tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84225805657394683592024-02-07T09:54:18.351+00:00Sew Me SaneCKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-18183251742641986992012-01-22T15:04:00.000+00:002012-01-22T15:04:21.374+00:00Farbenmix Roxy #2 and TDK undiesMonkey begged and begged for a new dress this winter even though she has a wardrobe full of nice warm clothes already. I had to agree that something brand new is much more exciting than your sister's two year old hand-me-downs so I agreed to make her one - no, just one! - dress and she agreed to stop pestering me.<br />
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I used the Farbenmix Roxy pattern again but lengthened it two inches this time after seeing how short Princess' version was. Monkey chose the fabric, the embroidery and the trims and I duly went to work. What do you think of my five year old's design choices?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6742232705/" target="new" title="Farbenmix Roxy by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Farbenmix Roxy" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6742232705_6550225bc7.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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She was very specific, right down to which colour embroidery threads I had to use.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6742233613/" target="new" title="Roxy unicorn embroidery by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Roxy unicorn embroidery" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/6742233613_6aba89084e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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A slightly grubby and wrinkled modelled shot which was the best I could manage, the girl does not sit still lately!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6742235091/" targget="new" title="Unicorn Roxy modelled by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Unicorn Roxy modelled" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6742235091_a82551d22f.jpg" width="365" /></a><br />
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There has been one other spot of sewing recently, the girls all need new undies and rather than buying them and having to put up with the elastic coming off and little butt cheeks hanging out I've decided to make them this time round. Monkey's are finished, I used the TDK undies pattern and leftover fabrics from the Christmas jammies. More details on the pattern in another post when I finish off the last two batches...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6742234223/" target="new" title="TDK undies by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="TDK undies" height="395" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6742234223_e18ae9381f.jpg" width="500" /></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-13643599782833181622012-01-22T14:47:00.001+00:002012-01-22T14:51:23.776+00:00Laurel burch quilt and another new lookThe Blogger dynamic view wasn't working for me so I've decided to change it yet again :)<br />
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I made another small quilt for our karate club to raffle this year, this is a Laurel Burch quilt kit I bought on Ebay ages ago. This isn't a great photo I'm afraid, I was in a hurry taking a pic the night I had to hand it in. The colours are lovely IRL with metallic highlights here and there and lots of quirky cat families. The backing fabric was randomly grabbed from stash and I went for straight line quilting because I was in a hurry. It's a baby size quilt, good for playing on the floor or in a crib when they get old enough.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6602936625/" target="new" title="Cat quilt for karate by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6602936625_18fa4d1c07.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Cat quilt for karate"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6602937061/" target="new" title="cat quilt back by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6602937061_a2ea1e25e8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cat quilt back"></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-41383566646038615922011-12-31T00:25:00.001+00:002012-01-22T14:38:00.148+00:00December sewing, a Very Merry Christmas :)I had a bit of a manic time before Christmas trying to get all the last minute sewing done. I'm pleased with what I got finished this year, this post will get very red, white and green!<br />
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First up, I made three scoodies as gifts for my mam and sisters. These are very simple to make, I took a hood I liked the shape of and added a four inch wide scarf to either side of the neckline. They have polka dot fleece on one side and bamboo velour on the other and are reversible so my recipients don't have to walk around feeling like Little Red Riding Hood :D<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6602937605/" target="new" title="Polka dot fleece side by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Polka dot fleece side" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6602937605_2ec58065c6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a ="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6602938219/" target="new" title="Bamboo velour side by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Bamboo velour side" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6602938219_2523abfc33.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6602938725/" target="new" title="Scoodie in action! by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Scoodie in action!" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6602938725_57d4c74b6f.jpg" width="381" /></a><br />
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I also managed to make gift bags for the children this year, just rectangular drawstring bags made from red velour and lined with star print cotton (you'll see loads of that in a moment!) and they were embroidered with the text "Merry Christmas" followed by each child's name. Unfortunately I don't have any photos of those that I can share just now, you'll have to take my word for it that they looked very sweet filled up with gifts on Christmas morning :)<br />
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I made my now obligatory Christmas Eve jammies, six pairs of the things!!!! One each for my kids, niece E and nephew O. I noticed while appliqueing their initials that we are one short on spelling out REJOICE which would be very fitting for Christmas jammies, wouldn't it? I requested a new niece or nephew for next Christmas, to be named something beginning with E and was told by all parties not to hold my breath lol!<br />
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Here they are, the fabrics are interlocks from <a href="http://www.tissufabrics.co.uk/fabric-store/" target="_blank">Tissu Fabrics</a> which are a nice weight, the colour didn't run which was great but they shrunk around 15%. I'll be buying more from them as it's a good fabric at a great price but if anyone else gets some, be aware of the shrinkage when deciding how much you need! The patterns are a mix of Ottobre 06/09 and 06/10 and the sizes go from 86cm up to 140cm, the kids loved having their initials on them :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6602992919/" target="new" title="DSC02701 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="DSC02701" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6602992919_3d0b4b2f42.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6602993541/" target="new" title="Xmas pj's 2011 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Xmas pj's 2011" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6602993541_c9efb8e1b5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6602993995/" target="new" title="Xmas pj's 2011 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Xmas pj's 2011" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6602993995_86e61df332.jpg" width="476" /></a><br />
