Pyjama Party

Saskia and Anna modelling their custom-made pyjamas at our cabin in Tokaanu; the pyjama set I made for Anna; my cowboy tog bags, pyjama pants, and (to the right) Saskia and Anna's pants; the lining of Anna's mini floral canvas tote; Anna's little floral tote, lined with tiny red polka dotted cotton.

In preparation for a recent weekend away I made us up pyjama sets in floral cottons and flannels, with bags in which to carry our togs and sunscreen to the hot pools. The bags are my own design - for the pyjamas I used Burda 7627. The pyjama pants portion of this pattern is fabulous (I've made four sets already!) but I have reservations about the top - the straps are extremely short, and the gathers fall a bit strangely around the bust.

exciting embroidery!

Yesterday on our Sunday meandery drive I came across these incredible embroidery transfers at the craft shop.

Nothern Lodge / camping / wildlife imagery (Twin Peaks, Northern Exposure, the great lakes, etc. etc.) is pretty much my favourite imagery ever and I can't wait to get started on sewing up these puppies.

Husqvarna is broken which is very sad - does anyone know how to fix a sewing machine affected by a power surge, that won't stop sewing, even when you're not pressing on the pedal? Is it a sewing machine poltergeist I've got?

At the craft shop they also had some wooden frames on sale which I think I'll use to hold my finished Northwoods Lodge embroideries.

back home after a long time away (in my other home)

My summer trip to Canada (the motherland) was gorgeous, long, hot and dreamy.

Back in New Zealand spring has sprung ... between sneezes, I am re-adjusting to southern weather.

Top to bottom: sunset on lake huron; my feet in front of lake huron; mum and I, me wearing my new homemade blue cotton dress (I combined two patterns to make this little beauty: the top is Simplicity 2693, view A minus the bow, and the bottom is McCalls 5466 which seems now to be out of print - a shame, as it's a pretty great pattern, especially for its lovely tulip skirt).

summer sewing

Sure, it's not summer here where I live, but it's going to be, where I'm going soon!

Naturally, I will need a lot of summer dresses, blouses and dungarees for wandering the hot streets of Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec ... and for hanging out in small-town Canada with my dearest ancient friends.

Right now I'm making up the duffle bag above (from Burda magazine July 09) for toting around my togs during the course of a 10-day jaunt through the eastern provinces. This pattern is so simple and is just what I've been looking for. I love how they've styled it with all those little badges and buttons.

I'm also making up view C of McCalls 5621 (modelled belowby that lovely lady in coral):


... New Look 6831 in light pink Japanese cotton with shimmery green and yellow woven into it:

... and New Look 6773, in an airy navy blue and pink cotton:

We've been spending every evening eating dinner in bed, under three or four quilts, cause that's the warmest place in the house. I can't wait to see the sun!

pussy-bow blouse

This little beauty is made up from New Look 6831 - the frilly mini-sleeves are yet to be attached.

I have yearned for this cotton fabric for months (Windham Fabrics "Rain Blossom") and think this pattern showcases it beautifully.

My Mum was a secretary in the eighties and I feel that the bow is a tribute to her (although she would have worn it in a loud floral rayon, eggplant perm and dangly earrings).

Opera Capes

On Saturday night we went to see the New Zealand Opera's exuberant, hilarious production of The Italian Girl in Algiers. Naturally, we needed something special to wear, so I made up these opera capes using McCall's 3880 (view A). Instead of lace I used pink stretch velvet, a sort of boucled grey and white wool, and minky fake fur trimmed with chocolate satin recycled from an old waistcoat. They turned out beautifully, although the Husqvarna recoiled at the sight of the fake fur and so I sewed that one by hand.

silk aviator

Our beautiful nephew turns one year old ... wearing a new aviator hat that I made for him out of merino and silk.