Anita Bag? I Think Sew!

I was so excited to be chosen as a pattern tester for the gorgeous Anita Bag by ithinksew. Here is my version:

I chose a heavy weight fabric from my local fabric store that suits my current favourite wardrobe combination and complimented it with a plain quilter's cotton for the lining. I was lucky enough to find the lilac coloured handles in another local sewing supplies store that set this bag off just perfectly. I chose the zippered pouch option for the internal pocket and used the main fabric as the pocket lining. This is a quite a large bag, the biggest I've made in fact - it measures 42cm wide by 34cm high. It is perfect for trips out with my 3 year old daughter Cheriese, as it is big enough to hold a spare outfit, wipes for sticky hands, both our drink bottles, reusable shopping bags, purse, keys, phone, notebook and even a light cardigan or two! The pattern is very easy to follow with each step explained in detail with lots of photos to show you the way. The curved gusset and pointed shape of the sides are slightly more fiddly then a bag with a flat shape, but still manageable for a beginner willing to take a little extra time.

My only problem now is trying to decide what pattern I want to buy for myself next, I'm thinking one of the adorable clutch patterns would suit me to a T!

Natalie

xx

Across the Story Bridge....

I love Book Week. It takes me back to when I was younger and dressing up in something that my mum had made for either myself or my sister and getting to parade around with all the other excited children. The costume I most remember was a colonial dress that my mum originally made for my older sister, I couldn't wait to grow taller so that I too could one day wear that special dress for my own book week character. I know there are some traditions that have gotten lost along the years, but I'm very thankful that Book Week hasn't been one of them.


This year's theme was "Across the Story Bridge" which was interpreted as being any story book character. Jai showed how similar he is to his big brother and wanted to dress up as Rascal from Paul Jennings "Rascal the Dragon" series. This is the same character Jordan chose for his own very first book week years ago. I followed a basic Burda pattern for the pull on pants and my trusty Burda hooded top pattern for the top (the one I used for Jordan's last top blogged here). I sewed the spikes down the centre of the hood and also in the seam I added into the middle of the back pattern. The tail is a separate piece which I attached to a belt I made so that he could take it off if he wanted too (but he didn't). The wings are also removable, they attach to a button in the middle of the back and then have an elastic wrist band. Seeing Jai love this costume so much was the best reward for all the time I spent sewing it - he barely took it off after the days that followed.


Jordan took a bit longer to decide who to go as, I think it's harder for the older ones as they don't want to choose a character that is seen as being 'babyish'. Around a week before the big event, I walked into Jordan's room to see him reading Roald Dahl's book "The Twits" and I mentioned that Mr Twit could be a good option (Jordan had previously rejected my earlier suggestions of 'Captain Underpants' or David from "The Fire Within") Jordan thankfully thought this was a good idea so off to the op shop we went in search of a suit and then I bought the wig from Spotlight and made the beard from wool and some off cuts of the wig as it was originally too long.

I got off quite lightly for Jordan's costume, the only sewing was attaching the elastic to the felt base for the beard and some hand sewing to hem up the pants!

Here is Jordan's very first book week in the Rascal dress up I made for him. Gosh, that was so long ago now, I didn't even own a sewing machine. I bought the top and pants (I remember orange being quite the "In" colour back then). The tail is all hand sewn and I ended up buying fairy wings and spray painting them and adding the spikes down the middle. Interesting to see how far I've come in 5 years!

Hee hee, he was quite the poser back then!

Natalie
xx

Kids Clothes Week - wrap up post

I just realised that I've had this post as a draft, I just needed to add in a photo of the top I made for Jordan - all done and have finally been able to hit 'post'!.........

Yes I know that the Kids Clothes week was AGES ago, I am in catch up mode here - I just can't seem to find the time to blog lately!

In the end I didn't get as many items made as I really wanted to. I was off to a great start, but at the end of the week was my birthday, so I was spending one of my afternoons having a lovely lunch with my close friends, dinners out and then a weekend with my family.

I did get some another pattern traced off - two long sleeved hooded tops for my boys. I used Burda pattern 9664. Jordan was first as he seems to miss out from my sewing lately. He chose the fabrics from my stash and we flicked through some magazines for applique inspiration. In the end he wanted the skateboarder from Ottobre 1/2008.

