Big Shirt, Little Shirt

Tomorrow morning we leave to go to the US. I started sewing the shirt for my brother on Saturday and I think by the time we leave I'll have the buttons sewed on. And just to challenge myself I decided Harry needed a cute shirt for the wedding. Both shirts used more Saffron Craig fabrics.

It took quite some time to get the pattern pieces placed to ensure I could squeeze both shirts in.

About a month ago I made a trial big shirt with a $3 pdf pattern I found on the net and I just couldn't finish it. I'm so glad I ditched it and googled a bit more to find the Colette pattern Negroni. I had found a really good review so I decided to splurge the $25 and I'm sure I will use it again.

I learnt some great techniques and hopefully one day I will find someone who appreciates it :)
This was a scary time:

I really had to trust myself to sew that.
Some pics of the details:

I mostly followed the pattern. Any mistakes are fairly minor, except unfortunately I guessed wrong with which cuff piece would be on the outside...

I'm hoping everyone will be too busy marvelling at the sleeve placket and that my brother's arms may be too short and need to roll them up anyway ;)

Onto Harry's shirt...I bought his Oliver + S Sketchbook pattern ages okay when I was needing some internet shopping therapy and finally I have been able to try it out.

It was also a lovely pattern to use and I think my skills are improving. At least I'm becoming more patient and going to the effort of pinning and basting more when I get to weak areas:

Collars and sleeves!!
Some pics of details:

Well, I really, really must go pack (and see if I can squeeze in one more tiny project.....)
Hope that the shirts fit the boys well enough and that I can get some cute photos of them together.

Looking forward to some nice projects when I get back home, possibly using some fabrics I may pick up in the States :)

Tote Bag with Zip

I already have a tote bag this size but I wanted one with a zip so that on our upcoming trip to the US I can be assured that nothing will fall out of my bag when on the plane.

Front

Back

I did a few google searches and found this tutorial. Made a few little changes, some intentional, some not, but I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Next time I'm not sure I'll bother with the inside pockets...will see if they're useful on our trip.

In the spirit of using Japanese fabric I sewed most of this project with my machine on the floor!! Really need to work out where to do my sewing without having to pack up after each session.

Also need to spend a bit more time in the garden so I can find some nice places to take photos :)

Well, this time next week we'll be in Washington DC for my brother's wedding. In the meantime I need to sew a shirt for my brother's birthday (that was 2 months ago - better late than never I say). Hopefully I get enough time to sew a shirt for Harry to wear to the wedding. Might be a few late nights coming up!

First Blog Project

It's a small project, but at least I've started. Harry's new Aunty has helped me look after Harry a lot in the last couple of weeks so I wanted to thank her. We have travelled to Japan together so I thought the beautiful Echino fabric would be fitting.

I used the quick tutorial from Saffron to make her a scarf. Not sure the weight of the fabric is right for a scarf though so it might end up just being a decorative piece.

And to finish the gift off I made her a simple card with the scraps.

This is a little project for my lovely Niece that I made a little while ago when I first discovered the new world of online fabric shopping. I LOVE Saffrons Dandelion Pink and hope to use it again down the track.

Next project is an Echino tote bag...