Found my Mojo

I have finally polished and cleaned enough to earn a sewing day. My sewing group got together yesterday and we all had a great time, sewing, drafting, cutting and embroidering (and scoffing buns and scones)....I drafted off a pattern from my newest Japanese Pattern book and even took some shots while packing up last night. My husband giving me the big hmph when glancing at the sewing stuff that had migrated from my sewing room onto the kitchen table... Hey, how unsociable to sew in a different room from my friends???

I made a blouse from my newest and absolute favourite Japanese pattern book. I used a nice lilac hailspot type fine cotton (as miss 6 loves purple) Despite the intricate appearance of the front, it went together suprisingly easy. Now I just have to sew the button holes and buttons on (that may take another 6 months to get to!!)

I altered the collar to have a curved edge instead of square. I think it softens it off a bit..

Still sewing in the heatwave

It is crazy, poor old Easter Bunny is getting his things together and the morning dews are supposed to be here. Why on earth has someone forgotten to flick the autumn switch...

I shouldn't complain. I do enjoy summer and our house is temperature controlled.

I have spent the last week trying to squeeze in some sewing time amongst the hectic domestic schedule.. I am sure a lot of those people who sew and blog all the time, must have cleaners and nannies...

The flower girls have all had their fittings and now I can finish all 3 dresses. I just have to muster the energy and enthusiasm to go for it.

I continued with my bucket hat experimenting on Monday and I am about to draft off a different brim, I just want the brim to sit out a little more, more sun protection and less eye interference. The girls loved them, Miss4.5 already insisted on wearing it at Kinder today. I will try photographing them next chance I get..

Once my current (paying) task is done, I want to experiment with my gathering attachment on the overlocker and tweak it up so I can make a tiered skirt in one pass. If anyone has done it with success, I'd love to hear from you!!!!!!!!!

I am thinking it might be time for another Japanese Sewing Pattern Book....

This little shirt dress is gorgeous, I could just see it in linen with a nice print collar and placket, Have to keep the (to do pile) bigger than the stash itself.

Motivation, it is a strange thing, some days it only takes a simple thought, other days I might browse through stacks of magazines and clippings I have collected over the years..

I guess Inspiration cannot be made. It just has to come on its own.

More making

I have completed the second apron dress.
I drafted the pattern off , cut out the fabric, made tea, then sewed it all up after the kids had gone to bed... I was finished by 10.45pm. Not a bad job

This time for Miss6, and because she is so tall, I had to draft the pattern up a size from the largest in the book.

Very serious, we had to hurry so she could go motorbike riding....


And a hug for little sister....

I think the length is better than the first one, I will add a good bit extra on from now on, I just need to find a few nice fabric prints and keep sewing..... One thing that has me a little baffled, is that the pattern instructions don't show a length for the shoulder straps? Or I just can't find it... Any clues?

Having not much fun with Miss6 starting Grade 1, not settling in at all. Hope this improves. I am not finding it pleasant to cope with, watching her crying and screaming for her mummy when I leave her schoolroom. Hopefully this will settle down soon. fingers crossed....

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Next project... this dress, I just have to find that fabric I have in mind,,

Happy sewing and let hope the week is a good one. It is supposed to rain, so bring it on...

Humour is a good way to start the day

I sat down to do some business bookwork (boring!) and I thought I'll just see if any of my fav blogs have posted anything new... So browsing through I thought, lets have a look at some of the blogs they like to read too.
I came across this pearler... I nearly fell off my chair laughing..and yes I hear you Molly Chicken I love it....

I have overnight been to my sewing group and actually did some sewing instead of just yacking and drinking coffee....

So here is my first attempt at The Apron dress from the front of my first Japanese Craft book.....Onnanoko no Oyoufuku Camisole Kara Kichinto Fuku Made .

I was inspired 'at long last' to use my Heather Bailey "mums"... I hope the fabric loses stiffness once washed, so that it will drape a little better.

Miss4.5 is very pleased once again, and Miss6 has made her fabric selection from the cupboard, so I will start one for her this afternoon (after the vacuuming and mopping of course..) :<

Happy sewing...

More Pattern Books & more sewing

I got 2 new Japanese sewing books today.

Koharu no fuku and Girly Style Wardrobe.
Girly Style Wardrobe appears to be every bit as good as I had expected and I am eagerly trying to decide which one to sew first...... I won't pass judgement on the other one yet, but so far I only have the urge to make 1 particular item in it..

* But today I finished the skirt out of this book.

I used a quilting fabric, that had a herringbone texture to it, it was like brushed cotton. really nice, will be very transeasonal.

The skirt took no time to whip up, Miss4.5 was very excited and quickly popped it on and asked if she could pose for another photo... How could I refuse. Here is the finished outfit.

The fabric was just beautiful to sew and I am sure once I steal it and wash it in the cover of darkness it will come up beautifully.

