a bow neck blouse

I set to work the other day in an attempt to recreate a blouse based on this tutorial.

I've only got one photo due to a lack of enthusiasm on the photographers behalf!

 I wanted to keep the construction quick and simple so instead of making a buttoned opening I made a v-neck shirt which I pop on over my head.  I added a false placket with buttons (which are mostly hidden by the lovely bow) because I really liked that detail.  I finished the armholes with bias binding.  I had to fiddle a little to get the bow/collar to sit right, but it turned out ok in the end.

 I used this lovely blue and white stripe fabric I've had in my stash for a couple of years.  I have no idea what it is but it is light and has a beautiful drape and I don't think it would crease even if I screwed it up and slept on it!

I definitely wouldn't say it's the most professional garment I've ever sewn, but it was kinda fun figuring things out as I went along (the tute is a little light on detail) and I now have a very wearable, cute blouse for these unseasonably warm, muggy days we are having in Sydney.

Next up is a dress for Easter, which this year happily coincides with my wedding anniversary and a family lunch for my Mother in Law's birthday.

What's next on your sewing 'to do' list?

Harmony Day

Yesterday when the girls got home from school, I found a note in Aimee's bag advising that today is Harmony Day, and requesting that they wear an orange item to school.

Orange isn't a colour that features much in this house, but luckily I had some orange felt and a couple of spare headbands laying around.

I'd pinned these tutorials from Craftiness is not Optional a while ago. 

They were super easy to make and in no time at all I had two cute little headbands for the girls to wear. 

They really love them :)

Winner! 

sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

 

I love etsy, and often spend a wee while browsing over my morning cuppa. 

I've become slightly addicted to putting together treasuries with whatever takes my fancy.

Hope you enjoy!

'sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy' by lovelylittlesweetpea

a collection of yellow

Jersey Infinity Scarf Mustar... ForgottenCotto... $20.00	Obi Sash Bow in a Pastel Yel... ccdoodle $28.00	Honey Mustard Earrings - tin... petitor $18.00	Spring Blossoms Photograph,... JudyStalus $25.00
Gorgeous Vintage inspired Ye... keeboutique $40.00	Dahlia post earrings - Sunsh... PrettyViolets $5.00	Britta (Yellow) Pillow Cover kristin813 $17.00	Seaside Raincoat - Available... LizzBasingerDe... $375.00
Spring Birds and Branches Wa... AldariArt $45.00	Yellow Flower Headband - New... AddysAtticOnEt... $7.50	Sunflower Yellow Soft Leathe... elehandmade $98.00	Good Morning Sunshine : Prin... theloveshop $20.00
Vintage Enamel Flower Neckla... silverliningde... $89.00	Hanging decorative folded pa... tyART $20.00	Personalized pillow case - M... ClassicByNatur... $32.00	Knitted Hat and Fingerless G... SmilingKnittin... $42.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

my new constant companion

I posted yesterday about how Bethany has settled into being at school. 

Well the way I have adjusted is by acquiring a new constant companion.

Enter 702 ABC Local radio. 

I tune in most days and am happily entertained and distracted as I go about my daily business. 

Today one of the topics of discussion was something called a 22 degree halo, which occurred in our skies today. 

A phenomenon where a rainbow like ring forms around the sun creating an eery sphere.  

Anyway I couldn't help but duck outside and snap a couple of photo's.

Thanks James.

little miss B - an update

Afew of you have asked how Beth has settled in to school. 

Well I am happy (and a little surprised I have to admit) to say she has settled in beautifully and now gives school two big thumbs up!

 

After the first day, when she had to be dragged into the classroom crying, I gave her a little pep talk  bribed her (with the purchase of Angry Birds on the ipad no less) to go to school without crying. 

What do you know, the kid loooooves Angry Birds.............

Last week she was Star Student of the week in her class. 

 Congratulations Betty xo

Also, I finally got around to making Betty a smock. 

I made one for Aimee when she started Kindergarten and I used the same pattern for Beth's, taken from a great book, making children's clothes by Emma Hardy. 

I made a couple of changes though, I appliqued a 'B' (for Beth ofcourse) onto the front, I made an opening in the back to make it easier for her to get on and off on her own at school and I made the sleeves full length instead of 3/4 length to cover her uniform in winter. 

All I did to make the opening was finish the whole smock as per instructions, then cut from the hemline up to about 5cm from the neckline, I then overlocked the raw edge and turned it over about 5mm and sewed it down.

