Omni Tempore Review and Giveaway!

First of all this post is totally skipping the queue of all the things I have mentioned in my previous post but it's more exciting because it includes a pattern giveaway :-)

This pattern was originally real eased a wee while ago and at the time I contemplated requesting to test it but didn't have the time.  When a call went out for testers for the extra versions of it to be added to the pattern I jumped at the chance, not in part because it gave me a chance to test something for Mr A when Miss M seems to have been profiting far more of late.

So what is Omni Tempore by Sofilantjes?  Or maybe a better question is what isn't it?  There are now so many options in this pattern.  It is a perfect unisex top/tee/jumper all in one.  With options for short or long sleeves both either cuffed or hemmed, hem or bottom band, hood or shawl-type collar and with or without kangaroo style pocket the possibilities are virtually endless.

As we are coming into summer here I tested the short sleeves with bands, hood and pocket and the result was a winner all round.  The pattern runs from size 12m through to size 14, I made a straight 6 for Mr A with no mods and the fit is fantastic.

The only change I made to the pattern instructions is that I decided to bind the pocket openings rather than hemming them, that's just personal preference but the instructions for this aren't included in the pattern.

With such a wide size range and the fact that this pattern is completely unisex and can be used year round I can't think of any reason not to go buy it  :-)

 

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Lots Of Sewing But Not Much Showing!

It would be very easy to assume form the lack of posting on here that I've been slack on the sewing front lately. Actually the reality is quite the opposite and the state of my house is testament to that (I mean honestly those who think housework comes before craft need some kind of emotional guidance and help). I can share this cute wee top that I made a few weeks ago for a dear friend of my DD who was turning 3. It's a size 2 (she's tiny) Raindrop Tee (I am all sorts of in love with this pattern and have about a gazillion more planned) in some gorgeous owl print euro knit that I've had stashed for quite some time. She had an owl party so I felt this was fitting :-)  The best part was she loved it and it fitted, woohoo.

Raindrop Tee

 As for everything else, well for one reason or another I can't share any of it yet :-(  But the wait will be worth it I promise, well I think so anyway.  Most of these projects are either pattern tests which are awaiting pattern release (or blog tour dates) or for Miss M's birthday (can you believe she will be 4 in just 8 more sleeps!).
So just to prove I've not been completely lazy here are some sneak peeks of what will be coming up over the next couple of weeks, any guesses as to what each photo is are welcome but there are no prizes I'm afraid.

And finally some fluffy mail I got the other day.  Now to decide what to make with it all (and for who?).

Raindrop Tee Review and Giveaway

We have only been back from holiday a few weeks and I've managed to test two sewing patterns and nearly finished testing a knitting one.  This is the first of the sewing patterns and I am more than thrilled that I got the opportunity to test this one because it is all kinds of awesome (and this is my first ever blog tour - yay).

The Raindrop Tee by Gracious Threads is a fabulous year round addition to any wardrobe.  It comes with 3/4 or short sleeves, an adorable hi-lo hem and the cutest wee pocket ever.  I gave Miss M the choice of fabric for her first one and she chose this cute stripe baby rib.  It was a little dull so I decided to fancy it up a bit with a wee fussy cut pocket from some woven I had in stash.

 Right here I have to tell you how much I love the fit of Jess's patterns.  With both my kids I usually have to go down about 2 sizes and then add a whole heap of length to get something even remotely sensible but with the slim fit style of these patterns I can just cut their straight RTW size!  Yes you read that right I just cut straight from the pattern, no alterations.  That said I did play with this one a bit.  The striped version is a straight size 3 and I was surprised when I tried it on Miss M to see that it ran a little short in the front.   Then I remeasured her and oops, she's grown quite a bit and is bang on the size 4 for height now.

Cat photo bomb!

Cheeky monkey

One other very exciting thing happened since we got back, I tried out a new supplier of knit fabric and in the middle of testing a package of gorgeous fluffiness arrived.  So teamed with my love for this pattern version 2 appeared, this time the short sleeved version, cut to size 4 length in the hope it will last through our (hopefully) upcoming summer.

So what's not to love about this pattern?  NOTHING!  It's perfect for the spring or fall wardrobe, covers sizes 2-8 and is a super fast wee sew.  There are so many possibilities and I already have a couple more planned, you should also check out the rest of the blog tour there are some amazing versions out there.
And finally you can even enter to win your own copy of the pattern!
Happy sewing.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FO: The Travelling Traveller Tee

We have just all returned from a fabulous 5 week trip to the UK and France to spend some time with family.  One day I may get around to blogging about the trip but for now I really need to cacth up on the sewing I did before we went away.

Not long before we left I got the opportunity to test a super secret pattern for Jess from Gracious Threads which is to be included in the upcoming issue of the fabulous One thimble e-zine.  Thi super secret pattern is a gorgeous colourblocked tee suitable for boys or girls, called the Traveller Tee.

