in stitches: w pants by blank slate patterns tested

It's a bit rewarding to make things by hand. Sewing clothes for kids is absolutely not cheaper than buying items you can pick up in big stores, but has a largely increased smug-mum factor. Sewing is also more time- and space-hungry, so with my sewing space in disarray and returning to part-time work, it's a good thing there are fabulous PDF patterns getting around.

I was given a copy of Blank Slate Patterns' W Pants to test. As with all Blank Slate patterns, this one is packed with options: three lengths, sizes 12-18months to 8 years, lots of nifty details such as welt pockets, full fly and belt loops.

I have fallen for these patterns. The instructions are so clear, and I love that this patterns suits a range of skill levels. A beginner could pick this pattern up and make the most basic option, then work through the more complex details as their skill set develops. You might know the gorgeous designer of Blank Slate patterns from her blog, Melly Sews.

I think my welt pocket version with contrast waist look awesome. I used a cotton drill for the main fabric, and a chevron print corduroy for the contrast.

I will be cracking out this pattern again, there are summer shorts required! Oh, bring on that lovely warm weather, Spring.

in stitches: heidi and finn chevron dress pattern review

I have been carefully looking at our consumption of clothing lately as a family. Not really doing anything about it, but feeling rather guilty about grabbing cheap, mass-manufactured garments as our kids grow (and grow and grow!). I walk a fine line, balancing precariously between what our budget allows, and the clear ethics in buying quality and taking more care of it. I have an automated response to kids clothing sale racks in large department stores: grab a couple for now, and a bunch for next year. Especially t-shirts, because knits are so difficult to sew, right?

Well sewing up this dress has proven to me the value and ease of sewing easy-to-wear, comfy play clothes for kids, using knits. The Chevron Dress pattern by Heidi and Finn is a fantastic design to cut your knit-sewing teeth on, and the instructions hold your hand right the way through.

The bodice is a simple shape, lined to avoid tricky bindings, and fits comfortably without gaping. I loved the clever way this pattern put the top together.

The skirt features a pieced chevron shape, utilising different coloured or patterned fabrics. I used a soft grey and white stripe, teamed with a rusty red and bright white. There was some very smug self-satisfaction as I pressed the centre-front seam open to reveal a perfectly-matched chevron.

The elastic in the waistband is probably the trickiest part, but once you master using a zig-zag stitch to sew elastic directly into the seam allowance, you will be able to use it in many applications. I like to use a three-step zig-zag stitch and clear elastic for this.

I added a couple of belt loops to the waist as I sewed the top and bottom together. I plaited together three strips of the knit fabrics I used in the dress to make a chunky tie belt. I love the nautical look the colours and the ropey belt give.

So now I am on the hunt for knit fabrics, so I can make all manner of play clothes for the kids. And a couple more cute chevron dresses for the little miss.

in stitches: heidi and finn downtown hat

PDF sewing pattern received for free for testing and reviewing purposes from Heidi and Finn.

It's starting to cool down here. The beachside breeze is getting colder and decidedly stronger. Hats that cover little ears are in order.

I was lucky enough to be chosen to test Heidi and Finn's new pattern: the Downtown hat. I got stuck in, using a range of stretch fabrics I already had, and had made up four hats in 24 hours. A lightweight green one, two fleece and a check polar fleece. I found the polar fleece the best fabric for this pattern- it has a good amount of stretch, with enough thickness to make the hat look nice and sturdy. I love the way the ordinary fleece sewed up, but would suggest going up a size for this less-stretchy fabric. The interlock fabric was a little trickier to sew, but makes up a lovely light-weight hat perfect for season's change weather. The instructions in the pattern were so easy to follow and provided this stretch-fabric novice much-needed support. I loved the pattern so much I took the kids to the fabric shop and let them choose a print from the polar fleece range. Thirty centimetres of a 150cm wide fleece fabric is ample, and with a half price sale on, each hat cost under two bucks!

And, seriously, how cute do they look?

