Safari raglan t-shirts

How do you feel about sewing basics? Everyday sort of things?

Inspired by Mie: colour blocked Lila tunic and yellow Drew leggings

Around three years ago I started this blog hoping to get to know sewing enthusiasts around the globe. During this time I have been taught and inspired, challenged and stretched, comforted and reassured by the most amazing people within the sewing community. Today a group of us would like to take an opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation to one exceptionally talented seamstress.

Mie is a sewing superstar behind Sewing Like Mad. She is a formally trained seamstress with many years of experience. Mie is one of the most generous, encouraging and down to earth people I was lucky to meet.

Mie, I feel a little awkward putting my thoughts in words, so I made a couple of quick projects that showcase what I learnt from you, a Lila tunic* by Compagnie M and Lily & Woody and Drew leggings by Sadi and Sam.

Little Betty top and Serendipity trousers

I had a classic case of nesting before R was born. However my nesting instinct seemed to have been replaced with the sewing instinct before L entered the world. I was sewing for R like a woman possessed! I had a long list of things she needed (yep, actually needed), so naturally there was no better time to make them than just before having a new baby. Baby L arrived a little earlier than expected so I did not get to sew everything I was planning to. How inconsiderate of little L ;)

First up is this cute outfit.

Daffodil skirt and a ruffle T-shirt

I am usually the one who needs a good enough excise to put aside children's patterns and sew for myself, however over the past couple of months I developed such taste for selfish sewing I needed an excuse to put grown ups patterns aside and make something for my daughter!

February's twist in the Flip This Pattern series provided me with a great excuse to do just that. I usually follow the series, and last winter I had a chance to participate in this competition. I was more than happy to be a part of Free for All event.

Choosing what to make for my daughter was almost exhausting! In the end I decided to make her a skirt and a top.

Recycled apron for a little cook

All families have traditions. There are a few things I especially enjoy doing with my little family. Every night we read and cuddle all together. Every week Little Monkey and I wave 'hello' to rubbish collecting trucks. During school terms we attend (and help facilitate) a weekly music program and then have fun at a nearby playground. My husband and I take turns swimming with Little Monkey. These little traditions allow us grow closer and enjoy each other's company.

A few weeks ago Little Monkey and I started a new tradition. On days when we don't have to rush to childcare and work we make pancakes for breakfast. Little Monkey does the most beautiful job mixing the ingredients. Of course flour and the mix get on her fingers and hands and then find their way all over her clothes.

Making an apron for my little helper sounded like a good solution. I wanted to make something bright and fun, and I didn't want to spend a lot of money. So I thought I could use a tea towel to make an apron for my daughter. A few years ago my mum made me a couple of tea towels with a traditional Russian print on them. I pulled one out and measured it against my little cook. The width was just perfect. That was it. A brightly coloured tea towel was destined to become an apron.

So, While she was sleeping, I made an apron for my Little Monkey.

After I made one, I had a small piece of the original tea towel left - just enough to make a small apron.

 These aprons look bright and funky, and they did not cost me a cent.

The tale of the Naughty Jumper

Once upon a time there was a Naughty Jumper. I cannot tell you if it has always been naughty. It used to belong to another little girl before it was passed on to Little Monkey.

Little Monkey did not like the Naughty Jumper. The collar was too tight and hurt Little Monkey's ears and nose every time Mummy tried to put it on her.

One day Mummy got very frustrated with the Naughty Jumper. She took her fabric scissors and cut its collar off. 

"Oh! What have you done?" cried the Naughty Jumper. "I look silly now!"

Mummy took another look at the Naughty Jumper, and she got an idea. She ran off to her sewing room and came back with a measuring tape. She measured her daughter from waist to knees, and the the Naughty Jumper from underarms to hem. "Aha!" said Mummy. The Naughty Jumper could sense it was in trouble.

"I am sorry for being naughty. I will be a nice jumper now, I promise," said the Naughty Jumper.

"You will be very nice... as a skirt!" replied Mummy.

Mummy took the crying Naughty Jumper to her sewing room and marked where she wanted to cut the jumper - right under the sleeves. The Naughty Jumper kept on begging her to leave him alone, but Mummy was not listening.

She picked up her scissors and cut the naughty Jumper along the marked line. "Noooooo!" cried the Naughty Jumper, but it was too late.

After cutting the Naughty Jumper, Mummy set her sewing machine to zig zag stitch, with rather small stitch length.

She placed the raw edge under the presser foot and started stitching, stretching the Naughty Jumper as much as she could while she was stitching. The Naughty Jumper did not enjoy that.

However, when Mummy finished stitching the Naughty Jumper realised it now looked like a ruffled skirt. "This is nice," said the Naughty Jumper. "Glad you like it," replied Mummy.

"I am not finished yet," said Mummy. "I think you will look even nicer with a small pocket". "OK," said the Naughty Jumper.

Mummy cut out a rectangle out of the Naughty Jumper's sleeve.

She went back to her sewing machine and made the top of the pocket look 'ruffly' the same way she achieved this look on the bottom of the new skirt.

She pinned the pocket in place,

and stitched it to the skirt using the same stitch setting as before. "Oh, I like this," said the Naughty Jumper".

Then Mummy cut a small opening on  what used to be the inside of the hem of the Naughty Jumper. "What's this for?" asked the Naughty Jumper. "This is where I am going to insert the elastic," replied Mummy.

Mummy proceeded by threading the elastic through. Now the Naughty Jumper really looked like a cute skirt. "You are no longer the Naughty Jumper," said Mummy. "From now on you are the Nice Skirt". "Oh, I love being the Nice Skirt, thank you very much".

"Please wait a minute," said Mummy. "Let me sew a button on your pocket. Trust me, you will like it".

The Nice Skirt loved a cute little button on it's pocket.

This is the tale of the Naughty Jumper. But it was not a Naughty Jumper any more. It became a cute little skirt, and Little Monkey loved it.

Is there a naughty jumper in your little girl's wardrobe? Would it enjoy being a skirt instead? Give it a go. I would appreciate a link back to this tutorial should you choose to use it.