Time Out

c. Molly Makes

 This afternoon was to be mine. What to do with those several hours? I had a list as long as my arm (how can anyone be bored?). Inspired by a box arriving from family in Atlanta which I opened to find brimming with fabric and doll clothes patterns. Ann used to make all my Barbie clothes when I was a child - I loved it and I literally had a sack full! Sitting alongside the fabric lay two unopened Barbies. Looking so perfect I should have taken a photo especially once we opened them I realised these were not the Barbies you buy now days - their joints including their knees move! They must have been at least 10 years old. Anyway, I digress. Together with this parcel and catching up with the latest Molly Makes on my way into work last week I decided to try my hand at these Betty Dolls. I wanted a project which was achievable in a short space of time - not something which was going to be banished to the cupboard until the Autumn.

 

I did underestimate how long it would take to turn the limbs rightside out.....I think I will be looking at buying a loop hook....

The instructions did not specify attaching the head to body so I had to hand sew and decided to adorn a scarf to cover the join. I also didn't have any suitable 'hair' felt so didn't quite follow the instructions for the face - and perhaps overdid the red lippy. Whilst not perfect I was quite pleased to have finished.

I've called her Marilyn but moments after she was finished she was whisked out of my room and into a certain Miss I's......

 

And I was left to tidy up - I always seem to make a full blown mess - and always have done so!

 

Pretty Peasant Top

I just loved today. Having taken the day off work to watch Isobel in her sports 'morning' I had then planned to spend the afternoon making a peasant top. I bought the material some months ago at The Make Lounge - during a wonderful day with Helen when we mooched around the crafty shops in Islington and had a feast for the eyes (and tastebuds) at Ottolenghi.

I finally tracked down the pattern (fleetingly considered not using one, but time is never on my side). The fact this one was called Sewing Patterns for Dummies appealed - it must be pretty easy! Still, Simplicity could have been a bit more imaginative in their description - and a little more pc....

I just love the pattern of this material - utterly gorgeous and brings a sense of summer to come.

Finished garment

 I decided to add to ribbon to the sleeve ends and hem to give it more depth - and extended the pattern's body length. And most importantly, it fits a rather tired model - but she seemed very pleased.

New Things

Last weekend it was goodbye to our spare room and hello to a new room for Elis. Isobel is gradually learning not to move items from his room to hers.....(with the exception of a few, the fact many of the toys were originally hers have passed her by). I managed to get the sewing machine working again and after a few false starts made some curtains more suitable for a little boys room - thanks to Helen for the Designer Guild Express Train fabric!

I found some vintage looking aeroplane fabric (never thought I would be excited over boy things) and whipped up this cushion in no time at all. I bought the cushion pads during my last maternity leave thinking I would make up some new cushions - 2.5 years later....

And I have finally started to learn how to crochet  having signed up to a class at the local yarn shop. Escaped bedtime for the first time in over six months and really enjoyed learning something new. The end result is suppose to be a purse which we will complete this week....I know I have lost and gained a stitch or two, but am still pleased to have done it. And Miss Isobel has put in an order for a purse of her own!

Eleven months later....

These past holidays my aim was to do several things. Most of which didn't get done, but I did manage to applique Isobel's plain curtains - something I had decided to do last February! It took longer than planned, but I decided to ignore the book's advice of hemming each item (Zzzzz) and fell in love with Heat n Bond. Fantastic stuff!  I had hoped to make more 'scenes' and add different textures, but it wasn't very realistic. Don't look too closely at the stitching - the sewing machine was in 5th gear most of the time so the edging isn't too neat:

PJs

I took a few days holiday this week and it has been bliss - just what I needed. My main aim this week was to dust off the sewing machine and make PJs for Isobel having bought the material and pattern at least a couple of months ago. It wasn't until I opened up the pattern did I realise I hadn't used one since living in Perth....far too long ago (and what have I been doing??). So whilst initially daunted, I got to grips (thank goodness for the internet) and here are the results. Have yet to try them out on the model, but I hope she will like them.