And now it's Pajama Bags...

I'm always on the look out for something new to sew.  My latest sewing time has been put to use by sewing Pajama Bags.  When I was a young girl, I had a PJ Bag which would hang on the end of my bed and each morning I would put my nightie in it.  When a Facebook Fan (& a mum from school) suggested Pajama Bags, I thought yeah, what a cool idea.  So, I got sewing, using pieces of fabric which I had spare.  

Each bag is lined with a contrasting or matching fabric, and then can tightly close using a ribbon-drawstring!

I very much love the Monkey Pirates!

I had quite a few tries getting the ribbon opening just right so the first one was given to Monet (who loves it!) and I have a parcel to send off to my nephew and two nieces next week (with new pyjamas!)

I hope they like and use them like my girls do.

Aprons

A while before Christmas last year, I had ordered some gorgeous 'kitchen gadget' fabric from a website in America.  I loved the fabric and once it arrived on my doorstop I loved it even more.  But I was unsure exactly what to make from the ordered 'yard'.

After a bit of brainstorming and thinking things and designing in my mind, I decided on an apron.  I went and purchased a couple of other fabrics which matched colour-wise the kitchen fabric and set about making my (mind) apron.  

I ended up making two matching aprons which ended up as Christmas presents for both my Mother-In-Law and my sister.  I was very tempted to keep one myself but didn't.  And (unusually) I don't have a photograph of the finished product.  =(

I thought I would make myself a 'Christmas' apron instead.

Well, that didn't go to plan either.  I ended up giving one to a friend who had invited us to a Christmas Party at hers and my mother had mentioned how much she liked the apron (which I sent her a photo of) so I made her one too!  Sheesh.

With a bit of Spotlight shopping, finding suitable fabrics to make another few aprons, my first one looked like this...

After I posted a photo of it on Instagram, a friend of mine bought it!  She loved it so I happily sent it off to her.  So finally, f i n a l l y, I made myself one.

I very much like it.  A lot.

I've yet to make more....I have been too busy making some other of my ideas into reality.  I love that I have taught myself and learnt via others (via blogs/Instagram) how to do certain things and feel very inspired to keep making...

I Made Myself a Bag...

...and Monet liked it so much I offered to make her one too.  This one is going to be her 2013 Library Bag at school.

I used fabric which I had been holding on to for 18 months, left over from a skirt I made myself with material I had bought from a Japanese Fabric store in Barcelona.   I do anything to be walking through those doors again...  *heehee*

After a self-imposed sewing break....

.... I started sewing again.  It had been a few weeks, but over that time I have been inspired to get back on the sewing machine and try a few new things.

Yesterday, following an online tutorial, I made a lined zippered pouch.  I was very excited to see that it actually worked out!

So, I sewed some more.

Top right one is for Monet to use as a school pencil case.

The bottom two pouches had to be zippered using invisible zips, due to me only having those type.  Not the best type to use in the pouches so I feel another trip to Spotlight is on the cards to purchase some 'normal' zips.

They're simple and fun to make so I suspect that I will be making many (many) more in the very near future.

Chevron

I love colours, I always have.  Sure I might not always pull colours off when I wear them but I know with my skin tone and hair colour that bold colours can work on me, rather than pale.  I am also a girl who likes stripes and chevron patterns.  So when I spied this lovely Chevron fabric my friend was offering from her fabric store in Brisbane, I snapped it up.  

It's a safe, be seen kind of skirt.  I love it.

I had enough fabric remaining to make a girl-sized skirt, which worked out beautifully.  

It is still listed for sale so some lucky little girl (aged 7-8-9) will be the fortunate owner of this skirt some day.

A Productive Sewing Week

I never thought I would actually follow through on a project that I found on 'Pinterest' (google if you must), but the double-sided headbands I had pinned onto my board drew me in.  I found the instructions easy to follow (a miracle for me) and gave it a go, using my scrap material.  

All lined up and ready to sew.  Fun!

This was my result!  

Monet loves them and they just fit her (they are aimed at ages 8+) so she's bagged a couple, which she wears proudly.

My other project this week was to make complete outfits for girls.  And of course Miss Lily is my model (and my inspiration).   I spruced up a tshirt adding rosettes and buttons and Lily adored it.  You little ripper.

