Project #7

This duvet cover and pillow slip set has been sitting around unfinished since I made project #1, my first duvet cover.  I only had the poppers to sew on but it's taken 8 months to finally get around to completing it.
The material was from a stash given to me, and I was unsure what to use it for.  Initially I thought about making some curtains for the office, but it is a fairly thin fabric, and to be honest it didn't really match the room.  Despite the feminine pattern, I decided to make it into another duvet cover for Rowan.  This has proved a good move as lately his night-time pull-ups have been leaking!

The duvet cover really needed a lot more poppers than the 3 I sewed on, but that's what was left in my sewing box so it'll do for now.  The combination of delicate embroidery and heavy handed toddler probably means it won't have much longevity anyway.

Extra bedding for a leaky toddler.

I don't iron. 

Close-up of the embroidery. Not the most

boyish of fabrics but it fairly muted

Project #6

I haven't sewed in over 4 months for to various reasons (decorating (so much decorating) and life being a little poop frankly) but I finally got around to digging out my sewing machine and making Rowan a new pair of trousers.  Since he's been potty trained it's difficult finding trousers that actually stay up - it's surprising how much bulk a nappy provides! Making your own mean you can adjust where necessary to fit.

I used Burda 9822 (view D).  Rowan measured perfectly for the smallest size, so I didn't need to adapt the pattern. Always a happy bonus!  Despite sewing the correct seam allowance etc. they still ended up too big which has annoyed me, but at least he'll have something to grow into.

Burda 9822. Very quick and easy to sew

The fabric I used was from an abundance of free material given to me, and although it is nice enough and easy to work with, I'll be glad when I've used it up and can go out and buy some fabric I've chosen! It's a slightly stretchy denim so should be hard wearing.  Rowan picked out a ladybird motif to decorate the pocket.

 

Rowan's 'say cheese' face.

 Drawstring waist, and big pockets.

Perfect for a toddler!

 The motif Rowan picked out.  I re-enforced

it with zigzag stitch so hopefully it'll last

I really should have cropped some of these photos but haven't figured out all the editing tools on my software.  If I waited to work that out too, it might have taken another four months before I posted anything.

Project #1

My first completed project for 2015 was a new duvet cover and pillow set for Rowan's cot bed.  I have some fabric my Mum gave me, which included a large amount of blue gingham.  I wasn't sure what to do with it at first as it's probably not a fabric style I'd have picked out myself.  Since toddlers can leak a lot, I figured I couldn't go wrong with a spare duvet cover.

I found a double sheet for £2.99 in a charity shop which I used for the bottom layer of the cover and for the pillow case.  It was in fairly good nick, and just had a small grease stain on it (pasty in bed anyone?).  I added a fleece strip to the top of the cover to make it more cozy (and to make sure the visually stimulating gingham pattern wasn't by Rowan's face whilst he slept!), and another strip to the pillow to match the cover.

It was a bit 'sew it and see' as I didn't work from a pattern.  I took my measurements, fold and sew lines from an existing duvet cover, and hoped for the best.
It turned out well, although I think I might replace the metal fasteners I used with buttons at some point in the future.

These aren't the best photos to show it off, but I was attempting to photograph it with Rowan (fresh from his nap) eager to help.

The completed duvet cover and pillow set.  Ironing is clearly 

not on my radar 

Chilling in Rowan's room

This was a very straight-forward and quick project.  It would have been a lot quicker if I had used my overlocker instead of using zigzag stitch to finish the seams.

It also turned out very cheap too.  I used fabric I had been given, spent £2.99 on a sheet which was enough to make two duvet sets (almost finished that one too - post to follow!) and used thread/notions I already had - I estimate that cost maybe £2.50 max.

In total I reckon it cost £4.00 to make (plus my time and the cost of using the sewing machine, but I'm not that pedantic. Actually, I'm absolutely that pedantic, but that's not the point).

Rowan likes his new bedding, and particularly likes the fleece top.  With this cold weather snap I think it's a welcome warm addition to bedtime.

Resolutions

I'm not a massive fan of New Year resolutions.  I think if you want to change something in your life don't wait until the 1st of January, do it now.  I also think it's easy to overlook the accomplishments of the previous year by focusing on what you want to improve. However, I do love makin' me some lists so here are 2 goals for 2015:

Make/upcycle more sewing projects
Inspired by my friend Amy over at craftandthrift, I would like to do more sewing this year using stuff I already have stashed away.  This also nicely links into another aim of learning how to use my over-locker, and the embroidery software on my sewing machine (seriously, that thing is more computer than sewing machine and I've been scared to use it!) 
I've set myself a flexible target of 1 making item per month (flexible in that I may make 3 things one month, and then nothing for 2).  That might just be sewing a few bits of ribbon or buttons onto a tired old shirt to restyle it, but it still counts.

Decorate the house
We've been in our house for 2 years now, and the decorating progress has stagnated.  Except for Rowan's room, the whole house needs decorating. Frankly, it can be overwhelming when you list the jobs that need doing (and remember how I love lists?).  So much so you end up doing nothing.  I'm going to break down the jobs so they are more achievable, and accept that sometimes I can't complete the whole project in a weekend.  For example, this evening I finished putting a second coat of gloss on one of the doors.  I ran out of steam for the second door and just packed up.  Normally I'd push myself to complete the last coat as I hate half finished jobs.  Sometimes it's better to conserve your energy for another day.  I'm hoping this change in attitude will help maintain motivation.


I'm not making a massive list of self-improvements. I think that sort of thing is a continual process anyway (e.g. improving fitness; do more for charity; declutter; attain Nirvana etc.).  Plus, who knows how much spare time I'll have in the next year with a 2 year old to entertain!  Especially as I probably have potty training to look forward to this year. Yay to no more nappies! Boo to the inevitable wet bedding and accidents!

