KCWC - Day 1

Well, I didn't expect to have anything to post today, since James was still off school until tomorrow. However, one of my latest projects needed the ends tied off to finish the garment, so that is what I did today.

This dress is from a new PDF pattern from Violette Field Threads - the Emmaline Maxi Dress.

Things I loved about this pattern: for a PDF there were lots of instructions, but not too many pattern pieces to print. One thing I dislike about PDF patterns is having to stick together 24 pieces of paper before starting. This pattern, there are only 2 pattern pieces that need sticking together. Yay!

 Most of the instructions are easy to follow.

 The finished dress is LOVELY.

Things I didn't love about this pattern: it might just be me, but I found a few little errors in the pattern. Neither were a big deal, but I find it irritating when I have to read something 20 times, and it still doesn't 'work out' in my mind. One was the straps. It appears to me that the pattern asks for 2 strap pieces to be cut, but requires 4 straps pieces in the sewing instructions.

Another was that the casing for the elastic across the back (2 casings) were going to be different widths, which didn't make sense to me when the elastic to be used was to be the same in both casings.

Obviously, since we are in Autumn, Layla might not get much wear out of this until next summer, but that is OK. She is quite tall for her age, so I made a size 4. However, I am not too worried if this maxi is a little short on her..... as gorgeous as it looks, I am not too sure about the practicality of a Maxi dress on a 3 year old.

The fabric was a Spotlight special (forgotten the price now) of a Lisette poplin (Spring 2011). It may be a little thin for this dress, but the drape it provides is gorgeous. 

One more tip - prior to attaching the ruffle hem (triple ruffle no less), I tried the dress on Layla. It looked gorgeous even without the ruffle. I would consider making this dress in a below the knee style dress (without ruffle) in future too.

Kids Clothes Week Challenge

Well, I guess I should have held off with some of my sewing for Layla, as the Elsie Marley Kids Clothes Week is starting tomorrow.

I am sure I can manage to start something new this week.

I will have a few items to share later in the week which I have recently completely for Layla..... none of which have been photographed yet, but she looks very cute in them.

I must say, I have renewed sewing motivation after doing a massive clean up/shuffle of our (well really, my) sewing room/study. It is still extremely overstocked with fabric/craft items, but we can now see the carpet every day. There is order to the room. And I believe it is a room that I can really work in now.

Long Time - No Blog

Poor neglected blog. Very neglected house.

Put it down to settling in back at school and dancing and little girl starting preschool (a surprisingly traumatic event for the little one). Hence my child-free days are in fact child-free 4 hour blocks. Sounds great, but it goes in a flash. My plans for getting my first facial in 6 years still haven't happened. A few Dr's appointments have. And a tiny bit of sewing.

I have finally uploaded a few pictures from my camera......

The kids happy that Dad started work late so he could see Layla off to preschool for her first day.

Layla's first day of preschool..... the smile didn't last long, and hasn't been seen on preschool days since :(
James' first day of Year 1. It has been a bit of a leap since he is in a 1/2 class this year. He can handle it, not sure if I can though.
Some sewing..... Layla in her 'Christmas Dress' - Modkid Kyoko pattern
After seeing this skirt on Karen's blog I knew I had to make it. Of course that would first require purchasing a Ruffler foot, and a Jelly Roll, and some other fabric and ribbon. I used elastic from my stash though, lol. And, a very special crocheted rid-rac made by Christy that she gave me as a gift. I had been saving this for a special project...... it was in my possession for over a year. I totally love it on this skirt. So glad I saved it for the perfect project. Thanks Christy!

And finally, this dress was made using the Favourite Things - Little Wrap Dress pattern. I love it. I used this fabric from my stash..... one that despite having 1000000 pinks in my stash, this print just didn't seem to go with anything else. Very happy that I have been able to use it on its own.

I picked this pattern up on a trip to Berry while visiting the Sew and Tell store. It was my first visit to the store and was in heaven.

