Buttons and Bobs

First Christmas pinafore in a Christmas tree print. Father Christmas buttons. Lined in white. I had issues with the machined buttonholes on the shoulder straps. Seams tend to throw out the automatic procedure and the machine starts to sew on the spot. Advice offered on the internet - - make horizontal rather than vertical buttonholes - start from the bulkier end of the strap - gently put your finger on the front of the button foot as it does its work. I took the advice plus I trimmed the seams very close to the stitching with pinking shears on a second pinafore. I did not have the problems with buttonholes. I think I have chosen fiddly buttons though!

My daughter kindly bought me New Look 6504 because I have an ambition to make a reversible pinafore dress.  I decided to use some denim first and just line it with a pretty flower fabric. I pre-washed the denim and cut out age 4. It was not until I started to add applique that I noticed there was a fade line all the way down the front . It looked like a fault but it was probably caused by the light on the material when it was folded on the bolt. I will definitely check next time I buy a strong colour fabric. I decided to make a feature of the fade line by putting it in a tiny fold. I compensated by sewing the front fabric in the closest side seam slightly narrower. The applique design was from  aboutneedlework.com.