Sewjorn

Off I go for a crafty weekend with the girls from Crafty Mamas! Cya when I get back

Snailblazer swap

Today we got our swap items, I really hope that we were allowed to open them straight away, coz I did

Thank you to everyone who participated, I am so impressed!

Patchwork mini scarf from Cass

Lavender and Mandarin soap from Allison

Handmade clips from Karen

Vintage Denim wristlets from Cindy

Knitted dishcloth from Kylie

Sock Owl from Clair

Fabric basket from Adds

Loyalty card wallet from Ingrid

Crochet beanie from Meika

Apron from Claire

A big thank you to Cass for organising 300+ different items into 30 diff parcels!

I am really impressed with this swap, the fabric choices, the quality of the sewing/ knitting/ craft, the turn around time!

Boys Blue fire jeans

My boys have a pair of shorts that they wont take off, its about 15C here during the day (reached 20 today *woot*) and so true to daddy's genetic code, they don't feel the cold! But I cant let them run around in shorts in winter, so I made them some pants. Please excuse the pics, we still don't have a new camera so these were taken with my phone.


I used top stitching thread to top stitch the pockets and also the knee.

Back pockets were quilters cotton. Its blue and black.

These are both the pairs of pants together. I am quite happy with how they turned out. Although next time I will think twice about the top stitching thread as my machine doesn't really like it so it becomes messy really easily.

They are from Ottobre 1/2009

Mod Kids pattern giveaway!

here , thank you to the host for the opportunity.

More PJs

For some reason the pics are being loaded side ways, not sure why.

Oliver and S PJ's- or as I call them "Court Jester!"

Anyone know how to get a girly 3yo to wear PJs that are not pink?

PS as per usual these were not to the exact pattern or instructions. I was given some cotton velour so I did m own 'thing' to cope with the velour. Also used bought bias rather than home made, as I really didn't want to attempt cotton velour bias (is it even possible!?)

Snailblazer swap

I am really looking forward to seeing what others have created, and seeing what comes in my package!

This is a sneak peek of what was sent express today!

Make It Perfect give away

I actually really love this pattern, and its being offered here!!

how to sew the crotch on pants

I have used white overlocking so that you can see it, if you use the overlocker please be sure to also stitch it as well, as the overlocking is not strong enough on such a high wear seam.



So you have 2 legs of the pants, already sewn at the side and middle seams.



Turn one leg the right way out

Slide the leg that's the right way out into the leg that is the wrong way out. So that the legs face right sides to right sides the front leg should be at the front and the back at the back, middle seam against the middle seam, side seam against side seam.

Pin it so that the seams match. the crotch seam matching the crotch seam etc...
I then sew from the crotch to the waist.



Say hello to the sock monkey that Tyler insisted on being in the pics!

Go back and sew the other side of the crotch.

So it comes out looking like this (hello monkey!)



Turn the legs the wrong way out and inspect your handy work.


Now turn it the right way out, and again inspect :D

Now go ahead and finish the waist band and around the ankles,

Hope this has helped, please lmk if there is anything that I need to change or improve. This is my first 'tutorial' so I am learning.

I have edited this to add that I have used the overlocker, I would suggest that if you do the same to use the sewing machine as well as it is a high stress seam.

Eye Spy- what you are reading now

I'm sorry to say, but I don't tend to read books. Its not a purposeful thing as when I was at high school I would read novels all the time, but since I finished school I don't tend to, mainly as I chose to craft instead.

So these days my reading tends to be limited to kids books, and these are 2 favs

the cutest cross country run!

That is watching 15 prepies run around the school grounds. It was so cute to watch! Mitchell got off to a bad start apparently, and so was coming last. All I could hear was the grade 6 kids yelling "go Mitchell" which made my heart flutter. All the school kids really love Mitchell. He is such a friendly kid, and he is also really cute! When i go to pick him up its not uncommon to find him with a ring of kids around him chatting. One day he tricked the grade 4 girls into thinking it was his birthday and they were all giving him cuddles all day!

I really love the school he goes to, all the kids are so friendly, the older kids really take care of the younger ones! The teachers are wonderful and the other parents are also really friendly!

Anyway, the cross country... he got a prickle in his shoe half way around and stopped, so we were all standing there waiting for him to finish. And then he came with 3 kids with him all cheering him on. Thank you to those kids who helped him finish! He is such a little champion!

I have more photos, but there are lots of other kids in them, and Im not sure if the parents are comfortable having their kids photos on my blog, so best keep them off.

updated my "sew much to do..."

I must admit, I get quite jealous of these sewers who manage to do it all. I really don't. I thought it was great today when I got to trace some patterns during the day. But I have found that the days where I plug my sewing machine in, is the day where dinner is rushed. So I am yet to be able to find the balance. I still want to be able to spend time with my kids before they grown up too quickly, I want to teach my little boy how to cook, as he enjoys it so much, and how to swing on his own. You know the drill... It has been approx 15y since I read my last book! I am so ashamed of that. But I guess you cant have everything with 4 kids ranging from 15m to 5yo.
So I am sitting here, ignoring my dirty floors as I really want to get these longies knitted. Its getting colder and I want Lily to get some wear out of them. I really need to cut out these jeans for the boys, might do that tomorrow night. Must admit much of my time is wasted browsing on here looking for wonderful fabrics to spend money on when my money tree fruits...

So if anyone has any wonderful ideas where I can craft, be a mum, wife and nurse, and maintain healthy relationships please lmk :D