Stitch 2 Stitch

I’ve never really entered either of the girls into any baby competition and recently, I actually missed out on a really good one. It was a Bond’s baby comp where the winner would be in the 2010 winter catalogue. Wasted right? O well….I blame it on me for procrastinating but this time, I thought I will enter another one and see how we go.

It’s by our local paper and the winner gets a a gift voucher. It’s not much but heck, it’s still something right? So I’ll be entering KR for it since Arianna has passed the age limit. It’s from ages until 2 years and Arianna is more than 2 years. Anyway, we’ll be entering for :

Cheekiest Smile

and

Biggest Smile

So wish us luck!

When I first thought of starting to sew, my main aim was to sew mainly bedsheets and curtains for the home. Somehow, after I got introduced to Ottobre designs, I had totally forgotten about sewing any manchester at all! In fact, the only thing related to manchester that I’ve sewn is perhaps these gifts for my sis. *lol*

I made her cushion covers as her housewarming gift and pillow cases for her birthday. She is a horse lover so anything with horses on them, she’d like. That said, Christmas is coming up and I have run out of ideas of what to sew her. I thought of sewing her a simple blouse but after the disaster I created for myself, I have lost hope. At least for now….so I’m cracking my head at the moment.

Table runners perhaps?

There’s no denying that kiddy toys are very expensive. I think it’s the same with clothes. Ever notice how newborn clothes cost an arm and a leg? The smaller it gets, the more expensive it is. So in my attempt to save a little moolah [so that I can go fabric shopping - HAH!], I decided to make a little crinkly toy for KR.

This is from a free tute.

I made these with flannel. But since I didn’t have any batting, I just added another layer of flannel inside. Also, I made a second one because the first one wasn’t crinkly enough. I didn’t stuff in the plastic wipes bag but just placed it in side, folded. So keep in mind to just scrunch up the bag and stuff it in if you’re planning to try this.

If I ever doubted that she didn’t like it, I can erase that thought! She loves it… Next time, I’ll add a bell inside for more sounds.

I guess it’s the norm to start building up the following season’s wardrove instead of sewing more of the currently one. Hence, I’ve sort of started to slowly build up some of the girl’s summer wear. I’m not too worried about what KR is going to wear as we have tons of summer/light clothes from when we went back to Malaysia for a visit when Arianna was about 1 year old. But it’s more of Arianna’s clothes which is now becoming a problem as she has literally no summer clothes albeit a couple of tshirts and a pair of shorts I upcycled from Grandpop’s PJs.

And so, I decided to start Summer Collection 2009 with a bunch of summer short made from cotton from the same Simplicity pattern I used recently. I think they turned out pretty well.

Next on my list would be a couple of short sleeves tshirts and some sleveless tshirts as well. It’s going to be a busy spring for me!! O, and I’m in the process of sewing up a 2 in 1 dress for KR too. Baby’s gotta have something of her own too, you know?

My first reversible was Arianna’s jacket which I am totally proud of coz a lot of brain cells were sacrificed in the process of completing it. lol It’s funny now when I think back of what I went through, but it wasn’t at the point, lemme tell ya! Anyway, I suddenly got the ‘reversibles’ bug and ended up sewing 2 more items of that nature.

1. Vintage smock

According to the pattern, you are meant to tie up the shoulders but I sewed this a little to small for Arianna so have gone with snaps instead. I have no idea what I’m going to pair this with since I don’t really know what to do with it. I merely really liked the pattern and I’ve seen it so many times and all the patterns out there have to be bought. And I wasn’t really willing to pay for it so I’m really glad that I found a free pattern. Apparently you can wear this with pretty much anything and everything. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.

2. O+S Popover Sundress

Another free pattern I got from my sewing forum Crafty Mamas with thanks to LM for sharing it with us. I’ve been putting this pattern on hold for a long time but as soon as I received Aida‘s fabric – the green fabric [Thank you so much dear!], I knew straight away that I wanted to turn it into this dress. This pattern is not meant to be a reversible. I merely took it upon myself to turn it into one. Note to self : Next time think things through before cutting patterns that are not meant to be reversible but you want to turn it into one. It was a personal challenge that I put to myself to get a little bit more creative and more open to patterns, and not stick to the rules all the time. I need that to get more creative clothes and make them more unique.

