Wordless Wednesday: Ensconsed

Pickings from Paradise

Yesterday we set off on masse to a local farm.


Armed with dozens of empty punnets and a sense of purpose.


We were lucky to have such robust systems of quality control.


Grandparents to grandkids, cousins to cousins, memories formed and moments were captured.


The girls with their matching tops and strawberry stained hands.


Jamie tried a blueberry (!!) and the fibres of the universe did not rip apart and send us all careening into oblivion. It 'was nice'.


Isla ate several thousand blueberries and went to her own tiny version of Heaven.


Knowledge was imparted.


Hilarity shared.


It's hard not to view our trips back to the place I grew up through rose-tinted spectacles. Probably because I wasn't the one who spent $70 on a car full of berries. Thanks, Dad :)

NB. As I continue to be cut off from the world by lack of email access and non-ridiculous internet connection, I will continue to update my Open Post with further questions for you all to answer. So keep checking back!

An open post

Hello, everyone.

I did some very bad organising which means I have no access to either my hotmail email account or my kitschycoo email for emails that were sent or received before today. If you're waiting to hear from me, I'm sorry. As a half-baked solution, if there's something you want to let me know, I'm leaving this up as an open post. Tell me anything you want! If you're stuck for ideas, here's some things I definitely want to know:

• What have I missed / am I missing in the UK
  
• Link to a blog post that I have to read (even if my mom's dial up internet might make me stab the computer)
  
• Theories as to how I managed to forget to pack the shoes I specifically bought for this trip
• What in the world I'm going to do if I never get into my hotmail account ever again
  
• Where in our yard my mom has seen snakes (because yes and no answers aren't getting me anywhere)
  
• Has baby Calvin gotten cuter or just bigger? Discuss.
  
• Don't tell me about the last Doctor Who, because it's not on here for another two weeks.
  
• Every time I come to the States, I catch something almost fatal. Previous highlights have included killer thrush and pseudo anthrax. Yesterday I cut my finger on a knife. Will I get gangrene, septicemia or trench finger? Or is the cut a red herring and should I worry about some other diseases?
• Today on my morning constitutional walk down our road, I might have seen a bear and I definitely saw a bobcat. Which one will kill me?
• The dog is pregnant. How many puppies will she have and how many will be born in my suitcase?
  

As my bifurcation from the real world continues, I'll be adding to this list and need some help getting answers.

The Grimace Dress

I've been doing lots of Top Secret sewing for my extended gene pool this week. But there is one thing I can show you: another holiday dress for Maia.


I would like to thank Grimace from McDonald's for being an inspiration.

I declare this blog a judgement free zone

Yesterday someone left a comment on my blog that I was an irresponsible parent for posting pictures of my kids in their homemade pants. I wasn't going to publically react to this but as I lay in bed last night upset, I decided I wasn't going to leave that comment undisputed.

Ironically, one of the reasons that I started sewing was because I found store-bought children's clothes age-inappropriate with their grown up styles at odds with childhood innocence. And specifically with regard to the underwear pattern, I designed it with maximum coverage as I was uncomfortable with how much flesh their store-bought pants exposed. Believe it or not, I actually angst quite a bit about which pictures I post. If there is anything that might be construed as salacious, I don't post it. If I wouldn't want them to look or behave that way in public, I don't post it. If it is anything beyond what you would see in any department store clothing catalogue advertising clothes, I don't post it.

Unfortunately it is an undeniable truth that their are bad people out there that objectify children. But do you know who else objectify children? The well meaning people that shout 'OMG the paedos!' when they see naked children on the beach or indeed children in their pants on sewing blogs. As a very wise person on my f-list said last night, 'Yes, and pedos never ever go after fully clothed children, just like rapists never go for women in bulky sweaters or old ladies, only nubile young hotties in their undies.' Indeed.