I have some modelled photos, Jordan chose to wear this top for his birthday party with all our family, so will show those in my next post as it will end up being a bit photo heavy!

I have Jai's size traced off, just need to let him choose the fabrics and applique. I haven't been in a big rush as he has quite a lot of clothes at the moment. I was tidying up my walk in robe and found a vacuum bag of Jordan's old clothes that will fit Jai now. It is always nice to have new things though and I love how much my boys appreciate the clothes I make for them.

Natalie xx

Make it Perfect Giveaway!

Ooooh look at this new adorable pattern by Toni from Make it Perfect

If you want to have a chance to win a copy for yourself, head over here..... actually on second thought, please don't as I really want it all to myself ;)

Natalie
xx

Kids Clothes Week - Day 3

After braving Spotlight with 5 children (my three, plus my niece and nephew) I was able to get the much needed elastic required to finish off Cheriese's skirt that I had been sewing yesterday afternoon.
It is from Ottobre 4/2007, design #4. I made a size 86cm which I think is a great fit for now and also has enough length to last the year too.

Cheriese loves it and was happy to show off her new outfit's versatility.

It's great for pondering what she wants to play on in our backyard that closely resembles the local park
It's great for jumping on the trampoline
Even great for dinosaur loaded sandpits
Also great for playing with the sand
and most of all, perfect for blowing kisses in.
Seeing something you have made being enjoyed in this way is just one of the best feelings!
Now to work out what to make for my boys, so far I've spent my hour today taking both Jordan and Jai's new measurements (they both really have grown!) and flipping through my Ottobre magazines trying to decide what top to pick for them first. Planning on doing some tracing and cutting out tonight, so fingers crossed I have some progress photos tomorrow.

Natalie
xx

Kids Clothes Week - Day 2

I'm happy to report that I have a finished top!

This pattern came together so quickly - I didn't even have to use my unpicker once! This is a record for me. I did change the method of attaching the neckline binding though. I have previously used another Ottobre pattern that called for sewing the sleeves to the front and then one of the sleeves to the back, attaching the neckline binding and then sewing the back to the remaining sleeve. I found this so fiddly and hard to get this seam even and didn't think it looked nice. So I attached the binding for this top in the same way I would with my other patterns by attaching the sleeves to the front and the back and then sewing the neckline binding into a circle and stitching it, folding it over thus enclosing the neck edge and doing two rows of top-stitching to finish it off. I remember when I first started sewing I would try to follow the instructions to the letter and often found it a lot harder, but now I'm finding the confidence to do things my own way.

The only shame about this top is that it is just fitting her now, I made a size 86 but should probably use a 92 from now on...... my little girl is growing up.



Close up of the decorative flower hem edging, been wanting to branch out and start to use some of the 100 odd different stitches I have.
Here she is showing off her latest 'artwork'
good thing it is on the new door that hasn't been painted yet.... sigh......

I have her skirt all ready to sew up, but that will have to wait until later this evening or will be tomorrow's afternoon project.

There's also still 2 spots free if you would like to be part of my Pay It Forward too.

Natalie
xx

Kids Clothes Week - Day 1

I am so excited about this week and am hoping that the 1 hour a day becomes a habit as I've really missed my regular sewing time. Last night I traced off a skirt pattern that I have wanted to make since I first saw it - it is from Ottobre 4/2007, design #4. I've chosen a pretty floral pattern drill with a solid pink cotton for the apron part instead of the cord fabric the pattern called for as I didn't have any complimentary cord fabrics. I really want to use up as much fabric as I can for this challenge and will try to only buy things like matching threads and elastic as needed. To go with the skirt I've chosen a top from Ottobre 6/2008, design #3 "Elly" raglan-sleeve blouse. I have some nice dusty pink knit that is a perfect match to the pink florals in the skirt fabric.

Can't wait for Cheriese's afternoon nap today so I can start sewing!

Natalie
xx

A 2nd birthday for my little miss

Hard to believe that one of the most amazing days of my life happened 2 years ago already! My sweet little Cheriese seems to have gone from baby, to toddler, to a true "little miss" in the blink of an eye (ok, well maybe two blinks!) We did things a bit backwards this year, as we decided to have a small party for her with just our immediate family the weekend before her birthday, with a special day just for us on her actual birthday the Thursday after. I am going to have a little tea party for her with a couple of my closest friends when I get back from holidays (reminder to self, send those invites out!!!)

Here's a few photos of Cheriese in her party dress. I could've made 5 dresses in the time it took me to pick a pattern and the 'just the right' fabric for her dress, but decided on a Spotlight "Get Creative" pattern I had in my collection - it is called "Little Girls Summer Dress" you can see a photo of it here. The fabric is a pretty floral cotton that had little silver shimmery threads through it to give it just the right touch of sheen. This is a fully lined dress, with a gathering of soft bridal tulle between the skirts layers to give it a sweet touch of fullness. I found the side zip to be very painful, but go there in the end (after countless attempts!)




I 'cheated' with her cake design and re-used my idea from the cup cake tower I made for my friend's baby shower. I love these towers, very nice and easy!
Of course the best thing about cupcakes is eating them!

We even got a very rare photo of both Steve and I together with our little party princess!

For her birthday we bought her a doll house and Jordan and Jai got to give her a prety gift box set filled with furniture and also a set of wooden dolls.


So far it's hard to work out which of my three little darlings enjoy playing with it the most!

The day was then spent with a picnic at the park, feeding the ducks and a big play on the playground.

Special "Thanks" and credit goes to Jordan for taking this photo, I just love it as I don't have many photos with me in front of the camera lately!

To my dear sweet Cheriese, Happy birthday darling - I hope you enjoyed your special day and thank you so much for bringing so much joy to our lives!

Natalie xx

Christmas in February

Yes I know, how terrible is it that I'm about to post my Christmas photos in February!!! Life has been so hectic here - Jai started reception this year and for the first two weeks and every Wednesday of the first term he finishes at 12:30pm, so I feel like I've just been spending my time running to and from the school, and trying to fit in all the other 'mum stuff' like food shopping, cooking, cleaning, playing, homework etc etc in between. Hoping that things will start to settle down now that Jai has 4 full days at school, I might even find a bit of my old routine, yay!!!!

So without any further ado, finally here's some photos from Christmas.....

Photo taken in front of the tree, I had to use the flash as they got up so early and it was still dark out!

I wanted to include more handmade elements to the present lists this year, I didn't get as many made as I wanted to do, but was happy with what I did make. Each of my three love drawing, so I followed the tutorial by One Red Robin for their drawing folders - Blue for Jordan, Yellow for Jai and Pink for Cheriese

I searched everywhere for an older style pram for Cheriese, either wooden or cane and found this one in an op-shop for the bargain price of $10!!! Steve touched it up with some pink paint, a few flowers stickers and then I re-made the mattress insert. I didn't need to make a new quilt for it as the one I received from Mands from one of the EB Doll quilt swaps fits perfectly and looks adorable in it!

Thankfully it's good and sturdy, Cheriese spends more time in it instead of her 'babies'

I think they liked the rest of their presents too.....

Jai with his DS, the only thing he asked Santa for, I love the shocked look on his face!

Jordan's present from Santa was an off-road RC car

They are both crazy over Star Wars lego!


Cheriese tired for awhile to fit in to her new doll's highchair and finally settled to give Sweetie-belle breakfast!

For Cheriese's Christmas dress, I used the Miss Lilly pattern from "The Handmade Dress" again - it is the same one I used for her 1st birthday dress. I really love this pattern and this second one came together even easier and quicker than the first one. I found the fabric in the quilting section at Spotlight, even better it had been reduced from $15 to $5 per metre!!!

Learning to accessorise early!

I ran out of time to make the boys' shirts this year. I was a bit sad about this as I've made them their outfits every year since I started sewing. But thankfully I found these ones in Pumpkin patch, in their right size and with the green and purple checks they matched in with their little sister's dress too.

The big day itself was just perfect, presents and breakfast at home - then off to Steve's parents for a big family lunch, and the afternoon was spent splashing about in the pool. It was so relaxing, we even stayed an extra couple of days!

I will be aiming for more handmade gifts for this year already have lots of ideas. Hmmmm think I'd better make a list and get started so I will be nice and organised for next Christmas!

Thanks for looking,
Natalie
xx