Quirky threads

Tees, tees, lots of tees

2012-01-15T16:19:00.001+10:00

A quick read around sewing blogs and you will meet many people that dislike sewing the same patterns. There are too many patterns to try apparently. Then there are others who make their TNT over many times, or are trying to, with clever variations to mix it up a little.

As I was sewing this tops, I wondered if there were others that were like me. I sew up four very similar tops and enjoy it. I don't try to vary them too much, and I don't find it boring at all. I just enjoy sewing them without having to think to much. Am I alone, a little nigel no-friends of people who like to sew things like this?

I needed a new white tee and decided to use Jalie 2805. i have only just gotten this pattern - I thought it was time to trade in the old tee TNT for a new one. Thing is, the Jalie is virtually the same as my old Kwik Sew pattern, only a lot longer. Fabric is a delish cotton lycra.

This is Jalie 2806. I picked out the cream with brown scribbles fabric (a rayon elastane) because it was there and I could use the white thread that was in the overlocker from the white tee. I went with the 3/4 length sleeves as not to have fabric go to waste. As soon as I tried this on, I was in love. This is my new fave tee pattern. I am surprised I like the scoopneck as much as I do. It is not a wide scoop, I think that is why I like it so much.

Jalie 2806 again, this time in a bright yellow cotton lycra. And the other view - with the gathers folded over. I discovered the sleeves for 2805 fit onto the 2806, how lovely. I will have to check out whether they are the same for 2804. I don't have any other Jalie tops.

Last one is actually a black and white stripe that sent my eyes funny when I was cutting it out. I guess it is tricking the camera now. This is actually 2805 but with the scoopneck shape from 2806. I loved the neckline so much.

Shirred butterfly dress

2012-01-09T13:46:00.000+10:00

I feel like I have been in a sewing rut for a while. I should be making the most of my school holidays and sewing it up while I can. While my daughter did have surgery (overnight stay, plus still dealing with little Missy who works herself into a state when she needs to take medicine) and it has been stinking hot here, they are not real reason not to sew since I am not really doing anything else with my time.

So I made the girl a dress. Nothing too hard, just a little something to feel like I have done something useful rather than fritter my life away online.

The dress was made with Ottobre #11 3/2007. The pattern is actually for a top, but I measured J and lengthened the pattern, following the lines at the same angle. The pattern is very easy. My overlocker chewed at the binding, so I zig zagged the edge instead. I was not impressed with the application of the binding straps, which are left open at the ends. They ended up a little too short anyway, so next time I would make them longer and square so that they can be completely stitched to the ends.

Sewing the yoke on the Chantilly dress

2012-01-05T15:15:00.000+10:00

The instructions regarding sewing the yoke lining down on the Chantilly Dress were quite brief - along the lines of fold the free edge of the top yoke lining under 5/8" and press...

This is what I did.

Stitch around the fold line (1.5cm = 5/8")

Notch the curve.

Finger press along the stitch line. Pin and check to see if the edges lined up.

Yoke is now lovely and curved. Take pins out and press or use pins to pin into place like I did!

You may also be able to see the understitching, another step that was not mentioned in the instructions portion of the pattern (although it is in the glossary).

End of year post 2011

2011-12-24T12:54:00.011+10:00

My main goals for this year were to keep sewing plenty of things for myself and to use more fabric than I bought.

In 2011, I made 73 items, including 41 pieces of clothing for me and 23 for the kids. I made the same amount of things for myself last year. Considering I am working an additional day each fortnight and am volunteering slightly more, this result is pleasing.

Woven tops/blouse: 7
Knit tops: 9
Jumpers: 3
Jackets; 2
Shorts: 3
Pants: 4
Dresses: 2
Skirts: 3
Other: 8

Favourite item: Chantilly dress – maybe because it is fresh on my mind. I spent a lot of time on it, and was pleased to take it from something I was too scared to start to an elegant, swishy delight.

Most unexpected enjoyment: pink Swiss-dot Taffy top. I actually made it as a muslin but love to wear it.

