Quilt Market 1

I'm Back from Quilt Market and I had the best time. I saw old friends, made new ones and marvelled at the clever and talented people out there. It was so overwhelming at times I forgot to take photos but  here are some I did take.
Something new coming from Amy Barickman from Indygo Junction - perfect for left over jelly roll scraps.

Melly's very cute softies.

So excited to see the work of Sue Daley up close! (I learnt to paper piece from her excellent online videos).

No words to describe the awesomeness of these two, Peta and Jodie.

Sandi the Craft Planner having a rest in Heather Jones' booth.

The wonderful Karen Johnson from Martingale.

In love with this quilt using Riley Blake confetti solids.

I've made two dresses in the past few weeks using Robert Kaufman chambray - I couldn't love it more.

Love these fish by No Hats in The House, I've already downloaded the pattern!

The amazingly clever and lovely Jen Kingwell.

This cow by Laura Heine.

Archer Button Up Shirt Dress

Cotton lawn is one of my favourite fabrics to sew with and this Cotton and Steel lawn was on its way to me as soon as I saw it. I think the print is called Macarame and I could not love it more. I knew it needed to be a shirt dress, but I was finding it hard to choose which one to use.

Last week I wore the Grainline Archer Shirt I made last year. It appears I never blogged it so here it is. I altered the sleeves and did an FBA last year so I knew all I would have to do was to add some length and maybe make it a little more A-line and I would have a shirt dress that would fit so that is what I did.

I think I added 8-9 inches to the length and it's perfect for winter with leggings and boots.

Paper Pieced Feathers

I lost my quilting major for a while, but I think it is back. I've set aside some time each morning the last few days for piecing.
This paper pieced feather is by the Sometimes Crafter.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them, but I'm having fun making them.

An economy block using a scrap of the Cotton and Steel tiger fabric.

I don't think you can have too many tunic dresses at this time of the year, especially chambray ones. I modified the Stylearc Olivia dress so the back and front are one piece and I removed the waist elastic and made a tie instead. So quick to make and so comfortable to wear. I have already cut another out from some Cotton and Steel rayon.

Stylearc Maddison Top

I made most of the Stylearc Maddison top last week and after I tried it on it got thrown in the corner to be dealt with later. I made my normal Stylearc size, but it was huge and shapeless. I rescued it yesterday and took it in quite a bit on each side. I needed to do some unpicking and redo the dart as there wasn't much of it left after I took the sides in. I used some ponte from the clearance table at Spotlight. I am glad I had another look at it as I really love it now. It is comfortable and has some shape and I know that I will wear it a lot.

Fen Dress

I didn't take much notice of the Fen Pattern by Fancy Tiger Crafts when it cam out, I wasn't convinced that a dress with a gathered skirt could look any good without a zip, but I suddenly decided I had to try it last week and I was pleasantly surprised. I think it was the pockets that pushed me to try it, I do love pockets in a dress. I think I have made the perfect winter tunic to go with boots and a cardi.
I was in between sizes and decided to size down which I am glad I did, it is a perfect fit. I used cotton poplin from Spotlight (I can't go past fabric that looks like a quilt block). I think it would also be great in a lawn, gauze, linen or rayon.

The sleeves were a little too big for me so after I made it I chopped them off, the pencil line below shows how much I took off. The only other alteration was to cut off 3 1/2" from the hem to make it tunic length.

I am so glad I decided to try this pattern. I'm wearing it today and am going to search the stash for fabric for another one. 

Style Arc Olivia

The Style Arc Olivia dress. 

Love this dress, it's perfect to wear with a cardigan and boots.

As always I glanced at the instructions and did it my way. The only alteration I made was to shorten it by about 3 1/2". Next time I might remove the elastic and make a belt that ties so it is more like Butterick 5211. I used rayon from Spotlight which is perfect for this pattern. I'm glad I have more stashed away to make another one.

McCalls 7120 Tunic

After the success of yesterdays McCall's 7120 apron dress I immediately drafted a tunic pattern to fit fabric 110cm wide so I could use this beautiful piece of Japanese cotton from Tessuti.

The original pattern piece was a slightly different shape, but the great thing about a pattern this shape is that you can sew the shoulder and side seams, try it on and adjust it until it is just right.
Once again the curve out starts right under the bust dart. The bottom side parts are not joined, but are hemmed and then the bottom is hemmed. I used a packet of bias binding for the neck and arms. This was very quick and easy to sew. I probably have enough tunics like this in my wardrobe, but I'm keeping the pattern in my 'to sew' pile in case I suddenly need another one.

