Play clothes

My name is Mary Nanna and I am a sewaholic.

I have to have a fix everyday. I read BWOF in bed. I think about my next project in the middle of the current one. I wake up in the morning and think about what to sew next. Even between projects my time is not idle. I'm collecting ideas, doing research, thinking up themes. I really enjoyed sewing on a theme last month. Our Playcentre is closed for the next month for renovations so I thought my theme for the next month would be play clothes.

For those of you who don't know what Playcentre is, it's a parent co-operative early childhood education centre. You take your child there and play with them. Basically its daycare without the break, which many will claim completely defeats the purpose, and there will be times when I totally agree.

Anyway, it's very important to wear easy care fabrics. Things you don't mind getting paint or play dough or clay or sand on. Most people wear their oldest most hated clothes, things they don't mind getting trashed. Now there are many days when I look in the mirror and am less than inspired by what I see but I never set out purposefully to look terrible. Some mothers combat the "I know I look awful in this," by wearing a full set of make-up but I've been thinking I'd like to make a few nice things that can just be chucked straight in the washing machine.

Top of the list of things to sew are waterproof coats for me and Benjy. If there's a puddle he'll find it. If there's sand he'll want to be out in the pouring rain to throw it. I've tried to distract him with indoor activities but he won't be fooled. He knows the best fun is to be had outside where he can thoroughly soaked and then get sick and make us all sick for weeks afterwards.

I had a hard time sourcing waterproof fabric. I couldn't find a single retailer in Auckland who would sell it. I found shower proof parka nylon at Smart Fabrics in MT Albert but I couldn't find any completely waterproof fabric. Finally a friend put me on to Chris Barlow fabrics (shop 9, 101 Diana Drive, Glenfield) which sells outdoor and sportswear fabric to trade.

They very kindly agreed to sell me a one off small quantity of 3 and a half metres. They will sell small one offs to others, but only if they're not busy and it's cash or cheque only. It's a huge wharehouse, you can't wander looking at the fabrics, you can just look at small swatches in the reception area. Anyway, it's very reasonable at $8 (US, $5) a metre, so for others in the Auckland area wanting to make their own parkas, it's the place to go.

The fabric is light and has great drape, as well as being wind and waterproof.




I chose "Marine" and I think I'll probably make this BWOF trench 03-2009-115. It's only got 2 and a half stars but that's Burda just lulling you into a false sense of security because it's got no lining. Fortunately, I'll just use my instructions (with pictures!!) from my last trench pattern. The thing I like is the flaps on the pockets to keep rain out, and I'll make a detachable hood. I may add a strap to the lapel, and the whole thing should fasten up to the neck in heavy rain, but be worn open most of them time. Anyway, a few design issues for me to resolve there, but the overall shape should work well for a rain coat.



So that'll keep me out of trouble for a while.