Many of the lovely writers of sewing blogs I read are claiming their 'word' for the year. At first I didn't really understand why. After thinking about it for a few weeks, I think I understand, and I've decided to join them. Unfortunately I don't know who started the trend, so if someone reading this does, I'd love to know. Anyway, my word for the year is Family.  2014 was incredibly sad and painful, but I have to also say that there was an over abundance of love and at times, joy. In the weeks and months after my husband's death, my family and friends rallied around me, showing me what true love really is. They have and still are supporting me on this journey of grief and discovery of my new reality. I have good days and bad days, and there is always someone near to help.  I'll be forever grateful to my children, my family and my dear friends, including the wonderful women on my Pattern Patter team, for being there for me through it all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you all.
In the coming weeks I hope to get myself on track again, with my sewing and my pattern shop. I've been doing some of each but not really applying myself wholeheartedly. I just haven't had the desire to do my best, and have lost the drive to do anything almost as soon as I start. But for my own sanity I have to force myself to return to the things I've always loved to do. I'll be taking baby steps, but that is better than none at all.
I'll leave you with a photo of my greatest joy, my granddaughter Mackensie,

So. In my usual dedication to my plans, I went in a totally different direction with my sewing than I had planned.  Last night I cut out a sundress and two pairs of lace leggings for my granddaughter to be sewn up today.  I was ready to sew - actually at the machine - when a flash of black and white caught my eye peaking out from under a pile of fabric.  About a year ago I found a black and white valance at the thrift store, still in it’s packaging.  The cute strip of gingham across the middle was the deciding factor.  That and the 25 cent price tag. I planned to take it home and make a skirt out of it for Mackensie.  But as usual my plans changed, I moved on to another project and the valance languished amongst all the other forgotten pieces of loveliness in my fabric chest. Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I found another piece of fun black and white fabric covered in horses, in a pile of fabric given to me by a friend.  Mackensie loves horses, so I knew it would be well received when sewn up.  Again I had big plans, again they were forgotten. Beginning to see a pattern here?  Well today was the day.  I only had enough of the horse fabric to cut out a bodice, so I used some polka dot remnants for the sleeves.  I made a simple peasant blouse which I think pairs perfectly with the gathered skirt I made from the valance.  I love that the patterns are different on each piece, but fit together so well. I was surprised and happy to see that the black on each fabric was the same. Black can be so hard to match.   Mackensie loves the outfit.  Not just for the horses, but the twirly skirt. The most important item of clothing in a two year old’s wardrobe!  I think this little outfit will be adorable paired with a red cardi, or any other bright colour for that matter.

Tomorrow we move on to day three of KCW.  Have you made grand plans?  I have. I have a sundress and two pairs of lace leggings to sew. But wait………what is the lovely piece of red fabric I see dancing in the corner of the sewing table…
Happy Stitching!

I thought for the first day of KCW it would be a good idea to finish up two dresses that I started a couple of weeks ago for my granddaughter Mackensie. I was itching to start a new project, but I knew that if I did I would just push these dresses aside and think ‘I’ll finish them later’ and forget all about them until I want her to wear one of them. Do you do that too? I get near to the end of a project and am already thinking of the next one. The anticipation of starting a new project can be overwhelming and the lure of beautiful fabric and adorable patterns hard to resist! But, I managed to restrain myself and was able to finish both dresses this afternoon. I also cut out two pairs of stretch lace leggings and another sundress that I will sew up tomorrow.

Happy stitching!

I am, just about! Tomorrow is the first day of the 2014 Spring/Fall edition of Kids Clothes Week.  For the first time ever there is a theme, Mini Me.  Although I can’t promise that my makes will be mini versions of my own wardrobe, (which is one of the guidelines but not mandatory) I plan to have fun making items for my lovely granddaughter that I would wear if I could. Strappy spring and summer dresses in bright beautiful fabrics, and a few other things that I think will be welcome additions to a busy two year old’s wardrobe. Everything I plan to make will be from stash fabrics and notions, which gives me plenty of choices!

Today I plan to organise my fabric and patterns and cut things out ready to sew. Since Mackensie insists in wearing dresses nearly every day the bulk of my sewing will be dresses and skirts and tops. I also plan to make a pair or two of stretch lace leggings to wear with dresses and skirts while the weather is still too cold for bare legs. I’d also like to make a bolero or two to wear with her strappy sundresses, to protect her little shoulders from the sun, and for when the air-conditioning is a little cool at her daycare.

What are your plans?

 

                          

                                                    To read more about KCW look here!

 

With the new year well underway, I thought I would carry on my tradition of being late to the party. After the whirlwind of the holidays, I was just too exhausted to even think about posting. My fibro kicked in with a vengeance and I spent a few days relaxing, reading other’s blogs and planning the many sewing projects I want to do.
We had a wonderful family filled Christmas, with lots of good food, great company and merriment.



My granddaughter MacKensie decorated gingerbread cookies for the first time, and was quite thrilled with the outcome!




