Owl Trousers

After my last old stuff into new success, I was keen to get going on another similar project. This time, it was to have a go at turning a shepherd's nativity costume into a pair of trousers. 

We'd been given a great big bag of fancy dress things, and in amongst the princess dresses was a shepherd's costume, which was way too big for the girls. And, let's be honest, didn't hold quite the same appeal as Snow White.

I'd held off passing it on, as there was something about the fabric that inspired me. Then I realised it was crying out to be made into a pair of cosy trousers. What a lucky girl the eldest daughter is - first pillowcases into pyjamas, and now a shepherd's costume into trousers! It'll give her something to throw back at me as a teenager if nothing else.

So, in the same fashion as I'd done with the pyjama bottoms, I sized up the shepherd's costume, holding up a pair of current trousers belonging to the biggest girl to see if I'd be able to wangle trousers out of the fabric in front of me. I reckoned it was just about big enough. Out with the scissors, and on with the overlocker for a bit more winging it sewing.

I'd been given this lovely bundle of fat quarters, which turned out to be just right for making these owls. Should anyone ever be stuck for something to buy as a gift for a person who sews, the clever people at Fabric Rehab have all the answers you need - starting with a Bundle of Joy. Full of promise.

I really like the owls. They took a while to make, but I'm glad I did. And the big girl likes them, too.

She has tested out her new trousers, and the verdict is good. Even if they do look a bit like pyjamas!

I might add pockets to the back. But not until I have made a coordinating Wonky Wilma out of the remains of the fabric. Which brings me on to my next point.

The Wilma challenge has now been taken up by quite a lot of you. Thank you! My favourite one so far has to be this mini version, made by my friend Stacie. Pure sewing genius to make a little one, too. I am definitely going to be copying that idea in time for Christmas presents!

To make the mini version, just print two pages of the pattern to a page

I've just been talking to my friend Liz, about possible ways of adding even more fun to the Wilma challenge and to raise as much money as possible for GOSH. Starting with a best upcycled Wilma competition. What can you find to turn into a Wilma?

Can you guess where we met to talk about Wilma?

Last Minute Birthday Gift

Last night, I remembered I had not sorted out a birthday present for the joint sibling party we were due to be going to this afternoon.

Granted, I could have just resolved to pop to the shops this morning, and the problem would have been solved. But, I'd already got a home made gift ready made for the big sister, and, wanted to make something for the little brother, too.

I toyed with making this or that, but sadly, couldn't find any big enough pieces of decent prints or colours in my stash that would suit a little boy (hmm - I wonder why that is?). If only I had planned things a bit more in advance.

So, I went for something I know is a birthday favourite in our house. Number t shirts!

I knew I had a couple of blank t shirts left from the packs I'd bought for PE kits, and coupled with some Bondaweb and scraps, I was ready to whirr into last minute birthday gift action.

I was lucky to be given these cool scraps by my sewing friend, Stacie. Aren't they great? Sadly, I don't think you can get hold of them now (please let me know if I am wrong on this front!), and so Stacie had very kindly given me the scraps leftover from her own fabulous Jubilee themed sewing projects earlier on in the year.

The patch work effect was done out of necessity - the scraps are small and some of them oddly shaped.

I like the overall look, though, and it just goes to show that all those scraps are worth keeping. They will come in handy one day - it's just a matter of waiting for the inspiration to strike.

The party was lovely. Highlight for me was the sight of the two gorgeous tiered cake stands the host had made, using mismatching vintage china. They looked utterly beautiful, and the perfect thing to show off the pretty lavender cakes that had been made for the parents to enjoy. Wish I'd had my camera - but, well, you know what I'm going to be scouring the charity shops for next..!

The Play Dress

After all the faffing around with my over locker last week, I got there in the end. I am slowly getting more confident over things like changing the threads and solving minor problems. I may even treat the thing to a more regular spot on the dining room table. You never know.

For now, here we have a ridiculously simple to make dress, perfect for playing in. And Mum, if you're reading, the inside edges do look lovely - thank you (I may ask for another master class next time you're up).

Red linen mix from Singers (about £5 a metre, I think) and flowers
made from scraps of Amy Butler fabric (love, love, love scraps)

The dress is just a lengthened version of a basic peasant top. I'd intended to make it more fitted with an elasticated casing at the waist, but my five-year-old client liked its unfinished, free flowing style. It is the perfect thing for playing in. Apparently. And the customer is always right, right?

I took her advice, and design input, and added some flowers with yellow buttons in the middle. All the yellow buttons we could find, in fact.

These bright and cheery flowers on some lovely free flowing linen mix have got me thinking about summer already. And in particular, the sight of my lovely little girls running around on a sandy beach somewhere.

As the first one was so easy to make, maybe I'll make another two. Oh, go on then. We all know I can't resist a bit of sibling co-ordination when it comes to wardrobes.

The Cheeky Top

Wasn't today a gorgeous one in Bedford?

And, after dropping my eldest girl off at school, here's what we did with that gorgeous first glimpse of Spring...

We headed to the park, abandoned our shoes and socks, and played in the sand.

We played King of the Castle.

Then ran around some more, going up and down slides and stomping over `Troll' bridges.

And the girl in the oh-so-stylish zebra print and floral combo? Yes, she's mine too. "She got herself dressed." (I say that a lot)

And the one running around the whole time, with the cheeky elephant's bottom top?

