The Saunio Cardigan was a success.  This pattern was the second in the Sew-My-Style challenge.  It was also my first attempt at using NAMED PATTERNS.


My favorite part of this pattern would have to be an accidental detail - as I put together the shoulders,  I only had gold grosgrain ribbon in my sewing bag. Now there are little golden seams hidden on the inside.


The pattern is generally loose fitting, but the arms are quite snug.  I added and extra 2 inches to the width of the sleeves, but wish I had added a little more.

I may have overthought some of the steps, but my key lesson is READ the instructions.  This is something that I relish doing, but it appears I start reading and then just skim over the details looking at the pictures.  I read in depth all the details about adding a seam allowance to each piece.  However, that little step 2, that has no pictures, but says "interface the facings" - you want to pay attention to that one.

The jacket fits, is versatile and certainly fills a gap in my wardrobe.  While it's not what I would usually wear, there might be another on in the works some time soon.

This is my take on the Toaster Sweater by SewHouse7. There has been a lot of pattern hacking going on lately.  It is high time that I made some adjustments and made something for myself.  My sweater is now a bomber jacket that I can wear to work.

The pattern is part of the sewmystyle 2017 challenge.  The fabric I've used is a bonded merino knit that I picked up at  a recent fabric-a-brac market for the princely sum of $1.  I'm left wishing that there was just a little bit more of it because next time I make this, it's going to have pockets, for sure.

There is something special about sewing in good company.  Every Monday,  I do just that.  In the last 6 months I have had the privilege of also sewing with my sister.

Viva La Liberty was entered into the 2016 Oversew Fashion Awards. Following and amazing night at the awards show for this extravaganza of remade, re-imagined and upcycled fashion, I can share the details of this outfit born out of years of collecting fabrics and hours of sewing.   The finished work  features a white linen camisole and a fully reversible circle skirt.


I’ve included the following excerpt from my accompanying entry, to tell the some of the story.

The Outfit

The camisole is based on a vintage 1950’s lingerie pattern, with darted shaping and bias cut body. I’ve updated the style has been updated to incorporate recycled details from a Liberty shirt.

The first side of the skirt features Liberty floral shirts pieced in a radiating spiral, starting with lightest at the top and gradually darkening towards the hem. The use of ombre in placement of fabrics, gives a contemporary edge to the more traditional Liberty prints.

The second side, again celebrates the wonder of Liberty prints with an allover pattern and white linen accent to the hem. This linen strip being the only new fabric visible in the garment.

Viva La Liberty was made possible by a  family tradition of saving, storing and exchanging garments.  The original garment include pieces found, donated and handsewn.  Pieces were gradually added for their texture, pattern and potential.

The finished pieces tell pay homage to Liberty patterns. The Liberty pattern has continued through times where pattern and decoration were dismissed by modernism as irrelevant. The fabrics are made from natural materials including natural linen, cotton and cotton lawn. This outfit tells a story of women choosing quality materials and detailed patterns to express their creativity.



And ….This outfit was judged Runner-Up in the Fire Worx section of the 2016 Oversew Fashion Awards. 

Details of the many, many garments that went into making Viva La Liberty to follow.

Leggings are the true work horse of the wardrobes around here.  This year I reluctantly traced out the largest size in my tried and true pattern.  I find it hard to believe that I really have made this pattern in all sizes from 3 to 8. While I've never written about these before you can see them in the background of many of our adventures over the years.


My favorite has to be yellow leggings.  They make every outfit awesome and have been made again and again in different sizes.  I sometimes wish I could just pull on a pair myself to brighten up dull moments.

I have used NewLook 6639.  As this have been a 6 year journey of legging making, this pattern is sadly out of print. The cover art has dated a little too. You need to look past it to see the magic. This pattern turns the smallest length of stretch fabric into beloved leggings.   The pattern uses 2 pieces (front and back) and sews up very quickly.  If you are looking for something similar, I'd recommend trying Simplicity 8105 or Kwiksew 3958.

In the mean time, I'm on the hunt for a new leggings pattern for my oldest daughter.  Sizes 8+ can be just a little harder to find.  There is the twist that you are no longer dressing toddlers or little kids.  Perhaps she might even be nudging the XS end of the women's patterns that I sew for myself.  Somehow I'm just not ready for that.  I'm delighting that E still spies sparkly fabric in the sewing room and lets me make her clothes.

Around here, we sew in twos. Sewing in twos means a balancing act of one for you and one for you too.  Each garment diplomatically balanced with one for the other.  This week is was sweat shirts.  One, grey marle with sparkles, the other marshmallow pink with super long cuffs.

I have long since realised that my daughters are determined to be themselves.  Sometimes, however, they are also determined to be the same as each other.


The Pattern - Littlekiwiscloset - Street Smart Sweatshirt
The Fabric - Cotton sweat shirting from Levana with rayon knit accents from spotlight

This little pair of foxes was group effort. Mother stitching the big fox and daughter stitching the little one.

It was the kind of project that had me pulling fabrics, aching over choices and generally remembering why making softies can be simultaneously a frustration and pleasure.

In one of those moments of frustration, I suggested that E make the presents for her friend.  She took up the challenge. I have to admit I was impressed. So was her friend.


The large fox is adapted from We Make Dolls and you can find a pattern for the smaller one at  Little White School House.

There has been stitching, crafting and oh so many adventures.  I couldn't possibly leave them in the depths of a forgotten camera memory card.

This little mermaid is the result of a girl who believes her mother can make miracles.  The night before the party, she asked for a mermaid, for her friend.  Of course miracles are abound here, especially when one sets one's mind to it.  A little stitching, stuffing and velvet hair meant for a brief moment the goldfish had a friend.  It looks like he's just waiting for her to jump in.

pattern from - Wee Wonderfuls by Hilary Lang.

