Stitch 2 Stitch

In the spirit of the CM forum running SewUp Wednesday today, I am proud to announce that I made it this time – FINALLY! I sort of cheated since I actually started sewing these onesies some 2 days ago! *lol* But I am glad that I’m completed what I had set out to do.

I can’t believe that it is less than 2 months before we’ll be welcoming the newest member of the family and here I am, totally lost as to what to prepare for him. I’ve been seriously thinking about sewing up a brand new wardrobe for him but have no idea where to start so I thought I’ll just take it slow and for now, I’m happy with these 3 bodysuits in size 62 that I’ve made.

Seeing that JR will be a sort of mid-spring baby, light and short outfits would be best and for most of the time he will be wrapped up in muslin wraps anyway so, I’m not going to go all out and crazy sewing up TOO many things since I have no clue how big/small he is going to be.

So I’m taking advice from some of my mama friends and just sticking to the basics like singlets and onesies, which I have tonnes of from the girls so I think we should be alright. Thank goodness I had the sense to go mostly gender neutral (yellow, green, purple and white of course!) when Arianna first arrived – I couldn’t stomach all that pink that I saw in the shops!! Even today we have rather limited pinks in the house though I reckon that with KR looking a tad bit boyish, I should bring pink back in!

Now, it’s time to focus on moi. After a long time, I’ve finally decided on what I’d like to sew for me. This is going to be more of an after-JR top but since the instructions are mainly in German (Farbenmix Antonella), I’ll be spending some time tonight trying to figure out the pattern pieces, deciding what size to go with, tracing it out AND hopefully get sewing tomorrow.

TFL….

In all fairness, (I’m like that – if one kid’s got something new, then the other should get something too) since KR got a dress and leggings, I thought I’d sew a dress for Arianna since she’s at that age where everything is a “pretty dress”. And since she still wears when I put on her, I thought I best get her to wear more dresses although I’m very much a pants kinda person.

Sewn in size 98, I have no idea if this will fit her at all coz she won’t even try it on now that’s its finished! I reckon it’s because I had her wear it to try for size and the pins around the neckline must have pricked her, hence she now wont wear it! >.<

With this dress as well, I had a tough time with the instructions! What is it with me and collars??? I think I’ll stick to simple collars next time. I’m glad that I tried this out on a relatively cheap fabric since I wasn’t sure how to go about certain steps and I’m glad I did! Although it’s ok, still not 100% happy with it at all. And now that Arianna won’t even try it on, guess it’s not so bad. But it still hurts that she won’t try it on though. Thought I have a whinge about it too!! Have to store this one for KR, I guess…. *sigh*

Whinge over. TFL!

I got sick of all those PJs that I had to break the monotony of it all and sew up a suit for KR. Although she has lot of hand me downs from Arianna, I always feel that each child should have something of their own – something that they can say, “Mummy sewed this for me.” instead of thinking that all they get is old clothes from the elder siblings.

I sewed this in size 86 and it is big on KR….I havent got a modelled shot yet but she has tried in on and I can easily get a few seasons out of it which is excellent! Instead of following instructions and use either jersey or cor fabric, I used cotton interlock instead and I don’t think it turned out THAT nice although in general, it turned out not too bad. Just not 100% happy with it.

I had loads of issues with the instructions! I spent some 45 minutes reading and RE-reading the instructions just to understand it and yet, I totally skipped some parts and made up my own coz I just couldn’t figure it out!! >.< Sometimes, my brains just don't function well enough. Ps. I used the ric rac Aida gave me. Thanks dear!! And the interlock fabric was from a destash sale.

And to compliment the top/dress, I made these leggings. These were super easy and fast too! This too is a wee bit long which is always good. This was the first time I ever used Stella fabric and it’s such a dream to sew with!!! I’ve been putting off cutting this fabric coz I was so afraid I’d ruin it (Tis a little pricey for my pocket so I’m very cautious of using pricey fabric). It’s a gorgeous knit and so easy to sew with despite the elasticity. Will definitely get more of this when it goes on sale from CM next time.

