Look, no black!

I got some really great (and cheap) cotton plaid fabrics on Friday night so I spent a couple of hours today sewing. I managed to make a couple of new tops with ideas for another.

I adapted a dress pattern and made a top instead, slightly fitted but really comfy. I made a little bow (detachable) as well.

I also made another little singlet top. These add so much colour to my wardrobe, they look great with all my cardigans and are going to be a godsend in the office during summer!

New fabric from Ink & Spindle

I finally managed to buy some Birch fabric in Charcoal (before it sold out again!) from Ink & Spindle. I haven't decided exactly what I am going to make but I am pretty sure it is going to be a new bag. Can't wait for it to get here. I've loved this fabric since I first saw it.

Finished!

I finally finished my Heidi dress. It is a tiny bit tight in places (but after winter what was I expecting!) so it might have to wait a month or so before I actually wear it!

A Simple Paper Bunting Tutorial

I'm sure I'm not the first one to make a bunting or to make a tutorial about making buntings but I am a little under the weather today and decided to brighten the room up a little. And I thought I'd show you how I did it.

You will need:

• Patterned papers (as many or as little as you like)
• Old cardboard
• Pencil
• Something to cut with
• A sewing machine or needle and thread

STEP ONE:
Make a template for the triangles with your old cardboard. They can be any size and shape you want. In fact, who said they have to be triangles!

STEP TWO:
Trace your template onto the back of your patterned papers, as many times as you think you need (it will depend on how long you want your bunting to be).

STEP THREE:
Cut out all you little triangles.

STEP FOUR:
Start sewing along the top of your first triangle, leave a few stitches at the end of the first one before joining your second one.

STEP FIVE:
Continue until you have sewn all your little triangles.

STEP SIX:
Trim the threads and hang. Voila.

Of course you don't have to use paper. Try the same technique with fabric, felt, painted canvas, leaves, fabric flowers. And try different shapes too, endless possibilities.

I made a smaller version of little felt circles. I didn't use a template, just freehand cut different sized circles.

Have a bright and cheerful day!

Making the "Heidi" dress..

Started making the Heidi dress, by Burda. Grey shantung and a red floral pattern lining. Didn't quite get it finished but hopefully I'll have some time to drag out the sewing machine this week.

Some more sewing (finished this time!)

I love the fabric that I got to line my new dress. Love it so much I decided to make a quick top last night for work today. And, surprise, I actually finished it without too many dramas.

The spooking hour

Not having any kids of my own, I had to resort to dressing up the Blythes for Halloween. I used a few different scraps and trims and ribbons and made these.

A couple of felt accessories and let the spooking begin...

Back Again

I haven't disappeared, I've just been hibernating through this very long, cold winter. Not much crafting has been going on but I did jump on the band wagon last night, and made this for Shane. The story of our engagement. Sweet, unrehearsed, and a little bit scared.

I apologize in advance for the photos but I never actually see the sunlight at the moment!

Greek Sister

As part of my sisters greek-themed birthday present, I made her this singlet. Well I bought this singlet and then appliqued some letters to it. Greek letters. Which hopefully say sister! It took me ages but I really like how it turned out. Hope she does too!

Juicy

Even thought it is winter here, I am still really craving summer fruit! Especially my favourite, watermelon. So, inspired by The Spark's latest prompt, I set about making myself a little reminder of summer to get me through the long winter months! Yum!

The first on my list - DONE

The first thing on my list was to make a new handbag. So I sat down yesterday and designed this one. So far it worked out very well. The handle is the right length, inside there are all sorts of little pockets for my things, its grey on the outside and very sturdy denim but inside is bright and cheery and colorful. Sorry for the awful pictures but I won't be seeing sunlight again til August so they'll have to do for now.

Pants Progression

I have progressed from Blythe sized clothes to me sized clothes and that's a pretty big leap! I am so proud of these pants I made, mastered the zip, put in pockets and embroidered my name on the butt! They are slightly too big but super comfy. They are Burda Pattern 8087 if you want to have a go! If you do, they are very big so go one or two sizes smaller then the sizing chart!

The "Getting it Together" Quilt

I finally finished up my quilt on Sunday, despite my terrible tooth-ache. I love how it turned out, it isn't perfect but it is cosy and just right for snuggling up on the couch.

Monday, Monday

My weekend was so good and productive that today just feels that much worse. I'm not much of a Monday person at the best of times but today is the pits. I'm at work, on my own (everyone else has a cold) and I wish I was still at home, sitting in the sun, making things!

Things like these new outfits and headbands for Amelia and Lorelei. A bit bridal I know, but I had wedding dresses on my mind.


I also rearranged the lounge, made a new pillow for the couch and started a new quilt. It was productive and busy and I have a new favourite spot to read in the sun (when it peeps its little head out from under all the cloud!)

It was one of those weekends...

...I got so much done. I definitely got my craftiness back. I even tidied up my craft room and put up a new blind and shelf.

My Butterbup Bag

I made this bag (found on How About Orange) this weekend with a great Heather Bailey fabric and I lined it with a little red polka dot. It was super easy to sew and it turned out really cute!

New Outfits

I spent a lot of time in the weekend working on some more little outfits for Amelia and Lorelei.
Firstly, Lorelei got a cute little hat and coat with a little denim skirt. I designed the whole outfit myself so I was super excited that it worked out so well. She also got a little boiling water treatment on her hair which has worked a treat to give it a bit more texture and life.

Amelia's little outfit is made from a really cute fushia mini-cord. Again I designed the hat and jacket. All three pieces are a bit much together but I just wanted to show all three pieces.

The Eiffel Dress

The latest prompt at Work your Soul is about vintage paper. I really liked Jamaica's take on it so decided to do something similar. I don't really have much vintage paper but love anything french, so I got some vintage maps of Paris from Fairy Davis and Friends and printed them onto fabric and made a little dress for my Amelia.

Some more Blythe fashions

I still haven't named her yet (edit: her name is now Amelia) but I have been churning out clothes left right and centre! I had some quiet time all to myself on Saturday night so I watched movies and sewed Blythe clothes. Then we had to have a little photo shoot in the fading light...

The next dress

My sister (who is on holiday in Melbourne right now, lucky thing!) wanted me to make her a dress and here is the results! I made it slightly smaller and it is slightly stretch. The fabric was on sale for $9 a metre as well! I love it and am slightly sad to be giving it away but I made it with her in mind and I know she'll love it! (fingers crossed but if she doesn't, I'll keep it and its a win/win)