 

 

 

 Have you been sewing lately? Are you using what you have? Have you ever made a hat?

straight to the pool room

It isn't often my siblings and I are both fancy and  together in one place. Excuse me while I bore you with photos from our cousin's wedding we recently attended. I have made a deliberate editing choice today. You will not be seeing the photograph of me pouring scotch into a large maccas coke between ceremony and reception, nor the picture of me dancing the 'welcome dance' to Kokomo by the Beach Boys later in the evening.

You stay classy, San Diego.

This is me, in the dress that I made. I added a little beaded bolero cardigan, a vintage glomesh purse and vintage gloves I found in an op shop ages ago. And I totally glammed up with my Maybelline NY gear.

My good-looking sibs and I. Generations ago, someone put a group photo curse on our family, so this is a rarity.

My youngest brother, who lives overseas, had this tux tailored up to wear to a matinee show. As you do.

Going to such an intimate, emotional wedding made me want to marry this guy, over and over.

This was about the extent of the actual wedding I photographed. I forgot to take my camera into the church, which was a blessing, because I got to enjoy the whole ceremony, including the groom's reaction when he saw our stunning cousin. I had a giggle at the number of iPhones in the air during the vows, though. I don't feel like we were married that long ago, but we had one digital page made up in our album, and that was a huge deal! She styled the wedding herself, the reception was breathtakingly beautiful. My sis and I danced the night away. We may have had the odd champagne or two. We even stayed overnight, despite the fact that we were five minutes from home.

And I absolutely ate these guys in the morning. Chocolate coated strawberries, dressed up as a bride and groom. Cute!

Do you cry at weddings?

maybe i'm born with it

Or maybe I have the beautiful, arse-kickin babe Eden to thank for a recent overhaul in the mug department.

I was deliciously excited to win a prize of Maybelline New York goodies from her blog, Edenland. An hilarious email conversation with Georgia the (no doubt) stunningly beautiful Maybelline rep, in which I admitted my total lack of makeup savvy ensued, and she supported my need to wear EVERYTHING in the event that I do go out. Red lipstick and heavy eyes? Sure! The lovely postie brought a box to my door not long after, and I opened it, right there in my trackies amongst the toddler debris of discarded duplo and mushed milk arrowroot biscuits. All I could see was the glamour. The GLAMOUR!

 

 

 

 

Realising I had NO IDEA how to use 90% of this amazing gift, I followed Georgia's advice and hopped online. I watched this tutorial about the Fit Me foundation, and learned heaps. I had a try in my toothpaste-splattered bathroom mirror, thinking of words like 'dewy', 'youthful' and 'even'. I must say the before-and-after is quite remarkable.

 

Before: patchy skin tone, dark circles under the eyes, deep canyons of wrinkles, and there may be a little fuzz on my upper lip- best book a trip to the salon, pet!

 

After: I like my smile wrinkles in this photo. It reminds me of my mum. Doing OK for a bloody exhausted mum-of-three, I think.

 

I used

FitMe foundation in 130 (I even used a brush, like a pro)

Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser (OMGOMGOMG get this)

FitMe blush

Great Lash mascara

Colour Sensational Lip Colour in Yummy Plummy

all c/o Eden and Maybelline New York. Thank you a million eyebags.

 



 



Now, if the sight of my lady-mo leaves you feeling a little uncomfortable, I want you to go and follow Eden's journey through India, for World Vision. She is bearing witness, sucking in the sights and smells, staining her heart and her soul, so that we can all learn, and feel. Go and read, and feel really uncomfortable. In the best way of all.

style and nonsense: sole love

With friends like these, who needs...friends? Folks, meet my new best pals, Mary May. These gorgeous girls came to me from the amazing Sole Society, after I won a contest on the gorgeous Beetle Shack. Lucky, lucky me. Being the classic martyr mama that I am, I don't own fine shoes like these. So it stands to reason that I haven't taken these babies off. They are so comfortable, after molding themselves to my feet. Proper, good shoes, made by hand, with quality materials.

I'm wearing my new favourite skirt- vintage, tribal, high waisted, found in the op shop for six bucks. I also won a pair of Stu Wedges in Pine, which are yet to make their debut, and are equally incredible. Thank you, Em. Thank you, Sole Society.