It's time:

I'm trying to spruce up my appearance. I really can't do much about the weight right now, with a breast fed baby I'm constantly HUNGRY, I've never lost weight due to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding makes me HUNGRY and it's never for apples! Exercise is also a little difficult in these early days, I feel like Heather and I are constantly feeding. The time when I'm not feeding is taken up with all the other jobs that need doing. I've not even had time for much crafting.

In an effort to spruce up the image I cleared out four large garbage bags of clothes, two thirds of my wardrobe! I was tough, if I hadn't worn it for a while, if I didn't love it, if it didn't fit, if it was stained and if it didn't go with anything else it WENT!

This year is my year for getting rid of the daggy, for finding my style, for wearing clothes that make me feel good. No more putting off improving my wardrobe until I loose the weight. It's time to just acknowledge that I need to do something now and accept my body for the shape and weight it currently is.

I read this great article here:
How To Dress Well When You Are Overweight.
Some great ideas in there and really inspiring.

There's a lot of articles and posts on the net about planning a wardrobe.
A few I've found:

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http://msucares.com/pubs/publications/p2228.htm

http://www.fashionafter50.com/basic-...-planning.html

http://www.inmywardrobe.co.nz/planning.aspx

http://www.orgtoday.com/Wardrobe%20Planning.pdf

http://www.fashion-era.com/image_planning/index.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Basic-Ward...pes&id=2629791

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/269608...reat_wardrobe/ - video

http://jenniferskinner.blogspot.com/ - a blog about image, wardrobe and style

http://www.articlealley.com/article_74115_34.html

http://curvaliciousandlivinglarge.bl...nize-your.html - big girl planning

http://womens-fashion.lovetoknow.com...drobe_Planning

http://www.womens-business-clothes.c...-Planning.html this one is great

I've taken the first step and cleared out the wardrobe.

Next I need to work out 'my style'.

• I need comfort, easy care, free movement, not too dressy.
• I want to feel feminine.
• I like long flowing lines.
• I like simple. I don't like ruffles and frills.
  
• I don't want clothes that cling to my body.
• I feel more comfortable in modest clothes.
• I like layers.
• I want to get rid of black. I don't like black, I think it's aging on me. Also black is such a depressing colour.
• I like neutrals such as brown, moss green, taupe, cream and egg shell blue.
• I like Asian influenced clothes.
• I like tunics worn over pants.
• I need clothes I can nurse in.
• I need them to look professional enough for me to teach in as I plan on returning to work soon.
• I want my clothes to say I'm an attractive, confident and creative woman.
  

Now that I have cleared out the wardrobe, I need to fill it again. With pieces that reflect the points above.

Becci on Crafty Mama's recently mentioned Sewing With A Plan (SWAP). I'm always amazed when the information comes just when you need it! One of those new age saying is, 'When the student is ready the teacher will come!' Commercial clothing isn't going to suit my style, currently it's all maxi dresses and spaghetti straps. I can't wear things like that as I need to wear a bra and I don't like my straps being on show.

Sewing with a Plan, or S.W.A.P as it is often referred to, is explained here:
Sewing With A Plan

I'm planning on making 11 new garments. 6 tops, 4 bottoms and a cardigan. I'm so excited and can't wait to start. I'm looking through my magazines, searching the fabric stash, trawling the web and having a wonderful time planning my new wardrobe.

Anyone want to join me?

Petal Skirt - FREE PDF pattern, SIze 5 and Newborn

Mad Quilter's

Petal Skirt Pattern



Click HERE for Newborn Petal Skirt PDF Pattern



Click HERE for Size 5 Petal Skirt PDF Pattern

I started by designing this skirt for Heather.
I made a second for Lilly so she wouldn't feel left out.
If you want this skirt in a different size then you can draft it yourself using the instructions for the 8 gored skirt and rounding the bottom of the pattern to form the petal shape.
It's that easy!

Printing the pattern.
Ensure the pattern is not scaled on printing.
The Newborn size prints on a single sheet.
The Size 5 is in two pieces. Match the V's to form X's and tape together to form a single pattern piece.
Both patterns have the seam allowance included.

