Crafty Mamas Euro Sewing Comp

Well here is my entry to the Craftymamas Euro Sewing Comp. I am terrible & always leave things to the last minute (ends the 30th April), but I have had quite a few sewing orders to complete & also my Mum is visiting (YEH!! Definately no sarcasm there - I adore my Mum - she is so gorgeous, I am very lucky to have her!!!!!).

Em was not cooperating, but I bribed her with some chocolate (naughty Mummy!!) & she at least tried it on for me. She didn't really want to pose so hopefully you get an idea of what it looks like. She did however love the outfit so much that she refused to take it off!

The top is one of the smock tops which I have created one of my own patterns for & the pants are out of my favourite Ottobre Mag - Summer 3/2006 (these are available at the Crafty Mamas store along with some other fabulous Euro patterns & fabric).

A bit more sewing

Well I have been sewing quite a bit of late - I have had a few orders & have been finishing off things in my pile of half completed projects. I finished off a skirt I cut out for myself about 6 months ago!! It is made from recycled vintage fabric. I was really please that it actually fit me (have gone up a size since I cut it out - chocolate truely makes your clothes shrink!! ).

I have also tried out a pattern with some vintage sheets & other vintage fabric - it is a little smock type long top/dress. I love the style & have just cut out another one with some holly hobbie style fabric & vintage floral.

Yet another one.....

Yep I really do like this style of top - can't you tell! I just love its versatility & ease to make! This one was made with new spot, vintage floral fabric & a gorgeous crochet flower which cam in my easter crafty mamas swap (thanks Mon!).

More smock tops

Yes after making the first smock top shown in the last post I am addicted! I thought I would try some different fabrics & this one is from some small bits of chenille I had lying around....

Pillowcase Smock Tops

Well I have been meaning to make something wintery for my daughter out of my huge stash of vintage pillowcases for quite some time, but she is size 4 & pants are a bit harder to do (you need 2 pillowcases the same!), so I have finally made some smock style tops. This one is a 3/4 sleeve, but I have been madly cutting out long sleeves. They are so easy to make & comfy!! I may even lengthen them into little smock dresses. I need to learn to crochet - just for flowers as I think they really add a bit of sweetness to the top.

For Me...

Well craftymamas this months theme is "something for me...". So we are to make something for ourselves. I have a long list of things I have been meaning to make or finish for me, but I always seem to make for the kids or others & mine never get completed - sound familiar?? So I am going to give it my best shot this month & make some things for me.


I did have a go at making myself some button brooches from the artsycraftybabe blog. They turned out ok - not as good as hers though. Em decided to claim the yellow one & has hidden it in her room somewhere so I will have to track it down (it would be my favourite of the 2 as well).


I have also bought a Newlook pattern to make a long sleeve top for me. I will be making the white style top, but making it shorter. I am going to make it with this red spot cotton with embroidery all over (bargain from spotlight - end of roll had about 4m on for $10).


Tonight I cut out a vintage wrap skirt pattern from a fab green & yellow floral vintage sheet for me, so I am getting there!

Today I did get some smurf fabric to make Liam some pants - I have been after it for a while, but usually sells for a mint on ebay. I found this drill print from 1980 at a local retro type store for more than you would pay in an opshop, but much cheaper than ebay, so I was rather happy.

A couple of weeks back I stumbled across a thrift store that was selling out someones stash of mags they had donated & got this lot for 10c a pop - so I bought about 20 - they are just lovely to look at (esp when hiding from kids in toilet !!) if nothing else.

Thank you Mr Quarantine ....

Well I participated in an easter themed swap at craftymamas recently & was partnered with the gorgeous Monastique (monART). She thankfully received my parcel, but hers had not arrived & so we had all but given up until the end of last week when it finally arrived!!

Mr Quarantine had it all this time - I honestly think he wanted the yummy looking chicken chocolates!!

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH MON!!!
There are some crochet flowers (I was so excited - I can't crochet, but I love to add these as embellishments) tied with gorgeous spotty ribbon. An egg jigsaw, egg decoration (fab craft to do with the kids!!) Some 3d Scrapbooking pics & last of all these GORGEOUS chicken chocolates which I have miraculously kept hidden from the children!!

Where does all the lost post go???

Ok please someone tell me what happens to lost post?? I would love to go & have a good rummage - there must be some good stuff there!! Unfortunately the bag I made for my SIL did not arrive along with the pants I made for my 2 nieces. We were rather disappointed, but what can you do??

I have made her another bag (as it was a birthday gift) from fabric which she gave me from Japan. Watch out Noriko - I may make monthly orders on Japanese fabric!!

I actually like the fabric combo better than the first bag.

As you can probably tell from most of my pictures I do not have the photographic skill gene! But I suppose they give you the general idea!

I am at my Dads place at the moment in a little place outside Orange (in NSW) and will have to post a pic later of some of my opshop finds. I also visited "The Home Patch" in Bathurst (Annie Downes patchwork store) which was just lovely - oh to have had endless money to spend (and no children with me while I shopped!!!).

Farbenmix Olivia & Ottobre tights

I have just finished my first stretch sewing project - I usually avoid anything stretch - it is rather scarey, but thought I would try & tackle that fear. I made up an Olivia (farbenmix pattern purchased from Crafty Mamas store) & some tights out of an Ottobre mag. My sewing wasn't neat, but it hasn't fallen apart so all in all I was happy, but most of all Em seemed to be happy with her new outfit!