tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91552436721332359392024-03-14T18:46:30.263+00:00Needles and HaystacksSewing, raising children, crafting, farmingMilliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-68758419386596878462013-11-21T13:34:00.003+00:002013-11-21T13:38:12.461+00:00A sideways move
All through my childhood I rode ponies and later as an adult, I rode horses. I always kept a horse or a pony...in fact I have worked with horses in various parts of the world....so when I sold my last horse to pay for my wedding, 12 years ago, I didn't think it would be very long until I bought another...how wrong was I! I have kept a few young horses over the years, but no riding horse. The children now have a couple of ponies, so during the summer, Colm suggested we go to go to the Dublin Horse Show in the RDS....you see I haven't been there in about 12 years, so we packed a picnic, arranged a guy to milk the cows that evening, and off we went. One of the things I wanted to see was the side saddle demonstration...it was so amazing that I decided there and then that I must fulfill a lifelong dream and I would try to find a way to ride side saddle...even once. I managed to go to a "Have a go day" in County Meath....I was sick with nerves in the run up to it. I did not feel any better when I realised that the horse I was about to ride was the horse that hurtled around Ring 2 at the RDS!!! He was an absolute gentleman with me on board though.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/9639822586/" title="Side saddle....I did it...and loved it! by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Side saddle....I did it...and loved it!" height="484" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/9639822586_5ca6c7e23a.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Since then I have managed to have a few more lessons on friends horses, mainly on a darling mare called Tex.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/10827554514/" title="Cantering Side Saddle on Tex. by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Cantering Side Saddle on Tex." height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/10827554514_28286472df.jpg" width="500" /></a>
At one lesson we were lucky to have the amazing photograher, Jennifer O'Sullivan clicking away....she took such lovely photos.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/10911045614/" title="Jumping Tex by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Jumping Tex" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7311/10911045614_1c493ef472.jpg" width="333" /></a>
So alhough I have not been sewing much lately, I have made myself a side saddle habit...I just need to get some photos of myself in it...on a horse! It is a tailored riding jacket, with a skirt/apron. I used a charcoal wool blend.
Oh yes, and after all of this, I managed to buy myself a little horse...I walked away from her twice, but eventually went back and got her!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/10827710873/" title="She's Mine! by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="She's Mine!" height="332" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/10827710873_ed60c429f9.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Hopefully one day soon I will get to ride her side saddle, but for now I have a bit of work to do astride.
I must apologise for the rubbish layout of this post, but blogger refuses to allow mw to sort it out....
Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-30220442227960018222013-06-24T00:04:00.000+01:002013-06-24T07:32:14.216+01:00Inglenook<div style="text-align: center;">
When we first stripped back the plaster from the front of the kitchen chimney breast, we had no idea what to expect...this is what we found....a very large fireplace which had been filled in with blocks and bricks, and the original wooden beam was mostly missing. A small piece on the right hand side was all that was left of the beam. </div>
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The story goes that this beam caught fire one night while the family slept, and all of the ash was just sucked up the chimney, and when the family came down in the morning, there it was, gone! That was at about 60 years ago! Thank goodness there was no more harm done, it scares me to even think of what could have happened!</div>
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When our <a href="http://www.bregstone.com/" target="_blank">stonemason</a> finally came to work on this, after all of the major external work that needed seeing to was finished, it became pretty clear that the old bricks were not in any condition to stay, years of concrete plaster on the outside, and heat from the inside had taken it's toll, they were just dust. Also the chinmey had to be rebuilt, so the face was mostly dismantled, and we have followed as closely as possible the shape of the old chimney and fireplace, using lime mortar and old clay brick.</div>
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We also sourced a large piece of oak, which grew in a curve, it is not just cut this shape, this is supposed to give it extra strength, like an arch. Time will tell!</div>
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We opened the fireplace back as far as we could, but there is another back to it, further in, this false back was put in with concrete, so at least 1920, maybe? We couldn't really go back further, because there is too much above it, resting on it. There is a fireplace over this one, in the floor above.</div>
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All of this brick is to be plastered again, with lime plaster, but the oak beam has been left proud, in order to leave it showing, and not plaster over it. The two ends need trimming back a bit though.</div>
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The plan is that we will put our wood burning Rayburn range cooker in this space, and probably another oven and hob for the summer months when the range is not lit. The kitchen is so tiny, that this space will work really, really hard. The area to the left will either house my fridge, or will be a big storage cupboard.</div>
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This is of course not finished, the top still needs to be built up above the beam, but so far we are loving the shape of it all.</div>
Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-8550553965498767332013-05-29T22:14:00.000+01:002013-05-29T22:14:58.728+01:00Little Man Tool BeltI was asked by an online friend to test a pattern for her...it was for a tool belt, and because my two little girlies have a large collection of tools, (gathered from charity shops over many years), I jumped at the chance to make it.<br />
This pattern is an instant download, which I know many people hate, but I love them, (especially for smaller patterns like this)....I love them because they are...well... instant! Instant is good! Mostly.<br />
I made this up in a short time, and I just love, love, love how it comes together! The girls grabbed it from me, as soon as it is finished, put it on, one of them was instantly a builder, with her tool belt full of tools, and her hard hat on. They pulled out their toy cash register, and the other one was a cashier in a builders supply shop! They played for ages! It is a real hit!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/8725570018/" title="For Sandi by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="For Sandi" height="332" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/8725570018_deb8f258fc.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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It would make the perfect gift for a little boy, or girl who loves to play with tools, or maybe help in the kitchen, there are so many possibilities for this belt. <br />
If you're anything like me, you'll often be in need of a last minute gift to bring to a birthday, or to a big brother or sister, when you visit a new baby. <br />
The tool belt is avaiable from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/152456866/instant-download-little-man-tool-belt?ref=shop_home_active">Etsy</a>, from the <a href="http://www.ebethwyatt.com/">Elizabeth Wyatt pattern site </a>There is also a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/elizabeth_wyatt_sewing_patterns/">Flickr group</a> if you're looking for inspiration...don't you just love seeing how other people do such different things with the same pattern! Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-23869809503182642542013-05-26T08:28:00.001+01:002013-05-26T08:28:08.173+01:005 Today!<div align="center">
These two little girlies are 5 years old today...I am not quite sure how it happened...only the other day they were tiny babies...</div>
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They are the reason I started sewing clothes. (and not just boring curtains!)</div>
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And somehow they have become little girls, and in a few months time, they are due to start school, and I need to go shopping for school unifoms soon (or start making them!)....how does this all happen?</div>
