gift bag tutorial no.2...

Happy gift bag making!! these will be used at Christmas time for my gifts to friends and family, instead of traditional gift wrap. 

This week my kindness gift was given in one of these bags and it was a jar of homemade apricot jam...yummmy!!!

Have a great weekend.

an everyday knit top...

What started out as four amazing fabrics in a remnant bin

are now being created into winter clothes for me.

1. orange knit - long sleeve winter top, cost: $8.50

2. bronze/brown knit - top or leggings (if it's long enough), cost: $7.20

3. Black - a skirt, but maybe cushions for my lounge now?, cost: $8.00

4. Grey/black wool - front panel in a winter jacket, cost $12.50 (completed)

this is the back to my top

Next up on the sewing list was my orange long sleeve top, here is how I cut out my patterns...by lay my favourite tops out or two in this case and cut around with my roller cutter. No purchased pattern required in here! as I watched my mother do the very same thing through out my childhood, I must have picked up a thing or too from watching.

finished product, from the front - I added a pocket to break up the orange, thinking about adding a bit more length in the front too, this will balance out the tail length.

back view, and Summah photo booming....(oops! bombing, mind and hands not communicating to well today :) )

so...

If my daughter is going to photo bomb, why not get a decent photo of us both?! (at this point I noticed the neighbour was cleaning his camper van just above me... awkward!)

Off to make my leggings now.

xx 

I made a jacket!!!...

I have completed my first lined, jacket without a pattern to follow, just logical thinking and playing around with ideas in my head.

The out come has been a success! 

When I say no pattern...I didn't buy one from the shop and follow it, instead I fished out two jackets in my wardrobe and used them as a guideline.

I cut out my pieces, and stitched away to every moment I had free with out Summah climbing over me or the cat for that matter.

How did the idea of making a jacket ever enter my head??? 

it was all because I visited a fabric shop last week, browsed the remnant bin and found 4 fabulous fabrics that I could make winter clothes from.

They were bargains, 3 out of 4 were less than $10 and decent sized pieces.

The front panel on my jacket was most expensive as it is wool this cost me $12.50. The black fabric on my jacket was $5, lining $5 the ribbing was an expensive wool cardigan that shrunk in the wash and I held onto it, and I'm glad I did!! 

A new winter jacket for less than $25 and no one else has one like it!

My new winter jacket, and yes I checked that I could fit a jersey on underneath to layer up.

On to the next new piece of clothing.

xx

gift bag tutorial no.1...

My first attempt at doing a tutorial, I little sketchy but I'll learn what works best as I try these things out. 

a simple grey singlet...

As I said I'm on a roll with sewing so must keep at it whilst I'm inspired.

Today I've made a simple grey singlet, what I love about it:

1. the colour! goes with anything

2. the white lacey back to it

3. the fit...it's designed just for me!!

4. my new double needle for stitching around the hem of such tops...it looks bought.

first I lay out the singlet/tank top that I wanted to use as a pattern
and cut around it.

Sew the shoulder seams, and side seams then cut your biase for around neck and arm holes and sew them on, hem it up and you are done.

the result! a cute little top for Summer to be worn with your favourite shorts

back view...white knit lace, just for something different.

and taking self-timer photo's of oneself is never easy when  toddler wants to be apart of the action,
here is the mini model

Now to design the next item.

Have a great day x

on a roll...

I'm on a roll at the moment making clothes for myself, and loving it!

I've taken some of my favourite tops that are wearing thin and cut patterns to make new tops.

This week I've made this tunic which really was just two rectangle shapes sown together, total of 3 seams...easy!!!

The hardest part was sewing around the neck, hem and arm holes as my fabric is a silk...super slippery!

worn here with a white slip and no belt, nice and light,
summery and easy to wear.

2nd option with a belt, and black slip,.


Out of the top options for summer days I think I like the first, nice and floaty with the freedom to move with out a belt around your waist to make you hotter.

I'm happy with my new tunic dress, and can see it being worn into the winter months too with some fun leggings.

I'm off to finish another project now. 

DIY Summah tights...

The other week when I was at my Mother's for a visit I saw this delightful material that was perfect for a pair of tights for Summah.

Here we go it really is easy to cut out a pair of tights and sew them up for you baby daughter/son.

1. lay your pants out on material (or paper if you don't trust yourself)

then cut around allowing for seams.