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A rarity for me, a non-blanked out faces pic :) I have a thing about not uploading recognisable pics of the kids on public sites but this one is so sweet, I'll leave it up for a few days then take it down again.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6602996851/" target="new" title="Christmas Eve! by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas Eve!" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6602996851_51811d8ba7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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And another rare photo, my head is not chopped off lol! I <span style="color: red;">love<span style="color: black;"> this dress, it's a bottle green stretch velvet from Tissu and the pattern is Simplicity </span></span>2647, view F. The fit was a lot better than I expected given my last few encounters with Simplicity patterns, I chose the size based on my bust measurement (totally ignored the fact that my waist and hips both put me two sizes bigger!!) and it's come out a really nice fit, comfortable round the bust and plenty of ease still through the wast and hip. The shoulder straps are my favourite part, they are gathered to the front and back bodice and you can pull them over your arm as I have in the pic so they look like little cap sleeves. Love it, love it, love it and will be making it again in different fabrics and views.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6603032435/" title="Simplicity 2647 view F by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6603032435_524f1bf177.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Simplicity 2647 view F"></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-21750176575239278562011-12-31T00:01:00.000+00:002011-12-31T00:01:27.589+00:00Ottobre 04/06 #22, yet another fail!That's it, I've had it. Princess is going to Asda tomorrow for their cheap, poorly made jeans that FIT HER instead of me making yet another pair that don't :( This is the third attempt and while the fit is much better than the low rise Sarita jeans it still needs a little tweak in the waist and length but that doesn't matter because the little stinker is refusing to wear them!! She chose the pattern, the fabric (PRR cord) and the red dye and after seeing them altogether has decided she can't stand them.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6602934235/" target="new" title="Ottobre 04/06 #22 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 04/06 #22" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6602934235_a03e4baf35.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6602934719/" target="new" title="Pockets by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Pockets" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/6602934719_9127863f39.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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It's a nice pattern, the bottom hem section is flared and there are two patch pockets with tucks and flaps on the front and back - I even added a piece of her favourite ribbon into the side seam. Sob!CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-53125389022651074502011-11-24T09:50:00.001+00:002011-11-24T10:21:49.747+00:00Ottobre 1/09 #36, jeans attempt two!After the Kim disaster I decided to go back to Ottobre for my second attempt at jeans for Princess. The spring 2009 issue had a pattern she liked the shape of, the Sarita jeans #36. Some bright pink heavy cotton and fancy variegated thread later I had these for her to try:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6378103311/" target="new" title="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6051/6378103311_a10d6c617b.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6378104701/" target="new" title="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6057/6378104701_b3654ffb07.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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The topstitching looks really bright and cheery, just the way she likes it :) It's Jean Stitch thread again in the Jewel colourway.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6378104271/" target="new" title="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm" height="375" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6051/6378104271_98e4eb3ea1.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
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I had no issues sewing the pattern, it went together beautifully as so many Ottobre patterns do. I even took the time to topstitch the crotch and inseams though you'll be pleased to see I used a slightly more subtle thread there!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6378105377/" target="new" title="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm" height="375" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6112/6378105377_9d1fb5cf38.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The zip fly sounded a lot worse than it actually was, Ottobre's directions were very easy to follow. I had a bright pink zipper in stash and Princess picked out a shiny silver button from the button jars.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6378102801/" target="new" title="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm" height="375" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6059/6378102801_d0372af0e1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The inside looks nice and neat for a change, the cherries fabric on the waistband was a leftover scrap from one of her favourite outfits. I pressed up the seam allowance on the waistband facing before sewing it on and that helped a lot when it came time to sew it down.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6378101877/" target="new" title="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm" height="375" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6091/6378101877_9366683ba4.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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It's all going well so far, right? No seam ripping, no sewing frustrations and she can actually get them up past her hips. That's when my problems start though, when she puts them on. Princess <b>loves</b> them but I look at them and think "No, no, no!" In my opinion (and I'm the mother, it's my opinion that counts!) the style is much more suited to a tween/teenager than it is to my seven year old. The rise is just a bit too low and they're very fitted through the hip and bum, too fitted for my liking! What do you think?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6378100603/" target="new" title="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6239/6378100603_6ef8601836.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6378099905/" target="new" title="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6051/6378099905_f1aab88fce.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6378099451/" target="new" title="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6057/6378099451_1ca2a85b8d.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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There is one small fitting issue at the back waistband, it gapes away about an inch from her spine. Is that a sway back? My finger is the photo is just sitting in the gap, I'm not pulling at the fabric at all and can easily put it between her skin and the fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6378101159/" target="new" title="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="01/09 #36 "Sarita" jeans 128cm" height="375" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6041/6378101159_9c9b844511.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Any links to a good tute on how to alter for that would be appreciated, please save me from my appalling google skills :) I am also still looking for a trouser pattern that we <b>both</b> are happy with, wish me luck folks!CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-26862805686291937912011-11-23T23:01:00.000+00:002011-11-23T23:01:05.900+00:00Farbenmix Kim and trying something newDo not adjust your screen, I really have gone all pink! I've been exploring the new settings Blogger have on offer, what do you think? You can change the layout yourself (I hope!) by choosing one of the options on the pink bar below the blog title. Try them out and let me know if you like it or not :)<br />
