La Mammina

Regal

Here is the entire princess outfit. I think she looks quite regal. And I have to say, she was the best looking girl at the party. The birthday girl's princess gown cost $85!!!!!!! And while it was quite nice, it really didn't do it for me. It was an interesting party. Tilly didn't really know any of the other kids there, and they sort of left her out a bit. While this really worried me, Tilly took it all in her stride and just joined in with the communal games and had fun and entertained herself along side all the other kids, even if they weren't actively including her. I was really proud of her. She was so well behaved too, and didn't carry on about not winning prizes or not getting a turn at some of the toys. And let me tell you, there were tantrums left right and centre with the other kids.

Now I sound like an over adoring parent, but really I was so proud of my girl. She is usually so boistrous and outgoing and eager to be the star, but faced with a situation where she wasn't the center of attention, she carried herself so well. To me, this made her shine brighter than everyone else.

Super Tilly

Tilly had a three year old's birthday to go to on the weekend. The theme was "super heroes", she doesn't really have a special affinity with any particular super hero, so I decided to make her Super Tilly. I decided to make her a special little dress, and as bubble dresses are back in fashion, I thought I'd give one a go, and this is it. I didn't have a pattern, and just sort of made it up as I went along (no mean feat, I'm telling you!!!) I traced the top part of the bodice from one of her nighties, but that was about it. It's a minty green muslin underneath, with purple organza on top. I intended to have white satin bias binding on the neck and arms, but ran out, so had to use pink for the neck line.

I made a little pair of pink satin (just what I had at home) boxers to wear underneath as it is a bit short, and I made a cape to go with it. The cape is white satin with a thrifted table cloth floral as the lining, with a big pink satin "T" on the back.

She loves the dress, but doesn't care much for the cape.

Here is the back view

On the day of the party she wasn't very well, and the weather was rainy and freezing. I had to put tights and a long sleeve top underneath. Needless to say, we didn't stay for very long, and I don't think she cracked a smile the whole time.

My apologies to Tilly for the pretty awful picture I am posting of her. She just didn't feel like modelling my creation. Though she was thrilled to wear these little bloomers. Now that is gratification for you - when your kids love and want to wear the things you make for them!

I've been developing some bloomers that I want to sell at my stall this summer, and my favourites are these. I made them out of a "thrifted" bedspread that a friend picked up for me in Adelaide. It's just a really light cotton and I had to cut around the parts with holes, but I think it is very cute.

As I said, Tilly was very impressed. So much so, she insisted on wearing them for the day. As it is still quite cold, I let her wear them with tights underneath. Such a cute look - and she drew comments from people wherever she went.

Weather was terrible all day, so this is the only shot I could get

Items 3 and 4

Item 3: Long sleeved linen (I think it's linen, I got it from the remnant bin for $1.50) smock style top, with pink satin bias binding. I'm very pleased with this one. This was the first sleeve I have ever "eased", and while it isn't perfect, it looks pretty good to me. I also improved my bias binding method and am not too dissatisfied with the result.

Item 4: Spotted chocolate brown corduroy pants. Now, I think these were supposed to be extremely simple. But I spent a lot of time unpicking. Especially hemming the legs. I tried to do invisible hems about 3 times before giving up and just sewing it straight. You can barely see the stitching, so I have got over my qualms of having it all perfect.

Here are some shots without the top, to better display the pants. I had to bribe Tilly with a glass of "fairy water" (sparkling mineral water), otherwise she wouldn't pose for the photo.

The sitting shot features a Wee Wonderfuls pointy kitty that was made for Tilly by a friend who I introduced to the wonderful world of blogs.

Tilly's new clothes

So, I'm starting a blog.
I've been inspired by the amazing craft blogs out there, and I've got to say. I can't do any of that stuff!

I mean it.

When I was a teenager, my Mum made a blanket of 10cm knitted squares. She asked me to do one piddly little square to contribute, and do you think I could? Of course not, but my 16 year old brother made a perfect one.

I am so bad, that when I was living overseas (Italy) I saved up some mending, like sewing on buttons, until my Mum came to visit, so that she could do it. I think the first visit came after 18 months.

But all that has to change.

I'm a stay at home mother now. We are on a single income, so we need to do things economically. (But more than that, I want to infuse some meaning into things, teach Tilly some values, that sort of thing, but I'm sure I'll delve into that in a later post)

I've been given a hand me down sewing machine, so what better place to start than by whipping up some toddler clothes! (Much easier said than done).

It's Autumn now and Tilly who is nearly two, needs a new winter wardrobe. So I have issued myself a challenge. I'm going to make all her clothes for her! Well, I will resort to buying socks and singlets, and maybe a couple of tracksuit-y type things (sewing with stretchy stuff frightens me).

Things are going well, and I have already completed four items. (I'll feature each of the items in upcoming posts - I'm yet to photograph them all)

The painting smock pictured above is number 2. Not very wintery, but seemed pretty easy for a first attempt at sewing. I must admit I blatantly copied this idea from the Tie One On group, which has been a marvelous source of inspiration. And I really have copied the idea, right down to the embroidery, though mine isn't any where near as involved as Rachel's. Also, my application of the bias binding leads a lot to be desired. Hence, no close ups.

I'm very excited as I finished item number 4 tonight. Might have to get Tilly to model it tomorrow so I can post some photos...