Backless dress design

Today I am deviating from clothes for the kids or sewing projects around the house to something for me! Yay, it has been a long time since I have done any proper sewing and pattern drafting for myself and it is very exciting. We have a wedding on the horizon and it is a weekend away; 3 nights, w.i.t.h.o.u.t. children! I think am looking forward to it way too much. Anyway, an occasion like this screams for a new dress! I have been watching lots and lots of Project Runway all stars season 2 and the theme for this season seemed to be backless. I found some great fabric - its a heavyish brocade and perfect for what I have in mind - structured top, backless and full skirt.

I am having, however, a bit of a style dilema. When chatting to the girl at the fabric store I described what I was planning and she said - "great like an 80's party dress". Admittedly, she did not grow up in the 80's like I did so maybe 80's to the younger generation oozes cool - for me it just mean ruffles, poofy skirts and massive bows - not the cool glam look I was going for. Anyway, I decided to look around at what a backless 80's party dress might look like. Lots and lots of short, slinky dresses or floor length with long leg slits (remember them). I then decided to scour through Gran's old sewing patterns and came up with a few inspirational gems.

I love the back on this - two uncomplicated straps, straight down. Not a fan of the bow and the slight cap on the sleeve is not doing it for me either but, the back is good. Maybe 80's glam could work.

Or these from the 50's - love the big skirts, the simple front and plunging back.

Using these dresses as inspiration I came up with two designs. The skirts in both are similar - a full gathered or pleated skirt - but the structured top parts are a little different.

So dilema: do I go 50's chic or 80's glam? I am a bit torn...

More things for babies

We have lots of babies on the horizon including one of my lovely friends, Em. She has had so much fun preparing for bubs - lots of crafty activities and a complete nursery of soft greys and bunnies! I found this awesome fabric at my fav fabric shop and had to make something for her new baby:

A baby sleeping bag! I copied the pattern from a bag I had been given for Soph and have since made dozens of them! In fact they are my go-to baby pressie for new bubs. I even made a monster sized one for 2 year old Soph who happily slept in it until about 6 months ago. I can wait to see it with a new little baby inside - good luck Miss Ems!

Toddler swimsuit

We just arrived home from a 3 week holiday in Malaysia! Three weeks of warm weather and days of deciding upon the pool or the beach, or both! The girls loved it. There were long stretches of beach play and hours paddling in the pool. All of this, of course, required new swim wear. After many great reviews of the La Jolla swimsuit from Peek-a-boo patterns I decided to buy myself a copy and give it a go. I am relatively new to sewing knits using a twin needle and I can't understand why it has taken me so long to give it a go - it's great and gives such a professional finish to knits. The pattern fitted well (I sewed a size 3 for Miss S who is 2 1/2 years old) and the instructions were clear. All in all a success - and Miss S loved them too! If only we were still on a sunny beach in Langkawi (sigh)

Hoot Hoot

We have a number of our friends who are having babies in the next few months and my head has been full of ideas for handmade baby gifts. I found this lovely owl pattern on Pinterest sometime last year and made a cute version for my little niece for her first birthday. It was such a sweet pattern and an easy to follow tutorial - I decided to make two more for upcoming babies.

I love how this photo captures owl #2 in mid fall from the tree!