2.

pin and sew down the seams, only 3...simple!
I've overlocked mine and that is all.

3.

cut out ribbing for around the ankles and waist
 to your desired length and width. Then sew them in place.
Note the back panel in these pants are higher, to cover the nappy.

4.

Summah loving her new tights,
they are colourful and comfy.

I love making tights for Summah, and it doesn't worry me if she trashes them because they are made from left over material.  Perfect around the house crawling pants.

caftan maxi dress...

A few months ago I stumbled across this blog that had a caftan dress tutorial and over Labour weekend I made my very own kaftan maxi dress.

This is the simplest maxi dress to make ever and perfect for those summer night bbq's at a friends house.  You can gather it in around the waist when making it, I never did as I'll wear a belt with it always.  This would also look awesome in a fun patterned knit, and you can make it at any length you like.

The best thing about maxi dresses are you don't need a tan on your legs...perfect! and they are elegant and feminine. 

With my caftan maxi I am wearing my newly purchased summer sandals from Country Road, they are comfy and loving the little bit of gold chain up the front.

I was given a voucher for my birthday back in August for Country Road and couldn't find any clothes that I loved.  As I love shoes and they sell them this was the perfect item to buy from there.

You try making a caftan, it's very simple. 

my new dress...

A few weeks back I was working on a dress for the summer months, I have finally gotten around to photographing it on me...it's taken me longer enough!

I fell in love with this pattern fabric one day when I was on a mission to get something else from Spotlight and so I just had to buy it.

I used a dress that I had in the wardrobe as a guideline for this dress, but technically this has been made from no pattern, just constructed and pinned as I went.  I'm fairly happy with the end result and think I will actually wear it this summer (as most of the time I make things then never wear them), if you ask for a pattern it might take me a while to draw it up ;).

Also excuse those pasty white legs of mine...bring on the summer sunshine asap! I say.

here is the end result, worn with some cork wedged heels,
and red belt I've had for years.  

or worn here with a thin tan belt and my favourite tan leather summer sandals.

my favourite summer sandal....love these!!!

brother from another mother...

Last week I paid my mother for my new brother, and this is what I received ....

Isn't it gorgeous!! an antique Brother overlocker, my sewing room is complete.

I have a brilliant sewing machine and a super cute overlocker to finish my garments beautifully now.

This week I have been stealing moments to my sewing room, to make myself a little summer day dress.

It is almost finished and will be posted soon to the blog, hopefully in the next day or two.

I am even more inspired to sew clothes now because of my new brother and

next on the list is a maxi dress for one of my beautiful sisters.

Can't wait to get creating more.

bunting fever...

As it is birthday week, we have buntings and balloons hanging up around the house to celebrate with Summah her birthday.

I went on a little bunting crazy making one for the party, here is what I did.

I set out on an Op shop expedition one day hunting for some cute old pillow case's that were pretty florals, in soft pink/green tones.

my fabric selection, sides seams unpicked and ready to be cut up
NB: each pillow case cost me 50cents and I purchased 8! cheap option for buying fabric for your next bunting.

next I cut out a template from cardboard and drew triangles on each strip of fabric.
I was able to get at least 4-5 strips from each pillow case and then 3 triangles fitted on each strip of material.
This gave me at least 12 triangles from each fabric, lots to work with.

                       
next I cut around the triangles I had sewn on my fabric strips.

this is what they looked like all cut out and sewn around.
Next turn them right side out and zig zag around the edges to give a better finish.

                                                          

the trickiest part was pinning the bunting altogether, with my two helpers.

I saved one pillowcase to make bias tape from for the triangles to be attached too.

Needless to say there was a lot of sewing and even more pin pricks but the end result was two super long awesome buntings for $4!!

These are great birthday party decorations and will be used multiple times and possibly pulled out for Summah's 21st as a momentum of her 1st birthday. 

a little green bag...

Last a week a friend asked if I could make her a nappy (diaper) bag from an old dress of her's, so I said "Yes".

The fact is when I was pregnant I couldn't bring myself to pay $100 plus for a bag that was to carry all this stuff you were expected to cart with a newborn, realising that the phase would pass quickly. I went on a hunt to find some cool material and a pattern, neither of these proved too difficult to find.

As I've mentioned before in blogs I found my material at a interior design shop, this is my favourite place to buy from Turton Oliver. All up my bag to make cost roughly $25-30 a lot cheaper...although there were some stressful moments when sewing it!! with gritted teeth, broken needles, and some poor stitching (which required unpicking..dislike!!) at times the bag became finished.

