Rugby Shorts for Isabella

The ready-to-wear (RTW) rugby shorts are expensive and they really don't make them small enough for Isabella. I used black twill for these as that is what the twins' shorts seem to be made from. The pattern used is Kwik Sew 2132, view B, size 5, however the pattern is now out-of-print. I used a larger elastic than called for. I used 1 1/2" elastic. I also topstitched down the inseams and the centre seams for added strength. I did not install a pocket.

Swimsuit for Katerina

Katerina needed a new swimsuit. The pattern used is Jalie 2317, view A, size 10. I used 3/8" plain elastic. Even though the pool is chlorinated, she'll grow out of the suit long before the elastic becomes compromised.

Ballet warmup wrap

I actually made two of these but different sizes. The one shown here is size 128 (size 7-8) but I also made a size 110 (size 6-6x). I used Ottobre Issue 4/2006, Design #19. I modified the front crossover so it would be a straight line down, plus I did not add the bottom ruffle. I eliminated the side slit for the tying string, too, as the string now sits at the bottom.

I also used binding, first binding the front and neckline. Then, I did a continuous binding on the bottom so as to incorporate the binding as the tying strings.

The fit turned out to be a bit loose. I don't think I will use this pattern again without some major fit alterations.

Thermal wicking undershirt

Rugby season has started and it is still cold (freezing temps). Isabella and Joshua still have their shirts from hockey but Katerina has outgrown hers. These are a combination of thermal and wicking. The wicking part is the dark fabric. The pattern used is Jalie 2448, size 8. I cut the collar shallower. I used the depth of size 2 but the length of size 8. I also top-stitched all seams. I had made this pattern before without top-stitching and I found the underarm cross-seam stressed too much.

Thermal wicking leggings

After making 4 pairs out of non-stretch fabric, here are 6 pairs made from stretch fabric. The wicking fabric is still not extremely stretchy so the leggings fit snug but they still work well. It will do for this spring on the rugby pitch but I'm going to have to hunt around for some wicking lycra, I think, for next time. The pattern used is Jalie 2444, sizes 5 and 8. Two pairs are size 5 and four pairs are size 8.

Non-stretch leggings

I had some thermal wicking fabric and I used it to makes 2 pairs each for the girls for rugby. However, I neglected to check the stretch. So, 4 pairs of non-stretch leggings are now sitting in my scrap bin. *sigh*

Isabella Says . . .

Whilst getting fabric cut, "Let's go to Hollywood, Mommy."

Isabella Says . . .

Driving to rugby practice, "We should get a Limbo Bar, Mommy."

New Thing - [insert child name] Says

Every now and then, the kids say some great things. So, I'm starting a new thing on the blog: [insert child name] Says . . .

She might have won but . . .

. . . the chaos makes me twitch.

I was Stumbling today and I came across this old video. A young woman is showing what her grandma left behind in her sewing room after the grandma passed away.

Whilst the stuff in there is a goldmine, all I wanted to do when watching was to go and organize the room. If you have an OCD complusion for order, you might not want to watch this.

And her name is . . .

Meet Esther:



She arrived today and I'm excited about being able to sew some thing for myself now that I have a dummy. I still need to pad her in a few places as she doesn't have the twin skin that I have.

A sewing to-do list

I think I need to start writing down a sewing to-do list. I keep thinking of things I want to sew but then I forget about them. My memory sucks. So, without further preamble, here is my list.

- under-armour for all 3 for rugby (it's still quite cold)
- rugby game day shorts for Isabella
- gymnastics leotard for Katerina
- swimsuits for the girls
- swimsuit for me
- wrap-around ballet warmup top for the girls
- produce bags
- grocery bags

That's it for now although I'll probably think of more later.

Winter's dying but not dead

I received a not so lovely surprise this morning. Snow. Wet and windy, too. I know why this happened. I put away the kids' snowsuits and winter gear this weekend.



Even the kids groaned at having to gear up again. They looked at the weather station and saw that it was 0ºC. They asked why they needed to wear scarves, toques, and mitts since it was so warm. I ended up giving them an impromptu lesson on humidity and how it relates to temperature.

They got a biology lesson this morning at the bus stop, too, as we huddled together against the wind like penguins. The topic discussed was how the female penguins used up stored body fat to lay an egg whilst the male penguins were out feeding so store up fat to get ready to incubate the egg at -65ºC temperatures.

I never pass up an learning opportunity.

The Tooth Fairy is busy at our house

4 PJs for Joshua

Using Kwik Sew 3042, I made Joshua 4 PJs with 3 of them also having matching summer shorts.

Maybe next year

The dummy saga continues

Well, the full-body dummy is a no-go. Shipping through USPS, although more cost effective, can't be done because the box is too big. Shipping through a courier is too expensive (about 3/4 of the actual item cost).

So, I have ordered this gal:



It's not exactly what I wanted but I'll make do.