After a successful showing to my mother and sister-in-law via iPhone I decided to do a complete outfit for my Lily.  The photo below has had 600+ hits on Facebook so I think I could be onto something (or probably because the just-about-3-year-old is impossibly cute!)

I am hoping they are a success, as I have just posted my first available whole outfit on my Page.  =)

Skirts for Little Girls....

It started with a 'one off' and a 'tester' skirt, made especially for Monet.  And now it has snowballed into my obsession and I just love making them for my girls and for sale...

And then the last time I visited Spotlight (fabric store), I spied a little gadget that helps you make fabric rosettes.  Awesome little gadget it is too.  With a button sewn into the centre of the rosette and then hand sewn into the corner of the skirt front, I think it really finishes them off.

I think I am addicted to looking at fabric too.  Online or in stores.  Oh there is so many lovely fabrics out there and I am always on the look out for something a little different.  When I spied the fabric below I knew it would make a gorgeous skirt.  I think it ended up looking more gorgeous than I possibly imagined.  Definitely a favourite and both girls have said they want one each.  Lucky they have a mother who is obliged to make them one each....

I have listed all these skirts on my Facebook page (link on the right) and are priced at $25 each.  I'm sure you must know of a little girl (sized either Small, Medium or Large) who'd love one?  *wink wink*

Traveling The World In Skirts

I love the series of skirts I have made involving travel.  Many (many) moons ago (ahem, about 10 years ago), I vividly remember seeing this woman in Chapel Street (in Melbourne) wearing this gorgeous A-Line skirt which was covered in 'Dublin Doors'.  

(Thanks to Google Images)

(I'm always on the hunt for the same fabric so if anyone knows where I can purchase some, point me in the right direction can you?)  When I wear my 'London' skirt I think of the skirt that initially inspired me. 

I love wearing my 'I Love Paris' skirt.  It reminds me of the times we have visited previously.

I am yet to wear this skirt, 'New York, New York'.  I love it too, but I haven't ventured to that city (yet) and feel a little hypicritical if I was to wear it.

I too love this following skirt, but as I haven't visited NY, I feel I can't wear it.  Silly, I know, but I might actually make myself one in this fabric because it is striking.  (And I love anything a little different.)

I do wear this one, 'Return to Sender'.  I love me a bit of blue. =)

New Skirts

I am happy to say that I have started to sew again and it feels great!  I'm still only selling via my Monet & Lily Threads Facebook page but all in due time I am planning on my own Web Page if all goes well.  I have business cards now too (ooo getting professional) and in the pipeline is a special Mother's Day Market happening in this neck of the woods which I am planning on having a stall at.  

Anyway, listed this week are two new fabrics in skirts.  

'Sweet Teacups'...

and 'London's Brilliant', my current personal favourite.  

Santas, Rainbows and Limes.

I thought I'd share with you a few of my latest skirt fabrics. And it seems as if these three are hits, which I am most pleased about. I've had positive feedback and have sold one of each of the new ones already - even when I have a choice of over 25 different fabrics/designs.

I was very excited to find this Christmas fabric.  I just love it and am waiting eagerly for December to roll in so I can wear mine!

I only made the next skirt, named Rainbow, yesterday and sold one straight away.  As I very much loved the fabric, I made one for myself and got some lovely comments from friends (in the flesh and online), which is all very encouraging.  

'A Touch of Lime' was sold to a friend whilst it was still sitting there in pins.

I have another 'Skirt Party' next weekend at a friend's place, with an ever growing list of guests, so fingers crossed for a successful sales day.  *wink wink*

Presenting...

My skirt business is turning more official, with a new name and a new logo. I'm very pleased/excited/rapt to present to you, 'Monet&Lily threads'.  The initials M&L are significant to us here at biglittlesister, I'm pretty sure you can work out why.

I still have bigger and better plans but having this logo has really got the ball started. It is exciting times ahead for me and I hope all does go to plan.

I'm seeing 'my' skirts out and about now, being worn by their new owners. I've sold over 85 now since August, can you believe it?  As far as I know too, my skirts are now being worn by people in Australia, Malta, Germany, England, Jamaica and here in the UAE!  I have orders too coming in, as people want certain skirts (namely my Camel one) to be sent back to their homelands as Christmas gifts for friends and relatives.   I'm chuffed, truly, I am.  (I'm also very busy! Whoopie!)  :)

A Camel in a Flower Bed. *lol*

I can't say I could be any happier with my little skirt business. Every week I seem to get busier, but I have the sewing down pat and can whip up a skirt in next to no time.

