Sew: Oliver + S Pinwheel Dress

Summer is birthday season in our house. My boys are December and January meaning that most of their friends are summer babies too. Every weekend there's a birthday party to attend!

My standard present is usually Lego or a puzzle but I had two close friend's daughters birthdays coming up and I knew they'd love a handmade dress. Without promising much, I asked them for their daughter's measurements and then set to work finding a simple but playful dress pattern. The Oliver + S Pinwheel dress fit the bill and I found the printed cotton in my stash.

I had enough of the cotton to easily make two dresses so I made them exactly the same. They'll just have to coordinate their outfits!

Project Details
Pattern: Oliver + S Pinwheel Slip Dress, size 5
Fabric: Printed cotton from Clear It - Brunswick Street
See also: Lily Sage & Co #1 | Lily Sage & Co #2 | You and Mie

I'm not one for fancy details or mixing prints (especially for kids clothes), so I just overlocked and hemmed the flounce, omitting the bias binding. I really like the clean, simple finish.

I'm sure there will be many more Pinwheel dresses in the future.

L x

Sew: Kwik Sew 3604 Kid Pyjamas

Project Details
Pattern: Kwik Sew 3604, view B, size M
Fabric: Robert Kaufman Dr Seuss cotton from Britex Fabrics
Notions: Buttons from Clegs

How cute are these pyjamas?! Mr N is super pleased with them. The fabric is a souvenir from Britex Fabrics. I have just enough left to make Mr H a pair of boxer shorts. I'm really enjoying sewing for others lately. It is an added bonus when the recipient is ecstatic with the result. Win, win!

L x

Sew: Kwik Sew 3149 Kid Shorts

Not much to report about these shorts except that Mr N is very happy with his "LA shorts" and that I have about 10 more pairs to sew before Christmas.... 

Project Details

Pattern: Kwik Sew 3149 shorts, size 4

Fabric: Check cotton shirting from Mood Fabrics LA

L x

Sew: Simple Skirt

This style of skirt is becoming my go to present for a little girl. I made a few last year for my niece which I believe are still in high rotation. I'm planning on whipping up a few more for Christmas and to restock my present stash. They are so quick and easy as well as a great way to showcase lovely fabric.

This version is made from a remnant of Liberty Wiltshire I was saving for a special project. Miss A was the lucky girl who turns 3 this week. Happy Birthday Miss A!!

Project Details
Pattern: Made Simple Skirt 
Fabric: Liberty Wiltshire tana lawn

L x

Travel: Mornington Peninsula

We had the in-laws visiting last weekend. Instead of sitting around Melbourne all weekend we decided to get out of town and visit the Mornington Peninsula. A quick look on Stayz and I found a house to rent that would sleep all six of us and had plenty of room to keep the boys happy. It was fabulous!

We visited the strawberry farm for fresh scones with jam and cream plus a much need caffeine boost. Unfortunately, it was the last day of the picking season so we didn't get to do the U-pick option. I did manage to buy some jam strawberries. 4kg for $20!! I now have 3 huge jars of homemade strawberry jam.

Besides our strawberry fix, we went to a few wineries and had lunch at Montalto. Which, by the way, is perfect for lunch if you have little ones. You can sit there sipping your wine in the sunshine, surrounded by the vegie patch, while the kids run riot of the huge patch of lawn. Just be sure to get in early!

We also went to Cape Schanck, Portsea and Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens. The maze was amazing and was surrounded by fabulous gardens. Unfortunately, we didn't have a lot of time there, so I hope to get back there soon. I also want to try the Peninsula Hot Springs next time. An excuse to go back for a family weekend!