Another little sewing project crossed off my list :)

I took these pictures with Instagram, mainly because the battery in my camera had died.  I've been seeing Instagram photo's all over the internet and think they look great.  Mine, I'm not so sure.  Think it was a little too low light inside for the ipod. 

What do you think of Instagram?

a little bit of hooky time

This morning, while walking home after taking my girls to school, I decided to take a break from my daily grind (I know, I'm such a dare devil ;)) and spend a little time making something - just for the fun of it! 

Instead of getting stuck straight into the housework, I sat down at the computer with my cup of coffee, some red yarn leftover from this crochet project and a crochet hook and in the space of an hour hooked up this cute little headband I've had bookmarked for aaaaages.

 

I was finally, regretfully (so timewasting) bitten by the pinterest bug a couple of weeks ago and I was adding all the tutorials I've been bookmarking over the past few years by keeping a list of links on this blog to my boards, when I rediscovered the tutorial for this headband by Cami @ You Seriously Made That!?

It's so cute, so easy and so satisfying!

And talking of timewasting activities, I took a total of 47 photos just to get the four I've posted here! 

Hope you spend a little time doing something you love today :)  

southern comfort

Autumn is here, feeling the chill today with this wild weather we're having!

a collection of winter inspired items from around Australia

That Vintage Winter Woods Pa... thatvintage $33.00	FREE SHIPPING Tubeway Armies... gayeabandon $30.00	Back in stock - Daisy Cape -... alicenightinga... $70.00	Pineapples Lace Crochet Shaw... patternfairy $4.95
Crocheted Flapper Hat with ... KidsCreationsO... $27.00	Grey Infinity Scarf - winte... RockRibbons $39.00	Winter Trees - Earrings In B... ohdeercreation... $17.00	Winter Bell Jar - 8 x 10 Art... milkandcookies $33.00
Lacy beret slouchy hat hand ... baboom $42.00	Girls clothing - handmade ki... saibatoothcub $63.00	MASSIVE CLEARANCE SALE Pocke... lyptis $89.00	Knit Coffee Cozy in Wool wit... sheepsclothing $13.50
Polar Bear Mumma with Cub, 8... StudioJarrah $28.00	clementine bow beret - grey ... kisforkani $29.00	Crochet cowl: Sweet and soft... thehotchpotchs... $58.00	Crochet hexagon baby blanket arthurst $360.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Simplicity 2211

Hi there, how you doin' this fine sunny day? 
I don't know about you, but when the weather is fine and warm - especially after a string of rainy days - gee wizz it puts me in a good mood!!!

So, thanks to the sun coming out again, I've been able to take some happy snaps of my new favourite wardrobe item. 

My version of Simplicity 2211. 

This pattern is designed by Liesl Gibson from oliver+s, and produced and distributed by Simplicity under the lisette brand.

I've never bought an oliver+s pattern, but have only ever heard good things about them.

This here pattern is no acception.

Easy to follow, well written and accurate!

image source

Remember this blouse I posted about back here.

Well this was my inspiration...........

and here is my version!

 I made afew alterations to the pattern I used to make it look like my inspiration blouse.
 

Here are the details...

I drafted a peter-pan collar using this fabulously detailed tutorial by one of my sewing heroes, Gertie.

I lengthened the sleeves by 3 inches and then attached the sleeve band from the inside first, so that it would make a little cuff on the outside of the blouse.

And I added a button closure to the back of the blouse, basically by cutting a

4 1/2 inch slit to the centre back.  I then made a length of binding from the same fabric to bind the edges with.  I self-covered a button and made a small loop, again both from the same fabric.

And the fabric you ask?

Wow I love this fabric. 
I actually bought it from Spotlight a while ago, with no particular project in mind.  I just loved it so much ♥
It's a japanese seersucker.  Sheer and light and beautiful. 
And surprisingly easy to work with.  Just made sure I used plenty of pins.
As soon as I saw my inspiration blouse I knew I'd be using this fabric to make my own version.

Well I have to say I'm pretty happy with my version, especially after wearing it all day yesterday.

If I was to pick fault with anything, there are three things I'd do a little differently next time.
I'd make the neckline smaller and I'd make the blouse a little longer. Oh and I'd probably interface the collar. 

Overall though I'm lovin' it and I got several compliments yesterday, so it must look ok!