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Yesterday one of their prescious teddies need some surgery to repair a hole beside his nose.... the two girls assisted me during the operation. I was not allowed to put a needle near him until the anesthetic had worked!</div>
Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-17521171699130101132013-05-23T21:17:00.003+01:002013-05-23T21:17:52.237+01:00Long time no see....I thought I would come here to update you all regularly on how the renovations were going, and possibly to show off some of the latest photos of things I'd made, but the truth is, I haven't made a lot recently, and mostly we are just hacking holes in the house...or so it seems! Of course, I do forget that we have also built two new extenions also!<br />
Of course, we are in fact sorting out loads of boring stuff...the whole roofline of the house has had to be sorted. The window openings have to be remade, including new oak heads being put in.<br />
We stripped the roof of all of it's slates and felt, only to find that the roof timbers which we thought were good, were in fact completely eaten by woodworm!<br />
The quarry tiles in the hall and kitchen have all been lifted one by one....lots of them are broken...that was rather heart-breaking. They had been covered in concrete for years, and when they were uncovered, I had hoped they would be good, but as I have lifted each one, most of them crumbled. We are saving what we can.<br />
We have a stone-mason working at the moment, and so far he has used 6 tonnes of lime mortar! That is just to rebuild stone walls....He's still not finished.<br />
The roofers have the whole roof almost ready for putting the slate on next week...I can't wait.<br />
The attic is looking so cool...I have ear-marked one room for a home cinema!<br />
Today I saw samples of the cast iron gutters and down-pipes we are planning to use. They will most likely come primed and I will paint them.<br />
Colm is raking out the joints in on gable wall, ready for repointing. He calls it therapy!<br />
I spent yesterday scraping paint and bagging up rubble to carry it downstairs.<br />
The two (4 flues) chimney have been taken down and rebuilt from the bottom up. The two for downstairs have been fully relined. <br />
So you see...there is not a lot to show you...no big "ta-da" photos yet. I could show you lots of photos, but really, they would be just random bits of wall or roof, or floor. <br />
This photo was taken just after the roof was stripped, and the new timbers were put on. The tarp you can see is covering the (restored) stairs! <br />
I really find it hard to even take photos of these seemingly backwards moves...I know they end up as improvements in the end!<br />
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All in all, we are enjoying the whole process.<br />
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We had a family wedding at the beginning of April, and I made outfits for all of the children. <br />
M got an Oliver + S Fairytale dress in Liberty Tana lawn.<br />
T got a tweed wool waistcoat, shirt, cords and tie all from various Ottobre magazines. <br />
R and B got Liberty O+S Music class blouses, and corduroy Music box pinafores.<br />
I also made myself a capelet, but thought it would be hard to wear...how wrong was I! I loved wearing it, it sat nicely all day, and kept me just warm enough, whilst my arms were free to take photos, and sort out kids.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/8617878205/" title="All 4 by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="All 4" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8252/8617878205_ed6f53e1b6.jpg" width="332" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/8617876329/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Guys by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Guys" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8120/8617876329_401c90b9e8.jpg" width="332" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/8617875441/" title="More Girls by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="More Girls" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8397/8617875441_d26cd92217.jpg" width="332" /></a><br />
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It was a wonderful day! <br />
It was a great chance to get scrubbed up and forget about phoning people, ordering stuff and overseeing people at the house, although we were right back into it the next morning!Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-88412951098408185792013-01-10T23:13:00.000+00:002013-01-15T19:22:55.937+00:00Renovations...The StairsA while ago we had some work done to the farmhouse that we are restoring. Work on the house has been slow, but we are now just about ready to plough into the bulk of the work, or in reality, choose someone else to plough into the bulk of the work! <br />
We decided a long time ago that we should have the staircase restored and then protected in advance of the main work, because it seems to be the original staircase and dates the house to 1760 to 1780. The Balustrade is quite unusual for a country house, it has remained intact...amazingly, and is what dates the stairs.<br />
The top step had parted company with the main landing on the upper floor (first floor for us, second floor for you Americans) and the top step was starting to collapse. It was not able for any traffic, let alone heavy building traffic. <br />
We found a carpenter who specialised in restoration, through our Architect. He is Danish, and has been living in Ireland for 10 years, and quite unlike most people you meet! He is so full of, and free with knowledge!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/8367932045/" title="Restored Balustrade by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Restored Balustrade" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8501/8367932045_cf47ba3b2b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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Anyway, the plan was to save as much of the old wood, and structure of the stairs as was possible, but as is typical on this type of project, we found that some of it was worse than we had expected. Woodworm had made mincemeat of some of the pine...and all that could be done was to replace it. Flemming (the carpenter) turned treads into risers, and so on, he did the best he could. Overall, we are very happy with the end results. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/8367929613/" title="Flight One by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Flight One" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8367929613_69d4790237.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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The stairs goes up through the centre of the house, with a room either side of it at each level. It goes up half way and then turns, and up the rest of the way. On this part the "going" is very easy...long shallow steps make it very gentle to climb, or even run up, two at a time.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/8367927171/" title="Flight Two by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Flight Two" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8335/8367927171_b6fd9a5d41.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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Then there is a door, with stairs beyond it, which leads to an open attic, again turning half way. This stairs is steep, and enclosed, it was only ever meant for bringing up things to store, or perhaps was used by staff in the house for sleeping quarters...who knows, but it was not meant to be seen by all and sundry. <br />
When it came to the restoration, this part of the stairs was in the worst condition. It was given completely new treads and risers.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/8368989674/" title="Flight Three by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Flight Three" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8368989674_cbfbf97a07.jpg" width="333" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/8367919725/" title="Flight Four by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Flight Four" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8081/8367919725_91f37093e7.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
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We are thrilled at how well it has turned out...we did not want to lose all the character and age of the stairs. I hope we didn't! Sadly, as soon as it was finished and the oil was dry, the whole stairs was covered from tip to toe in plywood to prctect it from the traffic it will get during the main buiding work...I am looking forward to seeing it again soon, and to one day using them....hopefully.Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-7001216308944778502012-10-15T13:26:00.001+01:002012-10-15T17:55:22.750+01:00The Great Goodship DressA little while ago, I found myself (yet again) on the blog of Karen LePage, which is called <a href="http://onegirlcircus.com/">OneGirlCircus</a>...Karen is one of those people whose sewing I have been inspired by, ever since I started sewing for my kids, over 4 years ago now. Karen sewed Ottobre patterns, and quite often it was for her son. She made the most fantastic <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/reedlepageandrews/3375110551/">shirts</a>, jeans and jackets, that encouarged me to sew for my boy, and not to forget the little details that you only get the chance to add in as you sew...something you don't get to choose with shop bought stuff.....so anyway, I found myself on Karen's blog one day, and I notice a place where you could register as a pattern tester. I was extremely surprised to get an email a little while later asking me to test her new pattern, The Goodship dress...I have never pattern tested before, and to be honest, I am not very good at making things that I "have to" make, and seeing as we are in the middle of house renovtions...(I know, again!)..but I said I'd give it a go. I am so glad I did!<br />
