Come Sew With Me

A baby!

2011-04-17T14:00:00.000+10:00

Yep its semi-official, we are having a baby. I say "semi" as we haven't officially told family yet. We told the kids last night, I sent my mum an email today (lol), and I figure the 2 big kids will tell my MIL today whist they are out together.

I will be 13 weeks tomorrow. I have been sick (oh, so sick), tired and of course this is number 5 so life is pretty busy already. Bubs is due late October, only 2.5 weeks after my first niece or nephew is due :). Very exciting to be sharing this with my little sister.

I mentioned before I was torn about having another baby. Our lost bubs EDD came and went over Christmas 2010 and after that I felt like trying for a month or 2 and if it happened then great.

Our youngest will be 3.5yo when bub is born, the others 5.5yo, 7yo and 9yo. It is such a big gap for us, although I know its not huge, I am not sure that I could go "back to baby" after any bigger gap.

I am lucky, I am sure I will complain about pregnancy discomforts, I will stress about the labour and birth (thats right it hurts!!!)............but I know that all going well I will enjoy more than anything holding my newborn child in my arms and sharing him/her with my husband and its siblings.

Thanks to those online friends that have offered congratulations and support for this pregnancy.

An extra huge hug and thanks to those (like Tracy and Trudie) who offered me words of support since the loss of our last bub. xoxo

Again I have had a long absence...

2011-04-11T14:42:00.000+10:00

I am feeling nervous....excited....terrified....estatic....scared....

Wish me luck and think of me this week...fingers crossed next week bring good news for me and my family.

Shhhh....

Buttons

2010-12-19T21:36:00.000+11:00

I bought some buttons from an online store called Jack O Bindi, they are self cover buttons and they are a lot of fun. I have made Christmas presents.....

Hair ties, I think 3 or 4 of these smaller pigtail sets will go to my husbands cousins little girl (the closest thing my kids have to a cousin). The rest.....I don't know, maybe a local market?

And fridge magnets. I really like these. I made sets of 4 and bought some little tins from the reject shop to put them in, a reasonably priced gift, that is handmade and practical....well I think anyway.

Kitchen Tiles

2010-12-04T21:34:00.000+11:00

I just realised I never put photos up of our new tiled splashback. Now it is nothing spectacular, in fact it is quiet plain, but it only cost us $40 which is great when you are on a super tight budget.

It looks great, well I think so, and it takes us one step closer to a finished kitchen.

The rangehood needs to be hooked up and the cover put on, a powerpoint needs installing and we are getting a built in microwave (when we can) to finish the oven tower unit. Oh and bar stools, we really need some bar stools. I really like white stools....I like the look of these and the wipe'ability of metal is appealing...

The price tags are not always as appealing.

DSi XL Roll Up Padded Case

2010-11-30T14:19:00.002+11:00

DSi XL Roll up Padded Case

So what do you think? I love it, it's the first draft of my pattern so its not perfect but I am very happy that it turned out pretty much as I imagined. Here it is empty...

And here is from every other angle...

Closed

I used my KAM snap press for the closure. The fabric is Amy Butler Midwest Modern.

Unsnapped

I used one fabric for the outer and inner main part, and another fabric for the flap and pockets. I used 200wt fleece for padding.

Open

I needed to make the game pockets and pen holder a little tighter, they work but I would be more comfortable if everything was really snug.

Side View

I don't think when its all rolled up that there is much chance of things falling out but when opening it I feel the games could slip.

Thanks again to Tracy for the link to her DS Pouch, it was very helpful to see how you made yours. http://madquilter.blogspot.com/2009/02/nintendo-ds-pouch-tutorial.html

I want to make...

2010-11-28T08:53:00.002+11:00

I am living out my childhood fantasy of owning a Gameboy...well almost a Gameboy. Finally at the age of 30 I have bought myself a Nintendo DSi XL.

As child I wanted a Gameboy for years, I was desperate, every Christmas and birthday I asked for one...but I never got one.