It is another undeniable truth that there are places online that are purpose-built for perverts to get their kicks. They are not sewing blogs. I regularly check my Google Analytics traffic sources and keyword searches and have seen no evidence of my blog receiving traffic from dodgy sources. If I ever was to, I would have to reconsider my position. But for now I'm comfortable to post pictures of my own gloriously innocent children, on my own blog, without inviting judgement.

Addendum: I'm not posting this because I want sympathy, or validation, or even debate. I'm not looking for any flame wars. Just as I was unhappy about being publically judged, I'd be unhappy if the commentor was too. So for that reason I'm closing comments.

Pin up bathing suit

If you had told me last week that I'd be taking pictures of myself in a bathing suit and posting them online, I'd have told you to put down your crack pipe. But no, here I am only half a yard of lycra away from being starkers.

I've never had a bathing suit that I've liked. I really, really, really wanted a pin-up bathing suit. I couldn't find a pattern. I could have bought some lovely ones online, but they cost between £60 and £100 (which is more than I spend on a coat) and crucially none of them had an underwire bra built in. I am phobic about not wearing a proper bra in a snowsuit, let alone a swimsuit. So I made one. It cost me £2 and an old bra.

It has two layers with the under layer a tightly fitting sheath (ergo cinches me in) and the outer layer a ruched affair (ergo slimming eye-trickery).

The bodice is also two layers (plus the bra) with a tie that cinches the centre to make the neckline a sweetheart shape, with the ability to make it more or less modest. More, Dad, honest.

Speaking of modest, the legs are very low-cut and have bands like the kid's bathing suit I made. Perhaps not the most flattering look, but I see absolutely no wedgies in my future.

This was the first time I used the triple stretch stitch on my machine and I triple love heart it; I'm never zigzagging again. You have no idea how much I wanted my suit to be the fuschia polkadot that I used for Maia's (Jamie's?) suit but thought the matchy matchiness would be too twee. Maybe I should have just made her a different one!

Forays into swimwear

I had every intention of making my own bathing suit this week because I don't have one that's not heinous. But I was mildly distracted by carrying 103 yds of fabric, 49 patterns and 28 items of clothing to the Post Office. Yes, the Mega-sale was a mega-success and I'm eternally grateful to everyone who ordered! Thank you :)

But I did manage to make Maia's suit. In the morning she was quite cooperative, and happy to try on the bottoms (using my boy briefs pattern). By the evening? Not so cooperative. But lucky for me I still have one agreeable child. The tank is the racer back style I'm working on.

This was the first experience sewing with spandex and it was both easier and harder than I expected. Weight wise it's pretty hardy so I didn't have to battle with curling edges like some thinner knits but the four-way stretch flumoxed me when binding the top and resulted in some distortion. Overall, it's a pretty passable effort and I'm crossing my fingers that Maia comes around because she doesn't have a suit either!

Spongebob pineapple pants

When Abby from Juicytots asked if I'd make her daughters some pants, I got a chance to revisit the pattern and make a couple of changes from the version that made it through testing. I raised the front leg opening and narrowed the fabric between the legs a bit so there's less excess fabric in the front... Same full coverage in the back!

Jamie thinks Maia 'looks so beautiful'. I want to shave her head and make a wig for me.

He says he is 'so proud of her'. She eats his obsequiousness for breakfast.

My Polkadot Parfait

I'm taking a very quick break from administering my sale to show you the Parfait dress I finished last week.

I didn't actually make functional button holes because it had already taken me ten million hours, but sewed on two vintage round red buttons on each strap.

Neither did I add the pockets, although they are cut out so I might add them in future. I might even iron that crease out. Or make Steven do it.

Although I did make a muslin bodice, it wasn't clear until the straps were pinned on that it needed bust darts to stop the gapping at shoulder and arm. I added two darts, one on the armhole and one on the side seam of the bodice. And an additional half inch tuck after the dress was completely done but still gaping. I've never paid this much attention to the fit of my store-bought clothes!

