Week 18: Whimsical Fairy Matching Set for Matilda
May 6th, 2026
On Saturday, Ethan took Iggy to a rugby league game, which gave Matilda and I some quality time at home to work on a couple of sewing projects together!
I was able to cut out the pieces for a dress for myself from the fabric of an old cotton queen size duvet cover costing about $4 at the secondhand shop. I’d already made a dress with the contrasting fabric from the other side of the duvet cover so technically I’ve made two beautiful dresses (that look lovely on me) for a total of $4 and I still have fabric left over! Sewing is so neat!
The fabric that I used for Matilda's outfit was actually what I believe to be a sheet set that had already been cut up… I honestly don't know why it was for sale at this op shop but when I saw it, I had to have it because the fabric is just so whimsical and adorable. You don't see outfits being made nowadays with fabric like this. Considering this bit of fabric was a cut up flat sheet fit for a child sized bed, I’m surprised it wasn’t sitting in a landfill somewhere, but gee whiz I am so grateful it wasn’t.
She had a good time sitting at the counter with me, but as per usual it was a little bit counterproductive. At one point, she picked up some scissors and cut one of her pattern pieces in half resulting in me having to cut out a new bodice piece. But, all in all, it was rather fun to sit with Matilda and watch her enthusiasm for creating things begin to manifest. Naturally she was not part of the sewing process, but once her outfit was finished she was a very willing model (photos below).
You don't see outfits nowadays being made with fabric like this, it definitely strikes me as something I would have worn growing up.
My current sewing set up at my new desk!
Here’s the little princess with my pin keeper bracelet on and our fabrics on the ground. You can also see in the background Tilly’s doughnut Minnie Ears she picked out at Disneyland Tokyo when we visited Tokyo for Ethan’s birthday in March.
