Basic Bibs Pattern and Tutorial

Today my pattern and tutorial for these cute little bibs is available for free download here at Sew Mama Sew. Easy to make with lots of sweet variations with ric rac, trim and applique and perfect for the gift pile!

Sew Mama Sew also have a contest running this month for patterns. I would love to see a few bibs too!

4 Day PDF Pattern Sale!

A four day sale to celebrate the end of September and a perfect time to start sewing for the holiday season,  or to play with fabric while the Australian Grand Finals are on.

The Bedtime Story PDF quilt pattern is for sale for $5 until 8pm Tuesday EST.  Buy it here!

Maya ~ 7 year old Birthday girl!

The day is finally here.  Fun at holiday program, making and creating, and so much to show when she came home. Macca's and Ice Cream cake for dinner.  What could be better when you turn 7!

Happy 7th Birthday Trouble xx

Oliver + S Hula Hoop Skirt ~ Butterflies

Side one with a butterfly print

This is another Oliver + S pattern that I didn't know that I needed until I saw it up on Lara's and Karen's blogs.  It's the Hula Hoop skirt which is a download only pattern from the Oliver + S Singles range.


Side two with a coordinating blue solid

This skirt is seriously fun.  It did take me a bit of time to make as I have had a lot on, but it would be easily cut out and made in an afternoon if time was on your side.  All seams are enclosed for a lovely finished and it has an elastic waist for easy dressing and fit. The skirt has twirl, is reversible and a cute flip over feature. The only change I made was to edge stitch around the hem.

I made Maya a size 7 which is just a little big,  but since you may have noticed she has shot up and slimmed down the skirt will be perfect for when summer hits.

Half Moon Handbag

Today I had an afternoon almost free.  My mother was visiting yesterday so a lot of house work was done. The boys and I went for a run this morning,  and with the school holidays there isn't as much baking and getting ready for the next day pressure.

In August I signed up for the Curlypops Choose your own bag adventure. I had such great plans .. but then the flu hit and there was time off work and school and pushing ourselves to meet deadlines, when really,  we should have been asleep.

This bag is the Half Moon Handbag by Michelle's patterns with a few changes.  I have added an inside zip pocket and omitted the button closure and added a simple press stud.  With just 30 cm of fabric and a matching fat quarter plus interfacing, this is a cute, casual bag to make in no time.  The pattern is available here as a pdf download - and costs $3 USA.

I think this little bag with be good with jeans.  Maya thinks it will be good for her.

My Seaweed Socks

Goodness its difficult to take a selfie of your hand knitted socks! 

These socks may look a bit tricky but they were not too hard to knit.  Really its a pleasure to try so many patterns and details and end up with a functional pairs of socks to wear.

I used a free pattern for these Seaweed Socks, designed by Wendy D Johnson.  The yarn is Huntington by Valley Yarns in Mauve

Oliver + S Family Reunion Dress

This pattern took a little while to grow on me. It's often the case with Oliver + S patterns,  but I usually end up buying at least half of their patterns.  I know that they will be beautiful to make,  but sometimes I need to see a few other people make them in a range of fabrics before I think its one I need to have.  The Family Reunion Dress was one of those.

Maya feels very pretty in this dress. It is comfortable, floaty and classic.  I have sewn the dress in a size 7 with no alterations, using a range of fabric called Sweet Shoppe. 

There is so much detail in this dress, from the pin tucks, the little tab on the front with buttons, the neck construction, the hem with five rows of stitching, and the back,  which also has pin tucks and buttons all the way up.  However,  it's not hard to make, as long as you follow all of the instructions.

I hope to make another one of these dresses but with more contrast next time.  Another highly recommended dress by Oliver + S.