Biggest flop – a tee that stretched out of shape straightaway. Honourable mention goes to a lovely sheath dress with the shrinking lining – twice i have washed it and twice the lining has pulled at the hem funny.

Most time consuming: I was going to say my fuchsia wool jacket, but I actually think the Chantilly dress took longer.

Most frustrating project: jeans. They launched a real desire to acquire a vintage beauty to do the tough stuff.

Okay, so how much fabric did I buy, and how much did I use? In the end, I bought 81.55 metres. Wow, and that was trying to be careful. My biggest downfalls was a 40% off sale and some fabrics on ebay that came in 5m lots.

Of that 81.55m, I used 60.2m of it this year. That is a conversion rate of more than 73%. It makes it seem less bad that only 21.35m was added to the stash from the fabric I bought this year.

I sewed up 94 metres in 2011.that includes fabric for 5 muslins. I worked out that 63% of the fabric I used came from the fabric I had bought this year and 37% came from the stash. There is one UFO of 90cm plus I donated 7.3 metres to my daughter's class for costumes, so that brings the total up to 102.2m.

Keeping tabs of how much I bought and used was a useful motivation tool,so I plan to keep it up but it will not be my main goal for next year. I will have to think about what I want to achieve next year. I have a few ideas of what to enter into competitions, and need to start earlier than normal to meet the deadline.

My favourite project of the year, and the last one

2011-12-23T12:47:00.001+10:00

We are off on our annual beach holiday following Christmas celebrations, so this is the last sewn thing I will make for 2011. The husband and I are invited to a NYE wedding and I wanted to make something really special to wear that could be worn to a variety of events. I already had the Colette Chantilly pattern sitting around for ever and a day, and I bought some silk rayon chiffon to use for the shell.

The dress is underlined in black cotton batiste and lined in a purple rayon lining. The lining is left over from the bridesmaid outfits from my wedding 8 years ago. Speaking of my wedding, these shoes are the ones I wore for my wedding and I will probably wear them to this wedding. My only other heels are the shoes I wore to my formal in 1998!

I plan to write up a review and pop it onto pattern review because I did experience some "glitches" with the pattern. Let's just say I wasn't as impressed with the pattern as other people have been. I felt like there were options for working with sheer fabrics that were not included in the pattern, and that I would have appreciated someone doing all the work sourcing the correct techniques for me.

Still, I am happy with the final result. The dress is swishy, feminine and oh so lovely. It feels delightful to the touch and brings a smile to my face. It took a huge amount of hours, not that I was counting, and I took the easy option in many instances!

As it is a lot shorter than I am used to, I used a narrow turned hem to keep as much length as possible.

As I was dealing with a very sheer fabric, I elected to underline all parts of the dress so that none of the seams would show through. The underlining technique I used for the skirt created a faux Hong Kong finish at the seams which is particularly pleasing. I remembered the technique was used by the Slapdash sewist but I first read about the technique in Sandra Betzina's Power Sewing. It is a method I am keep to try again, not just for sheer fabric, as it makes a great lined garment.

The lining finished were the skirt starts, so all gathers are neatly contained and there is no show through. I like my linings to be fully attached, so this change satisfied that as well.

Here is the inside shot. It could almost be worn inside out.

It even looks great on a hanger.

Thanks for looking!

Jalie 2908 - shorts length in cream

2011-12-04T13:44:00.001+10:00

There was a gap in my wardrobe for a pair of cream/stone coloured shorts. I decided to make the Jalie jeans pattern again when I found a stretch brushed cotton twill fabric at a local fabric store.

This is the third time I have made this pattern. However, I still learn things each time I make it. I guess it really depends on the thickness and stretchiness of individual fabrics. This cream fabric was super stretchy and really thick. Even princess struggled through topstitching the corner of the waistband. Thankfully I have found a tutorial for a different waistband method, so I will try to remember to use it (it is from page 31 of the Jeans sew along on Pattern review)

As I was sewing these up, I thought they might end up in the bin. Everything was going wrong. I had topstitching problems (turns out I had the needle in wrong, whoops). I had cut out part of the Jalie 2909 pattern and I had to re-cut. The thick layers of fabric wouldn't fit under princess's presser feet (I found that if I dropped the feed dogs, I had a enough room to manipulate the seam into place before raising the feed dogs again). And the dramas of topstitching on a machine who's straight stitch is left of centre. I ended up using a rolled hem foot that I bought from eBay for topstitching, because it gave me a good reference.