I bought some new fabric last week, which seems to be a hit with the customers; aptly named (by me) 'Flower Bed' Skirt. You like?

One of my most popular skirts that I have sold is my 'signature' skirt, named the 'Abu Dhabi Skirt'. I offer it in a red fabric or a beige fabric, both with black camels. Remember? However yesterday I gained an order from a girlfriend of a white skirt with a beige camel.

It turned out really well and I think I may just add it to my regular range. I already have some interest in it.  You like?

Scooting Around Town

I gave myself a day off from sewing today, but I wonder how long this will last... *heehee* I have had a rather unusual and busy week this week, which is always good, as the 'norm' can get repetitive, can't it?

I had my first 'Skirt showing/sales Party' yesterday.  My awesome buddy Nat, who works at an Embassy here in Abu Dhabi organised a gathering of female co-workers and invited me to bring in my skirts, so they too, could purchase skirts, like Nat does, off me.  (She was one of my first customers and owns four or five now...)  With all my skirts placed lovingly into two suitcases my assistant (let's call her Lily) and I drove into the Embassy for our 9:30am gathering.

So whilst my assistant Lily sat QUIETLY. ON. THE. COUCH. FOR. OVER. AN. HOUR. I chatted to 'clients' and helped them with sizing etc.,  A successful hour it was, with 14 sales and eight orders of skirts.  Not bad eh?

I really think I have stumbled across this 'skirt party' idea, as the majority of women like a decent length skirt but they are so hard to come by in this current trend and can't find any that are within budget, size and a bit out of the norm.  I had a lot of positive feedback from the women there, which was really encouraging.  My mate Nat, gets to chose a 'freebie' skirt in her size for organising the little shin-dig, but she's yet to choose.  She may be waiting for me to finish up on the 'Scooter' skirt...

Still Sewin'...

With my babysitter  (kidding!) Monet back at school, Lily and I are trying to get ourselves a new routine.  Sewing, in the last few days, hasn't happened as much as I'd like, as I've been busy catching up on 'stuff'.  But when I do find a spare moment I can be found in my little 'sweat shop' off our living area.  

The skirts I have made over the past week, I just love.  And it seems like I have quite a few fans and some new buyers out there too which is encouraging.  

I was a little unsure with the orange number, but after seeing that orange is actually 'in', I boldly wore it yesterday.  I didn't actually feel as bright as I thought I would.

Below is a pic of me wearing it, but I didn't wear with a blue top - I opted for black (typically...)

Today I made some more of 'A touch of Orange' skirts. I think it could be a new favourite.  (And I have already sold one of these ones!)

My aim for all my skirt sales was to purchase something special.  Of course I kept changing my mind.  We've been after some particular furniture pieces and when we spied on the noticeboard in our local supermarket, someone selling a side table, in a very similar stain to our dining table, I rang up, went around, purchased.  I quite love it.  (And quite proud that I paid for it with money I personally earned - it's been a while!)

But my main recent purchase, using cash from the biglittlesister skirts project, was this;  An iPad (with some help from MrL).

Sweet.

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, off to the sewing room I go...

So, you may remember the photo of this fabric store I took in gorgeous-I-wish-I-was-still-there Barcelona. Well the fabric I bought wasn't exactly cheap and I didn't buy a lot of it. But I did make sure there was enough to make myself this skirt...

I just love it.

Yeah, I have gone a bit 'skirt' crazy here with my little workshop going into, what seems like, overdrive. I have a good stock pile of skirts now in three different sizes.  I have the odd customer every week who has seen them on Facebook (link on side bar here) or by word of mouth - which is what I am all about.  The more I sew, the greater the choice of skirts there is.  And, bonus of all bonuses, if I feel the need to own a new skirt I can just go and help myself.  *heehee*  Now it is a case of keeping my ear to the ground on any up coming market events happening in my current home city - they are few and far between - but I am getting myself slowly organised.

Okay, back to the sewing room I go...