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To the sew'n'show. Princess has had a growth spurt recently and is in need of trousers. As it's winter I wanted to make her something a little heavier and warmer than I usually would which meant trying out some non-knit and non-elastic waist patterns. After the immediate panic at the thought of tackling a fly zipper I calmed down and traced the Farbenmix Kim pattern, cut up some long stashed embroidered denim and started sewing. On paper I really, really like the Kim because of the hem panels. The front has a lovely shaped piece with elastic gathering and the back gives you the option to put in two to three rows of ruffles, there are some gorgeous examples in the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?w=725559%40N22&m=pool&q=kim" target="_blank">Farbenmix flickr pool</a>. In practice however it was a complete disaster. I had them completed except for the zipper and waistband and I decided to try them on Princess to check the length, my poor girl couldn't even pull them up past her hips. This is apparently one very, very slim fitting pattern for really skinny kids with no hips and no bum. They were salvageable though, I made them into an elastic waist and took two inches off of the legs and now Monkey has a new pair of trousers instead.<br />
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Here they are, the snazzy gold top stitching is Jean Stitch thread in, I think, the Jean Gold colour.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6352254609/" target="new" title="Farbenmix Kim, front view by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Farbenmix Kim, front view" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6235/6352254609_3ef1842a23.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6352255013/" target="new" title="Farbenmix Kim, back view by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Farbenmix Kim, back view" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6060/6352255013_609b0764c9.jpg" width="375" /></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-45594748340451751572011-11-17T10:02:00.000+00:002011-11-17T10:04:17.608+00:00Farbenmix Roxy - Hello KittyA winter dress for Princess this time though it has finished up as more of a tunic! I've had the Farbenmix Roxy pattern sitting unopened for ages and never realised that it had a long sleeve option until it was recommended to me in a thread on SewingMamas. I had been looking for a new pattern to use for Princess as she asked for something different from my usual go-to patterns so this was perfect. Princess chose everything about this from the fabric to the very bright yellow dye to the applique and ribbon placement. She was very precise about which ribbon went where and how Hello Kitty had to be dressed, I had to unpick and move a row of ribbon before she was satisfied :) I think the end result is very cute and a very good fit but as she's right at the upper end of the size I made it's a little short to be called a dress. I will have to make her some leggings to wear with it, what goes with bright yellow??<br />
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The applique is from a colouring page and the Hello Kitty ribbons are from Ebay. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6352254121/" target="new" title="Farbenmix Roxy, front view by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Farbenmix Roxy, front view" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6118/6352254121_85ca3d24cc.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6352253787/" target="new" title="Farbenmix Roxy, back view by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Farbenmix Roxy, back view" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6037/6352253787_64cca734cc.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6347229724/" target="new" title="Hello Kitty!! Farbenmix Roxy by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Hello Kitty!! Farbenmix Roxy" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6043/6347229724_e399f9b74d.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6347229890/" target="new" title="Farbenmix Roxy by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Farbenmix Roxy" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6232/6347229890_0ece6b34af.jpg" width="500" /></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-56919108594888927972011-11-15T10:46:00.000+00:002011-11-15T10:46:57.127+00:00Ottobre 04/04 #10, yes again!The third and final dress for Toddler this winter is my old favourite #10 from the Ottobre winter 2004 issue. I've lost count of how many times I've made this now, I just love it. Toddler chose the main fabric and the ricrac trim, I squeezed the contrast pieces out of leftovers from a pair of Monkey's trousers and dyed the fairies with Dylon powder pink machine dye. This was always one of my favourite fabric prints and it has been in my stash for a long time, she better not ruin this dress!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6347228648/" target="new" title="Ottobre 04/04 #10 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 04/04 #10" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6051/6347228648_877e68cec4.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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I remembered to clip the neckline seam allowance before understitching it to the neck facing and that seems to have stopped the problem I have of the facing rolling slightly to the outside even when it's topstitched.<br />
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<a ="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6347228760/" target="new" title="Ottobre 04/04 #10 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 04/04 #10" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6054/6347228760_ce2d191b71.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Showing off my hard won invisible zipper skills :D<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6347228866/" target="new" title="Ottobre 04/04 #10 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 04/04 #10" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6347228866_383a11e35f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Toddler modelling and just because he's cute a bonus snap of our cat Shadow giving his seal of approval :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6347229602/" target="new" title="Ottobre 04/04 #10 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 04/04 #10" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6054/6347229602_05f53e3b9e.jpg" width="397" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6347228958/" target="new" title="Ottobre 04/04 #10 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 04/04 #10" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6232/6347228958_e3d49f42d2.jpg" width="500" /></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-44298503762679494922011-11-15T10:36:00.000+00:002011-11-15T10:36:38.681+00:00Ottobre 03/05 #21, twirly shirt dressThis is the second of Toddler's winter dresses and it's a nice pattern, I've made it once before for Princess. It has a shirt style bodice with a gathered tiered skirt and there is an optional separate underskirt which looks very cute underneath it, it peeps out at the hem and puffs out the dress skirt beautifully. Toddler chose the fabrics and I dyed them with Dylon dyes as leaving them white is really not an option with this child.