I cannot say just how much I love this pattern, it goes together flawlessly and gives such a professional finish.  I couldn't decide what fabric to use for my test and in the end I stumbled across a mens tee in a charity shop and decided to upcycle it for Mr A, being car themed I knew he would love it. 

The tee was from the local streetcar race from some years ago I think but was still in perfect condition and rummaging through my stash I found the perfect complementary fabric for the side panels.  I managed to get the front/back/sleeves out of the original tee and even salvaged the neck band :-)

 And on the model here at home :-)

 Now the travelling begins.  This shirt has now been worn in NZ, France, England and Scotland.

Trying out St John's Chair, Scotland

Checking out Hardrian's Wall, England

Exploring the Roman settlement of Vindolanda, England

Walkway by Hadrian's Wall, England

Saving Baby Inge, Beauval Zoo, France (No babies were harmed in the taking of this photo)

Hanging out with the primates, Beauval Zoo, France

At the bottom of 100 steps, Blois, France

There were many other occasions when it was worn during out break too, it met lions and tigers at a safari park, and saw at least 2 bird of prey shows as well as having fun on lots of woodland walks and trips to the river.  Now thoroughly tested I can say it is a huge hit and Mr A has already asked for another before summer hits here. 
I would highly recommend this pattern as a bit of a variation on the normal tee, and I can't wait to try and version with trim for girls.  It is a lovely slim fit for Mr A (I did a straight size 6 and the fit is perfect) and it works really well for upcycling as well.  Fab pattern Jess it was a pleasure to test it for you.

FO: The Vintage Coat

This project has been somewhat of a labour of love.  I have wanted to make Miss M a winter wool coat for a couple of years but haven't ever been brave enough to actually get around to it.  This year however I got separate inspiration that pushed me into it.  Way back at the beginning of the year I signed up for a "Yellow/Grey Challenge" run through a Facebook page.  Twelve people signed up and everyone sent in 4 fat quarters of fabric on a yellow/grey theme.  Then we all received 48 charm squares and had until the end of April to create something with them.
At the time of signing up all I was thinking of was the pretty fabric, however when faced with a pile of tiny squares I realised I was probably way out of my depth, I don't do patchwork!  After much trawling of the internet for what to do with 48 charm squares I was still at a loss, then the idea of the coat starting creeping back into my thought processes.  A little maths told me that I would probably have just enough fabric to patchwork a coat lining from my charm squares and it all grew from there.
This project would never have got off the ground had it not been for Jennie the fantastic tutor at the monthly sewing workshops I attend.  She held my hand through all the new techniques I tried and gave me confidence to actually get this thing done.  Over all this took 3 full sewing workshop days plus many hours at home to complete but I got there and I got there on time.
First port of call was my vintage pattern collection.  I found a gorgeous pattern but it was a size 2 and Miss M is now 3.5!  But she is 21" chest which is the size the coat was designed for so herein lies the first of many 'firsts' of this project.  I made a muslin!  I cut up an old flannel nightie I'd been given to use for fabric and made a mock up of the top of the coat to check the fit.  And it was perfect - woohoo.

Next it was time to choose the outer wool.  I was very lucky to have a selection that had come from Mum's fabric stash.  I was immediately drawn to the grey but was worried it would be a bit drab, in the end I'm glad I went with it.
My first sewing workshop was spent very carefully patch working all the charm squares together and then very bravely cutting them out, I knew if I stuffed this part up it was all over. My first ever go at patchworking!

By the end of the second day I had part of the outer together and had completed many more firsts and had the front and back of the outer coat together.  I had also done the following for the first time:
*made a bias strip and turned it into button loops using piping cord
*properly stabilised the front seam of a tailored coat
*made piping

I knew I had to do a lot of work before my last workshop if this baby was going to get finished so the attaching of the piping I had to do by myself but I was pleased with how it went.  I also used bias on a hem for the first time and by the time I was back in 'class' the lining and outer were both all together and just needed attaching and finishing.
The last workshop still held some more firsts in the form of first time making covered buttons and learning how to do french tacks and to properly attach the sleeve lining to the outer to allow for movement. Phew by this time I was exhausted but with 15 mins to spare the last button was sewn on - woohoo.
So here it is straight from the workshop.

And here it is after being professionally pressed (makes such a huge difference)!

Here are some pics showing off the bias hem detail and the french tacks, very proud of these, lol.

And finally on the model herself (she loves it but doesn't look too happy here because I dragged her away from something far more exciting than having her photo taken).

So there we go, The Coat!  Would I do it all again?  Yes, but probably for me so it won't be grown out of, and without the patchwork lining.  I am so pleased I finished this and have now learnt so many proper tailoring techniques along the way.  And now Miss M will be wearing it ALL winter.  I need to make her a yellow hat to wear with it, just having trouble deciding on the style.