PJ's for three!

Cold weather has set in here in Melbourne so what's better than some new flannel pj pants? How about three pairs? For $10 total. Good yeah.

The kids and I popped in to Lincraft last week, amidst a 50% off flannel sale, they made their fabric selections and by the weekend they had some awesome new pants.

I searched the net for a free pattern and came across Taylor's Pajama Pants Kid's Pattern. The sizes are from 6 months to 8 years. I added extra length and stitched a longer hem as my kids grow up like weeds. The third pair is for my almost one year old niece.

With the bits of scraps I'm thinking these.

And if you haven't tried making your own tortillas before, DO IT. Better than store bought.

Little Purple Riding Hood

I've been working on this project all week and I've enjoyed every minute spent on it. Sometimes some hand stitching on the couch is just what you need.

Details:
Fleece jacket, based on this Shearling Children's Coat from Burda style 10/2012.

Changes:

• used fleece instead of shearling.
• shortened the length.
• omitted the extra seam in the middle of the front and back pieces. I cut each as one whole piece. 
• added a pleat to the top of each pocket, and added a decorative button.
• blanket stitch along the hood, front and bottom edges of jacket, as well as sleeve edges.
• running stitch details on the pockets.

I love how easy it is to sew with fleece. 

No hemming. No fraying. No worries.

The jacket sews together so easily although as always, Burda's instructions are generally a bit dodgy and I needed to refer to the technical drawing a few times to figure out what they were trying to explain.

More time was spent on the hand stitching which I thought gave the whole jacket a little bit something extra. 

I love the fit of the jacket and really should sew another for my other daughter. 

And one for me too would be nice!

Version 2: Inverted Pleat Skirt

I'm back with some non-maternity wear and the hopes that this will fit me post-baby at some stage!

Just to refresh your memory, the skirt is from the Burda Style magazine: Inverted Pleat Skirt 09/2012, which I made last week with maternity adjustments which you can read about here.

The fabric was on clearance from Spotlight months ago and the lining was an op shop find. It was good to sew this pattern again with different fabric. There really is such a big difference between sewing with knits and woven.

Back of the skirt

Mental note to self is to grade up at the hips as seriously, I'm going to be giving birth to my fourth child in about four months time - my hips have definitely seen better narrower days. heh heh. Oh and while I'm taking notes, remember to add length to your skirts Jacinta - you're tall!

And after a comment left by Lucy about her inverted pleat skirt, I decided to do a small straight stitch across the top of the pleat to reinforce it. Fingers crossed that does the job.

Sorry I couldn't model the skirt - growing a baby and all, but I'm thinking I'll need some lovely summery blouses in solid colours to go with the skirt.

Next is maternity's turn and I have a skirt in mind. Woo, my sewing mojo is on FIRE!

Burda Style Inverted Pleat skirt : knit & maternity edition

Talking about fashion for a minute here, I really like wearing skirts. When I put on a skirt I automatically feel 'put together' and special - or I suppose I could call it 'feminine'. 

Whatever it is. The past few months I've made a conscience effort to avoid jeans in particular and wear my large collection of skirts. Now that I'm pregnant (and winter is coming) I really want to keep on with that habit and avoid the comfortable option of pants, but I really need to add a few more maternity options.

Enter the Inverted Pleat Skirt (09/2012) which I can't wait to make and wear post-baby but I just had to attempt a maternity version using some op shop knit from the ol' stash.

Burda Style Inverted Pleat Skirt
09/2012 #116B

This pattern is designed for wovens so retrospectively, I should have sewn this a size up as the knit had little stretch and I did omit the side zip. I added a waistband to the skirt - an attempted yoga waistband which works for now but if I get much bigger in the hips, I really doubt I'll be able to get it on.

Adding a waistband to this skirt makes it sit higher on the waist - so with an expanding belly - I really had to wear the front low.

{apologies for the flash across the photos!}

I'm pleased with how it's turned out regardless and definitely want to make this again in a woven fabric - I think it would be a great staple!

Have you modified any "normal" patterns into maternity before?

Burda Style Side Gather Top x 3

Hello!

Thank you so much for all your well wishes to my news. I appreciated every single one of your comments and we're excited to add to our growing family. Things are definitely FUN around these parts. heh heh.

Now to some sewing!

I've made not one, not two but THREE versions of this top (Burda Style Side Gather Top 09/2012 #130) in less than a week. I'm so proud as I've never made a pattern multiple times before but it has been excellent practice of my skills as well as decreased my stash.

I've modelled one version so you can see that this top although is not specifically maternity, still works for me and the growing belly. Win, win!
Depending on your fabric choice (and size sewn) you could have a top that lasts the whole nine months. Love that.

Version 1:

I have no idea what this fabric is as it was an op shop find but it had loads of stretch. I also made this top two sizes up and it is roomy enough for a large(r) belly. I hope to still be fitting into this at the end of my pregnancy.

Version 2:

This one is my favourite. The colour is me and the knit fabric is soft and comfy.
Again, fabric sourced from an op shop, with just enough fabric for 3/4 length sleeves.
I took more care with the details and I think it shows.

Version 3:

A remnant piece of Cotton Lycra 1.5m x 0.8m for $2.20.
I thought the fabric would have a lot more stretch and made it two sizes up. However it is quite fitted and the fabric is thick so it seems to look better as a tunic dress rather than bunched up on the hips as a top. This version may have to wait til post-baby.

Summing up, this is definitely an easy peasy pattern, a great basic and can look so different depending on fabric choices. I love the ruching on the sleeves and I give it a big THUMBS UP for maternity wear too!

Nine Months for this WIP

I'm excited to share that my latest creation is now half way complete.

Only 20-ish more weeks to go!

I've created three similar works before:

Now my fourth is due in September.

Fabric vs My Mindset

I was looking at my fabric stash the other day. 

There are a few expensive pieces in my collection but the majority were either discounted from Spotlight or Lincraft and the rest are op shop finds. 

You would think cutting into a piece of fabric that only cost me a few dollars would not be an issue. But I seem to give the cheap fabric more value than what they are worth. 

I really need to get past this mindset that I'll be "ruining" my fabric. If it was $50p/m Liberty fabric then HEY yes, be cautious. 

But cheap op shop fabric? Why am I hesitating?

I've almost finished my latest project (pictured.)

It probably took me a couple of days to convince myself to cut the fabric out, and that it did not matter if the garment did not work, because this was cheap fabric. If I only wear it for one season and ditch it, it doesn't matter.
I would've paid only $2 for the learning experience. Not an expensive lesson really is it?

But for some reason I seem to value even the cheapest of fabric.

Then I realised.

If I don't cut into any fabric, then my garment won't fail.

Fear of failing.

Profound huh.

As much as I WANT to sew my own clothes, I am definitely full of excuses to avoid being at that sewing table at all costs.

With that new revelation, I hope to change my mindset.

To cut into ANY fabric with a belief in my sewing skills.
To know it is OK to fail.
To not always expect everything to turn out perfectly.


So who needs therapy? Just get yourself a sewing machine!
Any similar journeys of your own to share?