I Heart Corsage Tees

Its birthday season in this house and we seem to have a party on every weekend between now and Easter.

(My little model is still half asleep)

I was inspired by this wonderful blog (isn't she gorgeous. I just love her creations)..and decided to whip up some corsage tees. Quick, easy and super fun. I recycled some old stretch tights and t-shirts that were on their way to vinnies (oops sorry Vinnies). My knit stash is very lacking, so if someone can recommend a nice place to buy knits then I would love to hear it.?I checked out Spotlight on the weekend and they have absolutely nothing. Surprise surprise!

The birthday recipients loved them and thought that I had bought them...gotta love that! Well I did the tees..they are just the stretchy ones from Target. They wash really well and the ones I embellished for the girls last winter are still going strong.

Brrrr Its Cold Outside...

I have been sending the littlest man off to stay and play in about 4 layers to keep the cold out. He was desperate for a warm jacket. I searched my Otto mags for the perfect pattern and we came up trumps with the Little Ghost Fleece Jacket 6/2007. Its polar fleece fully lined with single jersey (minus the little ghost applique). I made a size 92 and didn't add the seam allowance, thankfully its a perfect fit. It came together so quickly apart from attaching the sleeves together. I came close to throwing the whole thing in the bin..I couldn't get my head around it. I find at times Otto instructions are so lacking. Thankfully my perseverance paid off and he had a warm snuggly jacket to wear to playgroup this morning. The only issue is the button holes. I interfaced the front panel underneath the button holes but they look like they are still going to stretch. I used much larger buttons than intended. I saw these buttons at Spotlight and knew they would be a perfect match. Anyway it just needs to get him through the next couple of months.

Sorry for the crappy photos..my model did not want to participate and its grey and gloomy inside to day

Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair

I left the little people behind for the weekend (with their Dad) and headed off to Sydney. Such perfect timing and planning on my behalf...The Sydney Craft and Quilt Show was on...Yay! So Mum and I hit the fair. There was so much to look at and so many people...

I picked up a cute Big Owl Pattern from Hot Possum and a gorgeous Flower Brooch Kit from the girls at Prints Charming. I really liked the scarf kits they had put together but by the time I decided I wanted one they had sold out! So I had to suffice with some covered button instead. I had planned to buy some fabric but nothing really jumped out and grabbed me. Although their was lots of beautiful liberty and Japanese fabrics but I think I had better use some of my stash first.

I really loved these gorgeous knitted dolls by Annie at ak traditions. I so wish I could knit....
I also like what Jane at Be Be Bold had done with the oliver + s patterns. She had made up most of the patterns in beautiful Japanese fabrics...Oh my. I had to hold on tight to my credit card. I didn't spend too much time looking at the quilts but what I saw was pretty spectacular.

On Sunday my sister and I headed out to the Bondi Markets. Lots of interesting goodies. I got this handful of lovely large vintage buttons.

On the sewing front I finished a little vintage vest for the little man. It was a kwik sew pattern that I found at the op shop some time ago. The only problem was that the size 2 was way too small in length.so I added an extra 2 inches on and top stitched it for detail. You can barely tell. I struggled with attaching the ribbing to the v neck. The instructions weren't really specific. It took several un pickings before I finally realised what I was doing wrong. (Some times I think my brain is mushy after 3 kids). It looks so cute on. I will definitely be making more. I just need to find some better sources for knit material.Spotlight and Lincraft are pretty hit and miss and the last two knits I have bought from Spotlight have had small holes in them! Has anyone got any ideas where I can buy quality knit from?

I Heart Tilda

Finally something sew worthy to blog about. Last night I finished the Tilda T-shirt dresses for the girls from Otto 6/2007. I love them. It was such a lovely thick knit to work with and so much easier to sew than the knit I used in my first attempt. I also used a ballpoint stretch needle this time and I think its made a world of difference. It was the first time I have banded a neckline. I was worried about this..but it was so easy. I was too lazy to set up the machine with a twin needle so I just top-stitched around the neckline twice. The girls loved these so much that they had to wear them today to preschool. Fingers crossed that they don't come home covered in paint.

I venterued into the unkown...

...And came out with a knit top, that I am pretty chuffed with. Its the Muksis top from Otto 1/2009.

It was challenging to say the least. Why you ask?

• The knit was super fine and kept rolling at the edges.


• I put a small hole in the sleeve with the overlocker, hence the strategically placed stars.


• I couldn't quiet get the tension right on the wrong side.


• I used a straight stitch as advised by the otto instructions but have a feeling that perhaps I should have used a small zig zag??


• The sleeves are meant to have a large cuff but I couldn't attach it by stretching the sleeve and cuff around the machine table. Does that make sense? So I bound them and added some elastic. I think next time I will just taper the sleeve and bind or hem the edges.
  

But overall I am happy with it. It fits and I love the fabric. I will keep persevering until I conquer knits, as there are some great patterns around.

So if anyone has anymore tips on sewing with knits, then please send them my way.