Thursday 20 March 2014

First Birthdays

A little girl who I sometimes refer to as "the heir to my daughter's wardrobe" is about to turn one.

While she is rich in hand-me-downs, I figured she should have something new, something made just for her. Why not a Birthday Party Dress in 12-18 month size?
 

I can't really say what the fabric is as I picked up an roll of it (almost 3m length) for $5 at a manchester manufacturer of all places. It is decidedly crisp with a moderate sheen and is a red/blue shot weave. I suspect it's a silk/cotton blend.

The colour is hard to photograph. It's more blue than purple, even with the red threads in there. I was showing it to Flipper and trying to describe the colour and explain the concept of shot cottons when he looked all wistful and said, "Just like my old car".

So there you have it. If you're ever trying to explain the effect of different thread colours in the warp and weft of a fabric, you can just reference a late '90s Subaru Impreza and your bloke will nod knowingly.


On the inside I decided to finish the yoke facings with bias binding. This dress was the first thing I  made after my Weekend Getaway Blouse and the contrast in fabrics couldn't have been greater. This fabric was like paper to cut and it pressed into perfect creases. Such a simple joy to sew, and I imagine it may provide considerable support to it's little wearer as she learns to walk!


Then I decided a birthday isn't a birthday without another project from the Little Things To Sew book and so I made some juggling balls to match. - and that brings me to 5 projects left in the challenge


I have to confess I struggled  a bit with these. Making each half sphere was easy but then, when sewing the two halves together, I was unsure what should happen with the seam allowances of the other sections. Do they get sewn into the final seam or do you try and work around them?

I read, and re-read the instructions for a clue. I've become so used to Oliver + S instructions telling me every little thing and giving me all the tips to get the perfect result, that I was quite put out that there was no indication of how to handle these little half cups.

The answer, I suspect, is what I didn't do. I blithely sewed the two halves and ignored the seam allowances getting caught, and so I have some unsightly puckers on my balls!

of course I photographed the better sides

I seriously contemplated starting over again but then realised I was sewing for a ONE YEAR OLD. If she can't cut me some slack on my sewing then she can just start buying her own stuff and be disowned as "the heir to my daughter's wardrobe". No actually, she's ONE YEAR OLD. She's simply not going to notice!

Guess who else turns one (today in fact)? My blog!

Bartacks and Singletrack is one year old today!

I'm loving having my blog and sharing all my sewing here. I've never had a real plans for the blog, but I've been delighted to have done some pattern testing, guest blogging (and again here) and to be hosting the Cover to Cover Challenge.

There's not really any balance in life at the moment but I did ride a 50km Mountain Bike race last weekend. That makes two dirt rides in the last 12 months, so the Singletrack part of the blog title can stay.

But mostly, I'm just enjoying making things. Cheers!!

26 comments:

  1. The whole gift is fabulous Shelley, I would be thrilled.
    I made a ball YEARS ago for my niece but I hand-sewed the whole thing, so I am no help. I do think they are pretty though and I certainly can't see any puckers.

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    1. THanks Nicole, hand sewing would be perfect, but I'm just too lazy sometimes.

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  2. Lovely! I love that blue/red weave. I think your balls look great! (wait, did I just say that?!)

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  3. Happy blog-o-versary! That little dress is just simply beautiful. The fabric, the finishing - just perfect.

    Also, I wouldn't notice the small puckers on your juggling balls, so I am pretty sure a one year old will just be delighted to play with them! My little Maggie loves balls - that's one of her words! Everything is a ball, though - even coffee beans are "balls!"

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    1. It's a great word isn't it? I remember A calling her skirt with circles on it a "ball" skirt.

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  4. Happy birthday to your blog, and to the recipient of this lovely dress. I love the fabric, and the bias binding is a really nice touch.

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  5. The dress is wonderful. I just made a little Oliver+S dress for a 1 year old myself. I love the detail you put into yours--so special. And happy blog-birthday!

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    1. Oh that little spotty Family Reunion dress is divine! Lovely sewing. Thanks for the birthday wishes

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  6. What a gorgeous dress! And well done on a year a blogging- you've had a big year :)

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  7. Woot woot! Happy Birthday! That's a very cute dress, I have a similar Kwik Sew pattern and guess what - I also have that contrast blue floral fabric in my stash!

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    1. It's a very recognisable Spotlight Japanese lawn isn't it?! I've made a blouse and pants ruffles and two Birthday Party dress accents (1 tab, one ribbon ties) out of my 1metre cut!

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  8. wow shelley this is reeeeally gorgeous! the fabric choice is just perfection and i love how clean and perfect the inside is too. the birthday party is one of the first O+S patterns i ever sewed but i only made it that once (over 4 years ago!). may need to revisit it now that i see this. so good.

    and happy blogiversary!

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    1. Thanks Kristin. this fabric was just begging to be sewn into crisp pleats, so it had to be the Birthday Party dress!

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  9. Beautiful - and the bound facing is a nice touch. As far as I can see, the juggling balls look perfect (and if they're not, I'm sure their shape will change somewhat once they've been chewed on a bit). Happy birthday to your blog and congratulations on a year of amazing sewing!

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    1. Of course, slobber and squishing will reshape them anyway. Thanks for the birthday wishes and kind words.
      (I was showing my mum your garden via your blog pictures the other day. it's extraordinary!)

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  10. Well done you! The dress is very pretty and so neat! I hope the one year old's parents notice how beautifully finished the dress is even if the one year old doesn't. The balls are cute too but I can't quite figure out where you were having trouble.... But, then, who really cares?!?! Like you say, another item ticked off for Shelley Smarty Pants!!

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    1. Ticking 'em off Jen, ticking 'em off. I want to make some more balls and take pictures of where I wasn't sure what to do.
      Thanks for the dress compliments. It was nice to give them something that wasn't already half worn out!

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  11. Hmmm. I guess I didn't sew the seam allowances. But it's been so long now I just can't remember! Sorry about that!

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    1. Thanks for coming by and commenting. I'm sorry if I got a bit cross with you (in your absence) for not telling me exactly what I had to do. :) I really have been spoilt by sewing with your instructions! (and I've learned everything I know from your patterns)

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  12. Gorgeous dress!!! My daughter's birthday is coming up in a month and I want to make her a dress so I may make that one. I am also making a bunch of her presents and know I won't have time to make everything. I love the balls too. I am going to make my girl some presents from the book too.

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    1. Oh do, Christine, it's such a pretty dress. The shaping of the back sections is so lovely and the pleats at the front are gorgeous. It seems to work no matter what fabrics people chose. I've never seen one I didn't like!

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  13. This dress is so great! I love the chambray-ish look + tiny florals. It's so sweet and just perfect really! The balls are awesome - that one year old is one lucky girl! And congrats on your blog! What an amazing amount of success in one year!

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  14. Love the dress and the colour combination you chose. And a big happy birthday to your blog! Congratulations.

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