I wasn't particularly happy with the topstitching on the pockets, but I think I got better as I went along. Being super stretchy, I had to reduce the width of the pants - they were a little too baggy with too many wrinkles at the back. The good news was I just took the side seams in another 5mm. The shorts are really comfortable, easy to move in and will be perfect for work (check out my method for whipping children into shape)

Hmm, the only thing wrong with the super stretchy fabric combine with Jalie's instruction of sewing the leg seams is there is a mighty big camel toe happening down there. Oh dear!

Yes, I just put a photo of myself with a camel toe on the web.

My croquis

2011-12-02T12:02:00.001+10:00

Inspired by Joanne from Stitch and Witter, I too have made myself a croquis. The Colette sewing handbook has you trace a photo of yourself, but I decided to play around with with some programs I have on my computer to get a similar result. Here is me in all my pear shaped goodness.

To do it on the computer with no fancy software, I did the following:

Take photo against plain background in tight fitting clothing
Open photo in Picasso 3
Crop photo (Basic fixes)
Chose B&W in Effects
Save
Open in Paint.net
Select pencil sketch in Artistic (in Effects tab)
Play around with the pencil width - I chose 2
Select the Paint bucket and colour black
Invert colours under Adjustments tab
Save

Or instead of steps 9 and 10, open in Paint and clean up with the eraser.

I could have cleaned it up some more, but I am pretty happy with the results.

Now I think I will ponder my wonky body. No more denial.

Colette Taffy top

2011-11-26T20:16:00.000+10:00

It took awhile to get these photos, but I finally got some taken. Having another occasion to wear version 2 of the Taffy top helped, but I had limited time to get ready for church and put dinner on the table, get the kids ready etc.

This Taffy blouse is made from a silk cotton voile that I have been hoarding in the stash for the perfect pattern. Since it is a very fine fabric with a fab print, I wanted a top with limited seams to break up the pattern. I had earmarked it for a kimono style top, but when I found this in the Colette book, I knew that this fabric would be perfect for it.

I made a size 4-6 and the sizing is good. I found it a little long for my liking, so I just made the hems a little deeper. Oh, and the only other change was applying the bias so that it was on the inside only. It probably made the neckline a tiny bit deeper than drafted, but the difference was only slight it probably is not worth mentioning.

The flutter sleeves are the highlight of the top. The really help to broaden my shoulders.

The fabric was being gobbled by my sewing machine, so I tried an old trick and started sewing from the middle of the seam. This is the first time in a long time I have done french seams and they really are a simple luxery. And it doesn't really add to the construction time.

Princess has been having a workout today. I am making some Chino coloured shorts from the Jalie jeans pattern and there has been plenty of topstitching to do. Using such an old machine has been taking me back to learning to sew on my Mum's 70s era Elna.. It has been a weird experience because Princess is just as cranky as the Elna (such as having a whinge when the needle is not down when starting to sew). Makes me appreciate that I sew in the modern era, with being able to move the needle position and adjustable speed. Still, Princess is breezing through the topstitching, which is her only function for me.

Fairy Floss Taffy blouse and my new baby

2011-11-20T17:26:00.001+10:00

The Colette Sewing handbook arrived in perfect timing for me. Not only is it the busiest time for me professionally, I have been busy with many social outings. Other introverted people will understand how tiring it is to have additional social occassions. This weekend we had a work Christmas party, 21st party and a games day. Plus I had to do my normal chores and Sunday school commitments.

The Taffy top is delightfully simple yet elegant enough for an evening out in the big smoke.

The pink swiss dot cotton is my test garment. I wore it today to the games day at my house, and Sunday school. I will post my other version soon. It never made it to the big smoke but I wore it out last night to the golf club for the 21st.

