Sewing for my nieces Winter wardrobe

The last few weeks I have been sewing up lots of new Winter items for my nieces (3 and 3m). Check below for the information regarding each item and pattern information. 

Sofia loved her Mara blouse pattern by Compagnie-M. I was lucky enough to win this pattern for free. The pattern is amazing and comes in A1 printing option or regular A4 printing. I went to Officeworks and had the A1 print done. I have never done this before but it really made everything easier. I sewed up the size 4 so she can get plenty of wear out of it. She loved both of her Mara blouses - I am pretty sure I will just be making her these in the future as it is hard to please her. 

Her other 'woodland animals' Mara blouse was so loved we nearly had to quit the photo shoot because she really did not want to take this off. 

I got this gorgeous organic cotton knit from Remnant Warehouse online and it is perfect - ridiculously soft and silky. I made Sofia a size 3 Raglan Tee pattern by Peekaboo patternshop. The neckband is some really stretchy grey ribbing - I didnt really like this so won't be using it for this again.

This is a self drafted size 3/4 cotton long sleeve tee. The fabric is a bit thinner then the organic cotton but is still very soft. I got it from the Remnant Warehouse as well and previously made Sofia some leggings out of it - It would make a great Skater dress!

Sof also scored some organic jammies. The top is the same self drafted pattern as used above - the fabric is a luxurious organic cotton purchased from Bloom Fabric Shop. She loved these jammies - the pants are too small though so will make her a bigger pair and try again.

This is the Whimsy Couture Hooded Jacket pattern in size 5. The lining fabric is just a quilt packing vined/floral green cotton and the main fabric is a felt wool fabric - snuggly for Winter. On the head is an owl face appliqued using zigzag stitches. I bought the wooden heart buttons on eBay and love them on a jacket. Sofia really loved this jacket and it will fit her for at least another few years.

The last dress for Sofia I did not make - it is one I bought from Welcome to the Mouse House clearance second hand sale. It is a size 4 and has lots of 'twirl factor'. She was so in love she did not want to take it off... It may have helped that we called it a 'dancing dress'.

Twirl factor in motion. 

Now for Amelia's new clothes.

Mostly Amelia got Geranium dresses (one of the very few patterns available in small enough sizes). This one is in a cute cotton poplin from Spotlight. It is on the small size but hopefully Amelia will get some wear out of it.

(Whatever we were looking at must have been good!!). This is one of my favourites of the lot - a linen cotton blend with little blue flowers. Also a geranium. All of these dresses have little flat mother of pearl buttons up the back.

These are leggings from the Baby Basics pattern set by Shwin Designs. My new go to baby leggings pattern though is the FREE pattern by Go to Sew. The fit on the legs seems better and the rise is more suited to cloth. This pair barely contains this cloth nappy. The fabric is from my own artwork and printed by Spoonflower.

Now for some baby photos with my wife and I.

Lua Sleep Sack pattern tour

I have been looking forward to trying out this pattern by An from Straight Grain since she first mentioned it many months ago. It has been such a joy and privilege testing this sleep sack pattern. My partner did not really understand my jumping up and down about it either. 

It is no surprise that I love this pattern especially given I have finished 2, started 3 more and have a 6th cut out to sew as well. With all of the babies expected this year and things starting to cool down here in Australia - this is the perfect pattern. 

I had hoped to include some photos of my new niece Amelia in her sleep sack but she has been unwell. Please accept this very sweet (5 days old) photograph of her as a runner up prize.***photos of sleep sack in use now available (pictured at 6 weeks old). 

(For those here for the baby photos, more at the bottom)

Basically this pattern was a breeze to sew up. The instructions are very clear with a number of illustrations to help out. Printing and piecing together the pattern was so easy and paper efficient - the bottom section of the pattern can be used for both the front and back pieces. 

The only tricky part of the pattern (besides choosing the fabrics, of course) is installing the zipper. This is walked through though very gently and was not hard to do. There are some great tips throughout - I certainly learned a few things. 

This pattern is very adaptable and could easily be made with just two layers of woven for a summer weight sleep sack or 2 layers of jersey. I ran out of batting and desperately wanted to make another so I just used fleece as an inner lining for 1 -  not as gorgeously natural and breathable as cotton but definitely warm and might work okay for those on a budget. 

You should definitely get this either for your babies or for baby showers. Thank you for the opportunity An!

As promised some more baby photos:

I made a Washi Dress.

Like every other blogger, I believe I am now a Washi Dress addict. I have already made 3 (including the one above).

I have decided I do not like shirring/my bobbin case does not really enjoy shirring so instead I will be using an elastic casing. Works just fine. 

I also like the bodice extended (As visible in this one) to provide enough room for my ample chest (hehe). 

So far I have not made one with pockets as I don't really use pockets in dresses anyway. I cannot wait for my zipper foot to arrive so I can have a go at turning this dress into a fitted dress with a side or back zipper.

Officially hooked.

Pinafore binge

This past week I have been getting into the Roly Poly Pinafore . I have not finished my binge and imagine this will be a great way to work through my stash. 

Complete with a sweet little set with some bloomers from Shwin Designs baby basics bloomers. I am sneaking this in as my signature style as it features my favourite elements of the now; organic fabric, wooden buttons, metallic gold polka dots and the right amount of whimsy.