Clothes for grown-ups

I finally managed to do some sewing for myself, making the top above from some quilting fabric. The pattern, a Built by Wendy, is extremely simple, and as I was sewing it it occurred to me that it would be easily converted into a maternity top - no, not for myself, but for someone I know who's expecting.

So I simply added more length in the front and gathered the sides so it was even with the back. I made it in a stretch fabric to give even more room.

It's a bit hard to photograph yourself modelling clothes, and even harder modelling maternity clothes when you're not pregnant, but here's my best attempt.

Birdy top

Just playing around with an old singlet top and some scraps of fabric. Lizzie is quite a fussy dresser, and often protests about things I want her to wear, but no problems if there's a pretty bird on it.

She's modelling it with Louisa's skirt from the same fabric. But alas, no fabric left to make her her own. I certainly have used this fabric for lots of projects.

Oliver's Whale Hoodie

Here's a present I made for a little friend of ours. What to make a 4 year old boy who lives by the sea? A whale design from Free Applique seemed perfect!

The hoodie was so easy to make. No ribbing or zips or buttons or snaps to worry about. I wish I'd known that before winter! I would have made them for the girls. I still might make some light ones, with the 3/4 rolled up sleeves I used here.

Excuse the dark photo but I had a young girl insisting on helping me wrap it before she went to bed last night. She thinks Oliver will love it, so that's a good endorsement!

Work in Progress

No completed sewing to talk about at the moment. I've been busy with visitors so this is all I have to show. Unfortunately I underestimated my size (how embarassing) and I can tell it will be too small if I complete it as is. So my plan is to add another strip of the black and white dotty material to the back before I put in the zip and hem it. Hopefully that should be just enough extra width. I just hope it doesn't change the shape too much. I'm really happy with this, and cursing myself for not making it the next size up! The pattern's from Burda 3/07.

Finally some sewing!

This thrifting thing is great. You buy things you may never have considered before - and they become a huge success. I bought this lighthouse fabric at my local op shop for $1. I've never really got into the novelty type fabrics before, mostly because I wasn't sure what to do with them, and also I'd be scared of ruining the pretty pictures.

I'm happy with this top for Lizzie. I made it a size too big so that she can mainly wear it on its own in summer, but I can also see this worn over a red skivvy with jeans.

I also love these love heart buttons I bought at our local quilting store - so cute.

Burda mag top

I was determined to make something from a Burda magazine. I borrow them by the truckload from my local library and trace out the patterns, but hadn't made anything yet. So I started with this top for Louisa:

The jersey for the top part seems quite delicate and I'm not sure how well it will wash. There are also a few little flaws here and there, but overall I think it's a lovely top. I'm especially pleased with the bottom flounce (made with left over shirred cotton from a skirt I made for Louisa). I'd never finished a hem like this: folding it under, using my buttonhole stitch and trimming away the excess fabric. I wish I'd used it on the original skirt!

I finally got a picture of it when we took Jake (who's visiting for the school hols) to the park to kick the footy with his Dad. The girls found a huge puddle to play in and ended up soaking wet.

A cute top

Here's the top I made from the fabrics below. I'm pretty impressed with the fabric combination! (Just don't notice the wonky seam where the ruffle joins). I used Simplicity pattern 4252.,but added the ruffle on the bottom. I should have made it a bit 'rufflier' in hindsight, but I'm learning. I did a good job of finishing too, with french seams, etc. I feel like each thing I make I'm getting a bit more polished.

Now to make the dress - oh and DH's gym shorts.