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I wanted to use something stiffish, so I chose some purple-y coloured cotton, and I had some gingham that was a good match, but the gingham was very floaty, so I added a layer of white cotton underneath the gingham on the front panel, and treated them as one.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/8003319986/" title="Goodship Front by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Goodship Front" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8304/8003319986_c0ef1554bf.jpg" width="333" /></a> <br />
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The pattern is a PDF, and it is really well done. Each size has a different coloured line, and there are only 3 pattern pieces on it. You also cut a couple of other rectangular pieces by measurement. <br />
So, I went about sewing it up, and taking notes as I went along. Anywhere I scratched my head, I wrote a note! I found the whole experience of testing very interesting. The dress comes together beautifully...Karen has an amazing knack for designing a garment, that just sort of appears before your eyes, like magic, as you sew up the last seam! <br />
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It also has pockets! <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/8004326500/" title="Goodship Dress by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Goodship Dress" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8435/8004326500_1dc35e6999.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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I made a size 5, for my girls, who are 4. but that size fits them longish now, and will just be a bit shorter as they grow taller...it would look good either way. The width of this dress is easily adjustable, with the bow. <br />
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The pockets are a big hit!<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/8004322903/" title="Goodship Dress by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Goodship Dress" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8041/8004322903_c4836de166.jpg" width="333" /></a> <br />
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It is great to sew, with only a few pieces, but the results are excellent. In my opinion!<br />
We have a very exciting family wedding coming up soon, and this dress is a front-runner for the dress I will make for the twins to wear. I am thinking of blue chambray, and red chambray, with matching red/blue floral Liberty for the inside of the pleat. This dress would be equally lovely in summer fabrics, as in winter corduroy, or wool, worn over a top/blouse. <br />
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This pattern is being released today, October 15th, on <a href="http://onegirlcircus.com/goodship-dress/" target="_blank">One Girl Circus</a>. Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-55870456677677734402012-08-30T22:37:00.003+01:002012-08-30T23:18:26.434+01:00Castleton CaravanYesterday we went on a little road trip. We went to look at a caravan...it was advertised as being suitable for anyone watching cows calving, or ewes lambing. We only saw a photo of the outside, and the add said it was about 25 years old. (yeah, so am I!) I expected it to be dirty, and well worn inside. <br />Anyway, it was not a lot of money, less than the price of a playhouse for the kids...even a little cheap one!<br />We spoke to the seller, and he seemed very genuine, he seemed keen to leave it safe to tow home. He replced a tyre, checked lights, did all that he could. That meant a lot to us...we had a 3 hour drive with this, if we bought it.<br /><br /><a title="Side by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7889402618/"><img alt="Side " src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7889402618_49f2bee3af_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /><br />I have to say it was love at first sight for me (and for Maeve). All of us piled into the perfectly original 2 berth Castleton Rovana caravan, dated 1970 from what we can see. It is nicer inside than outide.<br /><br /><a title="Front by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7889397090/"><img alt="Front" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8036/7889397090_b319488128_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /><br />Everything is inside it, including the brochure, with the price written on it. The instructions for all of the appliances. There is a canvas awning under the seat, and...well... just everything is still in it! Can you tell that we love it!?<br /><br /><a title="Dining room! by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7889391488/"><img alt="Dining room!" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8445/7889391488_bffbf176d8_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /><br />The only problem now is, that I had great plans before I saw the inside, to paint it all pretty colours, and to make some dinky little curtains, and to cover all of the cushions etc! Now I'm not so sure...I kind of like it!<br />I think I will make some patchwork curtains for a start though, because the ones on it are well worn and faded. I will decide what we should do after that....<br /><br /><a title="Kitchen by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7889385476/"><img alt="Kitchen" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8307/7889385476_646c48d451_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /><br />The door needs some repairs, and the fixed windows need new seals, but otherwise it seems sound. It was planned as a playhouse, but depending on how the awning looks when it is taken out, this little caravan may still end up going on holidays with us sometime! <br />As for it's role as a playhouse/den...so far, since yesterday evening, the kids have spent several hours in there...the two little ones and I even had our lunch in there today! I am seeing some bunting in there too....hopefully I'll get some sewing time tomorrow!<br /><br />If you click on the photos, you'll see them on Flickr, and see the notes I've added. <br /><br />Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-45283776183480561802012-07-19T22:47:00.004+01:002012-07-19T22:57:39.744+01:00HolidayWe were away.....we are now back...sometimes I wish we were still away!<br /><br />It was raining when we arrived...<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7568810440/" title="Wet Weather Walking by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8428/7568810440_01a80e7548_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Wet Weather Walking"></a><br /><br />Then the weather got nicer....<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7568849380/" title="Beach at Loch na Fooey by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8018/7568849380_bcff58036a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Beach at Loch na Fooey"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7568855824/" title="Swimming in Loch na Fooey by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8145/7568855824_c7cb9cb3e4_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Swimming in Loch na Fooey"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7568893210/" title="M & B by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8003/7568893210_4f0837f5c1_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="M & B"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7568915826/" title="All 6 Again! by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7135/7568915826_a0979dccc3_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="All 6 Again!"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7568940962/" title="Swimming in Loch Na Fooey by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7247/7568940962_14103a0efb_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Swimming in Loch Na Fooey"></a><br /><br />We had fun...can you tell!Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-85353653291491100162012-06-24T22:24:00.000+01:002012-06-24T22:24:48.237+01:00Van Katoen Summer DressesI made the two girls two dresses a little while ago. They come from a Dutch company, with Dutch instructions. (I don't speak Dutch!) Unfortunately the pattern is no longer available, but it was a Van Katoen pattern. Both girls chose their own fabrics, and both seemed especially happy with the wonderful pocket at the front! <br />
For those of you who don't know, my girls do not like wearing dreses, but they do understand that there are times when dresses are really needed. These are their only summer dresses, so you needn't expect any more until Winter!<br />