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6347229488/" target="new" title="Ottobre 03/05 #21 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 03/05 #21" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6229/6347229488_c7191081c0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I ran very short on fabric for the dress so the inner collar stand is cut from the skirt fabric, the top tier on the dress skirt is pieced from scraps and the hem frill is missing. There are also no instructions given on how to put together the collar and stand, the pattern instructions refer you to a separate magazine page but they're not there. I have a feeling you can download them from the Ottobre website but I'm not sure. I opted to wing it :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6347229366/" target="new" title="Ottobre 03/05 #21 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 03/05 #21" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6232/6347229366_cb1a207aae.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The underskirt uses the same pattern as the dress skirt with a little extra width to the top tier to allow for an elastic casing, it's a lovely twirly skirt which can of course be made and worn on its own if you're looking for a full, twirly skirt pattern.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6346478473/" target="new" title="Ottobre 03/05 #21 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 03/05 #21" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6212/6346478473_ca997c6f00.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6346476915/" target="new" title="Ottobre 03/05 #21 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 03/05 #21" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6098/6346476915_e8898a72c5.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
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Toddler took it out for a test spin in the garden.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6346477733/" target="new" title="Ottobre 03/05 #21 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 03/05 #21" height="400" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6114/6346477733_84f76af2d2.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6346477331/" target="new" title="Ottobre 03/05 #21 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 03/05 #21" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6104/6346477331_94f25c50ff.jpg" width="473" /></a><br />
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<a ="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6346476757/" target="new" title="Ottobre 03/05 #21 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 03/05 #21" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6102/6346476757_5844c20d04.jpg" width="343" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6346476561/" target="new" title="Ottobre 03/05 #21 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 03/05 #21" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6118/6346476561_55cc0fba9d.jpg" width="394" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6347227136/" target="new" title="Ottobre 03/05 #21 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 03/05 #21" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6232/6347227136_4fcac44e20.jpg" width="375" /></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-42910561318434575202011-11-06T00:20:00.000+00:002011-11-06T00:20:48.918+00:00Autumn dress for ToddlerWhat do you do when you really don't like the fabrics your child has chosen for a new dress? Embellish the life out of them and try to cover them up!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316538384/" target="new" title="04/06 #10 - Front by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="04/06 #10 - Front" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6316538384_91793451ae.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316023467/" target="new" title="04/06 #10 - Back by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="04/06 #10 - Back" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6239/6316023467_b57d1f5a59.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
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I am completely in love with this dress now that it is finished, it took hours to stitch out all of the embroideries and while it didn't take long to hand sew the buttons and roses I really, really hate hand sewing and was very glad when it was done. The pattern is Ottobre Autumn 2006 #10, Toddler chose the fabrics from my stash and approved my other additions :) The fairies are from <a href="http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/Products.aspx?Catalog=Emblibrary&ProductID=X5621" target="_blank">Emblibrary</a> and stitched out very well. <br />
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<a ="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316021913/" target="new" title="04/06 #10 - fairy by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="04/06 #10 - fairy" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6092/6316021913_0ecd440aed.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316022371/" target="new" title="04/06 #10 - fairy by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="04/06 #10 - fairy" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6115/6316022371_7439247a59.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316539704/" target="new" title="04/06 #10 - fairy by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="04/06 #10 - fairy" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6235/6316539704_d4f2527383.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316540786/" target="new" title="04/06 #10 - fairy by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="04/06 #10 - fairy" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6225/6316540786_454334c101.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316024115/" target="new" title="04/06 #10 - fairy by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="04/06 #10 - fairy" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6238/6316024115_f7924e45a5.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316541574/" target="new" title="04/06 #10 - fairy by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="04/06 #10 - fairy" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6316541574_2bf1095671.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I digitised the text on the bodice using my embroidery machine's software and built-in fonts and I lined the front and back bodices instead of using facings.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316023055/" target="new" title="04/06 #10 - Text by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="04/06 #10 - Text" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/6316023055_09e34aeb69.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The overskirt and sleeves are hemmed using a decorative stitch that looks like little flowers and the underskirt has orange flowered ricrac, satin bows and heart shaped buttons.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316542048/" target="new" title="04/06 #10 - hem by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="04/06 #10 - hem" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6316542048_57de75489d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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And of course you need some modelling shots :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316550798/" target="new" title="Ottobre 04/06 #10 modelled by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 04/06 #10 modelled" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6104/6316550798_ef1353943b.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316034385/" target="new" title="Ottobre 04/06 #10 modelled by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 04/06 #10 modelled" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6098/6316034385_e417922941.jpg" width="388" /></a><br />
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<a ="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316551798/" target="new" title="Ottobre 04/06 #10 modelled by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 04/06 #10 modelled" height="484" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6240/6316551798_424f52f4bd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316035209/" target="new" title="Ottobre 04/06 #10 modelled by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 04/06 #10 modelled" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6239/6316035209_ea194a525b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The best thing about this dress is how much Toddler loves it, she asks for it in the morning when she's getting dressed and hugs it when I give it to her :) It makes it worth the 7+ hours it took to finish!!CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-13374598615413124422011-11-05T23:59:00.000+00:002011-11-05T23:59:29.310+00:00Polka dots and ribbonsToddler needed a quick pair of trousers following a growth spurt, Ottobre Spring 2010 to the rescue! Pattern #2 minus the pockets and hem frills sews up very quickly and the red polka dots go really nicely with her Muksis tunic.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6315987613/" target="new" title="Ottobre 01/10 #13 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre 01/10 #13" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6315987613_74f44e5d63.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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And a new Ebay store for my favourites list, <a href="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/vivimagasin" target="_blank">vivimagasin</a> sells some of the cutest ribbons I have seen. I bought a few for the girls, delivery was free and took around ten days to arrive in the UK from Hong Kong. The girls love them, it's just as well I got three colours of Hello Kitty or there would have been some fights!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6315987075/" target="new" title="Pretty ribbons by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Pretty ribbons" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6224/6315987075_d67b2fe7f9.jpg" width="500" /></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-76794993047641369112011-11-05T23:53:00.000+00:002011-11-05T23:53:20.362+00:00Jalie 2449 wrap topAnother cold weather top for me and yet another pattern I've had for ages without sewing up. The fit is OK, I had to add a 3" contrast band at the hemline to get it to the length I like (i.e. actually covering my tummy!) but I quite like the way that looks and will do that again if I make another one instead of lengthening the pattern. One thing I really don't like is that after cutting out two full length front pieces the instructions tell you to cut off the left front just below the waist. It reduces bulk at the front I suppose and makes the top a little cooler to war but good grief it is annoying! It makes it awkward to put the top on in the first place and I have to fiddle with it every ten minutes to stop it riding up and looking awful. This one is for the charity shop and the next one will have two full length front pieces both sewn into the hem band.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6315987369/" target="new" title="Jalie 2449 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Jalie 2449" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6100/6315987369_b670ac03bc.jpg" width="375" /></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-33320509277660697322011-11-05T23:46:00.000+00:002011-11-05T23:46:34.190+00:00Ottobre Woman CW303I love this pattern and have made several tank tops and short sleeve T-shirts from it, with autumn drawing in I made my first long sleeve version. Rayon lycra fabric from <a href="http://www.tissufabrics.co.uk/fabric-store/" target="_blank">Tissu</a> and a freezer paper stencil that is included with the pattern. I was really pleased with this, the sleeve length is just where I like it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6316503638/" title="Ottobre woman CW303 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre woman CW303" height="407" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6316503638_8b5c635037.jpg" width="500" /></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-91621888243242973372011-11-05T23:42:00.000+00:002011-11-05T23:42:31.542+00:00School uniformsThe kids all started a new school this year which meant a little production line sewing. Eleven navy blue tops later, I lost the will to sew for a while after this! All the tops are from Ottobre Spring 2003, #'s 31 and 16. The navy blue cotton lycra came from <a href="http://www.tissufabrics.co.uk/fabric-store/" target="_blank">Tissu</a> which is one of my favourite online fabric shops. I also made two pairs of grey trousers, one each for Toddler and Monkey, using the Vilkas pattern from Ottobre 04 2008. They're both a size 98cm but Monkey's are lengthened a lot.<br />
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<a ="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6132412169/" target="new" title="School uniforms by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="School uniforms" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6132412169_ffaa1d7389.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6315986511/" target="new" title="Vilkas trousers by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Vilkas trousers" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6052/6315986511_0f3fabc495.jpg" width="500" /></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-79727565629366291152011-11-05T23:37:00.000+00:002011-11-05T23:37:04.230+00:00Copy of my favourite skirtWe shall skip over my absence of several months with a slightly embarrassed and apologetic cough and get right on to a sew'n'show.....<br />
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My favourite summer skirt for the last couple of years has been one my mam bought me from an unidentified high street shop (i.e. she couldn't remember and I don't recognise the label). It's made from natural coloured linen and has six identical flouncy gores with an invisible zipper in the side seam. I had been wanting to copy it for ages and finally gave it a go this summer. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be and came out just perfectly the first time round. I ironed the original skirt, laid it out so one whole gore was flat on my table and just traced the shape of the gore onto my Fabribaste paper. Seam allowances were added when I cut it out and about an hour later, Ta-Da!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6133047290/" target="new" title="RTW copy by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="RTW copy" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6133047290_fbb3050da3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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One new summer skirt which is just lovely to wear, it's a very soft, drapey linen/rayon blend that has been ageing in my stash for a few years. The colour goes really well with the rest of the pieces I made for my summer SWAP, I love this and have been wearing it as often as I can. Here's the zipper in the side seam, you can see the top stitching on this panel starts lower down than the others as I couldn't topstitch alongside the zip.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6132500377/" target="new" title="Zipper by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Zipper" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6132500377_7305cd3ca6.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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The waistband is finished with petersham ribbon, I stitched in the ditch along the panel seams to hold it in place.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6132500599/" target="new" title="Inside by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Inside" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6132500599_d8d1d9378a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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And here's a modelled shot courtesy of Toddler. Please ignore the sweetie tins in the background, they hold notions honest!