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.