My little sister got one, after she went overseas with our mum and her dad (big sis and I were teenagers and got left at home), I was seriously devastated and I obviously still have issues so please don't laugh ;).

I got 2 games with the unit, Toy Story 3 and James Cameron's Avatar. I have played both, and they are OK but would really like tetris, lol.

I also got headphones, an extra stylus (so 3 all up), a USB charger (that is more design than function) and a plastic hard case.

I chose Bronze as when I laybyed it they only had that or burgandy.

I want to make a little bag for it so if I decide to take it places with me it wont get destroyed. Also I would like to keep all the accessories with it in one place.

I guess the requirements would be a firm fitting, padded bag with pockets for accessories. Also a little sleeve to store the games in, for such little games they come in pretty big cases, lol. Might start taking some measurements now.

ETA...and link from the beautiful Tracy who designed a pouch for her standard sized DS. She has a tutorial on her blog which will be a great starting point for me. http://madquilter.blogspot.com/2009/02/nintendo-ds-pouch-tutorial.html

Keeping Secrets

2010-11-25T16:12:00.008+11:00

I have discovered recently that it can be hard to keep a secret, even one that you never intended to be a secret in the first place.

In March I got pregnant, it should of been a joyous thing, it should of been a happy time, but it wasn't. My husband was cranky and I was feeling scared more than excited (although yes I was a little excited). We were using contraception and not planning anymore children.

With all the kids we didn't share our pregnancy news with everyone until we were 3 months along, and we treated this just the same. Although I told my big sister and a good friend....and during the stress of what followed I turned online for support.

I felt sick for about 2 weeks, and then it stopped and I had some spotting. I knew in my heart that things weren't right but didn't really want to believe it. I went in for an ultrasound and the dates didn't match up, there was only a sac, no baby. I was booked in for a scan a week later, I had more spotting, I felt like my heart was breaking.

That was one of the longest weeks of my life.

The follow up scan confirmed that the pregnancy was not progressing, I had what is called a blighted ovum. The next night, my miscarriage started, like my heart now accepted what my body already knew. I was 8.5 weeks pregnant.

The miscarriage was horrendous, so much blood, clots so big I found it hard to cope but I stayed home and tried to trust my body. This continued on for 2 days after which it slowed down. I went to my Doctor and was told that the bleeding should stop after a few days. Little did I know that this process was only just beginning.

On my 30th birthday, a week after the miscarriage started, I was back at the Doctor, I had a clot stuck in my cervix and needed a D&C. You would think that this would be easy to get, but no, I was a patient in the public health system and unless I presented myself to emergency I would have to wait. So I waited.

4 weeks after my miscarriage started I had my D&C. My big sister drove me to the hospital while my husband stayed at home with the kids. I was scared and emotional but by that point I just wanted it all over, it had been 5 weeks since I had known for sure that the pregnancy was over. I had been bleeding on and off for that whole time, dealing with the emotions of things being in limbo....I was over it.

Once the D&C was over I bled on and off for about 1.5 weeks and then a few days later got my period. Then things were, well, "normal" again. Except for me, I found it very hard to deal with my emotions.....I still do.

When I got pregnant I saw a baby, instantly for me I saw the end result. I am not sure if I am still grieving or truely depressed, I cry almost everyday. As my EDD (Christmas) comes up I feel my heart breaking all over again. I think I want another baby, but making the decision to have another baby is a hard one, my husband is not keen, we already have 4 and struggle sometimes.

I want so bad for this not to be my last experience with pregnancy, I want a positive memory to erase the ones I have right now. I want a baby, but in saying that, do I want another child?

We still have not told family and most of our friends what we went through......and now after all this time how would we bring it up. My husband can forget, but I can not. Maybe one day, when thinking about it doesnt make me cry I will be able to tell them.

This is me...or is it?

2010-11-22T09:16:00.006+11:00

Do you wear makeup? I don't. I don't have the talent for applying it, nor the time or general inclination to paint my face every morning.