TFL!!

This has been long time coming! I promised Cathy that I’d get a modelled shot of KR in this pinny I won from the June giveaway on the CM blog but because we only got back home in August, it’s only now that I had the chance to dress her up in it.

I think it’s absolutely gorgeous, Cathy!! I love the color and it fits KR so well. Being a wee bit long, I can get at least another season out of it…if not two! I absolutely love it…thanks so much!!

And might I add that it is sewn so beautifully too!!! A lot of love went into that pinny, I’m glad I won it.

As I was rearranging my stack of sewing magazines, pattern books and other various craft related reading material just now (am deciding on what to sew for JR), I noticed how huge my collection of Ottobre magazines have grown! I was actually quite shocked and surprised that I had that many. I have to thank Aida for getting me started THEN hooked on sewing, and like her, I started with Ottobre patterns. And while she has stopped/going to stop her subscription, I just renewed mine up till next year. And then after that, I think I’ll stop too.

For the record, up to date I have….**wait for it**…..15 Otto kids magazines and 4 Womens issues!!! Yes, no need to check your eye sight, you read right…I’m got a total of 19 Ottobre issues and I never knew I had that many until TODAY!!! In fact, I thought I had faulty lighting and was seeing things until I counted again, coz I think it’s absolutely shocking, I tells ya!! *lol* And the irony of it is that sometimes, I can’t find a SINGLE pattern that I would like to sew up. *slaps forehead* Bizarre right?

Hence, I’m slow adding to my pattern collection like buying Farbermix & Mamu Designs patterns when they are on sale especially….I’ve yet to buy any O+S Patterns coz they are really pricey and don’t cover a wide age/size range which is ridiculous. So unless I chance upon a pattern I can’t live without, I’ll pass….

Right after we got back from Malaysia, I truly felt the change of weather and I reckon the kids did too. I was afraid that they’d come down with a cold or something due to this change buy praise God, all went well. But with this change of weather, it also meant that the girls would have to be rugged up so I’ve brought out all the winter clothes I have for Arianna and guess what….most of her leggings are too short!! >.< And as for KR, she can wear Arianna's hand me downs but I think it's a size bigger so she's pretty much swimming in most of them. But still better than having tight garments on. Hence I went on a PJ making journey....

I didn't make many since winter is nearly over but with spring, your guess is as good as mine as to when the temperature will dip and when it will hit the roof...so having some warm clothes wouldn't hurt.

Love how the stripes turned out and VERY gender neutral too!

Note the Hamburglar colors here!! Ps. Dont mind the hair….she just woke up!

Trying not to be bias, I also sewed some stuff for KR too. Hers were mostly pants coz with the top, I can just get a sweater on and she’d be fine. Plus, I had only made 1 pair of footed pants for Arianna back then, and now…looks like I will need more.

YES! I’ve got a pair of Hamburglar babies!! *lol* This one is a little bit grumpy though.

All the PJ tops have appliques on them, but really simple ones. I know my Mum would be freaking out right now since the kids are dressed in black and she doesn’t like kids in black, but becoz of JR….we’ll be steering towards more gender neutral prints from now on so that I can stretch out the wear of these clothes. At least I can try!

Thanks for looking….

My sewing forum, Crafty Mamas run a weekly Sew UP Wednesday to encourage, inspire and motivate people like me to spend a bit more time on ourselves and sew what we like and if possible (which is hardly the case for me), sew for the whole day. I thought that I would finally be able to participate today but apparently, this was not possible.

Recently, I’ve been kinda of busy trying to get back into routine and just trying to get my head around a lot of things. Everyday is a juggle for me especially as I’m getting bigger by the day (31 weeks and counting now!) and there is still a load of stuff to get ready for JR. I haven’t even begun sewing for him at all. And then just now, a friend told me about some news about Outer Banks foreclosures. She didn’t tell me much about it but apparently she’s thinking about buying one of those properties for her kid but is bogged by some financial issues so she’s thinking twice about it.

