16. The you-can't-lose-me Vest

I was at a busy playground a couple of weeks ago and I lost Julian amongst the other kiddies.  He was found without a drama but I started to think about making him something to wear which would make him stand out in a crowd.

When I was at Spotlight picking up some needlecord, I spyed some beautiful animal print polar fleece and next to it was a roll of orange polar fleece.  Perfect.  I guessed at 1/2m each and came home with a plan to make a vest which I had seen in one of my Ottobre magazines (06/2012).

It is on the left with the Union Jack applique.  I cut a size 98cm as Julian is 97cm (and not even 2.5years old!) and this is the result:

All up including the zip and thread it cost just under $12!  Labour wise it took about 3 hours, so definitely worth the effort.

I will update this post when I have a photo of Julian at a playground wearing it (most likely not this week as everyday has been over 30degC!).

15. The Everyday Wardrobe

If you haven't read this post on Sewaholic, read it now!  Cake vs Frosting.  I only just discovered it and I found myself nodding the whole time.  Seriously, how many dress patterns do I own?  How many have I actually made?  How many do I actually wear?  This summer I have only worn ONE.  (It is the Tessuti Lily Linen dress which I have been meaning to blog about but haven't.  Silly really since I have been wearing it nearly non-stop.)

Then read this about The Everyday Wardrobe about sewing clothes you will actually wear!  What a concept!

And then this post by Scared Stitchless about the fabric you buy and the fabric that you would wear.  I have 12, yes TWELVE, 53L plastic tubs full of fabric.  Some it dates back to when Ballantynes sold fabric downstairs and their toilets had a 10c coin slot to get in the door (early 90's).  Without a doubt I will never wear some of it but I have this inability to just let go...

Anyway, the point is that I only work 3 days a week in a very casual environment where if I wanted to I could wear jeans or Hard Yakka to work and I would fit in.  The other days I am a Mum which means comfortable clothes which you can go down a slide in.  I try to get "dressed up" for work but that just means I wear trousers instead of jeans otherwise my wardrobe is the same day in, day out.

As we are moving to a bigger house and consequently a bigger mortgage, it is time to tighten the belt and cut out the unneccesary spending.  I don't spend much on clothes but it finally dawned on me to make clothes out of my stash. 

The first problem is that I don't really have any patterns for Everyday clothes (what have I been buying?).

So I bought a pattern which I first saw on SewBrunswick - the Grainline Studio Scout Tee which is only $US6.50.  A bargin.  I have made one:

 And this is another in progress:

I found that if I added a centre back seam and used pre-made bias binding for the neck I could get the top out of 1.2m - yay me (as this is all I bought of the small flower print).

Both are from the lovely Japanese Tana Lawn range at Spotlight.

I will do a proper post with photos of these tops ON ME as that is so important for you to see the fit.

14. Handprinted fabric swap

If you have ever looked at Spoonflower or read Printing by Hand or Heather Ross prints, you will want to try your hand at this:

The lovely Leslie from Maze and Vale has started another Handprinted Fabric Swap.  I have never (that I can remember) printed my own design onto fabric.  The really scary thing is that I will be giving away 4 fat quarters to complete strangers who are really on me to do a good job.

My oldest friend from high school suggested I do the printing with her, so after she did the research we bought supplies from Cavalier Art Supplies in Geelong.  The service was fast and the prices were the best she could find anywhere.

I have signed up to a Red and/or Navy group.  After our visit to the Aquarium last week, I am thinking of a jellyfish block.  Fingers crossed my drawing and carving skills are up to it :)