Jalie 2567 - Toddler Bathrobe

My second child, and second daughter, almost 3 years old, was in need of a warm bathrobe for the coming winter.

Sydney, being what it is, has relatively mild winters compared to our Northern neighbours, with lovely warm days (average 17-18 degrees Celsius/ 65 degrees Farenheit), but out in the west especially, the nights and mornings can be pretty cold, often down to -1 degrees Celsius or lower, with frost.

Not having central heating, nights and mornings can be hard, especially on kids. So warm nightgear is essential.

I decided to get Jalie 2567 out of stash and to sew it up for my little girl. She will be 3 in July, but was big from birth (4.1kg), and continues to be stocky, so even though her height is 92cm, I made the 98cm, to allow for room to grow.

It was my first time sewing with fleece entirely, and it was a bit fiddly. It was also my first Jalie pattern, and while I have heard great things about this company, and mostly agree, they are not Kwik Sew. I struggled with the instructions for sewing on the facings, but in the end, got there without any unpicking. My sewing skills must be improving, in spite of me!

I traced, cut out, and sewed up this pattern in about 3 hours. My husband was good enough to babysit, so that once I had the house chores done, and lunch made by 9am, I sewed. I must admit though, it was a bit like learning to do Caesarean Sections when I was first a trainee in 2004. After a while, the excitement wore off, and I just felt tired and just wanted to get it over and done with. Probably because it all still took mental effort, and was not ...on automatic.

Still, here is the finished product.

She was playing outside with her siblings, as the day was close to an end.

The fabric isn't the nicest, print or otherwise. Clearance fleece from Spotlight about 2 years ago, brown, with cats on it. Still, it is functional enough and she loves it, so much so that she has gone to bed with it on tonight.

It is large on her, I made a sizeG, which is for 98cm, for her 92cm frame, but I figured, it'd be great if it lasts her 2 years! (I love Jalie for this BTW. Now I have a robe pattern for the kids that I can use and use and use...27 sizes!!!).

The sleeves are waaaaay too big, but I don't really think it matters, it's not like she will be eating in this. Mainly for use after baths, before/at bed, and in the mornings, so...she'll deal with it!

From the back...

I like the way the facings turned out. I left one patch pocket, and left out the other, for fear of them not matching up...

All up, I think it was a good learning lesson, and another fear conquered,
1. sewing fleece
2. sewing a bathrobe, facings, patch pockets and all
3. sewing belt loops, my first
4. sewing a belt! Also a first.

Great pattern, and completely worth the money, for the years and years and years of use that I will get out of this!

Recycling with a purpose - Denim bibs

I have been away longer than I had intended.

Many more patterns traced, and ready to cut, but not much sewing happening. We have all been sick. My 10 month old FINALLY has a tooth, but is still really clingy and needy at night...and the sleep deprivation is driving me batty.

Anyways, 3 of the 6 friends who were pregnant back in January have now had babies. The idea for a sling and swaddler for each of their babies went pear shaped after, seeing one set for the first of them that I made, they began criticising the fabric pattern and began making demands requests for specific patterns/ fabrics after I had already bought the fabric.

I completely lost the sewing mojo, since I guess to me, gifts are about choosing what you think is worth wearing, so much more if you are MAKING said gift(s), not just buying them. So...

I have been somewhat lax about gifts for these women. I have even bought the requisite clothes for these babies, but I still would like to make something they are not likely to object to.

Enter recycling denim to make bibs at this site.

What's not to love? Recycling, babies, making on one's own, AND not labour intensive, so that if recipients do not like them, not too much time and effort wasted.

I tried to make one last night, purely for stress relief

It's not great, and it looks uneven above, but is not actually; and I need to fiddle with the bottom a bit to get it to look right, but it's not bad for a first attempt. At my level of sewing (non existent/ beginner), I find that the first attempt at just about anything is pretty awful...and then take #2 is generally much better.

