Saturday, June 19, 2010

The almost-wordless weekend

I have a very sexy voice at the moment.... which is a great improvement on this morning, when I had NO VOICE whatsoever. This cold I've been trying to shake off for the last couple of weeks seems to be settling in nicely, thank you very much. So it's a weekend at home. No mending camper-trailers in freezing sheds for me.


I made another pair of Dortje pants before I left the studio last night. My model made a chalk-on-cement chessboard today. While she called inside to the dinner-cooking-Daddy to help her with the placements of the chess pieces, I tried to snap photos of the new strides.

The spirit of co-operation was obviously otherwise occupied, and I should have known better....

I must say, I'm LOVING this pattern (well worth the effort of tracing it off!). I stocked up on pinwale corduroy at Spotlight on Thursday and immediately cut out three more pairs. I haven't got around to doing the proper panel in the leg - least of all the frills and elastic rouching bizzo in the book (the wee girl LOVES that!). I've been patching over the knee with a bit of fabric and bias binding - or simply leaving them plain.


My sewing buddy and I have a label to excuse shoddy workmanship on things we make for ourselves. OFM = "Only For Me". I have another one. OFMK (Only For My Kid). We're going for speed, here. ..for kindergarten-wear. No fancy-schmantzy details (and occasionally no matching overlocking thread). The thing I love about this design is that - despite any lack of care or overlocker re-threading - they still manage to look super-duper-stylish and cute. I think that the cut really is a CUT ABOVE the average kid's pants pattern.

If I can drag myself out tomorrow (further than the footpath in the backyard), there may be more Dortje-making in the studio this weekend. (Otherwise there'll be hot whiskeys and dvd's). I won't bore you with the details if I make more, but I'd certainly recommend the pattern.

10 comments:

rachelmp said...

Very cute! I didn't even notice that pattern when I was flicking through your book. Silly me, close look next time

Karen said...

It's a great pattern isn't it - I must do some more.
I did the knees but no ruffles here either.
Though now that I have the ruffler foot figured out.... maybe!
Love the colours Nikki - that contrast is one of my fave Anna prints.
Hope your voice returns soon.

Buy Design said...

God bless blogland.. Even without a voice you can still talk.
I made some apalling trousers for my son when he was toddling. They looked lovely on him but the inside seams were terrible. Definately OFMK.
Try a wee bit of green ginger in your warm whisky. Fairly clears anything that needs to clear..

Jenny from Ohjoh said...

My kinder kid needs pair just like that! Must check it out. Love the trim/patches and love that your kinder kid will actually wear them!

Lara said...

Hey, my voice matches yours! I am SO looking forward to my copy of that book arriving because I really, really want to make some of those trousers! C might end up with some for school (but won't it be hard for me to make them plain navy) but I'll definitely go wild with colour for the others. Most of my sewing lately has been OFM and OFMK I must admit - matching overlocker thread, what's that? Hand sewing binding? Nah....

CurlyPops said...

Hope you get better really really soon! I wouldn't mind a pair of hot pink pinwale corduroy dortje for myself. They're very groovy.

Mel said...

It sounds as though the winter woes are different going around with husky toned voices :) ... hope you feel better soon! .... Cute pants, have bookmarked the book for a later look ... In all honesty, I think the gorgeous character slippers really set of the cuteness of the pants and little person off most! :) ... Definitely bright and fun for shades of gray winter days! Mel xox

Unknown said...

They really are cool pants ! I hope your cold improves soon .

Fer said...

Oh I agree heartily with the OFM and OFMK! It's the only way to get things made these days.

The pants look great. I hope you're feeling better soon. My hubby seems to have the same cold. Last night I made him a honey lemon drink and was requested to put a good dash of scotch in as well. :D

Gay McDonell said...

Great photos!!