Thank you for the memories

I was flicking through old photo albums- circa late 70s/early 80s and was thinking about how some of these fashions have made a comeback, at least in blogland if not Best and Less. Or perhaps they are just classics, that have never gone out of style. Many of these were sewn by my mother I think.

I love pinafores, embroidered blouses, oversized sunnies, knee high socks, t-bar mary janes, simple sandals...

Not as keen on the brown skivvy and jeans and vacuum packed tummy tee with short shorts. I wonder what I dress my kids in that they will look back on in 2 or 3 decades and shudder/rejoice?

Bits and Pieces

I went to the op shop and what did I see?

I have that "walking through the jungle" song in my head. Does anyone know what I mean, or did I just make it up? It's from Bananas in PJs or something equally as rad.

Talking of rad, Norma has done it again. Look at this little cardy. Aw. And actually been quite useful this being the strangest summer ever thus far.

Crafter's remorse

There was no time to make anything else for Jemima for the wedding, so I did what I have avoided as a new crafty type, and BOUGHT her a dress. I feel a bit guilty actually.... but I keep telling myself to cut myself some slack and remember that I bought that sewing machine and made my first garment since 1989 only 9 months ago, so there will be a bit of hit and miss and trips to the shops instead.

So this cute little number is from Cotton On Kids. Not the best quality admittedly, but super cute, no? You can see the mexican dress spirit is haunting me somewhat. I did consider popping her in the mexican dress I made, but it is still a little big too. A familiar phrase in this blog.

I have no crafter's remorse when it came to the button up shirt and black jeans I bought for Caleb to wear to the wedding. Shirts and jeans with pockets are a little beyond me just yet. 

But I am still a crafty type, there is no denying that, as I have successfully hinted my way to a Ottobre subscription for Christmas. I think this will pose many a challenge but I am very excited about it and am pretty certain the folk in sewing blog land will be a big help if I run into too much trouble! ;-)

Made by Norma

There is a beautiful lady at my church who has been generously showering my children with handmade gifts and second hand treasures for the last couple of years. Knitted cardigans haven't always been my style, but my tastes are changing, especially as I am learning about the time, effort, cost and love that go into handmade clothes. So much better than Best and Less really.

Norma used to sew and gave me this pattern which I must sew up quickly as it goes up to 18 months. She has assured me that the sizing on these patterns is always big. Hope so, because I am quite keen on the pinnies- and call me crazy, but I am liking the little bubble romper too.

I didn't make this dress...

...it was a hand me down, fresh from the plastic bag. But how cute is it in all it's fullness?

I DID make the hair clip (can you see it??). I paid $8 each for some (really lovely) handmade hair clips at a local boutiquey thing. I almost ended up losing them every time she wore them, so I decided to google making hair clips, and came up with this. Thanks Amy! I love her book too. I've mentioned "Bend the Rules Sewing" before, and no doubt will again. I bought some hair clips thanks to ebay- 25 for $8 incl postage.

So now I can chillax a little about the hair clip in situ, as it probably cost less than 50c.