For those of you who've read Fit for Real People (or those of you who like looking at circus freaks), check out how uneven my shoulders are with my right shoulder heaps lower than my left.

But at least my back hem is even with my front hem courtesy of shortening the straps. And look, here's something you don't see everyday: no evidence of my bra. Any sleeveless garment from the store shows either my straps in the front or the band at my armpit.


I never did figure out the facing so I just bias binded it (just as well as I think it would gave been too low cut if I'd faced it with a 5/8" seam allowance). I had to mitre the binding at centre front, the finest sewing moment in my whole life. If I do it again I'm just going to line the bodice fully.

Steven: Work your Pocahontas retro hippie.
Me: Okay.

I like the dress, I think it's flattering, it fits better than I'm used to. But... I'm not sure when I'll make another due to the god-almighty time commitment. It was 30 pieces and 10 pieces interfacing, roughly 600% more than what I normally sew. And I do not like 5/8" seam allowances. Also (and I'm hoping one of you big girl sewers will tell my why) there are half circle drags under my bust in the waistband which bug me. But, overall, still a thumbs up :)

Mega Sale Phase Three: The Clothes

Jeez-o, but this is taking me an age to do, but finally Phase Three of the Super Mega Sale is complete.

Sewn with my own fair hands

I've created two albums in Facebook for my ready to ship sale clothes: those sewn with my own fair hands and those that have been appliqued (also by my fair hands I might add). Prices are at least 20% less than normal price, but some are much, much more. If you want something put a comment on the relevant photo to say 'Mine, mine, all mine'. If you don't have a Facebook account, you can email me and I'll stake on your behalf but it could get complicated if someone else bagses it before I see. I've only listed ready to ship availability but I might be able to accommodate other sizes or duplicates. Maybe. You never know with me.


I'm happy to ship anywhere in the world. Shipping within the UK will be £2 for orders up to £25, £3 for orders between £25 and £50, and a flat £4 for orders over £50. Rest of the world: take the UK shipping price and add £2.

If you want an even bigger discount, I'll take 50% off your shipping charges if you use your cyber mojo to tweet, blog, Facebook link etc the sale, just let me know when you order. Again, like the pattern sale and the fabric sale it's open until Friday.

Mega Sale Phase Two: Fabric bonanza

Lightweight wovens (quilters weight cotton, lawn, voile, linen)

Well, this is a lot more fabric than I was intending to sell! But once I started pulling everything out I had a really good think about how badly I hoard the precious fabric and off I went. I've posted them all on my Facebook page into three different albums: light weight cotton, heavy and medium weight cotton, and knits. You can click on the pictures to visit the albums.

Medium and Heavy weight wovens (cotton sateen, home decor weight cotton, babycord, velveteen)

On each individual picture there is the fabric name, the quantity I have available and the price. If you want something, leave a comment on the picture stating your claim. If you don't have a Facebook account, you can email me and I'll stake on your behalf but it could get complicated if someone else bagses it before I see.

Knits (french terry, sweatshirting, cotton jersey and cotton lycra)

The sale is probably geared more to my British friends because the precious fabric is really precious here in the UK. Others are more than welcome, but should email me so we can discuss posting. Shipping within the UK will be £1 for 1-2 yds, £2 for 3-4 yds, £3 for 5-6 yds, £4 for 7-8 yds, £5 for 9-10 yds and a flat £6 for anything above 10 yds. Yes, I appreciate I should be using metres because the EU will no doubt throw me in jail, but most of the fabric was purchased in yards so it's more logical for me to list them that way.

If you want an even bigger discount, I'll take 50% off your shipping charges if you use your cyber mojo to tweet, blog, Facebook link etc the sale, just let me know when you order. Again, like the pattern sale it's open until Friday and I'll post Phase Three: The Clothes tomorrow!

Mega Sale Phase One: Patterns 20% off!

