Where We Will Be!

Cuddles Handcrafted Babywear will call the Northcote Town Hall home for the next 4 Saturdays.  Really looking forward to it.  Better get sewing...

Take Care

Julia G

Pinterest Interest??

Hi There


I'm starting to get the hang of Pinterest.  I understand how people can spend hours looking at photos and quotes and repining etc.



I have 4 boards so far, Quotes, Toddler Activities, Girls Clothing (made by us) and Softies (made by us)

I invite you to have a look and follow me and I will follow you too!

.http://pinterest.com/cuddlesbw

 

 

I will leave you will a quote I just found on there.

 

 

 

Now, off to get my head around Tumblr !!

 

Take Care

 

Julia G



 

 



Something NEW

I have decided to made a new winter dress.  Depending on the fabric, it can actually be worn during the other months as well.  Last winter and this winter coming so far I have been making pinafores out of corduroy fabric.  Love corduroy for the colder months.  These pinafores have been a bit different to the usual ones you see.  They have had press studs at the straps and satin bows hand sewn on them.  See below...

To be honest, I got bored of making them over and over again.  And they are at every handmade market I've been to (except without the bows).  SO....  I decided to make something a little different.  It's the Shift Dress.  Similar style (Aline) no straps just a button loop at the back.  Instead of the whole dress being lined, only the bodice is.  The benefit of the Shift dress is that there is less fabric used (so a little less expensive to make and buy), I can use my overlocker more, therefore they are quicker to make = less time = less expense for purchaser =savings.  Less hand sewing for poor mum which of course = less time = less expense etc etc...


Like to see?


This first one is for my Daughter.  I always try out patterns on my daughter to see if they are a good fit and how difficult they are to sew.

The Front

 

 

The Back

 

 

Button Loop

 

The pattern I have used is by www.5berries.com

 

Love to know what you think?

Take Care

Julia G

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Find Handmade...

There are a number of Handmade sites on the net.  I have made a list of some you may like to look at.  Most are Australian handmade sites, so you will know that you are helping a local business. 

• www.etsy.com
• www.madeit.com.au
• www.hand-made.com.au
• www.ozhandmade.com.au
• www.girljungle.com.au
• www.boyjungle.com.au
• www.handmadeemporium.com.au
• www.madebymumsonlinemarket.com.au
• www.gossamerdreams.com.au
• www.marliandmo.com.au



Happy Shopping!

Take Care

Julia G

Whats' Happening??

I have been pretty quiet on the computer this week.  As I'm trying to get ready for...

I'm re-thinking my stall setup as I don't think I'm utilising the space I have very well.  I am also in the process of making little shift dresses in funky corduroy fabric.  An alternative to the pinafores that I usually make.  I will put up a picture of the finished product next week.

Take Care

Julia G



When and Where

Finding the time and place to sew while working, looking after a nearly 3 year old and housework etc., can be hard work and impossible at times.  I know many handmade mums have this problem.  Some weeks no sewing is completed, other weeks it is the housework that suffers, especally when a market is coming up.

It was much easier when My Girl had an afternoon nap.  Now I juggle my sewing between my house and Mum's.  I can get more sewing done there, as Mum can help entertain My Girl while I sew.  The sewing machine is in the computer room so sometimes I let My Girl watch a few epidsodes of her fav shows on
http://www.abc.net.au/abcforkids/ while I sew.

Love to hear how other Handmade Mums juggle their business around their children and their busy life....



Take Care

Julia G

I Can't Believe It!

I really can't.  I never thought I would start a Blog.  Just like I never thought I would join Facebook.  But here I am. 

My first post is an introduction about me and why I'm here.

Nearly, years ago  I had my Daughter and my Mum started to knit cute little beanies, booties, cardigans etc. for her.  While I had a spare 5 mins when `My Girl' was asleep, I thought I would try and have ago at it as well.  It didn't last long until the frustration took over, due to dropping stitches and the like that I then decided to get my old sewing machine (I got it when I was in Year 9.  Yes, that old!) out and try to sew some clothes for My Girl. 

My Nana was a seamstress and taught me how to sew when I was a teenager.  I remembered how to do it 30+ years later.  I found it very relaxing and enjoyed making the little outfits.

A year later Mum and I had a market stall selling My Girl's out grown clothes and decided to make  a few corduroy pants and a number of beanies, jumpers and teddy bears Mum had knitted for the market to see if there was any interest in them.  To our surprise there was and we have continued selling our wears at Markets and for the past year on Facebook and www.hand-made.com.au. We also have a few items in a local store.

Before all this I was a full time Secondary Teacher of Humanities.  I resigned last year and now do emergency teaching a couple of days a week.

I enjoy creating and decided to begin a blog to help support other WAHMs who have small handmade businesses and the lovely customers and supporters who enjoy all things handmade.

I decided to include crafting for toddlers and pre-schoolers as part of the blog as I like to discover new and exciting ways to entertain My Girl and thought it would be a great opportunity to share activities that are inexpensive, fun and educational for our little ones to enjoy.

My Facebook page is www.fb.com/CuddlesHandcraftedBabywearToys.

I would love to hear any feedback you may have, including suggestions for future posts.

Take Care xx

Julia G