Party smock

Well, life has been all go around here, and I'm having some technological issues blogging on my tablet (oh the first world problems), so my posting has been a little delayed.  However, here is the birthday present I was working on last week.  This is the first time I've made a proper present for someone other than family, and I was a little anxious about getting it right.  

But I'm happy to report that the recipient seemed very pleased with it.  Actually that's not true, the birthday girl unwrapped it and then threw it to one side in a frenzy of present opening.  Her Mother was very pleased though so that's the main thing.

I made a smock using the mayfly pattern, but again with seams.  And I realised as I was whipping this up, that I am capable of whipping things up! Don't get me wrong, its not that I'm a super accomplished seamstress or anything, but I am now familiar enough with both my patterns and my machines that I can confidently sit down and sew without having to stop and think very carefully about exactly what I am going to do next.  Its a great feeling, especially since I do so much of my sewing in little bursts between baby sleeps and the dreaded housework.

Although the very observant of you will notice that although I managed to cut the fabric so that the pattern ran up and down on all the pieces, I managed to cut the back pieces with the pattern going up, and the front with the pattern going down.  Note to self, must try harder next time.

Smocks for Christmas

I finished two smocks for J for Christmas this week, and I'm really pleased with them.  Apologies for the poor photo quality, I had to take the photos at night with my not so fantastic digital camera.

I used this pattern, but again with seams, rather than all in one piece.  This was mostly because the fabric I used to make the smocks were all upcycled pillowcases, and so quite narrow.  As always, this is a really fast and easy sew, especially since I used my overlocker for all but the top stitching (that you can't see in my crappy photos anyway).  I am seriously considering worshipping my overlocker, I love it that much!

Smock one is a yellow flower print on one side

With white on the other (J looks great in white).

Close up of the yellow flowers.

The first smock I made exactly to the pattern, but once I had sewn it up, I realised that it was a little smaller than I wanted.  It will still fit J, but I don't think I'll get as much versatility out of it, so I lengthened the body of the pattern to make my second smock larger.  I am incredibly pleased with how this came out.

Smock two is also from a pillowcase, which had a lovely border pattern.  I really wanted it to go all the way around, but  there just wasn't enough width in the pillowcase.

Check out how well centred the pattern is (sorry you'll have to turn your heads).  I'm very pleased that I managed to get it so well (not always a given with me).

The other side is a plain apricot colour.

I really like it, but I am a bit worried that it will look a bit like a pillowcase once its on.  I hope it'll just look vintage and cool.  What do you think?

I also started knitting some toys for P for Christmas, so photos of those as I complete them.