Sew: Geometric Burda 7381 Shorts

I almost forgot to post this Christmas present make. Second only to the Liberty Negroni shirt, these are a firm favourite in the handmade gift department. One of my brothers rang me one day asking where to get cool fabric in Brisbane to make himself some shorts. I rattled off the usual suspects and thought a pair of handmade shorts would be a good gift for him. So I dutifully jotted down the idea many months ago. When the time came to get cracking on my present making, I went to Spotlight to purchase a mens short pattern and some fabric. I knew I wanted printed fabric of some sort and quickly spotted this fabulous geometric style design. But I couldn't find another cool fabric for my other brother. So I made them matching shorts! I did not stage these Christmas day outfits or the photo shoot at all. After opening their gifts they promptly put on their shorts and both happened to be wearing grey tshirts.

I matched the pattern horizontally across the side and crotch seams. For ease of sewing, I omitted the pockets and fake fly front. They have requested pockets for next years pair! An absolute breeze to sew and I'm so glad they like their shorts.

Project Details
Pattern: Burda 7381, view A
Fabric: Geometric Buzoku Cotton Duck fabric
Alterations: Omitted pockets & fake fly front, shortened to 46cm side length

I have some of this fabric left over. What should I do with it? A Moss Mini would look good...

The last photo is of them modelling their shorts in an action whilst making Mojitos. They crack me up!

L x

Sew: Miss Buttons Doll

2013 brought me a new niece. I finally got to meet her the week before Christmas and to say she is divine is an understatement. As part of my handmade Christmas, I made her a Miss Buttons doll. Lets call her Florence.

A quick, easy and satisfying sew. I think she's pretty cute!

L x

Sew: Vogue 1027 for L

A good friend of mine, let's call her L, turned 40 last month. She's a very good friend who has put up with me at the park every Friday morning for the last 5 years. I really wanted to get her something special for her birthday. Being such a big birthday and also because she's simply lovely. But what to get her?? A handmade dress of course!

Now, I don't sew for others very much at all. I knew L would really appreciate the thought, and my time and effort, so I selected a beautiful piece of jersey from my stash and set to work. A few hours later I had a present!

Project Details
Pattern: Vogue 1027, size 14
Fabric: An amazing piece of jersey from Anna

It looks smashing on her. And she absolutely loves it!

L x

Sew: Neon Leopard Infinity Scarf

Neon and leopard print aren't words you would usually put together. I now think they're a match made in heaven! Last week on a kid costume scouting mission to Spotlight I spotted this crazy voile while waiting in line. I was being so good at avoiding the dress fabric as I don't need any more fabric. Especially not printed fabric!! But I caved when I saw these lovelies. They feel like cotton voile but clearly state "polyester" on the selvedge. I thought they'd make great summer weight scarves so I picked up two pieces. One for me and one for my Christmas present stash. It is very tempting to keep both!!

I bought two metres for each scarf as I like a decent amount of volume in my scarves. I then just joined the cut ends together with a French seam and turned the selvedges over once to hem the long sides. Voila! New scarves.

I wore it today with my pink Anise jacket to the zoo. It was perfect for keeping the chill off my neck in this ridiculous Melbourne weather.

L x

Sew: Breastfeeding Cover

On my first public outing with Mr N, I attempted breastfeeding him (all 4.1kg of him) under a wrap whilst sitting inconspicuously in the corner of a cafe. It was an absolute disaster!! The wrap kept falling off, I couldn't see my breast or where his mouth was, he couldn't see me and to top it all off I dropped the breastfeeding shield on dirty Degraves Lane. In full public view...


As soon as I got home, I googled breastfeeding covers and found they were simply a rectangle of fabric with a strap. A few hours later I had a cover that served me well for my two short breastfeeding careers. I made some modifications to the simple fabric rectangle to improve the usability. I included boning and some stiff interfacing to keep the cover open at the top so I could see what I was doing. I also included two towelling pockets to hold the shields while feeding and to wipe up spills.

Multiple friends saw me feeding in all sorts of places with the cover and when it came to their time to have a baby, it became my go-to baby present.

A friend of mine is due in a month and had her baby shower this afternoon. I made her a neutral cover in a Victoria & Albert Museum craft cotton from Spotlight. Mr N picked it. I think he's got a very good eye for fabric!

Project Details
Fabric: 1m Victoria & Albert Museum craft cotton from Spotlight - cut to 90cm x 70cm &  7cm x 90cm
Notions: 0.5m boning, 2 x D-rings, thread, cotton towelling

It has been a very sad week for Brunswick, so it was nice to spend some time with a group of lovely ladies celebrating the impending birth of a beautiful baby. Boy or girl, it does not matter.


L x