I didn't quite make it.....

I had hoped to squeeze in a last minute blogpost before the end of October.

I didn't quite make it!

Never mind, the content is the same :-)

A while ago I indulged in a bit of baby sewing. I've previously made the Twig + Tale Wayfarers for grandies and decided it was time to make some more.

I wasn't sure whether to make one size or another so decided to make two different sizes. 

And then decided to make two of each size!

As you can imagine I had a great old time sorting through scraps from the dressmaking cupboard.

And enjoyed the production line assembly!

(I spy fabrics from ED's tights (1990s) Mum's nightie, ED's trousers (1990s), baby singlets (1990s), my sweatshirt (2000??) —

And had fun photographing them as I went!

They don't take long, once you get into it —

One of each pair was made using an old oilskin coat (oiled canvas) so they will be better outdoors —

And the other two were from lightweight corduroy and denim so they would be a bit grippy.

Just randomly, I came across another 'bootie' pattern and, because it was on special, thought it would be a fun one to try. 

These are the Vasenia Baby Booties  (and I paid nowhere near the price advertised!!) 

[Also found *here*]

More scrap sorting!

These, opposed to the previous pattern, had a layer of thin batting in them which made them harder to turn through. I'm not sure that it was really needed so if I make them again I will miss it out and see what happens.

I found a pair of shoelaces from the 1900s in amongst Mum's things so put them to good use!

And all clothing needs to be modelled —

I made these ones in the larger size so they're still a bit big but will be fine once she's on her feet more.

A couple of random photos to finish off with. A slightly different bouquet picked when I was out on the farm the other day —

And a Lily that decided to grow up under an empty snail shell —

'til next time,

happy stitches,

Raewyn

Random Round up of Creating and Cats

The start of last week saw me basting Olive's baby quilt......she's now over 4 months old but there's been a serious lack of sew-jo around here for the last little while and I've only just gotten back to her quilt in the last week or so.

And some quilting has even happened!!

SO, watch this space😊

I've also put together a cloth book for Olive, using one of those easy-to-sew panels....cut the pages apart, layer with scraps of batting, sew around the outside, turn it through and sew the pages together —

A little bit of kiwiana for our Hawaiian baby ♥

I realise that I haven't yet shared the pouch I made as a gift for our Make It, Fake It, Bake It swap for our Scrub Stitching retreat. It's always fun to see what everyone comes up with.

I came across a pattern for a wee bag which looked a little different - and Christine ended up with it —

Luckily Christine is a better recorder than I am and I have stolen the photos of it off her blog!

The top folds up to open the pouch (Christine's Luna Lapin is modelling the bag) —

(I used leftover fabric from my kiwiana dress for it. Dress shown in *this post*.)
And I included a cute scissor keep that Mum had made.

I found the pattern for the *Malmo Pouch here*.

While Sue and I were travelling for retreat, I completed the last few rounds of the crochet cat blanket I'd started whilst spending time at the hospital with Mum last year.

I've made three of these simple Afghans now - I just love having something mindless to crochet and the cats really do appreciate them!!!

Last year, in preparation for the arrive of McGeorgeous I made a little cat cubby. It was such a fun make but sadly once I'd finished it, the cats barely waved a whisker at it. Recently I realised it needed better structure so it would look more like a cat house than a cat bag. I found and inserted some foam coated wires. (These are intended for gardening and I bought them for making a Barbie tent. That didn't eventuate and recently the kids have been using them to dangle toys off when playing with the cats.)

Look at Miss Tammy! Success!

I very nearly had a very sad tale about McGeorgeous to tell this time. One evening last week he suddenly disappeared. We looked for him for DAYS and had given up all hope of ever seeing him again.

Thank goodness our son looked up at just the right time and spotted him at the window of our little garden shed one morning!! (We hardly ever go in there and seldom leave it opened.) He's a shy boy and the men had to empty the shed to get him out - and then he shot under the house.

After a lot of food and water he returned to life as normal and is wondering what all the fuss is about!

I had been in town and had 11 missed calls from the MOML trying to let me know he'd been found.