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/6133048322/" target="new" title="modelled by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="modelled" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6133048322_8a34402223.jpg" width="375" /></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-36341239855273129152011-07-17T21:54:00.000+01:002011-07-17T21:54:17.932+01:00Ottobre Woman 02/07 #12 SkirtThe second skirt of the week is #12 from Ottobre Woman Spring/Summer 2007. This pattern comes in several variations, I've made it before with a bias cut flounce panel (red skirt on <a href="http://sewmesane.blogspot.com/2011/03/february-catch-up.html">this page</a>) and this time I've made the straight version with front pockets. I much prefer the cut of this pattern on me than an A-line shape, I think it suits me much better. The front pockets are great, they do draw a little attention to that area but they're also the perfect size for my phone, small wallet and my car keys which means I don't have to carry a bag or coat on hot days so I can live with it ;) The purple linen is leftover from an <a href="http://sewmesane.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-dress-swap.html">Elodie </a>dress I made in the spring and I left out the lining.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5947563902/" target="new" title="Ottobre Woman 02/2007 #12 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre Woman 02/2007 #12" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/5947563902_b598770dde.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The buttons came from the stash I inherited from my sister's mother-in-law and they are probably older than me!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5947009691/" target="new" title="Ottobre Woman 02/2007 #12 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre Woman 02/2007 #12" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6141/5947009691_135ed48028.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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A poor shot of the invisible zip in the side seam, sorry! I actually sewed the hook and eye onto the inside of the waistband this time, I'm still not quite sure why though. I very rarely do that step because I've never seen a real need for it as my zips close within a few millimetres of the top of the garment and I've never had a problem with them coming open while being worn. I must have been in an extreme 'follow the pattern' kind of mood.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5947564568/" title="Ottobre Woman 02/2007 #12 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre Woman 02/2007 #12" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5947564568_190f2e29eb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Here's a shot of the inside waistband, it's finished with petersham ribbon and you can see there's no lining. After stitching in the ditch across the side seam to hold the petersham in place I found it still flipped up at the front and back so I also stitched in the ditch along the darts and it now behaves itself.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5947565016/" target="new" title="Ottobre Woman 02/2007 #12 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre Woman 02/2007 #12" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/5947565016_cbac2d2249.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I will definitely use this pattern again, it goes together very quickly and fits nicely.CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-72608407191782107952011-07-17T21:34:00.000+01:002011-07-17T21:34:58.421+01:00New Look 6511Carrying on with my S.W.A.P sewing for myself, a red linen skirt using <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/10327">New Look 6511</a>. I made view B which is a *lot* shorter than I thought it would be. It hits just above my knee and I'm very glad I forgot to shorten the pattern before sewing as I usually do (short legs you see) as I'm definitely past wearing mid thigh skirts! The red linen and buttons came from stash and I used an invisible zip in the side seam instead of messing around with a lapped zipper.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5947008109/" title="New Look 6511 view B by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6139/5947008109_28e7c5b0e0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="New Look 6511 view B"></a><br />
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I love the shaped front yoke, that's the detail that originally sold me on this pattern.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5947563118/" title="New Look 6511 view B by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6005/5947563118_afb6ed1f8c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="New Look 6511 view B"></a><br />
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The back has two more tabs for the self fabric belt and a straight yoke. The front could really do with three belt carriers, it rides up at the sides. I will no doubt forget I said that when I make it again.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5947008905/" title="New Look 6511 view B by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6146/5947008905_fcd9183796.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="New Look 6511 view B"></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-4251886554449696042011-07-11T14:32:00.000+01:002011-07-11T14:33:42.708+01:00Ottobre Woman 02/07 #16 Capri TrousersWell, I tackled the zipper. It took a little fiddling and I stuck pins in my fingers more than once but it's in, it works and it's <span style="color: magenta;">pink<span style="color: black;"> so it's good :)</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5925624799/" target="new" title="Ottobre Woman 02/07 #16 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre Woman 02/07 #16" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/5925624799_0a965bbfbe.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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There they are, officially my first pair of "proper" trousers for myself. The pink striped linen is years old, I'm pretty sure I used it to make a pair of maternity trousers when I was pregnant with Princess and she's seven next month. It's a nice summery fabric, the colours match with the tops I've already sewn pretty well and it's cool for hot days. I found the buttons in my stash, I think Princess persuaded me to pick them up a while ago hoping for a pinafore dress but they have found a new purpose.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5925625043/" target="new" title="Ottobre Woman 02/07 #16 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre Woman 02/07 #16" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5925625043_3dab5f95d7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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The zipper is also from stash, it was several inches to long but they're easy to shorten and the colour matched nicely. I even remembered to turn up the hem on the inner waistband before topstitching it down so the inside has a neater finish than my norm.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5926184216/" target="new" title="Ottobre Woman 02/07 #16 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Ottobre Woman 02/07 #16" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/5926184216_2349483be2.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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On the whole, I am pleased with these. They're a bit tight round the bum but a few more weeks of aerobics will take care of that! The pockets are great, nice and roomy with a smallish opening so things stay in them properly. I was worried about how wide the legs looked in the magazine but they're actually OK on me, I don't feel like a stiff breeze will carry me away. I think I may well make another pair.CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-50265888872483509782011-07-10T22:10:00.000+01:002011-07-10T22:10:55.484+01:00Father's Day 2011We had a home made Father's Day this year. The kids made their own cards, baked and decorated cookies, wrote out coupons for Daddy to redeem (e.g. play quietly for ten minutes, read a story to my sister, fetch your slippers...you get the idea :) and helped me make him a new t-shirt. They traced and painted their hand prints, I cut and sewed together.