52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: WEEKS NINE AND TEN

Week Nine

With so much travel, my machine has been unloved. All I managed was a quick pair of boxer shorts for Jarvis. He choose the two fabrics and I love how he has managed to match/contrast them.

Image is the reality of the boxer shorts. After wearing them to bed, in the morning they get dumped on the floor, sometimes in the bathroom, sometimes in his bedroom, mostly willy nilly around the house.

Week Ten

Last week I opted to make something for myself. Jarvis again picked the fabric, and I got it made in quick time. So much so, I have already worn this new skirt twice.

The skirt has been named Honor, after Honor Blackman, the actress who plays Pussy Galore in the James Bond film Goldfinger.

The fabric is 100% cotton, and as you can tell in me naming it, has cats all over it. As usual all seams were either given the Hong Kong seam treatment with yellow bias, or French seamed. 

Also to note, Jarvis's love of colour yet again influences my style, note only is the fabric pattern something I would not normally choose for myself, but the yellow is not a colour I have in my wardrobe. The posses were also directed by Jarvis. Yes, he makes my world fun.

52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: WEEKS SEVEN AND EIGHT

Week Seven

I finished these last week before we went on holidays, however, since every day Chester came over it was so hot. I did not get around to doing a photoshoot of the boys.

Two pair of Monster Mash sarouels. Jarvis really loves monsters, plus he really loves have matching clothes to Chester. So these are a hit.

Week Eight.

After being away for the first part of the week, and then at work for the second half. I thought it would be a good week to catch up on repairs mending, and hemming curtains for my mother-in-law. A small week, of very boring sewing.

52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: WEEK SIX

I know, I have always been a 'tad' OCD, but sewing up my latest project, I realised just how bad I am. I will sew, and re-sew something, until I feel happy with it. I am up to version three, of the shorts I drafted and I still have ideas on how I can improve them.

Pockets! Everything is better with pockets. Plus I am thinking some cute trims would work. My head is filled with ideas.

No, photos of me modeling my shorts this week, cause I am currently sweltering in this heat.

I found this blog posting " Ten Ways to Ruin Your Sewing" and thought it was great so wanted to share it on here. It was written by Sarai Mitnick, of Colette. I know I have been more than a little guilty of a few of them. 

52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: WEEK FIVE

It was hot in Brisbane last week, Tuesday was 36 degree celsius, (in fahrenheit that is 98.9). And super humid, one day the humidity was up to 85%. So pretty much all week I was covered in sweat. I was also bitching about not having anything to wear, while Justin and Jarvis were wandering around the house in their jocks.

One night, when I could not sleep because of the heat, I thought of an idea. I struggle with retail shorts, they seem to fall into two categories. One: shorts that are shorter than my undies. Or two: Mum shorts. Yes, yes, I know I am a Mum, I am a grandmother, but Mum shorts, well are just super daggy. Anyhow, in the heat one night I thought of making shorts that were more 'me'.

In the early hours of the next morning, before the heat struck, I got some fabric from my stash and whipped up these shorts. 

 Item One

They are kinda like a gathered shirt met a pair of boxers shorts. I am super happy with them, the fabric is a lawn so super light and breezy, but the length is more appropriate for the Nana I am.

Item Two

I love them so much I made a second pair late one night. They fit even better, however, the fabric is a tad on the see through side. Okay if I wear the shorts to the beach over togs, but that is about it.

I am already sewing up a third pair in a rayon. With each attempt I am tweaking the pattern just a bit to get them 'just right'.

But... finally I own shorts!

Jarvis was not happy with my modelling. I admit I really struggle on the other side of the camera, so these are his instructed posses.

52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: WEEK FOUR

I got easily side tracked this week. I cut out over half a dozen things to sew. But then, late one night an idea came to me, an I just had to get up early one morning before the heat hit, to draft a pattern and cut something out.

Even though I got sidetracked I at least managed to finish two items.

Item One

Digger boxer shorts for Jarvis. Since the kid is still wearing size one boxers, I figured it was time for him to go up a size or two. Jarvis chose the fabric and I altered the pattern to fit a size four. His waist still measures the same from two years ago, so they are long, and super baggy. But Jarvis loves them.

