New Shop in Port Adelaide

I have sent some of my clothing over to South Australia for a new shop that is opening.
Here is my Mum and little girl helping put the labels on!

Screen Print Tops – jumpers, pullovers, sweaters, jerseys, windcheaters ….

Here is Little Es helping me with the screen-printing of the latest run of ship tops, one on her own t-shirt at the end. I want to do some more stencils for my tops, some for summer to go on t-shirts; it is on the ever-growing ‘to-do’ list. Horses, surfers and I cannot remember what else! Look out for some horsey themed clothing coming soon. We are into horses at our house now! May do some Jodhpur style leggings or should that be legging style jodhpurs…

I also want to do some more wheat pillows and purses – as per requests.

Loving all this sewing.

Japanese Kimono meets Victorian Lace

Fusion Dressmaking

I bought this Japanese kimono quilting fabric with the idea of making some more little dresses with a lace edged panel at the front, (like a dicky) as the last lot seemed to be quite popular.

As I was making them up I thought, Is this going to work?

 It’s like fusion dressmaking I guess; I have a Japanese print with Victorian detailing and I like the result, I think it does work.

I made 5 of these, 1 baby crossover style and 4 button shoulder pinafore style. 

Well, I say made, but still to put buttons and buttonholes on!

Free Range Clothing

Dear Reader,

Where do your clothes come from?

Here is where the clothes I make come from.

Currently I draught my patterns at home on the dining room table. I would do it in the sewing room but it is a bit cooler in there – the heater is next to the dining room. The weather is getting quite cool here is South Gippsland, time to rug up!

Then I take my patterns to my parent’s house where I cut out and sew up. And, more importantly my Mum and Dad take care of my little one. They have a big spare room where I have my industrial machines set up – just perfect!

So, I am writing about this for those of you who want to know where their clothing comes from. Mine are all happy and free to roam…. Haha.

Eco-friendly is a term I shy away from as I think every company and their dogs feel it is OK to say this about their products and it means little to some.  I am a great hoarder and hate to throw anything out, so I guess I am kind to the environment in that way! Whenever I buy fabric I try to use every bit of it and some off cuts make great cleaning rags or dishcloths.

A few pictures of my workspace and view from the window.

Take care,

Christina. 

Ship Shap Children's Wear - new blog and updates

And so I have decided to change the name of the blog to Ship Shap.
Just makes things easier I think. Now I will post my updates here with a link on facebook and my online stores at Madeit and Etsy.
I want to blog to let people, who are interested, know where the clothes are coming from. I mean where I make them and how I make them. It is the whole point of 'handmade', I believe, to know where your purchases come from.
So, what I am doing this week (and have been doing for the past few weeks) is finishing off items that have been languishing in my 'to-do' box. And also re-listing older stock I have at home - that needs a new home!