This is a very long post! We were so inspired and excited about this weeks challenge that we can't contain ourselves. That's why there are so many pictures and words. So... before you get lost, don't forget to look at all the other designers fantastic clothes and vote at Project Run and Play.

We had so much fun making and photographing our outfit for the Earth Day Challenge. We have created some fun French inspired fashion completely with items we already owned. These items were all pre-loved clothes used by our families, eaten by moths, partly worn out or stained but still with potential. Redesigned, carefully cut and sewn, Madeleine now has an outfit she just loves to wear. In this stylish outfit, with a satchel over her shoulder and  a bagette under her arm she really could be wandering the streets of Paris, past the Eiffel Tower, confident in the knowledge that she is doing her bit for the environment - no new materials were used to make this "new" outfit.

So let's talk about the jacket. We started with Caroline's maternity winter coat (hint - you're highly unlikely to see any more baby photos from The Sew Together Team!!) and one of Bill's old business shirts (unfortunately Bill still has to go to work!!). We found metres and metres of gorgeous red and white striped bias binding at the last Stash and Treasure Recyclers Market. If you live in Sydney you really should check this Market out. It's a great way to move on some of your unwanted stash and also a wonderful way to replenish your stash by buying what others no longer need.

We are not keen to show you the "before" photos (we didn't want it to detract from our fun "after" photos) but just remember the "before"s are supposed to look bad!!

A great principle when upcycling is to use what you have - not only when it comes to the clothes you choose to work with, but also there are often some great features on the original clothing that are worth preserving. The button loops on the front of the coat have become a feature on the pockets of Madeleine's new jacket. The original cuffs have been re-cut to create the new ones and the seaming in the sleeves and the back of the coat create interesting features on her jacket.

When we asked around our family for someone who may have an old navy jumper (pullover) we could use, Madeleine's grandfather started to look wistful! He talked about the best jumper he had ever owned. He bought in Tunbridge Wells (UK) in 1996! Unfortunately (but fortunately for us!) the moths loved it as much as he did and it was no longer wearable.

Before - with moth holes:

After:

This 100% wool jumper was so soft and fine. We used the waist  and arm bands to create the casing at the top of the skirt. The seams on the 6 gored skirt are finished with vintage bias binding, giving the skirt some structure and a little pop of colour.

So next the shirt...
Unfortunately, this favourite shirt of Maryanne's had some stains on it that could not be removed:

We wanted to preserve the pretty pin tucking, front button loop closures and the fullness of the shirt, but we also wanted it to be fun and girly. We added some floaty gathered sleeves, cut from the original sleeves to achieve this, and a waist band to create a shape that complemented the line of the skirt. We then trimmed the neck line and sleeves with more bias binding.

And finally the bag.

We felted a very stylish (not!) vest that Grandpa used to wear to work (in the late 90's!) and added some scraps of polar fleece and ribbing to create a satchel for Madeleine. We wanted a leather strap on the bag and came up with the idea of creating loops to feed a belt through. One belt makes it a great hand bag, two turns it into an over the shoulder satchel. And when the bag isn't in use, those belts can be holding up someones pants!

So we are all happy -Madeleine loves her outfit, it cost us less than $5 to make, it cleared out some of our cupboard space and it has had no new impact on the environment beyond the energy it took to sew it all together. That has got to be a good thing!!

And the bagette tasted good!

Vote here!

On Saturday evening I experienced a major dose of mother guilt as I wrapped Will's birthday presents ready for his birthday on Sunday. You see, the only wrapping I could find in the house was of the Christmas variety and so, that is how they were wrapped. I find it so easy to get caught up in "perfect" - perfect hand made gifts wrapped perfectly, and a perfect birthday party completed by a perfectly decorated cake. I know I can never achieve perfect, I just pretend to aspire!!

In all the fun and rush of Project Run and Play, Will's 2nd birthday crept up on me. Rob and my Dad were very organised and made Will a fantastic gadget board full of locks and clips and black boards and mirrors. It justifies its own blog post - so watch this space!

My birthday crafting started on Saturday afternoon. Will has a new Teddy in a Tin which he loves. "Teddy sleeping" is heard often around here now! The squares in the quilt are 3/4 inches - a perfect contrast to the big picture of Project Run and Play.