There were Christmas concerts at church,



Please forgive the awful picture quality, quick pictures with my phone were all I could manage. MacKensie is second from the left in the top row. They were all so adorable, singing Jingle Bells while shaking their bells. They all wore their jammies for the performance, adding to the cuteness!
I hope your holidays were as wonderful as ours, and I wish all the best for you and your families for the new year!
Happy Stitching!

Hello again!  Are you ready for Christmas? I’m not even close. The decorations are up, some of the baking is done, and I’ve sewn a few gifts. By this time every year I am starting to panic, worrying that I’ll never be ready on time. But when Christmas Eve rolls around, I realize many of the things I thought were important aren’t. All that really matters is that we are together as a family. So this year I have decided to enjoy the days leading up to Christmas, and not worry about the little things that don’t get done. They don’t really matter anyway.

While raiding my stash a few days ago I came across the top from an old pair of my Christmas pj’s. It was bright red, with an embroidered tree on the front. It was big enough to cut out a who tee for MacKensie, but I also found some soft white knit that would work perfectly.

 

 She was busy watching Santa on t.v, and wasn’t impressed when Nanny wanted her to pose for pictures, hence the grumpy face.

I used the Bimaa Sweater pattern by Lou Bee Clothing on Etsy. I cut the neckline higher and sewed a rib knit collar. I think the shoulder seams look high because it is a heavier weight fabric. I cut around the tree on the old tee and sewed it to the new one with a decorative stitch (little hearts). It’s funny, my machine has several decorative stitches on it but I never think to use them. I think it worked perfectly here. I have made the Bimaa several times, and I know I will use it many more times in the future. I think I had better cut a size larger next time. MacKensie is growing like a weed!

Until next time, Happy Stitching!

 

       

Are you sewing along for KCW?  This is the first time for me,  and I’m determined to sew every day. I’m still working on my stashbusting as well, so it will work out nicely. My son is dating a lovely girl with three young children, whom I refer to as my ‘adopted’ grandchildren. I have plans to sew several summer outfits for each of them, and my granddaughter MacKensie.  This afternoon I put the finishing touches on skirts for MacKensie and Lexi.  The fabric is a poly-cotton that has been in my stash for about a year. It doesn’t show very well in the pictures, but it is white with red, blue and yellow flowers and green leaves. One day I will learn to take pictures in daylight, I promise.  The colours are always so washed out otherwise! It really is quite pretty fabric,  perfect for Spring, if it ever arrives. I plan on making both girls tops in a coordinating colours, once I find something in my stash that I like for them.

I only took a picture of one skirt, because they are both the same, except for size. This one is a size five, MacKensie’s is about eighteen months. They were super easy to make and probably took me about three hours to make both. They are lined with crisp white sheeting with a lace edged tulle ruffle.  The waist has a self ruffle with a button at the center front to make it easy for little girls to put them on properly. It is difficult to see in this picture, but the little dark blob is actually a cute little charm. I found them here,  'Hand Made' charms on Ebay.

I am finding that ‘shopping’ from my stash a lot of fun. I have forgotten what lovely fabric pieces I have stashed away, and each time I search for a piece for a particular project I am thrilled with what I find. Tomorrow I plan to make a top and shorts for Lexi, with remnants from  this  outfit I made for MacKensie before she was born.

Happy Stitching!

The Stashbusting theme for March is sewing for the season change.  I sewed this little outfit for my granddaughter in February, but no matter, it fits the theme!  I have a few more items that I’m anxious to sew for her for the coming warmer weather that I’m hoping to get to soon.  I love this little outfit!

Unfortunately Iphone pictures at ten o’clock at night in the bathroom aren’t all that flattering.  Surprisingly enough,  the colours are fairly close to the real thing.  The only difference is that the pinks are closer in colour than they appear.

I used Butterick 5017,  but added ruffles to the pants.

The fabric is adorable.  MacKensie loves cows,  so the little cows on the fabric are a hit.  The pink and white polka dot fabric is cut from a pillowcase,  also from my stash.  These little outfits don’t take alot of fabric, but every bit counts in my stashbusting quest!

Happy Stitching!

To learn more about the stashbusting challenge, click the button in my sidebar and join in!

As I said in my last post, I’ve made two new outfits for my granddaughter MacKensie, using vintage patterns.  I LOVE vintage patterns!  The styles seem so much cuter than many of the current patterns. (although I do use them too)  The first outfit I made was of a very fine, extremely soft baby wale corduroy. The colour is hard to describe, it is sort of a soft brown with a slight sheen, but it looks different in pictures. I also made a pale green tee shirt to go with it.

(ack! I knew my camera pics weren’t great, but I didn’t think they were this bad. Time to get my camera fixed!)
I used these patterns,

Simplicity 8939 from 1970, in size 1
Simplicity 5706 from 1973, in size 1
They were both very easy to sew, and I’m sure I’ll use them again.  The second outfit I used Simplicity 8939 to make the pants in a lovely aqua cord, and fashioned my own little top/tunic in micro fleece to match. Please disregard the old, stained onesie underneath!

