madebyloulabelle

#FEBphotoaday Day 16: Something new...

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:59:00 +0000

... for someone new.

#FEBphotoaday Day 15: Phone

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:56:00 +0000

#FEBphotoaday Day 14: Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:40:00 +0000

#FEBphotoaday Day 13: Blue

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

...is the colour of some of my favourite things.

#FEBphotoaday Day 12: Inside your closet

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:56:00 +0000

This is the tidy corner...eek

#FEBphotoaday Day 11: Makes you happy

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:47:00 +0000

#FEBphotoaday Day 10: Self portrait

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:42:00 +0000

Dressing up

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:53:00 +0000

I've been making so much new-baby stuff for Wingnut lately, that it was about time our big-girl had a look-in. A quick rummage through the vintage pattern collection, and a couple of evenings later.... here are the results.

This 60s fabric makes me very happy. It was bought at a vintage fair from a lovely lady who'd had it in her caravan. I wasn't sure if the Peter Pan collar would meet with 2 yr old approval, but I just about got away with it - thanks to the giant flowers everywhere else!

I've had this Ikea fabric knocking around for ages. The dress was super-quick to make and I'm pretty proud that I sucessfully managed to adjust the pattern from a size 6 to a size 2. Freya told everyone at nursery that "Mummy made it", so I'm taking that as appreciation.

#FEBphotoaday Day 9: Front Door

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:20:00 +0000

#FEBphotoaday Day 8: Sun

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:20:00 +0000

Sun(flowers)... Okay , it's a bit tenuous, but there was no actual sun outside today!

Vintage fabric inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

January was a good month for finding vintage fabric. Here are some of the latest additions to my stash. A good chunk was found in Frocks ‘n’ Stock in Margate, a vintage shop run by the Pilgrim's Hospice - definitely worth a visit if you're down that way.

#FEBphotoaday Day 7: Button

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:56:00 +0000

Vintage birthday button gift...

More Nursery Knitting

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

The last of my currently completed baby knits is this apple green cabled cardigan - another pattern from King Cole's Nursery Knitting. So, who wants to see some more of the finest early 90s baby fashion?

There's a definite tendency towards pastel and wicker-based styling, but there are some great classic knits in there, including this page of booties and bonnets. I've had a go at the pink booties and the pom-pom slippers already, but the little pixie blue bonnet is definitely on my to-do list.

I've got a soft spot for this cable jumper, although the arms could be a little longer. The matinee jackets are sweet - especially the apricot one - but more suited to a girl, so I'll have to wait until Wingnut reveals his/her true identity before I get carried away.

Last, but certainly not least, there are also some more, shall we say, "interesting" numbers - such as this really rather special head-to-toe fair-isle outfit. Well, at least baby is pleased about it - yoo-hoo, here I am!

(ps - I'm secretly a little bit in love with these leggings!)

#FEBphotoaday Day 6: Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:01:00 +0000

Gnocchi tonight - and the best thing is I didn't cook it myself.

#FEBphotoaday Day 5: 10am

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:26:00 +0000

Sunday morning popcorn treat at Grandma's house.

#FEBphotoaday Day 4: A Stranger

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:25:00 +0000

Four of the lovely ladies on my Saturday knicker-making course - plus their knickers! We're not strangers any longer!

Bootie-ful baby shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:15:00 +0000

When Freya was tiny, I discovered the wonder and joy that is a knitted bootie! I'd made all sorts of things for her - cardigans, jumpers, cot bumper, teddy... the list goes on - but hadn't thought about knitting booties. Luckily Grandma Pat was on the ball and Freya's tiny toes were kept cosy all through the winter months with a wonderful selection of knitted footwear.

Wingnut is due in the Spring so keeping those toes toasty is unlikely to be a problem but I have succumbed once more to the nesting instinct and made these little beauties from a King Cole Nursery Knitting pattern book from 1991 (almost vintage!). Knowing our weather it could well be snowing in May, so at least I can sleep easy knowing that all weather conditions have been catered for!

These boots were really quick to make - 1 per evening - so I'm pretty tempted to whip up another couple of pairs.

Okay, so little pom-pom Mary-Janes are not the most subtle of baby footwear, but the way I see it dressing up as a clown in your earliest months is surely a good way to start life! They are crocheted and like the boots, took no time at all. I think I might hold off on making more until Wingnut arrives and we know what flavour baby we've got - I'm starting to run out of ideas for gender neutral colours! By the way, the tanktop is another result of my nesting-knitting and was made using a Debbie Bliss pattern.

#FEBphotoaday Day 3: Hands

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:06:00 +0000

A big Friday thumbs up!

#FEBphotoaday Day 2: Words

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Today, I shall keep some to myself...

A troup of baby trousers!

