloadable!

Navy Smock

I don't think the girls could ever have enough smock dresses in their cupboard especially ones with pockets. Luckily Grace agrees.

The pattern is from this Japanese book. ISBN: 978-4-529-04894-1.

 

I used some of the cotton I bought in Bali which has a beautiful feel to it. Almost silk like.

 This ribbon came from an Etsy bargain a while ago. I think I got 5m for a couple of dollars. I added some to the pockets as I put them in and some to the top of the front and back before it was hemmed.

The sun came out this morning so we could take a few pictures and then sit and enjoy it after the week of rain and cold.

Kwik Sew 2568

I saw this velveteen in Spotlight recently and knew I needed to make some overalls for Olive in it. It really does make the most perfect baby overalls!

 I used Kwik Sew 2568 which I think it out of print now. Like all Kwik Sew patterns the instructions were very clear and it went together very easily.
Just one small problem. I made the 6-12 month size and it is huge on Olive, who is 10 1/2 months old.

She really does need new clothes at the moment so I cut out a 3-6m size in some spotty corduroy and they fit perfectly. I could probably move the buttons a couple of cms as it is still a little big on the top.

 

 The vintage dress pattern obsession has spread to blouses (such a great word, up there with frock I think). How good would these be in Liberty?

Crochet Basket

 I have been wanting to try crocheting with fabric for ages, especially with jelly rolls and 2 1/2" strips as I seem to have quite a collection of them and a big tub full of scraps.

The main reason it has taken me this long to try using jelly rolls for crochet was joining them. I really didn't want lots of big knots, but last week I found this tutorial. A brilliant way of joining fabric! 

Before I joined them I cut each strip in half until about an inch before the end so all the fabric was about 1 1/4" wide, then I joined them and rolled it all into a ball. Using an 10mm hook  I followed this rag rug tutorial as a starting point and when the base was wide enough I stopped increasing and started the sides. I used 37 strips to make this basket. When I finished I turned it inside out as I think it has a better shape.

Offset Wraplan

All of a sudden Olive seems to have grown and is needing new clothes. I've had some Rowan cotton glace in my stash for ages in the most perfect aqua colour. After seeing these two cardigans I knew I needed to make one.

I love the feel of a cotton cardigan and it will be fantastic all summer, but it shows every little bit of my uneven knitting and it twisted quite a lot while I knitted it.

It did seem a little out of proportion while I knitted it, but it wasn't until the end I realized the measurements for the body were meant to be taken from under the arm not the top where you cast on. It pays to not only read the instructions but also look at the schematic. Oh well, it is big around the body and  bit short, but wearable and will be great over dresses as it gets warmer.

The rest of the details on ravelry.

        



Liberty and Kaffe

I have quite a few unfinished quilt tops stashed away so I think I need to implement the same rule for quilts as I have for knitting. I can only start something new when I totally finish something else. So the first one finished is this one I made a few months ago with some favourite bits of  Liberty and some Kaffe Fassett shot cottons. I have already basted a couple more ready for quilting so I can start planning something new!

Leaves and Flowers Cot Quilt

I love these leaf and flower fabrics by Timeless Treasures. I thought they would be perfect in a little quilt. I used my Fat Quarter Baby Quilt Tutorial which is a great way to use up some of your stash of fat quarters (because who doesn't have a stash of them??).