Wednesday 30 May 2012

Dress a Girl Around the World

Imagine a world where every little girl owned at least one dress...

...then imagine that you could help make this dream come true.

Goosebumps, right?

Exactly!  Me too!

So when I discovered this premise on a fabulous website a month or so back I had to join in.

http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/

Here's the first dress I've made so far:


It's really easy to make too - take one pillow case or piece of fabric plus bias binding and some elastic.

And within an hour you can have a dress to make some little girl really, really happy.




I added some broderie anglaise along the bottom too because it looked 'right'.


I also found some really helpful hints and tips for the same project at this website:

http://sewdelightful.blogspot.co.uk/

Anyone want to join me in making a little girl smile? 

It's really easy to do!  Minimal sewing experience required.

:D



Sunday 20 May 2012

A complete set of pyjamas!

You may remember a while back that I made some pyjama bottoms for my daughter by cutting out around her existing PJs.

Well, I'm pleased to report that my daughter now has a complete set of pyjamas through the same method!

I cut it out larger than I needed and longer too as she doesn't like getting a cold back at night.  Problem solved!



I was going to hem the top normally but decided to bind it with satin bias instead.

She is very toasty in them!

*Note to self*
Only use bias binding on 'flat' fabric, not 'bouncy' fabric as it doesn't seem to sit properly.
Either that or finish it off entirely by hand.





Wednesday 16 May 2012

How to prevent your items falling out of your bag on the plane

I love finding solutions with sewing.

Some of my favourite creations have been answers to questions:

- how do I make a lunchbag that will keep my food upright
- how do I refashion a top or skirt into a bag
- which fabric should I choose in order to lengthen a skirt 

So here's another solution that I found. 

Every time I fly I always use this much loved bag as my inflight bag. 

It's huge and there are so many pockets and zips on it you can cram pretty much everything that you need into it.



But there was one slight problem.

The top gaped open and I wanted to be able to go on a plane and not have the contents of my bag spill out and roll around onto the floor.

Soooooo, I added a zip top to it.




But when I road-tested it, the zip top kept rising up which would allow the contents out again.

Ok, back to the drawing board...

Solution #2:

I added velcro to the sides of the bag and the zip top.




This time it worked!



And it worked perfectly as I've just taken it with me to America!



More mop caps!

So, now I've got the hang of mop caps I made another one...



It is self-lined and I added some antique lace to the brim.




And modelled it on a balloon!





Monday 7 May 2012

Shower curtain or shower cap?

I don't like throwing fabric out if I can imagine a use for it. 

So I've been keeping a wonderful shower curtain which has the cutest rubber ducks on it with bubbles.

When I was asked to make a mop/mob/shower cap or two I knew immediately what I was going to use:



I've made these caps before as costumes (pictures to follow), but this is a deluxe version LOL!

It's lined with cream cotton and will fit any sized head.







I'm not convinced how shower proof it is as that was the reason we took it down in the first place, but I still think it looks cute!