My little sister got married on the weekend and I was one of 6 (yes 6) bridesmaids. So for the first time ever I had my makeup done by a professional. I also had my hair styled for the first time since my wedding 7 years ago.

I took this photo myself, and yes I overexposed it and tinted it to make it look better. I could barely look at myself in the mirror, it felt a bit weird, you can't tell by this pic but it was quiet bronze where I am generally a very pale person.

I spent 2 nights away from the kids, first time ever away from my youngest overnight. I missed them so much, even if they do drive me crazy sometimes they are so important to me. I feel short of breath without them.

A Skirt for my Daughter

2010-11-14T15:40:00.005+11:00

I wanted to sew something yesterday, I just had no idea what. So I sat down surrounded by my fabric boxes and sorted through looking for inspiration.

I came up with a few different solid coloured knits, some pretty wovens and an off cut of soft denim.

I drafted my own pattern, it simply has 2 rectangles and sews together easily.

The first was my attempt at a newborn skirt.....gosh its been a while since I had a newborn and the skirt ended a bit big. This one has a rolled hem and when I sewed the woven on I stretched the knit to meet the gathered woven to make it able to stretch more, iykwim.

The next I made for my 6yo Daughter, I love the combination of red, blue and white. For this one I didn't stretch the knit to meet the woven so it has less stretch in the waist area.

I added some buttons for decoration and TA-DA, a cute skirt. It really uses very little fabric so is quiet economical. Of course there are options for more tiers or simply a longer skirt section.

Thanks for reading.

Home Renovations - Kitchen Progress

2010-11-07T19:38:00.002+11:00

My husband built the bulk heads and nib at the end of the island bench. Plumbing is done and oven is working. (Since the photo my husband has set and undercoated the bulkhead and nib wall).

progress

No working powerpoints or cooktop yet but fingers crossed they wont be long in coming. Oh and lights...3 pendants hanging over the island bench. I am not in love with the pendants I bought but they will do for now, hopefully they will look good

The island is just shy of 3.6m long......I wonder how many stools I will fit along there?. And which stools? So many decisions.

Amy Butlers Style Stitches - Key Keeper Coin Purse.

2010-11-06T17:51:00.006+11:00

I bought this book from the UK Book Depository a few weeks ago - I think it cost me about $24.

Firstly, I think the byline goes something like "12 easy ways to 26 wonderful bags"......hmmmm, that is a stretch. I think it has 12 bags, you can extend a handle or make some of the bags a little smaller/bigger, but there are not 26 different bags to be made from this book.

That said, I like the book, I like the spiral bound look and the gorgeous fabrics and photography.

The bags are grouped according to level of skill needed to sew each bag, 3 are rated easy, 4 intermediate, 2 advanced and 3 experienced.

I went straight to bag number 7, the Key Keeper Coin Purse rated as intermediate, because I really wanted to make a little purse. I am not an experienced sewer by any stretch of the imagination but I have OK machines, I can follow clear instructions and can work things out a little on my own when needed. I did find the instructions a little confusing in places, not sure if that's my inexperience or the instructions.

So here is my finished product. I used Amy Butler fabrics, of course, and did not bother with the little tag on the side.

Purse Outer

Lining and Zip

I chose the fabrics because this was a zip I had, passed on to me from my Nan who has rescued it from something else, lol. I think a smaller zip would of been fine...better even, but overall I am happy with my efforts and looking foward to getting into sewing again.

xoxo

Home Renovations Happening

2010-10-27T12:14:00.004+11:00

Home renovations are time consuming.....I mean seriously time consuming!

Things are really happening here, the kitchen went in this week....still need appliances to go in and plumbing done but it is so exciting to have progress.

the kitchen space in the extension before kitchen

kitchen installed....needing finishing touches

I feel like there are a thousand decisions to make about every little step, it becomes a little draining and I look forward to it all being done.

