More Christmas sewing

I was kept very busy before Christmas making presents for my family. I have already detailed the tennis outfit I made for my niece using Jalie patterns 2795 and 3023. 

I also made...

A 'rashie' (lycra swim/surf/sun top) for Mr Meggipeg. His old one was completely stretched out of shape, but I managed to trace a pattern from it and make him a nice new version. He was most pleased and has worn it several times already, some even to go swimming ;)

I rarely convert my overlocker (a Bernina 2500DCET) to a coverstitch machine, but I did for this project and the hem turned out really well. I should do it more often as I forget what to do each time and always spend ages consulting the instructions! This hem was done with a three-thread coverstitch.

For reasons that now escape me, I chose a three-step zig-zag on my sewing machine to finish the sleeves. Maybe I'd already forgotten the coverstich instructions!

My sister requested some cotton lycra shorts with a stretchy waistband to keep cool and comfortable during our hot summer. I made these for her. They look better on!

To hide the stitching on the turn-ups, I sewed a strip of fabric over the inside seam, just at the bottom where it would show.

Another request was this stretch mesh swimming wrap for my Mum. I surreptitiously traced one she already had and liked. It is basically a large rectangle with two little sticky-out tabs for the ties.

I finished the edges by overlocking the edge, then folding and stitching a 1cm hem with zig-zag.

...and for the littlest member of our family, my 8 month-old niece, I made a swimming outfit from this cute polka dot lycra from Textile Traders. The top is made using Kwik Sew 2596 (also used here for a baby t-shirt) and the pants are made using the tutorial and free pattern by Dana from Made. This is a great pattern if you are looking for a baby gift.

I added ruffles to the back of my version using strips of pink lycra. I also finished the sleeves with the same pink fabric, just folded in half and stretched slightly as it was sewn on (as for fold-over elastic).

Awwww, so cute!

Finally, I made a hat to go with the swimming outfit and some very light pants to protect that delicate skin from the sun when she is riding in the pram (both using Butterick 3846 in size M). The pants are made with printed muslin from Textile Traders and finished with more pink lycra used as fold-over elastic.

The hat turned out a little large so I added a button and elastic loop to keep it out of her eyes until she gets a bit bigger!

Modelling the pram pants!

Phew! I'm looking forward to some me-sewing now :) Fortunately my sister gave me 'Drape Drape' and 'Drape Drape 3' for Christmas (I already have No. 2, also from my sister for my last birthday - she knows me well). Fire up the sewing machine. Yee ha! (or whatever 'Yee ha' is in Japanese).