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Emma turns 5 on Saturday.  She has been asking “how many days till my birthday” for about the last 11 and a half months - seriously.  I can’t believe my baby is turning five.  Another milestone.  I look at her now and she looks so big and yet still so young, all at once.  We are having a party here at home for her on Saturday and having some of her friends over for some fun.  It’s the first proper party she has had as we have always just done the extended family thing (dinner and cake or ten pin bowling or BBQ) before.  Now that she is in preschool she has a bunch of friends to invite - we’ve settled on eight girls and one boy. 

Still working on the activities for the party and hoping I don’t procratinate all the way to Friday night on this!  So far, I am thinking: beading (a necklace to take home), making a mask or hat to decorate, musical statues, pin the tail on the pony and running races.  I made this invitation tonight which Emma just LOVED so at least I have started!

 

I haven’t posted a studio shot for a while… Love these Janomes:

After many years of thought and research (here and there when I would think of it) I finally bit the bullet and bought some pattern design software. I didn’t go with the one that everybody else has (PMB - Pattern Master Boutique) because I really don’t like the interface and figure I can more easily make more complex pattern changes on paper instead of with the CAD interface.  After weighing everything up, I chose My Pattern Designer instead.

After having my husband measure me up last weekend, I made this casual jacket today from thrifted black fleece as a wearable muslin to try the software out. Overall, I am pretty happy with it, although the hem looks wonky in the photo.  I’m sure it doesn’t in real life.   It is great to have something fit you without any pattern alterations - even just little things like hemming the sleeve and knowing that it will be just the right length for my arm. I always thought sticking bits of paper together would be a pain but if you are used to tracing patterns off from magazines then it’s really not a problem to get out the sticky tape instead of the tracing paper. Quicker and easier too.

I want to make another one of these with a few changes.  Things to fix/investigate:

• I am not convinced that my front and back armscye measurements are correct so I will check those before I make anything else.  The side seam is further toward the back than it ought to be.
• I would like the yoke to be about 10cm (3″) further down and perhaps a bit more fabric to gather.
• I had a Peter Pan collar cut out which I just totally forgot to add before doing the neck facings. I didn’t bother unpicking to insert it as this was just a test garment but I think it will look cute on this style of jacket
• It’s a little too short - add an extra 2-3″

There was a weird angle thing with the side seam that needed to be trued before I cut the fabric but honestly, it was all very easy and only small things to investigate.   Looking forward to trying a few more patterns out…

On the weekend I finally finished a top that I first cut out about a week ago. It is McCalls 5469. It seemed to take forever to finish though.  I must say that even though my new job is only part-time, it is hard to fit all the things I want to do into my free time nowadays.  I am determined to find the time though, even if it is just here and there.  Yesterday I decided that I was finishing the green top and it shouldn’t have taken too long but in the end, it was a real pain in the neck!  The neckline that is. 

After some frustration, I had to rip out the neck binding and start again.  The trick was to cut the neckline piece twice as wide as the pattern piece and a little shorter.  I wasn’t going to give up, even though it was a pain and even though the fabric only cost me $1.50 per metre.  I also chopped about 2 inches off the sides which made it a little more figure hugging. I think if I make it again I will shorten it a bit too.

After all that, I wanted to start on something that I knew would be pretty straightforward so I went back to good ol’ Simplicity 4076 and made the wrap top with a Pucci inspired print.

It was all smooth sewing and I even found the time to finish it this evening. I wore the green to work today - maybe it will be the Pink Pucci tomorrow!

Oh and by the way, my article for the Sew, Mama, Sew blog went up the other day.  It’s all about how to alter your favourite TNT (tried n true) pants pattern to keep up with the latest styles.  It’s easy to change your wide leg pattern to make a pair of skinny jeans, or make some gauchos from your favourite capris pattern.

Yes, I know you are probably sick of hearing about me going back to work but I’m not sick of talking about it yet. My first day is tomorrow! I am feeling good about it and wondering how it will all go. I must get an early night tonight, and probably forever.

The last few days I have been in career-sewing mode and I made four knit tees from a new (to me) pattern: New Look 6735.  I like the sweater knit cardigan too (the grey above the blue tee) so I may do that one day as well.

First off, I made the cap sleeve tee, to test the fit of the pattern. I used a thrifted (op shopped) charcoal grey knit that I picked up for a whole dollar but it was only around 90cm so not good for a whole lot of things. It was just enough for a nice new tee though. I can wear this under a jacket for a little while until it gets too cold.

Once I knew the pattern fit well (it looks a little tight in the bust area in that photo actually, but I think it’s fine in real life) I cut out some stash knits. First up was this yellow and black print. I honestly don’t know what I was thinking when I bought this. Oh yes, I do - I was thinking “Oh! Everyone is talking about yellow! Look! Here is something with yellow on it!  Yes!  I will have that!”

I may just hate it but I can’t be sure - it is growing on me. No, not literally that would be just weird. It does look a lot better with the black obi style belt. I think I might like it. A little. Anyway, it’s another option for work.  Tick!

This pattern only has a three quarter length sleeve so I just added a bit of extra length - I think it was 10cm. I had another (more subdued) yellow in the pile so here is number three:

I do look altogether too pleased with myself in these photos, don’t I? Last one is a nice red and black print, again with the belt. It does help to dress these tops up a little I think.

It’s off to work I go!

Yesterday was an eventful day! I had my last session ever of my Tuesday group before starting back at work (it’s been 8 years!) next week. It was a fun session and I received cake and cards and lovely hugs and good wishes. Then I had a phone call which sent me into a mild panic and meant that I had to rush out of there in a big hurry. My niece Rachel rang to say that she had just had a little car accident and could I please come and help her! She is fine (and so are the people in the other car) but unfortunately the car is a writeoff. Of course, this is the car that my sister was planning to sell to Rachel in a few months so not only does Rachel have to spend all the money she just earnt working through her uni break on the excess ($1750!) but now she doesn’t get the car either! We are all glad it wasn’t a lot worse though. A car is just a car.

The same day - I cut my finger open and it poured blood for about an hour before finally stopping (lots of pressure needed) and my mum locked herself out of the house. SO I think we were all distracted. Of course, regular readers might know why… my sister (Rachel’s mum) was having a baby that day too! All went well and baby Matilda and my sister Carolyn are doing well. Sorry, no photos of the gorgeous baby as they don’t want her photo up on the internet.

I’m still madly trying to get things done before I start my new job on Monday and today I finished sewing this shirt.  The pattern is New Look 6407.   Tick!  Another thing done.  I’m off to the hospital to visit the baby (and my sister) again now!