Fabric Requirements
I used quilters cottons for both skirts.
I lined the size 5 with Quilters Muslin and the Newborn with quilters cotton.
Newborn requires very little fabric 25cms of each fabric and 40cm of lining should be plenty.
Size 5 requires two 50cm cuts of 110cm quilter's cotton.
To save fabric on the lining of the size 5, cut the lining as per the skirt.

Cutting


Cut four petals from each of the two fabrics.
From one fabric the waistband is cut. You will need to measure your waistband for it to be accurate. I find this is the best way to do this as not everyones 6mm seam is the same!

My newborn waist band was 18.5inches by 2 inches.
My Size5 waistband was 34.5 inches by 2.5 inches.

But PLEASE measure yours!! Don't cut the waist band until you have sewn the petals together!

Construction


Sew the petals together in pairs along one side.
Keeping the one fabric to the top is the best way to get them the right way.


Next sew them into sets of four
Then sew the set of four into eight.



Press the eight well. Press the seams to one side.

Preparing the lining.

SIZE 5 Instructions

Make up the lining the same way as you made the outer of the skirt.
That is cut 8 petals and sew them up in the same way as you did for the feature fabrics.

Newborn Instructions

Pin the feature fabric to the lining and cut the lining to match the petals.


At this stage measure for the waistband. Measure across the top of the petals. And cut the waistband to this measurement by 5cm for the newborn size and 6.5cm for the Size 5.


Join the first and last petal together to form a circle.

Join the Lining to form a circle too.


Pin the lining and skirt with right sides together matching the petals and seams.


Carefully sew around the hem of the skirt.
Using a 6mm seam allowance and pivoting as you go.


Clip and pink the seam allowance.
Carefully clip into the valleys, right up to the seam but not through!


Turn the skirt to the right side.
using your fingers roll out the seam and press with the iron.

Optional: topstitch close to the edge of the petals. I would do this for the Size 5, makes ironing easier and reinforces the seam



Next prepare the waistband.


Sew the short end together using a 6mm seam allowance.


Pin the waistband right side to the lining.


Stitch the waistband to the skirt. Sew with a 6mm seam allowance.


fold and press 6mm on the unsewn edge of the band.


Fold the waistband to the front of the skirt. Pin into place.


Stitch close to the folded edge.

I like to use this method to attach waistbands as I find this neater for me, if you have another method that works for you use it!

Inserting the elastic

Unpick the inside seam of the waistband.

Measure your childs waist and cut the elastic to this measurement.
NB - 36cm (That's Heathers tummy measurement.)
Size 5 - 60cms (That's Lilly's waist measurement)

Using a safety pin insert the elastic into the band.

Being careful not to twist the elastic sew the ends together.


Sew each side of the waist band seam to secure it,this also helps to prevent the elastic twisting.

Newborn Petal Skirt

Size 5 Petal Skirt

COPYRIGHT
It's ok to make these for sale
It's ok to share the pattern
please don't post the pattern on your site or anywhere else.
Please link to this blog post.
Don't sell the pattern
Don't claim it as yours.
All drafts and blocks have been kept by me to confirm this is an original pattern of mine.

The story of Heather.

I was surfing the net while FAK (feeding at keyboard) this morning and came upon this story:

When God first made the world, He looked at the bare and barren hillsides and thought how nice it would be to cover them with some kind of beautiful tree or flower. So he turned to the Giant Oak, the biggest and strongest of all of the trees he had made, and asked him if he would be willing to go up to the bare hills to help make them look more attractive. But the oak explained that he needed a good depth of soil in order to grow and that the hillsides would be far too rocky for him to take root.

So God left the oak tree and turned to the honeysuckle with its lovely yellow flower and beautiful sweet fragrance. He asked the honeysuckle if she would care to grow on the hillsides and spread her beauty and fragrance amongst the barren slopes. But the honeysuckle explained that she needed a wall or a fence or even another plant to grow against, and for that reason, it would be quite impossible for her to grow in the hills.

