Oh Lawdy Gawdy!

Last night I finished off a terribly gawdy pull-over designed for Neo (3years). From this project I learnt how to make a top/sleeveless and long sleeved and how to attach sleeves! Whoot! (btw I am pretty happy with my sleeve application skills!)

 I don't actually intend on making him wear it...It is bright yellow fleece with a bright orange J insignia on the front!! I actually did convince him to try it on for me this morning...while pulling it over his head he announced "Mama, this makes me feel silly"....... Luckily for him I only wanted to see him wear it for the fit. He did romp around in it for about an hour before it was time to dress into something a little more suitable for family photos (store bought sadly...but one day perhaps he will own a homemade wardrobe fit for photos). The Mechanic did share with me his concerns and worries that I might be dressing "his kids in weird clothes"......HA HA...I'll try not to...although I would prefer to call them "unique".

Yesterday was my friends baby's 1st birthday and the pants I made him were a hit, and fitted him well! *JOY*

photos to come...phone/camera still sick.

Sometimes table cloths can be no more than that....

Im not sure if I mentioned that a lot of my fabric has come from second hand stores..and TradeMe. Well the other day I found some pretty funky fabric that I think is was a tablecloth. I thought it would be fantastic for a A-line skirt....Well as it turns out...even though it was cut up and sewn.....it still looks like a table cloth...In fact, it is a FAR better table cloth than skirt....suffice to say I stopped where I was before I spent to many more hours on something that was just never going to become......anything.

Win some lose some! I'm not concerned. From that particular project I reminded myself about how to sew in zips and learnt BRAND NEW TO ME how to make a waistband...historically I have just left plenty of seam to roll down....not now! I know how to make a really lovely waistband.

My parents have been down visiting so I haven't been getting my creative ON lately. Last night though I whipped up some snazzy pants for my friends wee dudes 1st birthday. I decided to use all the cut offs that I had laying around to make the outer and lined them with yellow sweatshirt fleece...whatever its called. I can't stand it..so it is GREAT for lining and making lovely snugly winter pants. I hope he/she likes them!!!

My phone has fallen ill and will be at phone hospital for at least 15 days...so no photos yet...but once I get it back I will post some!

May 2011's creations!!!

By golly, I have been having SUCH a fun time creating things. I have really just been practicing and refreshing my mind on things such as HOW to use the sewing machines settings, cutting, measuring, pattern arrangement etc etc. I have already made a few items...and considering it has been so many years since I last did any of this...I am quite pleased with the results...mostly.

First thing I made was a pair of quirky trousers for Neo (3 years). This is him wearing them...He wouldn't stand up to show them off..the only way I could get him to keep still was to POSE reading from a packet of sewing pins. AH WELL...you get the idea. The fabric is actually left over from a child's chair I re-upholstered a while back. I have loads of this neat fabric...expect for colourful treasures!!!!

To make these I just used an old pair of Neo's pants as a pattern...but to get a good starting point I visited this blog:

http://handyprojects.blogspot.com/2005/04/how-to-make-easy-kids-pants.html

Which also led me to finding this: http://www.rookiemoms.com/make-some-easy-kids-pants/ Which I will do one day too!!!

I then got a bit more creative and decided to make some fleece lined pants...which turned into Pirate PJs... Have a lack of actual fleece..I chopped up an old baby blanket that was kind of cotton fleecy goodness. These pants are SOO snugly and not to badly made if I do say so myself! The Pirate Fabric was purchased during the Nesting stage of my pregnancy with Little....to make a bedspread...this didn't happen...But these PANTS DID!! Whoot!!

I have heaps left too!!! YUSSS!!!

Next came the apron. I have been meaning to make an apron for Neo...for about 2 years...Ever since he starting "helping" in the kitchen. I recall wanting to make it out of an old (or new) tea-towel...but I got fancy ha ha: I re-learnt from this "experiment" about seam allowance and how to make a pocket.. I knew all this...but the past few years of travel, work and breeding had erased it from my memory..but its back now!! Luckily for me the mistakes (ahem...LEARNINGS) are hard to see in the photos!. I got the original pattern from:  sewliberated and sort of mixed it with Kathy Miller's apron from Makingitfun (I will one day attempt the fabulous chefs hat too!) and added my own twist...and voila!! Now to do some baking!!!

                                                       

From the beginning...

As my blog title suggests, I am in no means a sewing guru. I have coined the name of my FAVOURITE and second most utilised tool (after my scissors) the quick-unpick....or seam ripper.

My experience on sewing started at a young age, watching my mum sew various clothing items for me, my brother and herself (I'm not sure she made anything for dad). When my mum was a SAHM when I was a baby, her and her best friend went into business together making baby/child leotards (this was the 80s! enough said). The business was not that successful, but through hearing the stories (and seeing myself and my best friend as the wee 2 year old models) I have gained a love for sewing, crafting and creating. I learnt a little bit from schooling, but mostly from my mum. When I left home I often made my own (wacky) clothes and re-arranged new items.

There has been approximately a 7 year gap between the last (big) item I have sewn to today. But two weeks ago was my 27th birthday and The Mechanic bought me a lovely jubbly PINK Brother Sewing Machine. I love it. LOVE IT! I call him my "brother from another mother"!


So here I am today, starting this blog (for me..and maybe you) to follow my journey (of success's and most probably failures) from sewing novice to (hopefully) sewing extraordinaire (well..sort of ha ha).