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Tag Archives: sewing for kids

{Sewn} Isabelle’s Art Deco Dress

Posted on February 24, 2017 by KMB

Here in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay of New Zealand we celebrate an annual ‘Art Deco’ festival. This festival commemorating the 1931 Napier Earthquake in which 256 people lost their lives, and many of the damaged buildings were rebuilt in accordance with the distinctive ‘Art Deco’ style of the time – thus giving Napier a real Deco flavour that still lives on today.

The festival is a pretty big event in our community with a lot of people travelling to attend and many people dressing up. Our kids’ school does a dress up day too, and when I spotted this fabric in my local fabric store (Spotlight) I decided to sew Isabelle a dress!

At some point during this blog post I had planned to make a hilarious joke about how I’d painstakingly stitched every sequin on, but unfortunately I’ve already revealed that I bought it like this from Spotlight, so that joke won’t fly! In fact, the whole sewing process was rather pain free – I just used my old staple, the Blank Tank pattern from Melly Sews, with a few modifications – the obviously one being that I lengthened it to be a dress and I also lined it with a soft grey marle cotton/lycra knit blend (because the back of the sequin fabric would have been a little itchy if left exposed against the skin.) Because I was sewing with sequined fabric (my first time), I used special needles called ‘sharps’ as recommended by my fabric store and a small zig zag stitch due to the stretchiness of the fabric.

The only trouble I encountered during the sew was trying to get my mind about how to line it and still be able to turn it in the right way. As the original pattern isn’t lined I had to work it out for myself and in the end I put the call out for advice in a couple of facebook sewing groups I belong to. From there the ‘Burrito roll method’ was suggested (as demonstrated by ) , but in the end I followed which gave the same end result. (All in all it was a very quick sew and I probably spent more time trying to get my head around this issue rather than anything else.)

Honestly, how gorgeous is this girl!? She shines with or with out sequins!

To complete the look, Isabelle and Pipi both made the flapper style headbands (with some assistance from me.) We just used stretchy black lace that I already had in my stash and tied it at the back and the girls attached the feathers and plastic jewels with the hot glue gun. They are big fans of the glue gun!

I would have got some photos of them making them, but I was too busy supervising two eager girls dealing with hot glue, so that didn’t happen!

Pipi, never one to be left out, decided she needed some photos as well – she’s not in full costume, but you get the picture… and I think these pics reflect her personality rather well!

No words!

I’ve been on a bit of a sewing kick recently, with heaps of things I want to sew (once I finish custom orders of course – nearly there!) … and also with a couple of unblogged projects/ works in progress that I hope to share with you soon!

Do you have any projects on the go/ in the pipeline?

Jen x

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My year in Sewing {2016}

Posted on December 24, 2016 by KMB

Yes, yes I know today is Christmas Eve, not New Years Eve… but I’m feeling a bit nostalgic and with a little free time to spare, being on holiday mode and all … so I’ve decided to post my annual sewing round-up now – hope that’s ok with you?!

2016 for me, definitely has been the year of less blogging and perhaps less sewing (although there are about 25 gazillion pairs of undies and a whole bunch of market sewing that would testify otherwise), but definitely less blogged projects than previous years – heck, in other years I’ve struggled to decide which of my numerous projects to choose for a couple of 9 square grids, whilst this time, I’ve struggled to fill them!

^{Left to Right: (Top row:) Take Flight Dolman Top, The Clementine Dress (Middle row): Katie-pie Play Dress, Homemade Lego Storage Bag/Mats (Bottom row): Pipi’s Bunny Hat, Pipi’s Liberty Vest, Merino Singlets.}

^{(Top row): Noah’s Lightning Bolt Quilt (still a work in progress), Isabelle’s Ballet Cross Over Top and Ballet Bag, Wayfearer Shoes (Middle row): Isabelle’s Solis Dress, Wild Things Bunny Shoes and Swan Pixie Shorts (Bottom row): A couple of unblogged projects, including far left a cushion cover collab between Noah and me and also (centre and right) Isabelle’s Ruemi Raglan (I tested this pattern for Little Kiwis Closet).}

So that’s that! Not so much sewing for Noah or myself this year, but I’ve definitely put a few hours into that quilt of his, with plenty more to come! I have a few things I want to make for myself, perhaps a few maternity things and things for after – we’ll see.

Despite the significantly fewer items sewn this year, my passion for sewing still hasn’t waned! I’ve just found myself busy with family life, the admin work I do for my husband and the exhaustion of early pregnancy (which I’m glad to say has now passed!) And I also really tried to pick quality and need over quantity this year.

I plan to enter 2017 armed with beautiful fabric and lots of ideas (including a bit of new baby sewing) – So watch this space!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, one and all!

Happy Sewing,

Jen x

Want to read more? Here’s the link to my 2015 year in sewing round-up!

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Wayfarer Shoes by Twig & Tale

Posted on September 29, 2016 by KMB

Quite some time ago, (which my computer photo filing system informs me was back in April) I tested a the Wayfarer Shoes pattern for the designer formally known as ‘Big Little’ (I’ve always wanted to say something like that!) For those of you that hasn’t already heard, Big Little has now re-branded under the amazing and very fitting name of Twig & Tale.

Twig & Tale patterns are distinct from others out there in the PDF pattern market, in that they are whimsical, inspired by nature and play and they emphasise the use of recycled materials and beautiful embroidery!