Travel Details
Destination: Mornington Peninsula
Accommodation: Alfresco House at Blairgowrie
Places to visit:

• Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm - beyond amazing strawberries!
• T'Gallant Winery - stocking up the wine cupboard 
• Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove - excellent pizzas, beautiful gardens and lots of space for running
• Cape Schanck
• Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens
• Peninsula Hot Springs (for next time)

Overall, a fabulous place to visit that I really hope to get back to soon. It was also a great place to visit with kids. Most wine and gourmet regions are not that kid-friendly but Mornington Peninsula was fabulous.

Before we hot-footed it down the freeway, I took my in-laws on a bit of a fabric and yarn shopping adventure. This involved my MIL and I leaving my FIL in the car with the kids while we had a "quick" look in Rathdowne, The Fabric Store and the new yarn shop on Smith Street, Yarn & Co. It was a fabulous afternoon. I managed to grab some fuschia pink wool for my Anise jacket and a few jerseys for t-shirts. I even subjected the in-laws to the Mr Burger truck for lunch! The. Best. Burger. Ever.

L x

PS. I just noticed on the Yarn & Co website that they do high tea!!

Knit: GAP-tastic Cowl

 

I did it! My first ever hand knitted item!!  After multiple unravels and attempts at casting on, I finally found my groove. The combination of a broken foot, torrential rain and a stint in the kid's hospital for a tooth vs lip altercation* made this a rather quick knit.

I used two balls of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Navy that I bought online from Yarnover, along with a set of Hiya Hiya 40 inch 9mm bamboo circular needles. I wouldn't go any shorter on the circular needles. I started with the 24 inch and it was too tight and awkward. The 40 inch were perfect. I casted on 121 stitches instead of the recommended 131. Purely because I was lazy and had casted on so many times before. The two balls of yarn resulted in a 10 inch wide cowl. 

Next time I'm going to use 3 balls of yarn and cast the extra stitches. I really want to use a mustard yellow yarn next time. I'm a bit torn between using the same brand, Lion Brand, which is a wool/acrylic blend (but has the perfect colour) or using a 100% wool yarn (but I can't find a mustard yellow). What to do?!

Project Details
Pattern: GAP-tastic Cowl by Jen Geigley
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Navy
Needles: Hiya Hiya 40 inch 9mm bamboo circular needles

All up, I am extremely pleased with myself in completing this project. I'm not a complete convert to knitting but I will make another cowl or two for winter.

*We finally got home from Queensland late Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning I was doing a bit of baking with the boys. Mr H got a bit excited about an apricot and slipped of the stepstool hitting his chin. Blood everywhere!! The next 14 hours were a whirlwind of solo-parenting logistical skills (Mr Sew Brunswick was still in America) culminating in theatre at 11pm to stitch up the inside lip, fix the outside chin and examine his teeth, plus or minus remove his front teeth. He came out with 7 stitches and his teeth intact!! We got home at 10am, after picking up Mr N from a friend's house, only to re-present to ED at 9pm that night as the stitches had fallen out and the wound had opened. Thankfully they decided against taking him back to theatre. We now just have to wait to see if the wound heals and if his teeth are ok.

Talk about one hell of a week?! I am so looking forward to Rachel and I's trip to Sydney next weekend. Who's coming along to the meet up?

L x

Sew: Kwik Sew 3149 Boy Shorts

Mr H is forever in need of new shorts. Just plain navy or denim. He has so many shorts made of funky patterns but some days call for normal, ordinary shorts.

Plus my stash was in need of a good cleansing....

Project Details
Pattern: Kwik Sew 3149, size 3
Fabric: Navy cotton drill & ocean zin linen, both from Tessuti (left over from Colette Clovers and Vogue 8805)

I really like the navy linen ones as they are lightweight and cool on these hot summer days.

L x

Sew: Summer Dress for Miss O

 

As I don't have any girls of my own (probably a good thing!), I take great pleasure in sewing dresses for Christmas and Birthdays for my niece, Miss O.

I have a large collection of skirts made in Amy Butler fabrics that I made soon after having my boys and now don't fit me. So I've stashed them away to make in to skirts and dresses for Miss O. I simply ripped out the zip, sewed up the centre back again and laid the pattern onto the skirt. I even used the existing hem to simplify things further.

