Week 4 of the 52 Week Sewing Challenges on Facebook

I seemed to have most of this week printing patterns and cutting fabric. The Racing Car fabrics I used for the Grandies Short and Tank sets are a bit much together so I am making a checkered (black and white) Tank and plain black shorts to go with the previous makes so the Girls can separate and mix and match the Grandies outfits.

I have cut out six Tanks using the Wren Tank pattern from Wicked Fabrics but only sewn one together so far to qualify for the Week 4 Challenge of the Aussie 52 Week Sewing Challenge on Facebook, Sewing Using Fabric From An Australian Supplier. The checkered fabric I used on the tanks came from Jennilea Designs (no longer in business) and the black solid is from Keffyn Sewing Haven. Both fabrics are Cotton Lycra.

This tank pattern is a pretty easy sew. The pattern pieces for the neck and the armhole bands are included, so no measurements required. The pattern also comes with a few options. You can add sleeves and the hemlines come in different lengths. I chose the Tank version and the sloped hem on the back piece. The hardest part of this pattern then was the sewing of the hem. I find curved hems a fiddle to get them to sit nicely, so I now use hem tape, iron-on web like, and my Babylock Coverstitch to hem. The webbing tape holds the hem in place really well, making using the coverstitch much easier to use.

Week 4 Challenge for the 52 Week Sewing Challenge (International Group) is to Sew Something Red. I chose the Brindille and Twig T-Shirt Dress pattern which I have used several times before, using fabric from Orinoco Designs which I have been hanging onto for ages. The little knickers are the Chicka Chicka Bum Bums pattern from PeekABoo Patterns. Both items are sized for 18mths. The red lycra is from Crafty Mamas Fabrics.

The T-Shirt dress is a breeze to sew and includes a pattern piece for the neckband. Once again, my web hem tape comes in handy for the curved hem, but I also used it on the sleeves and the used the Coverstitch machine to sew down all hems.

The knickers pattern come in two styles, Bummies and Shorties. Both styles can also be used with a skirt option. It is also possible to use a knit waistband but I used the elastic waistband option on the Bummies style. The leg bands have a pattern piece so no measurements required.

Thanks for reading, have a great day wherever you are!

I finished the puff sleeved T-Shirt to go with the Pinafore finished yesterday. I used the Fun Tee pattern by Sew By Pattern Pieces and made a size 2. Love the way it came out and it goes well with the pinnie. Next time, for such a small size, I will sew the sleeve band on flat as it was a real fiddle to sew in the round. The pattern goes together beautifully though. Self fabric for the neckband worked really well and the instructions in the pattern are great, very thorough.

Shown here on my 2-3yr old sized mannequin.

Have a great day wherever you are!

Hi all, I am taking part in a Sew-A-Long for the Tui Pinafore by Below The Kowhai, a New Zealand Designer.

I chose a fairy fabric I have been hanging onto forever and a lilac poplin as the lining. There are several options in the pattern and I chose the curved bodice with the curved straps.

Interfacing on the bodice, straps and the front waistband

Sewn the main and the lining bodice pieces together, turned, pressed and topstitched

Added the straps to the bodice

Added the front waistband to the bodice

I had already added the back waistband piece but forgot to take a photo of this step. This step adds inseam pockets

Add elastic to the back waistband, stitch in and then close the front waistband

So I trimmed by bodice pieces with my pinking shears way too close to the seam line. When I then turned the strap linings over to stitch down, they didn't quite catch the seam from the bodice in all spots. I grabbed some bias binding from my stash, which unfortunately was not quite the right colour (although closer than this photo appears) and used it to cover over that seam line. Works well and no-one is going to be looking at the lining.

Tested for strap position on my mani

All hemmed and straps sewn down. Not sure if sewing the straps so they can't be adjusted is such a good idea, I may unpick them and use button and buttonholes yet.

I am going to add a puffed sleeved t-shirt to this in the colour of the lining, so another post on that shortly.

Have a great day wherever you are!