The Bay Boho Bag by Little Moo Designs

I was looking through my "B" patterns in my PDF pattern file for Australian and New Zealand Designer and stumbled across the Bay Boho Bag pattern by Little Moo Designs.  I am constantly in search of a bag that is big enough to fit all of the stuff I have to carry around as a mum as well as my own medical supplies, so I thought I would give it a go.

Little Moo Designs is an Australian company run by the lovely Kylie (AKA Mrs Moo), specialising in bags and pouches to meet most of your needs.  The Bay Boho is the second bag I have sewn from her patterns ( have already finished the Willow Tote), but I have a few in my stash.


I went searching through my stash and came up with a lovely Asian themed fabric with a dragonfly print and a contrasting red floral fabric.  Although they weren't strictly "boho" they are certainly beautiful.  After printing and reviewing the pattern, I decided a few minor tweeks were in order (I rarely follow patterns it to the letter) to suit my needs - a zipper and some bigger internal pockets.



To make the extra large pockets: 

1. Fold the main pattern piece just below the markings for the zipper pocket. 
2. Cut 2 of the main fabric, 2 of the lining fabric and 2 of the interfacing on the fold.  
3. Interface the main pieces.
4. With right sides together, sew the main and lining pieces together.  
5. Turn and top stitch
6. With the lining facing the main piece, baste one pocket to each side of the bag.
7. If you want, you can divide the pocket(s) into as many parts as you want by sewing a double stitched line from the top of the pocket to the bottom of the bag. 

On to the zipper! After measuring and thinking about it, I decided that a 22" separating zipper was the way to go. The installation was very simple and done after the zipper pocket:

1. Starting with the separating end 1cm from the corner on the main pattern piece, pin the zipper face down along the curved edge at the top of the bag.  Ease the end of the zip into the seam.
2. Sew together. 
3. Fold the fabric back.  
4. Pin the other main piece on the edge, right sides together.
5. Sew together.  
6. Open and separate the two sides of the zip.
7. Assemble the bag following Mrs Moo's instructions. 

Overall the pattern goes together really well and is a great pattern for a confident beginner.  I just love how this turned out and I astounded by how much I can fit in it!


Get your copy of the Bay Boho Bag here.

Happy sewing! :-)

One Thimble 7: The Prince Hoodie

I thought the last post was a long time in coming, but this one takes the cake!  I have had an exceptionally dramatic couple of months, including not one but three hospital admissions.  I am finally back behind the sewing machine and have a few post planned over the next month or two.

In my last post I promised a review of the Prince Hoodie from Issue 7 of One Thimble E-zine.  This gorgeous little number (by TigerLily patterns) sat in my sewing room for ages in a mostly finished state. 

The first thing I did when making this hoodie was go on a "prince hunt" to find a prince that Mr 3 would connect to.  I rummaged through our DVD collection, and came up with Sleeping Beauty.  Mr 3 is a bit of a fan of this movie (mostly due to his obsession with dragons) and it makes it into the watch rotation regularly.  I looked at the prince and their was two outfits shown throughout.  The wedding outfit (NO WAY! It's white! It wouldn't last for long on my boy) and the brown and black outfit he wears in the forest and most importantly, fighting the dragon.  A rummage though the stash provided a good match for the fabric with some Spotlight polar fleece in pale brown and black.

I found the pattern pieces lined up well and the pattern pieces went together nicely - aside for my silly mistake of putting the pattern pieces on the wrong side of the fabric when I cut (LOL) What can I say?  I wasn't well. I decided to persevere nonetheless. Mr 3 won't notice the buttons are on the wrong side!

The hardest part was putting in the buttonholes, but that is due to my old fashioned technology.  My machine is from the early 80's and the buttonholes are completely manual.

Mr 3 loves his new hoodie.  There is also a version for the princess in your life, and you can get both patterns with Issue 7 of One thimble.