Sewing, yes I am

Well that was another big break. I have been sewing.... building up a bit of a stash of finished girls clothes. And now it is depleted...... birthdays and Christmas will do that to you.

I did take a couple of pictures of what I had been making..... but not of individual items as such. Hopefully I can pictures of the them on the little girls in the future.

One week left of holidays and then James is starting Year 1, and my baby Layla will start preschool 2 days a week. I was hoping this would mean time to sew. We'll see..... apparently some people want me to do 'work' - shock horror.

Thank You Husband

Actually no, not really.

Just as I was getting ready to get back into Blogtoberfest, my husband downloaded some 'Lion' thingy to the computer and chewed up all our broadband limit. Hence, no blogging, no searching, no internet (I dislike the fact that we are charged up to $200 to continue to use our internet after we reach our limit).

Back online now, after Blogtoberfest has finished. That is OK, I have a few things I can blog in the near future to make up for it.

Big Girls Bed

Layla will be 3 in a couple of months. I only toilet-trained her a month ago. I know, pretty 'late'. But I had such a bad experience with James that I just didn't want to start. I am also a lazy parent. As it turns out, she has been a dream to toilet-train. So good in fact that she has been waking up dry in the morning. Of course the next step would be to take the night nappy of her. Only problem..... she is still in the cot. Once again, that was due to having such a bad experience when we moved James to a bed.

So first step in night training was to move Layla into her big bed. The big bed has actually been in her room since June (when James got a new midi-bed). Only ever referred to as her 'dolls bed' though.

We made the move a week ago. Rather than just jumping out of bed in the morning, we have told her to call out to us. So far it is working. Like most things with Layla, they are just easier. In the mornings, she calls out "Cock-a-doodle-doo" to let us know it is time to get up. Don't ask me where she got that from, but it is hilarious....

Back on Track

I have been off the planet this past week. Death in the family, death of an online friends' son. Sisters engagement. Funeral for family member, which involved reuniting with family members we had not seen or spoken to in 15-20 years. And I joined Weight Watchers. It has all been a bit too much at times.

So hopefully, I can jump back in where I left off and continue Blogtoberfest. Hopefully.

Ice Cream Dress

Well, I tried to post this last night, but it kept freezing up. Will try again....

This is Layla's most recent 'Mum-made' dress. She does love it. And more and more she is pointing to her cupboard (rather than her chest of drawers) and telling me she wants to wear a dress. If this Sydney weather would warm up she actually might get to wear all of them. The great thing about dresses is that they will often get 2 summers out of them, or at least a summer and a winter (with a long sleeve top and tights underneath).

So this is the Ice Cream Dress pattern by Oliver + S. Size 3. Fabrics were purchased from the Fabricworm website...... Michael Miller, Forest Life Aqua, annndddd something else (butterfly print).

So, What Have You Been Doing Today?

Yes, I have been counting Coles Sports for Schools vouchers. Argh.....

I got through the bag that I had - 2300 vouchers there.

I just feel very sorry for the lady at school who volunteered to do the counting. At the end of last term she had counted 27000 vouchers. Apparently she went home with another 4 bags worth on Monday. My contribution was one full bag. I think I will have to offer to give her some more help.

Daddy has gone to NZ

My husband has headed off to Wellington today to see a game of Rugby tomorrow night that his beloved Wallabies are not even playing in. Yes, that is right. He and his mates booked a weekend away in NZ and bought tickets ($400 each mind you) for a game the the Wallabies failed to qualify for. Then there is the $900 flight, $700 in accommodation. Plus spending money. All for 2 nights away in the windy city.The Wallabies are however now playing the following day. However my husband will already be on the plane back home when they start playing.

If I said I was annoyed it really would be an understatement. I just need to plan my 'compensation' (I think he is up to 4 boys weekends away in the past 3 years, to my ZERO girls weekends away). I can't decide if I should take off and leave him with the kids for a week/end. Or buy myself something significant (think Kitchenaid). All suggestions would be greatly appreciated.