After such a good response to my prospective sale post, I'll go for it! I'm going to break it up into three phases rather than bombarding you with the triple sale in a single post. Patterns up first!
I'm going to list a picture of each pattern, a short description (check out my Etsy shop for longer descriptions and more pictures), the normal and sale prices in GBP (and USD for reference), and the number of patterns I currently have in my inventory that are ready to ship. Shipping will be at a flat rate of £1 to UK address (+50p for each additional pattern) and £2 for non-UK addresses (+£1 for each additional pattern). If you do want a pattern but others have snatched it up first, I'll reorder prints and send yours out next week at the sale price. If you'd like to buy something, email me at amanda@kitschycoo.co.uk. Sale closes next Friday!

The patterns:

Reversible Double Breasted Coat

The coat has an a-line shape, peter pan collar or pixie hood, and can be folded up at the sleeve edges to get maximum length of wear. The coat is also fully reversible so you get two coats in one! The tutorial includes the option for a peter pan collar or a pixie hood. The pattern includes pieces for 18m/ 2T and 3T/ 4T. I would rate the difficulty as advanced beginner or intermediate.

Normal price: £9 or $13.50
Sale Price: £7.20 or $10.80
Number of patterns available: 4

Asymmetrical reversible jacket

The coat has an a-line shape, asymmetrical collar, and two button closure to the side of the chest. It can be folded up at the sleeve edges to get maximum length of wear. The coat is also fully reversible so you get two coats in one! It has a more cropped, swing fit than the double breasted coat. The pattern includes pieces for 18m/ 2T and 3T/ 4T or 5y/6y/7y/8y. I would rate the difficulty as advanced beginner or intermediate.

Normal price: £9 or $13.50
Sale Price: £7.20 or $10.80
Number of patterns available: 2 1 None! But I'll order more tomorrow :)

Boy's Single Breasted Coat

The coat has a very slightly a-line shape, the option for a hood or pointed collar, and three button closure. It can be folded up at the sleeve edges to get maximum length of wear. The coat is also fully reversible so you get two coats in one! The pattern includes pieces for 18m/ 2T and 3T/ 4T. I would rate the difficulty as advanced beginner or intermediate.

Normal price: £9 or $13.50
Sale Price: £7.20 or $10.80
Number of patterns available: 7

Puffed sleeve smocky top

Light and breezy for the summer heat, this bright and funky top has a square neck and a very gathered body. It slips over the head without fastenings, has a v-shaped notch to the back and a bubble hem. And some puffy girly sleeves, that can either be left open at the hem or elasticated. The pattern includes pieces for 18m/ 2T and 3T/ 4T. I would rate the difficulty as advanced beginner or intermediate.

Normal price: £8 or $12.50
Sale Price: £6.40 or $10.00
Number of patterns available: 4

Reversible Party Frock

For the little girl who likes to party this retro-style dress has a sleeveless bodice and a very gathered skirt that's perfect for twirling. It has a slit partially down the back and is closed with a looped button closure. It's fully reversible and the option to add a large sash means it's so easy to dress up and down. It looks equally good alone in the summer and with tights and a long-sleeve tee in winter. The pattern includes pieces for 18m/ 2T and 3T/ 4T. I would rate the difficulty as advanced beginner or intermediate.

Normal price: £8 or $12.50
Sale Price: £6.40 or $10.00
Number of patterns available: 3 2

Mini-Mod dress

This retro-style mod dress has either a box-pleat or three panel front. It is cut in a generous a-line shape with a faced round neckline and armholes. It has a slit partially down the back and is closed with a looped button closure. You can have a lot of fun with this pattern by inserting contrasting fabric in the box-pleat or panel! The pattern includes pieces for 18m/ 2T and 3T/ 4T. I would rate the difficulty as advanced beginner or intermediate.