I am tired. Two late nights plus socialising have zapped my energy. I actually dyed this fabric. It was a off white and I was aiming for a fuchsia, but ended up with a fairy floss pink. It was been sitting around my sewing room since it is a little girly for the blouses I wear to work. Now that I ahve made it up, I am really enjoying the colour.

And here is my new baby - a HG Palmer Princess. This baby was originally used at a uni in Brisbane, but was rescused by DH's BIL from being sent to the dump. I sent it in for a service and am told she is in fantastic condition, hardly used. I was delighted that she is a rebadged Janome machine, making all my machines made by Janome. She sews through 8 layers of denim withhout noticing, so perfect for the jeans I plan to make.

I found my sewjo - hooray

2011-10-28T07:15:00.001+10:00

This was my first project in a while. I kinda lost my sewjo when I went back to work. It is hard to believe that I hadn’t touched my machines in nearly a month.

I tried a few things to find the mojo – I traced a few patterns, reviewed my sewing list and I even measured all my fabrics (just over 200 metres, not too bad). I just couldn’t seem to settle on a project and cut out some fabric.

Part of the reason I decided to start a database was because I couldn’t remember if I had washed the fabrics or not. I used to have a stash list on my old, old computer details length, width, fabric content etc as well as whether it had been pre-laundered or not. I am not one of those organised ones that take their fabric straight to the laundry room. Maybe I should make this a new habit.

Burda #126 from 3/2005 was one of the patterns I traced. It is a straight-ish skirt with an inverted box pleat at the centre front, big patch pockets, belt loops, jeans style yoke and curved waistband. I used a straight size 40 and the fit is spot on. I used the same colour stretch drill as my last jacket – I ended up having to buy another cut of the fabric because the first time the staff member did not give me enough for a jacket. I don’t plan to wear the skirt and the jacket at the same time though.

The skirt went together well – the instructions were very confusing and I still have no idea what they are talking about with the hem at the pleat. I ended up leaving the tabs off since they were wonky and I just wanted to move forward with the skirt rather than go back and recut the interfacing etc. Lazy I know.

This was the first time I had just the interfacing I ordered from Fashion Sewing Supply. It is a great as everyone has said. Because of the stretch of the fabric, I also applied interfacing tape to the pockets and the hem, to stop any rippling of the stitches. If I make this skirt again, I will sew the pockets on and then sew the side seams. The pockets abut the side seam so sewing the pockets within the side seam would prevent the slight gap that happens when the fabric is stretched.

Keeping it real

2011-09-28T13:34:00.001+10:00

The thing I like about getting older is that I can be more realistic because I have more self awareness and am not afraid to be in denial about things. For example, I am aware of certain alterations that I need to make to patterns for a better fit – having sloping shoulders for instance is not a bad thing in the whole scheme of things and garments can look better if I actually make the alteration!

One thing I am trying to be more realistic about is my wardrobe and thus what I sew. At heart, I am a very practical person. I don’t get dressed up at home if I am not going out (actually, I wear old comfortable clothes). I don’t go out very much either, so not much need for those lovely dressy clothes that are so fun to plan and sew. I like to make stuff to wear for work, but if I am being real, I get fussy about what I will wear to work. It needs to be practical and comfortable

I am a special education teacher, working in a primary school in a low socio-economic area. The school is somewhat overcrowded and I don’t actually have a teaching space of my own. I go into other teacher’s classes and have to work within their space the best that I can. So I might be sitting on a chair next to a student’s desk, or I might have to kneel next to a student (and then move across the room to help other students) or I might sit on the floor with a group of students (I find it easier to sit on the floor with some of the work I do, since there are lots of flashcards and games and it is hard on my neck to bend down to make sure students are attending to the right information. I would like a big table for all of us to sit around, but there isn’t the space this year).

My point is, I need pants to sit and kneel on the floor. And with the weather the way it is in summer, I like light airy cotton tops so I don’t faint while on duty. The classrooms may be air-conditioned, but it is disgusting outside.

I have styled the new tops I have made with likely coordinates from my wardrobe. I wish I was more stylish but I got into the habit of not wearing dangly jewellery and putting my hair in a pony tail while at uni doing pracs and then working at a special school setting.