I made a strip of embellishment on the front that I matched at the back, as lining.

This cotton I used is probably too lightweight, so I'll probably try this again with some quilting cotton as backing and embellishment. I figure I'll use darker prints for the boys, and floral/ pinks for the girls from this quilting fabric I bought here when I was still planning to sew the swaddlers and slings . Even if they 

don't like them, I hope they'll use them anyway! 

My husband's suggestion was to make a few in one hit, and then give them (3 each or so) to them, all at once, so they can't make further requests for specific patterns/ fabric etc. :-)

I'll be putting snaps on to tie the bibs on with my snap setter that I got from here.

Maybe I am just struggling with all of this because sewing is a bit like putting your heart on your sleeve. It is personal, it says, for me at least, "I thought of you, and what you might like, and what would look nice on (your baby). " and so when it is met with criticism, it stings.

Or maybe I just need to cut these women some slack because none of them sews, and so they can't possibly understand that it takes effort and time. As one of them joked when I said I had made my daughter some underpants, "I'll buy you some, they are a dollar each!"

Clearly, that is not the point.

Ah well, actions can only be judged by their intention, and mine is to make something personal, that I hope will be personal, ethical, and involve a bit more effort than just going to a store and putting down some money to buy something on sale.

Simplicity 2815- in action

He is over this weekend, and here they are on him.

NOONE has EVER made him anything before, EVER. Not even his own mother. He thanked me without prompting, and seems pretty happy with them. I am pleased...:-)

I feel like a winner!

They are a bit big, but he can grow into them. Better too big than too small!

Simplicity 2815

It has been hard to find the thirty minutes daily of late, for many reasons:
1. a nine month old who MUST be teething, because he keeps me up many many evenings and nights, and has done now for the better part of 2 months on and off. Not a tooth in sight however.
2. I have just finished managing the Mini Wardrobe Contest on PatternReview.com. It was purely voluntary, and hard work. It was my second contest, but far more intense than the first one I managed (One Fabric: Wool in late 2009). I enjoyed it for the most part, even though I am glad it is over and I have my days somewhat back to myself.
3. I don't know where my time and my life goes, between 3 children full time (none in daycare/ with extended family), 1 part-time, a husband who is studying and working, and me, also working and being a full time mum. We are among the busiest people I know. Sigh.

Anyway, yesterday, with the contest drawing to a close, was the first day I found the time and energy to 

 trace, cut out and begin to sew Simplicity 2815, which is an OOP pattern for kids' PJs.



I made a size S, intended for a 7 year old boy, my husband's son. I used material entirely from stash (new determination to use up stash before I buy ANY MORE fabric), so ended up running out of the 2m of fabric that I had, given to me by a friend, and making up the balance in a navy flannelette.

All up, it took me 5 hours to make these, from tracing through to sewing. A bit slow perhaps, but welcome stress relief! I hope he likes them.

This is the top, long sleeved, in Size S, with colour blocking. I used material entirely out of stash, and ran out of the animal print flannel, and used flannel in navy to make up the rest.

This was my first top using a yoke, and making a V nect, and I am pretty pleased with the result. I had tried to use this pattern to make my eldest daughter (4 years old) summer PJs in january, but it was left to the side because the smallest size, XS, was too large on her, and the instructions threw me, so that the bias binding on the back neck was a mess. This time around, I disregarded Simplicity's instructions and bound the neck edge BEFORE the shoulder seams, which worked much better, as you can see above.

Sleeve set in in the flat, another first for me. Rather nice, if you disregard the annoying overlocking showing to the side.

Back view of top.

I did not have thread in a matching colour, so I used contrasting thread in cream to do all my construction. Elastic pants, another first for me, and neat, even hems, ditto.

So, what I learnt from making these:
1. Sewing V necks and yokes
2. Inserting bias binding to neck backs neatly, by disregarding Simplicity's instructions!
3. setting in sleeve in the flat.
4. Elastic waist.
5. Even hems.

