Blogtober: KCWC, a few stripy things

Sorry to be a little late in posting for the Kids Clothing Week Challenge, but I have been participating and keeping up with an average of an hour of sewing per day. I have been on a roll, which is satisfying even if my photography is lacking, quite embarrassing not helped by the grey days and my simple point and click digital camera (gift genies if you are reading a lovely Digital SLR camera would be a wonderful christmas present, hehe).

Anyway this first finished project is a wee dress I refashioned from a skivvy using the Playdate Dress tutorial from the wonderful blog called Craftiness is not optional. I discovered this blog on the Kids clothing week challenge central Elsiemarley blog where you can get inspiration from lots of talented people from around the world.

Another refashion from a long sleeved top to cute and comfy PJ or lounge pants. I especially like the fold over waist band, great for the changing tummy sizes of toddlers.



And a cute big sister, little sibling matching pants. Again a refashion from a long sleeve top, a great way of getting more interesting fabrics than available in local fabric shops. I used another favourite waistband technique of mine, fold over elastic. So easy to use and cancels out the fiddly step of pushing elastic through a fabric casing. But make sure you stretch the elastic as you sew and use a stretch straight stitch if you have it or a zigzag stitch if you don't.
More sewing finished projects tomorrow, happy creating!

A couple of handmade gifts

Here is a few gifts I have made lately and actually remembered
to take photos of before wrapping. Above is a size 3-6mth merino bomber hat in charcoal grey and dusky pink. I can't wait to see if it fits ok.

And above is a pair of merino pants I refashioned out of the sleeves of a wrap top. I used a piece of elastic and attached cotton tape to the end, this is trial to improve waist bands, I think this might be the answer. Hopefully they will last awhile with this style of waistband, babies grow so fast. Normally I wouldn't have a 'V" section in the front as well the back but I was a bit distracted at the cutting out stage. Oh well I think it still turned out ok.

My Creative Space

I found these brilliant buttons last month when I visiting my mum for her birthday, Tessa and I surprised her which really quite special. Anyway we went shopping at this really really amazing yarn shop, and these are what I came away with. My self control was quite good for once which is very unusal as normally I would have to buy some yarn any yarn to add to my stash. Anyway getting off topic, these gorgeous wooden heart buttons just had to come with me, I took all they had left. I am thinking a cute little pinafore dresses for Tessa this winter, or maybe to decorate a sweet knitted hat.

I got these gorgeous rose buttons at the same time I just love them. I think a cardy for me, when I finally get around to deciding which one to knit either Mr Greanjeans modified similar to this or the Febuary lady sweater also lengthened. I have 18 50gm balls of cleakheaton country silk yarn, in a charcoal grey with flecks of a lighter grey silk through it, quite a rustic colour.

This is something else I have sneaking away to sew, its not quite finished but I thought I would like to share. A sweet wee dress for Tessa to wear to my sister in laws wedding. Its made from lovely light muslin. The lining is from a muslin wrap of Tessa's that we didn't need, so this is kind of a refashion.

A close up of some of the detailing.

:: A present for my new (old) clothesline

Yippee I have a new clothesline. I know it sounds strange to be so excited something so domestic and mundane. But if you saw how frustrating the other one was, imagine sheets trailing on the grass collecting clippings and not being able to fit everything (with all the extra washing Tessa creates, hehe) then you would understand.

So I made a simple pegs basket from this tutorial, it was quick and easy. Perfect for my small window of opportunity, baby sleep time. I used a lovely old curtain already lined from the op shop and a baby clotheshanger which is much easier than breaking the ends of a full sized one.


Now all I need to do is plant something fragrant underneath and hanging washing will be a little bit more wonderful.

:: A quick refashion

This was a very easy refashion. Which is perfect when you only have a little bit time up your sleeve. Take two faded misshapen singlets that you no longer wear and a pair of pinking shears. Cut up into what ever shapes you like and you have a stack of handy cleaning cloths. These could also be good as nappy wipes or dish cloths.

In hindsight they would have better if I had cut them it a bit larger. The different colours could be used for different uses, such as kitchen and bathroom. I had got low on dishcloths so this is what I came up with. If you don't have pinking sheers you could edge with an overlocker or zigzag stitch on your sewing machine.

Resolution Solution

Happy New Year everyone !!!!

This is also my 50th post which is brilliant, it has come around so fast even with my sporadic posting habits.
I had such a big list of New Years Resolutions that I wanted to make, but I know how unlikely it is that I will stick to them. So I decided to do a little something for the planet, the wallet and help improve my sewing skills. I thought a two month resolution would realistic, so here it is.

To celebrate both these momentous occasions I have decided to take the Wardrode Refashion Pledge!

The Pledge

I, Rebecca pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed Rebecca.

To make it a little more interesting this pledge will include Tessa too.

The Rules

• 1.
  No buying new! (handmade is excepted; So this allows for Etsy purchases etc!!) All clothing must be Recycled, Renovated, Preloved or Thrifted, or Handmade only for the term. Employment related and special needs clothing (ie sports, school), shoes and undies are excepted from the rules, although you are encouraged to have a go at making these.
• 2.
  In extreme circumstances, maybe a special event, or the worlds greatest and most amazing never to be repeated sale that you simply can not pass up, you may use the Get out of Refashionista Jail Free card. You are able to use this card once during the 2 month part of your contract; ie 1 for 2 months, 2 for 4 months etc. Of course you need to fess up on the blog and display the button!
• 3.
  You must post on the blog at least once a week to let the community know what you've been up to. This will not only give you brag points, but inspire and encorouge others! Of course you need to display the button on your blog and have copied the pledge in at least one post, and provide a link to your pledge under the button.
• 4.
  You need to be honest and admit when you've fallen off the Refashionista Wagon! Go directly to Refashionista Jail, do not pass GO and do not collect $200! Apply for parole once there.

a successful refashion

Well kind of anyway. This is my first refashion for the year. It began as a merino skivvy top which I picked up from the local salvation army shop for $6.

And ended up as two pairs of baby pants. The left pair turned out rather well, but the pair of the right might still need a bit more work. I think I will shorten the legs, because I really can't imagine Tessa will grow that tall before next winter hehe.
A pretty good result that used most of the top to create two warm pairs of pants for $6.