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They did however want to try them on for me as soon as they were finished, so I could take a photo. <br />
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Today they had reason to wear them, I wish it had been for a happier occasion, but sadly funerals are sometimes the only time when extended families, grown up cousins, and their children get to meet up with each other. We compared children's ages, facial features, heights, eye colours, personalities, and it is always lovely to see how many traits pass from one generation to the next....it is a pleasure to have married into such a lovely family, hopefully there wil be a happier occasion to meet at next time...Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-47362164690655955642012-05-31T10:43:00.000+01:002012-05-31T10:43:15.306+01:00Figgy's ZephyrI remamber when I was about 10, really wanting a "Jumpsuit", you know, an a one piece trouser and top thingy. I don't know where I got the idea, maybe my friends had them, or maybe I saw them in the shops, but anyway, my mother bought me one for a school trip. We weren't very well off, but the school trip was always an excuse for a new outfit, a bit like Christmas or Easter. <br />
The jumpsuit I got was turquoise, and I remember we stopped at a nearby castle enroute to the main attraction we were going to on the trip, and I slipped and got a huge grass-stain on my jumpsuit! I remember being pretty annoyed about this....funny the things you remember!<br />
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So a little while ago, Maeve started asking me for a "Playsuit"... where this idea came from, I have no idea, but sometmes a mother just has to go with these notions! I had been hoping for an excuse to buy some of <a href="http://figgyspatterns.com/">Figgy's</a> new patterns....(I have been trying not to buy any patterns or fabric while we are working on the farmhouse), so I bought the <a href="http://figgyspatterns.com/patterns/banyan/">Banyan</a> and the <a href="http://figgyspatterns.com/patterns/zephyr/">Zephyr</a>...but since they only go up to 8-9yrs, and Maeve is a slightly shapely, tall 9, almost 10 year old, I had to alter the pattern. <br />
I added an inch to the centre front and back bodice pieces. I added an inch to the bottom of the bodice, and an inch to the bottom of the shorts. <br />
Maeve had reservations about the opening at the front, so we agreed to make the straps opening instead, so she could pull it up and on. I used the pattern piece for shorts tie bands to make the straps. I made them knit and woven, like the ties. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7271914036/" title="Zephyr Back by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Zephyr Back" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/7271914036_c2ee60bd49_z.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
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When it came to making the waistband, I sewed the top and bottom together as per the instructions, but I made a circle of elastic, the size I needed, and I zig-zagged it to the seam allowance, and then turned it over, and zig-zagged it down to the bodice...(you now how I love to zig-zag!) I could see myself having problems making the channel...my knit kept creeping ahead of me, and puckering when I sewed it. It didn't happen with the woven to stabilize it, but the waistband is knit to knit..<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7271917126/" title="Zephryr Playsuit by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Zephryr Playsuit" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/7271917126_7515ae5935_z.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
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The other change I made, was a real after thought! When I got to the band at the bottom, I attached them the wrong way, and ended up with the contrast on the outside, but I liked it, so I left it! But when It came to tying the ties, they didn't seem to sit well on her...so I pinned them down, and then got the idea to leave them like that. I decided to put buttons on too....well why not! I love them like this. As it happened, Maeve spent the whole time fiddling with the hem, so they surely would have untied a lot!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7271910992/" title="Button tabs by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Button tabs" height="426" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7271910992_0e33fea897_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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She wore it on a trip to the zoo the other day, and she looked so pretty and comfortable in it!Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-19725569824707493612012-05-07T14:57:00.001+01:002012-05-17T21:16:38.663+01:00Sewing SwimsuitsA friend asked a little while ago if I could share the process of making a swimsuit. So here it is. <br />
Firstly let me say that I am no expert and I only use a basic sewing machine. I use 3 stitches - a straight stitch, a normal zig-zag and a 3 stage zig-zag. What I do is not at all technically correct, but it works...for me at least! Take from it what you want and experiment.<br />
The thing about swimsuit fabric is that it is ver forgiving. I know people are scared of it, but a decent quality fabric is easy to sew...yes, it is slippery, and so it moves about a lot, but if you work around that for the cutting stage, it has never caused me a problem with sewing. <br />
Maeve needed a new swimsuit, and I chose what I thought was a remnant, with border, but in fact it turned out to be a pre-printed panel for a specific suit, after a lot of head scratching, I came up with a plan. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7142399089/" title="Printed swimsuit panel by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Printed swimsuit panel" height="426" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/7142399089_446b1aa1ae_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I decided (with the help of a few sewing friends) to make a tankini, with the bottoms in the smaller print, and the top in the larger print. My one big saviour with swimsuit fabric is ussing a mini rotary cutter and a mat to cut out the pieces, this stops everything from moving so much. <br />
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I used a one piece swimsuit pattern, and folded down the top to cut the bottoms out, and then turned the bottom up to cut out the top. I overlapped by several inches. The top ends at the leg opening. I tend to just eye-ball the seam allowance, and use the rotary cutter as a guide....what can I say...I like to live dangerously! <br />
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Ottobre patterns also call for a crotch piece cut from cotton jersey...I use scraps for this. I had some navy for this suit.<br />
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You then sew all three pieces together in this order..back and front, right sides together, and the cotton piece goes right side to the wrong side of the back...making a sandwich. Sew all three together. Then you sew the lining to the front with a narrow zig-zag (3). This encases the back seam. <br />
For all of the "straight" seams, I use a very bare zig-zag..width 1 on my machine, it almost looks straight, but there is give in it.<br />
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I then sew the two sides together. With seams like these, which take pressure, (the back, and side seams, I do two rows of stitching, again, a bare zig-zag (1). I then cut a strip, about 4 inches deep and a little smaller than the waist of the top of the swimsuit bottoms..you don't want it too tight, remember it is snug already. I doubled it over, and sewed it straight (bare zig-zag) on the top. Like a yoga style waistband.<br />
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I then bound the leg holes...this fabric has a metallic print on it, so I didn't want to use just elastic here, although it would be way easier. I felt that the silver threads would hurt against bare skin. I used a co-ordinating plain fabric for the binding, and the waist. I happened to already have this. I cut it at about 2.5 inches wide, and a little shorter than the circumference of the leg opening, again, you don't want it too tight. I made a loop, and then I sewed it on with a bare zig-zag to the inside, and then turned it under on the right side. I used a slightly wider zig-zag to sew the outside. I use lots of pins for this stage. <br />
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The top was much simpler in some ways. I sewed the side seams, again, a two rows of bare zig-zag, one on top of the other. I bound the front and added a little piece of clear elastic, by zig-zagging it on before I put on the binding. I don't think this was actually necessary, but it's on now. I made a long piece of binding, which I found the centre of, and matched that to the back centre, and then ran it on both sides of the back, under the arms, and up the sides of the front. I sort of pin and stretch the binding as I go, to make it a bit smaller than the swimsuit top. Above the swimsuit fabric the binding became the straps, which I just did by continuing to sew it together. I then criss-crossed the straps at the back. <br />