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:59:00 +0000

When a good friend of mine showed me some amazing baby trousers she'd made using this Made by Rae download, I was inspired to make my own - in a BIG way! As the intro to Rae's tutorial states, there is little more rewarding than a quick easy sew that is not boring. So, four pairs later.... and I'm still tempted to make more!

Rae's tutorial is for a unlined pair, but my friend had lined hers and I shamelessly copied her idea. It's probably a bit tragic to be so enthusiastic, but the lining means that these little beauties are not only cute, they are also reversible - see, they really are amazing trousers! I've used soft cotton jersey for my linings so that they will be super cosy against baby's skin. I added an extra inch to the length of the leg on the original pattern to allow room for the turn up - after all, what's the point in a funky lining if you can't see it!

Here is the method I used to make them reversible...

1. Using Rae's tutorial, cut out one pair from cotton, and one pair from jersey -don't forget to add an extra inch to the bottom of each leg. Follow the tutorial instructions up to the end of step 6, but leave a 1/4" gap in the back seam of the jersey pair, 1/4" down from the waist edge.

2. Once you have made up both pairs of trousers, turn the outer cotton pair right side out. Now, place the outer cotton pair inside the jersey pair so that the right sides are together. Align the raw edges of the waist, making sure that your seams are matching, and sew around the top using a 1/4" seam allowance.

Turn the trousers right side out by pulling through one of the legs. Press the seam around the waist and then sew a line of stitching just over 1/4" from the top edge to create a channel for the waist elastic.

3. Turn in the raw edges on both the outer and inner peices by 1/4" at the bottom of one leg . Line up the inner leg seams, and then carefully pin the folded edges of the inner and outer peices together so that they match exactly. Stitch all around the bottom of the leg as close as you can to the edge. Alternatively, you could slip stitch the lining to the outer fabric by hand. Repeat with the other leg.

4. To finish, thread your elastic through the waistband as per the tutorial instructions, using the gap you left in the back seam of the the jersey lining.

Turn up your leg cuffs, and Bob's your trouser-wearing uncle - you have just completed pair #1 - I dare you to stop there!!

February Photo A Day Challenge #FEBphotoaday

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:43:00 +0000

As of 30 minutes ago, I've decided to particpate in a February Photo-A-Day Challenge. I'm usually pretty useless at seeing these things through, but I thought it would be good discipline to see if I can stick to something for 29 days! Plus, i've just found a clever photo app thingy (pixlr-o-matic) that works on Android phones, so it might be a fun excuse to play around.

Here's the list of themes, and if you want to join in, the instructions are here

I'll save my #Febphototoday pics here

.. and here is Day 1:

Introducing.... Wingnut!

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:56:00 +0000

So, I thought it might be time to finally 'fess up to one of the major reasons for my prolonged blog-absence.....

Yep, there's no denying it now - that tummy most definitely has a baby in it! Baby #2 (currently known as "Wingnut") is due at the end of April. It's been a toughy this time round but I'm now feeling much more myself and getting extremely excited about all things baby and treating Freya to the joys of sibling-ship. The last 2 weeks have been spent in an obsessive state of nesting so I have cardigans, booties and dresses galore to share over this next week. Back to vintage bags soon - promise - but first, I just have another oh, 20 or so, pairs of teeny-weeny baby shoes to make!

ReFashion

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:05:00 +0000

Okay, so let's just skim over the fact that I've not posted anything since September and pretend like I've been here, wiffling away as usual... I've got lots to tell you (honestly I had good reasons for the radio silence) but I'll start off gently with a quick report on the fab - and first ever - ReFashion event at Oxford Town Hall last week. Swishing, swapping, upcycling demos, an ethical fashion catwalk show, and lots of vintage goodies.... seriously, there was nothing not to like!

Not only did I get to spend the day talking about upcycling and hanging out with the lovely Jo of Darn it and Stitch (caught on camera in my quick snap above), I also ended up going home with a big bundle of fabric, and two new-to-me tops - bonus!

O3 Ethical Events Craft Boutique

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:19:00 +0000

I'm really excited to be a part of this event at the O3 Gallery in Oxford. Organized by Feng Ho, the gallery's resident ethical fashion expert, the event features some fantastically talented designer makers and I'm all of a tingle to be included alongside them. If you're in Oxford or nearby on the 25th, come by and say hello! For more information, check out the O3 Gallery events page.

In pictures...

noreply@blogger.com (Made by Loulabelle) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:16:00 +0000

Today I'm wearing boots and 2 jumpers. So that's the summer over then. At least this past fortnight has been spent mostly in the sun - weddings, Texas (for work), France (for fun) and bag photoshoots. Just your average August really!

Trying out my new vintage hat

A bit of colour in San Antonio

Gorgeous France

Chilling out with Daddy

A bit too grand for our Victorian Terrace...?

Taking photos (only another month till I'll have finally finished editing them all!)