(sew)everyday notions

Jeans in June ! And they're the Jamie Jeans by Named Patterns . That's a lot of J's. Where to start? I think it was a previous season of Project Sewn and I kept seeing these jeans pop up in the competition. Prior to this my thoughts were "Jeans - why would I EVER sew them?". Suddenly, it was " Why WOULDN'T I sew Jeans?". Just like the first Archer shirt I made (collar! buttons!) I was a bit intimidated. But then I sat down at my machine, took it step by step and I'm so happy with the result. But the twist? Well, my waistline isn't quite as trim as it was. And won't be for the next 9 months (give or take). yep, that's a baby bump! I'd cut these jeans out earlier this year, but the weather was too hot in sunny Qld I just couldn't bring myself to sew them, let alone wear them. So they sat in the UFO pile. And then the weather chilled down, and all my other pants are beginning to... ahem... feel a bit tight. So what co...

a peachy tee pattern: grainline studio hemlock tee fabric: peachy merino knit, the fabric store (bris) my new fav tee. this really is a great little make, perfect & slouchy for our autumn days. Much has been said about the free, one-sized pattern (and it's pretty much all good!). The only changes I made were to slightly shorten the sleeves (10cm?) and I still roll them to elbow length. I also used more of a bias-binding sort of neck binding. I like the neater finish with this fabric. (i sort of followed this tutorial by Made By Rae ). the merino I think is an absolute match-made-in-sewing-heaven for this shirt. I'd made a muslin with a stretchier knit and it's just too big after awhile. this, though = perfection to sew & press, and gives a great drape. i kinda need one in every colour, yes?

pattern / papercut patterns sloppy josephine tee fabric /  dark navy tissue knit , the fabric store, (bris) i'm kinda raglan everything at the moment. i love the look. This tee is the one I reach for everyday. with a cute skirt, shorts, jeans. It's pretty easy to do life in it. the first of many! a few notes i cut a size small tissue knits. yeah there were a few choice words. I found Jen's suggestions in her tissue knit hemlock tutorial great (especially for the neck band). I staystitched the neckline to avoid too much stretch. Next time I will take ?3cm out of the centre front & back seams. This top does start to fall off my shoulders (which is just a personal preference that I'd prefer it not to). I try & wear a sports bra underneath because bra straps are visible. (also, a bit see through?) the sleeves: I JUST LOVE THEM. they really are the perfect length & the band is a great touch. This was my first knit make with my new overlock...

My sleeveless Archer... Third version! This has a be a TNT now!? Pattern: Grainline Studio Archer shirt, View A, sleeveless mod. Fabric: 100% cotton navy/white gingham, spotlight. I have had this lovely 100% cotton gingham (plaid? What's the difference?). I have quite a bit of it, always planning for a winter long-sleeve archer, but then decided to sneak in a sleeveless version too.  Pretty similar to my previous makes , but this time Used view A- the straight back. Lengthened & curved the hem a bit more (this is a great top to throw on over leggings & I wanted the extra length. Stripe matching was... Mostly successful. I think next time ill do a bias button front just to give myself less of a headache! Viva la Archer!

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...