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I hemmed the top with a narrow zig-zag. I know that all of this zig-zagging may not be the proper way to make aa swimsuit, but this is not haute couture..this is a child's swimsuit, which unless you happen to meet another seamstress at the swimming pool, and they happened to examine it, then really who is going to notice that you used a zig-zag stitch and not a cover-stitch machine. These are swimsuits made by a hobby sewer, with a basic machine, and some inexpensive fabric. They can be made to fit snuggly, with straps that don't fall off their shoulders, or gape anywhere. They are made to measure. Also they cost very little to make...the panel that I bought cost me €7 and the other bits a couple more euro, so I would say, a decent swimsuit for less than €10. <br />
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Next week, I am planning to make the little girls some similar swimsuits, but with plain elastic in the leg holes, and I will try and remember to get some photos of that. <br />
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The pattern I used is the Seahorse swimsuit from Ottobre Magazine 3/09 (for the 3rd time/. I changed the layout of the straps, and of course I made it a two piece swimsuit. <br />
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The patterned fabric is from <a href="http://www.elingeria.de/catalog/index.php/language/en">Elingeria</a>, they have a huge selection of swimwear fabrics. <br />
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The plain dark blue fabric is from an ebay seller <a href="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/infashionfabrics">Tia Knight/ In Fashion Fabrics</a> It is listed under lycra spandex in their shop now.Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-40865113588400424742012-05-01T17:02:00.000+01:002012-05-07T14:59:38.998+01:00Catching Up...I seem to be playing catch up all the time these days...the same goes for here. I have not been sewing a lot, but all of my children are growing at a rapid rate, and all needed new trousers, especially the eldest two. For Maeve I used an Ottobre pattern I have used in the past. I am trying really hard not to buy any fabric and use up my stash, I have had this purple corduroy for a while...I could never find a use for it...why did I never make trousers from it! They are Sarita jeans from Ottobre 1/09. Size 140cm. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6967536000/" title="Purple Sarita Jeans by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Purple Sarita Jeans" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8165/6967536000_4434438732_z.jpg" width="426" /></a> <br />
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Tadhg got some jeans. Black denim always reminds me of the 80's, but I am happy with how these turned out. They are Algebra jeans from Ottobre 4/11. Size 128cm. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7041941367/" title="Algebra Jeans (Ottobre 4/11) by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Algebra Jeans (Ottobre 4/11)" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7262/7041941367_14d287751d_z.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
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For the little ones, I made a new pattern, from a new (to me) company...<a href="http://www.vankatoen.org/shop/">Van Katoen</a> patterns. All of the patterns are in Dutch, but there are very good photos and I figured it out..I think! Blathin's are blue denim... <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/7083790685/" title="Jacob Trousers by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Jacob Trousers" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7127/7083790685_88637c4546_z.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
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Realtin's are brown denim...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6947268884/" title="Van Katoen Jacob Trousers by bred2make, on Flickr"><img alt="Van Katoen Jacob Trousers" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6947268884_7487cedfb8_z.jpg" width="426" /></a> <br />
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They are a boy's pattern, but they are perfectly fine for girls. I sewed up the second ones in no time.Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-6536088837082003322012-03-06T07:47:00.004+00:002012-03-06T08:21:06.981+00:00Happy Birthday...how about another shirt?Today is my handsome husband's birthday, and I spoke to him a while ago about what he would like me to make for him. We decided on a shirt, (like he needs any more!) and having admired floral shirts on various TV presenters over the years, I offered to make him one.<br />We looked at the Liberty poplins over at <a href="http://www.sewbox.co.uk/">Sewbox</a>, and I chose a lovely soft grey and pale blue floral print, abut Colm chose what I thought to be a much bolder, darker floral. I asked the opinions of a few girls whom I know online, through sewing, and <a href="http://fiveandcounting-motherof5.blogspot.com/">one girl in particular</a> has a son who considers himself rather an expert in Liberty for men's shirts. He chose the same dark floral for Colm...his advice was that it would be the best print for "a Beginner"! (referring to the wearer rather than the person sewing it!) <br />So the expert, and the wearer had spoken...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6928894421/" title="Liberty Poplin Shirt for C by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/6928894421_baa8ddfb06_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Liberty Poplin Shirt for C"></a><br /><br />The fist waving is directed at the young lad who called him a beginner! (not at you, my lovely readers!)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6931260617/" title="For H...who are you calling a beginner?! by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6931260617_73baea271f_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="For H...who are you calling a beginner?!"></a><br /><br /><br />I also bought a new shirt pattern. I have the Colette Negroni shirt pattern, but it has a very informal camp collar, I felt that the floral shirt would look better in a more formal dress shirt style. I was however worried about the loose cut of the <a href="http://www.sewbox.co.uk/sewing-patterns/kwik-sew-3883-men-s-shirts.html">Kwiksew shirt</a>, so I made a muslin in a size L, and as I suspected, it was too big all over. I made the real thing in a Medium. There is not much room to spare, but I like the fit.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6931256231/" title="Liberty Poplin Shirt by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6931256231_dc3c17daa9_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Liberty Poplin Shirt"></a><br /><br />I found some lovely little grey buttons in amongst my button collection...I am always surprised when I am making a garment, I imagine certain buttons on it, but when I lay it out, with the buttons laid out on it, they seldom look how I imagined. I usually end up with something completely different. I had thought of black mother of pearl on this, but the leaped out from the floral.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6928891855/" title="Buttons by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6928891855_c7f5e21028_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Buttons"></a><br /><br />Happy Birthday Handsome!Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-92125135272375189182012-03-03T23:10:00.003+00:002012-03-03T23:18:24.665+00:00A Cloudy DayI was asked to do a <a href="http://kitschycoo.blogspot.com/2012/03/make-it-in-metre-series-underwear.html">guest post</a> by Amanda over at <a href="http://kitschycoo.blogspot.com/">Kitschy Coo</a><br />I made these out of some of the fab new fabrics she is now selling..<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACqJ3Ah7FtA/T1KmMa7VZTI/AAAAAAAAAyo/M9yKbhpQ2Tg/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715813609403409714" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACqJ3Ah7FtA/T1KmMa7VZTI/AAAAAAAAAyo/M9yKbhpQ2Tg/s400/014.JPG" /></a>Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-56667485489816027512012-02-05T10:01:00.004+00:002012-02-05T22:08:59.234+00:00Minoru JacketI recently bought the Minoru Jacket pattern from <a href="http://www.sewbox.co.uk/">Sewbox</a> in the UK. The pattern is designed by <a href="http://sewaholic.net/sewing-pattern-store/1103-minoru-jacket/">Sewaholic Patterns</a>, and are specifically designed for pear-shaped ladies...now I am a lot of things, but pear-shaped, I am not. I measure a 14 for waist and bust, and an 8 for my hips, if that gives you any idea. Anyhow, I thought that the Minoru Jacket would be ok on me, but I did have reservations about the raglan sleeves and the gathers at the shoulders. I have quite broad straight shoulders with rounded tops to my arms. I took a chance anyway and got the pattern despite all of this. <br />I was determined to make it all out of my stash...it is bulging and I am not buying any fabric until I use some of what I have. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6816585051/" title="Minoru Jacket (view B) by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6816585051_5e0edb55a2_z.jpg" width="640" height="494" alt="Minoru Jacket (view B)"></a><br /><br />So I chose a piece of grey/rust/beige printed corduroy and because I didn't have enough, I pulled out some matching plain grey cord. I had a brown zipper that was close enough to the tones and colours of the outer cord. I also had some lightweight polka dot grey cotton to line it with, although I thought in the beginning that this polka dot grey was too green, but it seems less so now that it is part of the overall jacket. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6816592353/" title="Minoru Jacket Inside by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6816592353_d5db1056ce_z.jpg" width="540" height="640" alt="Minoru Jacket Inside"></a><br /><br />I traced the pattern, cut it all out and sewed it up over two parts of days.It came together quickly, although I had some issues working out how the collar went together. The instructions for View A are very comprehensive, but not so for the simpler View B...I think it was mostly tiredness that made me confused. A quick look at the sew-along that is going on on Sewaholic's blog cleared up my confusion. <br />I put plenty of interfacing into the collar, which makes it stand nicely on it's own. <br />I cut and made cuffs, but because the sleeves were already long enough without them, I tried one, but took it off. I am happy without them.I just hemmed and topstitched the cuffs.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6812562245/" title="Minoru Jacket (view B) by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6812562245_2520040d25_z.jpg" width="541" height="640" alt="Minoru Jacket (view B)"></a><br />I wore it all day yesterday to swimming lessons, and tennis lessons with the kids. It was chilly and drizzly, I was quite cosy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6816588605/" title="Minoru Jacket Back by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6816588605_2541d48f70_z.jpg" width="548" height="640" alt="Minoru Jacket Back"></a><br /><br />I am still a little unsure about the shape on me. I think the shoulders with the gathers might not be the best shape for me, but it is such a great weight, that it won't stop me from wearing it!Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-34396863479876923682012-01-23T20:59:00.006+00:002012-01-31T12:18:20.959+00:00Miss E<div>Almost all of the photos of me as a child include a dog of some sort (either that, a pony), so not having had a dog for the last few years has been a bit lonely...however we have had two little girlies to keep us busy! Our last terrier now lives with my mother. He is still very much part of our family, but he lives in a place that suits him better.<br /><br />So the time had come for us to get back into owning a furry friend...or a sleek one...<br />My sister owns two whippets and I have always been very taken with them. They are very quiet and lovely, so I became interested in sighthounds.<br />At some stage we thought about grehound adoption, and somehow I managed to end up on a website of an Irish greyhound sanctuary..<a href="http://www.orchardgreyhoundsanctuary.com/">Orchard Greyhound Sanctuary</a> and the whole feel of it was right. I looked and looked, but for some reason the time wasn't quite right. I admired the hounds up for adoption....but that was about all I did.<br />Then a couple of weeks ago, I looked again and I made contact with MJ, the lady who owns and runs the sanctuary. I didn't look a the dogs for adoption, I didn't want to get my hopes up.<br />We arranged a visit one Sunday. When we arrived, we were greeted by an enormous hound...J. He was so charming, and I was amazed to hear that he had lived ferral in a midland's town for 3 years...how could this huge dog have come from being wild, to being so kind and gentle.<br />The first greyhound we were introduced to was Miss E. She seemed very pleased to meet us, We listened in amazement to the story of the hard life she had had, and that she had only been in the sanctuary for about a month...how could she even look at humans, let alone like them! After all of that, we took her for a walk up the lane. Needless to say, there were several arguements about who got to walk her and for how long!<br />We then took a walk around the sanctuary grounds without E, but brought several other residents with us. It is a lovely place, with loads of happy hounds bounding about.<br />So we went away for a while, and thought back and forth about it, and we decided to adopt Miss E. She just seemed right for us. We had to have a home visit from a volunteer...that was nerve-racking, although the volunteer was so lovely! I just doubted myself!<br />So we got the go-ahead, and arranged to have her micro-chipped. I couldn't wait to collect her. I hardly slept the night before, and when I did, I was dreaming of martingale collars and sighthounds!<br />When we arrived to collect her, and we had to sign adoption papers....even the children had to agree to always/never do certain things.<br />We took her home to our own house late one afternoon....and I think I will stop talking now and let the photos do the talking...you can judge for yourself how this little lady, who once had a terrible life, has slotted in nicely to our very busy, bustling family....<br /><br /><a title="E resting by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6748230429/"><img alt="E resting" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6748230429_262087d286_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /><br /><a title="Firm Friends by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6737830291/"><img alt="Firm Friends" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6737830291_c95a277918_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /><br /><a title="T and E by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6748227097/"><img alt="T and E" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6748227097_b273bc8d0a_z.jpg" width="640" height="476" /></a><br /><br />So if you are thinking of getting a dog, consider a greyhound...<a href="http://www.orchardgreyhoundsanctuary.com/">Orchard Greyhound Sanctuary </a>is a really wonderful place to look into if you are in Ireland. The lady who runs it is so good at "reading" her residents (and their prospective owners too, I think!) Thanks MJ for the time you took to match us with our new friend.</div><br /><br />ETA...I wrote this about a week ago, but never got around to putting it on here, I also wanted to see if there would be any huge changes in how we have been getting on as time passed....well...apart form eating "The Prisoner of Azkaban", which was left lying around...and even at that she only ate the corner and the cover, not any of the text...mind you, I did catch her in the act and grabbed it before she did any more harm!! <br />We are still really enjoying our new girl!Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-29128282135237860032012-01-02T13:52:00.006+00:002012-01-02T14:45:45.882+00:00Looking Back on 2011My sewing machine has been hibernating for the last couple of weeks. The children are off school and I have to compete for space with jigsaws, colouring books, dress-up dolls, Sylvanians...to name but a few! I try not get impatient about this, and go sew in another room, because in a week the children will be back at school, and I will miss them!<br /><br />So to amuse myself I made some mosaics of my sewing over the past year...<br /><br />I made these things for myself and some of the other adults in my life.<br /><br /><a title="Sewing for Grown-ups 2011 by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6619483257/"><img alt="Sewing for Grown-ups 2011" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6619483257_836355aa7c_z.jpg" width="640" height="428" /></a><br /><br />I made a blouse and skirt for my mother, and a shirt for my husband...both were nerve racking, but the results were very rewarding.<br /><br />Also in this is a bra, which I wrote about here, and I got a great response about it...which was really nice...all I wanted to do was tell people that sewing lingerie is not that difficult!<br />I also sewed a swimsuit/tankini for myself...can't remember if I blogged about it, but probably not!<br /><br />For the children...<br /><br /><a title="Half of Sewing for Children 2011 by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6619510345/"><img alt="Half of Sewing for Children 2011" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6619510345_4266a47e81_z.jpg" width="640" height="640" /></a><br /><br />and<br /><br /><a title="Second Half of 2011 Kid's Sewing by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6619538603/"><img alt="Second Half of 2011 Kid's Sewing" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7008/6619538603_72a5986480_z.jpg" width="428" height="640" /></a><br /><br />It is funny to look back at all of these clothes. Some have been worn everytime they have been clean and dry...and some sadly have never been worn. I have two very fussy little ladies who refuse to put on certain things...really life is too short for arguements...so I am hoping that they will still fit when the girls grow out of their "I want to be a boy" phase!