Sadly, there are not model shots at the moment as my model is being all sooky and not wanting to model for me at all. But on another note, I think it’s a nice change to not be sewing any Otto patterns. That said, the new Otto 6/09 is out and it’s a winter issue from memory. I think I already see a few things in there I’d like to try.

More things to add to my to-do list!!

Being the elder one, Arianna tends to end up with more clothes than KR since KR is able to wear the hand-me-downs for now. But I think the little one also deserves something to call her own so I decided to make some suits for her too.

This is one outfit that I am rather proud of because I actually managed to get the stripes to match!!! It is really a personal achievement that I am very happy about. Normally, my stripes dont match and no matter how slowly or carefully I cut the fabric, it always screws up. This time I was determined to ensure that it would turn out ok and praise the Lord, it did!!! It was tough, lemme tell ya but well worth it. In fact, I think I might try making a top for Arianna…yes, it will torture me doing it but I think it must be the sadist in me! lol

KR, my beautiful ‘boy’ striking a pose for me. She has been mistaken for a boy many times and I don’t just having trims on her pants will do. Might have to add a ribbon or something to the neckline to girly-fy it. Or do you have any other ideas?

This is as pink as pink can get! Heck, I think I don’t have anything THIS pink for the girls. lol I thought I might as well have something that will ensure people know that KR is a girl!

The baby bodysuit is meant to have a bottom piece which comes together at the tummy with snap fasteners. Since I just wanted a raglan sort of pattern which I don’t have in any of my Otto mags, just used the upper portion of the bodysuit pattern.

Yay, spring is here!! Out of the 4 season that we go through here, spring is my absolutely favourite although it drives Ted’s hayfever into over drive. Poor thing! Anyway, this year…the weather each season is just absolutely crazy…during winter, we actually had a day [from memory] when it was like 28degs or something. And just recently, it was 32deg. Makes you think what summer holds….

In celebrating spring, I thought I’d whip up some homewear for the girls. Also, I wanted to practice my applique. I’m still trying to find that perfect tight zigzag tension so that it looks more professional. Still haven’t found it yet…if you know what I should use, pls leave me a comment. I’m using Janome DC3018. These were made for Arianna.

The completed seahorse has a button eye just to give it more life.

They say pink and brown match. I think they do..plus one of the Tombliboos of In the Night Garden is dressed in pink and brown.

This is my fav set! I actually love the yellow knit and trying to use it sparingly. I got it from SL and I’m hoping to find more of it. The knit texture is soft but at the same time, feels thick so sewing with it was really nice.

If I didn’t mention, my first trip to Salvos to get some clothes so that I could try my hand at upcycling landed me with 3 pieces of clothing. One I have already turned into an angel sleeve top for Arianna and this is what I’ve done with another piece.

Made from a dress which I thought could have yielded more but somehow along the way, not only did I begin to dislike the fabric. I didn’t really have much left to make anything for KR so poor thing has nothing for now. I personally feel that it’s some sort of a stiff knit though I can’t be too sure.

I used Otto pattern #7, 1/05 for tanktop and underpants which I think is ok. Arianna has since worn the top but not the underpants. Out of the 2, I think she will wear the top more often coz I don’t really like the underpants. I dont think you’ll see me making anymore of these though.

My second upcycle project during this period was upcycling Grandpop’s jammies! Yea, MIL gave me his pants to play with while I got myself more accustomed to the new machine but it’s been awhile so I thought I might as well make something of it. And despite being a little bit old, the fabric is still in good condition. And is super soft from the wear! lol I managed to get 2 pairs of pants, one long and one short. Pattern I used was from Simplicity 7038, Sewing Patterns for Toddlers/Sewing for Dummies. They are pajama pants.

I had to add elastic to the long pants as they were too long so I rolled it up a little before hemming it and inserting the elastic so it won’t slide up Arianna’s leg while she’s asleep. I think they both make great summer night wear.

Although we didn’t win the premiership this year, I’m glad that we made it into the Grand Finals. It was a tough fight to the top but it was fought hard and well! So well done, boys….we’ll get them back in 2010 and bring it home!

Meanwhile, in my effort to support our Eels…I made these for the girls. We were all decked in our gear and went to catch the game at a friends place.

Left : Turtle romper [#1, 3/08]
Right : Tshirt with Eels logo [#36, 4/04]

Both were sewn using knit bought from Spotlight and made to compliment each other.