More of the birthday dress . . .

Apologies for the not so happy shots. This was straight after a bath and Tilly was ready for a feed so wasn't impressed with me dressing her up for photos. I think I will add a tie around the waist, looking at her in it tonight I think it definitely needs it until she is at least walking.

Some new patterns

A couple of patterns I picked up at SL last night. They had 20% off storewide, plus our local store still hasn't removed the 50% off patterns on their computer systems from the last time they were on sale so the lovely sales assistant told me last night so got these for 70% off! Got a love a bargain! Should have got a few more . . .

Tilly's 1st Birthday Dress

This is the dress I have made for Matilda for her 1st birthday in January 09. It is from the Burda 9650 pattern, and my first attempt at making clothes after only making nappies and a few odds and ends. Now that I have completed this I am itching to make more clothes. It only took me a few hours, with many firsts at trying my handing at ruffling and making my own bias binding. The material was so delicate too and was fraying constantly, but a bargain at just $3 a metre in the quilting cotton bargain corner at SL. I am not sure whether I will add a tie around the waist to help pull it in a bit as it seems very wide/loose on in this area, doesn't help having a long skinny little possum. The length is perfect though. Will try and get a modelled pic later.

Close up of the bottom ruffles.

Close up of the top ruffle. I even managed to not stuff up my first attempt at making my own bias binding.

Another pencil roll w notebook/pencil cover

Another pencil roll completed. This one has the extra flap to flip over the pencils so when its rolled up the pencil don't fall out the top. Remember the ribbon this time round too. A much better result than the last one. This one is a present for one of the little boys in our mummy's group for kris kringle.

Pencil Roll with Notebook

I am planning of making these as Christmas gifts for a few friends children. Am still working out the best way to sew, measurements etc as I seem to just prefer to sew rather than following a pattern. I think it needs some stability (i.e. interfacing), plus it needs an extra piece of material (like a flap) at the top to stop the pencil falling out when it is upside down. I once again forgot the ribbon until the end so just tacked it on at the end on one side. Am sure my gift receivers wont mind : )

Pencil Roll - 1st attempt

My first go at a pencil roll. I wanted to do it with a notebook as well but decided half way through that I best try it just simple like this for my first go. I discovered my outer colours i should have added an extra 1/4" as these pockets are a little skinny and I also forgot to add the ribbon either side to tie it together once rolled up. I didn't use a tutorial so here are my measurements if you would like to give it a try with the corrected extra 1/4" there should be.

This is to fit 12 pencils. I used the crayola twistable pencils to save having to worry about a pencil sharpener. The outer material and interfacing is 12.5" x 11" and the strips I cut 1 1/2" wide each (with the exception of the 2 outer colours which should be 1 3/4" wide). I used a piece of flannel as my interfacing as I had read somewhere that this would give it a soft quilted effect which it did. The bottom strip of fabric is 12.5" x 5". I used a 1/4" seam allowance for all seams. Sew all strips together first and press open seams. Lay right sides together and sew around the edge leaving an opening for turning. Turn and hand sew opening and then stitch a 1/4" seam all the way round. Sew up strips over the pocket all the way to the top to give the little pockets for each pencil.

Bucket Hat

A bucket hat for Tom. It is a little big, but ok at my second attempt - won't mention the first attempt! Didn't use a pattern, just made it up as I went as using a pattern the first time just confused me too much as I didn't like the way it was done. Now just have to remember what I did, so I can write it down to make another one. Did take some pics about halfway through when I got thinking that it might actually work out ok ; )