This is Wiss: KCWC Autumn 2012

 
Hello! I am right in the middle of KCWC so really should be busy sewing but I thought I'd take a moment to blog about what I've finished already, what I still want to make, and link to the AMAZING flikr group. Just look at what's been achieved already!

Now I thought that I was prepared for this KCWC - I'd been thinking of what to make for over a week, and I gathered together fabrics and ordered some wool but compared to most of the blogs I've been reading I was way behind! No matter, I reminded myself that this isn't a competition and that all the 500 plus sewers taking part are doing it for fun and to support and inspire each other along the way.

I had so many things that I wanted to make and I've managed to gather quite a stash of fabric over the last year or so, but when I looked into what clothes Wiss actually needed there wasn't much. He's been lucky and had quite a lot of new clothes bought for him recently (Primark have some fab boys clothes in store at the moment). But there are lots of upcoming births and birthdays so I thought I would make some clothes for them instead.

First up are two 2 year old girls' birthdays and a google search led me to this great website, Craftiness is not Optional It was a new one for me but I know I'll be visiting again and again. The tutorial I followed was for the gorgeous Lovebird Tunic, and even with drawing up my own pattern it was an easy project to tackle. Look!

I used some special fabric I'd been saving for just such a project: top tunic is made from bright blue baby cord with a cloud 9 organic cotton print, bottom tunic is made from organic cotton grey chambray with Aneely Hoey's fox print from the Walk in the Woods range. I can't wait to see how these look on - hopefully pictures to follow...

I also have 4 friends all due to give birth in the next month (one set of twins!) so I will be making each new baby a gorgeous and very practical nightdress - just like the one I made at the start of the year here. I've got some vintage t-shirts already and I'll mix them with bright coloured jersey to make each one as individual as the little person inside!

The last item I was planning on making is for Wiss - a scarf, knitted not sewn, which does stretch the rules of KCWC a little but I've got a lot of travelling to do in the next few days so will use that time wisely. At least it would have done. I bought the yellow marino wool from eBay a month ago but it still hasn't arrived!

I'll not be able to do much sewing over the weekend (sad face) because I'm going to be at the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace (happy face!) I've never been but I have heard such great things I am really excited. My mum and I are going along tomorrow as regular punters and as well as some serious purse action, I have booked us into a class to learn how to make pillowcase dresses for charity.

Then on Saturday and Sunday I will be helping out on the Ray Stitch stand. I hope to meet loads of new people so if you're going too then let me know and come and say hi! If any of you have been before and have some great tales/tips then I'd love to know.

Good luck for the rest of the week to all of you taking part in KCWC and I'll be checking the Flikr pool. Happy sewing!

Kids Clothes Week Challenge - Autumn 2012!

I'll admit it, I have been feeling a little lost recently. I've not made anything for a while, and I think that I've got so much on my 'To Do' list that I've not really known where to begin. And so I've not begun at all...

One chilly morning last week as I was cycling to work I was thinking that Autumn was properly here, and that the warmer clothes would have to come out, and Wiss would need some new winter clothes, and hang on, have I missed that great event from Elsie Marley this year....? (Yes, this is what I think about as I commute!)



It turns out that I haven't missed it and I even have some time to prepare! For those of you who don't know Kids Clothes Week Challenge runs twice a year and the idea is simple: you spend just an hour every day making some clothes for your child/ren and at the end of the week you'll be surprised to see what you've achieved. It is running from 8-14 October 2012. You can see what I made last year here - and in fact the tractor PJs have only just started to get a bit snug!

It's a great way to finally get round to making some of those things you've been planning but never quite find the time for, and because there are loads of people doing it too you've got lots of support and virtual encouragement. It's just an hour a day but I found that actually I ended up doing more some nights as it gets addictive! There are always some great tutorials on the Elsie Marley blog during this week to inspire you and there is a flikr group for everyone to share what they have made.

While I've been cycling I've been thinking up a list of what I'd like to tackle this time, including some new PJs, some t-shirts to layer up and a yellow scarf. (Lewis's favourite colour is yellow!) I am really excited and it's come at just the right time for me - now I just need to move some boxes around enough to make some space for me to sew! Who else is going to accept the challenge? Sign up at Elsie Marley, and please leave me a message below. I'd love to have some sewing buddies and I look forward to seeing what we can all make!

Kid's Clothes Week Challenge continues...

After another busy push to make enough stock for Dulwich Farmers Market last week, I felt like I was able to spend some time this week making some more of the items on my KCWC wish list.

First on the list was a pair of Flat Front Kid Pants from a bright blue needle cord fabric I've been stashing. It's a really vivid blue but if you can't wear bright colours when you're little then when can you?! I discovered the double needle on my sewing machine - what a great feature! I used it to sew fake pockets and a fake fly to add a little bit more detail, along with a patch pocket on the back.

I teamed them with the moustache applique t-shirt I'd made during KCWC before. I'd seen an image months ago (before Pinterest!) and knew that I wanted to make one for Wiss. I couldn't find the actual image again but a quick search brought up this. And all in great time for Movember, the charity moustache season!

Now the weather has turned I really needed to get round to making the fleece mittens from Oliver & S Little Things to Sew. They were super quick to make, although I think I will make them a little more gathered around the cuff next time. Fingers crossed Wiss will wear these mittens this winter!

Two more items made, an endless list still to go, but I love it!

Get Ready to Sell it Mama!

Just a quick post to let you know what I am up to now...and for the next four weeks!

'This is Wiss' is making another appearance at the next Sell It Mama event on the 8 October so I am busy sewing a whole new batch of stock. I am making all the best sellers plus some new twists - gorgeous changing mat and wet bag sets sets in Kokka fabrics, Bobby Horses in fab new colours and lots more Flannel Monsters!

I dream of one day having a sewing room - or even just a corner of a room to lay out all my things and not have to pack them away at the end of the night. But until I win the lottery the kitchen table is where it all happens, after Wiss has gone to bed, and after we've had dinner!

I can't complain though as I do have a special helper with me most evenings...

The weekend of the 8/9 October is a big one for me. As I mentioned (once or twice already!) I have Sell It Mama on the Saturday, and then on Sunday morning I will be running the Royal London Parks Half Marathon, raising money for Asthma UK. That Sunday also happens to be my first wedding anniversary so I hope to enjoy a glass or two of bubbles with Mr T in the evening!

You'd think that after all of that I would be planning a rest...but oh no! The Kids Clothes Week Challenge Fall 2001 starts on the 10th October over on Elsie Marley and I can't wait to get involved! The idea is simple: you spend an hour each day of the week making some clothes for the little people in your life. That's it! I know Wiss could use some more clothes and it will be cool to see how much I can acheive in a week. Why don't you join in too?