I finished Zara's turn on the #sewingrota.
A Liesl+Co Bento tee and City Gym shorts combo.
Or two!
A Lekala hooded jacket
Another Lekala, this time a wrap skirt.
Yet another Lekala, a tee-shirt.
A pair of Vado slim fit jeans.
Named Alexandria Peg trousers.
A gorgeous Cynthia Rowley dress.
Finally...
Another Burda camisole.
I think she made some lovely choices.
What I have learnt.
Sewing four outfits, for each of the older girls, is too much. Patience is not a strong point for teenagers and they want what they want, straight away.
Patience is not a strong point for tired mothers of wakeful toddlers either.
I really wanted to deliver an armful of beautiful clothes (and I hope I did) but they were already planning the next item when I wanted them admiring the one I had just finished, dammit!
We had some pretty horrid unpleasantness this time round. Both of us reacted badly (at times) and as I am the grown up I have to put my hand up and take the blame and sort it better, next time.
~Zara's Verdict~
I felt a bit awful to find out that I was upsetting mum.
I agree with what she said above. I absolutely understand and agree with the idea to have only two outfits at a time. It will mean less of a wait for all of us for our turns.
I love all of my items that mum made me and am really looking forward to my next turn as it will be the making of my formal dress!
Although this was a pretty exhausting experience I think all three of us learned something.
For me, I need to accept a 'thanks' and move on. If I want a enthusiastic response, share it with my sewing friends.
For the Twins, Mum has feelings too and that they need to plan what they would like a little better and be better at communicating.
If you got through all that, well done!
xx Nicole.
So, I made another hoodie.....
What could I say?
She asked me nicely.
Another Lekala this time #4385.
I sewed it up in some light weight unbrushed cotton fleece from my Melbourne shopping trip.
To sew the pockets I used a combination of this video tutorial and the O+S Blog post.
This Lekala instructions are not overly hand-holdy.
I interfaced the edges that would be sewn to the zipper.
Not in the instructions but it helps prevent the fabric stretching when you sew the zipper in.
I shortened the zipper using this method. To stop the zipper head coming off I tried melting a few teeth (not successfully) but then satin stitched the top with embroidery thread and a big eyed needle.
I used my labelling tape on the neck band, next time I would give the inside hem band the same finish.
The hood was meant to be a single layer with a turned twice hem but I made a lined hood and trimmed the excess of the front.
I think I could have safety sewn it, as it was and gently stretched the two edges to meet.
It took me five hours sewing time but a fair bit of that was getting the pockets just right!
Zara actually wanted me to leave the cuffs off but I talked her into it.
I think it needed them, to balance with the waist band.
~Zara's Verdict~
This jumper is amazing. I literally haven`t taken it off since Mum finished it. The fit is superb, I absolutely love it!
The hood is really big and wonderful. I love the soft grey and will wear it to many netball trainings and games.
Lekala patterns are amazing. I recommend them to any body who wants a perfectly fitted garment without having to spend hours of time fitting and making a muslin.
I think I may be making a few more of these.
My girls seem to love their active wear.
And I love sewing things they like.
And I love them.
Thank you for reading, as always.
xx Nicole
