Dusting off the Sewing Machine...

Literally, I had to dust off my sewing machine over the last few days. It has been sitting in the corner of my room looking rather sorry for itself, not being used and gathering so much dust — well not anymore! I decided last week as part of my money saving strategy (new blog in regards to this being created as we speak....) that I would be making most of Grace's and my clothes for the Summer and as it's such a lovely Spring already, Summer can only be better. I chose Summer as a bit of a cheat really because it's mainly just skirts and dresses... nevertheless, it requires some effort and perseverance from me and that is a feat on it's own.

To get back into the swing of things (and to have a little practice) I decided to make a pencil case for Uni. I love my vintage tin, but it rattles every time I walk and it was starting to get on my nerves. I found the PERFECT pencil case tutorial here on this awesome blog Annie Get Your Glue Gun (aside from the awesome name, it's also full of cool stuff), I say perfect because I have a stationery obsession, and my pencil case comes into that and I really wanted a square one that would sit just right...... anyways, I used a little bit of the Bam Bam fabric supply, which I did feel terrible about but it came out so well that I'll learn to forgive myself.

pencil case of loveliness

Next up I stumbled across the Burda Style website — a candy shop of patterns! Most of which are free or only a few dollars. If you have access to a printer it's amazing — you just print them out, tile them, tape them together, chop it out and start sewing. I made this bag as a practice run, I thought it came out rather well so will have to make some more, you can find the pattern here. From this amazing holy grail of patterns, I have also printed off a couple of super nice high-waited skirts and the Mens Pete t-shirt which I will be making into a more feminine version for Summer frolics... watch this space and go check out the website!

Estelle bag

With all this new stuff for me, Grace was feeling a little left out. I wanted to make her some pretty-as-a-picture skirts that she could spin around in, dance, play and still look delicious in. I found the best tutorial to make a Twirly Skirt on the House on Hill Road blog. So easy with step by step pictures, and the results as you can see came out so well! I didn't make the little tie for the waist, only because it would probably just get lost with Grace so I saved myself the bother. It was basically just sewing in a straight line, nothing fancy, just good, honest sewing. I'll also be making her some smocked dresses, so will post those as soon as they are actually made.

The lovely Grace in her new skirt (excuse the grubby singlet...)

I am on holidays from Uni next week, so will no doubt have my days filled with sewing and getting ready for Summer.