I was inspired by this.

Our party was very much last minute as well - our family, grandparents, the cousins who were in town and our most wonderful friend and nanny, Romy. Although last minute, the party really felt perfect.

There was a cake decorated by big sisters:

For those wondering, it's a dog!!!

And most importantly lots of family with lots of love:

Who needs mother guilt when all your little 2 year old needs for a perfect birthday is a cake and lots of love?

Summer is almost finished in Sydney, but we are enjoying the last few warm days.  Maryanne and I decided to celebrate this in Project Run and Play this week.

For us, sportswear is all about separates  in cool natural fibres - easy to wear and easy to wash ( essential around here!)
We had lots of fun making this outfit .  We really focused on the little details...button tabs on the pants with a classic grosgrain ribbon belt, a double collar and loads of hand embroidery (thanks Maryanne - you're amazing!)

While she's definitely a skirt girl, Lizzy loves this outfit

It's especially exciting when your favourite doll has a matching outfit!

We wanted the outfit to be pretty and a little bit dressed up but still wearable.

Lizzy's smile makes us think we may have achieved our goal!

Make sure that you take the time to have a look at all the other gorgeous designs at Project Run and Play.  Don't forget to VOTE for your favourite!

I don't often post about our 'work' on here, but today  I want to tell you a story...
Maryanne and I run a sewing studio teaching beginners to sew.  We specialise in the absolute beginner and most of our students are young mums - it's amazing how many women are inspired to take up sewing after the birth of their first child. (I certainly was!)


Last year, Tiffany signed up to one of our Sew for Children courses.  She didn't have only one baby - she had gorgeous twin girls!

After each lesson, Tiff would come back the next week, having made a zillion of each project - hand embroidered and  appliquéd t-shirts, elastic waisted pants, beautiful peasant dresses.  It was truly amazing!

 To deal with all of the outfits she created, Tiffany set up a  stall at a local market.  As she says "my twinnies Eva and Lucy really didn't need 40 embroidered tees or 28 summer dresses!!!"  From there, Tiffany has created Eva and Lucy - a boutique range of the most amazing children's clothing - all of her outfits are divine!  Have a look at these...

Tiffany now sells on Madeit where she has a wide range of clothing but also takes custom orders.  You can also check out her Facebook page. Go and have a look  - they're beautiful AND inspiring!

So it has finally begun - Project Run and Play Season 4!!!

We had so much fun creating this dress. It was one of those great designing sessions - 30 minutes and a series of back and forwards "What about...?" and we had come up with a concept that we both loved.

We love Dana's Circle Skirt tutorial and decided we wanted to use it  to create a 1950s style gown. We aimed to make a dress that was glamorous but still child friendly and modern -  a dress that an (almost) seven year old would love to wear.

We followed Dana's great instructions for drafting the skirt pattern with some variations to make this a double circle skirt. You can create a great twirl in a single circle skirt but a fabulous one in a dress with a double circle skirt!! The bodice we drafted ourselves - we really wanted it to be fitted, in keeping with the 50s style and the best way to do that was start from scratch. We attached the skirt to the bodice and finished it with a belted waist. The final hem line was 7 metres (23 feet)!!! We used horse hair tape to support this hem line and to create that gorgeous ripple as Madeleine twirled.

We used shot cotton in a colour range from deep teal to the palest of blues. The shot cotton adds a depth of colour but still keeps it vaguely practical and the colour blocking adds to the dress's modern feel. We used a similar colour range in the tuille petticoat that gives the skirt some of its volume.

We continued the "circle theme" in our accessories. Madeleine's clutch is decorated with hand appliqued circles. We then covered lots (and lots) of buttons in the same colour range- to create a "necklace" that surrounds the neckline of the dress.We were very excited to find some turquoise silk ballet flats and added some covered buttons to these. The final touch is a simple but stylish button embellished headband.

We'd like to thank Madeleine - our gorgeous model...

I think she likes the dress...

Make sure you go and check out all the fantastic creations from the other participants at Project Run and Play.
And don't forget to vote!!!!!

Can you smell the grease paint? We're getting ready for Project Run and Play... it's very serious business!