Woman's shirt

From this

To this.

During my big spending spree at the Hospice shop recently, I got two men's shirts with the idea that I would upcycle them into a couple of work shirts for me.  And I'm pleased to say that it went really well.

I used my trusty Simplicity 9502 pattern but this time I cut the front and back on the fold rather than having centre front and back seams.  I wanted to keep the collar and placket intact, so I cut up the shirt's side seams, and placed the shoulder seams so that they would line up.  Then I cut around the pattern pieces, but left the shoulders intact, so that the whole collar remained in one piece.

I bound the edges with homemade bias binding - more on my new found love of bias binding in another post.

And ended up with some funky pocket detailing.

The pattern is still a little bit big for me, but I quite like the relaxed fit of the shirt.

The cost of the top? 50c, and I've still got another shirt to make.  What's your favourite upcycle? Have you tried adult garments before?

More sewing

Or, the return of Simplicity 9505.  

My project this week is some selfish sewing, using some clothes that I picked up at the Hospice Shop.  You can't go wrong with 7 items of clothing for $3.50, and so far I am very happy with how my sewing is going.

Soft squishy knitting love

I've finished C's dress for her birthday, and I love it! It isn't blocked yet, and the yarn isn't quite as green as it looks in the picture but you get the idea.

 I used the Eli dress pattern, but with the sizing modifications set out in the Autumn leaves cardigan, and it seems like it will fit C for her birthday.  It is a little shorter than the pattern called for, because I ended up playing yardage chicken with the variegated yarn.  I also didn't do the rib pattern on the bottom of the skirt, because I didn't particularly like it.  I had intended to mirror the leaf pattern at the bottom, but my yardage issues put paid to that, so the skirt is plain.

The yarn was dyed for me some years ago by the very talented Hannah of Red Riding Hood Yarns, and it so soft and lovely to feel.  I really love the colours, but by holding the variegated yarn double its created more of a flecked look rather than producing some runs of the complementary colours.  I almost wish I had knitted it single, which is a sign that I must really love the colourway.

Overall I am extremely happy with it, and I'm knitting a little headband to use up the last of the yarn.

Joining up with FO Friday, and Creative Friday tonight.

Working

Well I have been back at work for a week now, and on the one hand its going really well.  It feels a bit like I've never been away, I'm really enjoying the challenges of work and feeling like I am making a difference both within my organisation and the wider community.  On the other hand though, my return to work has thrown the rhythm of our lives completely out.  I know we will find a new rhythm soon, but in the meantime it feels a bit like I am flailing around when I'm not at work.

So I will hopefully update this space in a more regular way soon, especially since I have some crafty goodness to share, but it may be some time before that happens.  I'm still happy that I have returned to work, so its just a matter of time to create a new family rhythm.

Birthday wrap up

 It occurs to me that I have been a bit slack about updating how things are going with my projects.  But I am pleased to say that P's 5th birthday went really well, and we all had a great time.

The felt playmat was played with, and the Ponies were very well appreciated.
 

Kindy friends were played with.

Hugs were shared between friends

And an 'Alicia' cake was made and enjoyed.

Work

Hi ho, hi ho its off to work I go.

So even though I thought I was okay with going back to work, I am feeling pretty sad about leaving C.  I know that in the grand scheme of things its not that big a deal, but I am still feeling pretty guilty about the whole things.  Even so, I have to play the hand that I've been dealt.  And really, its a pretty good hand.  I love my job, and the extra money is allowing us to follow some of our dreams as well (more on this in another post).  Plus its only a few days a week, and the girls will be with someone they know well.  Do I sound like I'm trying desperately to justify this decision?

And besides, I wouldn't have bought these really cool pants if I wasn't going back to work.  These are quite possibly the best pants I have ever bought.  I think you may be able to guess where I got them from.

No project

I don't have a project this week, because next week I go back to work, eeek.  People keep asking me if I am excited about going back, and truthfully, I'm neither excited or disappointed.  Work just is.  Its inevitable.  This season of my life as a stay at home Mum has ended, and that's simply the way it is.  I think it really helps that I am going back to the same job I did before I had C, and at about the same time as when J was a baby.  So working seems quite normal given the ages of my kids.  Although give it a couple of weeks, and I'm sure I will feel differently one way or the other.

So its all hands on deck trying to get organised before I go back - meals cooked, snacks baked, house tidied.  So I guess that is my project this week, preparation.  I may even put up some recipes.