Back to school!  A term that has always made me smile.  As much as I was anxious for summer to begin, I was just as anxious to have school start again.

A staple item in our 1st grader’s wardrobe is the Button Up Jumper.  It is a twist on a classic design.  This jumper can be made using a variety of fabrics.

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Summer is an ideal time to pick up small hand sewn projects. A small project that is easily picked up and put down again or carried into the backyard or park is a great creative outlet.

My middle child fell in love with a picture of this sweet mermaid from One Thimble’s newest issue. Though since she’s been finished there has been a bit of tussling for who will claim full-time ownership.

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Here in the US, we’re embracing the last few weeks of summer before school starts up again. At least that is what I’m doing when not hiding under a table quietly counting the days of summer break left. Those with multiple kids home all summer maybe know what I’m talking about.

For that reason, I welcomed the chance to sew up a new item to add a little new fun to the well-used dress up bucket. This chance came in the newest One Thimble ezine featuring an underwater theme.

For some extra fun, we did some tie dying. Follow along below for the details on that!

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This summer has brought us some downright hot days. And we have retreated to the air conditioning. Which has brought me back to a project that never really got finished. The kid’s dollhouse. Now they have been playing with it! But I always had intentions of adding more fun things, and since my littlest has taken a big interest in it lately it seemed like a good time.

It was scrap buster time.

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I found Straight Stitches Magnolia Swing dress while looking for something quick, summer friendly, not fabric hog, that I could sew up several of quickly for my summer rotation.

My phase of life means I need something easy to throw over a swimsuit. Quick changes when I hadn’t planned on being in the water but swimsuit clad children need to be picked up or hugged. Things I won’t stress about being covered in popsicle juice or …. whatever that is. I need to be able to bend, crouch, and lean over – bra strap coverage is important to me.

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Summer vacations bring home my whole herd full time. While they’re here they tend to spend more time milling in and out of my sewing space. Which means,

1. I get much less sewing done in the summer and

2. There are many more requests. And they aren’t for practical t-shirts and shorts.

My kids think that sewing machine magic should be used to create stuffed animals.

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We are pleased to announce the release of the Peter Henley.  A casual fit tab front shirt great for playing or seeing the town.  Here are some of our great testers versions.

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I’ve sewn up another pattern from the One Thimble 15. The Dax Trousers by Gracious Threads is a versatile  pants pattern.  I love the functioning fly and the welt pockets. [continue reading…]

One Thimble 15 has been out for almost one week.  In case you have not noticed we are very excited about this issue.  The theme for this issue is the Prepster look.  Our Miriam skirt is just one of nine patterns for both boys and girls.  The online magazine also has regular columns and tutorials for you to follow.  It is a great value!  It sells for $25 Australian, which is less than $20 US. [continue reading…]