Blogtober: KCWC, Eden

Last week I finished Tessa's little vest, perfect for spring weather. I used the simple but well written called Eden's Adam by Tikki. A very popular pattern if you have a look on ravelry.


I used the last of the Family Roots, Wisteria that I bought from a Coop and contrasted it with Woolganics Krishna. I love this colour combination.


And lastly another big sister little sibling set of pants. These were made from my lovely Mum's fabric stash. My sister and I always loved this fabric and always had fights over, hehe.

Blogtober: KCWC, another Charlie Tunic

Well this rather rumpled looking top (she had just been for a 30min ride in the carseat) is my second Charlie Tunic. This time I used a heavier weight quilting cotton for the main and some gingham from my lovely MILs stash. I used a size 2 this time and didn't do french seams so it should last all summer. It was definitely out of my comfort zone for colours and clashing potential but I do think it kind of works. Again I added length and spiced it up with cute shirred gathered pockets from the Made website. Which are much easier to sew than they look. In fact I'm really becoming a convert to sewing with shirring elastic, great for quick projects.

We went to our local Spring show and this is Tessa having her very first ride on the Merry-Go-Round. You can't tell from the photo but she is rapt and having a great time.

Blogtober: KCWC, Creative Space

So the other day I finished my first attempt of sewing the Charlie Tunic from the MadebyRae Blog. It's great unisex pattern that goes from size 12months to 5years, great value for money.


I was quite pleased with how it turned out. I used some lovely blue chambray cotton for the contrast facings etc. For the main fabric I pulled a couple of pillowcases in a sweet floral print out of my vintage stash and I had quite a bit left over from the second pillowcase.


Although there are quite a few steps to the pattern, there are great photo instructions to help you along the way. I enjoyed this pattern so much I have already finished the second version.

This version was a size 12-18months with french seam as I had black thread on the overlocker. I really should have have changed it to white as this cute top won't fit the whole summer most likely. The only thing I really recommend changing when using this pattern would be to lengthen it by about 5cm or 2inchs. Otherwise I can't wait to sew my third version, maybe dress length with cap sleeves.
For more Creative Spaces visit here.

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!

Blogtober: Kids clothing week challenge

Well its time for the fall (spring here in the southern hemisphere) Kids clothing week challenge over at the lovely Elsie Marley Blog. Over a 300 have entered this time around.
The aim of the week is to spend an hour per day sewing for the kids in your life, by just doing that hour its amazing what you can get done. I'm sure handcrafting in general would be ok, ie knitting etc.
Well I have nearly managed the requirement but I must take some photos soon to post, although the grey days aren't ideal .
The above wee hat I knitted at the beginning of the year but have shared yet. Don't you just love the curls. The pattern is the popular Poppy hat pattern which is quite clever as it is created by short row shaping.
So have a look a what everyone has been creating for Kids clothing week challenge and I will be back soon with a post of some of my sewing creations.

Blogtober: Upcycled Hooded vest

A couple of months ago, Tessa needed a little something extra to keep her warm. This is what I came up with, an adapted version of Anna Maria Horners' 'Baby in the Hood Jacket' from her second book Handmade Beginnings. This book has lots of interesting projects and I definitely recommend it.


I removed the sleeves for easier toddler movement and omitted the elastic in the hood. I also used a much heavier fabric, recycled wool blankets for the outer and a flannel pillowcase for the lining. Because their wasn't anything suitable in the button stash I had to buy some new and before I could sew the last one on my helpful assistant lost it. Oh well I think it wouldn't have been done up that high anyway.

Blogtober: Creative Space: the start of a handmade stash

Well this is the start of a much needed handmade stash of fitted nappies. As you may have guessed we will be welcoming a new sweet and cuddling addition to our family soon. A small explanation for the very quite blog of late. The big day will be sometime at the end of January. Tessa is very excited and asks continually when Bubby will be arriving and we say after Christmas when it's hot with big smiles.


I'm quite pleased with how these nappies turned out, quite simple really. I used a free pattern from the TNN or The nappy network, what a wealth of information this New Zealand website is.
Now to get a production line going, I wonder how many of these I should make? Any suggestions? Lots I would think :D

For more creative spaces check this out

Pre birthday celebrations

A couple of weeks Tessa and four little boys celebrated an early second group birthday.
We all met at antenatal yoga class and have meeting every week since the babies were about six weeks old. It has been really lovely to have other parents to relate to as we went through challenges and fun of raising our first babies.

The really yummy birthday cake, but they were more interested in motorbikes, hehe. Who needs themed parties when you can just celebrate on a farm with awesome sheds.


I made felt birthday crowns for everyone with their initial on the top. Although keeping them on the kids was a little challenging. They were quite simple and there are heaps of tutorials on the internet if you interested.


