Gorgeous Children's Sewing Patterns

Aren't these divine patterns from Heidi and Finn on Etsy? I have heard they are easy to follow which is always refreshing news. I would love to sew these for my girl (although she loves a good twirly skirt)! The little bolero is too cute, I'd like one myself.



This is a great unisex pattern! I am desperate to learn to use the over-locker (serger) my Mum gave me to use.... especially when I see patterns like this. On an un-related note, how frustrating was it having blogger out for over 24hours!!!! We have started my migration to Word Press - not fast enough I say! Have a great weekend.

My Creative Space - Hello Birdie Pillow

The lovely Posie gave me a spare Red Thread pattern she had and I made this cute Hello Birdie Pillow for Anya's bedroom in a couple of hours! So cute and looks great on her bed! I highly recommend the pattern, it is easy and designed to be made from fat quarters which I love, because we all have fat quarters in our stash - don't we ladies!!!! So easy to make for a quick kids/baby/girlfriend present! For more creative spaces visit 'Our Creative Spaces'!

Ed's note: Thanks to everyone that left comments last week - sorry blogger deleted them all in the wobbly it had last Thursday!

Vintage Sewing Patterns

I have such a big bag of 'reject' patterns from my sister's mother-in-law that I inherited. I was going to sell them on e bay or something... It will be a job to do before we move! I of course kept all the cool ones, like these pictured! My sister has a massive bag of rejects also... and she doesn't really sew! Some patterns I kept just because they made me laugh - like the knitting patterns for men - such bad photos! This bottom Butterick pattern is very Jackie O inspired I think!

My Creative Space - Japanese Sewing Pattern

Well, it seems I like a challenge :-) My cousin Gret sent me this lovely children's Japanese sewing pattern for my birthday in Jan. The instructions are completely in Japanese!!!!! eeeeeek! Fortunately I prefer pictures to follow anyway... however a few English words like 'back' and 'front' would have been handy! Hmmmm...

Fortunately there are many great sewers out there that have conquered before me and left helpful advice on their blogs. The only one I really used was The Purl Bee, she included the symbol for back and front and it was a life-saver! Gret has a post on her blog sighting a few more helpful links for Japanese crafting.



All in all it turned out pretty well but a little boxy for my liking. I haven't decided if I will take it in or not. Anya loves the little pocket and wanted one on both sides. I originally made it for our family photo shoot last weekend, but ended up putting Anya in something else. I think this pattern would be lovely in a really light, flowy gauze/cotton fabric.

For more creative spaces visit Kirsty's place.

Amy Butler Barcelona Skirt - pattern review

Finally I have finally finished my Amy Butler Barcelona skirt! I received that pattern back in May and bought my material in July.... here we are November and I wore it today for the first time. Sooo comfortable, I love things that sit on my hips low. This skirt is truly so QUICK and EASY! I will probably make a layered one too (on the pattern cover) but that may take another 6 months ;) If you have the pattern sitting in your cupboard, get it out and make it this weekend! You could definitely do it in an afternoon. If you have any doubts about what an invisible zipper foot looks like (for the invisible zip) then hop on over to Lara's blog Kirin Notebook for a fabulous tutorial on invisible zips (on a pillow - but it's all the same principal). Happy sewing and YAY for finishing projects. PS: If you are new to my blog that is a baby - not beer belly!!! 4.5months along.

Sewn

I totally forgot to mention that Sarah from SEWN came and took some photos at the Handmade market and has featured a couple of mine on their site. If you go to the gallery section, then Handmade market in Bloom you will see some lovely goodies that were on offer. I am picture 14 and Gret was picture 13. Sewn has some great features including interviews, find a fabric search tool, sewing and quilting glossary (great for beginners), free patterns, tutorials - what isn't to love?!

Friday favourites - Vintage sewing books

I picked this book up at the last Lifeline book fair (next one in Canberra: 25-27 September 2009) and had forgotten about it until I poked through my linen cupboard yesterday morning. I haven't even had a good look through yet! It was published in London in 1964 and has some really great advice on cutting/tailoring patterns in it. Even though it's circa '64 many of the patterns can be adapted to today's fashion. It is a follow up to Natalie Bray's Dress Pattern Designing book. I have never really drafted my own pattern - the most daring I got was inserting a train into a formal outfit for a Hollywood themed work Christmas party. I am itching to do some sewing of my own though! Have a great weekend.

Friday favourites - Moda

I'm a bit slow it seems, as I didn't discover Moda's fabulous blog with so many awesome tutorials till recently!!! They even give you printer friendly versions (note to self - "GOLD"). They also have a flickr pool where you can upload your completed Moda projects. There are so many great little online communities for sewers, new and experienced alike. Another is SewMamaSew where you can get the skinny on pattern reviews and help out your fellow sewers! Nice.

Vintage sewing patterns #3

It's been a while since I posted some of my cool old patterns... here are some more I would love to make... My favourite is the Butterick pattern at the top, the striped dress on the right is practically my bridesmaid dresses. They were V front and back which I love. These hair styles are doing the rounds again now too!