The Staple Dress version 2

I am loving this pattern! Though I don't want to end up with the same dress in different fabrics so I am making adjustments along the way. I had a little sick man this week so we had a day at home (love carers leave!) and while he had his nap I got most of the dress cut out and sewn up! So my second staple dress is some gorgeous batik fabric a friend bought back from Indonesia. I really wanted to do the drop hem as this fabric has some drape - but alas did not have enough fabric. Instead I added a Peter Pan collar. I have never drafted a collar before but I somehow managed to do it. So here we are...

And for my next Staple dress I am thinking a maxi with a tank style top .... Stay tuned!

The Staple Dress

It has been YEARS since I have done any clothes sewing for myself. I think the last thing I made was a bridesmaids dress in 2006. I have been a regular op shopper for clothes for the past few years - I hate big name brands unless I can say I got it for less than $5 from Vinnies. Anyway, I decided to turn my wardrobe round since nothing fits me anymore (2 months of the worst chest infection ever straight after having a baby lost me a lotta weight - but I seriously don't recommend it) and have a more handmade focus.
So first off the rank is April Rhodes The Staple Dress. What an easy gorgeous fun pattern! No interfacing, no zips, no button holes - but there is shirring. But I was surprised at how easy it was to do - I even did 6 rows of it. I made it as a medium but I think next time I will do a small up top - it is just a bit roomy there! I also adjusted the neck line a bit - I just copied a neckline on a top I already owned and loved.

The fabric is a cotton poplin from Spotlight but I can't wait to do a voile dress in it! I think it would be divine!
Took it on its maiden voyage today - with a pair of leggings underneath and got lots of compliments and surprised faces when I told them I made it. Staple Dress number 2 is in the works - this time some lovely batik fabric a friend had bought me back from Indonesia.

Fly the Flag Quilts finished - and how I do my binding on kids/baby quilts

What fun these quilts were to make (part of the Aunty Cookie Fly the Flag QAL). And I managed to finish both of my twin quilts. They are very same same, but different.
First is the orange version. I included a cute little peekaboo under 1 flag on each row. I would have loved to have done more but I think I would have gone a bit crazy!

 

And then the Aqua version... 

I used up some scraps for the binding. With kids quilts I figure they are going to be grotted up quickly and washed heaps, so I always use a zigzag stitch on my binding for extra durability. Plus I hate hand binding and will only do it for the specialist of quilts.
So here is how I do bindings (This is mainly for my friend Adrienne who I have recently being teaching how to quilt!)
I usually use a 2 1/2" straight binding strip (thought these quilts I have done using 3"). How I join them depends on my mood - either using a 45 degree angle or just straight. I first sew the binding on the wrong side on the quilt.

Again depending on my mood I will join the binding up using whatever I feel like doing at the time!
I then flip the quilt over and use a zigzag stitch to secure the binding down. I stretch the binding just over the line I have just sewn and zigzag just off the binding. I like to do it this way as I feel as through I have more control on the look of the binding on front. I would rather have wonkiness on the back - though I lately feel I am being much more tidier with it.

When I get to a corner I use a pin to secure it neatly in place. I then zigzag to the where the seam meets the other seem, put my needle down and rotate the quilt.

 

So that's how I basically do my binding on kids quilts.

Fly the Flag QAL Week 3

I have been happily plodding along with the Fly the Flag Quilt-a-long. I went back to work this week from 9 months of maternity leave so i was expecting to fall behind on this one. Sewing seems to be my relaxation method in the evenings after the kids are in bed.
My aim is to make twin baby quilts for a pregnant friend of mine. I have chosen an orange and aqua theme, with one quilt mostly orange with a hint of aqua and the other one the opposite.

I used my equaliterial triangle template to cut out the flags instead of the template in the pattern. I think my flags turned out a little smaller. Oh well! I have started on the Orange quilt but have the Aqua cut and ready to sew.

I also added some little hiding peek-a-boo pictures under some of the flags.

BFF Quilt

This quilt is destined for one of my closest friends in the world who is pregnant with her first bubba. I have called it the BFF quilt as my son and hers will only be 10 months apart and we are determined that they are going to be best friends! I had originally bought this gorgeous Dan Stiles "Safari Soriee" Birch Organic fabric for a quilt for my little man but as soon as my friend told me she was pregnant I knew it was perfect for her. Don't worry, Mr C won't miss out - I have some left.
I actually planned this quilt a bit more than I usually do. I did a quick mockup in Touchdraw to make sure I would get all the colours in the right spots. Simple equilateral triangles in the patterned fabrics and a few solids.

I love the feel of the organic fabrics!

The back is an Mix of my extra triangles, a few scraps and a dotty Erin McMorris print I had in my stash that just matched perfectly! Her little Mr already has already been named so I got to include it on the quilt.

I quilted it in a simple 1/4" off the seam either side. I must admit, straight line quilting is still my favourite way to quilt a quilt.

Also, no baby gift I give is complete with some matching bunting.

Now I just can't wait to meet the little guy - in 10 years my friend and I will be the soccer mums in the back row sneaking a beer!

