6 new placemats MADE!

As requested by my darling wife, I made 6 new placemats WITHOUT wadding! She is very happy with these and therefore, so am I. The newest request........6 matching coasters. So tell me, how the hell does one make waterproof coasters using the same fabric as I used for the placemats? And no, I don't plan on putting anything 'waterproofing' in the centre. Perhaps the doubling of the fabric will stop the moisture seeping through to the table......hopeful, YES.

Besides matching coasters, I have also been asked to make matching napkins. Methinks the green may just be a tad too much. Perhaps purple for the napkins could break up the monotony of the green? What do you think?

Anyway, I am now about to search out the pattern for a matching skirt or, little 3/4 length pants for my girlfriends daughter, the mini Miss M.

Oh, almost forgot.....here are a few photos of the completed placemats:

The 'perfect' maxi dress pattern?

I am currently searching for the 'perfect' maxi dress pattern. My MIL arrives for 2 weeks tomorrow & my BIL & family arrive on Friday for a week and, I would really love to make myself a cute little maxi dress for our rendezvous down the coast.

I have found a few however, am unable to find the actual pattern to print off. I plan on taking MIL to my treasured fabric shop to help search out the 'perfect' fabric. I know what I want, sort of. Something light and cool, with a simple summery print that is easy to sew with. I was thinking something a little sheer........

Like these:

I really like the design of the second dress. I have managed to find a pattern for something similar so perhaps with the help of my MIL I will have a go and get one made in time for our trip down the coast.

In the meantime, my lovely wife has requested that I make new placemats. I am however going to make them minus the wadding. Our current placemats were ruined the very first time I washed them due to the wadding bunching up inside. I did manage to snag a bargain the other day, some nice green fabric that will make for nice placemats.

Also, I am looking for a pattern for a little girls skirt, size 2-3. I am about to finally finish off the failed skirt/top that was my first project. I have a gorgeous friend down south who has an adorable little girl who funnily enough, shares the same name as my Miss M. I am going to add ribbon straps to the top and send it to her little one but, I would love to make a matching skirt for her also. Just have to find a pattern small enough for her.

Arrivederci

Not sure how to add these buttons......

Not sure how to add these buttons so, adding in a post.....maybe some nice person will leave a comment and help me out. It has been a long time since I have blogged and clearly, I have lost my way with all this technology ;-)

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<img src=”http://theeverydaymama.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/buttonsm.jpg” /></a>

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First attempt at following a dowloaded pattern

Ok, so I have been checking out lots of sewing sites and finding free downloadable patterns. The major difference between these patterns and bought patterns is the lack of an actual cut-out pattern. Hence, the need to measure and cut. This is fine but just makes me take a little longer and perhaps, a little less consistent.I was cruzing through a lovely blog and found what I thought looked like a simple pattern for a patchwork bag. It looked so cute on the blog and since I had some fabric off-cuts from my other projects, I decided to give it a go.

I decided to keep the black thread attached for a little more interest. Really, this was quite a good pattern to follow. It was written simply, with easy to understand step-by-step instructions. I really didn't have huge expectations of myself but hoped it would turn out ok.

I decided to use some leftover green/white & black/white polka-dot fabric with some orange and black fabric. I then used some blue for the lining and pocket. It took me around 2 hours and what would you know? I managed to make it! However, I did manage to stuff it up a little as it didn't turn out the correct size. Oh, I also have a feeling that I attached the straps incorrectly. Therefore, it was immediately gifted to my darling Miss M who of course, squealed with delight and ran straight outside to show all her friends. Bless her cotton socks, she really is so easy pleased.

Here a few pics of the finished product:

Front

Back

Front side with lining & pockets

Back side lining

Packed with Miss M's important 'handbag must-haves'.....Nintendo DS, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book, ipod, purse, mobile phone.........cigarettes (just joking bout the smokes ;-))

Seems the only other thing missing from the 'handbag must-haves' for 10 yr olds going on 25!

Anyway, that is that. Another project started and finished. I am yet to photograph the quilt & matching pillow cases........too big to photograph easily & quickly using my phone. Will have to unpack the 'real' camera and take some pics. Maybe tomorrow.......

Arrivederci

My very first success!

