tinker

I seldom follow a recipe or pattern, sometimes it's because I don't quite have all the ingredients or materials required. The results can be hit or miss, it often ends up very different to the picture in the book - that's for sure! But sometimes the "tinkering" is because the recipe or pattern just doesn't do what I need/want it to do. That is exactly the case with this bag I made over the weekend.

excuse the pics - with no assistant they are "selfies"

 It's the my version of "new mama every thing tote" from Sweet and Simple handmade by Melissa Wastney. Many years ago now I did a swap with Melissa, one of her tote bags in a gorgeous Ikea fabric and in return I sent her a large bundle of vintage linens for her to turn into baby shoes. I used it lots and still do, although mostly these days as a "crochet project" bag. The main reason I don't still use it? It's straps don't go across my body like a messenger style bag. But I love the style and the deep pleats (which don't really show up well in my pics - but they are there!)

So I made the bag with a long strap, perfect to sling over my shoulder on my bike (that mr A and I use on school and preschool runs). Also because I wanted it for wearing on my bike I added a flap!(with a magnetic clasp) To keep all the contents of the bag on the inside, rather than flying out and off down the road as we bike along. I used an old belt for the "D rings" for the strap and thrifted leather for the flap and strap. My sister gave me the vintage Sanderson linen that forms the shell of the bag. So my bag hasn't turned out as the pattern dictated, but it suits my purposes perfectly! 

By the way if you are ever looking for claps and other findings like that, I can recommend - Craft Runner . I've always found them to deliver quickly and have really good prices, an amazing range of craft products, it also kind of helps that they include a tiny bit of chocolate in each order too! Or maybe that's just for my orders? Either way it's good to support local companies right? 

for the boy

There was lots of jealousy over the hooded jacket I made for miss E to take on our weekend away. So, quite quickly once we returned I made this jacket for my boy (4 and a half years - not 4 years old any more he tells me).

The outer blue fabric is from a cashmere jacket/coat I thrifted a few years ago, ahem, it was just $2, in perfect condition and I loved the deep royal blue colour. It's sat in my coat cupboard ever since, waiting for a make over. I've often pulled it out, wondering what I was going to do with it, luckily I waited, well, cause it's just perfect for this jacket! I unpicked all the seams, I cut out the pattern pieces carefully, there was just enough, minus the hood which I cut out of a felted jumper. I made use of the beautifully constructed and lined pockets of the original jacket, making it looked like I slaved over the details, also making it look like I'm a MUCH better seamstress than I actually am.

The lining fabric, was gifted to me earlier in the year at Fabric-a-brac, generously by the lovely Anissa from the Grow Mama blog (thanks again Anissa!). It's a  thick brushed cotton the sort you'd make some pyjamas from, I cut one of the little yellow bulldozers out of the fabric to embellish the front a little. The jacket is so super snugly and warm, perfect for wearing on the back of my bicycle as I ride him to preschool! He loves it.

* The pattern for the hooded jacket is from Sweet and simple handmade - by Melissa Wastney 

warmth

My first introduction to the world of craft blogs was Melissa's blog - Tiny Happy. I remember clearly picking up a copy of NZ House & Garden at the supermarket and finding a wee article on Melissa and the beautiful things she was making. That lead me to finding other clever crafty people blogging about the things they were making and inspiring me to start my own blog. 

I've bought lots of things from Melissa over the years and her handiwork can be seen all over our house, bags, a forraging satchel, framed printed cards, a velveteen rabbit and brooches to name a few. So I was really excited to hear last year at the Auckland art and craft fair that she was writing a book - Sweet and simple handmade, that would include patterns for all the beautiful things she's made over the years. I quizzed her for most of the fair (we were stall neighbours) about her book (sorry Melissa!) and the thing that excited me the most was that the patterns were going to be printed on tissue and kept at the back of the book. I love that so much! I've grown tired of getting books out of my library only to find I have to copy out the patterns to start creating, I find I never get around to making the things. 

I couldn't wait to start sewing from this book, here's the first project completed ......

The Winter climate here in Auckland is mild (no snow for starters), so those beautiful woollen coats made from vintage woollen blankets aren't necessary, very disappointing. But I've been lucky enough to pick up a couple of vintage lightweight woollen pleated skirts, a perfect weight to add warmth, but not overheat. All those pleats in the skirts mean there is lots of fabric. After unpicking all the stitches I washed the fabric to remove the pressed in pleats. Melissa suggests looking for clothing that you can "upcycle" in her book, making use of textiles that are in thrift stores, so this skirt fabric seemed the perfect choice for this project.

  The instructions for the "Hooded Winter Coat" are simple and easy to follow, which helped me lots when I decided to whip this coat up for taking away with us on the weekend, ahem, I started and finished on Thursday night! I lined it with some soft brushed floral cotton that I had thrifted a long time ago, it seemed to fit well with the wool.

I made only a couple of changes, I added a pocket on the inside for secret treasures that I know my girl likes  to take with her and I added some pleats on the shoulders, a nod to the past of the woollen fabric. At the moment it's a bit "over sized" but I love that it's something that should be a favourite and see her through a few Winters.

So what else can you expect to see in this book, well it's separated into sections of, "babies - 0-12 months", "little ones - 1-4", "Children - 5-10". Each section featuring an array of wonderful simple projects that would delight those little ones (and their mamas). I especially love the babies section, now that my little ones have grown up (a little bit) this is the section that I'll be turning to, making presents for friends. The soft stretchy pants and modern bonnet being top of the list!

If you are time poor and not really into sewing yourself, you can check out Melissa's Etsy shop - Tiny Happy where you will find beautiful things handmade by Melissa.