I always like to re-make a few of my samples for each market I attend to freshen things up a bit…I’m sure that no one else really notices, but I like having new stuff around!
It’s been a looong time since I last made a Bloom tunic and shorts set and thought it would be nice to update this sample.
I still can’t get enough of Umbrella Prints new quilting cotton weight range and thought it would make a cool Bloom set.
These colours are so lovely and fresh together. Not your usual aqua/red combo – this combination is modern and spunky.
I’m thinking Lil might need some new shorts for summer after seeing how cute these look on her. And can you believe she doesn’t have a pair of shorts that fit her? Time to get sewing Mum!
This was a fun, quick sew. I got the shorts and the tunic cut out and sewn in one evening – that’s my kind of sewing project!
And because I’ve updated this sample, I have a couple of older Bloom samples for sale in my MIP Samples Sale album on Facebook….and hurry, because everything is 20% off – but only until 7:30pm tonight! Might be a quick and easy way to get some of your Christmas shopping ticked off!
A few months ago, when I was preparing for the Sydney and Melbourne Craft & Quilt Fairs I needed a few new skirts to wear (really, I did – the 15+ Make It Perfect skirts hanging in my cupboard were not enough!!). Nothing helps you feel prepared for an event more than a new outfit to wear, right?!
Echino was my fabric of choice. I hadn’t sewn any clothing with Echino previously (shame, I know!) but had seen a lot of other people make lovely skirts/tunics out of it and was inspired. So three new skirts were sewn! If you haven’t sewn an A+ Skirt before, I’ll let you in on a little secret…they are really FAST! And all you need is to choose a fabric you love – whether you want to make a statement or use something a little more subtle – and you’ve got yourself a one-of-a-kind skirt to prance around in 🙂
I wasn’t completely won over with this jungle scene fabric when I first made it, but after a bit of wear it has turned out to be one of my favourite skirts ever.
I decided to break up the business of the patchwork of the green one with a contrasting band around the top – well, maybe that makes it look a little more busy? Whatever, I’m still happy!
Echino fabrics are just gorgeous to wear, they are made from a blend of 55% linen/45% cotton so have a slightly heavier weight to them than regular quilting cottons. Because of this, they drape beautifully and wash really well…coming out soft and slightly creased rather than a crinkled mess that needs fighting with the iron!
You may have noticed on my website that A+ Skirts has had a little makeover…it was very handy to get in touch with the “public” at the Melbourne and Sydney Craft & Quilt Fairs and see how different patterns were received and we came to the conclusion that the previous A+ Skirt cover photo wasn’t doing it justice.
My cute little sister modeled for me and brother-in-law took the pics. The one above is the new cover photo (also in Echino fabric).
So there you have it! If you’re looking for some satisfying summer sewing, have a go at A+ Skirts!
SUPPLIES: Make It Perfect sewing pattern – A+ Skirts Echino, Quiet Ground in Green Echino, Story Patchwork in Blue/Green Echino, Bonbon in Green Echino, Woodland in Natural/Black
I love it when the baby starts being interested in something. Tommy has always just followed the other two around in what ever they are doing, but lately he has started obsessing over “copters” (helicopters) and “flys” (planes). So cute watching him make everything zoom around in the air.
I was sorting through some craft stuff a couple of weeks ago and rediscovered these iron-on velours we bought when Oscar was a baby – I think they were from Pumpkin Patch. When I saw the helicopter I couldn’t resist making Tommy his very own ‘copter tee.
He loves it! I love the colours, we call it his “high vis” shirt – great for spotting him in a crowded park!!!
Dresses are still a big deal with Lil. And she has HEAPS! The problem is, they get washed and then put into the ironing basket ready to be ironed…and I am not ever good at keeping on top of the ironing. So her cupboard is usually pretty scarce when it comes to dresses which does not make her a happy camper!
When I was making a new round of Basic Tees for the kids, it dawned on me that a tshirt style dress could be the answer to our problems. No need to iron and very low maintenance!
This dress was a lot of fun to make, I didn’t use a pattern, just quickly drafted something up and it worked a treat. I did make one mistake…cut a lower front neckline on the back piece – duh! I didn’t have enough fabric to cut another back piece so filled in the gap with a scrap and left raw edges showing. I quite like the accidental detail it creates at the back.
I decided that 3/4-length sleeves would be more practical for our spring and early summer. Not quite warm enough every day for short-sleeves and means that we don’t have to bother about layering long-sleeved shirts underneath.
The dress was initially a little nightie-ish looking so I added a MASSIVE flower applique to the side – using raw-edge applique on knit fabric. Now I’m in love and dreaming up other colour/applique combinations!
Imagine massive cherries, cat faces, speech bubbles, the sun, letters, shapes…yup, there are going to be many more of these popping up for summer!
And little brother had to get in on the action with our photoshoot….