Oh! I wish these pictures were better! The aqua colour is so vibrant and bright, the photos don’t do it justice. Oh well, you get the idea anyway.
I guess I should have said I made three outfits, but I forgot all about this last set. I cut out this little top and pair of shorts last summer and never got around to sewing them. No matter, now she has a new set for this year!

All in all, I think I’ve done fairly well with my stash busting this month. With these items alone I used up 7 pieces of stash fabric, (includes lining for jumper) or about 4 meters. I still have a few more items to blog about in the next few days, so my total is rising and my stash is (slowly) going down!
Until next time, Happy Stitching!


Join me at these linky parties!

Look What I Made @ Creations By Kara
We Did It Wednesday @ Sew Much Ado
Wow Me Wednesday @ GingerSnap Crafts
Lil' Luna Wednsday Link Party
What We Wore, Read, and Made Link Party: Seuss Features Edition @ Rae Gun Ramblings
Made By Me @ Jaqs Studio

 

It’s time. Waaay past time.  My fabric stash has completely taken over my basement.  So I’ve joined The girls at  tumbleweeds in the wind  and  cation designs  for their  Stashbusting Sewalong!  You can follow any of these links to all the details,or click the button in the right hand sidebar.

First, you take the pledge,

I, Anne Maskell, commit to using 20 pieces of stash fabric in 2013. I also pledge to use as much of my lace, buttons and trim as possible.

It is totally up to you how much you pledge to use!  Each month there is a different theme for sewing.  Again, it is totally up to you if you follow or not.  As long as you are sewing your stash, all is well.

Next, post pictures of your stash. I took pictures of some of my stash. The stuff in dressers and rubbermaid totes was too much of a pain to get out. You’ll just have to believe me when I say they are there and full! (2 6-drawer dressers and 5 large totes)

As you can see, it is piled everywhere. It’s really embarrassing.  I have so many beautiful pieces ready to use, but because there is so much, it gets pushed to the back and forgotten. Does anyone else have that problem?  Well, this year I intend to remedy that.  Or, well, at least some of it!

In the next day or so I will be posting the outfits I just finished for my granddaughter.  I actually used five different pieces of fabric.  I’ll give you a hint, the two pieces of aqua coloured fabric was used to make one outfit!

Happy Stashbusting!

I’ve had this fabric in my stash for a couple of years now.  I originally bought it for my Dad. A couple of summers ago I made him several short-sleeve shirts, all in fun, bright prints. Over the course of about three months, I think I made him about a dozen shirts, which he loved.  He has always had such a fun personality, and loves to wear bright cotton ‘Hawaiian’ shirts all summer long.  He always has some fun, off the wall project for me to ‘help’ him with.  Earlier this year he and my step-mom went to a ‘Titanic’ Ball.  Everyone dressed in clothing from the era, and the styles were just fabulous. Dad came up with the idea of making a lifejacket suitable to the time, and we spent a fun couple of hours creating it together. Unfortunately I forgot to get a picture of it. I took pictures of Dad and my Step-mom before the party, but never thought to include the lifejacket.



My most recent project for Dad was a clown costume for work. It was a lot of fun to do, and I will post pictures as soon as I have them.
Now back to the reason for this post!  I made MacKensie a super easy skirt for Halloween. All I did was cut a long rectangle, sewn together with one side seam and my first-ever yoga style waistband. I will be using this method to make waistbands fairly often, it is so easy!



Getting a picture of the skirt on her was more difficult than actually sewing it. She is always on the move these days so pictures are literally taken ‘on the run’.



I put the skirt on her to try on after a quick diaper change, so nothing matches. The waistband turned out a little big, but still wearable. Hopefully it will still fit next year. This is the only pic of her standing still – sort of.



As usual, she is wearing someone else’s shoes. On the wrong feet no less.



And here she is seconds after the skirt came off. She’s too busy to stop and put her pants on! Lately she has been obsessed with keys.  She discovered the lock on my cedar chest and has been trying to fit a key in the lock ever since. It is so hard to believe she is fourteen months old already.  Time passes so quickly!
See you next time!


Meet me at the party!

Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Marvelous Mess Party @ Marvelously Messy

In my usual fashion, I’m posting something that I made for my granddaughter a few weeks late.  A whole season late! I made this little romper for MacKensie way back in July! I used a piece of cotton blend fabric that I’ve had in my stash for years. I wasn’t too sure I’d like the romper when it was finished, so I used a fabric that I wasn’t worried about wasting. To my surprise and delight, it is cute after all!

I made a size 1, and it fit perfectly.  The pattern doesn’t recommend the the bum ruffles, but when you have such a cute little bum to dress, why skimp on ruffles? If I ever make it again, I will lower the front neckline slightly, and maybe leave out the elastic at the ‘waist’.  The elastic seems to sit so high on the body that to me it looks strange. 


Isn’t she adorable? I may be slightly biased, but not much. Isn’t it amazing how quickly babies grow and change?  These photos were taken in mid-July. A month later she looked like this!



Join me at these great parties!

Happy Hour Friday @ Happy Hour Projects
Feature Friday @ Blissful and Domestic
Friday Fun Party @ Craftionary
Financial Friday @ The Grant Life