Thursday, 2 February 2012
A troup of baby trousers!
When a good friend of mine showed me some amazing baby trousers she'd made using this Made by Rae download, I was inspired to make my own - in a BIG way! As the intro to Rae's tutorial states, there is little more rewarding than a quick easy sew that is not boring. So, four pairs later.... and I'm still tempted to make more!
Rae's tutorial is for a unlined pair, but my friend had lined hers and I shamelessly copied her idea. It's probably a bit tragic to be so enthusiastic, but the lining means that these little beauties are not only cute, they are also reversible - see, they really are amazing trousers! I've used soft cotton jersey for my linings so that they will be super cosy against baby's skin. I added an extra inch to the length of the leg on the original pattern to allow room for the turn up - after all, what's the point in a funky lining if you can't see it!
Here is the method I used to make them reversible...
1. Using Rae's tutorial, cut out one pair from cotton, and one pair from jersey -don't forget to add an extra inch to the bottom of each leg. Follow the tutorial instructions up to the end of step 6, but leave a 1/4" gap in the back seam of the jersey pair, 1/4" down from the waist edge.
2. Once you have made up both pairs of trousers, turn the outer cotton pair right side out. Now, place the outer cotton pair inside the jersey pair so that the right sides are together. Align the raw edges of the waist, making sure that your seams are matching, and sew around the top using a 1/4" seam allowance.
Turn the trousers right side out by pulling through one of the legs. Press the seam around the waist and then sew a line of stitching just over 1/4" from the top edge to create a channel for the waist elastic.
3. Turn in the raw edges on both the outer and inner peices by 1/4" at the bottom of one leg . Line up the inner leg seams, and then carefully pin the folded edges of the inner and outer peices together so that they match exactly. Stitch all around the bottom of the leg as close as you can to the edge. Alternatively, you could slip stitch the lining to the outer fabric by hand. Repeat with the other leg.
4. To finish, thread your elastic through the waistband as per the tutorial instructions, using the gap you left in the back seam of the the jersey lining.
Turn up your leg cuffs, and Bob's your trouser-wearing uncle - you have just completed pair #1 - I dare you to stop there!!
Rae's tutorial is for a unlined pair, but my friend had lined hers and I shamelessly copied her idea. It's probably a bit tragic to be so enthusiastic, but the lining means that these little beauties are not only cute, they are also reversible - see, they really are amazing trousers! I've used soft cotton jersey for my linings so that they will be super cosy against baby's skin. I added an extra inch to the length of the leg on the original pattern to allow room for the turn up - after all, what's the point in a funky lining if you can't see it!
Here is the method I used to make them reversible...
1. Using Rae's tutorial, cut out one pair from cotton, and one pair from jersey -don't forget to add an extra inch to the bottom of each leg. Follow the tutorial instructions up to the end of step 6, but leave a 1/4" gap in the back seam of the jersey pair, 1/4" down from the waist edge.
2. Once you have made up both pairs of trousers, turn the outer cotton pair right side out. Now, place the outer cotton pair inside the jersey pair so that the right sides are together. Align the raw edges of the waist, making sure that your seams are matching, and sew around the top using a 1/4" seam allowance.
Turn the trousers right side out by pulling through one of the legs. Press the seam around the waist and then sew a line of stitching just over 1/4" from the top edge to create a channel for the waist elastic.
3. Turn in the raw edges on both the outer and inner peices by 1/4" at the bottom of one leg . Line up the inner leg seams, and then carefully pin the folded edges of the inner and outer peices together so that they match exactly. Stitch all around the bottom of the leg as close as you can to the edge. Alternatively, you could slip stitch the lining to the outer fabric by hand. Repeat with the other leg.
4. To finish, thread your elastic through the waistband as per the tutorial instructions, using the gap you left in the back seam of the the jersey lining.
Turn up your leg cuffs, and Bob's your trouser-wearing uncle - you have just completed pair #1 - I dare you to stop there!!
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
February Photo A Day Challenge #FEBphotoaday
As of 30 minutes ago, I've decided to particpate in a February Photo-A-Day Challenge. I'm usually pretty useless at seeing these things through, but I thought it would be good discipline to see if I can stick to something for 29 days! Plus, i've just found a clever photo app thingy (pixlr-o-matic) that works on Android phones, so it might be a fun excuse to play around.
Here's the list of themes, and if you want to join in, the instructions are here
I'll save my #Febphototoday pics here
.. and here is Day 1:
Here's the list of themes, and if you want to join in, the instructions are here
I'll save my #Febphototoday pics here
.. and here is Day 1:
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Introducing.... Wingnut!
So, I thought it might be time to finally 'fess up to one of the major reasons for my prolonged blog-absence.....
Yep, there's no denying it now - that tummy most definitely has a baby in it! Baby #2 (currently known as "Wingnut") is due at the end of April. It's been a toughy this time round but I'm now feeling much more myself and getting extremely excited about all things baby and treating Freya to the joys of sibling-ship. The last 2 weeks have been spent in an obsessive state of nesting so I have cardigans, booties and dresses galore to share over this next week. Back to vintage bags soon - promise - but first, I just have another oh, 20 or so, pairs of teeny-weeny baby shoes to make!
Friday, 27 January 2012
ReFashion
Okay, so let's just skim over the fact that I've not posted anything since September and pretend like I've been here, wiffling away as usual... I've got lots to tell you (honestly I had good reasons for the radio silence) but I'll start off gently with a quick report on the fab - and first ever - ReFashion event at Oxford Town Hall last week. Swishing, swapping, upcycling demos, an ethical fashion catwalk show, and lots of vintage goodies.... seriously, there was nothing not to like!
Thursday, 8 September 2011
O3 Ethical Events Craft Boutique
I'm really excited to be a part of this event at the O3 Gallery in Oxford. Organized by Feng Ho, the gallery's resident ethical fashion expert, the event features some fantastically talented designer makers and I'm all of a tingle to be included alongside them. If you're in Oxford or nearby on the 25th, come by and say hello! For more information, check out the O3 Gallery events page.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
In pictures...
Today I'm wearing boots and 2 jumpers. So that's the summer over then. At least this past fortnight has been spent mostly in the sun - weddings, Texas (for work), France (for fun) and bag photoshoots. Just your average August really!
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| Trying out my new vintage hat |
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| A bit of colour in San Antonio |
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| Gorgeous France |
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| Chilling out with Daddy |
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| A bit too grand for our Victorian Terrace...? |
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| Taking photos (only another month till I'll have finally finished editing them all!) |
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