Christmas sewing: Simplicity summer dressing gown

Another handmade Christmas gift has been ticked off the list.

This is for my mother-in-law. A couple of weeks ago, my daughter went to a 6th birthday party. It was a pamper party, with the girls having a mini day spa experience including their own dressing gown made from vintage print cotton. She loves her dressing gown so much that I decided to make one for her Gran.

I found this pattern in Spotlight. There were better options, but Simplicity patterns were two for $10 and I can't justify paying full price for Big 4 patterns, so I got this (and maybe three other little girls' patterns too...). It's very simple, with two big patch pockets, a facing (I would have preferred a contrast band, but oh well), and a belt with belt loops. The main fabric is some lovely cotton that I found in an op shop last year, and the spotty one is poplin from Spotlight.

I wanted it much shorter for summer so reduced the length by 11" and the sleeve length by a whopping 12". It came together pretty easily. I just wish I had a fatter mannequin to photograph it on as it looks crap hanging on my size 8 one.

Christmas sewing: Kitschy Koo skater dresses

So I decided that there is to be no more selfish sewing until I've finished all of my Christmas sewing. I'm not doing a whole heap as I don't want to stress myself out, but I knew I wanted to make a couple of dresses for Elizabeth. I was going to make cotton ones but then I saw some photos my friend posted on her Facebook page of some Kitschy Koo skater dresses she had made for her daughter. I got chatting to her about the pattern and she won me over by telling me how quick and easy it is to sew.

This is the first PDF pattern I've sewn and I have to admit that I found it kind of fun to put together. Cutting out and taping together all the bits reminded me of being in art class as a kid. I loved that I could just cut all my fabric on the floor using my cutting mat and rotary cutter, instead of cleaning everything off the dining table like I usually have to. It took me about 6 minutes to cut all my pieces. Win!

The first dress took me about twice as long as I read through all the instructions. My friend suggested I sew all the bands on in the round, and not flat as directed in the instructions. I find this looks much neater as the band seams are hidden inside the band.

I used my regular maching with a lightning bolt stitch and ballpoint needle for all except the side seams. All edges were finished with the overlocker and the side seams sewn with the overlocker. I hemmed the skirt with my twin stretch needle and am really happy with the result.

All in all, very cute, very quick dresses! I also bought the lady version and will be making one as soon as my selfish sewing ban is over!

The unsensible sewing continues!

I haven't posted anything in a while but I have a few projects to share.

'Apple Mouse' is perpetually waving...I must have overstuffed his left arm!

It was my boy Jimmy's 6th birthday yesterday. After seeing the mouse I made his little sister for her birthday, he asked for one for his. That was in fact the only thing he asked for. Isn't he a darling! His only demand was that it be made from apple fabric.

This was fun to make- except for the nose, which has to be stitched in place whilst holding in the stuffing and keeping the edges turned in. I got the shits with it and it looks crap if you look closely. But he loves it and takes it everywhere.

I also made him two pairs of shorts as all of his shorts are size 2 or 3 and it's time he had some new ones. 

I don't like these ones at all- they are from the same pattern that I made my husband's birthday shirt from. 

The fit was huge so I had to add elastic to the back. He likes them though.

 

 The other pair is from an old issue of Ottobre children's magazine. I don't make a lot of patterns from them as I hate adding seam allowances, but I recently got myself a tracing wheel and carbon so it was not so painful. There are supposed to be cargo pockets on the legs but I left them out. As you can see, I did not bother with pattern matching at all. Whatevs. They are still groovy.

 

Lastly, yet another item with crazy fabric. I need to make myself some pants for this winter as I have put on even more bulk in my botty region and NONE of my pants from last winter fit me. The Thurlows that I made in November I had a suspicion would be too small this year, and they are. So I decided to try the next size up but make them in shorts first just in case the fit was off.

I'm pretty happy with the fit except in the crotch area. They seem to be pulling down towards the bottom of the front crotch. I will consult my fitting books and remedy this before I make the pants.

 

Oh, and I bought two new patterns! Going to start an Emery some time this week. The Macaron...well, it wasn't until AFTER I'd bought it that I did some research and discovered how much trouble people have had with this pattern! So I will work on some muslins in the next few months.

What are you working on at the moment?