Animal

Yes, another dress for Scout. This was a very interesting project, I purchased the vintage Butterick 3667 (Size 2) pattern at a market in Sydney ages ago. The pictures on the front were too cute to pass up. During my mom's visit we traced and cut the pattern and noted the neck looked a bit small, once the fabric was cut it was clear the neck was about the right size for the wrist of a 2 year old, not the neck. After a number of alterations and adjustments and measuring on Luca we were ready to go. I am very happy with the end result, it was a great project to practice some pattern changes on and was so helpful to have my mom talk me through the adjustments. So much easier when you have someone to bounce ideas off. After all the work put into the changes will definitely be making this dress again. Material from my Tokyo stash and vintage buttons from ici et la. -kb

Folded, pleated detail?

This is the detailing running up the center of a blouse I recently purchased. I love it and think it would be a great additon to some of the clothes I am making Scout. Does anyone know what this is called or maybe have any hints or links on how to do this? -kb

Exactly how old is too old to wear a tutu?

A little friend is turning 3 this weekend. For her birthday I have made her a bubble gum pink tutu. Fingers crossed Scout likes tutu's as this was the easiest and most girly project I've done in ages. I used tips and hits from these two tutorials, unfortunately I couldn't find any tulle on a role in Sydney so I did have to cut the strips, but really it went quick. When finished I kept thinking this is sooo cute, could I wear one...obviously not in public, but maybe while cleaning the house or doing laundry? Ok so maybe not, in the interim I think this will be my go to gift for little girls.-kb

Teal Dress

Another dress for Scout, same pattern as the lemon dress. I can't wait until she is wearing these! -kb

lifers

These are my new lifers (shoes I'm sure to have forever) and a great find.

They are comfy (rare for my size 41/42 feet), on sale (last pair) and they have feathers and beads...pretty much perfect. -kb

Tunic...

Another tunic made for Scout. I used the same pattern as the elephant tunic and more fabric from my Tokyo stash, this version is a bit longer and I am imagining her wearing this with red tights and shiny shoes. She is smiling, she is growing and turns out like Luca a fabulously content little baby, hence all of the sewing!

We are off to WA for three weeks in April. We will be visiting Perth, Margaret River, Albany and Esperance. Any suggestions on sights/shopping etc while we are there? -kb

Lemon Dress

Lemon dress made with my mom during her Scout visit. I love this pattern from one of my Japanese sewing books, will make this one again and again. A few of you have asked for photos of Scout wearing some of the clothes I've been making most everything in at least a size one so it'll be a few more months before she's rocking any of these. Between all of the lovely gifts and the Luca hand-me downs it didn't seem practical to make smaller sizes. More fabric from my Tokyo stash! -kb

earings etc

Over the weekend I visited the Paddington Markets with one of my friends. I love wandering through the market and the shops on Oxford street while chatting away. Much more talking than shopping, a great way to get a little extra exercise with an added bonus of lots of pretty things to look at! After loosing a game of rock paper scissors for a lovely pair of earrings, I stumbled upon these. I've bought a few other pieces from Kristina Brenke on other visits to the market and absolutely love this new addition!

Yesterday I had my first in person blogger meet. While shopping a big sale at CR I couldn't help but notice a fellow shopper looked super familiar...I am an avid reader of her blog. Now that I've met her in person I am blown away at how she manages all 3 of her kidos at home let alone finding time to do any sewing, they were amazingly cute and so well behaved! Looking forward to bumping into her again! -kb

Blue Girly Skirt

My mom came out to Australia when Scout was born. She was a great help with so many things including quite a bit of sewing. She made this adorable blue skirt, using a pattern from one of my Japanese sewing books. The very light weight blue cotton from my stash was perfect for the two layers. I would not make this pattern again as the inside of the waist band has a very unfinished look, I will however make Scout more double layer skirts using this idea! -kb

Green Bull

While shopping at Ici Et La in Sydney the sales assistant gave Luca a little leather bull. Was the perfect entertainment for him and allowed me to browse without worry. Now that we are home, the little bull has found a home in my studio as I think I like him even more than Luca. Love the color and a great use of scrap leather-kb

Swing Jacket

I made this swing jacket from the "Bend the Rules Sewing" pattern. The grey is a quilted cotton jersey that is amazingly soft, picked up at the Kirribilli markets last year. The pink and grey combination seems so lovely and girly to me. I will make this pattern again, but I think I will lengthen the body a few inches. Very very easy and quick project! (I have changed my header as my husband was non-stop teasing me about the brain photo!) -kb

Autumn Garden

Our garden is in full swing. I think one of the great things about the Sydney climate is the year round garden, there is something blooming or growing all year round. My current fav in the back garden is this succulent, I can't take my eyes off the colors! -kb

Elephant Tunic

One of the many greats about having a girl...all of the lovely girly clothes I have been making. Elephant Tunic - inspiration from one of my many japanese sewing books, fabric from my trip to Toyko last year, trim and beads from my stash (I knew all that girly fabric would come in handy!) -kb

Introducing Scout Andrine

This is the little bundle of joy that kept me from blogging the last few months. At the end of my pregnancy I was pretty worn out and anything crafty was the last thing on my mind. I can sum up December and January by telling you: sleep, Christmas, great friends visiting from over seas, sleep, sleep and then Scout. February was all about getting to know Scout and spending as much time with Luca as possible. That pretty much brings you all up to speed! Her birth was fantastic, and six weeks on I am feeling great (even wearing some pre-baby clothes!) , she is happy and healthy and very much a cuddler. I've been doing lots of sewing and projects around the house, pics and details coming soon. I am loving the free time, Sydney autumn and that amazing new baby smell filling the house. I couldn't be happier!