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5923106784/" title="Father's day gift by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Father's day gift" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6132/5923106784_21e98d6a57.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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The pattern is, as always, Jalie 2918. The fabric paint isn't quite as red in reality as it appears in the photo and the brown jersey was from stash. Snazzy red top stitching and hems to match the paint.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5921091673/" title="Topstitching and funky hems by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Topstitching and funky hems" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5921091673_b55cb3710a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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He was very pleased to come home from work and find his gifts :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5921656782/" title="Father's Day 2011 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Father's Day 2011" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5921656782_3edbb6049f.jpg" width="500" /></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-657689759910083272011-07-10T21:59:00.000+01:002011-07-10T21:59:05.703+01:00Summer S.W.A.P for meSewing With A Plan, not swapping things with someone else this time :) I'm joining in with a mini-SWAP sew along on Sewing Mamas where we're filling in our summer wardrobe blanks to ideally end up with a versatile, mix and match collection of clothes. I have an absolute dearth of summer clothing that I actually like wearing so my wish list is a little long.<br />
<ul><li>three vests (tank tops)</li>
<li>two t-shirts</li>
<li>three skirts</li>
<li>one dress</li>
<li>one shorts</li>
<li>one workout shorts</li>
<li>one or two capri's</li>
</ul>I have made a start though, I might even get halfway through before autumn is here :D The workout shorts were an urgent need, I've been doing aerobics in my Ottobre <a href="http://sewmesane.blogspot.com/2011/01/feeling-yoga-love.html">yoga pants</a> and the velour is a really, really bad fabric for working out in summer. There was plenty of orange interlock leftover from the <a href="http://sewmesane.blogspot.com/2011/07/summer-sleepwear.html">kids pj's</a> though so I stuck with the Ottobre pattern and lopped off most of the length to get a perfect pair of summer workout shorts.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5921093415/" target="new" title="yoga shorts by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="yoga shorts" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6145/5921093415_e32103d573.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I went to work on the vests too, these use the Ottobre Woman Creative Workshop 303 package and the knits are from stash.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5923111456/" target="new" title="OW creative workshop 303 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="OW creative workshop 303" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/5923111456_992fdf128d.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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One t-shirt is completed using the Jalie Sweetheart pattern and an embroidery from <a href="http://www.emblibrary.com/">Emblibrary</a>. The fabric is one of my favourites, a gorgeous bamboo lycra from <a href="http://www.thefabricfairy.com/">The Fabric Fairy</a>.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5923110432/" target="new" title="Jalie 2794 sweetheart top by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Jalie 2794 sweetheart top" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/5923110432_951e5fe45a.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5923111154/" target="new" title="Dragon embroidery on back by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Dragon embroidery on back" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6024/5923111154_7750008e68.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I'm working on the first pair of capri's now, they have a fly front zip which I haven't made before and I'm psyching myself up for the zipper insertion. Maybe tomorrow!CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-81429780795328156122011-07-10T21:29:00.000+01:002011-07-10T21:30:29.141+01:00Summer sleepwearAll of the kids needed summer sleepwear this year, nothing from last year fit or was in a state to be handed down so after a quick stash dive I found around five yards of melon/orange interlock which I swear I didn't buy, maybe my stash is breeding?? It's not a colour any of us usually wear but for a quick batch of pj's it was just perfect.<br />
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Boy first and a chance to try out two new patterns that have been on my list for a while. The tank tops are from Ottobre summer 2005, #35 and the boxers are Jalie 2327. I made a slight change to the Jalie pattern and cut the front crotch piece on the fold instead of putting a seam down the middle of the crotch which sounded very uncomfortable. That gave me a little excess fabric on the centre front which I gathered to fit the back crotch piece, I could have sewn a dart in but again it sounded uncomfortable. The gathering has worked well and Boy reports they are a good fit and he would like some more please. The tank tops are a good fit too, it's not a style he usually wears but he is liking them for pj's and with how hot he gets at night I think I will make this my GoTo pj top pattern for him. The velvet iron-ons are from stash too, he picked them out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5921658146/" target="new" title="DS summer pj's by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="DS summer pj's" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/5921658146_0c3f03e994.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5921657304/" target="new" title="DS summer pj's set 1 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="DS summer pj's set 1" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/5921657304_b879e3dc06.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Princess and monkey both have a modified version of my old favourite, Ottobre Summer 2007 #15. I changed the pattern to be A-line instead of having a separate gathered skirt and the edges are bound with green FOE. The girls picked out their iron-ons and the modelled versions have their initials embroidered on the chest.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5923245906/" target="new" title="Summer nighties set 1 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer nighties set 1" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6146/5923245906_b883bc82e2.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5921091973/" target="new" title="Summer nighties set 2 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer nighties set 2" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6026/5921091973_c63148351b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5922544125/" target="new" title="Summer nighties set 3 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="Summer nighties set 3" height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6146/5922544125_beccb00627.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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Toddler has three new sets too, her shorts are Ottobre Summer 2007 #10 and the t-shirt is Summer 2010 #14. The shorts are an old favourite of mine, very quick and easy to make. This is my first time trying the t-shirt pattern and I like the fit which is a little slimmer than most of the others I've tried. It's also one of the few t-shirt patterns that uses a band on the neck and sleeve edges rather than binding which I think makes construction faster and easier. Two orange pairs and another one squeezed out from the grey flower print.