Red polka dot blouse #107 from Burda 6/2008

I have made this previously and since it was so a comfortable fit, I thought I would make it again. The red polka dot fabric was a recent purchase, and has a lovely smooth feel to it. I made the pleats in the bodice, but omitted the elastic (last time I did shirring here and it made it a little too tight for my liking).

As expected, it went together very nicely. I followed Gigi’s tutorial for a clean finish inside the collar stand. I chose white pearly shank buttons. I love this pattern for the lovely pleated sleeve as well as the pleats on the bodice. It makes the waist nip in nicely.

Pinstripe blouse

This is another Burda #107 from 6/2008. I was going to make it sleeveless (like Solvi's shirtdress and because I was a little short on fabric) but I found the semi-raglan sleeves cut in too much, and I realised I had just enough to cut the sleeves if I cut them out separately.

I love getting the nice finish on the collar stand. Outside is left, inside is pictured right.

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Anthropologie inspired trapeze top

My last Anthro knockoff was a dud but this one is a little better. Only because it has a belt to cinch it in correctly. The fabric store actually on cut a metre rather than the metre and a half I wanted for this top. I was able squeeze it in, with a back seam but there wasn’t enough to make some binding for the neck and underarms. I ended up using store bought stuff, but I was reminded why I hate using it. In the future, I will make my own again. I don’t really use it much and when I have needed it I have been able to use from the stash of handmade bias I had made when I was younger and obsessed with binding everything.

I used this pattern as a basis for the trapeze shape, and the other pattern for the neckline. The sleeves are from another Burda pattern. I didn’t want to add the sleeves but the straps where too thin without them. I suppose it looks more like the top I was trying to knock off.

Spotty skirt and Swiss dot blouse (#125 from 05/2009, skirt a mishmash of patterns and drafting)

I love using my tried and tested patterns over and over, but I wanted something that would look similar to my fave twirly skirt pattern but was a little less time consuming to sew. I kept the front yoke piece and using a vintage Kwik Sew pattern at a guide, made a 6 gore flared skirt pattern. I made the pattern quite a while back, so I am not sure why I chose 6 gores over say 8. Maybe the Kwik Sew one has 6 gores?

Because I had used the same yoke piece for front and back, the back sits a little funny. And the gores stick out too much for my liking. I am not sure if it because the fabric I used is not drapey enough or because the amount of gores doesn’t distribute the flare the way my other gored skirts do. I was a little sad when I first sewed it (weeks ago) but now I am feeling pretty happy about the skirt.

The blouse pattern is actually a pattern for a shirtwaister. I loved the pleated sleeves and cuff but did not want it as a dress, so I stopped tracing the pattern after 55cm (which was based on another blouse pattern that I had recently traced). I am not sure what I was thinking when I cut it out the pattern for the first time from some expensive fabric. I must have figured that my last blouse had a collar and stand so this one would be a cinch.

The thing is, I traced it some time ago from a borrowed Burda and I had misplaced the directions. The other issue was I have lengthen blouse that I based the length of this blouse on, when I should have lengthened this one too before cutting out.

I love love love how the cuffs worked out. I used Gigi’s method for a clean finish here too. I am so glad a could apply buttonholes here too. When I first had it pinned, I thought my arms were too wide. I then realised that I was overlapping it too much plus I could use smaller buttons here.

I also used a method for a clean finish facing - sew the interfacing to the right side of the facing, turn and fuse to the inside. I also topstitched.

I love the results of this blouse and while probably use it again with some changes (change the front facing a little, plus the length). There is just enough puff in the sleeve for my liking and it will be great when I can use a wider hem.

Ottobre goodies for my girl

2011-08-28T17:54:00.001+10:00

I bought the rose print fabric on a recent trip to the fabric store. It is one of the softest woven cottons I have ever felt and that prompted me to use it up straight away.

I chose the romantic dress from Ottobre (issue3/2007, #19). Since J measurements are quite different from the Otto measurements, so while the dress is 116cm for the height, the width is for that of the 104. Jalisa is actually closer to the next size, but I always seem to use the size under their actual height to get the length I like.

