So often I read on someone's blog that they just 'whipped something up' in an hour or two, and I am always amazed and impressed that anyone can sew that quickly. My own sewing always seemes dogged by interruptions, mistakes and the discovery that I am lacking certain crucial items (zips, buttons, thread). But last night I surprised myself by whipping up something super-quick. Something straightforward, with a two-piece pattern and with no zips or buttons. And it was SO satisfying!
This little singlet in cotton jersey was a nice easy sew, even with a few modifications. I used
this free pattern from small dreamfactory - it only goes up to size 4, but that size is spot-on for R's measurements. To get a less tightly-fitting singlet I added a few centimetres to the width of front and back pieces and gathered the neckline and back before sewing the bias tape (which was just a length of the same jersey, cut cross-grain). I also crossed the straps at the back for a bit of interest - the pattern has them going straight down.
The shorts are from
Kids Clothes Sewing Lesson Book and were made last week, so not strictly a Kids Clothes Week item, but I'm throwing them in anyway. This is a really cute pattern with front and back pockets and an elasticised ribbed waist. I used a French terry from Darn Cheap (another $2 p/m find, hooray!) and I really hope R will wear these despite her anti-pants stance because they fit her so beautifully.
In a final, frenzied burst of activity this afternoon, I sewed a bucket hat from
this tried-and-true Oliver + S free pattern. I made size L, and as with my
last version, I broadened the brim, added grommets to feed a strap through, and eliminated the hand-sewing by using
this easy method. Having lots of scraps of striped jersey lying around my (insanely messy) sewing room, I added faux piping to the edge of the brim so it matches nicely with the singlet.
Now I'm looking forward to taking a breather and checking out everyone's projects on the
Kids Clothes Week site!
It's a really cute outfit! I am going to look up that singlet pattern as it is undershirt weather here and my girls need some new ones!
ReplyDeleteDo, Masha, it's a good one, and even though it only goes up to size 4 it could easily be adapted for bigger sizes. I'll definitely be making a couple more of these.
DeleteWhat a great outfit. Turns out it's undershirt weather here too! That's Melbourne for you. Sew a singlet on a hot day and wear a coat the next day. :)
ReplyDeleteI love that hat. I need to make more summer hats but I never seem to get the interfacing right for wide brims. Yours looks perfect.
And the shorts! Love them and they're seriously $1 shorts?! Awesome.
Thanks Shelley. Good thing it was summer weather yesterday for my photographing!
DeleteI used what I think is a medium-weight interfacing for the hat brim, but I interfaced both sides of it, and also one side each of the rest of the hat. R's last two hats were made like this and they worked out well and still have enough stiffness in the brim even today.
That is a great summer outfit!! I really love that hat. The contrasting cord and piping are perfect! Very nautical!
ReplyDeleteWhen I say "I whipped something up" that usually means I cut it the day before, or spent all day on it. LOL.
Thanks Inder :)
DeleteLove the whole outfit and hooray to "whipping something up" quickly! The criss cross back of the singlet is a nice touch, I must file that away for inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I've already 'whipped up' another version of the singlet in sparkly fabric for a school concert - satisfyingly quick!
DeleteWhat a gorgeous outfit, I love it all.
ReplyDeleteI am with you, I never 'whip' anything up, too many (pleasant) interruptions.
Thanks Nicole :) Yes family life is full of interruptions, yours even more so, I imagine!
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