Baby Button Up Shirt

So, I suddenly have a new burst of energy today, so I have made the most of it by making a cute button up shirt for baby (sadly it won't fit him for a couple months yet!). A friend recommended the pattern online, so I thought I would give it a go. Pattern can be found here.
The pattern includes stretch false long sleeves which I decided to do without. The shoulder widths didn't quite match and the collar needed a lot of easing to fit onto the neckline, but otherwise it was a pretty accurate and well designed pattern.
I used some yellow poly cotton that I had in my fabric pile and highlighted it with a blue print collar and pocket with a very cute ribbon trim. Amazingly it matches some cute little pants I made a while ago too. Can't wait to see it on baby! Hurry up baby!

Baby's Nursery

Just some quick pictures of the nursery that I have been working on for baby. The theme is hot air balloons and I have tried to make it gender neutral... just in case.

Balloons on the wall...

Balloons in a frame...

Balloons hanging from the ceiling...

Bunting across the window...

Hopefully baby is impressed!

Post Baby Dress No. 1

Almost a month after deciding I should do some breast feeding appropriate sewing, I have finally got around it making up a dress to wear post baby. I used a McCalls stretch pattern in a larger size than I anticipate needing and made my dress from a lovely soft cotton voile.
I used dress A from the pattern and inserted a row of buttons down the front of the bodice. I think the buttons make the dress look better, even if I did add them for practical reasons. I used a self bias binding to finish of the neckline and armholes neatly. As the pattern was made for stretch, I needed to make a few shape adjustments to the side seams and neckline. The waist is a simple elastic (which I made rather large as I don't know how big I'll be after baby, but can easily be pulled in).
So there, I have one nice, cool, loose and comfy dress to wear post baby.

Dresses for Breastfeeding

With less than 6 weeks to go until baby is due, I'm starting to think about the practicalities of life after birth. I have so many lovely dresses in my wardrobe, waiting patiently until I can fit back into them, but I have realised that not a single one of them is going to work for breastfeeding baby... certainly not in public.
So with my new fashion design and pattern making skills I have begun to plan some new items for my wardrobe that will not only be practical, but be pretty too.
(I hate all the stretchy breastfeeding t-shirts and tops that are on the market. Jut because I am pregnant or a new mum shouldn't mean that I can't look nice!)

In my opinion, the ideal dress for breastfeeding should have a front opening and be loose enough around the bust and waist for comfort. So I have found some front buttoning dresses online for inspiration. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can come up with!

Sewing for Baby Boy

Boy clothes are boring. I make no secret of the fact. But, my child must have clothes, and I may as well make them as interesting as I can. Here are some overalls and shorts that I have made recently. Hope they fit!

Cute overalls with little green turtles!!

Shorts made from cut-off's (from my maternity pants)

Quilted Cot Bumper

I decided that to match my cute cot quilt I should make an equally cute cot bumper. So I found my quilting scraps and made up some small quilt blocks. I then appliquéd these to a strip of fabric (sadly not the white with dots fabric I used as the background of my quilt) and added wadding and a backing and quilted away. I then used blue bias tape to finish off the edges. The bumper ties onto the cot railing in about six places, so it should be nice and stable. Baby needs to hurry up and come so he can see all the fun things I've made for him!

Yay... the cot is all ready!

Completed Baby Quilt!

I have finally completed my block of the month quilt! I did make changes and leave some bits out, but I am so glad to have it done! Today I finished off the binding around the edge, and I must say, it looks pretty cute! Now we just have to wait for baby to arrive (and then some cooler weather) so we can put it to use!

Finished!

Neat little mitred corners!

Baby's cute little cot!

Block of the Month Quilt Progress

So, I finally got around to purchasing the batting and backing for my block of the month quilt. Wow, quilting products are so expensive, I don't know if I'll be making another quilt any time soon! I also got the basting spray to stick the layers together to make for easier quilting at the machine.
It took me a good 4 hours of work to quilt a simple design (mostly just outlining my blocks), but I am pretty impressed with the results! Now I just have to work out how to add the binding and baby will have a lovely quilt for the cot!

Quilt stuck together and pinned for extra security!

Struggling to juggle all the fabric under the machine!

Quilting finished! (It looks like it needs another iron!)

The quilt design from the back

More Creative Design

Some more of my designs based on the Sea this time!

My Sea mood board

Design inspired by seaweed.

Design inspired by rolling waves

Creative Design

My latest fashion design assignment required me to design some clothing based on an idea or theme. One of the themes that I chose to work with was "flowers". The results are below!

My design mood board

Dress inspired by the Shirley Poppy

Dress inspired by a purple Calla Lily

Maternity Dress for a Garden Wedding

Recently I have been working on another dress that I can wear to a friend's wedding. The wedding will be held in a garden and so my colours are light and pretty. The finished product has turned out pretty well after much redesigning as I went along. It is made from a soft ivory satin and a pretty printed chiffon. The high waist again has some elastic to help with wearing ease around my expanding ribs even though the dress is zipped up the back. The little bow and buttons on the front add the finishing touches!

Drawing Fashion

In my fashion design course, I've been learning how to draw various parts of garments on a fashion model. Below are some of my recent attempts.