The Dream

So, craft mirrors life.

 I had an idea, a dream (see previous post).  I tried, adjusted, tried, adjusted, compromised.  The fabric resisted my attempts at change.  It had different properties (more polyester and a crisper handle) than I had originally thought.

Its always difficult to know when to keep trying, and when to accept something for what it is, and change the plan.

So I didn't end up with a pretty summer frock.

But I did get a very nice apron.

A Little Imagination

"What is that?" enquires the Panda.

"A dress" I say. 

"Well its bloody ugly.  Even the print is s#*t.  And you can quote me on your blog too" says the Panda, laughing.

Sounds like a challenge to me!

Sometimes you need imagination.  

In my head this dress is a lovely 50's style sundress.  Look how happy I am, lovingly picking out the best apples for my family!  Hear my happy song as I do the dishes wearing my pretty new frock and neat floral apron.

That's the idea anyway, that's the dream.

Tune in to see what the reality turns out like!

Kids Pinafore Apron Tutorial

 The fabric for this apron came from thrifted curtains, and a cot sheet.  I drafted the pattern myself, getting a rough size by using a singlet of the kids.  Front and back is the same, it can be a loose fit because they will be wearing it over their clothes.

Fold your fabrics in half, and lay one on top of the other.  Make sure the picture on your printed fabric is in a good spot, you don't want a headless kangaroo centre front!

 Once you have cut your apron out, look at the scraps to see if there is a picture you would like to use for the pocket.  I chose the rabbits.  Cut out the picture in a square, fold and press the edges in.

 Stitch along the top of the pocket.

 Position pocket, it doesn't have to be in the middle, and stitch in place.

 Pin lining to apron, right sides together.  Stitch, leaving the shoulder seams open.

 Clip curves.  Don't forget to leave tiny little triangles on the carpet to send your husband/partner/housemates crazy.

 Turn right way out.

 Poke back shoulder strap into front shoulder strap and pin.

 Stitch, making sure you are getting the lining as well.  Iron the apron.

 Make a buttonhole on one side of the back.

 Stitch a button on the other side.

Get a handsome model and Voila!  Easy.

They'll Curse Me When They're Older

The only thing harder to find in a sunshine busy weekend playground than a little boy in a red t-shirt, is a little girl in a pink t-shirt.

So, $1 revolting fluro singlet + two old stained singlets = Ta da!

Hi-vis vests for the playground!

 And see how the children love them!

Big Ugly Pants

When I bought these pants ($1) I thought I could make jeggings for myself, but after seeing this before photo I quickly changed my mind!

So I decided to make jeans for my little boy.

 First, I cut off the waistband (but kept the elastic for later), and cut the inseam and crotch seams.  This leaves a the side seam, which we will use for the side seam of our smaller pants.

Next, I use a pair of the kids pants as a pattern (because I'm stingy and they grow so quickly I don't want to buy every size pants patterns).  Just make sure your inseams (marked A and B)are both the same length, because they will be sewn together.

From here on in, you just make them like a regular pair of pants (inseams, crotch seam, finish the waistband).  I was able to use the original waistband elastic, but it depends on the construction of the original garment.

  Finished, at the moment they are still a bit big.  I'm sure it won't be long until his super-grow legs catch up!
One of the advantages of using 'plus' size garments, is that there is plenty of fabric!  I looked at my leftovers, and thought I might just have enough for a pair of summer shorts for my little girl.

  You can just see the pattern I have drawn on, with the little B at the back, and the pockets (obviously too big at the moment) at the front.

All I did was stitich a line to form the new pocket bottom, and then cut away the excess pocket.

Then, I just finished off the shorts as normal, except that I made them flat front and elastic back, because I only had a short piece of the elastic left!  I also used some thrifted braid from my stash so that they could be as long as possible.

I think they turned out better than the pants!

Groovy Baby!

Well, the bathrobe refashion turned out pretty well, all I need now is the average daytime temperature to rise from 10 up to a nice 25degrees!

I used this jumpsuit pattern but made it a dress with a v-neck.

And I've used the original belt.

My Creative Space

This week, (a bit late due to 'technical difficulties) my creative space has involved experimenting with different flavours in my new savoury cracker recipe.

So far, the sesame has got to be the winner!  But I've yet to try the caraway...

I've also been inspired by the sunny weather to begin work on a refashion of this robe, I thought the fabric was too "groovy" to be confined to my house, so it is slowly turning into a retro-style mini dress.  More pics when its finished!
 I'm going to check out more creativity over at Kootoyoo!

Late Night Applique

As promised, the finished result of my late night applique.  Turned out pretty good if I say so myself!  This one will be listed on my Etsy store, because my house is filling up with roller derby costumes.  If you would like to see where this one started, there are more pictures on Wardrobe Refashion.

 At my favourite op-shop, I scored this fabric, 1.5m x 3m for only $2.  Its like the universe WANTS me to start making pink ruffled shorts and jumpsuits.  Who am I to argue with the universe?

Showers with the Chance of Crazy Late in the Day

This weekend I

• ate a whole packet of chocolate biscuits
• drank vodka and cordial during the kids bathtime
• told the Panda I hated him
• made a revolting meatloaf
• ran away
• melted a big hole in my washing basket in front of the heater
• cried and got in bed
• was forgiven
• went to a party with wonderful rollergirls
• refashioned a shrunk jumper into a warm vest
• went for a nature walk with the spawn

and now I'm working on appliqueing a derby skirt.  Sewing calms the savage beast - pop in tomorrow to see how it turns out.
  How was your weekend?

Bumblebees Shouldn't Be Able to Fly

According to modern science, bumblebees shouldn't be able to fly.  But of course they can.  For so many reasons, these shorts should be declared a complete fashion disaster.

But they're not.  I don't know why they work, but strangely they do.

 I made them from a vintage maxi skirt late at night.  (Maybe that's obvious!)  The pattern is the bottom half of a jumpsuit pattern, and its a lovely shape, so soon I think I will make it up.  Only in the land of derby can I delight in dress-ups!

And now because I have *confession* already got 12 pairs of roller derby shorts, I'm going to list them on my Etsy store to see what the universe says.

(I Thought It Was) My Creative Space

I thought it was My Creative Space...but I found this when I uploaded my photos...

Its a photo I didn't take, featuring my 3 year old son's truck, and the magnet that opens the childlock on the TV cabinet, both hiding under MY sewing machine. 

This is what I have been working on.  Scary huh? Tune in tomorrow to see how it turns out!

See what Kirsty's noticed next, over at Kootoyoo.

Respectable Jumper Into Hot Skirt and Leggings

When I bought this jumper at the op-shop, I thought it would come in handy for looking respectable.  Turns out, I don't really like respectable, because I hate this jumper and never wear it.  Also, I think the silly upside down drawstring makes my boobs look saggy (yes, its the jumper!)

 So today I've turned it into a skirt and leggings.  This is not a full tutorial, but you can see the basic steps.

Decide how long you want your skirt, and cut.

Put on your 'skirt' inside out and take in some darts at the side seams to fit.

I used a jersey offcut to make an elastic casing.  Thats the skirt done.

Now for leggings, I lay an existing pair of leggings on the jumper sleeves, lining up the crotch with the underarm.  Then I just cut around, sew the centre front and centre back seams, and pop some elastic around the top!

 

(The shoulder seam does create an odd pattern when you use a striped jumper.)

 Next step, put on wonderful new outfits and look fabulous!