How to make a jumper for an Ompa-Lompa

First up before that almighty important lesson I want to show you my muslin (so far) for Burda 7579. I only need to add the sleeves (or sleeve as it only a muslin).

So far I am very happy with the fit straight out of the packet. I will probably need to shorten the sleeve but I will see after I get around to making it.

The funny part of this was that I made the muslin, tried it on (over my clothing) and it fit... put it on Diana - it didn't fit. Diana hasn't been keeping up with the program! I needed to drop her hip size and bust size to match mine. Funny how these things sneak up on you!

About the ompa-lompa jumper...

When I was in Warwick for the Jumpers & Jazz festival, I saw some bags made from felted jumpers and had to try one myself. So I purchased this lovely 100% wool jumper from the op shop.

I like the cream colour but it is not very practical for a fabric bag (for me) so decided to dye it olive green at the same time I was putting it through a hot wash to felt it.

Well, olive green it ain't and shrink! ...eek!... I expected it to shrink but not this much...

DH commented that I had made a jumper for an ompa-lompa...

Now I hope I have fabric left to make a bag. It is also very thick so I am not sure how it is going to go. Maybe it should be a hat?

Oh - and for anyone who may be interested I have resurrected my fitness blog - Fit & Forty *mumble*.

Hot Patterns BoHo-De-Luxe Peasant Tops and other fun stuff..

OK, yes I'm slack, this is still sewing from 2009 only now being blogged about. However it is the only piece left to show for 2009 ... next post we are onto 2010!

I played with this pattern:

This is a 'vintage' pattern from the Hot Patterns website. I made it in a Japanese cotton bought from Gardams in Indooroopilly (Brisbane). I bought it specifically to make this top and it has a very pretty print which I thought would suit this style.

However I think the cotton is not soft enough for this top. The only alteration I made was to shorten the length by about 1 1/2" - still not sure I should be doing this - I think it is because I am a bit uncomfortable with the loose tunic style tops that are un-tucked and long. I think I need to try the full length and try and get used to it.


I used petersham ribbon for the tie. However, even though I like the tie, I find that it is constricting and I cannot lift my arms over my head. So I am thinking that I need to put some elastic in the casing with just the petersham ribbon ends showing. I think then it may be more forgiving. As it stands, it is not comfortable to wear. Review is here.


However, even though this top is not pressing all my buttons I am not giving up on this pattern. I think I will make the 3/4 sleeve variation in a more suitable fabric.

OK - nice segue...??

I have been playing with dye... yum!

I found (half price) a beautiful white crinkle cotton (bright white - not something I can wear) on sale at our local Gardams. I bought it, thinking I would change the colour. I purchased a packet of dye in a colour called 'Pumpkin' from Unique Stitching (good service - highly recommend this website). As the packet does quite a load (more than the fabric I had bought) I added another cuff I had crocheted from a natural cotton thread ....
and also found some bamboo in a buff colour I found I wasn't using because of the nhhh colour...
and this is what I got...


The crinkle cotton would be perfect for this pattern (so would the bamboo... hummmm?) so I plan to give it another shot.

Here is the cuff being modelled by me...


Lots of fun! I wore it today with a mostly brown outfit and then had orange toenail polish on - I thought I looked cute!