All up, I am pretty pleased, and I hope he likes them. My husband thinks he will.

I am on a bit of a sewing roll at the moment, having already commenced on this after tracing, cutting out a beginning on this:

Kwik Sew 3126- Toddler's PJs, T1-T4. I am making the T4 for my eldest. Struggling so far, with the collar and the instructions.

This is what I have so far, with material again from stash, and more colour blocking:

It is a good fit on her, and she really likes the unusual colour blocking. I'm not happy about the collar at all, and other bits, but more on that when it is all done.
I am working all day tomorrow, 12 hour shift, and so will be gone some 14 hours, so no sewing till monday, insha'Allah.

It feels so good to be sewing again, and even better to have learnt some new techniques.

Non sewing stuff...

I had a meeting with my boss today.

I have 2010 off for the most part, for many reasons; my third child, feeling burnt out working 60-70 hours with young children, and not spending enough time at home with my family. Wanting to just throw it all in, and needing to re-evaluate.

9 months into this leave, I find myself enjoying the one (12 hour shift) I do each fortnight, and wondering if there is a way to finish the remaining 2 years of my OBGYN (O&G) training, so I can qualify as a fellow, a consultant.

The price, working fulltime, was too high to pay, yet each time I am at work, I find myself feeling the pressure, from myself, to just get back into it, to go full time again, "because it is just 2 years", to "get it over and done with".

I met my boss today, to discuss options.

It was not terribly productive. The gist of it being, staying on at my current workplace, would probably be a waste of my time; I am better to go elsewhere for a year, part time if I can find it, and to use the time to complete my membership examinations, and then aim to commence subspeciality training for the remaining 2 years. Working 40 hours a week is not a favoured option; 60-70/week is normal.

As I drove home, in peak hour traffic, with my 3 children, aged 4, almost 3 and 9 months in the back, I found myself thinking, "Is this what I really want?"

I feel torn. Unsure.

On the one hand, to just "get it over and done with". And that feeling of panic, of being left behind. Of being proven to be "not good enough". Not to mention, letting down all those women, especially Muslim women, who have been waiting for me to qualify, who have been seeking out my services since I commenced this training 5 years ago...it is a communal obligation, true. But, looking after my children, is my first obligation, my fard 'ayn.

If I work 60-70 hours a week, when will I see my kids? 2 years of their lives, is a big chunk of their lives. When will I see my husband, who will probably put his own ambitions for a PhD aside, to again allow me this, but at what cost?

I have been praying on this for over a year now, and it is still murky.

I just don't know. I keep waiting for some sign. What to do?

And I feel the panic to ditch the sewing, and start planning to study for the examinations, maybe before I return to work next year. It is all a bit ...silly really. Maktub, as the arabs say. It has all been written. And if I am praying on it daily, and making efforts to work out options, whatever happens, there is khayr, good in it.

No point stressing about it.

Khayr insha'Allah. A friend of mine, also a doctor, has lent me Dale Carnegie's "How to stop worrying and start living". It seems like it might be helpful. We'll see...

Advice for new sew-ers

From contributing editor of one of my favourite sewing magazine, Threads magazine: (emphasis mine in bold)


Threads: Do you have any advice for people just starting to explore sewing and/or design?
Kenneth: With my teaching and writing, I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of nice people. I’m often asked for advice for people who are just embarking on the journey called exploring sewing and design. If I were to say one thing and only one thing, it’s this: perfectionism is a disease, and a form of fear!
When learning the craft of sewing (which I believe is absolutely necessary in order to know what’s possible when designing), you should expect to destroy several acres of fabric before you get good. This is an acquired skill which can only be perfected by means of repetition—practicing over and over, learning from mistakes, learning when you can save something, and when you need to cut your losses and start over.
If you are afraid to make a mistake, afraid to ruin some fabric, or afraid to waste some time, you won’t ever get really good at this craft. It’s the dues you pay for becoming proficient.
However, if you are willing to charge forward, cut into that fabric, try something different, and risk making a mistake, there will come one day when you realize that you’re sewing without that knot of worry in the pit of your stomach, and the process effortlessly glides along.

