a toddler smock, or battling bias binding

A little while ago I was the lucky winner of a giveaway on Jacki's blog. I was so thrilled, as it's just my kind of sewing book - all about transforming your single metres of cloth into great gifts and projects. There's a good range of projects, including homewares, kids accessories, toys and bags, ranging from easy peasy to more challenging. Each project comes with pattern pieces and clear instructions. 

I had been looking for something to make for a favourite little friend of ours who was about to turn two. This little art smock caught my eye...

I love the compartmentalised pocket at the front for brushes and tools, and the bias binding edges. It looked pretty simple, but one very late night later, I've learned a valuable lesson.

Bias binding, particularly the narrow, packaged stuff, is really tricky to use!

I began with the narrow binding which the pattern specifies (the hot pink at the neck), and I was really struggling, so switched to a wider type which I had in my stash (the pale green on the sides). This was easier, but looks too bulky.

In the end I made my own strips from a scrap I had - the pink, white and black. Perfect. I will never buy pre packaged binding again!

Overall, it was a satisfying little project, and I think dear little Miss A liked it (although she was most fond of the sponge tipped brush in the pocket!).