Word has gotten around that two lovely ladies have lost no time whatsoever in making up their Wrap-Up Skirts. Here is Soo's lovely concoction in all its butterfly glory:
And one from Kerry in cool lightweight denim with a Heather Ross print underskirt. Just perfect for summer:
Thanks for sharing ladies!
Another "Wrap-Up Skirt" this time in Kokka Russian Doll and Amy Butler Full Moon Dot fabrics. This one has been sent off to a little friend who I suspect will look very cute in it. I have another stack of nearly completed skirts in various print combinations which are headed for the shop as I want to offer both the pattern and readymade skirts. Then I'll take a little break from sewing these babies and move onto something of the non-skirt variety!
Full Moon Dot is one of my favourite fabrics ever. It's sadly being discontinued (or so I've heard). It adds a more modern twist than normal polka dots and seems to work with so many different prints. I managed to snap up a little extra from this etsy shop, whose lovely owner Jennifer had some yardage at normal prices (many shops have upped the price in response to its scarcity).
Also, the Kokka Russian Dolls print must surely be one of their most successful ever. Probably because of its versatility for both clothes and softies. On my shopping travels I've noticed some suspiciously similar doll motifs on clothes, bags and homewares. Coincidence? Perhaps.....
Here's my latest little pattern project unveiled (as hinted at in this post). This one's been a long time in the making and I'm very happy to be able to finally show it off.
My aim was to create the pattern for a cute wrap around style skirt that would be practical for active little girls. I always loved wrap skirts but couldn't find one for Cee Cee that didn't either come undone or slip down. This design has a fully elasticized inner skirt which is sewn down both side seams for added "staying power".
Two half metres (or yards) of coordinating fabric will cover you for the pattern and it's satisfyingly easy (truly!) and fun (honest!) to make. This model is made up in Liberty "Mab" and Michael Miller "Ta Dot" polka dots prints. The pocket is optional and it also looks great made in denim or plain linen on the outer wrap panel with a printed inner skirt or embellished with covered buttons, applique, yo-yos or whatever else you can dream up.
An added bonus is that this is a "sew and sell" pattern, meaning that pattern purchasers can sell the finished skirts in their online shop or at markets. I think it's great that there's an increasing number of patterns that come with this type of licence because it allows handmade sellers to stock their stores with classic or simple styles and not have to reinvent the wheel and draft their own pattern from scratch each time.
It's in the shop now (in PDF format which will be emailed to you within 24 hours of purchase).
AND! Before signing off I have to say how incredibly grateful I am to Lisa who worked her graphic design magic on both the photo tutorial and the pattern drawings. I can't tell you how happy I am with the exceptionally professional result. Lisa is one smart cookie who just seems to "get" everything - no explanation required. Not only that but she did it all at a time where she was up to her eyeballs with her own business, fulfilling orders, preparing for markets and developing new products (not to mention juggling school holiday activities!). Thank you so much Lisa!
I couldn't resist jumping on the Heather Ross "Far and Away" bandwagon recently - thank you Corrie! The fabrics in this range are just so perfect to make into wearable presents for little friends. This Princess and the Pea skirt was given away last week and we managed to get some pics before wrapping it up.
I was trying to think of a way of combining the Snails and Princess prints together and settled on a very simple apron skirt design.
There's a Unicorn skirt in the works as well.
And while we're on the subject of fairytales, my little ironing board has also been visited by Prints Charming. (It's one of those Ikea mini-boards that are perfect to pop on the work surface for a quick press job). It definitely looked like Cinderella before the ball and I'm afraid a "before" shot would be too shocking.
Now, after resurfacing it with some thick felt underlay (which you can get from Spotlight) and a new elasticised cover with bright and cheery fabric from the stash it looks very decent. A half hour's work, tops, and well worth the effort....
We're just back from a late season ski break and after several loads of washing I'm very glad to be packing away the winter woolies. (How is it that 5 year old first time skiers can so shamelessly outshine their elders on the slopes??). Not much crafting got done but I did make an attempt at re-learning how to knit (not great results but still hanging in....).
Anyway, back to the topic of the day. I tested this pattern out a while ago in the depths of winter but am only just unveiling it now that it's getting springier.
This little dress made its debut at the Stitches & Craft show. I didn't get a photo of it then but plonked my little (reluctant) model on the grass some days later to try and capture my handiwork. You can just see her thinking, "What am I doing here and what's with the coloured hoops?"
I even had the self-discipline to make pattern pieces for it as I went rather than winging it. This one has bias around the armholes and along the neckline. I've made another with facings rather than bias (I'm still a bit scared of bias) which I've yet to photograph.
Quick and easy crafts are the order of the day during school holidays and with supplies picked up at the Spotlight sale a couple of weeks back we set to work.
Well, OK, origami style box-folding is not my forte and took a little while to master (the five year old was better at it than me....)
Covered buttons I can do (love that spotty fat quarter fabric!).
I'm a sucker for anything with little houses on it but alas Cee Cee has claimed these....
The buttons were put to use for hair ties and brightening up a simple denim skirt.
The skirt I started at The Craft Room is now complete and ready for some wintertime frolicking.
I had a great day at The Craft Room last Sunday with 17 other ladies some of whose accounts you will have read by now. Sick kiddies and general household mayhem have prevented me from posting before now. Corrie (the pocket rocket) ((I can call her that being pocket sized myself)) did a superb job of organising - thank you so much!
I've made some patchwork scarves for the shop.
The ones I made last winter were quite simple and I wanted to do something a little different this time around. So I appliqued the little birdies and flowers onto the linen panels after doing the patch-worky bit.
Also, the scarves are special because they're lined with 100% organic cotton fleece from the Michael Miller organics range. I got some last winter from equilter - a quick check looks like it's still in stock. Fabric.com also has 100% organic fleece (in other colours as well) at a much cheaper price (but not from the MM range). Theirs is called "sweatshirt fleece" but I'm guessing it's the same thing.
The fleece is incredibly soft and warm - highly recommended for sensitive kiddy skin. Actually, for any skin - I think I'm off to make one for myself....
