Love at first bounce...The Ash Jumpsuit

Who’s in love? Well, after being lucky enough to take part in the pre-launch test of the new Ash Jumpsuit pattern from Willow andCo, S and I are both pretty smitten with this creation. I made it a few weeks ago but am only allowed to release the details today…and it’s a sneaky peak prior to the collection launch on 22^nd April. That’s the exciting, hush-hush world of the pattern test for you,  all cloak and no dagger! At last the media blackout is lifted and I can spill the beans...

It’s so fun to take part in a pattern test – you build a community with your co-testers. Sometimes (infact most of the time) sewing can be a solitary affair but there’s something really cool about knowing that you’re sewing the same thing as a bunch of other people all around the world, and being able to talk to them about what you’re making makes it really a different experience.

And this garment is SOOOO cool! Check it out! A jump suit…but not a Wonder Years jumpsuit (not that I wouldn’t LOVE a 70's retro jumpsuit too), no, the Ash is a modern and fun take on the all-in-one. 

The pattern comes with a separate trousers and top variant too, but I love the style of the one piece. S light ups when she’s wearing it, it makes fun happen! She calls it her ‘Princess Jasmine’, mainly down to our fabric choice and the billowing trouser shape I think.

 This fabric I used is a vintage sari and is totally immense. I’ve had it for so long; it was hanging up around my window at University and has been the backdrop for the 3 kings at my class’s nativity at school. I think my Granddad brought it back from India and it is the most beautiful fabric I have ever seen. I was terrified to cut into it, which is why I’ve had it for so long, but I’m so glad I did because I’ve made something that makes my heart jump when I see how beautiful my little girl is in it.

 

Looking at the versions from other blogging testers I can see how versatile this pattern is, it has a completely different look in different fabrics and I will definitely be making more versions in the future.

Celina from Petit a Petit and Family (check out her uber-inspirational blog) designed the Ash which forms  part of the Wanderlust Glamping collection from Willow and Co pattern collective; a collective of talented blogging designers from around the world who’ve linked up for this totally awesome project.

Have a look at the collection. Doesn’t it all look great? You could have a whole summer wardrobe right there...very tempting.

 

Kids Clothes Week - Refashioned Waistcoat and Tweedy Tailored Shorts

Yes, that's a car, not a camera!

Here are my first offerings for Kids Clothes Week - Let's start with the shorts. I love them!

 

I used Figgy’s Banyan pattern (again!) using the shorts pattern as the basis for these. I made a few changes though; I wanted a simplified tailored look so I took out the pockets and zip fly and redrafted the waistband so that it was higher and could feature the mother-of-pearl buttons (I saved those from an old cardigan). Using a bit of mint green thread to sew on the buttons adds a pop of colour.

I fully lined the shorts as tweed can be a little rough and used the Figgy’s adjustable waistband method which helps them stay up on S who has no bottom whatsoever! 

I love this herringbone tweed – I made a dress from it for myself a few years ago and used a small remnant to whip up these shorts. They would work well with tights in the cold too but we went for a summery look today as the sun is out and we want it to stay out!

These also fit in with another blog event happening at the moment - Calling All Kids on the excellent Alida Makes blog which is challenging people to make clothes for kids that challenge gender stereotypes...surely nothing crosses the gender divide more than purple tweed?!

Next, I made the little waistcoat out of one of my old tops that was stained and ready to be thrown out. I love the colour of the jersey though so I decided to refashion it into a cute little waistcoat.

After!

 I popped it on S inside out and went to work with some pins; I took in the sides and reworked the shoulder details, removing the lapel and making it smaller, then I popped some darts in the back and cut a curved high-low hem around the bottom to make the most of the drapey jersey. I have to admit making a curved hem on the slip jersey was tricky, but nothing a funky bit of orange trim doesn’t cover up!

 

Kids Clothes Week

I'm really happy to be involved in the Spring Kids Clothes Week this time round and even more excited about the things I'm planning to make! It's an online event in which participants sign a pledge to commit to making clothes for their children for one hour every day for a week. Sounds fun? The idea is to kick start people into starting those projects that they've always wanted to make, but some how got round to.

Once you've pledged your time it's the commitment that keeps you going...I know an hour a day is never going to happen long term, but I guess doing it for a fixed amount of time illustrates that no matter how busy you are at home, or at work (or both!), you can make some time for yourself to do the things you really want to do. If you can make one hour a day happen for a week, maybe a few hours every weekend doesn't seem so unachievable any more?

I love sewing because I end up with stuff at the end...a finished product, a practical, usable thing. So I'm looking forward to seeing how much I can do in 7 hours this week...watch this space!

Scallop Pocket Skirt

Using up some stretch cord and some cotton scraps I had in my stash I decided to design a little skirt for S. She got some cute little boots for Christmas and has a few skirts but as usual a waistband that fits with a length that’s not indecent are hard to find so I decided to make her something. We did some sketches and she liked the idea of having shapes on the pockets.

I put in some little scallop edged pockets with a contrast lining which turns down. I should have top stitched it because the lining moves a little when it’s worn and played in. But the design evolved during the making of it so that’s something to think about for next time...except I never seem to make anything twice! When I started making the skirt I hadn't planned to turn down the pockets but it looks really cute. S wasn't impressed that both the pockets were the same - she wanted some asymmetry it seems...everyone's a critic, especially 3 year olds!

I used the same floral print cotton for the facing on the waistband and for piping around the waistband. I got a bit confused making one of the pockets so one is finished with french seams and the other isn't!Wah!

I wanted to use this project to learn at least one new technique so I learnt how to make a welt pocket for the back of the skirt using the floral cotton for the welts and a blue and white polka dot cotton for the pocket lining. I used this youtubevideo which made the whole process seem very simple. I love this little pocket. Sweet.