This may sound odd, but when it comes to having a few hours of ‘spare time’ (ie the kids are with Rob or are miraculously asleep at the same time) the first thing I want to do is work.  And that means sewing, drawing or making something.  So when I came across these posts about craftweekends over on the Pea Soup blog I started giggling and jumping up and down inside.  I wanted to email them and ask if could please come too?  Except they’re in Australia, and well, the littlees and I have not had a night apart ever, and will probably not have one for a while yet.

But this month I’m having my first Sew a Long!  My biggest problem now is which projects to take?

Here are but some of my options..  I’m thinking the shorter long sleeved version lower left.  Not sure what the fabric is, will have to suss it out, it is very light and floaty, such a beautiful print, it feels cool to touch and seems to crease.

I like the look of the low waisted sash on the lower right, not sure if there’s enough fabric…

Though I like this pattern too, I think maybe the version with the low neckline and sleeveless, left hand version.  The fabric is a crepe, with a slight stretch to it.

I left a dress out while pinning and ironing darts recently, Luna and Blake came across it grabbed a pin cushion and started ‘pinning’…  I was happy as I could quickly get a bit of seams sewn while they were happily working in their thing behind me…

I was impressed to see Luna (Blake was assisting by passing pins – that’s the thing he loves, the pins…) was creating her own darts in the dress, and adding more to the ones I had made.

And if you’re wondering about the dress, it’s my next sheet dress, just to get the feel for the pattern, and because I love the  look and feel or vintage sheets…

Simplicity 7031…

Were was my iron!!  The fabric is lovely, though slightly worn, its a shame, it makes it just a little light on, so am going to decide soon if it needs a bit of lining, which would be good practice.

I’ve paneled it so the center panel is a nice crisp section, near the edge of the sheet, and the side panels are the slightly faded ones, hopefully it will look good!  I’m making the right hand version, with the longer sleeves.  I’ve also cut the belt, so I can have a play around with that too.

A lovely woman posted me this pattern to try out, and it’s SO pretty and unused, it’s a style I’ve not tried before, Butterick 8977.

Not sure when I’ll attempt it, I will be doing my first trace and sew with this pattern as that will hopefully preserve it or at least save it from being overly handled.

I found this huge roll of lightweight upholstery fabric at my mums place, and was imediately inspired.. though I’m uncertain how it will feel on, the back (should have taken a photo of the reverse damn!) you see the weave of the fabric, and it actually feels soft… so may be quite good !  I also thought as the fabric is fairly thick it might hold the shape and hang well.. so it’s here for me to look at and think about for a time…

Just cut this dress out while up at mum for a couple of days with the kids… marked the dots, all ready to go!  In theory I could whip it up this evening but the little ones have been wakeful.

I’ve also just spent way too long trying to find the best place to put the ironing board (never thought I’d be excited about bring home an ironing board in my life..) and drinking tea from a new tea cup…

This is another experimental dress, I’m using a vintage sheet as I’m unsure about the design, and am a little sacred of cutting up some really lovely fabrics I have in my stash… not just yet.

I’m doing the right hand version, with longer sleeves – and I decided to cut the belt just in case.

Phew!  Just in time for Kraftbomb this coming weekend…  Lovely new cotton snack bags, I’ve been avoiding plastic for a while, and love using soft fabric ouches and small bags for mine and my kids on the go snacks.

I use mine for bread rolls, nuts, apples, these are fabric so good for dry goods, and thy wash well!  I have chosen and carefully laundered vintage cottons, and whipped them up into these handy (and so pretty!) snack bags.

These are my ones, come and see me this weekend to get your own!

Kraftbomb

Sunday 25th March
11 am – 2 pm
The Grey Lynn Community Centre
510 Richmond Road
Grey Lynn
Auckland

Playing around with some ideas for my latest sew retro project…  Style 4283 from 1973.

I found a couple of meters of sweatshirt material at my mums, and decided it would be a could test run, I have some other lovely vintage printed knit fabrics in my stash, but I want to be sure I get the fit right before cutting into something one off…

I have some perfectly co-ordinated vintage trims that I’d love to get on something wearable, so playing around with some ideas… either a collar detail, or a belt, this is all I have of the more detailed trim, it could be a feature for the belt?  I tend to go for less when it comes to dresses, and it just might be OTT for me, what to do what to do!

More old curiousities from mum’s place.  I have always remembered this doll, I think it’s the print on the fabric, and s/he’s also like my sleepy dolly that I had (and still have) when I was little.

She is a little worse for wear, sadly.  Though she has been well loved.

I was interested to see how she was finished where she was closed after stuffing, straight down the back.  Not what I had expected.

She’s on the vintage yoyo blanket…

The girls have been hanging out with me in the sewing room for a few days, between outings of course.

Iris and Ramona next to Nana Shirley.

Ramona is such a summer girl!

Audrey, by the tin of needles… and Isobel, happy as always.

Look!  I have company, well, the quiet, just-standing-behind-you-here-while-you-sew kind of company!

I’ve been dreaming of having a dress form to work with now I’m making all these dresses, so I’m very excited, just need some time together and to pad her out a bit, sizing-wise she’s close but a bit skinny, probably on account of not having any children, heh.

Love how these were colour coordinated with the kitten pictured on the tin…

Stunning.  But what’s inside?

I just get all excited when I find treats like this!

And this one?

It’s only crammed full with bias binding (Yusss!)

This lot above was from another flowery tin, more bias binding, some wider pieces this time…  yipeee!

I’m resisting the urge to put bias binding on all my edges, yes, even frocks.  I know I’ll have fun, but I know I will regret it!

All this thanks to my nana, and my mum of course for keeping EVERYTHING.  Here’s my nana, my grandfather and my dad: