Fabric Flashbacks

What do you do when you just want to test a pattern before cutting into more expensive fabrics? Raid the local op-shop of course! Both of these prints remind me of rather daggy 90's leggings. They did a good job of testing pattern and fit though, on this maternity t-shirt (roughly drafted from an existing top) and basic premmie nightie (a combination and modification of patterns in 'Kwik-sew for babies'). The nightie is not super tiny, perhaps 0000 or 00000 and meant for a 33+ weeker who is stable enough to be in an open cot in the special care nursery. After testing the pattern I made a handful for my hospital bag, just in case the next bub decides to make an early entrance like the first one did! If they aren't required I will donate them to the nursery communal wardrobe, for people who find themselves with a premmie and aren't prepared for it, and need to use hospital clothes in the early days.
This fabric has been in mum's stash forever. It is now destined for really thick flannelette for winter PJ bottoms, and a cotton sari-style print for summer PJ bottoms, both for me! The tops will be t-shirt style, but won't be made until the baby bulge is out of the way!

More pyjamas!

Yup, using the same freehand + freezer paper stencil painting technique as in the last post! And the same Kwik sew pattern too....

Freezer paper meets freehand painting

I am still loving freezer paper stencilling. I first read about it here. I use the same basic idea, a cut out freezer paper shape on the front and plain sheet of freezer paper ironed on the back to reduce fabric movement during painting. However, rather than one colour I mix up several colours with some fabric medium and just go for it!
On darker colours I use white first, let dry for a little while, then add in the other colours as required. The lion on this shirt was inspired by a Little Golden Book 'The Lion's Paw'.
Although it reminds me more of the story of the lion and mouse, where the mouse is able to rescue the lion by chewing through the net in which he is captured. Especially when teamed with these net-like checks on the PJ pants!
Both the shirt and pants (more or less) are from the 'Kwik-sew for toddlers' book, and have been well used throughout the winter. And my son like them too!

Alterations and a fun day out.

You may recognise this t-shirt. I appliqued and puff painted round the star and used it as a summer t-shirt, but now winter is here it has been modified. The PJ pants are recycled flannelette and the t-shirt sleeves have been lengthened with other recycled fabric. More PJ's are in the pipeline but this is the first pair for winter.
We spent a lovely day visiting the Halls Gap Wildlife Park & Zoo recently. It was just perfect for our 2 year old. Not so many things to be overwhelming, but definitely enough to fill a few hours, get up close and personal with several animals and have a lovely picnic lunch and a play afterwards! There was a nice mix of native animals and several exotic species. My favourites are always the beautiful peacocks. And all the friendly deer, wallabies and young kangaroos who love to eat out of your hand as you wander around checking out the other animals.

Some completed projects

It seems blogging a few incomplete projects has helped a bit. Typing out what needed to be done really emphasised how close to finished some items were. So here is the completed cushion, sitting on the newly recovered chair. I called it my Cinderella chair as it is covered with a random patchwork of scraps! My folks came to visit for the weekend and Mum brought a pattern book with her. It was 'Kwik-Sew -Sewing for Toddlers', and once I got past the lovely 80's styling I found some great basics. I have been looking for a simple raglan t-shirt and there was one in the book. Unsure of the sizing, I traced off and made up the smallest shirt to work out the fit. It does fit but I think I will use the next size up for his Summer clothes. Still, the mock up turned into the perfect PJ top to go with last months froggy PJ pants! (Just don't look at the three quarter length sleeves!. My mistake, I think the pattern allows for ribbing to increase the arm length! Good Spring length anyway don't you think!!) I am also looking forward to making the 'hoodie' jacket.
Mum solved my stretch fabric pucker issue when she helped me fit the walking foot. I haven't taken it off yet as it is just so handy with all the funny little projects I've got going on!

Pyjama-rama

And here is the finished product. My machine is a pretty basic 23 stitch Janome, yet I mostly use straight stitch and sometimes zigzag! So I decided to have a play and try out a few of the other stitch patterns. I think this bumpy stitch looks nice round the applique sheep. I would love to know how to sew the stretchy fabric without getting the puckered-up look though(where the sleeves join). Any tips??