Super Stuff - a how to of sorts

A few weeks ago we had an invite to a 5th birthday party. We spend a bit of time with this 5 year old. Her brief was "something in pink or purple and not something for boys". I can do that, I thought. As time drew closer, I felt little inspiration in the way of something to purchase.

Whenever Miss L visits our house, all the dress ups are pulled out and everyone strips down and dresses up. So I hit my pinterest boards looking for some homemade dress up inspiration.

And so, Super L was created. A personalised cape, super powered cuffs, mask for identity protection, shoe wings for flying (inspired by this pin). All reversible.

I do have some issues with Super Heroes; we spend a lot of time talking about how Emergency Services people are the real super heroes. However, we couldn't hold the flood gates closed on the superhero barrage, so The Smurf has lots of generic, homemade dress ups as well as the trademarked super people. And he loves them. So, I was hopeful Super L would feel the same.

I started out writing instructions for each piece, but really it is as simple as drawing the shapes and going from there. It's pretty simple to work things out from the pictures.

A How To of sorts... 

• The wrist cuffs are rectangles of felt and joined on the short ends with two pieces of elastic attached at each end of the cuff. The cuff becomes a tube that is easily slipped on and off. I based the size on a toilet paper roll - The Smurf has quite a collection of super hero cuffs made from toilet paper rolls.

• The mask is two pieces of felt sewn together with elastic sandwiched at the outer edges. No fussy turning out and clipping seams, just draw a template, place it on top of two pieces of felt, trace (with a seam allowance), sew and cut out - be careful not to cut the elastic while you're at it.

• The shoe wings are again two layers of felt. Draw the shape on paper first so you can tweak it until you're happy. Trace, sew, cut. Then punch some shoelace holes for threading onto shoes. 

• There are endless free cape tutorials on the web. My favourite is this one by Suzy at Floating World. However, the last few times I've made capes, I've used just one piece of fabric, rather than having a separate piece for the neckline. 

• To make a reversible one-piece cape, I fold a piece of fabric in half length ways and use a kids singlet to get a rough guide on the depth of the neckline and tweak a bit deeper from that. Then simply draw the rest of the shape as you choose. Place the cut out piece face down on your second piece of fabric. Pin and sew around your shape, leaving a gap for turning in the right way. Clip your curves, turn in the right way and top stitch. Sew small pieces of velcro at the neck joins (remember Edna in The Incredibles says "No Capes!" so it needs to easily rip apart if it gets caught). 

How do you feel about Super Heroes? Have you kept them at bay at your place or is it all Pow! Bang! Biff! Boom!

For Me

I was inspired to think about blogging again last night, by a meeting of like-minded local ladies of the Information Super Highway. It reminded me (not the ladies, but the desire to blog) that I had a little blouse fest recently - well if you can call sewing two blouses a fest.

I knew I would need some light cotton tops for the hot Canberra summer, so I raided the stash for the cheapie cotton (to test some patterns) and set out. The first was the very easy Made By Rae Spring Ruffle Top - minus the ruffles for me thanks.



Super easy, minimal pieces to cut and a cinch to put together. I didn't quite have the width in my cheap IKEA fabric to allow for much gathering, but I think I prefer it this way. I have some voile cut and ready to make another one.

If you're thinking about starting out sewing your own clothes, try the Made by Rae top.



Then I went on a wild, magical, mystery sewing adventure where I used three tops from my wardrobe to scramble a pattern together. It's not perfect, but I really like it - especially the pin tucks on the bust.



The sleeve lines need adjusting and the neckline needs fixing and the addition of some facing (or the neck binding to be cut on the true bias) to stop the gapping, but for a wearable muslin I'm pretty happy and will be doing this one again.

The Little Picnic Blanket That Could

This is the story of the little picnic blanket that could. It was started more than a year ago. Well and truly more than a year ago. The fabric selection was quick and completely from the stash. The piecing was random and happened quickly.

When I started machine quilting the back and front together - didn't bother with a batting layer as I didn't want any bulk - I realised I had a wonky piece of fabric for the back. Oh well. I just added some "feature" pieces to the edges using the same fabric and you know I'm a little bit in love with the mistake made good.



Then came time to do the binding. I decided I would not cut corners - as I usually do with such things - and so a proper approach was decided upon. You know, sew on one side of the binding then handsew the other side on.

I should have known better. Took me no time to machine sew the first side on. You know where this is going right. But it didn't matter that it took me over a year to finish hand sewing the binding on. We used the blanket anyway. People didn't seem to notice the binding flapping in the breeze.

And finally a couple of weeks ago I finished sewing the binding on. And now spring has sprung the blanket is getting a real work out.

Just so you know I have no issues with shortcutting on binding now.

A Long Time Ago

I made a little plan. Look at the date on that link, seriously that was a long time ago for fabric - cut and interfaced - to sit waiting for attention. Finally, I found the love and overcame my self-imposed concern about how to actually put the thing together.

