Free 1940s Chrysanthemum Felt Flower Pattern

I came across this lovely magazine clipping on Ebay. Now and again after much browsing there are still some gems on the site! I haven't tried this yet but it looks simple to make and it will be a good size too! 

It takes up some small pieces of felt and I am leaning towards making one in teal, purple and black plus an all maroon one. I think instead of wire I will use a modern clip or hair band. 

Let me know how you get on, if you make one before me :) 

Minecraft Costume

I am in danger now of sounding old..but I do not understand children's attraction to playing Minecraft. It really has stumped me but none the less my oldest daughter was after a costume for a party she had been invited. The theme Minecraft Vs Minions.

There was 'No way' she said, would she wear denim overalls and look like I quote a yellow tic tac - it had to be a Minecraft outfit. The game which she has been itching to own but as parents we are reluctant to let our children have too many games or devices (that could be a whole post on it's own haha)

This week the electric work our house was due to be started and was stalled (no surprise there, I think I have more chance of Olly Mur's popping in for a cup of tea than these people getting their act together), I then made time for her costume.

I didn't want to make anything to involved in case I ran out of time. Plus I have also been invited to test a new pattern.

I chose fabric from my stash (high five another de-stash mission complete), its a medium weight fabric a bit like suiting with some one way stretch and a textured look.

I used these 2 vintage patterns. The bodice from one and the circular skirt from the other. As she has the measurements of a size 6 but the height of a 9 year old, I made some quick alterations by sight in chalk

I made a quick applique using a pattern I traced straight from Google. Green cotton square with black felt face. Here is the result

She is posing rather awkwardly down to the super windy weather haha! It went down a treat at the party and I think I have finally made something she won't be protesting about wearing again. Typical really, the one thing I've made out of everything it was the one with the least amount of planning. I am glad I took the time to over lock the seams at least. It has been finished inside with bias binding, when usually I would have half lined a dress for a smoother finish.

The back was fastened with green kam snaps.

Next week hopefully I can share photos of the test pattern I am working on and start the cute little fox romper

Smocking

So this week I got my little fox playsuit cut out from the 1950s Butterick pattern and have been patiently waiting for other supplies to arrive to finish a couple more UFOs. Currently my house has been tipped upside down in order for an electrical re-wire to be completed, so there for not much sewing has been going on boooo!

I did finish the last of my Xmas orders which was lovely because now I can concentrate on my little one's outfits and get started on my ideas for smocking

I was lucky enough to find a few patterns in my stash, which meant I didn't need to buy any news ones and I have some thread to get me started as well

Actually from my shop but I love the 3 borders of smocking!

This the pattern I intend to get started with -

I plan to make the Peter Pan collar view though rather than the nautical collar

I was also lucky enough to pick these magazines up and they are full of inspiration 

and finally I found this one which is great because I really would like to make something for the boys as they are often over looked in favour of pretty girly things :)

I do plan to sneak a bit of my own sewing in around the work men if I can and will start my little fox romper/playsuit!

Simplicity 9338 Baby Jiffy Suit

It is fair to say most dressmakers have a pile of UFOs (unfinished objects) I do have my fair share and it is not because of getting bored or stuck, it is usually work or life matters that stall the end of the project!

I said in my last post I wanted to crack on with this and I am glad I have. It is very quick and the perfect pattern for a novice or for a more experienced dressmaker to make quickly and easily. The most tricky part was making the leg casings and that was it!

I don't usually make things for my children from the 1970s but this one caught my eye on Facebook and a couple more from the same era since.

The rainbow shark fabric is Alexander Henry and I hadn't seen before I spotted it on Fondant Fabrics . It is a fantastic site for designer fabrics and they have a few really unusual ones including gorgeous high detail bird prints. 

I loved how it turned out. I decided to also have a try at the girls version for the shop and another boys one too in a more classic print. As I was destashing I lined it in a cream coloured cotton, that I already had, rather than buying another colour. For the next time I will match the colours better

I love it and think this one should be dug out from the Simplicity archive for a reprint!

Children's Sewing Patterns

I have always kept a collection of children's patterns for my daughter and son but this year I decided to collect quite a few more! This year I would like to expand more on what I make for boys as my son has always been my number one fan and although I wanted to make pretty girly things my daughter wants to be a living Monster High doll not a cute frilly princess haha. 

Here are some of the patterns I have bought previously and more recently. They are cropped to see the design better but if you would like any pattern numbers then please let me know. 

I source a lot of my patterns from Etsy but occasionally get lucky on Ebay as well - the latter I tend to risk them being incomplete etc

This should be at the top of my list really!

I also bought a few more PDF patterns from Tadah such as the Vinties from my previous post and few others from the same Australian designer. I also bought the Candy Castle Swirl dress but I have neglected to even tape that together since printing. 

I like most dressmakers have a to do list to be ashamed but I am going to start working my way through these ideas and my stash as well!