Something new - bibs for bubs

I was cleaning out some of my wardrobe the other day and came across a pair of jeans with holes in the bum. So I thought I would give them a new life and make something new for my market stall (if I ever get around to working out which one to go to!).

I really liked the finished product, but I'm not a big fan of hammering in snaps. So after some internet surfing I found a bargain snap machine and spent some more money! I can't wait to get it and try it out on some more bibs, hats, and other new projects I have in mind.

New pants for Seth & Lilly

Why make one pair of pants when you can make two! I picked up a brown corduroy quilt cover at a thrift store the other day for much cheaper than you can buy corduroy. But I knew Lilly would never like to wear plain brown pants... what to do? Pink Birds ... girly enough for Lilly, and not too pink for mum ... win-win! And yes she does love them! Seth got a plane ... but I think I made them a bit big for him. Both have a cargo style patch pocket on the side of the right leg for special treasures you find.

Retro stripe shorts

The fabric used in these was found at Salvos - I loved it as soon as I saw it! It looked that this was a cot sheet at one stage. It feels like a really good quality cotton - quite thick for a sheet, but perfect for some cool duds! I got 4 pairs, 1 each of size 0, 1, 2 & 3 (photos in same order). Again, destined for my market stall - which looks like it may be infront of the Old Court House in Wollongong on Sunday November 29, 2009. My favourite is the diagonal stripes!

Shorts from thrifted fabrics

These shorts were inspired by the crazy patchwork style of quilting. Fabrics used were a mix of old table cloths, cot sheet & new fabric. Both are a size 2 long short (just below knee) and are destined for my next market stall! Although they do have some flowers, I really think these are unisex. The photos show the front (left) and the back (right) of the shorts:

Touchy Taggy - baby tactile mats

Here are some "touchy taggy" tactile mats I've made over the last couple of days...like the name? They are like a 'taggie' but better - not only do they have tags, but bits that flap, scrunch, are soft, smooth, rough, furry, shiny, bumpy, ridgy... But I can't take credit for the idea. A good friend of mine, her sister made one for her little boy. He loved it! So I made one for Lilly...also a big hit! I found it great for car trips, plane trips, playing quietly in the pram... and fully machine washable! I thought I would make these in themes: colours, black-white-red, pinks, shapes.

Boys Long Shorts - new product for LeftLeg

Here are my first samples of some new product - some boys/unisex shorts. And of course there is always a hat to go match! They are made from upcycled & new fabrics (some quite retro). The sizes shown below are from left to right: 3, 2, 1 & 0. The matching shorts & hat set are the size 0 (about 6months).

I think I may post these on 'Madeit'...

Painting smock / art smock

This afternoon I created a prototype for a painting smock for Lilly's family day care carer. The front is a rubber backed curtain fabric. I am hoping this stops liquids soaking though - not sure how it will take the frequent washing (thanks for doing the testing Leesa!). The back and sleeves are different cotton/mix fabrics so it's not too hot in summer. Long sleeves for a great cover-up!

Detail photos:

Ribbing around wrist for comfort.
Velcro closure for easy on and off & for adjustment.
Tie at neck for additional adjustment in neck size.

T-Shirt to Pants - Reconstruction Tutorial

I have been cleaning out my shed/studio for a while, sorting out my stash and all my other hobbies, trying to fit everything into the one space... my husband thinks he got the raw end of the deal... anyway, more about that later.

I came across a t-shirt I couldn't bear to throw out, but know I will never wear again. But I have a 2 year old, and I thought she could do with a new pair of light weight pants.

So today I tried my first t-shirt reconstruction. I took photos as I went to - hoping it would all work out wonderful, and I must say I was quite pleased with the results! Here are the before and after shots:

Here is the basics on how to do it (this took me about 40mins - which included some playdough time):

1) Choose your shirt, and your pattern. Lay out your shirt nice and flat, and position your pattern on the shirt. The shirt I used was one of those shirts that never lay flat with the side seams, or the seams twist around the shirt if you hang it from the shoulders or arm pits (you'll see more on this later).

2) Pin & cut out your pattern. (I use a rotary cutter, as I find this a bit quicker.) The pattern I am using is just one piece. There are no side seams on these pants which makes them quick and easy to make, and makes them a wide leg.

3) Put the 'right' sides together. An easy way to do this is slide the top piece to the side. The slide the bottom one onto the top one - don't flip either of them as you do this. (Or, if you thought about it before you started just turn your t-shirt inside out before you start and skip this step!)

4) Sew to centre front (F) and centre back (B) seams. For those not used to sewing pants these marked on the photo below:

5) Now you need to sew the inside leg seam. Open out the pants so far, aligning the bottom of the centre front & centre back seams. Sorry I didn't take a photo of this. Sew from the bottom on one leg, over the crotch (lay the two centre seams opposite directions), and down the other leg. If you open up the pants and have a look at the crotch point it should look like the above photo (I have overlocked/serged & done a straight stitch on the seams, but just overlocking/serging or even a zigzag would be fine). See the extra seam in white in the top right 'square' - this was actually the original side seam from the shirt that had twisted around the back.

6) Overlock/serge around the top to neaten it up. Then turn over a casing to suit your elastic (and your original pattern!). I turned over about 1", and use 20mm (3/4") elastic. Sew this but remember to keep a little open to thread your elastic! (I leave my gap near the centre back seam.) Use a safety pin to thread the elastic, sew the elastic together (make sure you don't twist it!), and then close the gap.

Ta Da!! If you want you can also sew a hem, but I was after a 'raw' finish.

My little one didn't want to try them on today...maybe tomorrow.

Evolution of a hat

I promised the 'evolution of the leftleg hat' so here it is:

I started with a very 'girly' pink hat for Lilly (she's just over 8 months in these photos). This hat took me quite a while to make. All edges are turned under, and fabrics were all cut straight (not on the bias). There were different types of fabrics too: corduroy, quilters cotton, flannel, retro & upcycled. The inside was calico, which I found shrunk quite a bit in the wash.

Then we did a green one for Oliver (who was going to Ireland for a holiday), and an orange one for Isaac:

The leftleg hat now looks like this:

The first two are for sale, the last one Lilly has been wearing for about 18 months. It's been through the wash plenty of times, Grandad has even lost it at the park before, but it always manages to find it's way home!

The strips of fabric are now cut on bias - I have a box for each colour! They are still quite time consuming to make. Here is an interesting fact: there is 180", or 4.5m of fabric strips (1.5" wide) needed to make a toddler hat! That's a lot of cutting and a lot of sewing - but damn they look good don't they!

New hat for Lilly - cowgirl style!

Lilly needed a new hat... and I need to test out my new sewing machine. The style of hat I usually make is quite time consuming (you will see what I mean later on when I get around to doing a blog on the 'evolution of leftleg hats'). So I made a new style of hat (excuse the grubby face!):

It can be worn two ways, wide brim sun hat, or grooving cowboy/girl style:

I just have to work out an easier way to construct so I can make some for my market stall - I'm sure there's got to be a few kids out there want a cool hat that no-one else has! (PS. Can you see that I haven't quite finished and there are pins holding up the sides? I'm deciding between snaps and buttons - leaning towards buttons.)