Keeping it clean

Clean, neat and tidy for art at school of course - what did you think I meant??

The smallest needed an art smock for school so I let her loose in the stash and didn't even baulk when her love of all things green lead her to some of my Sandi Henderson stash.

Long enough to cover her dress so there should be no accidental spillages.

I used the ever-reliable Oliver+s smock pattern - from Leisl's book, Little Things to Sew, a brilliant book full of well considered projects that are beautifully executed.

I made the large - I have made the mistake before of making a smaller smock only to have to make another the following year.

Two size 16 snaps keep it secure.

Because it's still a little large I added two snaps at the back so it keeps it a little more secure on her shoulders, when she's bigger she can just do up one snap.

Painting the toadstools in the garden...

She is absolutely loving school - I've never seen her so happy and full of joy.

She bounces around the house singing at every opportunity - it makes my heart feel warm.

Oh, and the poses and props in these photos were entirely of her own doing!

I've also made a couple more back to school items - a new library bag for both her and her little friend.  Both were very happy to have their names on them, it's still a novelty.

We teamed it up with classic Roald Dahl for a nice little birthday gift that both the birthday girl and her lovely mum appreciated.

Excuse the late night dodgy iPhone pic!!

Smocked up

Starting school is fast approaching - the leisurely days of summer are slowly coming to an end and I have started making school items, best not to leave it to the last minute...

Miss A chose bright and colourful for her smock, I was not so sure about the scale (and brightness!) of the print but when I produced it for her the next morning she declared it to be "so beautiful Mummy" - so I no longer cared if it was a print I really loved - she clearly does.

Miss L chose a gorgeous linen with raspberry baushkas - much more 'me' in colour this kid!

This piece of fabric was part of a giveaway I won from the lovely Belinda a while back and was the perfect size for this smock with contrasting sleeves.

I lined the front with interfacing as it was a little light for potential paint spills.

The pattern is from Oliver + S 'Little Things to Sew' book - which I had on my wish list for Christmas in 2010 and 2011 and my birthday list for last year - I treated myself post-Christmas and bought it as well as the new Colette book - since Santa didn't bring them!

As is usual - the finish is lovely - with a bias-trimmed facing at the neckline to make it all sit beautifully.

I made the medium and chose to lengthen the sleeves and also made it so it had no opening at the back - thus it slips straight over the girl's head.

I figured a prep teacher has enough to do without having to fasten the snap/velcro on 20 art smocks!

Next up - library bags, then perhaps a large tissue holder, for me of course! ;-)