I'm still technically not done, but...

If you can't tell by this post, I'm a procrastinator. Thought I'd recap what I was able to give out (and technically finish) these past couple days, though I'm still needing to finish a couple more gifts. I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and that everyone enjoyed your amazing crafty gift goodness!

Another pleated clutch, with layered fabric

Ginger schnapps, in single size jars

Shortbread

Cockroach ornaments, based off of Very Purple Person's tutorial

Poorly self-drafted capes

Felt-applique t-shirt

Diaper clutch, again poorly self-drafted

Earthworm ornaments

Christmas PJ bottoms

Here's my last bit of Christmas sewing - new PJ bottoms for my two boys.  I made them from cotton flannel: digger fabric for my younger boy and tartan for my older one.  They were very easy to make, all I did was use existing PJ bottoms as a pattern as outlined in this great tutorial.

I'd planned for them to be brand new on Christmas Eve, as this has always been our family tradition.  Not so easy I'm afraid, my boys loved them so much when they were 'modelling' them, they won't take them off! Happy Christmas everybody. x

Another Christmas Outfit...

Hi, Pam here from Threading My Way...

I finished my second Christmas outfit this week. The first one was for a little girl. Here's the second.

Once again I've used the 30 Minute Shorts pattern from Create HOPE Designs. This time I've sewn red topstitching along all seams, (except the inside leg) and above the cuff. I quite like the effect.

I added an appliqué of a star to the store bought t-shirt. Around the outside of the star, I've added two lines of running stitch in red and blue, to make the star stand out a little more.

Another quick and easy project. I still have lots of Christmas sewing to do. Let's hope I don't have to do a last minute dash to the shops because I don't finish all I've planned.

Mushroom tunic

So many of you are posting tutorials and tips. My projects are mainly from patterns, so I only have projects to share, no tutorials.

Anyway, for the kiddo's little cousin I made a tunic. She won't be matching in a purple jacket, since I didn't have enough fabric.

It's tunic with a keyhole neckline and drawstring, pleats at the waist. I just love the fabric and think that the tunic could also work for this season with a long sleeved t-shirt underneath. We need more bright colours for winter! And in the spring it will work with a regular t-shirt underneath.

Blog post.

Christmas Outfit...

Hi, Pam here from Threading My Way. Christmas is approaching WAY too quickly and I have SO much to do. Here's a little Christmas outfit I've just finished.

This little outfit was so quick and easy to make. Once again I used the 30 Minute Shorts pattern from Create HOPE Designs. It really is so quick and easy to make up. It's the perfect pattern for a beginner sewer.

Instead of a cuff this time, I added three, little pleats at the front and at the outside side seam. On top of that, I sewed a strip of navy, grosgrain ribbon.

The t-shirt is store bought with an appliqué of a Christmas tree added. I'll do a post on my blog soon showing how I appliqué on a t-shirt.

It was late at night (actually, it was in the early hours of the morning), when I was ready to appliqué the Christmas tree. As I didn't want to wake Mr TMW (and because I'm impatient), I thought I'd experiment with appliquéing by hand. I've just done a blanket stitch around the edges of the tree. Even though it has been fused to the t-shirt,  I don't know whether it will fray with washing. Anyway, I like how it looks. To make the tree stand out more, I've added a simple row of running stitch around the tree. I know it looks a little puckered, but it's not. I really should have ironed the t-shirt before I took photos. I tried stitching a star above the tree, but it didn't work. To finish it off, I added a few navy buttons. To my eye, the top button is in the wrong position. It should come down a tad. If it annoys me enough, I'll move it

To complete the outfit, I've made a couple of hair ties, using this tutorial for a flower headband by Cass Can Sew. I've secured the hair tie to the flower with ribbon. It's very easy, but next time I'll take photos, if you would like to see how it's done. As you can see, the buttons are upcycled.

That's it; a very quick and easy little outfit to wear for Christmas...

Pam from Threading My Way

Purple jackets

I've been having a sweatshop over here, sewing three, pretty much identical jackets (two of them are a bit bigger).They also have different zippers so that it will be easy for me to tell the bigger ones (pink zipper) from the small one (blue zipper). I know that the kiddo loves his, it feels cruel to make him wait for Christmas, but maybe then he'll have forgotten about it and be surprised all over again. (What to do next year when he will be more aware of what I'm doing. I must resort to sneaky sewing and no fitting).

The fabric is a sweatshirt fabric I found in the scrap bin and for the wristlets I chopped up an old failed project.

More pictures and information on my blog.

Singlet Appliqué...

Hi, Pam from Threading My Way here. Down Under in Australia, we're nearing the end of Spring. By the time Christmas comes, we'll be well into Summer. Our Summers are HOT, so no scarves or beanies for us at this time of the year.

Here's an idea for a baby, or young child, that's quick and easy to make: appliquéd singlets...

The List!

Big thanks to Tilly for re-igniting the Crafty Christmas Club this year.

Here is my list. I want to make...

Mum a Colette Sorbetto out of this pink bird fabric from my stash
The same 'tropical bird' Colette Sorbetto as I made for myself, for a friend
Some lavender and wheat heat pillows, like these
Loved Refugee Crafter's previous blog post and tutorial link to the laptop/ipad case idea for Mr
Couple of jar ingredient recipes for Toffee Blondies, using jam jars with decorated lids like this
Some zipper brooches for friends
Some Big pocket pants (trousers) for friends little boys

There has been a lot of procrastinating (I blame pinterest!), but not a lot of making yet, so I best get cracking

Bibs and Cosy pj's

 I got a little gift sewing done this weekend ! Yeah!!  I have all little girls to sew for so I decided to sew them some flannel nightgowns with a blocket (blanket with a pocket).  These are my own simple designs.  My daughter picked out the fabric she thought everyone would like with different colours, pink, purple and blue.  The bear she is holding is called build-a-bear that talks and you can buy clothes for. 

The clothes are very expensive and I refuse to pay for something that I can maybe sew (her bear was a gift).  These bears are very popular (the girls all have one) here so I made a little nightgown and blocket to match and will be giving this set as a gift to each girl. I sewed one set today and only 6 more to go! 
I also sewed a modern bib (my own by accident pattern) and have about 8 more bibs and burp clothes to sew in this polka dot fabric that I love for a friend who just had a baby.

 

Party dress present

Hoorah, I've made my first Christmas present!  It's a twirly whirly party dress for my three-year-old niece Hannah and although it's not a secret present (she knows about it and chose the fabric) it is made from scratch by me so I thought I'd share it here.    

This was my first attempt at making children’s clothes from a pattern (I used New Look 6881) and the whole process was a pleasure from start to finish (see my blog).  If you've got a few dressmaking skills, then a handmade piece of clothing for a little girl is a good idea for a present.  It's completely unique and was actually pretty cheap to make because you need so little fabric.  It cost £3.50 a metre for the flowery fabric and £1.50 a metre for the lining fabric, even the zip was half price!  I can't WAIT to see photos of her wearing it at Christmas!  

The whole making your own presents business is definitely good for the soul.  Every time I look at that cute little dress I get a big smile on my face. x