Monday, December 30, 2013

'Tis the Season


I used to sew a lot of gifts, but these days, not so much.
Time is a big factor. When I didn't have children the pleasure I took from sewing for others was enormous. If the outfits were not worn I didn't mind.

 I had had my fun.

 These days I am so time poor I like to know the gift is wanted and what they will use.

Liddy badly wanted me to sew something for her friend Jessie. As Jessie's mum used to do a lot of sewing (funny, as a full time agronomist, running a farm with her husband and two small girls she doesn't do much anymore) I was more then happy to oblige.
Ice Cream blouse and Hula Hoop skirt
both by Oliver+S
The Oliver+SIce Cream dress is my go to pattern for older girls. It doesn't require a lot of fitting and suits all sorts of body shapes.
I lined it as per my tute here

My clever sewing gal pal Peta is the Queen of Handmade Gifts. She knocks up the Hula Hoop skirt (also by Oliver+S) with amazing speed so I took a leaf from her book.
WIP Bubble dress

My favourite cousin is having a baby soon so when she announced her special news I had to make a teeny tiny Bubble  dress. Like me, she would put it on a tiny baby boy.
Jed's nephew had a sweet sweet baby girl, Amaya, so I use a little more of my treasured Tula Pink stash to make another wee Bubble dress.
Tildy went to her first 'proper' Birthday Party and insisted on me sewing a dress for Ruby. She went through her own special fabric stash and chose some vintage-y Hope Valley for a lined Tea Party dress (another Oliver+S).

There are two little sisters up-the-road that I always make Birthday and Christmas dresses for.
Lily and Annie's Mum doesn't sew a stitch but I adore sewing for her girls as she makes me feel like a Rock Star.

She likes girly but not too girly.
Matchy but not too matchy, so a pair of Tea Party dresses in some gorgeous Tula Pink Prince Charming fits the bill.
I used some of my special painted MOP buttons. I just had to, the fabric was too perfect a match.


Little Miss Mae is another little girl I like to sew for. I sewed dozens of garments for her older sister as that was before I had my own children. I often feel guilty about Mae's lack of hand made.

While I was minding her one day, she explained I didn't have to make her a dress this year. She very sweetly told me that you can buy a card and put money in it. That would save me a lot of time.

Tildy became very excited about this idea as she had seen a card that was made to look like a purse only a few days before. Guess what I am going back to get for Mae's Birthday.

I told Mae that I could indeed do that if she would rather it but after a few minutes thought she answered that she actually would like a frock if that was not too much work.

One with butterflies on it.
I found a pretty remnant in the fabric bin at Spotters a few weeks later so that was serendipitous indeed.


I had not actually planned to sew for BIL daughter. I used to but I wasn't sure she actually liked it and as I said before, time is precious.

A comment from my SIL (her stepmother) made me change my mind. I guess I made the dress as much for my SIL as my niece.

After making Zara a silk Oliver+S Seashore  dress I was convinced that it works as a sophisticated pre-teen garment.
I used a denim printed with a gold, cross hatched pattern.
Elsa modelled it for me and then promptly requested one for her self.
After texting my other SIL (and Grandmother of sweet Amaya) I decided to sew up a teeny tiny version for my great niece.

Unfortunately, it was too snug but as her mother sent it back promptly with a request for another dress, two sizes up I think she liked it.

And I am very happy to oblige.

I still have a few long time promises to finish. A Sorbetto top in Liberty for a friend. Two
Sketchbook shirts for two sweet baby boys. Overdue Australian fauna print pyjama's  for two little siblings and a Secret Agent trench is some gorgeous lilac japara fabric.

But I will get there.
And as long as I size up for the children all will be well.

Thanks for popping by
xx N

26 comments:

  1. these are ALL so amazing! You sew beautiful things!

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    1. Thank you Erin, howe kind of you!
      I am definitely going to 'compliment' your gorgeous bloomers.
      xx N

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  2. Seriously Nicole!!
    If this is what you sew when you are short on time, I don't want to imagine how much you sew on the earlier days :)
    You're truly amazing!

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    1. Thank you Ana Sofia. I thoroughly enjoyed my sewing for others, and still do. Its just a shame there are so many other things to do each day.
      Cooking, cleaning, raining littles....
      xx N

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  3. Wow Nicole! That's a lot of garments and they are all so lovely. I loved the buble dresses. That's one I never made.

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    1. Thank you Sarah.
      You MUST sew a Bubble dress, it is just so cute and a great make.
      xx N

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  4. You have a very generous heart to sew all these items to give as gifts. That pink/green bunny bubble dress is absolutely adorable, the pattern placement is perfect.
    You never cease to amaze me with all of your sewing ~ you must be super fast! How many clothing items did you sew in 2013?

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    1. Thank you Rachel, I do enjoy sewing gifts, especially for babies. Its also a great way to use up those fabrics that you still love but possibly wouldn't use any more.

      I am not sure how many things I have made... I should count up.
      xx N

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  5. These are all so beautiful! I love sewing for other people, especially my baby sister.

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth.
      Isn't it lovely when you see them worn?
      xx N

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  6. You are so kind Nicole! everything came out so amazing! I sure every garment will be treasured. : )

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  7. For someone who doesn't sew a lot of gifts ... WOW.

    OMG, the teeny tiny seashore!!! *Squee thud.* (That is the sound of me collapsing from cuteness.)

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    1. I felt like I should get PAID for making the tiny Seashore dress. I loved sewing it.
      Unfortunately, it didn't fit but her mum rand and requested another so I do think she likes it.
      xx N

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  8. You are truly a sewing legend! Some very lucky recipients!!

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  9. Thank you Virginia, I must get something made for your 'baby'.
    xx N

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  10. Say what you want...but this is a seriously generous amount of work! The bubble dress with the bunny damask stops my heart!

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    1. Thank you Mc, I guess with the size of my family this only equates to a tiny portion of gifts through out the year.

      Bunny Damask is so cute isn't it?
      xx N

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  11. All lovely gifts that you have sewn! The recipients probably have no idea how lucky they are to receive something from 'House of Nicole'.;)

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  12. Thank you Cindy.
    What a lovely lovely thing to say.
    xx N

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  13. You're further on than me - I'm still making gifts for people who almost certainly don't appreciate them. Must cull next year and only get vouchers for those. We make these beautiful things with the best of intentions... So I like your idea of sewing for those who appreciate it. Keep up the good work. :-)

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    1. Taryn, I went and had a look at your blog. What a kind and generous person you are!
      To give away knitting!!!!

      I adore hand knits and would swop copious amounts of sewing for knitted cardy's.

      Thank you for your kind words.
      xx N

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  14. I am completely amazed by all you have managed to sew. I also really love seeing the Oliver and S patterns made for your preteens. Makes me really think I've made good investments in these patterns for now and all the years to come.

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  15. They (oliver+s) such a good investment. I almost get a little scary trying to convince people to try them but they are such a good fit and such a good sew.....
    (See what I mean)?

    Thank you
    xx N

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  16. Wowzers, these are all so beautiful! And you say you've cut back on gift sewing ?? (:
    I realize I stitched no gifts this year outside my immediate family. But I do keep a little stash of baby gifts in my closet (dresses, bibs) to have on hand. I think I need to replenish it!

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  17. I think bibs are an excellent idea!
    I think I may make a few more of those in the future.
    Thank you!
    xx N

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