Refashioned Skirt

In celebration of these past few days of warmer weather (I can smell spring around the corner), I thought I'd share this refashion I did a little while ago. These culottes were a steal at $4 and I immediately had inspiration for a little refashioning. Well hey, if I failed what's 4 bucks?

So, here's the unflattering before shot....

....and all that needed to be done was to undo the crotch seams and re-sew down the front, and down the back tapering in the parts of the old seams so they didn't poke out like a tail. And there was no need for hemming (yay!) as the length was good to go. So, for a couple of minutes on the wizbang sewing machine you get a new girly skirt perfect for spring! 

Its had a few wears already....

Perfectly girly, flowery goodness!

Banana Pyjamas Part II

...And we have a complete set of jammies! A few posts ago I made these pants based on some cute skinny pants from Bonds and ever since they've been crying out for a buddy...enter the 90 min shirt! (I warned you love this project...and this probably won't be the last of them)

Here's a few snaps for you...

This kid is not the easiest subject for outstanding pics, although a camera upgrade would help! Yeah...I'll get around to that one day.

Have to say I'm pretty pleased with my first complete outfit. And the best bit? They're only going to be worn to bed so only I'm the only one who'll notice their little imperfections.

Oh, and ignore the scrawl of pen on his hand - this has become a new hobby! "Its a star Mummy." Of course it is.

No-Sew Basket Lid

This little basket has been on my hit list for a while and I finally got around to giving it a facelift. The original fabric on the lid was black which got destroyed (don't ask) & I gave it a quick fix but it was always looking back at me with a sad face. (Truly, it was) Here's the before:

 Off came the black fabric and I stripped it down to its shell. I used the shell to trace a circle of this cute apple fabric and a circle of wadding which gave the top a bit of extra pouf. ("Pouf", is that even a word?)

So, first off I took the top circular piece from the shell and placed on the wadding followed by the fabric. Then I made small cuts all the way around the edges which could be easily folded over the edge and hot glued down. That's right, this is a completely no-sew project and I have discovered a new love for hot glue!

 Folding the edges & securing with my new buddy, hot glue

 Then cut a long strip which will go around the edge of the lid & secure every so often with hot glue. But don't use large amounts or you'll end up with lumps under your fabric. When you get to the end, fold the edge under for a clean finish & you guessed it, another dollop of the hot stuff!

Fold the edge under

Now its just a matter of gluing the poufy lid to the top and you've breathed new life into the tired old basket. I love the little pop of colour it gives to our bathroom.

I think the toilet rolls will be happy living here. Now I have a thirst for more home decor makeovers!

Easy Peasy Brimmed Beanie

I found this awesome little project over at Delia Creates while I was searching for some 'boy' projects in a cyber world full of tutorials for girls. This one is GOLD and literally takes 5 minutes - if you have a boy you must give this a go! I started with this (rather bright) red beanie I found at an op shop for a whopping 50c and cut a brim out of an old ice cream container which is perfect for this project as it's flexible but still holds its shape, and best of all can be thrown in the washing machine.

 

 Said ice cream container brim

Oh, and round off the sharp edges of the brim a little or it may poke through your beanie.

 So in the five minutes between Banana's In Pyjama's and dinner time, we have a brand new winter hat! Ollie insisted on wearing it for dinner and even suggested he could wear it in the bath...um, no. But nice try little guy. 

This honestly takes a zero skill level and would be equally gorgeous for a little girl.

Happy days!

Banana Pyjamas?

So I recently bought these adorable Bonds pj pants (ok, so slightly legging looking) with a guitar print and it was love at first sight for Ollie. Perhaps because he honestly believes sometimes that he IS Murray Wiggle and is obsessed with guitars.

Check those adorable ugg boots too - thanks Aunty Trace! Uggies are that much cuter when they're mini. And just in case you didn't catch that super cute guitar-adorned butt, here's an extreme close up for your viewing pleasure!

WHOA!!

Anyhoo, I was checking these out and noticed that they were simply a back & front with an elastic top and thought to myself, even I should be able to replicate these...surely?

I made a basic (even more basic than basic) pattern by laying the pants out on paper and tracing around. Then just cut out the fabric & sewed in a small zig zag stitch which I have learned helps knit fabrics keep their stretch. Voila! What do you think? I'm loving the yellow stripey thing that's going on here - most appropriate for a kid who has just discovered and LOVES Bananas In Pyjamas.

I made a rookie mistake with the ribbing on the bottom and sewed them on after I had sewed all the seams together, leaving the tiniest circular space to work through the machine.*sad face* I should have added the ribbing after sewing the middle crotch piece, and then joined them by sewing the side seams last...make sense? Lesson learned.

 Oh, and one more thing...the obligatory butt shot! 

We're Live!

Welcome to my very first post! Wow, I am totally new to blogging and am still finding my way so please bear with me. I have recently stumbled upon some fabulous projects in blog land and am super duper keen to try my hand at so many of them! This blog is my way of making sure I set aside some 'me time' to give these projects a red hot go - you see, if I have to post, I have to sew! 

I am by no means a professional, in fact if anything I would describe myself as a bit of a hack sewer. But that's ok. In a few weeks I'll be taking some lessons with my girl JM, but until then I'll continue on my merry way making things up as I go along. 

Here's a little peek at a project I am IN LOVE with! Its so easy even for non-sewers and, might I add, completely addictive. Its the 90 minute shirt from Dana Made It.

I made this one last summer....

...and more recently this one.

What makes these babies even sweeter is that they were made from brand new thrifted shirts that cost only $1 each! Gotta love that. 

Did  I also mention that I am seriously lacking in photography skills?