Blogs we Love: Homemade by Jill

Today's blog of the moment was found this morning in a hazy blogging stumble through my RSS feed - but it instantly perked me up!

Homemade by Jill is full of absolutely gorgeous things that crafty blogger Jill has made for herself and her adorable kids - I'm once again trying to find a small child to dress up just so I can convince someone to sew things on my behalf!

Adorable girl's dress! Image property of Homemade by Jill

 

Love these felt doiley clips! Image property of Homemade by Jill

Jill has some fantastic fresh and quirky projects on her blog and a handy Tutorial section to find them all in - including things for kids, mums and the home. We love her use of colour and texture and a cute vintage lean - plus the occasional superhero moment!

A SUPER hero costume! Image property of Homemade by Jill

Confetti Shorts! Image property of Homemade by Jill

We'll forgive Jill for not being an Aussie - we can still show her some blog love! Head on over and check out her beautiful site - Homemade by Jill

Pattern of the Week: A is for Pyjamas

This week’s Pattern of the Week showcases this adorable set of children’s pyjamas. What do we love about these? Well lots!

The bottoms feature an elasticised waistband for ease and comfort whilst sleeping. This pattern can be made into long-sleeved top and pants, short-sleeved top and shorts or vice versa, the choice is yours! And, your little ones will love the sweet little peterpan collar option with the classic button down shirt . We chose to make the boy’s short-sleeved top and long bottoms- Option B. The great thing about this pattern is it will see you through the years as your children grow from 3 up to 15 years.

Product used:

Pattern: Burda Kids 9747

Fabric: Vintage ABC Cotton Poplin, 148cm Wide, 100% Cotton, $14.99 per meter.

Notions: Iron on interfacing, 4 Buttons, 75cm of 2cm Elastic, Optional decorative trim collar pocket 

 

Expert Sewing Tip!

Always start a project with a fresh machine needle. A good needle in your sewing room is like a good knife in your kitchen – priceless!

Visit your nearest Spotlight and get your own Pattern of the Week today!

Advice for Sewers

On this rainy morning, I'm looking to the heavens for some divine guidance, but all I can see is rainclouds (sad, no?).

Thankfully though, the beacon of hope that is Facebook (see ours here) has offered up some handy advice for all of you trusty sewers out there - from 1949.

Ummmm....

I'm off to put on my best frock.

Happy Rainy Day Sewing everyone!

London Calling Issue 2 - You know the Drill

So yesterday I got all nostalgic about what I was thinking four years ago, looking forward to the Olympics. But I never let on my little secret, something I'm looking forward to the most...


Lizzie.

Thumbs Up, Lizzie!

Yeah, she'll be there. My style guru is opening both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games. While she always opens the Commonwealth Ceremonies, this will be her first Olympics since Montreal in 1972.

The Queen and Prince Philip in Montreal

While we don't have a Queen of the Office (though I'm sure the title is hotly contested by many), we do have Dolly, our faithful mannequin. So we're pulling on the regalia and dressing her up...

'scuse the backdrop

Dolly models here our Flag Drill Panel - a complete Union Jack for your sewing pleasure!

This season we're teaming up flags with, you guessed it... more flags! The National Flag collection has both Union Jacks and Australian flags in three sizes - including a full sized panel.
It's not exactly mink-lined robes, but I reckon anyone draped in a flag looks like they should be ruling something, right?


Right.


National Flags Drill, 100% Cotton, 112cm. In store now.

Tomorrow, The Olympic Dream continues...

No Sew Pro: Scrappy Shoes

Madame M spied these little beauties over at I Love To Create and we just had to share them! This is definitely something that even I could create in my craftily-challenged state.

These are a total stash solver and will enable you to wear all of your favourite fabrics at once - maybe just not outdoors in the weather we're having here!

Head over to I Love To Create to find out how you can easily whip these up yourself.

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Do you have a cute and crafty No Sew Pro idea you want to share with us? Let us know on Facebook and we could be featuring you here!

Red Hot Gingham

As you've probably noticed, I get a bit excited when people use our Spotlight fabrics for their projects and then blog about them! The buying team also get a bit hyper when fabrics cross over from one department to the other.
This week's "innapropriate fabric love" comes from Rita at Red Pepper Quilts, who has gone a bit gaga over our beautiful cotton gingham!

100% Cotton Gingham, available from Spotlight

While Shoshana assures me that gingham is strictly for her to wear and not to be shared with "sticky fingered quilters", I reckon that Rita has done an amazing job of quilting up a beauty!

Love the mix of vintage stash fabrics and bright Gingham!

No longer for tea towels, gingham is hot!

We're all about exploring new uses for traditional fabrics here - and I'm sure with all the beautiful things we have dropping in over the season even the purists will be persuaded to try something new.

Have you created a fun project out of a fabric usually reserved for something else? Tell us about it!
And don't forget to check out some more of Rita's projects at Red Pepper Quilts!

Stash Solver: Wall Art!

I thought I was being the best brother ever when I bought my sister a bundle of fat quarters for Christmas this year. After inquiring as to why she had a puzzled look on her face, she expressed "I really like the fabric, but they're not big enough to make a full quilt".
Well, clearly, I couldn't afford to buy her a WHOLE quilt, that would just take the fun out of it.
So it's got us thinking here in the office - what do you do with those fat flats, gros quarts, jelly rolls and fashion bundles that you accumulate in your stash? And what great projects could we bring to you to utilise those fabrics you love and just can't quite use?

So introducing Stash Solvers Project Guide! (You can also file today's entry under "New Sew Pro" - no sewing required)

This week: Fabric Wall Art.

Fabric Wall Art is a quick and easy way to instantly bring a pop to your room! Wether it be a fabric collection or just an assortment of your favourite prints, arrange a group of fabrics on a wall to create a three-dimensional talking point.

There are a couple of different methods for creating your fabric art.

1. Stretched Canvas
Tidy Mom brings us the instructions to quickly cover artists canvas with fabric and a staple gun. Couldn't be easier!

2. Cereal Boxes
What?! Covering Cereal Boxes with fabric was once a pastime reserved for kindergartens. Check out Sew Mama Sew for a practical guide to using up that recycling pile!


I'm sure there are many other ways - including framing your fabric, or stretching it over embroidery hoops, to display your favourites. What have you done with yours?

Some more inspirational ideas at Baby Lifestyles

Pepper Design Blog

Pepper Design Blog

Feeling Bookish

A cold snap has hit us here in Melbourne, and after a wave of a very hot past few weeks, I'm excited to be busting out my trusty cardigan in the office.
Shoshana tells me I look like I should be working in the state library...so I opened up a suitably vintage-looking book and what did I find?

Wonderful Wool Blanketing!

This gorgeous 300gsm wool/nylon blanketing will be dropping in soon. Trust me, it feels as soft and warm as it looks. In beautiful vintage-inspired checks and fantastic solids, it's a sure fire winner for your winter coats, sensible skirts and wrapping up by the fire.

Find it in store from Mid Feburary for an amazing $19.99m in 10 colours.

Feeling inspired? This fabric would be perfect for a 50's inspired coat! Try Vintage Vogue pattern #2401

 Stay warm!

xoxo
The Insider

Those were the days...

Ok, I admit. We've been a bit obsessed with vintage style prints latley but there is just something so irresistable about them. These ones have just arrived in store!

$16.95mt AU