I know, I know I could have just bought a pattern, or checked the information super highway for free tutorials, but I like the thrill of trying to figure stuff out, okay.

So, I finally figured it out and I've got to say I'm in love with this little backpack, and The Smurf is too. He wants to cram all his worldly possessions in there (other than his harmonica and lollipop, of course), note to self use heavier interfacing next time to accommodate the resident book worm and his many books.

The Three Bears fabric was from RetroMummy (bought in early 2008) and the lining a simple cotton. You can see the pattern pieces here - just a drawing. It was all very straight forward.

Next time, of yes there will be a next time, I'll add some elastic to the edges of the side pockets, an internal zip pocket and will line it a little differently. Just saying that here so I remember when I try another one.

The Not So Ridiculous Hat

Remember the ridiculous fabric top hat? Well I remembered that the wheel - or fabric hat pattern - had already been invented and that I best just refer to that, so I had a go at the Lazy Day Hat pattern.



Turns out the wheel was a pretty good invention.


There is however a small part of the pattern I'm not so taken with, but I've worked around it nicely with the fourth hat (not pictured). I'll share the work around next week.

New Kid on the Block

This new kid on the block has pipped the Smurf's favourite take-everywhere toy "Bubba" from the top of the favourites list. It's a sure way to make your Mum happy when you favour the toy she made you this week. Good Smurf, good Smurf.

It's even nicer when you spontaneously kiss the new kid on the block while your Mum's taking a photo.

And extra special when Bubba is thrown to the ground in favour of the new kid accompanying you on the grocery shop.

Aunty Cookie fabric panel bought at Finders Keepers. Lined with calico to take away the transparency of the basecloth and backed with blue pin dots from the stash. 5 minutes sewing, 10 minutes stuffing, 5 minutes finishing. Instant gratification.

I'd say it's a winner, don't you agree?

Rain Craft

It's rainy again, which is OK with me. Last rainy day I settled in for some pattern tracing and cutting.


Which resulted in some nice piles of pattern pieces.



Now I'm off to make use of those piles and this pile.

Generally I Don't Do Pink...

Eden's dress, originally uploaded by SadieandLance.

Yes, generally I don't do pink, and yet the pink part of my stash shines strong. It's always nice when a friend, who's appreciative of a handmade gift, brings a pink baby into my life.

This time cutting into the pink Hollabee (thanks to an infamous Retromummy clean out).

More tummy room was recommended from the last version, so I widened the side seams. Remember this was a pattern I garbled together myself in a moment of excitement.

Sadly the machine ate one of button holes, but I manually "rescued" it. You can't see it, so hopefully little Eden won't either.


When I "finished" I decided that it would be easier to bind the bottom hem than trust myself to fold and hem in a straight line.

I'm pretty glad I did.

Gee it was nice to be back at the machine. Now to cut one for little Clementine.

Blockhead

matchy matchy, originally uploaded by SadieandLance.

In need of some external arse kicking to get me crafting again I decided to sign up for the Chaletgirl Block Swap. And as suspected it well and truly kicked my arse into gear (eventually).

I was on a self imposed crafting ban until I found a place for all my craft materials and miscellaneous junk/paper work/ hundreds of metres of assorted useless cables (thanking Mr Sadieandlance for that one). So when I saw that the other blockheads were putting me to shame I swept up the crap and found a spare drawer to shove all those miscellaneous cables.

I raided the scrap box and off I went.

And my scrap box is pretty on the inside and outside so it's extra-enjoyable to go scrap fishing. But my pretty scrap box isn't the only reason I'm enjoying being back at the machine for, you see, I have a brilliant new sewing desk, but that deserves a post all of it's own (but I should say thank you here to Grandma!)

In case you're interested here's the fabric I sent off to be distributed to the other blockheads.

Can't wait to see what comes back my way - after each participant teams it with their fabric of choice.

It's raining fabric

Not heavy fabric rain , just a trickle. Courtesy of the Amitie blog VIP and a lovely friend. And I've actually been able to use some of Corrie's fabric already to finally have a go at those fabric shoes that have been doing the rounds.




And here's the Smurf's pair in action.


I lined them with flannelette and used 2 layers of flannelette on the sole of one pair and interfaced some flannelette for the other 2 pairs. Both work just fine, but I think I prefer the double flannelette layer.

This is a fabulous little pattern. Quick, easy and good for using small bits of fabric. And now that I love this pattern I just need to re size it so I can make some more for Big Foot Smurf. Who knows I could even churn some out for me but I'm thinking they may not be quite as cute.

There's been some other Smurf related sewing too. Hint.

Love Fabric? Live in Melbourne?

