Oolong!

I made my Oolong! I have been sitting on this Colette pattern (not literally, mind) for ages because I was scared of it. I was pretty sure I'd screw it up. Given the circumstances, I figured I might as well go all out and have a go at it. When you've been hit with the C word it seems a bit silly to be afraid of cutting into fabric and I needed distraction!

I chose a blue and white striped cotton and no lining. Lining can bugger off, I don't like lining things. Cutting this was hard. You're not really supposed to use a geometric print for this as it's cut on the bias but me and my scissors decided we could wing it, why make it easy when I can complicate things?
The bodice section was too long for me, which is weird, given how tall I am, but it may be an issue of not enough boobage. Nevermind, I shortened it, and kind of changed the bust line, added some folds instead of puckering, and while I was at it I decided to change the sleeves as well and just added some bias tape around the arm holes. And I added some red piping I found in a vintage shop (I advise against vintage notions - it's scratchy as all hell!). Et voila! So it looks nothing like Oolong but I think it's pretty cute! 

stripes

Spent a few nights these week making this very simple frock - using some stripy fabric I've had for a while. I added a bit of wool felt string I had lying around to the neckline. I cut the material using the same ole Burda pattern I've been using for a while now - it doesn't seem to fit whatever I do so I hacked around for a while until it was a shape I could live and walk around with. I amended the neckline and widened it and played around with the felt until it looked, well, like this! I like to create necklines by folding the fabric over to the inside once and sewing around - then adding some bias tape or neckline binding made from the same material as the piece I'm sewing -  it makes the neckline sort of stand up and outwards a bit, like a little funnel.

Yay!

Baby's First Quilt

... is complete! I finished it with some red binding and the back is made from white flanelette. I am really happy with it. It may be wonky in parts but I made it!

cushion

I made this for a friend I miss a lot.

I bought some cardboard letters in the scrapbooking section at Spotlight (that section to me is still frightening - what do people do with all those stickers and stencils???)  and used the cardboard sans letters for stenceling the felt name tag. Charcoal fabric paint on cream coloured felt. I love how it turned out. I'm waiting for my stamps to arrive from Etsy. Once they arrive I am going to attempt my first baby quilt and stamp the hell out of it. Watch this space! It's gonna be graysh! Have a good flush, of course, and a great week too.

Skirt

finished it - what a joy! I spent a few hours working on this one with much concentration. I tried so hard not to rush it, it was hard, but paid off. A few seams were ripped and re-done in the process, I tell ya. Kamikaze-sewing happened a few times.

This skirt was made using the Built By You A-line skirt pattern which is easy and also easy to amend. I lengthened the pattern by about 2 inches and took the side seams in to create a really fitted A-line. I also added some diagonal red - using an old scarf I found in the oppy. I love the cornflower blue and red combination. I love this fabric so much - it's organic cotton bought at Amitie. Totally happy with how this turned out. I made it a wee bit on the small side but I can squeeze myself into it holding my breath.

It definitely has flaws and uneven lines but a handmade piece is never going to look like something bought in a shop. Important lesson for me to learn and important, too, not to let perfectionism ruin the joy of making something.

injury sewing - continued

Here's a bad photo of what i made yesterday - another toddler dress. What's with me and the baby stuff? Don't answer that.

Please note the bad fabric placement (teapot cut off). I love that I continue to learn and grow on this sewing journey. That was my American TV speak for: Screwing up makes me get better at this. Sadly my sewing machine is not playing nicely with me anymore. I have an entry level Singer which I got given by lovely, kind friends for my 30th, so I'm rather attached to it. However it HATES sewing bias binding and ruins it, and it tends to kind of eat thinner fabrics. It's like me, always needs to eat something.  I think something may be wrong with the footer pressure. For example, when I zig zag edges, the fabric more or less swims around, the machine keeps missing heaps of stitches and the fabric crumples up. AAAARGH. Any advice?

more finished things!

I made this little top/dress for my friend's little girl - of course it had to have buttons spelling her name. I'm happy with how it turned out. She's got to grow into it a little bit me thinks! 

I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine!