Halloween dress up day

seems to come around faster every year.

I took the easy option this year and the only sewing I did was to insert some elastic at the wrists and ankles.

But seriously for about $15 total who is complaining. Certainly not this little boy. Doesn't he think he is the bees knees!

Doll quilt opening day is tomorrow

and I hope mine makes it to its new home in time.

Here are some sneak peeks to tide my partner over until opening time.

Doll quilt and table runner sneak peeks

Two more swaps in progress. Doll quilt due to be posted on 31 October and table runner for the end of November.

First up - fabric for the doll quilt. Lots of sweet repro vintage prints cut into tiny little strips.

Next - a pile of christmas prints that will become a table runner or two. The green is a lovely minty shade, combined with a rich red and some salmony pink, with lashings of metallic gold.

Swap goodies - what I sent.

This was very hard to part with, as I loved the colours in this fabric.

Quite convenient that Jen made something in a similar colour way!

I sewed an outfit for Dani's son Alex, who is slightly older than Jack. The top and shirts were both Burda patterns (9792 & 9793). I'd never made either one before so it was a bit of a learning process and I have to admit to a little (hmm) bit of un-picking along the way.

The short sleeve, button front shirt was made using 'Rocket Scientist' fabric by Kerrie Beyer. I was rather chuffed that I managed to match the fabric design along the front opening. i was worried that I wouldn't get this part finished on time but it came together very quickly.

The shorts were made from a cord fabric with another print from the 'Rocket Scientist' range used for the pockets. The cord was much stretchier than I thought it would be, and I think I would prefer to make this pattern in a drill or light denim.

The purchased singlet top was a back-up plan when I thought I was running out of time to get the shirt finished. I did want a t-shirt but couldn't find a plain one in the right colour blue, and this top was the perfect colour. The applique is made from the fabrics used in the shorts and is a simple straight-stitch. I hope it stands up to washing.

I have a matching set in the green colourway almost finished for Jack. He keeps going into the sewing room looking for his 'rocket ships' so I think I had better get a move on with it.

Swap opening - Jack's new outfit

Please excuse my photograpy. We opened the parcel when I got home from work and it was starting to get dark so the lighting is pretty bad. I took the photos straight away so everything is a little wrinkled from the mail, and I put them on Jack straight after his bath while he was in the mood to pose.

Look at what we got!

We opened this great package from Jen this afternoon and what a wonderful bundle of clothes she has made for us.

A fantastic button-up shirt covered in tow trucks, other trucks, motor bikes and cars. I think this is a Michael Miller print and there are lots of fabulous details like the faces of the drivers and the names on the trucks. This is perfect for Jack as he is rather obsessed with tow trucks, broken down cars and mechanics at the moment.

The shirt pairs perfectly with a pair of denim shorts with the same print for pocket trims. There is a huge amount of contrasting top stitching and they are really well made.

And my favourite part, a white t-shirt appliqued with a tow-truck towing a car, based on a design from the printed fabric.

The applique wraps around the shirt and the whole think is free-motioned appliqued.....very impressive!

As you can see, Jack thinks he looks rather special!

Thanks Jen, you've done a great job and they will all get lots of wear.

Kids swap 2010 - sneak peek

I enjoyed making my swap outfit for last year's swap so much, that I signed up again this year.

It was a bit easier this year as everything was already in my stash.

You might recognise the fabric from a different swap I posted about a while ago.

I had the patterns and fabric sitting there waiting to make an outfit for Jack, and this has given me the motivation to get on with it. mind you, Jack's outfit is still only half done....

My parcel was wrapped up and posted off today, and now I'm eagerly awaiting my special parcel in return.

Check back on Monday for the big reveal!

A visitor and ANOTHER quilt in progress

This little guy has been hanging around our place for the last few weeks, changing trees every day.

He has a few battle scars so hopefully he will stay safe with us for a while.

I've spent a few hours over the weekend working on a baby quilt for a work friend's baby shower. The original plan was simple charm squares with a co-ordinating border and could have been completed in a weekend. However, the plan changed when the fabric arrived, and this is where I am up to....

It is inspired by Helen's Bye Bye Birdie quilt that appeared in Homespun magazine, http://patchwork-of-mini-grey.blogspot.com/2009/10/day-9-of-blogtoberfest-bye-bye-birdie.html and the bird appliques are taken from another quilt in a later edition of Homespun.

I've pieced the four long strips but the geen sashing isn't attatched yet. There will be two more sashing strips, a narrow pink border and a wide green spotty border.

That won't take long, but the quilting will take me a while.

And these little birds all need stitching down and they also need eyes and legs.

The baby shower is next weekend and I've decided not to try to finish it in time. It would end up rushed and I know I won't be happy with it.

I've also got some other commitments this week that simply can't be put off.

I think I will take a trip to the shops for a shower gift instead, and take my time working on this.

I'm sure there will be another little girl in need of a quilt sometime in the future.