So God then turned to one of the sweetest and most beautiful of all the flowers - the rose. God asked the rose if she would care to grace the rugged highlands with her splendour. But the rose explained that the wind and the rain and the cold on the hills would destroy her, and so she would not be able to grow on the hills.

Disappointed with the oak, the honeysuckle and the rose, God turned away. At length, he came across a small, low lying, green shrub with a flower of tiny petals -some purple and some white. It was a heather.

God asked the heather the same question that he’d asked the others. "Will you go and grow upon the hillsides to make them more beautiful?"

The heather thought about the poor soil, the wind and the rain - and wasn’t very sure that she could do a good job. But turning to God she replied that if he wanted her to do it, she would certainly give it a try.

God was very pleased.

He was so pleased in fact that he decided to give the heather some gifts as a reward for her willingness to do as he had asked.

Firstly he gave her the strength of the oak tree - the bark of the heather is the strongest of any tree or shrub in the whole world.

Next he gave her the fragrance of the honeysuckle - a fragrance which is frequently used to gently perfume soaps and potpouris.

Finally he gave her the sweetness of the rose - so much so that heather is one of the bees favourite flowers. And to this day, heather is renowned especially for these three God given gifts.

Such a beautiful story! After reading that I'm so pleased Peter named our last little flower.

The story of Heather comes from HERE

Newborn Petal Bib - FREE PDF sewing pattern

Mad Quilter's

Newborn Petal Bib

PDF Pattern



CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PATTERN

This is a very tiny bib designed for a newborn.
I found most of Heather's bibs to be too big.
I wanted something a little smaller that will catch the extra milk she dribbles out at the end of the feed,
And what better than a flower bib for my little flower.

Fabric required
little offcuts. of two quilting fabrics for the front and an absorbant fabric such as flannel or terry cloth for the backing.
You can make this bib with two 6.5 inch charm squares.
55cm of bias binding for the tie.

Print pattern.
Make sure it is not scaled.
Cut pattern out.

Cutting

Cut two of two fabrics, for a total of four petals.
There is a 6mm seam allowance already included.


Two 6.5 inch charm squares are just perfect for this bib.

Construction

Sew the petal together along the side as in the photo above.
Keeping one of the fabrics to the top is a good trick to make sure you sew them in the right order. Use a 6mm seam allowance.


Sew them in pairs then the pairs together.


Press the seams to one side. I press mine towards the darker fabric.
I don't open my seams as I think this weakens the seam.


Place the petals onto the backing right side together and pin.
Then carefully cut the backing to match the petals.


Sew around the edge of the bib witha 6mm seam allowance.
Leave the neck open.


Clip or Pink around the sewn edge.
Make sure you do this well in the valleys.


Turn the bib through the neck.
Roll the edges between your fingers to push out the curves.
Press well with an iron.
Stitch close to the edge around the petals of the bib.


Cut Bias binding 55cm.
Match the center to the center of the bib.
Pin into place as in the photo above.


Stitch in the crease of the bias binding as illustrated in the photo.


Fold the bias to the back over the raw neck edge.
Pin into place.
Starting at one end of the bias, sew along catching the neck in as you go.

I used a decorative stitch to stitch my bias,

I find this hides that my sewing is sometimes not as straight as it should be!

All finished now I need to wake my model, she's due for a feed.

I don't think she's impressed!

COPYRIGHT
It's ok to make these for sale
It's ok to share the pattern
please don't post the pattern on your site or anywhere else.
Please link to this blog post.
Don't sell the pattern
Don't claim it as yours.
All drafts and blocks have been kept by me to confirm this is an original pattern of mine.

Enid Gilchirst baby gown

I made this gown all the way back in July.
Now I have my model!

Isn't she beautiful?
I love old fashioned baby gowns.
Now I have my girl I need to make a few more of these gowns.
So cool too on a day like today!
It was 44C here today.

This is nice and loose.
It opens with snaps at the back and is very easy to dress Heather in.
You can't buy beautiful gowns like this in the shops.
It's all stretch fabrics these days, very easy care.

Heather is a very sleepy baby.
I was trying to wake her for a feed while In Port Pirie today.
Not even a cold, wet face washer was going to budge her from her nap!