The house is slowly becoming a little more ordered, a little less chaotic, and I feel my sewing mojo coming back....I can't wait.

Slack Blogger

2010-05-31T11:40:00.002+10:00

I have been a really slack blogger.

There is so much going on in my life at the moment.

Our home renovations and extentions are going really well. My husband is such a clever man and he has been working really hard to get things done, but this means I have the 4 kids constantly and my sewing stuff has been packed away until the house is more livable.

I turned 30 last week - wow, I am growing up.

I have also been dealing with some personal issues, that I might discuss here when I feel ready.

Anyway - my main purpose was to come on here and say I am still around just unable to sew or blog much for a bit.

Bunting - Finished!

2010-03-15T13:04:00.004+11:00

Its taken me months to finally finish this bunting, and weeks to get around to blogging about it, lol.

I struggled to get a nice shot of it (this room is tiny) but DD likes it and I think it looks nice. She doesn't actually sleep in her room at the moment as she prefers to sleep in with the boys but hey one day she will appreciate having her own space ;) and even more so if it is pretty.

Library Bag

2010-01-26T14:38:00.003+11:00

My daughter is starting Kindergarten next week!

Firstly I can't believe she is 5 already and secondly I can't believe I will have 2 of my 4 children at school this year!

So anyway the reason for the post is that I finally dusted off my sewing machine (been so busy with school holidays and 4 kids at home) and quickly sewed up a library bag for her. I still need to buy a cord as the ribbon probably wont stand up to use too well, but she is very happy with it.

It is so funny that given the choice of all my fabrics she picked some spotlight fabric that my mum bought me for about $2 a metre.

Size 2 Shorts - Light Weight Denim with Tree

2009-12-18T20:36:00.002+11:00

I made DS#3 (21mths) some more shorts today. I was clearing my sewing area, which has been taken over by our dining furniture during our renovations, and decided to make something. I used some soft denim that I bought at spotlight a few weeks ago and a tree from some IKEA fabric I bought in April.

front

The tree has been pinked around the edges and zig zaged, no bonding stuff was used though so I hope it doesn't fray. I decided to use the white thread to outline the darker green area to bring it out a bit more.

back

They fit DS#3 really well and he will be wearing them tomorrow, with a green shirt, when we go to see my family for our Pre-Christmas lunch.

A Skirt for my Daughter - Amy Butler Midwest Modern Fabric

2009-12-18T10:00:00.003+11:00

I thought I would give drafting a pattern for a skirt a go, I took all my daughters measurements and came up with this skirt.

It fits her really well, and best of all, she likes it!! So of course she wore it straight away and I didnt get a photo. I think that that next time I will change the waist section by adding a *little* more in width, just to allow for a bit more growth.

My gathering leaves a lot to be desired on this one......I have read that using the walking foot can stop the gathers from shifting so I may give that a go next time.

I will write a little "how I did it" post with the next one I make.

Thanks for reading.

Finshed Scrap Bunting and Gracie Top Alterations

2009-12-05T18:01:00.003+11:00

I decided to use some white drill I had here to bind the scrap bunting that I made.

I think it turned out cute and seems I wasn't sure what to use it for I added it to the gift I was giving to a friends daughter.

I also had to fix up the Gracie Top I made for her so I could drop it over today. I ended up cutting the straps, turning and topstitching and then added some orange resin snaps at the back. I really hope it fits!

I also used a little swing tag with "made by hayley" written on it.

Bunting - Getting started.

2009-12-04T10:53:00.006+11:00

I am making my daughter some bunting for Christmas. I thought it would add some colour and fun to her room.

I decided on 25cm triangles, for no other reason than that I thought they would make a good size, lol. I made the pattern from a piece of paper (top right of the photo) and got cutting. I used my new CHEAP rotary cutter and not so cheap cutting mat.

