More spring flowers

After yesterday's post, bought to you by mummy-angst and probably karmic payback from when I was horrible to my mum about handmade clothes, how about some lovely spring flowers?

Hazel and I picked this bunch the day before yesterday down on the trails near our place. In places the forget-me-nots were a carpet of blue, and the buttercups almost as thick. I saw another woman walking with a big bunch of forget-me-nots so I know we weren't the only ones wanting to take home a little bit of the sky!



These little Johnny-jump-ups grow wild in our garden and I love it. When we first moved into our house we had a guy who mowed our lawns every couple of weeks. He fancied himself a bit of a garden expert and explained to us that if we didn't control these pests they'd take over our garden. We recoiled in horror - just like the lawn daisies, they're so gorgeous how could anyone not want scads of them? They make me happy every time I see them.



The neat thing is that they've hybridised with the violas that we've planted in previous years to come up in all sorts of variations on the basic theme. I think the original ones are actually those in the background with more yellow, the ones in the foreground are all ours!

Tantrums and angst

Mine, not Hazel's! I suppose I should set the scene: I like to make things for Hazel, mostly clothes and stuffies. I enjoy the process and the results. Hazel? Not so much. The results are mixed - some things she loves, some things she doesn't mind, some things she refuses to wear/play with. The refusals are usually clothes. Now to be fair she often does come around to them, but in the meantime I feel really rejected and stupid. Logically I know this is silly, she's four and trying out her ability to choose and impose her wishes, but my pride is hurt and it makes me more reluctant each time I do it to do it again.

I made her a skirt out of fabric she'd really really wanted in the store. She refuses point blank to wear it. I made the lovely spotty jacket. She's refused to wear it several times and had to be bribed to put it on for the photo shoot. Today she refused to wear it again and it was just the last straw. I told her that since she refused to wear anything I made her I was going to stop making her clothes and stomped out of the room. Of course she came out after me declaring it was all a joke and of course she'd wanted to wear it, but that just made it worse because it patently wasn't true. I hid away and cried. Literally. Then I got ahold of myself and we went to the zoo and I managed to get over it. We even had a nice little talk about it and I apologised for having a tantrum and explained why I'd been so upset.

But you know, I'm still not sure if I can bring myself to make things for her. It kills me to say it but why should I play these mind games with her, and if they're not mind games then I obviously have no idea what she likes by way of clothes! What's the point of making things for someone who doesn't appreciate them? I've got loads of people who I could make things for who would. I don't necessarily make things for the appreciation, but it's an important part of the process I think, even on a small scale. I don't think it's possible to invest that time and energy into things that are unwanted. And god forbid that I become one of those people who try and manipulate others into appreciation or guilt. This has turned into rather a whiny and self-pitying post I know (I promise not to become one of those bloggers honest!), but I haven't felt this crap about making stuff for a long long time. I know I'll probably just continue on making things for her because I love it more than I hate the rejection, but I certainly feel wary and less joyful about the process.

How to make a waterproof mattress protector for toilet training

I made up a couple of these for Hazel when we took her out of night nappies just over a year ago and they've been brilliant. Instead of having to change the whole bed you can usually just take off the wet sheet and put on another. So much faster than pulling apart the whole bed at 2am!



I gave away one of them not long ago because she just wasn't having any accidents, and wouldn't you know it she went through a 'phase' so I made up another one (and now the phase seems to be over!). I thought it might be useful to document the process because they're really very simple to make and doing it yourself is not only cheaper but you have your choice of fabulous fabrics! Essentially what you have is a cotton top and a waterproof PUL bottom (which rolls around the edges to the top and stops moisture leaking off the edges), with a slightly absorbant inner layer. It's held onto the bed by long flaps which tuck well under the mattress and hold it firm.

What you'll need:

1 x top fabric in 100% cotton
1 x inner absorbent fabric
1 x PUL fabric
2 x fabric for side flaps

A note on the fabrics: Choose good quality 100% cotton for the top, if the fabric has a synthetic component it won't absorb the liquid as quickly, if at all, meaning it's more likely to run off the top and onto the bed. I've used quilting cotton for my sheets. You could use a variety of absorbent fabrics for the inner, in this case I used an old piece of flannel. It doesn't need to hold the moisture for long, just enough time for you to get the sheet off the bed. Finally, the PUL - this is the polyurethane laminated woven fabric that is used in modern nappies/diapers, it's waterproof, thin and flexible and easily washed. It's readily available online from nappy making supply stores and it comes in a rainbow of colours and patterns. I've gone for boring old white because I like the clean edges it gives on the finished sheet. It might be a functional item but they can be aesthetically pleasing! My flaps are made from old polycotton sheets I had hanging around - whatever you've got that is big enough will suit!