<br /><br />When I have not been sewing, I have been knitting a bit...<br /><br /><a title="Knitting in 2011 by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6619573003/"><img alt="Knitting in 2011" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6619573003_1f1c98660c_z.jpg" width="615" height="615" /></a><br /><br />And of course, I managed to fit in a couple of quilts and quilt tops.<br /><br /><a title="Quilts and Quilt Tops from 2011 by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6619587983/"><img alt="Quilts and Quilt Tops from 2011" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6619587983_78442fcae0_z.jpg" width="615" height="615" /></a><br /><br />The two on the bottom went to two friends' baby boys, and the other two are keepers. The top RH one is on the wall upstairs, and top LH one will be quilted by hand before too long, hopefully!<br /><br />Thanks to you all for reading along during the year..and I wish you all a peaceful and Happy New Year!Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-5097313004382405312011-12-22T15:58:00.003+00:002011-12-22T16:03:15.945+00:00Our New Favourite Song.M and her class in school did a version of this, and as much as I'd love to share it with all of you....I'll spare you......but since we love the song I'm posting a youtube version....<br /><br /><iframe width="459" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/E7B9PrfNkAM?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-87012074630372569992011-12-21T20:51:00.002+00:002011-12-21T21:42:22.181+00:00Christmas CraftingI went to a sewing day at the beginning of December and attempted to make some mittens for the children for Christmas...I was not one bit happy with them..I have to remake them if they are ever to use them...I don't know if I want to do that. So, disheartened with all of that I decided not to make anything more for Christmas....famous last words!<br /><br />In the last week or so I have made this lot..<br /><br />For the two little girls, for treasures...(click on the photo for the link to the free pattern)<br /><a title="Dumplings by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6492793641/"><img alt="Dumplings" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6492793641_ca445a938a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /><br />For CDs in Colm's car...<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6518032689/" title="Georgia Leigh Sunvisor CD Holder by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6518032689_46f5968f88_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Georgia Leigh Sunvisor CD Holder"></a><br /><br />For T and his lego, most likely...<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6538828061/" title="Zipper Pouch by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6538828061_c56eacb83b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Zipper Pouch"></a><br /><br />For Maeve...she is getting a little something for Christmas that should fit nicely in here...sorry, it's a secret!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6538833695/" title="Mini Dumpling by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6538833695_5630604985_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Mini Dumpling"></a><br /><br />My SIL asked me to make her a case for her specs...<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6543011949/" title="Spectacle case by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6543011949_82ee7d42e5_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Spectacle case"></a><br /><br />I am not a great knitter, but when Realtin asked me in the local haberdashery, for the umpteenth time, to make her a fireman...well how could I say no....And how could I not make Blathin one too...<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6548638113/" title="Early Christmas Gifts by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6548638113_f6d878ea11_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Early Christmas Gifts"></a><br /><br />I also got a gift from my mother the other night, they're an early gift for Christmas..<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6542825039/" title="New Ladies and Gentleman by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6542825039_cd0be81194_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="New Ladies and Gentleman"></a><br />...aren't they lovely! Thanks Mum!Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-36856753097631988822011-11-23T12:25:00.007+00:002011-11-23T12:57:16.918+00:00DiscoveriesOne of the things I had hoped would happen when we started to renovate this farmhouse of ours, was that we would uncover some interesting things that had been covered up for many years. However, I didn't think this would happen, seeing as Colm has known the house all his life, and lived in it for 24 years of that. I have also known it for quite a while.<br />So when Colm's mother mentioned a covered up window on a bedroom wall....we were surprised to find this....<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WwmaUJkHffo/TsznH1wRG_I/AAAAAAAAAyE/_urxpDfQX7Y/s1600/053.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678167352081980402" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WwmaUJkHffo/TsznH1wRG_I/AAAAAAAAAyE/_urxpDfQX7Y/s400/053.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It may never have been a window, it may have just been an alcove, but it is a lovely shape and will be left like this (hopefully) if it is not suitable for opening up.<br /><br />We spoke to our Architect and Structural Engineer about putting a window in a particular spot, and I remembered that I had seen something on that wall when renovations were done in the past...so after a few minutes and a jack hammer (Colm manning it not me!) this blocked up, dinky little window appeared....<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_SfRoMk1eQ/TszoefIAkmI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/J5hJN8wfw1g/s1600/051.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678168840656163426" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_SfRoMk1eQ/TszoefIAkmI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/J5hJN8wfw1g/s400/051.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Put the big find as far as we are concerned is this....<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gx9b7BDKeZc/Tszo5mY__hI/AAAAAAAAAyc/cbaw9Eu8jhk/s1600/056.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678169306462944786" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gx9b7BDKeZc/Tszo5mY__hI/AAAAAAAAAyc/cbaw9Eu8jhk/s400/056.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It appears to be a big fireplace, which has been filled in. (There is a range cooker in front of it at the moment, it is under a duvet to protect it) It is brick either side and on top, and the beam has been cut out, apart from about 24 inches on the right hand side. The timber would appear from what we can see to have spanned the full width, and finished under the white clock/timer on the left hand side.<br />What will become of any of these finds remains to be seen.....I daren't dream too much!<br /><br />ps. I'm sorry about the quality of the photos, they were taken on my phone. You should be able to click on them and see them a bit bigger, but possibly a bit more blurry!!Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-37231113694799951432011-11-18T21:07:00.003+00:002011-11-18T21:30:34.152+00:00Tin AnniversaryYesterday was our tenth anniversary.<br />A while ago I sewed somthing for Niamh from <a href="http://www.perfectionistconfectionist.com/">The Perfectionist Confectionist</a>. We agreed that no money should change hands, but that she would make me a cake at some stage. We decided now was a good time.<br />Niamh thought that buttons and ribbons would be a good place to start, and I can't think of a better place!<br /><br /><a title="Anniversary Cake by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6359648883/"><img alt="Anniversary Cake" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6211/6359648883_cca6891613_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /><br />We cut this beautiful chocolate biscuit cake this evening...the children were so excited! C's sister was here too...she's a total chocoholic!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6359653367/" title="Anniversary Cake by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6048/6359653367_a0ecc937b9_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Anniversary Cake"></a><br /><br />It says "Love is all you need"!<br /><br />We have had a busy week in the run up to our anniversary, my sister and her two children came to visit Monday to Thursday...it was so lovely to see them.<br />Today we had a site visit from our Architect and Structural Engineer...so interesting! <br />Tomorrow is swimming lessons as usual for the bigger children, but Sunday all 6 of us will get our glad-rags on and go for dinner...Italian maybe, just to celebrate all the changes that we have had to our lives over the last 10 years!Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-1966607739052773262011-11-08T10:08:00.003+00:002011-11-08T10:55:57.670+00:00Tokyo Subway Quilt.....at last!Last December the children's school was shut due to very heavy snow.... so I decided to start a new quilt. I know...why on earth!