So my mind is all over the place that I can’t really concentrate much on sewing which is a pity since I really find it a fantastic way for me to unwind. O well, such is the life of a SAHM I guess…..hats of to the mums out there who run their own sewing business, care for their kids, and able to manage a household. Me, I’m just wondering how I’ll fare when the kids come of schooling age!! O.O

I finally plucked up enough courage (& found the time) to sort out the pile of fabric that I had been buying online and sending back home. Needless to say that Ted wasn’t a happy camper having been woken up many times early in the morning coz the delivery guy pops by about 7.30am if he has something for me and Ted is normally up for work later than that. And occasionally he had to actually go down to the postoffice to collect the parcels for me – such a good husband! I knew I married him for a reason.

Anyway, this is it :

The only one I wasn’t happy about was the crazy green dog one which I got on eBay…it’s meant to be for little boys but look how big the prints are! :/ So, me not happy abt that at all…..thank goodness it wasnt that expensive.

It’s funny how when I buy fabric it’s always for the kids so this time, I got the stripe one for myself. Why stripes? I really dont know but I like how mellow the color is AND it’s gender neutral too so J-Roc and I might get matching outfits!

I got these from a destash sale…love it!

Finally some floral knits for the girls.

I think I should *REALLY REALLY* stop buying fabric. And Ted would whole heartedly agree with this! lol Did I mention that he has modified the changing table so that I have a sort of moveable rack? With all the extra work and exercise he’s been doing rearranging my stuff around, he won’t be needing that pull up bar anytime soon!! You (those not into sewing and such) might think it’s easy to just stop but once you get into this whole fabric craze business, it’s not that easy. It’s VERY addictive and the only thing stopping me from going on a spending spree is my PayPal budget – no money, no buy. *sigh* Thank goodness I’m home-bound coz I don’t have a driving license, if not….I’m sure to send us into bankcrupt!

PS. Did I also mention that along with the fabric I hand carried down with me, I also bought a pair of pinking shears as well meters and meters of assorted elastic? The things that I forgot to get me was a bunch of assorted zips and some colored overlocker threads. Ish…never mind, I’ve already started a list of things for Mum to bring down for me. Heh.

O.O *totally speechless*

What I should have done was take a shot of the stack of parcels I had piled up on top of each other but instead, I tore into them like a child on Christmas day! *lol* I was so excited to see so many parcels until it dawned on me that, omg…where am I going to store them???? These are not including the ones that I bought while in Kulim!! Die….and Ted has rearranged my stuff but sort of made it a little bit easy for me. He’s turn the baby’s change table into my moveable rack and modified a rack into the new change table. I knew I married him for a reason! ^.^ By the way, these are mostly knit fabric. Although I thought I wouldn’t sew it coz of all the horror stories, I totally beg to differ now. I love to sew knit!!

Anyway, I’ve not had a chance to take a pix of it yet….it’s too scary. But will do once I’ve settled and unpacked the 3 huge bags. The one thing I hate about travelling, the packing and worst still, UNPACKING. Blek!! Now, off to stroke and touch and admire my brand new fabric. *lol*

This is it! I’m absolutely loving the third fabric which I think is rather neutral in design but not too sure yet what to sew! (See definition for fabriholic!) Sorry but I forgot what it’s called…

The first 2 are meant to compliment/match each other so I can’t wait to sew something for the girls in that. I love seeing them in matching garments. Reminds me of how my mum used to sew garments that match for sis and I. I think it’s an awesome way to allow the girls to have something in common and yet, not the same.

Well, tomorrow we are flying back to Sydney (Boo-Hoo!!). While on one hand I am happy to be heading home to my piles and piles of fabric, I am more sad that I have to leave my family behind. It never gets easier no matter how many times you’ve returned home. I reckon that it gets harder the more times you come home. But I am thankful that I’m only living in Sydney and not too far away….it’s only a 9hr (max) flight away! Not really a consolation BUT it’s still something.

The next time I set foot in Malaysia would be within the next 2 years is all is well. Best start saving up! (But will ensure that fabric shopping is not affected…. LOL)