Kelly Casanova Weaving Lessons

Clothes sewing

Mamu Imke

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Yay, I finally finished the Imke top I’ve been working on, yes, that’s me – hello! (what’s a photo without a baby attached to your hip?)

A few things I didn’t like about this pattern. First, the instructions were minimal and a little unclear, which won’t faze you if you’re a pro. The second thing is the fit is a bit funny and it didn’t come together quite right and needed some adjusting ( or maybe it’s just me?)

My third problem was the crappy black and white spot fabric which looked very nice on the roll when I bought it but performs a little like a piece of cardboard. Not great.
Not sure if I like this top but I’ll be trying the pattern again with different fabrics as I like the style.
Oh, by the way, I got my pattern from Crafty Mamas.

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Thank you all for your supportive comments and emails yesterday. After I posted it here I thought I may have been overly sensitive and over reacting, but I see from your responses that you understand. Thanks again.

So, what do you do to improve the day when you’re not feeling great? You sew, of course! My little one even indulged me yesterday afternoon by sleeping for 4 hours straight! I made her a bib and some much needed nappy covers (she insists on growing so fast!)

I continued the stitchery project I’ve been working on (yes, you’ll get to see it when I’m done šŸ™‚

And I made some shorts for little half pint. I love this fabric, it’s so cheery. Unfortunately she wasn’t so cheery when I took this photo (missed her afternoon sleep).


Who needs a pool when you have a bucket? I’ll admit it’s not quite as fun, but it sure is a lot cheaper.
We’re heading to the farm tomorrow to visit my husband’s parents so I won’t be around for a few days. See you when we get back.
God bless.

https://kellycasanovaweavinglessons.com/2009/11/thank-you-all-for-your-supportive.html

From flaw to feature.

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I still make a lot of mistakes when sewing, mostly through lack of focus or simply experimenting. The great thing is when you discover that not every mistake is a disaster and the unpicker does not neccessarily have to be your constant companion. Such a handy tool, but gee I HATE UNPICKING!!
I need some more bibs for very vomity baby and thought I could use some fabric leftovers and make it up as I go along. All went well until I attached the binding and found it was way too thick and looked funny.


I spent ages making that binding in the first place, so the thought of replacing did not appeal. So, I ran a zig zag stitch around the inside of the straight stitch and voila! It anchored the inside of the binding down and balanced out the look.
Now I just need to figure out how to use my new snaps press and I can make a bunch more šŸ™‚

WIP frenzy!

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An art journal cover that I’m practicing hand quilting on (and I really need the practice!)

Peg dolls that are painted but as yet unclothed, I’m trying to figure the best way to dress them without interfering with the attached arms. Hopefully I’ll have a tute up for these soon too šŸ™‚

A pair of shorts for one of the girls from recycled clothing.


And, last but not least, a sewing table that is an absoloute disaster zone!!
That’s what you get for working on too many projects at once!

Free sewing

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We tend to be a hand – me – down magnet as a family which is mostly a good thing, but involves sorting through bags of clothes we often don’t want and that end up in the charity bin. Recently I saved a few items that were made with nice fabric but in a style I didn’t like or were too big for my girls. Cut out the seams etc. and ta – da! Free fabric.
So here is the first installment, a top made from 2 other tops. The crocheted flower was a gift, so, apart from the thread and the sweat of my brow the top was completely free.

What I’ve been up to…..

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Apart from lamenting my washing machine situation (I have to wait a week just to get someone here to look at it!) I’ve been fitting in a bit of crafty time (in between being stuck in the laundry handwashing). Above is a needle felted lady, my second attempt at needle felting. Very enjoyable.

Also on the needle felting front, a wee bundled baby for one of my baby girls. This little one was also the cause of my first needle felting related injury in the form of a stabbed thumb. Ouch!
I hope you’re not tired of the Miss Madlines yet, because I’m obviously not! This little one is for a cute, cute niece of mine, about 18 months old.


No one misses out in this house. Blog readers, meet Rosy – Rosy meet blog readers. She is one of my girl’s constant companion, so I made them matching dresses with the leftovers from Corrine’s fabric.
Happy Saturday to you all, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing!

Miss Madeline

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I’m so happy to finish a sewing project these days and this was a great one to sew. It’s the Miss Madeline Dress pattern, I bought mine here. This is a size 2, but there are an assortment of sizes.
This is my kind of pattern, simple design and construction with maximum effect.


Do you recognise the fabric? I won it on Cherri’s giveaway some time ago. The waistband is a Tanya Whelan fabric. I lined the dress with a pale pink lawn.
My model wasn’t available at the time of writing, I believe she had a tough morning on the catwalk and is sleeping it off. She will be surprised to wake and find this little number waiting for her.

OK, today is absoloutely the last day to enter the giveaway!
The winner will be drawn and notified tomorrow.

Until then…….

Another Antonia top

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Successfully completed!
I know, she looks a little concerned, but she really loves it. This is my second Antonia top and was so much easier than the first now that I’m past the language barrier.

So I thought I’d give some tips if you’re planning to make one.
1. The instructions in English can be found here, pretty much essential if you don’t speak German!

2. I added length to the top as it runs a little short.

3. The sleeves run a little long, you may want to shorten them a bit.

4. I had no success with their way of sewing the neckline, I ended up stretching the neckline in as I normally would. I’ve also found that tacking the neckband onto the neckline first really helps with accuracy.

5. This is a great pattern for using up small amounts of knit, especially if you use the patchwork sleeves option.

6. If you have trouble, go to CraftyMamas for help, I get heaps of help there! (I also bought all the fabric for this top there).

Have a terrific weekend, we’re heading to the farm tomorrow for one of the girl’s (4th) birthday, she’s having a little party with her cousins. See you in a few days!