Normal price: £8 or $12.50
Sale Price: £6.40 or $10.00
Number of patterns available: 4 3

Yoga leggings

The pattern includes three choices of leg: a skinny long leg, a cuff, and a mock-button overlapping cuff. The beauty of these leggings, though, is a very tall foldover yoga waistband... no irritating elastic to dig into the waist and the added modesty of being able to wear the band up in the back to fully cover little bottoms. With the fold-down / fold-up waistband and the slightly long slouchy legs, these leggings are designed to provide two years of wear. The pattern includes pieces for 18m/ 2T and 3T/ 4T. I would rate the difficulty as advanced beginner.

Normal price: £8 or $12.50
Sale Price: £6.40 or $10.00
Number of patterns available: 3 2 1

Kangaroo Cowl tunic

There are a lot of variations included with this pattern: two choices of necks (a cowl that can be kept tall and slouchy or folded over, and a mock neck that has height but is not folded over), either puffed or standard sleeves, and an optional large kangaroo pocket to the front for storing treasures. Its generous fit is designed to provide two years of wear. For colder months (or as an alternative to a jacket) this is a fabulous pattern to use with fleece, sweatshirting or french terry. If it's for warmer months or layering, jersey, interlock, ribbed / waffle knits give a more drapey fit! The pattern includes pieces for 18m/ 2T and 3T/ 4T. I would rate the difficulty as advanced beginner.

Normal price: £8 or $12.50
Sale Price: £6.40 or $10.00
Number of patterns available: 3 2

Reversible Matinee jacket

The jacket has a straight up and down shape with an opening down the front and tabbed button closures. It's designed to give two years of wear due to the opening down the front (looks so cute with a poochy belly poking out!) and because the sleeves are cut generously, allowing you to roll up to the contrasting fabric when the child is younger and down as they grown.The pattern includes pieces for 18m/ 2T and 3T/ 4T. I would rate the difficulty as advanced beginner.

Normal price: £8 or $12.50
Sale Price: £6.40 or $10.00
Number of patterns available: 4 3

Four way reversible swing top

This tutorial explains how to make a reversible swing top that can be worn four ways, with either fabric to the outside, but also with the buttons to the front or to the back! You can have fun with the buttons... a single giant one, two smaller ones, or even a big and a small. It has a swing cut and curved overlaps. Cute on it's own for summer or as a pinafore for winter. The pattern includes pieces for 6-12m, 1-2yr, 2-3yr and 3-4yrs. I would rate the difficulty as advanced beginner or intermediate.

Normal price: £7 or $11.25
Sale Price: £5.60 or $9.00
Number of patterns available: 4

Tunic

The tunic has a generous a-line cut and longer length ensuring many seasons of wear. It has a double elastic band at the neckline so it's easy to get on and off (even in full chase mode, as I often do). You can have a lot of fun with this pattern, it can be made long or short sleeved and you can mix your fabrics between sleeves, bodice and neckband. The pattern includes pieces for 6-12m, 1-2yr, 2-3yr and 3-4yrs. I would rate the difficulty as advanced beginner or intermediate.

Normal price: £7 or $11.25
Sale Price: £5.60 or $9.00
Number of patterns available: 4 3 2

The Maia Strappy slouch bag

This PDF tutorial explains how to make a Maia strappy slouch bag. There are instructions included to draft two sizes: big and slouchy or medium but generous. It is a celebration of straps. A long adjustable one that means you can wear it across your body or just over a shoulder, there is a strap that goes under the bag from metal ring to metal ring, and two shorter ones that run over the base onto the sides. They're all lined with contrasting fabric for peeking. The top of the bag has a zippered closing to keep all of your bits safe, it's lined with contrasting fabric and has an integral zippered pocket for segregating super precious bits. The base is a separate rectangular piece that gives it more structure than a typical slouchy bag. THIS IS A PDF. I would rate the difficulty as advanced beginner or intermediate.

Normal price: £6 or $9
Sale Price: £4.80 or $7.20
Number of patterns available: infinity plus one