Fly the Flag

There must be something wrong with me - have just added another 2 projects to my long list. But to completely justify it, I have a friend pregnant with twins who need some quilts! So in steps the Fly the Flag Quilt along being run by Aunty Cookie. It looks like an awesome cute project. I think I might fussy cut some squares to go under the flags!

In other news - the countdown is on --- 3 more weeks and I am back at work. So I have been trying to squeeze as much sewing in but haven't had the time to blog about it. I am finding Instagram good at capturing snippets of my projects so I seem to be on it a bit more now. Click on the link on the right to follow me {but be warned it ain't all crafty stuff - lots of my kids as well}.

FAL Q3

Here we go again -2013 Finish-A-Long 3rd Quarter Goals!

I am being a bit ambitious for my 3rd quarter goals - but i did a tidy up and found a few outstanding projects. I thought it would be better to document them here than forget about them! I may have also secured a childcare spot for Mr C three weeks before I am due back at work - so that means for 3 days for 3 weeks I will be child free - bit scary but I reckon I need to do a lot of sewing as therapy in preparation for returning to work!

1. Washi Quilt
This is a carry over from the last quarter. I would love to have this done by Summer for my bed!
What needs doing: border, back, quilting and binding.

2. St Louis 16 Patch
I may have accidental started this and finished the quilt top last quarter. It is currently basted and awaiting quilting - it is a monstrous size so I am waiting for a chance that I can dedicate a few nights quilting it.
What needs doing: Quilting and binding.

3. Tsuru Quilt
Another accidental start. I was waiting until I finished my Washi quilt before starting this but I could not help myself! I am using the Sew Mama Sew modern Block of the Month. I am totally digging the Navy and Orange Combo!
What needs doing: 3 blocks, and everything else!

4. Simply Solids Quilt - Solid Scrap Vomit Quilt
Mmmmm might need a better name for this quilt! The lovely ladies from the Simply Solids Bee have kindly made me some awesome B Blocks. I still need to decide on the layout - but my A Blocks are ready to roll. My little girl decided to rearrange them all the other day and asked if it was going to be a "beautiful quilt" for her - cheeky monkey!
What needs doing:  sewing the blocks together, quilting, binding

5. A and A Wedding Quilt
This is a must to finish for my sister-in-laws wedding at the end of October. I am using the Sew Mama Sew Modern Block of the Month again - in a purple and grey scheme. I will need to add an extra 3 blocks to finish it off, but I will remain hush just in case she sees this!
What needs doing: finish blocks, back, quilting and binding

6. Mr C's Car Quilt
Well last quarter I finished Miss E's car quilt so of course I then started creating one for my little man. I have cut out 80 squares but still need to go through my scrap pile to cut some more! I think I will use a different layout but it will still be an awesome I-spy quilt!
What needs doing: finish cutting blocks, quilting and binding

7. Elsie's Bento box quilt
Wow, this is another one from a while back that I was aiming to be done in time for my daughter's first "big girl" bed (which she has been in since Jan) Using Ashley from Film in the Fridge tutorial and one of my most favourite Amy Butler prints and some coordinating solids - I would love this on her bed for summer! I actually ended up making a winter doona cover for her bed so at least she had some lovely handmade goodness on her bed. Sorry for the poor pic!
What needs doing: finish blocks, quilting and binding

8. Kate Spain Quilt
I starting playing with a mini charm pack of Kate Spain Cuzco a few weeks back. I just need to add two borders.

9. Alchemy Quilt
A jelly roll and charm pack may have accidentally fallen into a shopping cart a while back and I started to play with a few different layouts. Not sure how this will evolve but I am keen to see!

10. Enchanted Forest Quilt
A carry over from last quarter.

So yeah - slightly ambitious but I have been in a quilting groove of late. Not to mention one of my bestest friends in the world is pregnant so I need to get a baby quilt done and another friend is pregnant with twins - so lets add another two to the pile!

FAL Quarter 2 Round Up

Ahhhh, we have reached the end of the quarter for the Finish-a-long at She Can Quilt. 

Sadly i didn't finish all my goals - but shock horror did a whole lot of finishes not on my list. Motivation and Inspiration are funny things! My original list is here. So my goals and progress for Q2 were

1. Spinning Stars Quilt.
The Aussie winter was fast approaching so BAM finished the hand binding one night while watching Monty Python's Meaning of Life! Oh how I love having a quilt for myself - so comforting!
Before shot

After Shot

You can read about my finish here
 
2. A Car Quilt for MissE.
Another Finish! I loved making this for my little girl - she loves looking at all the pictures on it. It has even made a trip into childcare for all the other kids to play ispy on. 120 squares in total. And I must be crazy because you will see version 2 of this in the next quarter list.
Before Shot

After shot

You can read about the finish here  

3. Washi Bedspread. 

Sob, sob- sadly no progress was made. 

 

4. Kids Quilt #1

Sad face - no progress

5. Kids Quilt #2

Yay a finish!

Before shot

After Shot

Read about it here

 

So 3 out of 5 isn't too bad. Next quarter will be interesting as I only have 2 months of maternity leave left and a pile of projects that I want to get done!