Happy sewing :-)

One Thimble Issue 7 - The Amenity Top

This month I have been lucky enough to participate in the first blog tour for the Aussie based One Thimble E-Zine. One Thimble is a great little online sewing magazine which has gone from strength to strength since it's launch in late 2013.  This issue has some fabulous patterns, including the Amenity Top by Addie K.

This is a great comfy sweater that sews up very quickly.  I spent more time choosing the fabric from my stash than actually sewing it!  The sweater is designed in a baggy, batwing style and is very easy to wear. It comes with two options for the neckline, a lower one and a full turtle neck option,  I used the lower neckline as I don't like the feel of turtlenecks.

I chose a lightweight sweater knit with a textured finish, which I think gives it a slightly dressy feel. The pattern can also be made with any knit with 25% or more stretch. I am tossing up whether to make my next one from ponte or french terry.  Hmmmm... toasty!

The loose fit and easy movement make this the ideal top for chasing busy toddlers and bigger kids too.  Just the thing for a busy mum like me!

If you want to see more patterns from One Thimble's Issue 7? Stay tuned for my post on the Prince Hoodie and follow the blog tour using the links below:

• Wednesday 13th May 2015 - Molly and Mama and pen, seb & rox and From a Box

• Thursday 14th May 2015 - Handmade Boy

• Friday 15th May 2015 - The Toffee Tree and Horris and Deedle

• Saturday 16th may 2015 - Sewvolution and FABulous Home Sewn

• Sunday 17th May 2015 - Sew Today, Clean Tomorrow and Sprouting JubeJube

• Monday 18th May 2015 - Sew Happily Ever After and Made By Sara

• Tuesday 19th May 2015 - Phat Quarters Blog and Hibbadoray

• Wednesday 20th May 2015 - Mabey She Made It and Blue Wren Handmade 

Happy Sewing :-)

Cake Patterns - The Cabarita Top

 

Here I am doing the first post of the year!  It has been a while in coming.  I have recently taken over the running of the Facebook group Australian Pattern Designers - Make and Create with my BFF.  The group is aimed at raising awareness of Australian sewing pattern designers and the patterns they create.  This new venture and a few other outside issues have kept me busy away from blogging.

As you would know, this is right up my alley!

This being the case you will be hearing a whole lot more about Australian pattern designers here. :-)  Today I am going to talk about the Cake Patterns Cabarita Top.  I have been eyeing off Cake Patterns for a while, and was tickled pink when I found out they were Aussie based. After watching for a while for a sale, I decided I couldn't wait any more and after much deliberation (so many awesome patterns to choose from), purchased the Cabarita Top.

I'm going to start by saying that this is the most adjustable pattern I have every used. The best description I can come up with (provided by my BFF) is a dot-to-dot. It has markings for every size from 30" to 50" bust and 24" to 50" waist and hips.  WOW!  The result is a top that is made to your exact measurements with minimal fuss.  I love this feature.


Once I had traced the pattern, the top went together quickly and easily.  The biggest drama I had was not being able to locate one of the back pieces I cut out - apparently I cut the collar out of it - Ooops! Even seasoned seamstresses (I hate that word!) make silly mistakes when they are tired.

I used 100% cotton jersey from spotlight. As I am not a fan of wearing stipes - which would show the lovely V-shape on the back of the top. I chose the rows of spots as I thought it would give a similar feel.

The result is a stylish and comfortable top, which is now a staple in my wardrobe.  I see more Cake Patterns in my future.

You can purchase the Cake Cabarita Top here.

Happy sewing xx

Rabbit Rabbit Creations Endless Summer Collection: The Bucket Shorts

I am really excited about the new Bucket Shorts pattern by Rabbit Rabbit Creations!  As you know I am a regular tester for Rabbit Rabbit, but this pattern got the big thumbs up from my two boys and Mr 12 (my step-son) as well.  As a result my sewing machine was running that week. I did a couple of different colour combinations of fabrics so you can see just how different they can look

My first pair was for Mr 2.  I did a stash dive and came up with some lovely blue drill and a stripy remanent of cotton duck that really popped next to it.  I really liked the stripes, but haven’t used it so far as it the piece was too small for a pair of pants, but for shorts, awesome.  For this pair I used the stripy fabric for the waistband and side panels and the royal blue for the pockets and main panels.