Heather Louise

All wrapped up in her Crafty mama quilt.
She's a very sleepy baby.

Dressed up in one of the pop tops I designed and made for her.
The top is swimming on her, she's so tiny!

Awww another sleepy shot.

All dressed up to come home!
I crocheted the dress while in labour.
The hospital staff were amused there were some comments as to whether I would finish the dress before Heather arrived!

Pete and I went to the hospital for a planned induction on Monday the 4th of January.
After a few tests, the gels were applied to the cervix at 9:30am and I was left to rest while they were absorbed.

Contractions started within an hour, not strong, mild and slow.
Pete and I walked around the hospital gardens, chatted, ate, talked, laughed.
We watched a little Tv. I started to crochet a little dress.
Still had no idea we were having a girl, just wishful thinking.

The contractions continued slow and steady through the day not intensifying.
At 3:30 the doctor came back and checked on my progress.
The cervix was 5cm dilated so things were happening.

The baby had dropped into the pelvis enough for the waters to be released and after some discussion I decided I would have the waters released.

The waters were released at 3:30pm.
Pete and I were left again to get on with it and I wanted to watch the second episode of Eli Stone I had downloaded onto the iphone.

As we watched and laughed the contractions started to bite in.
By 4pm the contractions were strong and regular about 3 minutes apart and I decided I needed a shower to help me get through each one.

I'd prepared myself for labour this time by reading Hypnobirthing and Birthing from within.
And I was breathing through the contractions and using positive affirmations and I was staying on top of the pain. It was so different from my other labours! I managed to stay relaxed and in control. With each contraction I felt more in control and more empowered. I was doing it! I was so proud of myself. I worked through each one. Not worrying about the next one just concentrating on the current one. Each one was bringing my baby closer and I worked with it.

I came out of the shower stamping my feet through the contractions as they came to their peak.
I wanted to try the gas next.
I've used gas in previous labours and found it effective in helping me to stay relaxed.
I moved to the labour bed where the gas was and had a couple more strong contractions leaning into a bean bag. I knew it was time to get on the bed! I asked for the head of the bed to be lifted and I climbed on and on my knees leaned into the head of the bead. Kicking legs through the next few contractions and using the gas to help me concentrate on my breathing and stay relaxed.
Then I just knew it was time!

I called to the midwife..."I'm pushing!" I thought I'd better warn her.
Peter quickly grabbed the camera, he knew I was serious.
I'd made Peter promise to take photos, I've never seen a birth before!
I'm too busy at the other end.

No one really expected it, it was only 4:30 only an hour since my waters were released and only 3o minutes since the contractions were regular and strong.
As the next contraction hit it's peak I pushed into it and through it, in one smooth motion out emerged Heather's head!
I caught the midwife gloveless.

As the next contraction peaked I pushed once more and Heather was delivered safely into the hands of the midwife and lowered to the bed.

I turned to see her and saw that she was a girl. At which point I cried, I so wanted a girl!
Heather was lifted onto my stomach as we waited for the placenta to be delivered.

We were all a little stunned and amazed at how perfect her labour and delivery had been.
The second midwife and doctor arrived just as Heathers' head emerged.
I think Heather was a little stunned herself and was crying enthusiastically at being now wet and cold in the light of the world.
Heathers time of birth was recorded at 4:40 pm.
She weighed 3520gms

It really was the most fantastic labour, all 40 minutes of it!

Pete named Heather.
In the past I'd always jumped in and named the baby before Pete could have his say so I thought it only fair he name the last of our family.

He named her Heather.
What's her middle name? we all asked.
"I don't know," said Pete. "have you got a family name you'd like to use? "
"No," said I, and the midwives piped up in unison "Louise!"
Pete and I looked at each other and nodded.
It turns out Louise is the middle name of both the midwives!

I decided to stay in hospital this time.
I was waited upon.
I rested.
I spent the first four days of Heather's life just with her.
Bonding, admiring, learning and sleeping.

The hospital and staff here are fantastic!

Thank you to everyone who has emailed and left comments welcoming Heather into the world.

I can't wait to get busy designing and making some special little dresses for her!