I have to include all of his "modeling faces". He kept telling me to take another

Item Two

Jarvis wanted Chester to have apple sarouels to match his own. So Chester seems to be getting a bit of a fruit salad theme over the last two weeks. Chester is on the little side, so a size two sarouels is extra roomy on him, but it will give him heaps of space to grow.

Oh, and here is the little cutie in his pineapple shorts from last week. 

52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: WEEK THREE

I knew this 52 challenge was going to be hard when I set it for myself. But what it is doing is really making me aware of how little 'me' time I have in my life.

Granted, the end of last week for four days, I was slammed with violent gastro, and the begging half of the week I was balancing two small boys, while Tamika had the delightful gastro attack. Interesting how Mums, well this Mum, always puts their children first.

Item One

Pineapple shorts for Chester. I had so much left over from the pair I made Tamika, I thought I would make Chester a matching pair. Think it took me longer to draft the pattern, than to cut and sew them. But at least I got one full item off my sewing machine.

On a side Note: Jarvis just went through my stash and selected several fabrics and said "please make them now".

52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS. WEEK TWO

In a blur the week passed, with little or no time to myself. I kept my sewing to the basics. Plus, I taught myself, via You Tube how to crochet a daisy chain.

Item One

The fabric was gifted to Jarvis by Courtney from work. Straight away Jarvis asked me to make him a pair of sarouels. I knew this was an easy request, so sat down at the machine one night after he had gone to sleep and finished for him to wear the next day. The have been in high rotation this weeks. With a couple of wears and washes already.

Item Two

Was a half finished experiment. I had this half completed skirt in my stash for a bit, and wasn't going to bother with it. Then, I remembered a dinosaur loving girl who may be happy with it. So even though it is not my best sewing, I finished and sent it on.

I asked Jarvis to try it on for size, and he immediately began to twirl and dance in the gathered skirt. So I am hoping it is as much fun for this little girl to wear. After all why do dinosaur items just have to be for boys?

Uncompleted

I still have the dress I am working on. It is a very tricky process to pin, and fit, the bodice on myself. Any hints on how to do this?

52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS. CAN I DO IT?

For 2016 I set myself a few goals. I do not do resolutions, but set goals for myself. One of them was to allow myself more time to blog. Another goal was to sew 52 items in 52 weeks. Within those 52 items, I want to make myself at least one item a month. I am very good at sewing for others, but forget my own wardrobe/needs. 

So eleven days into the new year how am I going? I have completed two items and I am half way two items. If I can keep this going, I think...hope I will pass my goal of 52 items.

Week One Item One

Jarvis has been asking for an Avengers Library bag for ages. He dug through my remanets pile and selected the fabrics. Having no bag patterns, it was all a guess for me. I just thought if I made it similar to the grocery shopper bags that would work.

The bag is fully reversible. Actually truth be told the inside looks neater than the outside. But that was because I rushed the red bias on the bottom of the bag.

Jarvis's reaction "holly molly I cannot believe it". So I think I got a win with the bag.

Week One Item Two

It was Tamika's turn. She requested shorts. I used a vintage Kwik Sew pattern 1420, and altered it to fit Tamika's requests. Lowered the waist and added a back pocket. I took a quick photo for instagram, but she headed home with the shorts before I could get a better photo.

Love the pineapple fabric, it is a gorgeous linen I got for work. Thinking I need pineapple shorts in my life as well.

Will get a photo of Teak in the shorts as soon as I can.

Hopeful that next week, I can have the two half done projects.

DID I ACHIEVE MY SEWING GOALS FOR 2014

One year down... did I achieve my sewing goals for 2014? I wrote a post at the beginning of this year trying to keep myself accountable. 

* Sew one item a week post it online

* Practice one new sewing skill per month

* Sew one item per month for someone other (more on this later)

*Sew items from my vintage pattern collection (what is the point in having them if I do not use them?)

Number one. I did sew well over 52 items, but not one a week, some weeks none. Other weeks, several items at once. Did I keep up my sewing posting online, no. So I think I go this goal about half way.

Number two. I did practice new techniques including vintage ones. But I do not believe I got one a month.

Number three. Yes I definitely achieved this goal.

