Done the First Month of 12 Challenge... Yah...

You see, I have a big pile of my clothes that needed to be mended, adjusted or added (they've been sitting in box for 2 years, shameful I know...). And I've done it all - even adding something to the bodice of my new dress. However, they're not newsworthy for this posting.

The one that is... My own bag, yea yea, another bag, but this one means 'I AM ON MY OWN' bag! You get it? Know the feeling of going anywhere without kids in tow and carrying a bag big enough to fit the house and contents, just in case...

I've had kids around me for 11 years, since my first baby was born. And tomorrow my third baby's starting school...

Imagine vast space, no interruptions, no pleadings, no asking for food every 15 mins, no cleaning up or picking up after, no little 'oops' accidents, plenty of food and drink all just for me, sit down anytime I'd like, read uninterrupted, go for a stroll with dogs without anyone slowing us down...

Sighs... is it really happening?

Of course, the novetly will wear off and I'll pine away for my 'in-the-face' kids, but meanwhile, I am gonna enjoy my 'kid-free' year this year and what's the best way to start that?

This gorgeous bag (pattern from: http://www.sewmamasew.com/store/media/blog/SMSAprilBags.pdf)

(pls excuse bad photo - will take another photo tmw in sun)

Inside the bag, I added two pockets, for my mob and keys - I hate rumbling inside the bag.

Being an overachiever, I had to make two, so here's another bag of same pattern. I am giving this to my old friend as a gift.

Cheers till later, peeps!

A cool site to check out...

A Bag Lover - a fun site to check for free patterns/tutorials on bags - purses, baskets, bags, totes, etc...



Cheers till later, peeps!

2010 Sewing Calendar Challenges has Begun!

I've just managed to do the first one! My excuse is the school holidays - kids have gone back to school yesterday and my "baby" will start Kindy next Monday then I will have all the space, time and attention to sewing and gardening. I cannot think of anything much more fun than this! ;)

Anyhow, here's my answer to the first challenge from the calendar:


I think I will be giving it to a good home soon. It was fairly easy to do, however I'd use the iron-on pellon to make it easier and quick to finish. I didn't 'quilt' it the same way as the instructions asked cos I think it was abit of waste of thread. I did only three quilting lines for each coaster. Looks nice anyway.

Cheers till later, peeps!

Latest sewing projects

Ok, I have to keep up with postings here!

Thought I'd start with the dresses I've made for my girl and other girls. I have made the first dress for my girl, but it is AWOL atm so will post when I've found it.

This is the pillowcase dress. I bought two pillowcases in red and converted them into dresses - had a ball doing it. My girl designed the front but I had to scale it down to simple design as shown and she loved it.

This dress was for her friend.


And this is my girl, being sassy as usual! Note the different colours in ribbons for top. Both girls are quite skinny so added elastic at the back to gather and give shape to the dress. They like it. The flowers were created with the Clover's Fabric Yo-Yo Flowers Maker tool - quite easy!


Back:

This was the latest dress I've been making. I made two dresses out of this pattern from Sew Sensible's Bontique Dress Top (there's bottoms but I havent started on it yet).

It was easy pattern to work with but I am not exactly thrilled how the back sit on the bottom. So there may be some tweaking then in next dress making, me thinks...

My niece got her first homemade dress from me and she loves it. Modelled here for me before she went home after 5 days stay with us. Lucky girl! My girl got hers but with forest green fabric with same main fabric.






Cheers till later, peeps!