A note on sewing with PUL: PUL can sometimes be tricky to sew as it is slippery on one side and has a tendency to stretch. Making sure the shiny side is down when sewing makes a huge difference, the presser foot just doesn't seem to move over it well. If you need to pin, make sure you pin within the seam allowance as any holes outside that will compromise the waterproofness. Use a nice sharp needle too. It's not too bad on this project as it's all straight lines. Overlockers/sergers are handle it brilliantly, although again, make sure it's shiny side down.

*All photos can be viewed in a larger size by clicking through to Flickr and selecting the original size from the 'all sizes' option.

1. First off measure your bed to determine fabric amounts. The cotton, inner and PUL need to be as wide as the bed top plus 2cm (1") for seam allowances. The depth (top-to-bottom measurement) is up to you, the one I made is 70 cm (28") largely because that's the size of the piece of PUL I had left over. Slightly narrower is fine, although you begin to run the risk of the child being off the sheet when the accident occurs. The PUL needs to be 5-6cm (approx. 2-2 1/2") deeper than the cotton and inner fabrics in order to be able to roll up and over the edge. In order to figure out the flap size, measure from the top edge of the bed, down the side and to about half way across the bottom of the mattress. Then add 3cm (1 1/4") for seam allowance and a hem on the far edge. This is your width. For the depth you need to figure out what the finished measurement of the cotton/inner plus the PUL edging will be and add 4cm (1 1/2") for hems. The seam allowances are up to you - I've allowed 1cm (1/2"), and for hemming 2cm (3/4").

The measurements for my single bed sheet are as follows:
Cotton and flannel: 99cm wide and 71 cm deep
PUL: 99cm wide and 76 cm deep
Flaps (x2): 72 cm wide and 73 cm deep

2. Putting it together. Layer the cotton, inner and PUL in this order: PUL shiny side (waterproof) down, then cotton right side down, then inner (in this case right side down because I had to sew two bits together and wanted the seam away from the top). Align the fabrics down one edge - there will be excess PUL sticking out the opposite side. Pin, taking care that they stay within the seam allowance. Shift top fabrics over and align edges with other PUL edge. You will have loose PUL in the middle (see photo below). Sew both edges with a 1cm (1/2") seam to form a tube.




3. Turn right side out so that the fabric side of the PUL is facing down and the cotton is right side up. Edge stitch with the seam allowance on the PUL side. This is one time when you shouldn't iron as you go - it's not good for the PUL! Just pull the seam flat from either side as you stitch.



4. Get the tube sitting nice and flat and then square off the edges. You can see in the photo below how the PUL is wrapped around the edges.



5. Hem up the side flaps making sure they match the finished depth of the tube. I fold the edge and then fold again to give a neat appearance.

6. Pin the flaps to either end of the tube, right sides together, and sew with a 1cm (1/2”) seam. If the PUL is shifting around too much you may want to tack the tube closed within the seam allowance first. Finish the seam by zigzagging if you haven't used an overlocker.



7. Edge stitch with the seam allowance on the flap side.



8. And you're done! This sheet had been on Hazel's bed for 2 days and hasn't shifted at all.



As the sheet is used and laundered you may notice the top fabrics shrinking a bit, making the PUL slightly looser. I find that just tugging them back into shape takes care of that to a large extent. Ironing PUL isn't recommended (it can melt), but you can safely put them through a dryer as long as it doesn't get too hot.

ETA: I forget that people don't know what PUL is because I lived and breathed PUL nappies for a couple years while Hazel was wearing them, it seems second nature! I found this good link to a more comprehensive explanation of what PUL is than mine, and the lady sells it by yard too. I'm afraid I'm pretty out of the loop with the best places to buy it these days, so if anyone has some good links pop 'em in the comments! In New Zealand Greenbeans is probably your best bet, although heck, that might have changed in the last couple years too!

It's not broke so I'm fixing it

I'm playing around with a tabbed widget over there on the sidebar, trying to get me a nice clean-looking blog. I thought I had it working well in my test blog but of course when it comes to actually putting everything in it's proving a little more difficult! It shouldn't in any way affect your enjoyment of the content, unless you are distracted by the aesthetic debacle that is taking place in your peripheral vision. If you read via a feed then just disregard this :) I find this whole experience just parallels my real life, I long to be a clean surfaces kind of person, with lots of empty space in my life. In reality I'm a hoarder and a clutterer. Despite my love of the clean-looking blog with minimal crap in the sidebar, I've collected a fair amount. I think tabbed widgets could be the blogging equivalent of good storage.

