Do you have a special person in your life? Someone who possibly doesn't realise how dear they are to you?
I do.
My cousin Shannon has been a huge support to me. She opens up her beautiful home to my family for accommodation when we have city appointments.
She has helped us out tremendously when I had a few health issues and Hugo has stayed many times when attending science workshops in the city.
I needed a breast pump, last minute, before my surgery and was in a complete panic.
She found me one.
I wanted to say thank you.
Now Shannon sews herself but is a very busy mother of a beautiful baby boy as well as working full time as a pharmacist.
So when I spotted some fabric and a dress pattern in her office I offered to make it for her.
The pattern is a retro Butterick B52 (Love shack baby) 09.
Shannon chose view B.
Due to the style of the bodice I decided to muslin fit it.
I made a bodice muslin from calico (it is just the job as you can write on it).
I had to do so many alterations I ended up making a second one which fit perfectly.
The muslin making was completely painless, so much so, I don't think I would ever sew anything vaguely fitted with out one.
The fabric is a cotton voile from Spotlight.
I had previously made a 2+2 blouse for Tildy from another colour way.
The pattern was rated at easy.
Yeah, right.
It was not a wedding dress Peoples, but easy?
Nope.
The bodice is made up of several pieces and is self lined.
I added several layers of soft fusible interfacing to the waist panel as a built in tummy tuck.
I also used an invisible zipper instead of the suggested basic one.
As my cousin wanted this for a posh frock I decided to line the skirt.
I originally purchased some navy lawn but I wasn't happy with the drape. I have rolls of Bemsilk lining from a eBay purchase and Hugo liked the contrast of the aqua (I didn't have any dark colours).
As for adding the lining, I was completely confused so I asked the question in the lovely O+S forum and received some awesome advice.
Thanks Girls! xx
Thread chains keep things as they should be.
I pondered hand sewing the hem but decided to machine sew it. Sturdier and with the dark thread, barely visible.
The voile and lining had a delicious fullness and drape.
And Shannon says it fits like a glove.
I can't wait to see a photo.
Thank you Shannon, for all your friendship and support.
You are a special person, I love you dearly and I am so glad we are cousins.
xx N
You know my love for the Tea Party
Since first we met.
From the moment Trixie was born I was itching to sew her a Tea Party dress.
I knew from experience the 0-3 month size was a very roomy fit so I was patiently waiting for her to 'chub up'.
Then a lovely local lady gifted me a bag of fabric and there were some pieces of the loveliest linen I had ever seen.
Perfect Tea Party material.
As usual I lined the skirt.
This lets me really clip and press those seams.
I used flat black piping to lift the twee levels a little closer to sophisticated.
The linen tape threaded with cherry red also helps with this.
The MoP flowers buttons are stitched with the same cherry coloured silk thread.
For a POP of colour, Liberty Wiltshire lawn bloomers.
Beatrix's signature print.
In a 6-12 month sizing to accommodate her cloth nappy.
From the leftovers, a wee bandana bib.
And, last night, a late entrant, the Purl Soho Summer Baby bonnet.
Irish linen and Liberty lawn.
Sigh!
Deliciously cool for a hot and sticky trip to the city.
Sweet chubby baby goodness.
Baby toes!
Only topped by a baby nose.
xx N
I am probably a bit old fashioned.
But I love baby nighties.
I don't get on with wonder suits. Too many poppers and they always seem too hot or not warm enough.
I remember getting one of the babies up to find the legs of the wonder suit wrapped around their belly and knotted.
Daddy had done a night nappy and it all had been a bit too much to deal with.
I like nighties, cardies and something on their feet.
I favour Bonds nighties but they only go up to size 00.
I don't know if you can still buy them, Trixie is wearing the same half dozen I bought for Hugo.
I have many vintage baby patterns that would work but I have always wondered about the Hopscotch dress by Oliver+S.
I asked the question in the excellent O+S forum and received a positive response.
So I decided to have a go!
I made the smallest size 6-12 months, with no mods.
The fabric is some scraps of wool/modal from my Late Lunch tunic.
Perfick!
I did add a skerrick of cotton lace to the neck band and a wee gingham bow.
The lace is pre-gathered with elastic thread so it is perfect for a knit garment.
I sewed it to the neckband with a wide zigzag.
And how did it fit?
It fit adorably.
How cute is this baby?
I think we can call this a success.
Boo!
xx N
I can't believe I forget to blog this set!
One of Oliver+S's earlier patterns that came in the tiny sizes, the Swing Set tunic & skirt pattern.
I made Trixie the tiniest size, 0-3 months, it still fits her at 5 months but is pretty snug.
Soft, cool hailspot muslin seemed the obvious choice for our hot weather. I sewed the straps from the tiny pieces left from the pretty fabric from Sarvi and Colette and added two tiny gingham bows.
Tiny MoP buttons (from my sweet friend Claire) with equally tiny butterflies close the back.
The yoke was a little fiddly in this tiny sew but fun, in a dolls clothes sewing kind of way.
More hailspot for the skirt, lined with pale coral lawn that is trimmed with fringe
Yee-haw!
Black and white grosgrain ribbon makes the perfect waist tie.
And it is all a perfect match to Aunty Sarvi's cardy.
The inspiration for Beatrix's wardrobe.
One of the many fun things about having children over an 18 year gap is the new accessories that come out.
Bandana bibs are useful and very cute.
As well as being a quick sew and a great way to use up those old thin cloth nappies.
How adorable is this?
Blissfully cool for our hot sticky days.
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| I need a cuddle! |
How perfect is that wee shoulder strap?
Love this pattern!
xx N
PS If you would like to sew a sweet Swing Set, check out my step by step tute here