(please excuse washed out flash photo)

After cutting the triangles (stack top left of photo) I was left with a few half triangles. I figured I would use those for my first try at making the bunting. So I matched them up, sewed them into larger triangles and then sewed two together (they are patterned front and back).

I only had enough for 5 double sided flags but despite my worries about it looking a bit too much, it actually looks OK (I think). I am not sure what I am going to use these five for as they are a little smaller than the others that I will be using (because of the centre seam). I still have to make some bias binding or buy some ribbon.....not sure wat I want to do yet.

I am planning to applique my daughters name on a few of the triangles, I am thinking that if I cut some denim and then applique with the Amy Butler fabric her name will stand out more. I think that will make it more personal and special for her.

I have a few days with 4 kids and no hubbie so I am not sure how much I will get done this weekend, but I plan on trying.

Portabellopixie Gracie V-Neck Top (Dress) - Size 3

2009-11-30T07:33:00.005+11:00

I finally washed all the Amy Butler Midwest Modern fabric that I bought, and what better way to first use it than to make a girly, frilly, dress.

A friends daughter turns 2 on the 6th of December, she had her party this weekend and I went to empty handed as I just didn't get the time to make anything, so I sat down yesterday and made this dress..................

A Portabellopixie Gracie V-Neck top/dress in a size 3 (she is tall for her age) and thought I might make some shorts for under it if I felt it was necessary.

I really like it, I lined up the trees for the top tier, and the flowers for the bottom......all was well in the world, until I had it all together and went.........hmmmmm......I don't think its going to fit.

So I thought, my 3y9mth old is short for his age, I will try it in him.........nope didn't even go over his head. OK OK, I will try it on my almost 21 mth old...........it was a bit of a squeeze to get it on but it went on and fit him well (just a little long in the shoulder straps).

The thing with this pattern is that it has no fastenings, it is made to go over the head but in all seriousness I don't think they tested the pattern . As with the child's arms over their head to get it on the bodice is not wide enough to fit over.

So anyway......I am undecided......do I try to alter the straps so that the dress can be slipped on and then be fastened? Or gift it in the hope that it fits her? I don't think I want to gift it as is incase it is too small and never gets worn.

If I make this version of the Gracie pattern again I will be altering it to have fastenings on the back of the bodice or on the straps.

Shorts - "Maxfield" Fabric

2009-11-22T18:11:00.003+11:00

I just made a pair of shorts for my DS 20mths, well truth be told they were going to be for my DS 3.5y but he didn't like them (wants black ones apparently) so now they are bubs.

They are size 3, still need to tweak the waist (rise height) but they look OK on.

I plan on getting a white shirt to applique with one of the geometric prints to make the matching set.

The fabric is "Maxfield" Alexander Henry Fabric Collection. I really like that it is boyish without being trucks, camo, or skulls.

A Present- Size 1 Shorts

2009-11-22T14:45:00.007+11:00

I made these for a little girl who turned 1 this week, I hope they fit.

They will sit around knee length.

I ended up buying this shirt to go with it from K-mart, it is lovely, not hand made but matches well IMO.

AND I used my tags for the first time!!! Silly I know but it is exciting to me, now to make up a few pairs for the boys.

Portabellopixie Gracie Round Neck Jumper - Size 6

2009-11-13T20:24:00.003+11:00

I started this outfit this afternoon, a Portabellopixie Gracie Reversible Round Neck Jumper. The body came together really quickly, the pocket as well, but the neckline....hmmmmm.....it is fiddly, and only the second time I have done it. Please excuse the bad photo, "the baby" is asleep in my room so this was a quick photo taken in the dark, lol.

The patterned fabric is a Moda quilting cotton and the pink is a simple cotton poplin.

I still have to:

finish the neckline with bias binding
hem
snap the back, the pattern calls for buttons, but I have a love hate relationship with buttons. Plus using snaps really does make this properly reversible.

I am really liking the look of this one :)

Buttons

2009-11-11T18:30:00.004+11:00

Lots of buttons, lol, I spent $10 at the local samartian store and this is what I got...