Anyway, back to these cute little shoes! Wayfarer Shoes are fully reversible, use minimal fabric and are super quick and easy to make! The pattern features are as follows:

Extensive size range 0-3 months – approximately 9 years
Choose size bundle using dropdown menu when ordering
Fully lined, no exposed seams
Skill level: Beginner – adventurous beginner

You can also use recycled fabrics as I have done here (a recycled op-shopped/ thrifted dog blanket for the main, a vintage pillowcase for the inner and an old pair of jeans for the sole.)

I also decided to embroider them using this jasmine design, which is one of a few embroidery options that are contained within the tutorial. I really love the way the embroidery looks!

My little one informs me that they are nice and cosy and comfy too!

Go and grab yourself a copy of the pattern and create your own pair of gorgeous little shoes!

Jen x

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{Sewn} Isabelle’s Ballet Cross-Over Top (and ballet bag)

Posted on August 16, 2016 by KMB

Isabelle recently started ballet lessons, something I, myself enjoyed as a child from ages 4-13. Naturally, this is something that I’m pretty excited about – my little girl is a ballerina!

Also, I was rather excited as to the prospect of more sewing. After all, we can’t have my little ballerina getting cold after her lesson can we? Armed with gorgeous blush pink merino that I already had in my stash (a generous gift from my husband last year from The Fabric Store, that I already used to make these toasty PJs), I was amped and ready to make a ballet cross-over top … apart from the fact that I didn’t have a pattern.

I searched online and found 2 PDF patterns, one had a hood (not what I was after) and the other was a faux cross-over that your had to pull over your head. What is the point of a faux cross-over??? The whole point of a cross-over is so the precious ballerina does not have to mess up her immaculate ballet bun, getting on or off her top over her head, thus the cross-over! So of course that would not do! So back to the drawing board – literally! Instead of buying a new pattern I decided to use my favourite tee pattern – 4 seasons tank & tee as a base and modify it to have the cross over front, different binding and ties. I made a size 6 for my little 5 year old, hoping to make it last for next year too, but I shortened it a bit in keeping with the look I wanted.

It was a bit of gamble (especially using that lovely merino, and no muslin), but I’m so glad it paid off!

I also made Isabelle a simple draw-string ballet bag, just like my Mama made for me when I was a little girl. All up, both the bag and the top took about 2 hours sewing time, plus about another 30 mins of me faffing about modifying the pattern.

With all this thinking about ballet, I decided to dig up some of my old ballet photos – see below. Usually when I look Isy I see her Father, but when I look these photos me, and then her … I see a little similarity, don’t you think?

Have you got any sewing projects on the go at the moment?

I’m still chipping away at this in the background, but am also hoping to get a start on some Summer sewing, and a few baby gifts.

Happy Sewing!

Jen x

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A New Project: Noah’s Lightning Bolt Quilt

Posted on July 1, 2016 by KMB

I have a new project on the go, and I have to say – I’m rather excited about it! It’s nice, first of all to be sewing something for my boy! It really does feel like it’s been a while! It’s also nice to be quilting again. I haven’t done that in a while. Lastly it’s nice to be trying new techniques and learning new skills – the new skill here being ‘foundation paper piecing.’

I have used ‘English paper piecing’ before when I made Pipi’s hexi quilt; but that involved a whole lot of hand stitching, and I’ve now discovered that foundation paper piecing is quite a different kettle of fish (but equally as fun!)

The pattern I’m using is this one by SLOstudio that I bought off Etsy. I was initially planning on using a free pattern, but because I was new to this skill and wanted a bit of a better tutorial, plus I really wanted a square block, I decided to pay the couple of dollars for the pattern. And I’m so glad that I did.

For fabric, I was intending on buying a new cool fabrics I’d seen online, but one day, all of a sudden a bit of inspiration hit and I just wanted to get started so I grabbed a few fat quarters from Spotlight. Luckily for me they were half price that day to so it worked out well!

Noah is very excited and also eager for it to be finished already. When I first started and had completed a few blocks he woke up and saw it and informed me that he liked it but thought it was a little small! Haha! There’s still a bit to go son, still a bit to go!

Although it is a bit of a slow burn project, I’m enjoying it so expect it to grow quickly – it already has grown a bit since I took these photos. I plan to post photo updates here from time to time. I’m aiming for just slightly bigger than a standard single size, maybe king single. (Borders will be added at the end.)

Also, I normally quilt in rows and am not sure how I came about doing columns, but never mind it wont make any difference to the end result.

What is your current WIP (work in progress)?

Jen x

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Pipi’s Liberty Vest

Posted on June 18, 2016 by KMB

A quick glance at my blog would lead most to believe that I only sew for Pipi, or perhaps, even that I only have one child! And yes, while most of my recent makes have been for this little button, first let me justify that fact by stating that a) the other 2 have less need given that they wear school uniform a lot of the time, and b) Pipi has had a growth spurt and is still in desperate need of a few more warm Winter layers (despite receiving Isabelle’s lightly worn hand-me-downs!) I guess this happens when your children are born in different seasons!

Of course, this little vest is one of a number of handmade birthday presents that I’m still milking for blog posts! ;) (See more about Pipi’s birthday here and about her bunny hat here.)

The pattern for this little vest is The free woollen vest pattern by Little Kiwis Closet. I’ve previously sewn it before here, it’s such a quick and easy sew and I already have an old woollen blanket cut out ready to make Pipi another one. That one will be her rough kindy one, however I’m a bit more protective of this one with it’s gorgeous Liberty of London fabric!

The lining is a vintage wool (most likely poly) blend with a kind of waffle texture to it. I scored it free along with a bunch of other vintage fabrics from a friend’s grandma a few years back. (Thanks Kirsten’s grandma!) I used kam snaps in place of buttons, which make it reversible too, although I’m reluctant to hide that Liberty fabric, if yannowhatimean?!