McCalls 7120 Apron Dress

As soon as the weather starts to call down all I want to wear are leggings and tunics. They are so comfortable to wear around the house and decent enough to wear out of it. I've eyed off apron dresses for a while and there are some lovely ones in Japanese sewing books, but unfortunately those patterns  are just not going to fit me so the other day I decided to make one using a basic dress pattern.

                  

I went with McCalls 7120 as it had a neckline I liked and a dart for some shape. 

I made a muslin of the original pattern first and tried it on. I used a sharpie to draw where I thought it should curve out, which was right under the dart on the front. I then laid it out on some cheap non fusible interfacing and drew a curve out. You can see the shape I drew below.
I then redrew the back piece using the front as a guide. I wanted to make the 'wings' long enough so I made them quite long and cut them back to where I wanted it after I tried it on. I hemmed the wings before I hemmed the bottom and I made bias binding for the neck and armholes.
I was originally going to use some beautiful Japanese cotton from Tessuti but it is only 115cm wide and I just couldn't make it work so I used some light denim that was 150cm wide and made a band at the bottom using a few scraps.

                  

I made some ties and added them at the centre of the side hems so it can tie at the front or back.

It's not often an idea in my head translates to real life so I am excited that this worked. It is the exact shape I wanted. McCalls 7120 is one of those great patterns that you can use as a base for altering into different shapes. I can see myself using it for a few more dresses and tunics. 

Simplicity 8101

I couldn't resist Simplicity 8101 when I saw it. I knew that Olive needed a couple and when I asked my niece, who was visiting, if she wanted one she she said "Yes please! In pink!".

I used quilting cotton for all of it, including the bias binding. 

I had a quick look at the instructions and then kind of followed them and kind of did things my own way. I cut a size 3 which fit both girls (they are 3 1/2) but I probably should have cut a size 4 so it fits for longer. The arms seemed a little tight so I made them a bit bigger (all I had to do was sew the side seam a bit shorter).

This has gone home with my happy niece and Olive is just choosing some fabric for hers. 

           

                    

Jalie 2679

My girls are outdoor jacket and jeans girls during winter, but finding jackets they like is becoming harder (and more expensive).  I knew they would love Jalie 2679, but finding the right fabric was going to be tricky. A lot of the jackets in Mountain Designs and Kathmandu are made from soft shell fabric which I could not find anywhere in Australia (please let me know if there is anywhere I can get it!).

Thanks to Google I discovered a place to buy yardage of all sorts of polartec fabric. Rocky Woods also seems to have some interesting fabric. The only problem with these two places is the cost of postage from the US. Then I found soft shell fabrics at UK Fabrics Online. I think I ordered 4m of soft shell fabric and some mesh for the pocket lining and the postage was only 7 1/2 pounds. 

I chose fabric that was blue on one side and black on the other so I chose some black and some blue to be on the outside. I managed to cut all the pieces from 1m of fabric. It was't hard to sew, but you can't press it and it doesn't stay flat so all the seams need to be topstitched. I traced a size O to fit an 11 yr old. There is plenty of room to wear it over a fleecy jumper. I think the arms are too big, but Milly likes them like this.

The only really tricky part of the pattern were the pocket zips, but Jalie patterns have great illustrations and after putting in two I think I've got the hang of it. 

I used mesh I bought from the same place for the pocket lining.

I am really impressed with this pattern, it was really nice to sew and I am so happy to have made a water and wind repellant jacket for a fraction of what it would cost to buy one. 

The other three all want one so I'll definitely be making more and I might have to make one for myself. 

Bootstrap Fashion Shirt Dress

I can't seem to say no to a shirt dress pattern and when I saw this one on Bootstrap Fashion I ordered it, printed it and found some fabric immediately. I made a quick muslin and I couldn't believe how well it fit. I think the only alteration was to shorten the sleeves a little and take a tiny bit off the waist. I don't really like pockets with flaps so I used the pockets from the Grainline Archer shirt. There were no markings to show where to place the pockets so I had a guess and I think they are ok. 

I only did a muslin of the top of the sleeve, which was a bit of a mistake as the bottom of it and the cuff are quick large. If they are annoying when I wear it I will just roll them up (I added the tabs and buttons to roll them up).

