I'm starting a band and it's called The Dolmaniacs

Plans have been gestating for The Great Dolman Top sew-along.  The pattern has been graded from 18m/2T through 7Y/8Y and photos have been taken of the steps for the tutorial.

I want to make just one more for the boy child but I'm at least 97% certain that this will be a unisex project with the option for a waistband or straightforward hem, and a couple of variations on the pattern for fun.

To give me a general idea of interest in a sew-along (and more importantly a kick up the bum to finish the plan)... who's on drums and who has tambourine?

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Capturing Childhood

image courtesy of Capturing Childhood 

As I talk about in constant, tedious detail, I struggle with photography. With product shots, it might take me a hundred shots to get a handful that are acceptable. But at least product shots are repeatable; the clothes come out on another day and I try to do better. For me, the most frustrating aspect of taking sub-standard pictures is when I'm using the camera for personal and not business use. Special events, impromptu moments, holidays, and just spending time together as a family are the most important things for me to capture and I've had a lot of heartache when I've looked back on my pics.  Every single time this happens, I pester my friend Kat.  'Why does this happen?!', I whine on Twitter.  'What is going on?!', I post on her facebook wall.  'I have attached an album of terrible pictures for you to explain', I email.

Finally, Kat got so sick of me* that she collaborated with another fantastic photographer named Kat and together they designed a e-course specifically for capturing the everyday moments of having kids.  It's a six week module with a group of people all learning at the same time through weekly blog posts, assignments and plenty of scope to engage with and support each other.  And here's the video:

It made me a little bit tearful...... anyone else? Just me then.

So now I'm all signed up** and raring to go.  I'm really looking forward to learning heaps of things.  Kat's really looking forward to me not pestering her.  If you want to find out more, clickety click.


*This may not technically be true. I am very irritating though.
** This is not in any way a sponsored post and I gladly paid the full rate!

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This just in... Little Red

An amazing new fabric arrived yesterday... 

A riotous scene featuring a blythely skipping Little Red Riding Hood, her something-is-not-quite-right grandma, the leering wolf, ubiquitous foxes and all manner of woodland flora and fauna.

It's another buttery soft organic cotton jersey that is as dreamy to gaze upon as it is to sew.  Snap it up here before I change my mind and hoard it.

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The Cityscape Jumpsuit

I didn't get a huge amount of fabric when we were last in the States, but I did pick of three colourways of Lizzy House city scenes.  I mean, who can resist?  Other people, probably.

There have been rumours there is a season called 'summer', with a warming yellow orb in the sky so it is possible to have bare arms and legs. 

This so-called 'summer' happens in America and some other countries I believe. 

You can also take pictures outdoors there.

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The Androgynist

A dolman top for the boy and the jury is still out, the judge is getting impatient, and it might just end in a mistrial.

The hesitant model's immediate reaction was that it was 'for girls', but when questioned it was blamed on the fabric rather than the style.

The quite-conservative husband thought it was fine for boys.

The nothing-if-not-predictable Maia wished this top was hers.  Which it might be.

And wishy-washy ol' me think it would probably be fine for boys, although if in doubt it could be masculinised with an applique, a more boy-centric print, or perhaps the subtitution of a normal hem for the waistband.

What say you:  A-okay or pre-book therapy?

Bonus topic of conversation: How much does everyone love Picmonkey?  I like it even more than Picnik!  Last two pictures have filters on them. Urbane and Orton if you're a naturally curious person.

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Dolman Cool Cat

It's a busy time of the year for sew-alongs*!  Right on the back of the Spring Top Sewalong is Elsie Marley's Kid's Clothes Week.  Theoretically I should be able to participate in this one more, as I sew kids clothes for a living and all.

So first up is this dolman top, a pattern that I drafted last summer, used precisely once, and then bunged in my to-do pattern pile. My, my, the girl has certainly grown in a year.  Using the same size (which I remembered as being too big), this top has come up a bit small.

It's that belly / bum double whammy. As always.

Until a couple of hours ago, I thought of a dolman style tee as being a pattern for the girls but now that I've seen it on I think it'd be cute on boys too.  What do you think, mums-of-boys and people-with-opinions?

*I'm actually fomenting plans for my very own sew-along and the pattern I have in mind is for girls.  If there's enough dissent by disgruntled boy-sewers, I'll rethink though. Speak now or forever hold your peace!

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The Spring is Cruel Top

Despite my best intentions to participate more in the Spring Top Sewalong over on Made by Rae, the pool closes in a couple of hours and (just like last year) I have a single last-minute entry.  Next year, right?

I get pretty jealous of all these lovely lightweight and / or sleeveless entries by people who live in less cruel climates.  Right after these pictures were taken my arms got frostbite, gangrenous and then fell off. Continuity-buffs, you will also note that my hair got be-ponytailed during the picture taking. This was due to extreme wind whipping my hair across my face and interfering with that soul-searching look I am sending you through your computers.

But nothing says Scottish spring more than inappropriate attire and clouds, so this top gets two ticks for both style and theme.

PS. Thanks so much for all your sweet comments on my Missoni dress. I would have responded to everyone individually but I was too busy blushing.

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