Latest Pattern Aquisition

Source: etsy.com via Jane on Pinterest

Rip it off: Anthro Tea-And-Crumpets Kid's Apron

I might have to rip-off this Anthro children's apron. Cute, no?

Source: anthropologie.com via Jane on Pinterest

There's even a matching grown up apron!

Source: anthropologie.com via Jane on Pinterest

Actually, the more I study it, the more I think it is wasted as an apron and would make a super cute dress.

Back to it: Works in Progress

Source: oliverands.com via Jane on Pinterest

Oh. my. goodness. The last three weeks I have been working about 30 hours a week which has needed to be during baby's nap time, after Miss Five has gone to bed and on the weekend. Which has meant every spare minute has been working except for my posts here on body image which were kind of work related. I wrote five articles on cosmetic surgery and an article on eating disorders which had my mind whirring about body dissatisfaction.

But I have submitted all articles and the only things left to do for work are one article due end of this week and any corrections my editor wants.

So, yesterday I got some sewing in, yay!! I started a Sunday Brunch Jacket for Miss Five which was going along nicely until I got to binding the seams. I have never used bias binding, can you imagine? I tried making my own first up which was highly unsuccessful. The  I found some vintage bias binding in my mum's notions cabinet which she gave me (ha, don't tell her I called something of hers vintage) which is actually not wide enough but as it was a Public Holiday and I couldn't run to the shop, I tried to make it fit. Not a great result but not too bad. I need a finished project so I decided not to fuss about the binding. I hand-sewed a few bits that didn't catch and since my mum made me learn to hand sew before I learnt on a machine my hand sewing is pretty unnoticeable.

I'm hoping to have that finished today and then I'll start a floor quilt for Bubba.

Pattern Review: Oliver+S Jump Rope Dress

I fell in love with the Jump Rope Dress from Oliver+S as soon as I saw it. It is so cute and different to fashion being sold for children in most chains (sparkly mini skirts and black boots with midriff tops -- hello). And the details are gorgeous: collar, cuffs, belt-loops, pockets, buttons...I love the way Oliver+S designs bring back the innocence of childhood. This was my first Oliver+S pattern but I have a few more in the pipeline.

I knew this pattern fitted the bill of increasing my skill as well.

What fabric did you use?
I used a 100% cotton fabric that I got for a song off ebay. I liked the cute floral pattern in apricots but once I'd finished it I wished I'd used a bolder colour -- I'm not sure it went so well with my daughter's 'peaches and cream' complexion. I have a navy and white polka-dot cotton in my stash that I might make another version in. The nice thing about Oliver+S patterns is that you can use quilt-weight cotton and gosh there are some cute quilting fabrics available.

How easy was the pattern to use?
This pattern was a dream. Really. Many other Oliver+S devotees have said how sewing with one of their patterns is like taking a sewing class, and it really is. The instructions are so clear and there are even tips to help overcome common problems. I loved the tip for sewing the tiny pieces without losing them down into the bobbin: sew onto a piece of tissue paper. It gives stability and you can tear it away after you have finished sewing.

What level of sewing skill was required?
Oliver+S classify this as a 3 scissors out of 4 in difficulty which translates to "INTERMEDIATE: For the experienced sewer who has made a wider variety of items and feels comfortable with a new challenge." I think this is probably accurate because it was a bit fiddly with the details but honestly as long as you have some patience and commonsense this was very straight forward. I would possibly even describe it as advanced-beginner.

Did it turn out like the picture? 
Absolutely! It is one of those projects where you finish it and can't believe you made it. All the little finishing touches made it very neat and tidy.

Where can I get the pattern?
This is the bad news. It is out of print. That's right. Out of print! But you may be able to get it from a supplier that still has stock or second-hand from ebay or etsy.


One is currently for sale on etsy: 6m-3T as of 6 APril 2011.
If you want inspiration, check out the pics from a jump rope sew-along: