I spend my sewing time very wisely these days! I don’t say yes to just anyone… Unless your name is Nadia and you design awesome prints for Orinoco Designs! This round is very special! At least 50% of all profits will be going to help people affected by the Bush fires in the 2019/2020 bushfire season.
What could be better than fabric for a fundraiser! Creating with a conscience! It’s our duty to go mad and buy it ALL! ❤
I was so blessed to be sent 5m of stunning Aussie prints to showcase! I called in some help from our Swozzie (Swiss/Aussie) cousins to show you some great combinations! My girls had already chosen a tank and tee with shorts, so all I asked was wombat or echidna and skirt or cropped joggers?
Miss 12 chose the Clay Echidnas and Pink & Rust Hash. She wanted a cropped dolman tee, so I used the Peach Patterns Pearlie dress, which was created for One Thimble Issue 16. I extended the bodice to get the look she wanted and made her some Striped Swallow Designs Run in the Sun Shorts. She is up in the top end of sizes in both these patterns! I added a little extra length to the shorts for her long legs, I swear I didn’t leave one pattern alone when I created this collection!
Miss 9 chose the Pink Wombats and Pink & Rust Hash for some Made by Jacks Mum Hang Ten Shorts and a Wicked Patterns Wren Tank. I cut the shorts to the length she wanted and added extra seam allowance to the armscye and neckline of the tank, so that I could just turn and hem instead of using bands.
Miss 10 chose a tank and joggers combo. I used the Rust Waratah fabric and the Sofilantjes Solis Dress Bodice for the tank and extended by an inch and just hemmed to finish. Her joggers are the Juniper Joggers by Striped Swallow Designs. I shortened the legs to a cropped length (using my Miss 9 as a guide for her height), then measured my Miss 9’s calf circumference to make cuffs. I spliced in a cute patchy section down one leg to bring together all the prints.
Miss 7 chose a skirt and tank combo. A skirt bless her! Nobody has requested a skirt around here for so long lol!!! Her tank is also the Rust Waratah fabric and the Sofilantjes Solis Dress Bodice hack like her big sisters. Her skirt is based on the free Gracie Skirt by Simple Life Pattern Co. It is made for woven with a knit waistband. I used the waistband, pocket and side panel dimensions, but drastically reduced the width of the skirt front and back panels. I didn’t want a super pouffy skirt that was so gathered that the print was obscured.
I made sure not to use all the Rust Waratah fabric on the kids! I had some minty green cotton lycra and navy ribbing in my stash so I squeezed myself out a tee! I am on the hunt for the perfect relaxed tee pattern, so you will see a few more versions and trials of this popping up! I used the Wardrobe by me Daisy Drop Shoulder Tee. I raised the neckline and drafted my own neckband and wide cuffs. Pretty happy with it I must say…
I’ve saved possibly the best for last! Navy Australian Flora is such a stunning print! I made myself a Chalk & Notch Waterfall Raglan with an extended hem instead of a ruffle. I have a few of these and I love wearing them so much in winter! Sadly my stash is completely lacking in solids and coordinating prints right now! I have been staying home as much as possible and didnt have time to order something in, so I used this great looking striped double knit. Not the best idea… It doesn’t have nearly as much stretch as the gorgeous cotton lycra, but hey, it looks good right?
So have I totally overwhelmed you? You really need to check out the whole collection to appreciate all of it! It is for a good cause and its completely stunning! You really should buy the lot lol!! All prints are available in Cotton Lycra, French Terry, Bamboo Lycra and woven cotton. I think I need a Mustard Wombat Sweater, but what else have you picked as your favourite print in the collection?
Happy Sewing
Brooke x
I was finally able to squeeze in some pictures of my makes so far from Issue 22! As you read in my 
Look at that! It has pockets! Where would she have put those hands before now? 
How great is it in a simple tencel denim? My girls are loving more classic colours at the moment. This is the same fabric we used for a Camden dress from last issue! 
Isn’t that sweet? Are you a fan of the contrast pockets or do you prefer something a little more subtle? I love the peekaboo pockets! 
Next up are the Oceaan Shorts by The Eli Monster. Aren’t they adorable? I found the instructions a little tricky on this pattern, but they weren’t too difficult to sew. I used this cute printed drill I’d had in my stash for quite a while. I wouldn’t get away with too much pink in my girls wardrobes, but this definitely gets the tick of approval. 
I teamed both the skirt and shorts with the new Xanadu bodysuit also from Issue 22. I really love how the patterns from this issue all go together so well. I plan on making a Piper Pinny (by Bubby & Me Creations) and that will be 3 outfits with the one top. 
I made the crop version of the Xanadu from a heavy knit shirt of my own that was too small. I love to upcycle, it’s like free fabric! I made my crop band a little wider than the pattern, just to give it more visual balance. I also managed to cut it so the stripes continued and the band is almost invisible. 
I would have loved some navy buttons to finish the shorts, but I only had 4 of those of course, so pink it was! All my buttons come from thrift stores, I really can’t justify the price of them otherwise! I buy ALL the buttons when I see them and I sew from my stash whenever possible! It’s too far to drive to a fabric store just for buttons. 
I love the scoop back of the Xanadu. It’s a great feature. I have to say these shorts fit like a glove too. If your customer is in between sizes, I would definitely size up and add elastic to the back waistband. 
I’m so excited to share with you the pattern hack I provided for this issue! An inseam pocket tutorial on the Jolie Skirt from 
Have you got your copy of 
idle sunshine 