I downloaded this free pattern from the internet months ago and can't for the life of me remember where it is from. It is a simple A-line with cut outs for the armholes. Mr N picked the ribbon. He is good like that.

So, Merry Christmas Miss O and all my family in Queensland!! We will miss you all this year but look forward to another great Christmas together next year.

L x

Plan: Kids Clothes Week Challenge 2012

My two boys are in some serious need of new pants and shorts. They keep growing and growing. 3 weetbix every morning will do that to a kid...

I'm going to do my first Kids Clothes Week Challenge. Check out the details over at Elsie Marley.

I have the fabric. In total - 7 metres of denim, 4 metres of printed cotton drill & multiple metres of various printed cotton for pj pants.

It will be the week of kids pants!!

L x

Sew: More Kids Pants

The latest batch of kids pants is done. More Kwik Sew 3149 and Burda 9793. I think I've finally finished sewing this winters kids pants. Once I finished them all, I then had to take them all up again before he would wear them as Mr N likes to walk around à la Huckleberry Finn...

L x

Explore: Napoleon at NGV

Mr Sew Brunswick is in Canada for the week, working and hiking and hopefully avoiding bears... To keep me company my mum came down from sunny Queensland to visit. I am sure she is looking forward to a bit of peace and quiet after a week in my household.

High on our list for the week was a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria to see the Napoleon: Revolution to Empire exhibition. I highly recommend this exhibition. It is truly amazing. The audio tour is exceptional. We took it in turns to see the exhibition and mind the boys. They don't appreciate the art but they do enjoy the NGV Kids Space.  

After my turn in the exhibition and a picnic in the NGV gardens, I wandered over to Federation Square and the other part of the NGV whilst the boys napped in the pram. It was a beautiful winters day. 

A lot of people don't like winter in Melbourne. I think it might be my favourite season. For many, many reasons. Boots, jackets, leggings, football, gallery visits, museum exhibitions and hot coffee on a cold winters morning. Just to name a few!

PS. Clegs is having a half price remnant sale!! I got a few sneaky bargains on the way past.

L x

Sew: Simple Skirt x 2

I made these skirts for one very special girl who turns 5 on Monday. Happy Birthday Miss O! I hope she doesn't read sewing blogs...

Project Details
Pattern: Made Simple Skirt
Fabric: Echino remnants from my stash (Fabric originally purchased from Super Buzzy)

L x

Sew: Kids Tshirt

 

I've lost count of how many of these tshirts I've made. Simple, quick & easy.

 

Project Details

Pattern: Kwik Sew 3149 Size 4

Fabric: Thick cotton knit jersey and rib trim from Spotlight

L x

Sew: Big Butt Baby Pants

Project Details
Pattern: Big Butt Baby Pants by Made by Rae (size 2 - double hemmed with basting stitch)
Fabric: Printed pinwale cord from Spotlight (last year)

Seriously good toddler pant pattern! Especially for those big nappy butts. This pattern has been extremely well used over the years. I really like the way the legs are shaped.

Happy Sewing!

L x

Sew: Kid Pants

The weather is getting cooler and my 3 year old is growing exponentially (who wouldn't if they ate 3 weetbix for breakfast?!). He's also still going through a few pairs a day (please tell me this will stop soon?!). So I've been mass producing pants - navy cords and flannel pyjamas. I used fabric my stash that I bought for $2/metre at the end of last winter. I wish I'd bought more as I've run out and I think I still need to make him another 8 pairs...

Project Details - Cords
Pattern: Burda 9793
Fabric: Navy pinwale cord from Spotlight 
Alterations: Extended by 10cm

Project Details - Pyjamas
Pattern: Kwik Sew 3149
Fabric: Novelty flannel from Spotlight
Alterations: Extended by 10cm

L x