Well get on over here on the weekend:

Alice Euphemia vintage fabric sale!
Start: Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 11:00am
End Time: Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 12:00am

Alice Euphemia Gerturde Street:
114 Gertrude St
Fitzroy, Australia
Phone: 94174300
Email: gertrude@aliceeuphemia.com

All original pieces, hundreds of examples including vintage classics - linens - luxurious velvets - cottons and much more! Lengths ranging from 1 to 5 metres.

If you don't know Alice, it's a gorgeous shop stocking lots of local Melbourne designers and artists.The Gertrude st shop opened recently and their other shop is next to Genki in the Nicholson Building in the city - as if you don't know that building or Genki. Anyway Alice is beautiful and now they're selling off vintage fabric...how silly would you be to miss it?

Report back and make me jealous if you go.

Le Sigh

The Good Sighs:

- Chocolate Slice love! Wow, you internets kids sure do love you some choccie slice! The comments and the cross posting and the people making slice. Makes me weep sugar tears.

- Finding my camera cable. The reason I hadn't blogged for so long.

- Making softies for my Smurf


- Making myself a Mothers Day present


- Making progress


- Making presents for a blog meet up.


- Listening to Le Tigre. You know when you haven't listened to a band you love for ages - even though you've loved them for almost a decade and they are on your all time high rotation list? And then your ipod kindly reaquaints you with them and oh the joy. Kathleen I never stopped lovin ya baby!

- Fabric selling Nuns! This bag x2 for 25 bucks.

No joking. Vintage florals, jersey, canvas, cord, cottons, ginghams, stripes, spots you name it I got it. 50 cents a scrap (largest scraps ever), 1 buck a metre. Thankyerverymuch. More about it over here. A small selection of my favs here:

- Beautiful, inspiring women. xoxo


Bad sighs

- Gastro

- Missing blog meet ups due to gastro

- People who cross my pram path at the shopping centre and make no effort to get out of the way.
- Crafty friends not getting paid when they should. Boo.
- Evidence of pests in the weatherboards of perfectly bloody good gorgeous "with potential" house fit for the Sadieandlance family. Double Boo.
- Golden Girls on the telly in the background.
- Blogger farking with my template settings and stuff.

Aunty SadieandLance

I'm an Aunty!

To Jett John (seen above in his boxers - ah too cute!), born on April 1st - most people thought it was an April Fool and why wouldn't you if you knew my sister? Poor little thing arrived in just 3.5 hours and was a bruised little blueberry face. He is the first bub for my little sister. He's just devine and I am stoked to be an Aunty.

He was another influence on the return of my mojo. As I mentioned I cut into some fabric lastweek, here's the proof


And then on the weekend I got stuck into it. Arranging strips


Sewed the strips together - excuse me please smurf, get off my sewing!


Then finally the strips were sewn together to make one piece.


Now I need to keep the momentum (hello fellow ADC'ers!) and stay on track for sewing the edge and then put it all together to quilt and bind. I might even end it all by taking a better photo. Now feel free to step in any time cheer squad - I might need some help as I've never properly finished a quilt before.

PS I promised some Smurf action a few posts back. So to prove I'm not completely shit at following through, presenting Pumpkin Face.

I made this bag a few weeks ago to store the Smurf's toys in. I did it to avoid continued use of this "toybox"


It's a fab bag, the fabric is a printed canvas that I got from the Retro Mummy shop on my personal shopping expedition.

Next cab off the rank is this pile of sweet stuff


It's destined to be a quilt, but I've lost my mojo. Boo.

Oh and hey if you read Sew Mama Sew you've probably seen this, but if not go do this survey and be first in line for the beta version of a site that offers custom fabric printing - including your own designs they say!

Slowly slowly slowly said the Sloth

The progress is there, but it will be slow going. Oh and there's some linen tape I forgot to show you the other day too.

PS Listening to Peaches...she's delightfully foul while being so um cool.

Feel the Love

The fabric love people.

Some Japanese love

to become a cot quilt for the Smurf

and some Prints Charming love

to become a playmat for the Smurf

I'm just going to take the lazy approach and leave the fabric in one piece and hand stitch round the shapes. But do you think that would work for the Japanese one up there or should I do some lines? Your (expert or otherwise) opinions are warmly welcomed.

Oh and this fabric also came home with me. I just really liked it and thought it might make good smurf pants - or maybe it will just look good in my stash for a while.

Sorry I'm late...

Finally I managed to get my CDs sorted for the CD swap I signed up for. My waters broke the day before I was going to burn, print etc my CDs (at work) and so I was a bit behind getting them out the door.


I did a spare one if anyone would like it? Leave a comment if you'd like to hear my mix of favourite songs to craft to, bake to and sing at the top of my lungs to.

Hands up if you've been to Meet Me at Mikes yet? And hands up if you been to the new MMaM on Brunswick St? Me me me. And hands up if you've bought some sweet vintage fabric?

Me


Me, me.


And what about that packaging? Makes a special purchase too cute to open.