Russian Doll Dress with Corduroy

I have a gorgeous wee pattern called the to tie for dress by Olive-Ann Designs that my clever mum found in the States on a quilting visit several years ago. The great thing about these patterns is that it comes in loads of sizes (1-6 years) and sometimes with a matching dolls dress too. I made the wee dress for Macie for a family wedding several summers ago - it is reversible and super easy to sew. 

 I found this babuska doll corduroy at Spotlight last year and have been waiting for a project to grab me. I also had a piece of lightweight denim so decided to marry the two to make this dress for Macie. I have altered the pattern slightly so that we are not tie-ing up the straps as this was too bulky with corduroy. I have shortened the front straps and kept the back straps the same length as pattern and have popped on a strip of velcro to secure the straps.

 The dress is a size 4 - made to the size 5 length. A girlfriend of mine had recently used the pattern to make a dress for her daughter and found the pattern very roomy. This way, the girls have plenty of width to grow into plus a little hem to let down next winter.

 The denim I had was a little short for the length I needed so I have joined it with an unfinished seam on the back - I quite like the wee effect it gives to the dress. I also carefully cut out one of the babuska dolls to sneak onto the back of the dress. This particular dress is not reversible. I have added a facing front and back instead.

Macie ordered herself one of the crochet beanies too this week - colour choice now my personal fav!!! A gorgeous soft green with a light grey flower. Looking forward to making another this week for a friend too.

Have a super crafty week everyone! Am taking the above little princess of to the local library - hoping for a chance to sneak to the crafting section for a little old school inspiration - in a book! Have been enjoying a great look on pinterest this week too ;) oh to have the time to just create full time ;) A xx

Designed by me

Its quite satisfying to put together all your knowledge of sewing and come up with your very own creation.

A couple of weekends ago it was raining - not a bad thing for us crafters... kids were busy with Daddy in the garage, my room was transformed into a temporary sewing room/inspiration hot spot.

On a shopping visit to Greytown I had come across some off cut material that would make the perfect tunic dress for Macie. Several of last year's winter tops have been a wee bit paint splattered so a wee tunic or two would prolong their kindy life a wee bit.

I have a really cool singlet top that Grant had bought for Macie that is currently a bit too big to wear as a singlet but works well as a tunic. I used this as the start point for shape and sizing. By folding it half length wise I was able to trace a pattern piece for the bodice part of the tunic.I traced a pattern for the skirt part and added the length that I required. I was keen to have only side seams and no other finishing seams/edges/hem. I also wanted to have the bodice attached to the skirt part with a rough seam, that would later curl a bit after washing to add a feature. The material I cut off to create the neck became the pockets so there was not a lot of wastage from the material.

After making the pattern and cutting it all out, the whole dress took about ten minutes to sew. I made the whole front first and attached the pockets. Then I made the back and attached it to the front. Last of all Macie and I hand-sewed the buttons on.. this took a lot longer :)

I have plenty of the fabric left over to make new ones as she grows - super easy, loads of fun and the best thing was that it was quick. Oh and she has worn it every week since we made it and she loves it too. I have started to put the little orange tag on things that I make - in lieu of a wee label and I reckon it looks great on this top.

I was lucky enough to make another dress for Macie on the following rainy weekend - pictures to come! Happy sewing everyone. A x

I'm back on the wagon!

It's been a while since I have picked up a crochet hook, plugged in the ole machine or even looked at craft. Our summer has been a long warm one so we have been indulging in many an outside activity.. like reading books in the sun/shade!!!!  However, with daylight savings finishing my crafty switch has turned back on and we are away! Over the past week I have been enjoying my crochet. I have a longish project on the go - a baby blanket for a recent addition to the extended family (pics of this when finished) and in between squares I have been whipping up a few beanies for the little buttons I know. Here are two that I have done this week.

The one that looks blue is actually a really dark purple.. hoping the the wee blossom it is for likes purple ;) The brown one is to be worn atop my gorgeous nephews blonde locks.

Happy autumn crafting everyone - great to be back! A xx

Tutorial: Draw string bag

My mum asked for a draw string bag to store some of her larger necklaces in.  These bags are incredibly useful for lots of treasures, and can be made any size you want.

So first of all work out the size of your bag and cut two rectangles from your lining fabric.  Next select your main and contrasting fabric and cut to fit the lining rectangle.

Sew (right sides together) your main/contrasting and iron the seams down.  This should be the same size as your lining rectangle.

I like to curve the corners using a glass to give a nice curve, then cut along line.

Repeat on all pieces (or like me do all four at once)

Iron down the top edges of your two main pieces and your two lining pieces around 1/2" (to the wrong sides).    Make a mark 1/4" and 1" down from the top on all pieces.  Place lining right sides together and sew all the way around (1/4") stopping between the marks.  Repeat with the main fabric panel.

Turn your lining piece right side out and mark 1" down and draw a line across.

 

Next, turn main bag right way out, and lining bag inside out and slip lining bag into main bag (so wrong sides are together)

Pin well and line up top edge then sew all the way around the top with a 1/4" seam.

Next turn bag inside out so lining on outside and sew around your 1" mark.

Turn right way out again and you can see if you have casing line for your ribbon.

Thread through some thin ribbon, pull tight and you are done! 

Until next time, Melissa

Second book project - You Sew Girl

Last month I featured a pattern from Liesl Gibbons, this month it's one from Australian designer Nicole Mallalieu's book - You Sew Girl.

I have made one of Nicole's projects before, the cute backpack which turned out great.  For this project, I was attempting her Wrap Skirt.



Hmm so where do I start?

I struggled with following the instructions - it's based on a circle skirt and right from the beginning I didn't cut enough material.  So I had to improvise and I ended up just doing my own thing.  Added on an extra panel, did snaps instead of ties etc.  But it turned out ok :)

Until next time, Melissa

Cushions

In my post about what I wanted to make this year, I can now tick off cushions for the lounge!  I have lots of scraps of Amy Butlers Morning Glory left over from my quilt/pouff so I created a quilted cushion cover with an envelope back:



I also made more simple ones, again with an envelope back:



Here's how I made the quilted cushion.

I worked out the size of my squares (ie 4") and worked backwards from there cutting each strip different widths but when sewn together equaled 4" by 4".



Once the nine squares are sewn together and squared off, I cut strips of white cotton 2" by 4" and stitched between each block.



Then once the row was done, cut a long strip 2" wide and sewed by row onto this









Then do two long 2" strips down the side (once you cut the ends past the top to 2" as well)



Next iron on fusible webbing and quilt.  I did 1/4" vertical lines.

 Next move onto the back.   You need two pieces of fabric, the same width as your top piece, and approx half of the length, plus add on a few inches (so it will overlap)

Iron the long edges under twice, and stitch.

 Then lay right sides together, pin all around and sew.  I reinforced where they overlapped by back stitching a few times back and forth.

Turn inside out and you are done!

I am not just waiting to find a cushion to put in it!

Until next time, Melissa

First major project for 2013

In this post, I talked about what I wanted to make in 2013.  One of my goals was to make something from each of my craft books - for January I choose Oliver and S - Little things to Sew.  I have made things from this book before, but this time I tackled the red riding hood cape.

I made it out of recycled blanket on the outside, and a cotton on the inside.  I wouldn't do it again - very thick to to sew, and very heavy to wear!

It's too big for her now, but the size goes from 5-10, so a few years of wear left!

Till next time, Melissa