After taking the advice of my wonderful wife, I decided that I would 'get back on the horse' and have another go at making a skirt for Miss M. After a visit from a very generous and talented friend, I was shown where I had gone wrong with my first attempt. I had failed to add an extra fold in the fabric thus making the skirt 1/2 its intended size.

I sat down armed with this new information and went to work on the skirt. Well, what do you know? Some 3-4 hours later, I had a perfect sized skirt that WOULD fit! The true test came when I summoned Miss M to come and try the skirt on so I could finish the elastic off. To say this was a magical moment just doesn't capture how truly elated I was to see something I had created not only fit but also look so lovely!

Here's a few photos:

So, although it is not anything too fantastic I am still pleased with my first success. The added bonus is that Miss M loves it and has worn it already.

I am happy that I managed to give it another go and with the helpful advice from my dear friend, it worked.

Each day I have been busily working on new projects which, I will do as seperate entries. Next up, quilt cover & matching pillow cases.

Arrivederci

Here Goes!

So, I got my very first sewing machine. YAY! Excited? Understatement, I was so over the moon about my purchase you couldn't wipe the smile off my face for 2 days. Yep, 2 days was all it took for me to feel that maybe this sewing gig is just not for me.

My newest pride and joy:

Total bargain buy from Ebay for the princely sum of $42.27 delivered!

I set out once receiving my sewing machine to Spotlight (note to self: NEVER bother driving an hour to Spotlight........they are as dear as poison & about as helpful as my wonderful wife which, is pretty useless when it comes to sewing), bought a pattern, fabric, all the other sewing tools I thought I would need could afford & headed for home filled with ancticipation and excitement. I skipped in from the car showing my wonderful wife all of my purchases & rattled off all the different things I wanted to make.

I immediately took over the dining table, opened up the pattern and looked...looked....looked and looked some more. I was waiting for something to jump out at me and tell me in very basic terms what to do. The pattern was labelled "Easy to make girls skirts (6 patterns in one pack), whip up in under an hour!"

Well, I finally worked out the pattern or, atleast I thought I had. I began cutting, pinning, joining followed of course by sewing. After having completed the first section which was to be the waistband and upper panel of the skirt I wondered why it seemed so small. I referred back to the pattern however, was still unable to work out why it looked wrong so, on I went.

After around 5 hours it was complete! Unfortunately it was clear I had made a MASSIVE error somewhere as the 'skirt' looked more suitable to being a size 0 instead of size 8. My ever helpful wife (read: Desperate that I actually continue to use this new machine and not put it back into its box never to be used again) suggested that perhaps I could turn it into a top. WOW! What a great idea I thought as I stared intently at my skirt that was to now become a cute little top.

I decided to add a little ribbon around the bottom tier and to add ribbon straps to the top that could be tied into bows. Ooohhhh, how cute was it beginning to look now. I couldn't wait for my 10 year old daughter to get home from her friends house so I could try this on her and show her how amazingly clever her mummy is. Fast forward to the following day said child comes home, instantly loves her top and agrees that her mummy is indeed VERY clever. "Quickly!" I instruct her, "try it on so I can measure the ribbon straps and get it finished". Unfortunately, it was not turning out well at all. As my gorgeous daughter attempts to put this cute little top over her head and get her arms through, suddenly she becomes stuck! Oh no, the top will not even go over her head and fit more than one arm through. Ever the optimist, my gorgeous daughter suggests that she could pull the top on by stepping into it and pulling it up. Uh oh, this is not to be.......it won't even fit over her cute little bottom.

After all this disappointment I finally concede defeat and feel that I am just not cut out for this sewing business.

Here are some photos of my very first sewing disaster!

Front (without straps attached)

Back (still no straps attached)

The pattern (GREEN skirt was the pattern I used)

Pffft VERY EASY!

Of the 6 skirts I had to choose from, I believed the green one would be the easiest

So, that was day 1 of my foray into the sewing world. Thanks to my beautiful wife and her constant encouragement, I have continued. Not only have I continued on, I have now completed several other projects (INCLUDING another skirt which, worked beautifully) which, I will put into another entry.

The sewing machine is calling my name.......haven't done any sewing today so far and I am ready for my next project!

Arrivederci