I don't know how many there are, but there are heaps! A range of colours and sizes that will be great to have, and so cheap.

Midwest Modern

2009-11-10T15:22:00.005+11:00

I got the most amazing parcel today.....

29 Yards of Amy Butler Midwest Modern fabric (27 different prints). It is really lovely! Wonderful prints, beautiful colours...they are colourful but not too bright, more soft if that makes any sense.

What am I using it for? Well......decorations for DD's room, bunting, curtains, a cushion or two. Possibly some special clothes.

After buying this I was searching and came across the Mod Kid blog, OMG, her IKEA post, showing her sewing area has me totally jealous.....I think some of her fabric is next in line for purchase.

Note Book Cover and Quilt Block

2009-11-04T19:09:00.008+11:00

A quick post from me today as I am supposed to be doing other things right now.

I have decided to try my hand at making a quilt....a scrap strip quilt. Here is my first (30cm square) block. Tute is here.

Apparently by using the beige colour consistently through the quilt, forming diamonds, it will make the quilt less scrappy.....time will tell, lol, I dont really care as I am sure my daughter will love it for her dollies no matter what.

I have also made a note book cover.....to make carrying a cheap little notebook around a tad more stylish. Tute is here.

Also my first go at self cover buttons and Yo-Yo's.....needs a little work but overall I am happy with it.

xoxo

Upcycled Pants

2009-10-24T16:25:00.010+11:00

I have had a few hours with just one child today, sadly that one child is sick but luckily he is somewhat happy enough to go on my back while I sew (for a little while anyway).I bought some clothes from the fill a bag for $2 rack at my local Samaritan store a while ago, I made sure I got a few pairs of large men's pants to make into shorts...or longer pants as these turned out.

The first pair, made from cotton cord with light weight cotton hem and pocket, are ummm.....dodgy. I added the green before I made them up which made the side seam sewing go all the way to the edge, iykwim. Not perfect and sewn with white thread as I have no navy thread and by black is MIA (I am sure I will find it later today). They fit my youngest, who is 19mths old as pants.

The second pair, made from light weight cotton and a men's dress shirt, are much better. I added the cuff at the end which is much nicer although still not perfect. The pocket, which was picked off the front of the shirt, looks great. These all fit as long pants, good for keeping the sun off, they will also fit my 3.5yo as long shorts.

The pattern is one that I have been working on......I am trying to draft a pattern that fits a wide range, say from 9 mths till 4 years.....very ambitious I know for an amateur but hey its fun (if a little frustrating).

A Beautiful Chair

2009-10-13T14:45:00.004+11:00

Have a look at this....

Isn't it stunning! I picked up this at our local Samaritan store for $60, which I think is a total bargain, I have a feeling DH wont be so sure, lol.....

There are a couple of small tears in the fabric...and it is a little marked, I plan on getting it re-upholstered some time in the future but for now it will sit in my room near my sewing machine.

I think that it will end up a textured grey.....maybe charcoal, maybe a warm mid grey, maybe damask.......with all my planning for our home renovations (that will start when council gets their ass into gear) I am dreaming about colours.

TAFE - Applied Fashion Design and Technology

2009-10-12T08:37:00.002+11:00

I am considering doing a certificate II in Applied Fashion Design and Technology (following on to Cert. III) at TAFE next year....well technically not AT the TAFE, I would be doing it by correspondence.

From the course information:

This course is for people who want an introduction to basic design and development skills and knowledge to prepare them for work in a creative and production oriented environment within the fashion industry.
Depending on the electives selected, you will learn about different aspects of the fashion industry, including:
- basic sketching
- identifying design processes
- identifying and selecting fibres and fabrics
- a limited range of product development processes such as basic pattern modification, machining, making and finishing of a simple garment and dyeing and printing techniques to produce Aboriginal textile designs.

I really just want to increase my sewing skills, be able to draft patterns better and get a little more knowledge....it sounds great to me.