And that, in a nutshell, sums up my fears of "charging forward" to date. I am afraid; to ruin fabric, to waste fabric ( that I have already paid for, and so in reality, it is already "wasted" unless I DO SOMETHING WITH IT.

So there you go..."acres of fabric" here I come ...

In other news, Threads has also recently begun a video series, for new sew-ers, free, called Teach yourself to sew that is worth a look at for those who are really new, and not so new.

We have all been sick with the flu the last week and one half, and I am trying to organise my sewing room, so not much sewing as such. Soon, insha'Allah.

Mini Wardrobe Contest March 2010

I am the contest manager for one of the march contests on Pattern Review, the mini wardrobe contest. 

The rules are simple. 4 garments, to form at least 4 distinct outfits in a month. It can be for anyone, not just the self. And there are one or two women intending to sew more than one wardrobe (one for self, and one for another). 

The boards have been buzzing with excitement and plans of the intended participants, along with confusion over some issues, including, most notably, a storyboard. 

What is a storyboard? A visual of the participant's intended choice of patterns and fabrics to make the composite wardrobe. That way, everyone knows what is being talked about. 

I am new to sewing and even newer to storyboards, and after a while, my response of "I am not sure, I have never done this before..." began to annoy even me. What kind of contest manager would not know the basics of what they were "managing", and if that involves storyboards, should I not know at least the basics about it? 

So I began looking. PR has some helpful tutorials and information about storyboards, but the best place, by far, is Angie's Quality Time blog. Not only does she cover making a storyboard using Paint.net for PCs, but she also added a later tute for Mac users like me, using Preview. 

As a contest manager, I cannot actually participate in the contest, obviously, but some have been known to sew along, and while I do not think my speed is anywhere near that stage as yet I had a little bit of fun (and frustration) putting together a rough composite of a mini wardrobe I would make my 4 year old daughter, had I the time and ability. The materials and patterns are a bit haphazard, and I do not necessarily own them, having taken many of the patterns and prints off online shops, but, after a little help from my husband, this is what I ended up with: 

It is late here, after midnight, and so I am calling it quits here. 

What I tend to see a lot of, on storyboards, is layering of fabric, patterns, line illustrations, which is ok, nothing wrong with that. For me, personally, I like seeing the fabric of choice filling the line illustration, to be able to better visualise if it will work. So, while I would have liked to have played a bit more with the layering effect, I am fairly happy with this for now. 

Phew. Now, if people don't quite know what to do, or how to do it as far as this stuff goes, I can feel a bit more confident about pointing them in the right direction! 

In other news, my son has been keeping me up late, and so I have been grumpy and generally TIRED. And that does not motivate me to sew. Or cut. Or trace. So my pile of stuff to sew is sitting, waiting patiently. 

And in yet other news,  this is the latest addition to my sewing adventures. A semi industrial blind hemmer. 

Kobe. Made in Japan. 

Did I need it? Probably not. Did I want it? Yes. 

I have been dallying over it for about six months now, and hedging. In Australia, they retail for just over $1000. Way too much for me. 

But, being short (5'3), I am forver altering pants and dresses when I buy them. And when my husband dresses in his religious garb, which is most of the time, he needs the length/ hems taken up to just above his ankle. Alteration costs money that adds up after a while, but more importantly, they never seem to do a good enough job. 

So, I talked to my husband, and he says what he always says, subHanallah. "Get it if you think you will use it." 

I would not have, except I got an exceptional deal on it, even with the cost of shipping. And so I bit the bullet. 

Now to figure out how to work it so I can hem some clothes....