Denim Tunic

 My girls are leggings, t-shirts and smock/tunic girls. They won't willingly wear jeans because as Milly says 'you can't run or climb trees in jeans'. The only problem is that jeans wash very well, especially after a day in the garden, climbing trees and building cubbies. So I suggested a denim tunic and Milly agreed to the one in Ottobre 4/2012.

 

The only alteration was to sew the buttons and button holes the opposite way to the pattern. The straps were really long and I didn't check them until it was finished. So I swapped them around and the extra length is tucked down the front of the dress and the button can be moved as she grows.

I love all the top stitching on this tunic. I used an aqua blue to contrast with the almost black denim. I was too lazy to set up the double needle and I find it just as easy to sew two lines.

Japanese Sewing Books

The rest of my Amazon Japan order (and the reason for the order) was sewing patterns for the girls. With four girls to sew for I think I will get quite a bit of use from these, the one on the top right has patterns for girls up to 150cm tall so that can be used for years. There are previews for all of them on Amazon Japan - here are the links. Top left. Top right. Bottom left. Bottom right.

 I started something new yesterday. Four different shades of grey and four different yellows. A little less bright and minimalist compared to what I usually make.

Patchwork Tsushin

I couldn't resist the latest Patchwork Tsushin when I was ordering from Amazon Japan. The theme is Modern Quilts and there are some beautiful interesting quilts in there along with block ideas and patterns for smaller things like cushions, bags and softies. The Japanese quilt magazines are always the ones that survive my craft room clean outs. Not matter how many times I go back and flick through them I see something new and am inspired to sew.

Pochee Cardigan

 I had a little splurge at Amazon Japan couple of weeks ago (more on that later this week) and on a whim I bought the latest edition of Pochee magazine. I love these magazines, but never sew from them as this style is not flattering to my shape, but I found a great cardigan pattern in this one.

 

If I saw this in a shop I would buy it immediately. Of course it is made out of shapes you think could never make a cardigan, but I followed the instructions and it worked!

 I used some very very cheap loose knit fabric from Spotlight I bought last year so I wasn't worried if it didn't work. I made the largest size and was planning to size up, but this ended up a little bigger than I wanted. As it is a loose knit that seemed to stretch a bit I think it might be perfect when I make one from wool jersey.

I think this style of cardigan will be great over pretty much everything in winter and dresses in summer. I think I might need a few in different colours.

 

I know I am tempting fate expecting another pattern in there to work for me, but I might have to try out one of the loose fitting shirts.

Elephants and Squares

 I found the perfect fabric at Textile Traders for a very new little boy. Elephants by Michael Miller and even better there was a precut piece of 1 1/2m for $7.50. I love that section in there. I am always hunting through there and usually manage to find pieces for quilt backings and clothes for the girls.

I cut a strip of it 6" wide and cut it, and some matching solids, into squares.

 I used the rest of the elephants for backing, quilted both sides of the seams and used some grey spots with a little strip of the elephants for the binding.

It is ready to send north so it can be used in the little bit of winter they have up there.

Books and Cross Stitch

I posted an extremely short review of these books on instagram today. I was planning a longer review, but have realized that will never happen. There are so many people more skilled in book reviewing that me. It is safe to say that English Lit at school was not my strong point. So here is a very short book review from the top one down:
1. Read this
2. Read this for different reasons
3. Was good, was not The Poisonwood Bible, but anything by Barbara Kingsolver is going to be pretty good.

I really need a new phone cover and had this brilliant idea to cross stitch one. I didn't realize just how tiny those little stitches are. I'm really hoping to finish it before my phone is obsolete. If you are looking for a cover you can cross stitch yourself search eBay for "cross stitch phone cover", you should find a few in quite a few colours.

New Look 6106

I realized the other day that my wardrobe really needs a few plain basics. I have lots of skirts in great print fabrics, but I lacked a really good denim skirt. I thought I would try New Look 6106 as I liked the look of the pockets. The denim is some nice dark denim from the stash. I have no idea where it came from. I am glad I had it though as the offerings in Spotlight last week were dismal.

 I used cotton for the facings and pocket linings to reduce the bulk a little around the waist. To make it a little interesting I stitched the whole thing with red thread which meant I really needed to concentrate and keep it straight and neat. Not sure I succeeded, but from a distance when I'm moving at a fast pace I don't think you will notice.
 I didn't really like the order of the instructions and the way the zip was inserted so I put it together the way I normally make a skirt. It is quite A-line so I took it in a bit at the sides and if I made I again I would take it in ever more.

My usual photographers were not in the mood to take photos this afternoon and these were the best of the lot. Not the best photos, but you get the idea. I am happy with the way it turned out and the pockets are a perfect shape and size. I can see myself wearing it a few times a week this winter.