Kids Clothes Week

As I have come to realise that selfish sewing has given me an overloaded wardrobe. There is always an answer though. Refashioning of which there is is  lots of inspiration, least of all for the kids. In walks into my life kids clothes week.

 Wow I have been really taken by this and I have to say I am not overly creative I struggle with a refashion although I know its trendy to do so, and I do want to have a go. And yes I want something wearable at the end (not so much to ask I think).

I have a lovely polar thermal hoody that has lovely memories of hiking across the lake district before Arthur was a twinkle in my eye. Do I ever wear it now, well no! So refashionista here I go.

I have to say that I enjoyed this and to be honest it wasn't that difficult, I may even be ready to branch out a little further next time. I think there will be a next time too.

Beautiful print.

I had this wonderful dress, must be '40s or '50s. A heavy fabric maybe linen. Sadly now way would it fit but it has also be rather moth eaten. But worth saving as much as possible just look at the print.

So I'm not the most cleverest of refashionists, in fact some may think it's a terrible waste but all I did was make a little elastic waste band. Although I rather like my finished product, sadly it really wont last for long, as the fabric is rather old and falling apart. I' m glad to have a little life in it for the summer.

Two Towels.

I've been really keen to make a towelling cover for Arthur. The new Burda has a lovely pattern, but I thought with so many towels hanging around surely it would be easy to knock something up?!

So here we have it, bodge up sewing at it's best. I'm not too bothered this little number will last the summer before it even falls apart or Arthur grows out of it, even so I think it will do the trick. On this first picture the top is neatly held together by Arthur's chin I forgot that the fabric would hang down which you see in the next photo.

I actually like the way it hangs like a little collar, although I might add a small fastening so we can have it either way.

 

It quiet cute, but my working not with a pattern isn't that great to be honest, but a little upcycling means I can get away with it.

Hope you enjoy your own sewing time this week.

A little bit of crafty cutness.

I'm not always the best at making loveliness for my nearest and dearest, but I did manage a little but of cuteness for Arthur's 3rd birthday this week. I used up fabric from my winter trousers!

   

I hope to share this with Linda, Justine, Susan, and Elizabeth on their link days, and as Elizabeth's is the Thread, which includes what your reading I would like to say I have started a great new book

Company of Liars  

Needlecase Tutorial.

Well I would like to announce that this is my first sewing tutorial ! I'm rather excited .

I chose an easy start a little needle case, and you don't have to use the sewing machine. Lets start shall we.

Firstly you will need,

• outer fabric
• padding fabric
• inner fabric
• felt for sheets
• optional decorations such as buttons
• cotton, scissors, paper.
•  

I made my pattern up by folding a letter in half making an A5 rectangle shape. I ten cut each of the fabrics, outer, inner and padding to size.

Note on padding, I have used a little of an old blanket, anything would do!

Then tack the padding to the inner fabric, a good 2.5 cm in.

I then trim the padding all the way round. This is so that when we sew our case up it isn't too bulky.

Putting that to one side I then find the outer fabric and fold it half. I place two squares of inner fabric on the front.

Note :not to close to the edge as we have yet to sew it up!

I then place a slightly smaller square of my padding (or either plain fabric, a felt would be ideal) on top of the larger square.

To shape the smaller square I cut away at the corners

Then cut again along the edges.

I then place a button in the middle of each square and sew into place.

Now we are ready to construct the case. Putting right sides together sew along three sides.

Turn inside out, giving a little extra push into the corners.

Now what I consider the most fiddly bit. Folding in and pinning down the raw edges. Once I start though I continue all the way round the case. To be quiet sure I then go around again , this time even closer to the edge.

Well it should be looking pretty good, we are nearly there! cut your felt with pinking sheers if you prefer, size a little smaller than the case.Then sew into place.

And here we go! A cute little needle case.

I was really pleased with the finished product, it really is amazing what you can make from scraps. I was glad to use a nicer vintage peace of the inner along with denim for the outer! But you can play around as much as you like, that's the beauty of all these pin cushions and needle cases.

Pyjama Party!!

Seeing as the weather is wet and gloomy I think I'll stay in my pyjamas all day! Thanks to Karen who has created the most exciting vibe for a  sew along, means we all should be in our pyjamas today, and what's better is that they are all shiny new, hand made lovelies!!!

 Karen talked many of use through how to make pyjamas and now they should all be on show so go and see Karen's beautiful set then surf the blog http://didyoumakethat.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/pyjama-party-goes-live/
My own pyjamas are a from two different patterns. The top I have actually already made four other versions for the OWOP project so no. five was easy! And like the pattern said so where the bottoms, although if you had a wider bottom I don't think you would have that much space!

When they where finished I felt so pleased, I really took my time and made nice seams and ect ect and the end result is something I love, far to often I have to learn to love what I make. So so excited we had a really fun photo shoot!

     Everyone seemed to get very excited about my new pj's. The fabric is a light weight cotton, which had a previous life of a duvet cover. I really like the way it had a more intense pattern at the bottom of the legs.

And this is the book I'm reading, it's wonderful! I recommend it. I am also on Good reads should any of you want to join me and become friends http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8180872-charlotte  I always have a few reference books on the go too, this is the latest.

So thanks to Karen I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and have a pair of pyjamas which as long been on my to do list! I'm so impressed that I'm thinking of starting to make a few more pairs up as presents. Will also be showing this off with Justine at http://www.sewcountrychick.com/2012/04/sew-7-tell-saturday-april-28-2012.html

OPOW day two, and a cycle ride!

Day two with Tilly and 91 others OPOW certainly has captured the imagination of the blogging community. I personally have really enjoyed my journey.

Today my little top started life a skirt! A broken zip and waist that was far too small meant refashion time, and I thought it had a little "hello sailor" about it.

A really heavy cotton, almost made the sewing machine needle stick I wondered if it had been treated with something to make it do this?

No Fancy trims today, but this has been the first time I have used stripes and I think I did ok with matching them up.

oh how lucky my best shoes match!!

Then off for a cycle ride. My journals of a novice cyclist have been somewhat lacking, this being only the third ride of the year. Not exactly what I had planned to keep fit and reduce the use of the car.

It is so much easier to look stylish on a bike it the warm weather.

Every good bike ride will have a pub stop and this was no exception, we had two!! MrPB enjoyed lots of cider. I think this is rather a nice shot for the celebrating of hands project.

This was our view for most of the journey home, up hill!

For some all that hard work peddling was too much.