Swingset Tunic

Sometimes I look past a pattern many times, not really interested and then for one reason for another I see the same pattern on another day and it becomes a "must have".  That's what happened with the Oliver+S Swingset Tunic.

I had this green fabric in the stash and wasn't entirely sure what to do with it until one day inspiration struck.  I find it's been a great top for Summer but it also works really well layered with a long sleeve top and leggings for during Winter. It looks great on Freya, but unfortunately I don't have any shots of her wearing it.

I wouldn't say it was the easiest top I've ever put together.  There was one particular bit with the placket where I wasn't 100% sure I was doing the right thing and I checked a tutorial online.  Luckily I was on the right track anyway and it all went together very smoothly after that.  I think the next time I make it will be much easier.

I used some snaps in the back and the colour matched pretty closely.  In the end the fabric was definitely the right choice for this pattern and I think I will get a lot of use out of this top.

Bohemian Babydoll

I have been following the designer Elegance and Elephants for a while.  I have nearly all of her pattern and I'm always pleased with the results.

During a break this weekend I decided to give her latest pattern the Bohemian Babydoll dress a try.  

I must admit I am not usually a person who likes ruffles so I left them off and just sewed the sleeveless version.  I also figured this would be easier for layering during winter.  I've had this fabric laying around for around a year now and really thought it could fit this pattern well.

I was really pleased with the results.  I was a bit worried while sewing it that it wouldn't fit over Freya's giant head and as she was asleep I couldn't check but I carried on regardless.  Thank goodness it did fit when I checked in the morning.  There are no buttonholes, zips or button loops on this pattern which certainly added to the allure.  I think I have three dresses finished at the moment just waiting for snaps and buttons.

I was also really pleased with my top stitching on this dress.

It has a slight low-high hem which I usually avoid but I loved the curve on the bodice.  It looks really cute on Little Miss.  I think it's going to be great with some leggings and a long sleeve top underneath. I did make a slight change to the pattern.  I decided the way she had explained how to do the armholes seemed a bit fiddly.  Instead I used the way Rae described when lining a washi dress (there's a video tutorial on her website) and it worked perfectly.  I also used the lazy way to put the bodice and the dress together, sewing them together and the serging the seam.  In the future when I have more time I'd like to spend more time lining it properly.

I liked it so much and it was such a quick and easy sew I made one the next day too.

I must admit I don't usually like big, character prints but I've always had a soft spot for where the wild things are so when I saw this fabric I bought a couple of metres with no real project in mind.  I love how it turned out.

So this is definitely a new favourite pattern for me.  I'm already thinking of sewing some up for some gifts and planning my next version.  I think for my next one though I might try using the hem facing on the outside as a contrast band on the bottom.  Watch this space.

Heidi and Finn Pintuck Blouse.

As soon as this pattern cropped up on my Facebook News feed I was hanging out for it to be available.  It is a nice simple top or dress which can have either short or long sleeves with a row of pintucks on the front.
There's something about the simplicity of this top and yet it looks so effective.  I'd recently been to a quilt shop in Geelong where I'd bought a metre of "I love to Read" by Alexander Fabrics Collection.

It was one of those purchases with no particular pattern in mind but I knew I wanted it.  Dogs and cats reading, how could I resist?

My original idea was to make my own binding to match but while I was sewing it up and came to think a nice contrast might just finish it off nicely.  After viewing the finished product I think it was the right choice.

It's a bit big but since I am trying to preempt the next growth spurt and be a bit prepared for winter I really don't mind.

The pattern went together quite quickly and easily.  There aren't any actual lines on the pattern pieces for the pintucks like I might have expected but the clear instructions make them so easy to do.

I really like this pattern and can see many more versions in my future sewing plans.  A great pattern for winter and summer.

Hello

So after spending a lot of time reading other blogs I have decided to take the plunge and start my own (gulp!). In this blog I will be mostly featuring my sewing projects but will include some posts about other pursuits as well.  I will try my best with my photos but please forgive me if you happen to see some dirty dishes in the background here and there.  Children and crafty pursuits often seem to take precedence around these parts.