Batwing Dress

So back in July when I got this baby up and running I mentioned that I was taking a few lessons. I managed to make two dresses throughout the course and I am sharing one of them with you today. Yep, this one is totally from scratch! No nipping, tucking or running in a few sides. This is the real deal..following a commercial pattern in all its confusion and managing to get it right! Yay me!

 I love love love batwings

And just so you get an idea of the length...

This is soooooo comfy! The stretch material allows for a bit of give and is still beautiful and light, perfect for frolicking on the beach. I might just get this pattern out for another run soon.

Kaftan-abulous!

I have been missing in sewing action for a few weeks but fear not - I am back on the machine! Today I tried my hand at some copycat action based on this light & breezy kaftan/beach throw I picked up a few months back. I love this little piece and I'm certain its going to get worn to death around the pool and beach this summer.

While doing the obligatory whirling and twirling one does in a newly purchased flowy number, I discovered it was really two big semi circles of fabric that made up the front and back. See?

So when lil sis mentioned that she also had a fondness for my new purchase, I thought I'd try my hand at doing a bit of copy catting.

I layed it out exactly as above on some colourful summery fabric I snapped up on spesh. Then I traced one semi circle for the front and one for the back and cut a 'v' for the neckline. I did tinker with the idea of making a yoke for the neckline but instead decided on simply overlocking and sewing under. That's right my friends - I am even testing the overlockering waters!

The end result? A fabulous little kaftan/throw with a great splash of summer colour. This fabric is a little thicker than the original and so doesn't have the same soft flow, but a couple of washes should fix that.

Yay for summer!

Lazy Sunday Table Runner

For a while now little pockets of my house have been annoying me. Just niggling away at me, in need of a lil somethin'- somethin' to give them a tad more interest, so today my tired old side table got a well earned facelift.

It usually looks a little something like this, all boring & a little sad looking.

Enter a few fat quarters and a scrap of calico! I pieced them together - not quite a patchwork masterpiece - but the end result was a cute little table runner with a bit more personality than the current table top.

I am loving the gorgeous burnt orange colours here, just the tonic for a little decor pick-me-up!

Bucket Head!

I have been inspired by sunshine! Yep, I think winter is now finally behind us and I've been soaking up the sun like a little lounge lizard.

Today I had a crack at this tutorial to make a bucket hat for the little guy and to my suprise it was relatively easy. I made some tweaks though - rather than doing a double sided/reversible number I kept it one sided as he is a sweaty little beast in summer & I wanted to keep the layers to a minimum.

Granted, its not as good looking on the inside as a double sided number, but it does the job nonetheless.

We can never have enough of these in summer...they seem to be right up there with odd socks that disappear in to the never never. Perhaps a double sided one next?

Dress Ups!

This weekend we took a drive up to little old Gulgong town to celebrate a friends birthday - Pimps & Ho's style! Now, I am partial to the odd fancy dress party and was pretty keen to put together these outfits. As much as I enjoy themed parties, I hate how pricey some of these outfits can be so off I went to the ops shops and put my bargain eyes on! First off a sparkly gold jacket caught my eye for the big pimp and was an absolute steal at $3!!! Next up I found this kids jacket for $4.50 and couldn't go past it. So, young Ollie was joining us on our trek and I got to pimping out this mini jacket.

I made a stencil by folding down the lapel and cutting out a piece in some zebra print fabric I had left over from a previous fancy dress. I then did the same thing for the flappy bits on the pockets and hand-tacked them on to the jacket. (Making them easy to remove if we ever want to use the jacket for real).

The finished product was ADORABLE, and I needn't have been worried that he wouldn't wear it - he LOVED it and has even asked if he can wear it again since. Cute. I'll enjoy this while he's still young enough not be bothered that 'mum made it'.

 Pimpin' attitude

Having success with the little pimp jacket, I tried my hand a little embellishing for the big pimp in my life. The above mentioned gold jacket was a little short in the arms (perhaps because I found it in the ladies section at Salvos - ssshhh... no one will ever know) so I got some more use out of that zebra print fabric and sewed on some cuffs. Perfecto! It was the perfect finish.

 Two perfectly fitted out pimps for $7.50!

So while this isn't strictly a sewing project, I did get out the needle and thread so that counts in my book. Thanks for reading!

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.