Number four. I did this, also added to my vintage pattern stash. New to stop buying patterns. Okay this is not going to happen. I achieved this goal.

Over all not too bad, considering the lack of time I have to sew. Next year I should simply make the goal: make more time to sew every week. 

HOW TO SELECT A SEWING MACHINE NEEDLE FOR YOUR SEWING PROJECT

I am constantly asked at work which needle to select for your sewing machine. So I thought I would cover some of the basics here.

There are two things to keep in mind when selecting a needle, the type and the size.

The type of needle needed will be based on what fabric that is being sewing.  Needle size is affected by the thickness of the thread and the weight of the fabric you will be using for your project.  Rule of thumb, the lighter the fabric the smaller the needle size and heavy fabrics use the larger needle size.

Needle types

Universal needles have a slightly rounded tip, and this general purpose needle should be used on woven fabric, as well as some sturdy knits.

Jersey needles have a medium ballpoint tip designed especially for knit fabrics because it slips between the knit fibers and does not break or damage them while sewing.

Stretch needles, often confused with Jersey needles, are also a medium ballpoint tip, but these have a special eye and scarf that are designed for extremely stretchy fabrics and elastic. Swimwear is an ideal application for this type of needle.

Denim/Jeans Needle, modified medium ball point and reinforced blade. For denim and similar fabrics. For penetrating extra thick woven fabrics, denims, or quilts with minimum needle deflection, reduced risk of needle breakage and skipped stitches.

Quilting Needle, special taper to shaft and sharp point to prevent damage to material sewn in layers.

There are more needles available, however, these are the most commonly used ones.

Needle lifespan

Needles are super cheap, so change your needle often, they only have a lifespan of 6 to 8 hours of sewing time. This can be even less if the fabric is particularly tough to sew. So change your needles often! Do not risk damaging your project by using a dull needle.

SHOP UNDER CONSTRUCTION

With working a lot of hours in the past two weeks I have been sewing in small snippets of time, when ever I can. But my mind stays up late, way after I have gone to bed, thinking of all of the things I want to be doing. Most of these thoughts of late have got to do with adding a shop to my blog.

I have been sewing up a few test patterns I have made, and will show you soon. But for now I will leave you with images of Justin in the men's sarouels mucking around on the diggers in front of our house.

Justin is wearing a small men's, with extra drop, sarouels by Iliska Dreams Sleepware.

If any of you out there have kids and a tape measure, I would love for you to measure your children for me. I am trying to see if the so call standard sizing apply to our children of today.

Measurements needed

Height

Waist

Hip to floor (leg length)

Shoulder to wrist (arm length)

Neck to waist

Shoulder to shoulder

Plus age of child.

Thanks heaps for all who help out :)

KNIT THREE PURL THREE. KNIT THE BAD ENERGY AWAY.

Ever since my miscarriage two weeks ago, all creativity has been drained from my body. My sewing space is looking like a dumping zone for fabric, and my 'to do' list is growing.

I read somewhere that if you try a different artistic pursuit it tricks your brain back into being creative. So last night with the help of You Tube, and hints from Greer of Typically Red, I actually cast on, learnt how to do a knit stitch and a purl stitch. Oh, and Greer REALLY knows what she is talking about, she does the most divine knit wear, here is a link to her Etsy shop. A few rows in I must say I am feeling proud. No where near Greer's standard, but it is a start. 

So on this dreary and rainy Monday I am going to ignore the above, and snuggle under a blanket, with a cup of tea and my knitting. 

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Sarouels are Jarvis's favourite style of pants. He owns several other styles, including jeans, but he just does not like wearing them.

They have so many names; harem pants, MC Hammer Pants, dimije, tshalvar, schalwar, salwar kameez, kaccha, patiala salwar, shintijan, sirwal, sharovary, Turkish trousers, aladdin pants, balloon pants, drop crotch pants, pantaloons, pluderhose, zouave, and pumphose, the list goes on. But for Jarvis they mean comfort and style.

I made these for Jarvis to wear to the Tenneriffe Festival on Saturday, with a matching bow tie. (I forgot to put the tie on him. Also our model was too interested in saying the letters on the Wool Store building and would not show us the back with has a cute pocket detail). Sarouels and matching bow tie available for only $30, plus postage.