You guys know that I worship at the altar of KitschyCoo, so when she asked last week for volunteers to test her new pattern for kiddies underpants I was all over that bad boy.

Amanda’s kids are almost exactly the same age as my middle two – Jamie is about 5 months older than Nairn and Maia is only two weeks younger than Erica – and so we have loads in common when it comes to the kids. Amanda commented a while back that underwear in the UK is poorly designed and sized to the extent that she was becoming frustrated with how uncomfortable Jamie & Maia were in pants and I wholeheartedly related to that. I have to say I completely agree and I’d go as far as to say that poor fitting underwear is why Nairn is staying at nursery this year instead of going to school!

Amanda sent over the pattern, I picked up some cute fabric from Mandors in Glasgow and set out to work. The pattern is extremely easy – the body of the pants is one piece with attached waistband & legbands – but my sewing machine didn’t cope terribly well with stretchy knit fabric so I think I’ll rely on my overlocker next time I make these. I ran up a pair in each size:

Erica (they do fit, she’s just a fidget!)

Nairn

I much prefer the style of these over the almost bikini-style girls’ underwear on sale, especially since Erica has a wee pot belly and healthy thighs. These are so much more comfortable for her and are saving her from the dual perils of the builder’s bum and the wedgie. Nairn is currently going through an “I want to be exactly the same as my brother” phase and has steadfastedly refused to wear his new pants since I made them because they’re not like Findlay’s. Ah well. You can’t please them all

Posted under sewing

I posted recently about how I’d lost my crafting mojo and I know loads of my friends were feeling similarly, so it made my heart really happy to see that my Saviour Amanda has come up with a productive way to beat the blues.

If you want to join in you’ll need to acquire this book which costs a tenner (inclusive of delivery) from Amazon with the first project being a skirt. You have until 20th March to finish the skirt and upload pictures to the flickr group.

If you fancy joining in, let me know! But please do also pop over to Amanda’s blog and let her know that you’re intrigued because we all know that comments are a blogger’s desire

For a wee injection of cute I need to share this awesome video of Nairn. Voila!

Posted under general crafty updates

A few months ago, Amanda declared a crush on me. What I haven’t really mentioned is that this is a reciprocated feeling. So I’ve decided to start the Kitschycoo fan club.

A few weeks ago on facebook, I pondered buying this awesome pettiskirt for Erica to wear to Greer’s christening. Opinions were divided amongst my friends and Amanda emailed me offering instead to make Erica a dress. Which she did, and what a dress. Not only is it made from the most awesome bird fabric ever, but it’s REVERSIBLE! It has a massive 60 inch circumference hem which went down very well with my little twirler. Did I mention it’s reversible?

Awesome side 1

Awesome side 2 (she was not impressed at this stage. Also, I’d crossed the ties accidentally which is why the dress isn’t sitting quite right.

When I was last through visiting Amanda, she got a fabric delivery from the States which gave me instant first dibs on the frankly stunning prints new to the Kitschycoo range. Having recently realised that Erica’s wardrobe consists of dresses, dresses and dresses I asked if Erica could have a couple of tunics made from the two prints that really caught my eye. And look what arrived yesterday!!

and

Needless to say I’m thrilled. Erica’s thrilled. And there’s a kind of smug satisfaction gained from supporting another Mum rather than a faceless corporation. Thanks again Amanda – you’re a star!

Posted under recommendations