Easy Knits

Milly needed a pair of leggings so I whipped her up a pair. They were so quick to make that I made her another pair, and then another, and then another! The pattern is from Ottobre 6/2008 and each leg is cut as one piece, so no fiddly matching up of stripes. The patten only goes up to size 92 so I graded them to a 98 for width and 104 for length.

After I'd finished the leggings I was on a bit of a roll. There was another pattern I had been wanting to make for awhile but it also only went up to a 92 so I graded it up to 104. It is from Ottobre 1/2010 and was super easy to make.

Milly was put in charge of choosing the buttons and, of course, chose the sparkly pink flowers.

For cooler days this can also be worn with another top underneath but today the sun is shining and it's feeling like summer.

Ballerina Cushions

As soon as I saw this fabric go up on the Stitchbird website I absolutely had to have it. It is simply gorgeous and was a dream to sew with.

It has so much detail that it really doesn't need any more embellishment so I simply added a ruffled edging in Michael Millers Ta Dot fabric. I made a buttoned back for it but must have been a bit off with my measurements because it's a bit of a tight squeeze!

I also sewed up the house cushion kit I won from Wink Designs many moons ago. I loved not having to cut fabrics for this - it made it a very quick cushion to whip up.

Scarves and Skirts

Spring to me means layering and scarves. Crisp mornings and clear, sunny afternoons. Spring and autumn are my favourite seasons because the temperature is not too hot, not too cold, it's just right.

The idea for the patchwork scarf came from Onegirls blog and I thought it would be a fantastic way to use some of my scraps that I have been hoarding. Despite the expression on Milly's face she was really pleased with this. I let her pick some of the fabrics and she does love to have some control over which fabrics I use in her clothes.

The skirt is to replace a favourite of Milly's that is getting far too short but is just to precious to her to part with. (See version 1 here). The pattern is the Misty skirt from Ottobre 1/2008 and I am also sewing up a more summery version which I should be blogging about in the next few days. It has everything a little girl requires in a skirt - pretty colours and twirlyness. The original pattern calls for a zippered waist but I have replaced it with elastic so that it can grow with her. It is made from corduroy so it is softening up and getting better with age.

Stitchbird Fabrics Giveaway

I probably shouldn't be tell you this..............

In fact I definitely shouldn't be telling you this....................

because Lyndy at Stitchbird is having a super-duper giveaway to celebrate 1 year of finding happy homes for fabric..........................

and I want to win it! So please DON'T pop on over to her blog and enter. There's nothing over there that you'd be interested in anyway.

Watercolours

If you have a look at my sidebar you'll see that I've joined Hazelnuts Clothes for Mum Challenge. I've not done any sewing for myself for quite a long time now and I've got so many ideas kicking round that it's been great to have an incentive to get cracking with it.

I brought this gorgeous fabric from Spotlight. It is a stretch cotton sateen which made my eyes a bit crazy trying to focus when I had it on the roll but is a bit more subtle made into a garment. It was lovely to sew with.

I got all trendy and added an exposed zipper. I googled to find out how to insert it and found some great instructions here. The zipper definitely raised an eyebrow from the Hubby when I showed him. I think it's one of those trends that you either love or hate. I'm loving it!

The pattern is from Burda 9/2007 - 116 and is a nice easy pattern (2 dots). I think I'll probably have another go at doing the hem though. It was my first attempt at a blind hem but it's highly visible - does anybody have any tips for a tidy blind hem?

Check out everybody elses creations at the CFMC flickr and join in the fun.

This Week...

........I'm being kept busy learning to sketch;

stitching;

baby sewing;

and last but by no means least, being kept extremely busy by our new puppy. Isn't he lovely!

Hope you are all being kept busy with things you enjoy!

Quilt Blocks for Kids

I have a huge scrap pile - HUGE! I simply love going to the quilting shop and choosing a handful of pretty scraps to take home. I generally never have a use for them but I absolutely NEED to have them and take great pleasure in sorting them into color co-ordinated piles for the day that I will use them. I was, therefore, pleased to see that two kind-hearted souls in blogland were doing a shout-out for quilt blocks to make up quilts for family's who have lost their homes in the earthquake. Finally, a use for my scraps - now I am totally justified in replenishing the pile!

Firstly Cat over at Catalina's Cottage is wanting blocks of any design and any size to make up quilts for the kids that have been affected by the earthquake. These blocks were really fun to make up - no maths involved , just cutting and sewing and as a first time quilt block maker, it was fun to be able to 'freestyle' the blocks.

Anyone else feel like this when they exercise?

Secondly, Deb from Works in Progress is wanting 12.5inch quilt blocks in blues or reds of any design for a couple of family's whose homes have been wrecked. This was a bit more difficult for me, being mathematically challenged. I'm not sure if it was the seam allowances or what but firstly it was too small, and then I added the borders and it was too big. After a bit of trimming it was good to go and will hopefully be giving a bit of comfort to these families.

Thanks ladies for organising this and if anybody wants to donate blocks, click on the links for more information.