(sew)everyday notions

Any day now, I'm going to become an Aunty for the first time! It's all pretty exciting and of course I had to make something for him or her. A baby quilt is always a winner, it looks like you spent a lot of time & effort on it (which I guess I did!) but it's also practical - something to throw on the ground for tummy time, take for play dates, and of course keep for always as a keepsake. I still have a few quilts my mum made when I was a baby and they are very precious to me. I tried to pick fairly neutral colours, although the peach colour probably makes it look a bit more girly than I originally had planned. I then found this cute rainclouds print for the backing (organic cotton on sale for a great price) and decided to add a small pop into the front of the quilt too. I did a very random strip quilt pattern, just chopping different lengths & using the width of the fabric.To break up the strips, I sliced one long edge off, then just inverted and sewed it a...

A very practical toddler backpack that isn't covered in licensed cartoon characters is hard to find. So I made my own. I love the navy/orange combination & also the individuality of this bag (so you can't mistake it for anyone else's). Pattern: Penguin Backpack, Oliver +  S (obviously I didn't use the optional penguin styling pieces- although I think they are super cute). From Book Little Things to Sew Fabric: Navy-white stripe cotton canvas, IKEA. Lining, cotton chambray, Spotlight. (Both stash) Also used: High-vis neon orange bias binding (front stripe), orange travel strapping. White strap connectors. Navy plastic heavy duty zip. -Lincraft. Some notes: I found the Oliver + S book at my local library & traced the pattern. The directions were great & the bag came together very easily.  I added in a front hanging loop to make the bag easier to carry, and allow for less strain if there was just one hanging strap. Of course I end up carrying...

a perfect little clutch. take it by itself, with a wrist strap, or across body. fabric outter: chevron cotton duck, black upholstery canvas, scrap  leather lining: quilting cotton Shoes & bags. Yep they're my thing. But I can't make shoes, so bags it is! I love to carry around a big hold-it-all tote, but find my purse/keys/phone invariably get lost. This is the perfect sized clutch for those necessities. Take it by itself or throw in in the tote & you're good to go. I winged the construction, it's just a lined zippered bag (and there are about a thousand tutorials on the interwebs if you're looking for one. I saw a free patter n on Craftsy by Pattern Runway that looked good). A few notes: I sewed the chevron & black canvas pieces together first & top stitched either side of the seam. I then interfaced it as one piece (basting stitches around the edge) , and did a stich-in-the-ditch through the interfacing & canvas t...

I'll be the first to admit, I almost swooned when I saw Cirque du Bebe's Vogue 1247 top . The pattern, the fabric, the make. Perfect, no? I had to try it. I bought the pattern online via Vogue US ($6!, but then I had to pay shipping) because in the middle of the night there is nothing more satisfying than buying patterns while sitting in your pyjamas (perhaps why I love the indie patterns so much?). I read a lot of reviews & decided to jump straight in to make up a wearable muslin. The fabric is 100% printed polyester (OH THE SHAME). I didn't want to use a silk (things need to go in the washing machine in my house) and I wanted something drapier than linen. This fabric is very fluid and I do love the pattern, even if it is a Bit Crazy. As for the polyester, if I don't wear it on a blistering hot day then it's not too bad :) Some notes Pattern: Vogue 1247 top, Fabric: 1.8m printed polyester. 112cm wide. ($12.58) As per other reviews, I made a size ...

  I'm always impressed when I see someone's make with the word "self drafted" in the title. I'm good at following  pattern directions, but always get a bit sloppy when I have to pave the way myself. I've self drafted a few kids clothes, but never ladies so this was a little experiment with a happy ending. I do have the Sewaholic Saltspring pattern and originally thought about using it but I didn't think the gathers at the waist would work for this fabric.  For me, a maxi should be loose and flowing. I have a RTW maxi (Target, 2 yrs ago) that I liked the bodice of so I loosely copied it for this dress. I used a lovely ikat blue rayon from Spotlight. It has a lovely drape and is cool to wear. I used 2.5m and had to use a centre back seam to fit the pattern in. (So very little pattern matching too). A few more notes Front is self faced. I used some slight gathers in the top neckline to give some shape instead of darts. I cut the facing to fit ...

fabric - loose weave denim, spotlight pattern - maritime shorts, grainline studio I'm trying to take the time to sew the things I wear on a daily basis. And with a little boy to follow around all day, these Maritime Shorts from Grainline fit the bill easily. Like a few other sewers,  I had to adjust the centre back seam. After making a wearable muslin, I sewed a size 10 & changed the back pieces accordingly: took in approximately 2cm from the centre back seam added 2 darts, both in the centre of the two back pieces (approximately in the middle of where the top of the pockets sit). I made sure I didn't sew on the pockets until I could try the shorts on to fit. Both darts take in about a 1.5cm each. I then adjusted the length of the waistband to fit the changes made.  Because of the loose weave of this denim, I knew these shorts would stretch & loosen during wear. I usually wear a belt but I wanted to do something to keep the fit snug al...

two sleeveless archers. I love seeing all the appreciation for this great pattern. I wanted the challenge of making a button up, collared shirt & knew this pattern would be perfect to teach me some new techniques (inserting a yoke, collar, button band). I found the instructions so clear and simple. Here's my notes on both my makes. The first fabric: vintage thin cotton, ?double gauze? almost like a thin cheesecloth? From my stash (I think even stolen from my mums stash!). Buttons, thrifted. Pattern: Grainline Archer Cut: Size 10.   This is my first wearable Archer (first = quick muslin). It's a loose fit on me, but will be the perfect breezy top for our Australian summer. I followed Jen's instructions to shave a bit off the armholes to make a neater, sleeveless finish. I made view B, with the ruffles at the back. It really adds a lovely femininity to the top, and makes it that little bit longer so I can wear leggings with it. I added a sm...