Addicted to patterns

Hi, my name is Brenda and I'm addicted to new patterns. 

Since pdf patterns have arrived on the scene, it's just too easy to buy them, print them off and sew them. Normally I would have to drive an hour to even view a pattern book, so having the internet on my lap daily is not helping my addiction. 

It also doesn't help that all these lovely pattern designers are having sales all the time, tempting me with their low cost, beautiful designs and easy downloading. 

I joined a support group but that just encouraged my habit even more. Now I have folders full of these amazing patterns that I can mix and match and sew at a moments notice. In fact some nights I'm so intoxicated on them I don't go to bed until the wee hours ;-) 

I walk through shops, comparing the drab offerings to my amazing fabric stash and don't buy a thing. Then I come home and create a new dress or top that makes my heart sing... I think I need to see a Doctor.... 

;-) 

Tutorial: Doll's cot fitted sheet

It's my daughters second birthday next week and my husband made her a gorgeous wooden dolls cot which meant I need to dress it.

After making a mattress out of an old lilo pad and some batting I started work on a sheet. But what 2 year old knows how to tuck in a flat sheet, so the idea formed to make a fitted sheet. But not just a normal fitted sheet with elastic, a shirred one!

Now I know that some people are scared of shirring, as was I last year, but it seriously is the easiest thing once you get over your fears, and what better way to try it out than on some scrap material to make some doll's bedding!! (if you need shirring instructions, there are many many tutorials on the web if you search on google or youtube)

Here's what you need:
- 1/4 yard of fabric (I used some old flannel from my mum's stash)
- cotton thread
- shirring thread
- ruler
- pins
- sewing machine and/or serger

1. Lay your piece of fabric on the table and sit your dolls mattress on top. Cut out fabric approximately 2"/ 5cm* wider (on each side) than the mattress. If your mattress is extra thick, you will have to add on more excess to make sure the sheet fits. (* if you aren't planning on using a rolled hem on the raw edges, you will need to add another half inch.)

2. Cut 1.5" squares out of each of the four corners.

3. Take the two edges labelled A and B, and with right sides together sew along the short line, making a box corner.

4. Hem: Serge a rolled hem around the entire raw edge. If using a sewing machine, fold over 1/4 inch to the wrong side, iron and sew. Repeat.

5. Time to shirr. Make sure you are sewing on the right side of the fabric. Sew right next to the rolled hem, all the way around the sheet, don't forget to backstitch. Then using your sewing foot as a guide, sew another row of shirring around the entire hem. Use the steam setting on your iron to shrink the elastic of your shirring and put your new fitted sheet onto your doll's mattress.

Congratulations you're done! How easy was that!

Sew glad you stopped by.
Brenda

Pattern Review: Kyoko by Modkid

PATTERN: The KYOKO pattern by Modkid. Paper pattern, which I have transferred to tissue in a few different sizes.

WHAT: Asian inspired shirt and dress for girls, featuring an obi-sash, which I am in love with.

SIZE: This pattern is from size 2T through to 7, but I know Modkid makes a similar tween pattern and a women's pattern - exciting!!

FABRIC: As you can see I've made at least 5 of these dresses/tops so far using a myriad of different fabrics. Fabrics of note: Riley Blake Tonal Chevrons, Michael Millers ta dot and lush and Patty Youngs Textured Basics. Every dress I fully lined the bodice with plain white cotton. I've used quilters cotton for each of these and wouldn't really recommend anything too thin, although a thicker fabric would make this a lovely warm dress for winter.

PATTERN PIECES: Pattern pieces include sleeves, front bodice, back bodice and obi sash. The skirt of the dress/top are given in cutting measurements. I chose to try a few different styles including one that isn't included in the pattern. The pattern gives options for a one colour skirt or a 6 panel skirt.

I tried a stripwork skirt (top, middle photo) and also left off the sleeves for a different look. Perfect for winter if you want to wear a long sleeve tee underneath.

The pattern includes pieces for short or long sleeves. I haven't tried the long sleeves but I love the look.

ILLUSTRATIONS/INSTRUCTIONS: This dress would definitely suit a beginner as the instructions are very clear and there is nothing too challenging, especially if you use store bought bias tape.

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Creating my own bias tape was a new skill I learnt using this pattern and I was thrilled with the results and can't stop making more.

CONCLUSION: I love this pattern, it's easy, quick and fits girls of many sizes easily with it's loose fitting nature. The obi-sash cinches in the dress to make it look fitted and unique. I can't wait to buy some asian printed fabrics to really give it an exotic look.

I'm very into asian inspired clothing this year, watch for a review on a women's top/dress coming soon.
Catch me on Facebook and don't forget to leave me a comment below to say 'hi'.

Sew glad you stopped by!
Brenda

Apron

My mum asked for an apron for her birthday so I picked some pretty fabric that I thought she'd like then set to work. I made up the pattern, based loosely on an apron I already have.

It didn't work as well as I'd hoped but I put elastic along the top to stop the gapping and added a yoyo flower for fun. 

The skirt is gathered using the zig zag and wool system and sewn onto the back of the waist tie. I added a rounded pocket and some lace from my mothers collection, to remind her of an older project. Then a frill on the bottom. 

It was a fun easy project. Here are some pics of kids apron's I've made as well. Each one is a one of a kind, I don't tend to make the same apron twice. 

Saturday Market Skirt

Another fun project from portabellopixie! The Saturday Market Skirt. Can you tell how much I love to twirl! I put this skirt onto my bucket list for 2012 and finally in October I finished it. It took me ages to decide what fabric I wanted to use and after making a dress for my daughter out of Michael Millers LUSH I decided I loved those colours and used the left overs. I decided to make the colours in layers for a different look. I love it!

ZG

Rag doll: Maggie

Meet Maggie! I love free tutorials all over the internet. There are some amazingly generous bloggers who take the time to make these tutorials for all of us to enjoy. I found a great rag doll tutorial here: quaintandquirky. I made a few changes but all in all it had awesome instructions and even a pattern to download and cut out.

My little girl just loves it. She has carried it around all day (I only just gave it to her) and given it lots of cuddles. I think I might just have to make a few more for little girls in my life.

What have you been sewing lately?
ZG

To market, to market

I've finally booked myself and my sewing into a craft market in Orewa. The market is on every fortnight and I've booked for August 4th. I figure that's far enough out for me to sew lots of stock to take with me. I'm quite excited. 

Anyway I will need an apron to keep my money, notebook, pen etc... in while the market is on, so I did  a bit of googling and got some ideas. My fave was a pair of old jeans that someone made into an apron. 

When I cut up all my old jeans for my tshirt quilt, I kept the top bits, that I didn't use so I didn't have to go op shopping again, I could get straight into my project. 

Into my sewing room I headed and sketched out what I was going to do. 

I decided I'd need quite a few pockets, one with a zip for money and I really liked the idea of the waist tie, running through the belt loops. 

The front pockets of my jeans cutoff were in tact. Score. More pockets. 

I used a lot of scraps of fabric for the hidden pockets on the inside (see above) The stripy on holds my notebook and pen, the zipped pocket has my money and even has a pocket behind it. 

Then I used some pretty funky flowers fabric for my front big pocket and blue gingham for the strap and edges. My mum gave me a bag of lace a while back and I decided to use some of that for the bottom, just for a little bit of 'pretty'.  

And this is how it turned out. What do you think? I love it. Lots of pockets for money and phone and notebooks etc..... Now I've got the back of the jeans to make into something. FUN!!! 

Check out my New Zealand facebook page: Zealous Design for other products I make and will be selling at market.
Have a great day
ZG