I've done it this time!!

Phew!! I picked up my overlocker this morning from the courier depot and got stuck into my challenge project. It didn't take long once I knuckled down and got into it. I would have been extremely disappointed in myself if I failed to finish this one too.

Here's the finished top. I'm hoping it will look better on my model but she's at after school daycare at the moment. I will post more pics another time.

It turned out ok, I probably should have used contrast fabric for the neck band, but didn't have anything here that would match properly.

By the way...my overlocker has never sewn so smoothly!! Amazing what a 'grease & oil change' will do. It hasn't been serviced since I bought it about 8years ago...naughty me!! No wonder it siezed up on me!!

Aaarrrrrggggghhhh...

...my Overlocker seized up, and I have had to send it away to be fixed. I won't get it back now till late next week. Really, it was only a matter of time, it has never had a service, and I have had it nearly 8 years.
Seems I'm just not meant to commit to any challenges! I only have one reliable overlocker...unlike my sewing machine collection...so I might just have to try and do my 'something in knit' all on the sewing machine...now that will be a challenge. I don't often use the overlocker but I do rely on it to sew knit fabric.
I do have my old 3 thread Elna Contessa here, it hasn't been used for many many years...I wonder if it will work?

How Cute is This?

Here's the finished hat I was talking about in my last post. This is so cute.

I had no hope getting Harry to model this one...even though it does have the John Deere Logo on it!!

I've 're-discovered' a goldmine - AND - It pays to make your kids wear your creations!!

When in town last Saturday, I dragged the kids to the local patchwork shop "Miss Sampson's Drapery"...WOW...I haven't been in there for ages, trying to be good!! She has so much fabric in there, all the designer names, including Michael Miller, Saffron Craig and more. They have the biggest range of 'John Deere' prints I have ever seen - craft cotton, flannelette and polarfleece and in PINK too. She said they had just got that lot in direct from the US.
Anyway, I will be going there now before I look on the net for my craft cottons and if she doesn't have what I'm after, I'll be suprised.

AND... while I was there, I got talking to her about the kids hats I make, Al & Harry were wearing theirs, she was very interested and wants me to make some for her to sell! I bought a couple of gorgeous Michael Miller prints to make up and said I'd bring them in next week to show her. Then we decided the pink John Deere fabric would make up nicely so she gave me a piece to make up for her.
I'll post a pic when I've finished it.

February Challenge

I just recieved my parcel from CraftyMama's. Now I have no excuse at all for not getting the February Challenge done for the "12 Months 12 Sewing Challenges". The February challenge is "Sewing with knit fabric"

I'm going to make this top for Ella from this material.

Oil Cloth Swimming Bag.

I got inspired this afternoon by some other clever ladies who posted pics of their swimming bags they have made on their blogs and the craftymamas forum, . I have had some oilcloth here for a while and have been meaning to make it up into a bag for Ella...well, I needed to do something today that I didn't have to think too much about so this was the perfect project.


I simply sewed up the sides, boxed the bottom, hemmed the top and added handles...and there you have it!!
I had grand plans originally of adding a zippered pocket to hold things like shampoo, hair brush, ties etc...but I didn't have enough fabric and just couldn't be bothered at the moment to mess around with that...maybe the next one!!

I'm off now to find some more oilcloth to make a couple of boy bags...

Ok, I'm gonna try harder this time!!

I just signed up for the February challenge...Sewing with Knit Fabric...Lets see how I go with this one.

Not sure what I'll have a go at. I do have a pattern here for a cute top for Ella...will just have to find some gorgeous fabric to make it up in. So maybe, I'll have a go at that one.

Oh Dear...I didn't quite get there...

Well, I had good intentions and I almost got there...Here is my 'Something for Me' for the '12 months, 12 Challenges' Sewing challenge...
I got stuck into it on the last day of January (Nothing like leaving it to the last minute eh??) But unfortunately, this is as far as I managed to get. We went away for a couple of weeks in January and by the time we got home and I got my mind back into 'home' mode (as opposed to 'Holiday' mode), I simply ran out of time. I will finish it soon and post some pics...promise!!