Next came Mr 7.  There was never any doubt about which colour combination I was going to use.  He is all about green and navy.  I picked a heavy navy drill for the main parts, a lighter blue drill for the pockets and green for the side panels and waistband.  Mr 7 is in love!  He insisted on wearing them every day for the first week (lots of overnight washin

gs!)

Mr 12 proved to be a bit more of a challenge and the stash did not provide an easy solution, so off to Lincraft I went.  Luckily there was a sale on.  I really wanted to find something that a teenager (or nearly teenager about to start high school) would want to wear.  I was pleased to find some skull and cross bone camo that I felt struck the right note and paired it with some Khaki broadcloth.  For his pair I used the camo for the main panels and side panels and the broad cloth for the pockets and waistband.  My instincts must have been good, as when he saw them his response was “cool” which I think is high praise from a tweenager!

The two bigger boys both reported that the shorts were really comfy, and the little man didn’t want to take his off, so a win all around I think!  The Rabbit Rabbit Bucket shorts pattern comes in size 1 to 12 and is available now.

Happy sewing!  :)

Golden Rippy Calrose Skirt

I was recently chosen to help test the new Golden Rippy Calrose Skirt as part of the recent Aspiring Designers Challenge.  I have to say this pattern went outside of my normal comfort zone as ruffles aren’t really my thing.  I have never been much of a “girlie-girl” so they don’t make it into my wardrobe often.  I was willing to make an exception for this skirt.

 

I really like the simple line, the line of the ruffles and the fact that they are not overdone.  So many ruffled garments have large ruffles, which I find overwhelm the look of the garment.  I also love the flamenco feel given by the asymmetrical line of the ruffles. 

When I looked at the picture of the skirt, I could just “see” the skirt in an ombre theme and luckily my stash was up to the challenge.  I found some nice blues that toned in together (and even another lighter blue I will make into a matching top later).

 

The skirt came together well and looks pretty awesome!  I must of done something right as it is the first time I have been featured in a pattern listing. 

 

 

The Calrose skirt also has options for a penil skirt and a flared skirt and is now available on the Golden Rippy website and is currently on sale for $10. I hope yours looks as good as mine!

Happy sewing! :-)

Rabbit Rabbit Creations Komorebi Jacket

As the weather warms up here in the southern hemisphere, it is rapidly heading into autumn (or fall as you may call it) in the northern hemisphere. I have been happily sewing cold weather patterns while my northern hemisphere neighbours sweated away and thought I would share one of my favourites - the Rabbit Rabbit Creations Komorebi Wrap Jacket.

 

This is a great little jacket that I first made as something a little bit nice to wear to work.  I used some navy polar fleece I had in my stash and was astounded at how quickly and easily this went together. After taping the pattern together it took less than half an hour to make! How awesome is that? AND that included the time I spent unpicking one of the sleeves I sewed on inside out. Oops!  Did I mention that I often sew late at night?

I was lounging around in it on my couch one night when my big sister popped by.  Can you believe it is THAT comfortable? We were frantically planning for my little sister’s wedding and decided that this pattern would be perfect to wear with our bridesmaids dresses – her wedding was in May (nearly winter here).  

What a fabulous idea that turned out to be as the pictures were taken by a lake, in the drizzle when the temperature was 6^oC or around 42^oF and WINDY.  We however, were toasty warm (except for our legs).  As you can see, we looked fabulous even if the weather was freezing.  Credit for the wedding photos belongs to the lovely Erica and Erin at Margan Photography.

This has become my go to pattern for quick gifts – I have made them for about 6 people so far. 

The Rabbit Rabbit Creations Komorebi Jacket is available in women’s sizing XS to 4XL here and from size 1 to 12 girls’ sizing here.  I hope you love this pattern as much as I do!

Happy sewing! :-)