<br />I ordered some white fabric, from <a href="http://www.ragsforlinda.com/">Rags for Linda</a>, which my trusty Postman brought, despite the snow. <br />(My Postman was off work for 9 months the previous year, after he had a slipped on ice and broke his pelvis.)<br />I had decided to make the Tokyo Subway Quilt, which is a <a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/tokyo-subway-map-quilt-along.html">free pattern</a> from Oh Franson. I started cutting and piecing the little 2.5 inch squares. There are 25 blocks, and each block is 8 squares by 8 squares. That's 1600 sqaures in case you're wondering.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6318885371/" title="Tokyo Subway Quilt by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6100/6318885371_6a94e687c6_z.jpg" width="640" height="597" alt="Tokyo Subway Quilt"></a><br /><br />I am not a very precise sewer, so it was a real challenge, but I think I improved as I went along. <br />As the snow melted, I worked on this in fits and starts. The problem was that you needed to leave the stacks of squares set out as you worked on them, and I kept knocking them over! I eventually got it all pieced, the backing pieced, and then got it sandwiched. At that stage I put it aside for a while until I worked out how I would quilt it. I don't have a walking foot on my machine, and was really afraid to try the straight line quilting the pattern suggested. So I eventually took the bull by the horns and started hand quilting. <br />I used some quarter inch tape as a guide and sewed inside each of the coloured lines.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6318868755/" title="Tokyo Subway Quilt Detail by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6113/6318868755_a519c917b8_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Tokyo Subway Quilt Detail"></a><br /><br />I rather like the back...I had cut several extra squares, for various reasons, and when the white cotton piece I had for the backing was too small, I pieced the spare squares and added a strip of Ikea heart cotton. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6319396272/" title="Tokyo Subway Quilt Back by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6227/6319396272_858096ca0b_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Tokyo Subway Quilt Back"></a><br /><br />The plan is that this will hang ustairs in our landing/reading area. I hope the children will enjoy looking at it, as much as I do..it is rather mesmerising to follow the coloured lines, and how they go under and over each other.<br /><br />As usual I am looking for advice too....as I mentioned, I do not have a walking foot on my machine, and I have found one that will fit my machine, but I have been told that for a walking foot to work well, that a machine should have one kind of built in, rather than a retro-fitted one, like I would be doing....anyone added one to their machine at a later date, and if so, does it work well?Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-86175495621545944082011-10-31T08:26:00.003+00:002011-10-31T09:16:54.269+00:00Ottobre Shirt and SkirtA little while ago I had a big clear out of clothes from my wardrobe. I had several things in it that were never worn because every time I put them on, (outside of the shop where I bought them with a shop assistant telling me they looked great!) I never felt comfortable....so I just put them in a black bag and donated them to a charity shop. It felt good to think that I wouldn't feel guilty for buying them in the first place.<br />I also got rid of several skirts bought cheaply in chain stores, that were too long or a bit big in the hips. However they were good basic colours, like black and brown, so getting rid of them left me short of skirts.<br /><br />My husband's older brother was 40 a little while ago, and yesterday was his party. It was combined with an early Hallowe'en party for all of the children.<br />I decided to make a blouse/shirt to wear out of some retro yellow floral lawn fabric that I've had for a long time. I have had mixed luck with this pattern, but I decided to chance it..the pattern is #44 from Ottobre 4/2004. I am very pleased with how it turned out. I did end up taking the sides in a couple of inches, but I left this until I had the whole thing made. I tried in the past to do it while making it, and failed miserably!<br /><br /><a title="Blouse front by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6288971446/"><img alt="Blouse front" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6220/6288971446_06947a853e_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" /></a><br /><br />I then decided that I "needed" to wear a skirt with the blouse...so I made this skirt from some stretch denim that I had in my stash. It is #9 from Ottobre 5/2007. The denim is a tan/black cross-weave (also from my stash), so I thought it would need to be worn with black boots, but brown boots are good with it too. Win-win!<br /><br /><a title="Denim Skirt Front by bred2make, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6288967514/"><img alt="Denim Skirt Front" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/6288967514_8db7cbb8bc_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /><br />There are several skirts in this Ottobre issue, and they use the same basic pieces. I made one for my mother a while ago, and had to take it in lots. I forgot that until I was making this one...I had to take it in about 4 inches in the waist!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6295395421/" title="Ottobre skirt and shirt modelled. by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6230/6295395421_bfe8d57da8_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="Ottobre skirt and shirt modelled."></a><br /><br />The skirt is so comfortable...I wore the whole outfit to the party yesterday, and felt pretty OK!<br />I will of course wear them separately most of the time.<br /><br />Last but not least...the children dressed up for Hallowe'en...well 3 of them did. They decide to all dress as pirates, and the eldest two rooted out some stripey tops from my box of clothes to be re-cycled into new clothes. Good job I'm not so good at getting around to that!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6295342449/" title="Going to a party by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6295342449_156774c34a_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Going to a party"></a> <br /><br />She's not picking her nose btw!Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9155243672133235939.post-31893442157732932812011-10-15T07:02:00.004+01:002011-10-15T07:56:44.319+01:00Sewing Basics for BoysI constantly change my mind about whether or not sewing basics is worthwhile, but the bottom line is that I don't really shop, and when I do, I now look at the clothes that I buy and think to myself that I could do at least as good a job. <br />So a little while ago Tadhg needed new swimming trunks. I made him <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/4560003829/in/set-72157625998117698">some</a> about 18 months ago, but swimming lessons every week in a public, highly chlorinated pool had taken their toll on them, so I decided to make him some more. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6194398989/" title="Olive Green Seamus Swim Shorts by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6194398989_f0868a5818_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Olive Green Seamus Swim Shorts"></a><br /><br />I buy the "Matt 4 Way Stretch Fabric" from <a href="http://stores.ebay.ie/infashionfabrics">In Fashion Fabrics</a> I got Olive green this time. I used the Seamus Trunks Pattern from Ottobre 3/09. He asked for a little extra length with this pair. <br />He does have board shorts but chooses these tighter fitting trunks to wear to lessons, he says they don't go all puffy!<br />The best news of all is that after a year and a half of lessons that he has learned to swim......a little anyway, but it's progress!<br /><br />I also decided to join in with <a href="http://malepatternboldness.blogspot.com/">Peter from Male Pattern Boldness</a> in his latest sew-along....Peter does the best sew-alongs. I sewed some <a href="http://bred2make.blogspot.com/2011/05/lookno-muffin-top.html">jeans</a> and a <a href="http://bred2make.blogspot.com/2011/03/negroni-shirt-and-birthday.html">shirt</a> in the past with him. This time he was making boxer shorts and I wanted to give them a proper try, in a woven fabric, for Colm. I used an old pyjama pattern from the 1950s which once belonged to my dear Aunt Maggie. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37335850@N03/6234312181/" title="MPB Boxer Sew-along by bred2make, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6212/6234312181_d1ec0f2cc1_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="MPB Boxer Sew-along"></a><br /><br />Peter mentioned that the rise in vintage patterns can be too high, and it was. I ended up taking off the waistband and lowering it by an inch and a half. I also added a button and button hole to the fly. I made a mess of cutting the plaid, I should have taken more time and put more thought into it!Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08345822230344288078noreply@blogger.com12