Lately I've been Sewing For ...

The Sweet Cheeks, Art Caddy Swap, where the purpose was to add your flair to a simple pattern.

I was designated a little boy almost turning 3, so went for something with a cute applique and space for some great jumbo crayons or the giant tripod pencils, perfect for those little hands.

Its' the very first Art Caddy I have ever done and something I'd like to make more of.

Instead of a layer of flannel, I had some beautiful soft interfacing that I have used in many bags, which made for a nice padding or softness.

This Ryan's Art Caddy, his mum is keeping it to give to him for his 3rd Birthday which is coming up shortly, what a lucky little boy!

Applique prior to putting Caddy Together

(Above & Below)

Then there was the cute little number for Miss Ruby Rose. This little girl is utterly adorable and I can not wait to be able to post a picture of her adorned in her new outfit! Miss R's Mum brought the fabric and I popped it together for her, then completed the outfit with an appliqued elephant top (orange button eye) Notice the elephant's truck is pointing upwards signifying GOOD LUCK? I couldn't resist some little yo yo's as Miss R's, the talented Mumma G creates gorgeous hair accessories and I am looking forward to seeing what she has done with them! {before you ask why I haven't put buttons on them, Mumma G is quite handy with a needle and thread herself too, lol}

Overall thoughts, this is very CUTE!

Then there is little Baby Damien Riley, brother to D'Arcy and Matthew. This is part of his gift, I'm still working on a few little pieces, but have been trialling using terry towelling as bib backing and a few different shaped bibs. Very cute tractor fabric and it seems the little tie applique is a hit with mums and their baby boys! Who am I to deny sweetness?

Above (before button holes) & Below (finished pieces)

Wouldn't you know it, a few days after finishing
my self-covered button kit turned up in the mail! lol
Always the Way!

And lastly Jaxon, of whom I have been trying to make some simple play pants for home. At first I was excited, I was doing so well, following the pattern, adding a hem-band (with a gorgeous Riley Blake FQ I had), but all the time thinking, "boy these pant legs look a lot longer than Jaxon's legs!"

As you can see, what is meant to be a size 3 (according to the pattern I brought and Jaxon does normally wear size 3 pants) actually fit his older sister Jaida (who is in between a size 4 & 5 in leg length now) ... so unfinished, knee patches pinned on, these have gone back into the wardrobe with some extra fabric for an applique perhaps in 12 months time? I'm actually going to use this pattern just to whip up Jaida a pair of pants (same size) to wear under her Pre-School dress through winter! (so not a complete waste of time!)

As you do, I went back to the drawing board, and with a size 3 rise and a size 18 month leg length, I have a good final leg length for Jaxon (I guess it probably didn't help that I was sewing at night and couldn't try as I went as he was tucked up fast asleep in bed.) The 18 month leg length is a great length, but to achieve that hem band next time (now that Jaxon has tried these on and we have measured) we would have to cut at the 6 to 12 month leg length which would allow the hem-band to give that extra length!

Its' all a learning process and for me, with my children's own unique measurements, I am learning the artful skill of tailoring to their specific needs. I still have applique to go, a waist to finish sewing and a good iron! Never fear young Jaxon, Mumma B will have them finished soon!