Birthday Time...

Well it was my birthday on Monday..Happy Birthday to me. Which also meant it was my twin sisters birthday. I decided to go all handmade for her pressie and I am now well on my way to meeting my handmade target for all birthdays so far this year. She requested two things - lounge pants and also an Amy Butler Sling. I will start with the good things first...The lounge pants. They were made from a thrifted actil sheet. Not sure if it was vintage but it is lovely... dandelions (or poppers as the girls call them) and I cuffed them with something that was in my stash. They are super comfy and the pattern was made by cutting up a pair of old flanny Susan pj's.

(Do you like my new labels?)

The Amy Butler Sling, almost needs its own post. I am not happy with the finished result (maybe its just me being fussy). I picked some nice AB fabric from here. (Great service by the way). I originally decided to use the AB for the bands and bag handle. But when it arrived it was very blue..so blue it almost glows in the dark. Thankfully I had some Lecien spots in my stash that I thought my tone it all down a bit. The bag came together quickly but when I turned it out..I really disliked all the colours together. So I unpicked and re-cut a new handle from some fabric that was in the stash..ahh much better. But the interfacing bubbled on the inside band (maybe my iron was too hot???) and the band seemed to have stretched (I did cut the fabric on the grain but I didn't wash it but I am new to this, so not sure why?). You can't really notice it unless you look closely but I am disappointed all the same :(o

The orginal band (left) and the final band

The finished sling. It looks good from the distance!

I kept the AB fabric on the internal pockets. See what I mean about it glowing in the dark?

I tweaked things ever so slightly. I added a magnetic clasp (so easy, I was really scared about this one) and in one of the large pockets I sewed in a pocket that will fit her mobile phone.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER xoxo

Some Sewing...

Wow I have become really slack with posting on this blog! I must try a bit harder. There hasn't been much time to craft in this house since the girls have returned to school. I was trying to do something every day but that seems to have flown out the window. I thought that having two mornings a week to myself would allow a bit more time to sew..but I am actually busier now than if the girls were at home.

Some flannelette wraps and adorable reversible cloth booties for little Charli who entered this world on the 21st April.

They are made from old kimono material, with a soft pink baby cord for the sole and lined with a retro print cotton voile.

Amy Butler Lounge pants for Mum - Happy Mothers Day Mum. For the trim I stitched on a contrasting cross grain ribbon and I elasticised the waist rather than put in a draw string. Mum was happy with the fit. I think I would prefer the waist to sit a little lower on my hips so I will have to work on the pattern.

We had a visit from Nanny last week and she was busy on the machine. She finished these jackets for the girls from this pattern

I have had the pattern for close to 2 years but we struggled to find some quilted cotton. I searched online and we asked at various fabric stores but no one knew what we were talking about. Then someone donated some to the fabric stash which was perfect. Nan made the bias binding and just lined the sleeves so that they can be turned back. Cute and very warm for the chilly Canberra weather we are having at the moment.

Gum Drop Pillows

Here are the Amy Butler Gum Drop Pillows that I made for one of my sisters for Christmas. She loved them and I was really happy with how they turned out. As much as I love Amy Butler Fabric I decided against making them up in some of her gorgeous prints in case I stuffed it up. The cutting out was tedious but the sewing together was a real snack. I filled them with bean bag beans rather than poly fill. I have since bought myself some fabric as my lounge room is crying out for some of these. Now to find time to whip them up!