She's the cheekiest one of all.

Gone to the Beach

Here's the finished play screen:

This side came together quite nicely over a sewing night with friends
- who inspired various features, such as the bucket and spade 

A bit crumpled, but already much played with and definitely a hit. I'd wondered whether they would like being closed in, but had clearly forgotten that children LOVE dens. (Not to mention hurling themselves in and out of holes, too. The strength of the Velcro that holds the whole thing up has been well and truly tested, and the screen hasn't fallen down yet - phew.)

My favourite bit - makes me think of holidays each time I look at it.

And when they have had enough of serving up ice creams to their friends and toys, they can entertain us all with their own unique take of the annual pantomime they'll be going to with their grandparents next week.

No expense spared - spot the bit of garden cane used for the curtain pole. 

With only a couple of nights left until Christmas, a heavy cold, and so no intention of spending both evenings sewing, I adjusted what I was going to do for the reverse side, and opted for a simple design that came together by taking a pair of scissors to whatever bits of fabric I had leftover from other recently finished projects.

I'd normally have wanted to painstakingly hand sew all those branches, and make sure every finished edge was nice and neat. And then, feeling cold ridden, I remembered I had a big tube of fabric glue tucked away in my sewing box. Ta da! Second side of the screen finished in plenty of time to resume position on sofa (with tin of Quality Street close to hand) for the Miranda Christmas special.

Hello, Elephant!

The occupant of the lower bunk is absolutely gleeful at having her own curtains to draw at bed time. I think this play screen is staying put for the foreseeable future...

So a big slice (or three) of Smug Cake for me. This play screen might be a bit shabby around the edges, but unlike some other toys I have made for my girls that have barely been played with, this one has already been worth the effort in terms of fun had out of it. Hooray for sewing and gluing!

Moo Cow T Shirt and Baggy Trousers

Here are the trousers I made out of my old skirt. And, once I'd finished making them, I got inspired to make a T shirt to go with them.

My old skirt

New trousers - total spend was 67p on the ribbon from Singers

A favourite book read at lunchtime yesterday inspired the T shirt

"MOO!"

Hand stitched applique in front of TV

Close up of the cow

 The youngest likes her new clothes, and said "Moo!" when she saw the cow. But let's not kid myself it was all about her. Making the T shirt last night was a lot of fun, and I cannot help but smile at the end result. Only wish I had some cake in the house so that I could eat it in celebration.

Heart Skirt

After a night off, here's a skirt I was commissioned to make by my favourite three year old.

Would she put on some red tights to go nicely with this,
and stand still for a picture? Nope. That's toddlers for you!

Gathered skirt, with red lining

Close up of the pocket

She had pretty clear ideas about what she did and did not want! I took some of her requests on board. A budding designer, or an indulged child? Well, maybe a bit of both... but then she has watched her big sister wake up to new clothes most mornings this week, so I thought its about time she had a turn at being on the receiving end of Mummy's sewing.

Mini Boden inspired applique T-shirts

Looking for a reason to justify buying a sewing machine? Then read on...

Mini Boden inspired applique T-shirts using scraps. Cost of materials, around £1.50. 

Mini Boden T-shirt and shorts set, currently in the sale at £14 (was £24)

The Mini Boden applique T-shirts are amongst my favourite things I come across when flicking through the catalogues - and I must admit, I've been using them as inspiration to customise plain T-shirts for my own children for a while now. As a mum to three little girls, I am the first to vouch for Boden when it comes to quality clothing that can be passed down and down the line.

But, if like me, you find it hard to justify spending £17 (or even £10 as currently on sale) on T-shirts that will no doubt end up with ketchup on them, here's how you can do it yourself...

You'll need:

pen, paper and scissors
plain T-shirt
iron
Bondaweb (size depends on how big your design is)
scraps of fabric
thread (I used machine embroidery thread)
sewing machine or needle for handstitching

Sketch out your design, and cut it out. Choose your fabric, and cut a piece of Bondaweb big enough to cover your design. Stick the Bondaweb rough side down onto the wrong side of your fabric, by holding the iron in place for about ten seconds. 

Trace your design on the smooth side of the Bondaweb, and cut it out so you have a fabric shape.

If your design has two pieces of fabric - like the ears on this elephant - then repeat the same process to make the second shape.  Peel off the backing and iron the second shape in place onto the bigger shape, before you peel off the backing on the main shape and iron that onto your T-shirt. Then, either get your sewing machine out or needle and thread, and do a top stitch all round the edge of your design - either using matching or contrasting thread, whichever you prefer. Grab a button for an eye, et voila! - a gorgeous little top for a fraction of the price you'd pay at Boden.

My personal favourite - made from last remaining scraps of Tanya Whelan fabric from a dress I made for myself.

Amy Butler fabric scraps.

More Amy Butler scraps.

Scraps from fabric found at the local sewing shop in Bedford.

Okay, so I may have got carried away with the elephants -
but now I've got a great big stash of birthday presents ready to go.
Hip, hip, hooray!

There. Done. I am almost embarrassed to have written these instructions up, and the secret is now out, as to just how easy these little beauties are to make. And, if you fancy making matching shorts, like the Boden ones, Dana at MADE has some great easy to follow tutorials. Go on...!