Welcome to my reflection on the last 1/4 of 2016! In October, I went back to my day job part-time after maternity leave, so there wasn’t as much time for personal sewing but somehow I still managed to get plenty done.
October:
- I tested the Jaunty Dress for Tadah which is a knit dress in a basics style. My daughter loves the dresses I made during testing and I can see that they will be remade in bigger sizes as she grows. To coincide with the release of this pattern, Tadah also introduced their own line of organic Cotton Spandex fabrics that were absolutely awesome to sew with and they have worn really well.
- Alongside the dress testing, there was a Slim Fit Tee pattern for the kids. I made some for my boy and these are some of his favourite tee shirts. I can see me making more of these as well in the next sizes.
- It seems my main sewing this month was testing for Tadah, the last thing I tested this month were the Peg Shorts that are a part of the Issue 13 of One Thimble magazine. These shorts have a different styled front and you can add a little femineity with the optional Kawaii ruffle.This is great for those girls who prefer shorts but love to be a bit girly! I made my final pair using some gorgeous Art Gallery cotton from the Pandalicious collection. (I got mine from Utopian Threads Fabric)
- To match these shorts, I made a tee with a coordinating fabric from the same collection. I used the Jaunty Dress I tested earlier in the month and hacked it to a tee. I did this for a fitted look and to be able to use the flutter sleeves of the dress. I showed how to do it in this hack.
- I made my baby a backpack to take with her to day care. I used the Bazinga Backpack pattern by Flosstyle. This pattern is easy to follow and comes together really nicely. It is not a quick sew and each step takes a bit of time. If you have the time and patience, the end product is worth it.
- I don’t normally add my colouring mats and other products I generally make for the business side of Noble Cubs, however I was excited in October to bring my new design colouring mat that was designed by my daughter and I, made into and printing screen and printed by me! This mat is the Forest Friends mat that we stock.
November:
- November was a lot quieter. I tested the men’s version of the Slim Fit Tee for Tadah and my husband was so excited that I had some Avengers Christmas Knit to add into a Tee for him.
- I used my snap panel hack and made a Melbourne Romper by Jilly Atlanta in the next size up for the baby. I did a free-motion applique with a silhouette of Bambi, added a ruffle around the bib and I added ruffles to the bum. I really love this romper, it looks so cute.
- I had some knit left over from the Tadah Jaunty dress I made, I had the one that looks like sprinkles. I used it to make a nappy cover and dough nut applique for my baby. The pattern I used was the nappy cover by Tadah. I upsized the pattern as my baby wears MCN I used the leg elastic length to make leg bands.
- I made my baby’s Christmas outfit. I used the bodice of the Baby Tea Party by Tadah to make a crop top, I used a small ruffle and attached it as you would the skirt/ romper section. This turned out so cute and was great for the hot, Queensland Summer. I also used the Tadah ruffle bum pattern to finish off the outfit.
- We had a friends 4th birthday. I made her a Calla Lily crop top (One Thimble Issue 12) and some Bloomies from Flosstyle Patterns to make her puffy, paper bag waisted pants. This outfit I also made using Christmas fabric for her. I used the Calla Lily top to make my own daughter a Christmas top to match the Christmas skirt that still fit from last year.
- We designed another new colouring mat as well, my son helped me design an ‘Urban’ style mat that would appeal to more boys.
December
- I tested for Tadah again, this time it was the Breeze dress. This is a lovely, simple dress that has features that give it style and make it stand out: the key hole back and the use of bias binding. My girl also loves the circle skirt option to twirl.
- I made myself a pair of swimmers. I measured myself to find wear I fit on the Tweenie Bikini pattern by Boo! Designs. I used their gold diamonds fabric which I loved at first sight. This pattern is great as it’s designed to have excellent coverage.
- Christmas was in this month. I always try to make the kids presents. This year, I used the Dolman shirt pattern by Tadah. The thing I love about this pattern, besides that it’s quick and easy, is that you can use your favourite woven in a panel on the front and this means you can use a plain knit for the rest. I used the Tadah organic knit as I love the quality. I also used this pattern to make my sister a rayon knit shirt.
- The other present for my sister was a kimono. I used the pattern by Pattern Emporium. This is always nice and flowy made out of rayon.
- At the end of the month, I made my baby swim nappy style pants. I used the Boo! Cheekies pattern and cut some lining out of PUL coated fabric (I got from a nappy supplier) and used some gorgeous spandex from Boo! Designs. Next time I would probably upsize the main pants part (not the bands) as while I can get them on, their is limited stretch from he PUL fabric.
Wow, what a year. Thanks for taking the time to share with me all that I accomplished throughout the year.
The rest of 2017, I hope to share with you more hacks and tutorials that you can use!
Happy Sewing,
Martina 🙂
Noble Cubs 