More of this in 2015, and less wasting time on social media!

Sewing shirts

Gareth had a wardrobe clear out recently and gave me one of his old shirts to cut up for sewing practise.  Since I liked the original shirt's design, I decided to just make a mini version for Rowan.  I thought it would give me practise with pattern matching the tribal design on the front, and generally be a good way to have a go at making shirts, which can be difficult, without ruining some expensive new material.  I used the shirt pattern from Small Dream Factory - you should really check out her site, she has some brilliant free tutorials on making baby and toddler clothes.  I particularly like that she uses lots of diagrams, so you can really follow what's going on.  Being new to sewing, I've found with some online guides I don't always understand what the text is describing, so having lots of pictures is brilliant!

The material I used was really shiny and slippery, so it made it very awkward to sew with. I also made some really basic errors (like sewing the sleeve on the outside of the shirt, so all the seams showed. Rookie mistake!) and making an utter mess of the collar.

This was the first time I'd made button holes and I they came out

ok.  They weren't quite as in line as I'd hoped, hence the slight 

puckering, but overall I was happy.

I was pleased with my pattern matching!

It took me awhile to complete this one, due to various 

time constraints, so Rowan had already started to 

outgrow it. I squeezed him into the shirt to take these photos.

Having now made one toddler shirt, I felt confident to go and buy some new material to make another.  Since it is Summer, I picked out the loudest material I could find (and busy patterns hide a multitude of sins). I showed what I bought when I got home, and I think the brightness temporarily blinded him.  

I made one size bigger, but I still think I should have added an inch or two to the length - Rowan is very long for his age.

This time, I sewed the sleeves on the right way around, and the collar looked pretty good!  I wouldn't be afraid to make another shirt at some point.

Rowan reluctantly posing.  I took the buckets he

was playing with to take the photo, and he wasn't 

happy about it.

Still thinking about buckets...

Finally, access to buckets after indulging his mum!

Forays into sewing

With the weather gradually improving there have been more opportunities to dry the washing outside.  This meant I could no longer ignore the need for better peg storage.  The last few years, our pegs have been crammed into a Tupperware tub which was sufficient.  However, since having a baby our laundry has inexplicably increased and the need for more pegs couldn't be ignored.  Unfortunately, our glut of pegs no longer fit in the faithful Tupperware anymore.  I decided to make a peg bag, and searched the web for suitable tutorials.
The one I chose to do was from Vintage Folly since it seemed straightforward and I'm not an accomplished sewer.

Overall, I was happy with how it turned out.  I had to make my own bias binding (bit of a lie, since I realised after that I hadn't actually cut it on the bias) which ended up a bit wonky, and the buttons pull on the fabric a bit.  But hey, it does the job!

Making the peg bag has fired up my enthusiasm for sewing (that and episodes of the Great British Sewing Bee).  I went on to make Rowan a pair of trousers upcycled from one of my old tops.  I didn't have a pattern, so I used an existing pair of Rowan's trousers as a template.  There wasn't quite enough fabric, so some of the fabric pieces included parts of the seam from the top.  They aren't great, but they fit him.

I've also made myself a pair of trousers from a Simplicity pattern (2414).  They turned out really well, apart from accidentally sewing the side seams together on the waistband, so I had to unpick it in order to slide the twill tape through.  Annoyingly, despite taking my measurements and using the correct size on the pattern, they have turned out massive.  When I was cutting the pattern out I thought it looked large, but told myself not to be arrogant, and trust the pattern.  I now need to learn how to alter them.  Or put on about 2 stone.

Embellished babygrows

During my pregnancy, my Mum gave me some baby grows.  I decided to embellish them to make them a bit unique, and below are the resulting outfits:

Cross stitched bear.

The design was originally from a book

on cross stitch cards, but it translated

well for an item of clothing. 

Little Parasite - the nickname we

gave my bump.  It still seems apt! 

Dog paw print. I love Bondaweb! You
 can make unique clothes super quick and
with minimum effort! 

 Monogram Bondaweb design.  'P' is the
first letter of our surname.

I had some lace in my crafting stash, so I
hand stitched it onto a babygrow. Rowan
doesn't seem to like it since his nappies
always seem to leak when he wears it. 
Fair enough, it does look like a Victorian
girl's nightdress. 

 More Bondaweb!  Reminiscent of an
Olympic medal ribbon.

Make do and mend!

I was inspired to attempt to extend the life of my clothes after following http://www.secondfiddlecrafts.blogspot.com/ (that and being skint), so I set about making a skirt from an old pair of jeans. These jeans were given to me by sister a few years ago, and they developed a hole in the crutch. I hope to get at least a few more months use out them. I used the instructions from www.savvyseams.com/clothing/jeanskirt.php as a guide and I have to say, I am quite pleased with the result:

I tried to replicate the existing seam pattern, but my

sewing machine couldn't handle the thick layers of fabric

so it kinda stops dead by the zip! I also got the tension wrong

on the hem, plus its in a different colour thread to the rest of the

stitching, but hey, it was my first attempt!

I'm attempting to bring back pale and ashen and make it chic.

(Excuse my bloated gut at the top of the photo).

Side view showing a faded area that used to be the 'knees'

of my old jeans.

They do look rather homemade, but I think they are fine for dossing about the house. Hopefully the next skirt I make from old jeans will come out a bit more professional!

Mend and make do

I think I have found the source of the occasional pitying look I've observed in my colleagues. Last Thursday at work I discovered a gaping 4" gap in the sleeve of my jumper. I have no idea how long it's been there, but my work-mates must think I go home to eat cold beans out of the can beside the paltry light of a single candle! Suffice to say I have now placed my wounded jumper on the pile of items requiring suturing.