It is not overly expensive, as we are a lower income family, the course fee is $51 and the fees for the specific course (Cert II) are an additional $135. I already have everything here that is required in terms of machines, threads etc, I am sure I will need to buy some fabric etc, but hey, I do that anyway ;).

I would actually prefer to do this at a TAFE, but it is not offered locally and I don't want to put my youngest in care yet. I think face to face teaching in this subject would be beneficial, there is the option to join in classes with prior notice but with a 4 hour drive to the campus its really not going to happen,
lol.

So thanks for reading my ramblings....not much sewing happening during the last month, its school holidays at the moment so things are fun at home, today we are gardening and doing laundry. I have a few things I want to sew, some shorts for DS#3, and a library bag for DD to take to school next year. I should start a project list.

Portabellopixie Gracie V-Neck Dress and Tiered Skirt - Size 6-12 mths

2009-09-10T20:59:00.012+10:00

When I first received the Gracie pattern I tried out the tiered skirt and V-Neck Dress in size 6-12mths.

My sewing on the bodice of the dress leaves a lot to be desired. One side seam is a centimeter or more off from the skirt seam. The straps are different widths, and the front of the bodice (joining the straps) are different widths also.

The top stitching on the bodice is wonky, really wonky.....

.....but I love how it looks anyway. lol.

The skirt surprised me, I thought it would be smaller as many of the portabellopixie patterns are said to run small, but my almost 5yo can still fit in it (it is quiet short though and only just fits in the hips).

I have made another of these skirts (in different fabric) to give to a family member for her birthday, she has turned 2 but is petite and I think this size would suit her better.

I have now used up all this fabric making my daughters birthday dress but just might see if there is any more on the quilting cotton clearance racks at spotlight next week.....the pink is just so romantic.

Portabellopixie Gracie Tiered Round Neck Dress - Size 6

2009-08-31T09:05:00.012+10:00

My Daughter is turning 5 in a couple of weeks and I really wanted to sew her a nice dress, I chose the Gracie tiered dress with round neck.

I made it in a size 6 as she is quiet tall. I did a few things differently to the pattern instructions, of course, lol.

It fastens with snaps rather then buttons, the bodice is top stitched and has a fold over bias binding with isn't as clean lined as the way the pattern does it (I think it goes with the layered effect though).

I am planing on making DD a few more dresses, I would like to try the reversible jumper from this pattern and also am interested in sewing some of the dresses from the Claire pattern.....I just need a new overlocker that does a rolled hem.

My DH has told me just to buy a new overlocker, what a sweet heart, I am just trying to get my house in order first. A spring clean is in order before anymore sewing gets done.

Thanks for looking.

Welcome....Come Sew With Me

2009-08-30T16:44:00.001+10:00

Welcome to my new blog "Come Sew With Me".

I am learning to sew (no lessons just trial and error), I find it fun and interesting, if a little frustrating at times. I plan on putting my crafty creations here, the successes and the failures ;)....things made from bought patterns and online tutes.

I will hopefully regularly update but with four young children my sewing time is limited, I hope you like what I show.

Sandi Henderson - PortabelloPixie Patterns

2009-08-30T16:32:00.001+10:00

I like Sandi Hendersons PortabelloPixie patterns, I currently have "Claire" and "Gracie" and am tempted by the ruffle pants pattern. I have made a couple of things from these patterns and will blog a few of them over time.

The majority of her dresses are just so girly, all ruffles and soft lines. Her fabrics are gorgeous but I have not bought any of them.....yet ;).

The instructions to these patterns are sometimes wrong (or is it that I suck at reading instructions?) but the instruction books are very colourful with heaps of pictures. They are supposed to be for begineers but they can be quiet time consuming....lots of gathering in the skirts and the round neckline is a little fiddly (for me).

My old overlocker (serger) doesnt do a rolled hem so I am yet to try a few of the patterns as turn and topstitch just isn't the same.