Caroline Dress

The postie delivered me a package of pretty flowery fabric last week.

This one is called Caroline.

I couldn't wait to start sewing with it, so I cut out all the pattern pieces to make this lovely little girl's dress by Simplicity.

Unfortunately, the rest of the week was quite busy, and I only managed to grab a quick hour at my sewing machine on Friday.

Yesterday, I decided that the ironing could wait, my time would be much better spent, finishing off Violet's dress.

The rain even stopped long enough for me to take a photo of Violet wearing it.

I know she doesn't look very happy in this photo, but the sun was in her eyes.

This pattern was relatively easy to follow, though I will make myself extra little notes, which will help me when I come to make this again.

The only modifications I made were to add a few extra inches to the length because I wanted it a tad longer the pattern called for.  Also, I omitted the ribbon around the waist, and the little bows/ties on the top of each sleeve, as I didn't feel this dress needed them.

Violet's very happy with too, and wouldn't take it off for the rest of the evening. Apparently, she loves me making dresses for her.

Which, is a good job, because I've got this bright flowery fabric to make another.....

This one is a cotton Poplin called Gaga.

Fabrics: Caroline and Gaga were both purchased from Croft Mill UK Ltd. (£6.95 per metre).

Pattern: Simplicity #1452 (I made view A, age 6)

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All sewn up - a new Horsey Dress for Violet

I have a FO to show you today.

It's the pretty little dress I was making for Violet.

I went for the New Look pattern in end, and I'm really happy with it.

Violet's not seen it yet, so I hope she approves.

Making your own clothes certainly teaches you a lot about sewing. I definitely learned some valuable lessons when cutting out, and stitching this dress.

I'll definitely use this pattern again, but now I'm keen to try the Simplicity dress pattern.

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A touch of Red

My new fabric purchase has arrived.

  

It's Forever Vintage cotton lawn in Red Silhouette, which I purchased from Fabric Rehab for £14.40 for 2 metres.

This should keep me out of trouble, and my sewing machine busy today.

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A birthday quilt for a special little lady

Yesterday, I finished making Violet's birthday quilt.  

I used this fabric to create the binding for the edges.

What do you think?

I'm totally thrilled with it, and I must admit, quite pleased with myself.

I can't wait to give it to Violet.

Details:

All fabrics are from the Wee Wander collection, designed by Sarah Jane Studios for Michael Miller Fabrics.

The top and bottom panels are Summer Nights (in magenta).

The tree panels are Tree Lights (in rose).

The centre panel is Woods (in pink & natural).

The panels either side of the centre are With The Birds (in seafoam).

The backing is Summer Ride (in seafoam).

The binding is Glow Friends (in pink).

I'm in love with this collection, and may have ordered a few more........................

Hope you're all having a wonderful week - Spring will soon be with us.

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Wee Wonder fabrics

I've just taken delivery of some beautiful Sarah Jane Studios fabric, from the Wee Wonder collection.

Aren't they gorgeous?

Now I'm all set to start sewing a quilt for a special little ladies 6th birthday.

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Quilt Evolution

If you'd told me on Monday that by the end of the week I would have made my first quilt, I wouldn't have believed you, but that's precisely what's happened.

I hadn't intended to make a quilt.  

All I did was sit down on a cold, wet,windy day, with a mug of coffee and look through my stash of fabrics. 

 It was all very innocent.  

You know how it is, you start to put them in piles, and think about all the lovely things you could make with them, if only your sewing skills were better.

Suddenly, a light bulb switched on in my head, and I decided that today was the day that I would make a quilt for my cousins baby-to-be.

Before I knew it, my cutting mat and rotary cutter were out, and off I went.

Before I knew it, I'd cut out enough for a little quilt.

Sadly, time wasn't my friend, and I had to stop to go and collect Violet from school.  Plus, I needed to pop into town to buy some wadding and backing fabric, which would have to wait until the next day.

My cousin loves Elephants, so I chose this adorable fabric called Funky Elephants by Belleboo.

Here's the finished quilt from the front.

And, the back.

I think I've fallen in love with this Elephant fabric.

Here are some close up photos, so you can see some of the detail (beware, there are quite a few).

Phew!!!! I told you there were quite a few!

This is without a doubt the loveliest thing I've ever made.

As soon as Violet saw it, she wanted it. So I've had to promise that I'll make one for her too.

A lot of the fabrics used in this quilt were off cuts from previous projects, like the Liberty Hello Kitty fabric I used for Violet's blouse, and the Amy Butler Love fabric I used to make a tote bag.  However, quite a few of the little itty bitty scraps of fabric, like the London & San Francisco, the clothing, balloons, paper hats, etc were purchased as a scrap bundle off the Internet.  I'll definitely be purchasing some more of these.  

Details:

Quilted front consists of odds and sods of stashed, and scrap bundle fabrics.
Backing fabric: Funky Elephants in Pink/Green by Belleboo (£13 per metre). 100% cotton.
Binding/Edging fabric: Kitschenette Spot (£16 per metre). 100% cotton.
Wadding: 100% polyester (washable & flame retardant) (£4 per metre).

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

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Xmas giveaway

Happy Friday.

Today, I'm hosting a little giveaway.
 

The prize will include a fat quarter of the pretty fabric above, called Tree Farm, the lovely slate Christmas Tree ornament, as well as a few other surprises with a Christmassey theme.

I hope you'll all enter.

You have until Sunday 30th November to leave me a comment on this post, telling me what you'll be asking Santa for this year.

 

Good luck.

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