Winter means winter coats.  I have been stitching away, with these coats just waiting for it to get cold enough to wear.  Of course, this doesn't mean that everything else the children wear is seasonally appropriate.  Check out those bare knees!!
The girls promptly told me that they are elf coats, not pixie coats.  Apparently, elves are cooler.  I think we can blame the Polar Express movie for that.  The girls are pretty excited about their coats either way.
 About the Pattern:
The pattern is Thadee by Citronille.  It has been shortened to allow for tree climbing and bike riding adventures.  I didn't realise you could get the patterns in english  and fumbled my way through the french (looking at the pictures really). I chose to line it with flannel to the hoods and body and vintage acetate to the sleeves.   I've also added some pockets into the side seams.  The buttons are vintage self covered dome buttons which found in an opshop.  I still haven't been able to find anyone who is currently making them as they are great for little fingers.

The fabric was bought at an auction in January.  The coral appears to have been a wool blanket once upon a time.  It was just an off cut when it came to me.  The blue is a thick woven coat wool.  You may see a little more of it over time as I ended up with a half bolt of it.

The pattern is simple to make and I would recommend it.  While it would be a whole lot faster to make without pockets or lining, the little details make it all the nicer for my little pixies elves.

For a brief moment there was a fantail on my couch. I meet up with friends every Monday to sew.  They keep me sane.  Every year we have a Christmas swap and this year it was cushions.  This little chap only just made it to the party.  I was stitching until the minute I left the house.


He's now sitting on the couch at this lovely friend's place. 

A little stitching, a little pattern and I now have my very own La Cigale.  It's a lavender filled cicada, to fill a wardrobe with summery fragrances and memories of a lovely Le Rouvray.  The pattern went together beautifully.  I think the next one deserves some sort of hanging loop as well.

I'm busting out the fabric stash.  Aunts, avert you eyes as your Christmas presents may be looking a lot like this.

The Printed Zipper Pocket Tutorial is ready to go. The instructions include how to print on the fabric and sew it together. You can download it by clicking on the link below.

Printed, Zipped Pocket

These pockets are the result of an afternoon of printing with kids aged between 4 to 8. Armed with painting shirts, and precut fabric we were able to make stamp pads and explore printing with everyday objects.

Each artwork was then turned into a zipped pocket.  I have simplified the steps and used pinking shears where ever possible, to streamline the construction.  It took about 3 hours to sew all 12 pockets together (only 15 minutes each!).

I am planning to enlist the kids to help me make some more for Christmas presents for their friends and teachers.

We had a great time making them.  If you have any questions, suggestions or even photos of the ones you have finished, please drop me a line - seven.stitches.amy(at)gmail.com .

A few notes to start

• The images display best in Adobe Acrobat.  They show up a little blurry on Google Drive

• The measurements have been given in imperial first with metric in brackets.

I have been putting the finishing touches on lots of little sewing projects.  An afternoon of kids printing onto fabric has been turned into a dozen little zipped pouches.

I think I might have got it down to a fine production line*.  I am sucked by the bright colours and expressiveness of their little art works.  I think we may need to make some more for Christmas and end of year teacher presents. However, the next task is to match each pouch with its maker.

*I sometimes wonder if the wed needs yet another zippered pouch tutorial, but I am sorely tempted to write one, including measurements, printing techniques, ink setting process.  What do you think? Should I? Would you use it?

My favourite part of a blanket would have to be the satin along the edges. These cushions celebrate blanket ribbon in all it's hues and leave the satin edge free for little hands to explore.

Growing up, we only slept with blankets when were at my grandparents. There is a certain security in going to sleep with the satin edges clutched between fingers.  For me, it means that, even though I'm away from home, I've been tucked in by someone who cares.

These cushions are made out of a collection of blanket samples for Onehunga Woollen Mills.  Each came with its name written on a small adhesive label.  In stops and starts I have been sewing the name of each colour onto it's respective sample since 2010.  We have everything from the blues of  seascape and navy, to the very pale whites of natural and eggshell.

And as an added bonus, they are nice to snuggle up with too.

The Hanami pattern was a breeze to follow with the most sublime lined finished.  E can be seen here in the top with the cross over back variation.  Little tops are brilliant for this independent 6 year old who has just discovered jeans and leggings and prefers them to a dress any day.  I have used a D S Quilts print for the top and the little flutter sleeves give a hint of the white cotton lawn lining.  I would sew this pattern again in a heartbeat.


You can get your own copy of the pattern from the StraightGrain shop or just follow An and her amazing Belgian sewing creations over here.

All this leaves me counting down to this year's Hanami Picnic and wondering if we all need need new outfit for the occasion.

I've done it again.  I don't mean making zippered pockets for presents either.  I wrapped the present and then remembered to take the photo.  You can see the wrapping paper behind as evidence.  To make matters worse, it's not even the second time I've done this.  It's the third.

E chose the fabric for her friend's present.  Upon seeing it 'finished'  told me that we needed to write Heidi's name on it too.  One day I will get it right, both the present and the photo.

I am a sucker for go anywhere dresses.  The sort that can take a day at daycare or impress the grandparents at the drop of a hat.  This dress certainly fits the bill.  It is the perennial dress by SewPony.  There is even a free tutorial for it.


The colours may look familiar, and they are.  I am trying to recapture a favorite of mine that I made 2 years ago.  This one is made of a light stretch denim with an America Jane print as the accent.  Of course there is truckloads of bias tape in there too.  The red accents around the neckline are peeks of the singlet beneath.  I can proudly claim that this dress has withstood the rigors of daycare and lived to tell the tale.