The jacket at last!

I bribed Hazel to come out and do a photo shoot with the jacket - I promised that if she did I'd give her some food. Or should I say a snack. That sounds better ;)

Of course, getting a four year old to smile nicely for the camera is a job and a half. We started out well - this was the first photo, but she was partly out of the shot. It went downhill from there:





At least you can see the nice collar in this one!


Overall the Sunday Brunch Jacket is really lovely. There were a couple of things that I didn't like about the pattern, particularly the way the sleeve fit (there is an odd notch on the corner that makes it hard to fit and that isn't dealt with in the instructions)** and the fact that when you turn the cuffs back up they don't fit properly over the sleeve and cause it to wrinkle. Like the pyjamas I did this past winter, they're not things that really affect the fit, and the next time I'll be able to deal with them by altering the pattern. So for those issues I'd give it a four and a half out of five. The rating is totally saved by the sheer cuteness of the jacket and general ease of construction - I just love how it puffs out at the bottom like a wee skirt. Possibly for this fabric I should have cut it slightly longer but I'm still really pleased. One of the nice touches is having the inner facing finished with bias-binding, and I did the hem with it as well to reduce bulk. I've seen a few online where people have bound every edge and it looks really nice.



And of course Lucy had to come out and be in on the action, she loves it when we're out in the front yard, I think it makes her feel all brave and part of the pack.



**I asked about this in the Oliver+S forum and it appears that it's simply to reduce bulk at the seam and I guess I wasn't exactly perfect on my seam allowances so the clipped corner on the sleeve didn't match up quite right?

Reversible Bucket Hat by Betz White

Reversable Bucket Hat, originally uploaded by Ansis68.

Man, it wasn't the looking my age thing that was hardest, it was trying to take a self-portrait with a freaking heavy SLR! Can't find the point-and-shoot anywhere, though I guess one could argue I got more exercise this way :) I also had a bugger of a time finding somewhere that had flattering light on me AND the hat, and as you can see I managed it on me more than the hat. Frankly this was the best of the bunch and I'm not exposing myself to the ridicule of neighbours and passing church groups (who unsuccessfully tried to convert me at the gate) again - today anyways. At least I had a good hat on!

It's the Reversible Bucket Hat from Betz White's new 'Make do or make new' range of patterns. The bonus of it is that it comes in various sizes ranging from baby to woman's medium. It went together quickly and beautifully, I do so love when pieces actually match each other the way they're supposed to. Sadly not always the case with professional patterns! I also like that it's reversible, although in this case I did inside and outside the same - I figured that when one side fades from the sun I'll just flip it inside out and voila! a new hat. The brim is also long enough to curl up at the edges, or just at the front, which looks quite cute.

The only thing I had trouble with was the sizing. The pattern says a woman's medium is a 22" head. I'm a 23". So I increased it 5% but it's too big. It fits great over a ponytail, but I suspect that given a stiff wind it'll sail off. So next time I make it I'll try the 22" size and see how it goes. Can't wait to make several because of course, I won't be able to wear this if Hazel ever deigns to wear her jacket. That would just look too lame.

The smell of desperation

I finished the spotty Sunday Brunch Jacket the other day but haven't been able to take a photo of it on Hazel because she refuses to wear it. She also refuses to wear the ladybeetle skirt I made her last month. Mat says that it's because she can "sense the desperation" in my voice when I ask her if she wants to wear them. I try to be casual about it, but I guess she's like a cat who somehow knows it's off to the vet 3 hours before you actually have to take it. Psychic or something. I may have to wrestle her into it this afternoon though, even if only for posterity because it's not going to fit her for long I think, which is a pain. Keep an eye out for a photo with a disgruntled model in the near future, and a picture of me in a hat if I can take a photo where I don't look my age (which I feel this morning).

I did get my own back on Mat this morning though, as he bemoaned the fact that she refuses to read the new Pettson and Findus book she got for her birthday, or his favourite 'The Lamb Who Came for Dinner' (which is truly excellent) and I was able to say "It's because she senses the desperation in your voice". Ha! Take that!

Does this look like something that can sense desperation? Well it can. I love this photo - it's blurry but it just looks so much like her, if that makes sense!


Hazel at 4, originally uploaded by Ansis68.