Clare had a 7th birthday party to attend yesterday, at 2.00pm.  At 11.00am I said to her “would you like me to make you a new pinafore to wear to the party?”  Of course she said yes, and dashed upstairs to help me to collect the supplies.

Firstly, to select a pattern.  A few were rejected by Miss Clare “because they’re not really my style”.  So it was back to an old faithful, New Look 6477.  Last time I’d made this it was in a size 4, so I had to tape the pattern tissue back together (luckily I keep it for that reason) to recut it in a size 6.  If only I’d taken Nikki’s  advice on transferring multi-size patterns to card!  Clare busied herself getting out the matching thread, zip, ric-rac, choosing the contrast fabric, and finding the perfect accent button.

Ta-da!  Shiny cotton/spandex/metallic denim from the remnant table at GJ’s Discount Fabrics.  Not exactly my style, but I knew that Clare would love it!  I cut the pleat pieces out of the front skirt pattern and recut them in contrast fabric, remembering (for once) to add seam allowances.  Clare was quite adamant that there be a flower applique on the bodice front.  Just the sort of extra details that take that little bit of time – time I didn’t really have!  I talked her out of adding a trim to the bottom of the skirt and just focused on the ric-rac around the neckline.

There is an invisible zip in the back, and I managed to get it lined up perfectly the second try.  By then I was sweating as the clock hands seemed to be moving faster and faster!  But the last stitch was sewn with about one minute to spare.

The party was wonderful – and there was even face-painting!  Little girl’s heaven.  Clare was very happy with her pinny and had a ball.  It was all worth it!

Gina of Clutterpunk has a great post on curing craftstipation.  I definitely managed to cure some of mine yesterday!

Oh, a reminder to the people that expressed interest in attending a Melbourne Northern Suburbs (and friends) Blogmeet – we have a dinner planned for Wednesday 15th July at 7.30pm – a great opportunity to meet and chat without the kidlets!  Please leave a comment on this post if you want further details and I’ll contact you (if you haven’t received my email already).  Thanks for being so patient.