I think Tammy may have missed him a little as I've caught her letting him sleep near her a couple of times now! —

This winter, to celebrate 10 years in existence, the NZ Premmie Knitting Club has had a publicity drive, encouraging people from all walks of life to pull out their knitting needles and make some peggy squares. They're then sewn together to make blankets for premature babies across the country. It's been quite fun to see politicians, sports people and TV personalities promoting the cause by knitting squares themselves.

I've made a few squares which I will send off this week, along with some tiny booties and a beanie which I knitted a couple of years ago. I would have liked to make a few more but I started a bit late (they want them all by the end of this month, I think) but have also been struggling with a minor wrist strain/inflammation which seems aggravated by the knitting motion. So I've been limiting myself to a few rows a night.

I'll finish with this lovely sunset we had last night —

'til next time,

happy stitches,

Raewyn

A goal and a finish for April

This time last year I was making Xavier's Tractors and Trucks Buggy Barn quilt which I gifted to him in July —

Because I used a different layout to that given in the book, and because of the method of making the blocks, I had 3 blocks left over.

I had thought that I may use them to make a quilt for my (great) nephew, but in the meantime they were stored away. He recently spent a few nights in Starship (NZ's children's hospital) and the quilt idea came to mind again.

So I've pulled the blocks out and have decided that creating a quilt from them will be my One Monthly Goal for the month. I've started having a play, using a few leftovers for a start —

I was so excited last week when I finished my March goal and wrote about it in my last post, but forgot to link up to Patty's linky list!!! When I realised, it was too late - haha oh well, maybe this month I'll do everything right!
Thank you Patty of Elm Street Quilts for this gentle encouragement to help us achieve our quilty dreams.

Back in February I made a pair of Wayfarer shoes for young Odie. At the time YD and I dreamed up an idea for the next pair. I doublechecked with her recently and yes, she does still want the next pair.

This pair started with an old oilskin —

And some scraps of polar fleece I used to make myself a jacket years ago.

A cute little finish!

Turning the shoes through at the end —

The technique used is similar to that used when making burrito style pillowcases. Which reminded me of one I'd made earlier in the year and not yet shared - an early make for next Christmas! This one will go to the same family as these two, made a couple of years ago.

If I'm going to link up to One Monthly Goal, I'd better sign off now!

'til next time,

happy stitches,

Evening projects

As I was doing some prepping this afternoon, I realised I hadn't shared about my latest project.

Yes!! I have started something new!

Hmmm; somehow I found myself putting my hand up for sewing the shop sample of a new block of the month we are doing at The Country Yard.

How could I resist it? Here was me making a start —

You can see why I couldn't resist!

A few nights later I had two pets snuggled and helping me stitch...obviously they can read!

The quilt is The Santa, The Tree, The Turkey and Me by Anni Downs. Stitching onto linen and whip stitching the woven wool down (after sticking it down with fusible web). It's the first time I've used linen like this and I am quite enjoying it!

Here is block one, all completed —

A closer shot —

Below is how far I am with Block Two. The gingerbread on the oven tray need whip stitching down and I have some script next to the heart to stitch next as well.
I find it best to prepare just a few elements at a time.

My other project for the evenings is Michelle's Wings and Pretty Things. I had intended to be working fulltime on this but now that I'm doing the above project as well, I'm alternating them which is working quite well. I've already completed the centre block and just the other night, completed Block One of Border Three (I think) —

Such a cute well fed bird!

And I've made a start on the second block —

In other news, I put stirrups on the bottom of Odie's over-trou —

And while I had the pattern out I made him a pair of pants. I lengthened the body and legs and made it slightly narrower and it should fit him for a while —

This is just a scrap of fabric someone gave me about 20 years ago that I never got around to using. It's all gone now!!

Playing around and making a fancy little waist tie reminded me why I used to enjoy making clothes for the kids.

In our house we call these pants 'Truffs' - trousers with cuffs.... a name that has stuck over the years!

I think that's me caught up for now :-)

'til next time, 

happy stitches,