Abby Summer Top - Woodland Delight (Size 4/5)

This week I've been madly sewing Christmas presents for my niece and nephew as we're having my husband's family's Christmas do on Sunday. I thought I'd make my niece an Abby Dress out of the fabric, "Woodland Delight: Bloom in blue" by Paula Prass. Unfortunately, I was having one of those nights where everything I did went horribly wrong. I was too tired to think. So, with the dress I made, the bodice was far too big and the skirt was too small. I didn't have enough fabric to make another one :-(.

But, on the bright side, it looks like a fantastic Abby Top for a 4/5 year old. So, I think I'll take it to the market and sell it as a top, unless anyone else wants to buy it? :-)

Isn't the fabric gorgeous?

A Job for Suzie

My friend, Suzie, asked me to make some things for her nephews and niece for Christmas. Suzie bought the fabric that she wanted me to use, so all I had to do was sew all the items. Pretty easy!

Here's what I came up with...

I made 2 pairs of JACK PLAY PANTS shorts (size 3) and 1 pair of JACK PLAY PANTS (size 1).

These SOFT SOLE SHOES were made to match the size 1 pants.

And here's a MOLLY PEASANT DRESS (size 6 - 12 mths)...

...with matching shoes.

Sophie Tunic #2 - size 18mths - 2 years

A couple of nights ago I was able to make another Sophie tunic. I absolutely love this fabric. It's one of my favourites. It's not a difficult pattern, but it has lots of steps so it takes quite a while to make it, especially when it's still quite new to me.

The one problem I've found with this pattern is that the neckline is rather small and it won't actually go over many babies' heads. This one is 18mth - 2 years in size, but there's no way it will fit over a child's head of that age...

...so, what I think I'll do is cut a slit at the back and sew a button and loop. I think I'll do that for each tunic from now on.

Sleep Suit For Bailey - Attempt No. 2

This is my second attempt at making a sleep suit for Bailey. I really like the fabric and I think it looks great, as long as you don't look too carefully!

This fabric was much easier to sew with, but I still had issues with the zipper and the binding. They're such fiddly things!

My friend Laura suggested putting some sort of covering over the zipper to prevent little fingers from unzipping, or to at least slow them down! I've used a press stud for the zipper cover.

Sophie Tunic #1 - size 6 - 12 mths

Here's one of my latest new projects. I absolutely LOVE this pattern. It's so sweet. It can have long or short sleeves, as well as a contrasting panel and cuffs. The pattern allows me to vary the length of the sleeves and tunic. I can make it in any size, up to 12 years. I've also got a pattern in women's size.

This one is a practice one. I think I made the tunic too short and I think the sleeves could have been longer. It's supposed to fit 6 - 12 mths, but it's very much on the small side, especially the neckline. I'm certainly going to make more of these!

Sleep Suit For Bailey

My good friend, Laura, asked me to make her son, Bailey, a sleep suit. This was her request:

"My little monster loves sleeping bags, and won't go to bed without one, but I only have warm winter ones and haven't been able to find cooler ones for the spring and summer. I was wondering if your crafty talents would be able to come up with something."

So, this is what I came up with...

I used a light blue muslin fabric with a red knit trim.
I made it so that it's roomy in the legs as Bailey's a fairly active sleeper.

It's a very simple design. I decided to use a zipper at the front.

The muslin fabric was slightly fiddly to sew with as it kept moving around. I'm going to use a light-weight cotton for the next one.

Molly Peasant TOP - For Chloe

My good friend Suzie has asked me to make a couple of things for her 8 year old daughter, Chloe. So far, I've made her a Molly Peasant Top.


I threaded some black ribbon around the neckline to finish it off. I love the fabric (great pick, Suz!) and the black ribbon matches the look really well. I think these tops are going to be very popular this summer.