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5921093561/" target="new" title="DD3 pj set 3 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="DD3 pj set 3" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5921093561_57b374d36c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5921093301/" target="new" title="DD3 pj set 2 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="DD3 pj set 2" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6014/5921093301_e0175b71fd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5921657892/" target="new" title="DD3 pj set 1 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img alt="DD3 pj set 1" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/5921657892_60cae313bc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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All done for another year :)CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-28341513013860167252011-05-29T22:51:00.000+01:002011-05-29T23:04:01.096+01:00Star Wars and freezer paperNot two things you would normally think of at the same time but if you add in fabric paint well, it all makes sense. I have wanted to have a go at freezer paper stencilling for a very long time and this week I did it! I had my go, I had a lot of fun and Hubby and Boy both have a new T-shirt as a result. A fanfare if you please...............<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5773391056/" target="new" title="Star wars T's modelled by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2075/5773391056_79d4f6340e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Star wars T's modelled"></a><br /><br />How cool are they?? I am so incredibly pleased with how they came out, the stencils are done with Dylon silver fabric paint and took three coats each to get a good even coverage over the black cotton lycra. They're very shiny :D<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5772852743/" target="new" title="Jalie 2918 stencil by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5772852743_03c35bdf1c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Jalie 2918 stencil"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5773390084/" target="new" title="03/10 #25 Stencil by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2655/5773390084_71044f48d1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="03/10 #25 Stencil"></a><br /><br />You can also see in those photos the glint of the metallic silver thread I used for topstitching and hemming. The hems are all sewn with a closed overlock stitch which took f...o...r...e...v...e...r to sew but looks really good when finished.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5773389918/" target="new" title="03/10 #25 hem by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/5773389918_262d35e9f0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="03/10 #25 hem"></a><br /><br />I haven't used metallic thread before and it was horrible at first, it kept shredding and breaking every few inches but after changing the needle from a stretch 11 to a topstitch 14 that all stopped and it behaved beautifully. I really, really like these T-shirts. Oh, pattern details! Hubby has Jalie 2918 again and Boy has Ottobre 03/10 #25 with an extra 2" added to the length. It's a nice slim fitting raglan T-shirt that I will use a lot for this summer.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5773389506/" title="03/10 #25 raglan T by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/5773389506_30a604bde6.jpg" width="461" height="500" alt="03/10 #25 raglan T"></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-13449710069336281262011-05-29T22:45:00.001+01:002011-05-29T22:49:35.440+01:00The perfect leggingsOttobre have finally published the perfect leggings pattern. These are #20 from 03/11 and are supposed to have an attached skirt but I left that off as Princess really only needs plain leggings now. Perfect fit and length, I have wanted a decent capri legging pattern for the longest time and even better the size range covers all three girls, woohoo! Plain black and pretty boring but I just had to share anyway as I'm so happy with the pattern.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5773390336/" title="Leggings 03/11 #20 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2259/5773390336_9c7253428b.jpg" width="296" height="500" alt="Leggings 03/11 #20"></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-9935234311401871392011-05-29T22:35:00.000+01:002011-05-29T22:45:08.824+01:00Jalie 2918<a href="http://www.jalie.com/">Jalie</a> are another pattern company that offer great value patterns with a huge range of sizes in each. This is my first time using 2918 for Hubby, it's a basic T-shirt pattern with neck and sleeve options. He went for a short sleeve crew neck which is what he wears 99% of the time and the blue interlock is from stash. Orange embroidery and topstitching brightened it up a little, the embroidery is from <a href="http://www.urbanthreads.com">Urban Threads</a>. I made one alteration before cutting out the fabric which was a usual alteration for Hubby to allow for his high round neck (we are the computer generation! I need the same adjustment). Other than that the T-shirt is made as it comes and it's a great fit on him, he really likes it. Or at least he does a good job of pretending :D<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5772811421/" target="new" title="Jalie 2918 front by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2023/5772811421_aaf1221f73.jpg" width="409" height="500" alt="Jalie 2918 front"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5773349350/" target="new" title="Jalie 2918 embroidery by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3497/5773349350_7e9178a4ea.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Jalie 2918 embroidery"></a><br /><br />Without the high round back adjustment the back neckline gapes away from Hubby's neck, the front neckline is pulled up and he is always tugging it forwards throughout the day and the shoulder seams sit too far back. With the adjustment it looks like this, it's well worth taking the extra five minuets when tracing.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5773350224/" title="Jalie 2918 shoulder adjustment by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/5773350224_f8e55cbc38.jpg" width="430" height="500" alt="Jalie 2918 shoulder adjustment"></a>CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422580565739468359.post-33006285467673973712011-05-29T22:28:00.000+01:002011-05-29T22:35:17.274+01:00Farbenmix AntoniaI keep seeing versions of the Farbenmix Antonia pattern and absolutely loving them so I finally made time to sew up three testers for the girls. Random fabrics from stash (there was a fight over the pink butterflies but I squeezed some out for Toddler and it was all good) and one for each girl as per the pattern. I need to lengthen them all slightly in the body and shorten the sleeves for Toddler when I make the next lot.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5773356976/" target="new" title="Farbenmix Antonia 1 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/5773356976_708091efa8.jpg" width="500" height="400" alt="Farbenmix Antonia 1"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5772818805/" target="new" title="Farbenmix Antonia #2 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/5772818805_a39f9b0773.jpg" width="500" height="403" alt="Farbenmix Antonia #2"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77223848@N00/5772819729/" target="new" title="Farbenmix Antonia #3 by jake101276, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/5772819729_c2299d977a.jpg" width="500" height="437" alt="Farbenmix Antonia #3"></a><br /><br />It's a useful pattern, the sleeves have colour blocking options as well as a short sleeve and there are alternative body pieces to make a bound keyhole opening. It's worth a look if you haven't got it.CKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01577362737983348392noreply@blogger.com0