NOW... 

I'm making my second bag which is going a lot better, I found my pattern here, and made changes to make it more personalised.

For this bag I've used material from my friends kilt dress (a NZ fashion label) and paired it with a black (indian cotton), and I am super happy with the end result.

One day I may even draw up my own bag pattern and make more of these it is actually really fun.

One thing I have learnt in the last year with my sewing is, pressing your seams is worth the effort and time it takes.  It makes the world of difference to your final product.

the grand finale...

Way back in May I started a project with my Mother, who is an amazing seamstress  quilter, and crafter, she is always exploring new ideas.  

Any how we started a quilt for my little girl, the idea is that it's to be a comfort quilt for those days you feel sick and just want to cuddle on the couch.  Every one needs a blanket like that and some arms that will hug you to make everything seem so much better.

To be honest I don't think I can have this quilt put away just for those moments, it needs to be on display as I love it!!! so I have popped it on Summah's bed where we can all appreciate it.

  

I love the colours and patterns in the material!

 (I'm a little bit of a sucker when it comes to material to be honest)

Thanks Mum for machine quilting this quilt and helping with the piecing, it has been fun working on a project together.

the end result...

Summah loves her new quilt, Austin doesn't mind it either.

 now on the bed and ready for sleeping under.

(in Summah's room we have bed from Farmers, homemade bunting on cot, wooden rabbit from Red Current, fabric picture from Tiny Eyes, selection of Peter Rabbit books, and op shop draws re-painted).  We like it simple.

I've done it!!!...

....reconstructed a top!!!

I've finished my first attempt at reconstructing a top of mine that I loved the front and detailing on.

            




Top 1: From Jeans West, nice linen the sleeves tore really easy, so I was unable to wear it.  I loved the detail on front so I kept that and recut a new back and sleeves.

                              the torn sleeves were replaced

Top 2: From Stax, this top had uneven collar heights, which bugged me every time I wore it.I have cut out a new back from this to go on the above top and used the sleeves and put a cuff on them from the back of the above top.  This top also had a cut sash belt which I can wear with my new top, like below.

 

(it's hard to get a good pic of yourself when there is no one else around to take it)

The end result is this cute top, that I can wear with a skinny belt, the sash belt or with out either.  I also made the back of the top a little bit longer than the front.

The verdict:

I think I'm addicted and will rethink when I have wardrobe clean out now, I will see my clothes with different eyes.

It has been a fun project for the last day, what can I make now????

part 2: Conservatory make-over

I have finished up parts of the conservatory make-over, really just waiting for vinyl layers to call me back with prices to put the new flooring down.  Then I have to finish up some new curtains/window dressings as we don't actually use the curtains in the conservatory...there purely for looks.

Some photo's of what I've done so far...

vintage table and mirror

Salon space...love the fresh flowers.

(NB: those ugly brown curtains in the background are getting replaced)

the couch area with all the new cushions I made to make it look more inviting to relax and read on.

A tip: for finding amazing fabrics for making your own cushions

rummage through your local interior design shop's remnant fabric bins, you can find some great fabrics for cheap and they are usually generous sizes.  I think the actual pillow inners cost more than the fabric for these cushions.

finishing projects...

Today I made myself sit down and finish off a few projects that I had started last week, as I dislike to have unfinished projects around the house, I'm very much a finish what you start kind of person.  I dislike clutter and in effect this means I like to see what is in my cupboards so once they start looking clutter I schedule in some de-cluttering time and have a clean out.

It felt good to finish a couple of my projects this afternoon, as last week went belly up (literally) when our whole family came down with some NASTY!!!! tummy bug.  Which lasted a good 8days...epic!! and now a few kilos lighter we are all good and on the mend and believe me, I'm making up for lost eating time. Needless to say with caring for a little one and myself who got crazy sick, it felt good to indulge in some creativeness and well deserved sewing time.

What did I make??? 

A cute little vest/ hoodie for Summah using leftover sweat shirt material and a nightie that I bought when I was pregnant and never wore once.

(Summah decided stashing her toys in the hood was a good idea too.)

Then I whipped up a few more cushions for the conservatory couch, I'll do a blog on the final look of conservatory when I'm finished that...working process.

What have you all been creating this week?