I am really happy with all the sewing from my Japanese pattern books so far. I now have 4 books in total.

I have to cut out a 2 dresses yet and Miss6 is starting to complain about the lack of modelling opportunities. It is funny how I find it hard to get the required inspiration for mundane domestic duties, but just a few quick glamour shots are no problem. It must paint a very weird picture of me cruising around the house like some famous freelance photographer.. Whatever gets you motivated

Japanese Pattern Drafting

Today I covered new territory, I drafted off my first Japanese pattern, ok about 4 really.
Once I got the pattern sheet out I found the pieces quite easily.
I am starting with this set, top a and skirt b.

I worked out the easiest way to draft the pattern succesfully and I hope it will lead to much less frustration when cutting or piecing.

*Firstly look at the cutting layout picture for the garment and add the seam allowances and hem allowances according to the diagram. The little 3 inside the hemline meant add 3 centimetres, so I having done this , I marked it on the pattern.
I have also worked out the symbols that mean front and back.
I have been reading that a lot of people use paper to draft off patterns, I always buy a roll of cheap interfacing to use for patterns. You dont need to pin it onto the fabric as it stays put once in position. It doesnt tear, you can fold it up or roll it up. I like to store my patterns in a snap lock bag with the details written on the front in texta. If I get my act together I will scan the pattern info from the mag or book and put it into the bag also, saves wear and tear on the book.....
Just this morning I have stumbled across this great step by step post that covers everything I have just done and was about to say.... look here first!!!Thought and thimble

O.k. Here is the pictures of top 'a' from my first Japanese sewing book Onnanoko no Oyoufuku Camisole Kara Kichinto Fuku Made ....

My little Miss4 was wrapt and asked whilst posing for the pics, "can I play with this on now?". Its always nice to be appreciated!!!

I made the size 110 and it fits really well, It was easy to put together, the worst part was deciding which buttons looked best. Onward to the next item.....I am already thinking which books I need next.. I did really love the "My favourite Style" book for myself..

Beach holiday and Japanese sewing books

I have just returned home from our family holiday, only to find my parcel in the post from Yesasia..Yippee ( That was super fast delivery I must say!!!)

We had a great time at the beach, I do have sunburnt knees and after much thought as to why, I realise that every time my little boy would put his sandy, wet hands on my knees, I would rub it off. alas red knees.

Longbeach in Robe - South Australia...

We had a great time and I had great intentions of taking photographs of the girls in their Rousabout beach dresses, but it was togs or nothing....so here is a picture of them on the hangers, they look gorgeous on....

Back to the sewing, I have just browsed though my new Japanese sewing books from Yesasia, and yes I should be drafting off patterns, but I got sidetracked ,looking at blogs with great info regarding the seam allowances etc.There is a great spot to get great info at Moving Hands, she has a link to a great download file about understanding the language in the patterns etc, although so far the pictures seem pretty comprehensive. I have been sewing Topkids magazine patterns for years, and the Ottobre books, honestly sometimes I think no written instructions would be easier...

Here is the first book (isbn 4529044378) which I believe is called Cute girls cute clothes? Although my invoice read -

Onnanoko no Oyoufuku Camisole Kara Kichinto Fuku Made. what a mouthful hey!!

This is my favourite page in the whole book.

Pure eye candy and inspiration........

I spent most of the morning (between washing all the beach towels and bags full of dirty holiday laundry) perusing my new books. I have been eagerly waiting for this one in particular... I have decided that tommorrow is the day, I will unclip that pattern sheet and start drafting... The ones I want to try are very basic looking so I will see how they go together.


I did just finish sewing a little 'japanese inspired blouse' out of the latest Ottobre magazine but Miss 6 decided she didnt like it....( It wasnt purple!@!), I shall try take a pic and post it soon....

Just downing a coffee, I will pop a few shots of my sewing on here...

A set for Miss6 I embellished the bought T-Shirt to match the wrap skirt, You are actually looking at the back with the bum pocket. I used Kings Road 'Belle Fleur Too' fabric and a bit of a Hamphire Gardens (the black floral). It looks great, I should make more only finding good quality T-Shirts is really hard. Any hints?????

A gored skirt I made a few years ago from whale cord, It has recieved so many comments in its time. I used no pattern, just made it up as I went.

Some little shoulder bags I made for the girls, One lined with Purple and one with Pink... that way any arguments could be quickly resolved as to just who has who's bag....The Purple for Georgia and Pink for Paige has proved such a winner system in our house, that everyone knows who owns the purple towel or the pink drink bottle.




Tommorrow I shall aim to find some spare time in amidst getting ready for back to school next week, and I will draft and sew, (hopefully lots!!!! :)
I need to work out how to add links to peoples blogs in amongst this text, I have a stack of great sites saved in my favourites and I have found most of them through other people kindly sharing them. I would love to return the favour...