The gorgeous Rori, younger brother of one of the birthday boys.


Everyone had a great time and it was great for all the dads to catch up too.

Hansel and Gretel Dress

I knitted an adaptation of the Kaia Babydoll dress a couple of days ago, it was a nice and quick project. I was inspired by the AliGknits version's of this pattern I've seen lately, she recommended casting on in the size smaller and then increasing to the size you want. I did this but there was still a bit too much gaping at the neckline so added shirring elastic, this worked a treat.

I used an 8ply bamboo/cotton yarn called Bella baby layette, doubled on size 6mm needles. I then hand sewed the fabric skirt which was originally a very cute apron I found at an opp-shop.


Tessa really does love her Pusscats and like to make sure they are very well fed and watered.

Summer Pants

I have been busy sewing some cute summer pants lately. With upcycled linen and cute cotton prints. The sweet smurf pants Tessa finally fit just in time for summer, I can't take credit for. I bought them from the lovely Hanna of CraftyKin from her felt shop a few months ago.

These cute Owl and Tree fern pants were made for one of Tessa's little friends at Kindermusik, they are in size 18months and were inspired by Anna Maria Horner's Quick Change Pants from her gorgeous new book Handmade Beginnings.

The Baby Expo

The first Gisborne Baby Expo was on Saturday. Thanks to all the hard work of three amazing Mums, Jacquie, Sarah and Janet, what a great day!!
Well all the hard work is over, and I couldn't have done it with out you Mum, I can't thank you enough. What a wonderful day, it started out freezing so we were lucky to have so many people come though. It was a lot of fun and I managed to catch up with heaps of people I haven't seen in a long time.

Here are few pic's of the table!


I quite like how the sign turned out, the bunting is so cute and effective.

Thank you Gisborne for your amazing support!!
We sold about a third of out stock, which was wonderful I am so chuffed for my first event like this. I learnt a lot about what people are looking for too, which will great to give me ideas for stocking my shop. I will be updating the shop over the next week with the stock left over and I think I might have a go with selling on Facebook too. Has anyone else had much success that way?

Some custom sewing pics

Here are a few photos from some custom sewing I did a couple of months ago.

A cute hoodie vest made from upcycled wool jumpers and some leather offcuts for a sweet little fantail patch. Don't you think my model has a gorgeous smile :)





Some cute waterproof pants made from PUL, I have made overalls too which have been popular.


And this is my favourite a cute little pair of pants also made from upcycled wool jumpers with sweet little scotty dog applique.

I will post a Kids sewing week round up in the next day or so to share what I got up to.

The latest addition to my shop

I finally added something else to my shop, not for the lack of trying though. I have to admit I'm really quite a techno-phobe especially when it's to do with my camera. I have only just figured out how to adjust my camera so I take shots that are compatible (small enough) that I can load them onto my felt shop.

Ok, enough of that. This is a sweet little chocolate wool Cardi that I upcycled from an old wool cardi. With a cute hand sewn little owl applique, it's so soft and I hope will keep someone's wee one warm soon. It's size 9-12mth approx, and the measurements are:
Middle of the back to the cuff: 37cm
Under the arm to the hem: 20cm

As this is made from a recycled woolly cardi you know it's a one off and no one else will have one the same.

Creative Space - A fresh batch of Bibs

Today I have been experimenting with a little bit of dying. Well trying to dye opp-shop woolies, the first attempt was in the washing machine with a nice dark green machine dylon dye. Umm maybe it would be a very good idea to read the fine print, at the bottom "does not dye wool". Second try I hope will be more successful, will have to wait and see. I used a denim blue hand dye dylon which does dye wool.

Above is a pic of the custom order for one of my little reversible merino bomber hats. The sweet little model/recipient is in our Kindermusik class which is every Tuesday morning. Tessa loves music and gets very excited each tuesday when I tell her its music today. She has really thrived on it and has great rhythm unlike her parents, hehe.


Another order of Bandana Bibs completed for the website I supply. I have two sizes, 0-12mth and 12mth+. I started making them after we had so much trouble with Tessa's teething rash, they were great as they sit just under the chin catching all that dribble.
I have been trying out my new toy a SNAP PRESS, yay no more bashed thumbs as I hammer on snaps. And much faster too.

Check out more creative spaces at Kirsty's

Upcycled woolies

I recently completed a couple of custom orders from friends. The above is a cute little hoodie vest with a leather scrap fantail applique made from recycled wool jumpers. I love this colour combination and it really suits him.


And the second was a sweet long sleeved hoodie for a boy who just adores tractors. It's miles too big, but that way he can wear it longer. This is also made from old wool jumpers. I really enjoy working with wool and other natural fabrics, especially when it upcycles something unwanted into something loved.