If you are a beginner sewer or have never made a shirt then this pattern is not for you. I glanced through the brief instructions and then did everything my own way.
It has you cut one yoke, but every shirt I made has had two so I cut an extra and attached them with the 'burrito' method. I could not make out the placket instructions or how the pieces work at all so I used the placket from the Negroni shirt I just made Chris. I used the collar tutorial from Four Square Walls.
It looked ok in the mirror, but I can see a few sleeve issues here, but if I made it again I might need to have a look at how the sleeves fit.

I used a cotton chambray from Textile Traders which was a dream to sew. I really like this dress and this pattern. I think it will get a lot of wear in winter. And now I've had success with one pattern from Bootstrap patterns I'll definitely be trying more. I am very tempted to have a go at one of the jeans patterns.

             

Liberty Negroni Shirt

I bought this Liberty lawn on a whim from Shaukat a few years ago hoping that Chris might wear it. He wasn't convinced when I showed him, so it sat in the stash for a while. After the success of the Storm Trooper Negroni I thought I would make another Negroni with the Liberty. I didn't even bother trying to pattern match, I only had 2m and it was going to be impossible so I just laid out the pieces and cut. 

He has tried it on and it's in the cupboard with his other good shirts so I think that's a win. 

    

Soaring Eagles in Quilters Companion

Look what is in the newest Quilters Companion - my Soaring Eagles quilt!

                  

And if you get yourself a copy you can find out how to win a copy of Striking Strip Quilts.

  

                                

Kwik Sew 3527

The onesies I made last year are finally too small and Olive requested a new one in pink Hello Kitty fabric. I can't say I like sewing with this fleecy fabric, but all the girls love it and now the weather is cooling down they will wear onesies  every night. 

I used Kwik Sew 3527 again. Both the Kwik Sew onesie patterns I've made are great, excellent instructions and quite quick and easy to make. 

Vogue 1528

My needle case is about 15 years old and is showing its age so I thought I'd make a new one today. I bought Vogue 1528 off eBay a while ago. I bought it for the jewellery roll and cosmetic bags, the little sewing case was a bonus. I used scraps of Alison Glass Handcrafted fabric that was left over from making the Planets quilt in Striking Strip Quilts.
It wasn't hard to make and didn't take too long, but I did have to read the instructions to work out what pieces to cut as it wasn't marked on the pattern pieces. I think the elastic for the pocket pieces was a little short so it's pulling the whole case inwards and it won't lay shut. If I make another one I would change that, but other than that it went together perfectly.

Jelly Roll Pouches

A great way to use jelly roll scraps and batting scraps is to make little Quilt-As-You-Go pouches. They are such a quick little project, perfect when you have an hour or so free.

Indygo Junction Apron

The only problem with sewing so much is constantly being covered in threads and fluff. A sewing apron seemed like a great idea, I don't know why it's taken me so long to make one.

I made my sisters' aprons for Christmas, but the largest size on that pattern was way too small for me and I knew it would take time to alter it so I was excited when Indigo Junction sent me their Crossback Reversible Apron pattern.

I used a Kaufman linen blend for the outside and a quilting cotton from Windham Fabrics for the lining (a great Textile Traders find). I cut a L/XL and the only change I made was to add side seams. The pattern is cut in one big piece on the fold, but as I was using directional fabric for the lining I wanted the pattern going down the apron. This was easy to do and after the pieces were joined I just continued with the instructions as written.

This was a very quick to sew and I am really happy with it. It's easy to take on and off, the pockets are a great size and I love this grey linen. The other great thing about this pattern is the sizing, the largest size can fit up to a 54" bust and there are three children's sizes which I'm sure I'll be trying out soon.

Full Disclosure: I received a copy of the pattern from Indygo Junction free of charge. All opinions are my own.

Sewing for Milly and Olive

There has been a lot of quilt sewing lately, but I have managed a few a couple of the girls over the last few weeks.
First up was a jumpsuit for Milly.
This is the Satya Romper, it's a great pattern for older girls, it has no frills and she likes the pockets on the front. I didn't get a picture of the back, but it is a little loose so I'd make the elastic a little tighter and the straps a little shorter next time. I uses some plaid seersucker from spotlight which I did not even attempt to match, but I don't think anyone other than a sewer would notice.

Second was some new shorts from Olive.
These are the Fawn Shorts by Violette Field Threads. These are very cute and not hard to make. Great for summer and also for winter with tights underneath.

Third was a blouse for Olive.
This is Burda 9491 in some Cloud 9 voile from Spotlight. i love this pattern and how you make the pin tuck section first and then cut out the pattern pieces from it. I did have some problem fitting the front pieces together, but it was probably me and my at times lazy approach to seam width.