Look out for that mushroom

Jalisa loves the dress - the gathered pockets are a hit too.

I have pulled out a laundry basket full of warmer weather clothes that J has been wearing over the last couple of summers. While she won't run out of anything to wear (having a school uniform is great since she only needs clothes for weekends and holidays) I thought it would be nice to refresh her wardrobe with quite a few new pieces. Here is another Otto peasant top and Otto Bert? short. The peasant top is definitely too short - I think I will need to go up to the next height if I want to get some wear out of them.

Once again, the pockets are a hit. I have just finished a blue pair of shorts, with red and darker green to go.

Thank you God for

2011-08-26T15:20:00.000+10:00

My darling husband. While he is not perfect, there is not too much to complain about. He is supportive of my hobbies, he is hands-on with the kids, I genuinely think he tries his best and he believes that I try my best. Thank you Lord.

Anthropologie knockoff / dud

2011-08-21T15:33:00.002+10:00

I have lots of pictures of clothes from Anthropologie and I was keen to make a few floaty tops like the ones shown above. I thought it would be really quite simple (and it was). Looks through Burda patterns. Find a pattern to use as the base. Find similar patterns to make the desired changes.

I started with the cute little number on the left. I thought the sleeves and the neckline were similiar enough to the look I was going for. However, I hated the gathers over the bust. Not my thing. Rather than doing my own thing and just extending the bodice peices, I found the peasant pattern to use as a guide for the side seams. I figured it was a sure thing for having enough ease to slip on over my head.

So yeah, there was plenty of ease there... plenty for a baby belly in there too. Late term baby belly.

I actually took these pictures as the before photo as I was going to fix the problem with lots of elastic thread. Just made it looks worse and it was tight and uncomfortable. So I unpicked the elastic thread and hung the top in my wardrobe. It'll work with a belt, if I ever buy myself a belt, or I can just wear it at home lest anyone mistake me for being up the duff at work.

So my plan for lots of these tops went out the window - I think I will just concentrate on making fitted blouses for work.

Thank you God for...

2011-08-19T14:47:00.001+10:00

I forgot all about this meme last week, but I remembered for today.

I want to thank God for the wonderful teachers that my daughter has had. I am so glad I can trust that they will do the right thing by my child. Being a teacher myself, I am aware of what of the best practise is for teaching young children as well as the great programs that teachers have available for spelling and science. I am so pleased that all three of J's teachers have so far employed best practise and implemented quality programs. Lord, I am so thankful to you. Amen

2011-08-15T16:32:00.001+10:00

I am loving this red vee neck jumper and red tee here. In fact, I am wearing the tee today in support of the Morcombe family. I sewed this up a few Thursdays ago and took pictures, but never got to a blog post stage with it.

Jumper details

Pattern: Kwik Sew 1381 neckline, KS 742 everything else. Basically I wanted a tried and tested jumper but with a thicker, cross over v-neck.

Fabric: a red poly rayon blend knit. Lovely colour but lousy to sew. Luckily it feels lovely to wear, even if it was painful to sew.

Tee was my tried and true tee pattern, but I tried a sway back adjustment as per lovely Sherry's directions. Unfortunately this did not solve the puddling issue in my lower back, so I won't worry about that in the future.

It seems like an age since I made something for my daughter, just because. I have all this fabric sitting around so I decided to use it to make some shorts, shirts and dresses for my darling. Here is the tester pair of shorts and peasant top.

The peasant top is Ottobre's Singoalla blouse (#16 from issue 1/2007). I did not shirr as high as Ottobre did, because I was concerned it would not fit and Jalisa was at school at the time. I think any others I will not add the elastic thread at the bottom, and actually add a little more to give it a proper hem and not just a rolled hem from the overlocker.

The shorts are the Ottobre Bert shorts (#23 from 3/2009). I have seen lots of blog with the women wearing short shorts and I thought it would be a much cuter look on her than me. Not a great snap of the pants. I think I will go down the next size in the width, as they are a little baggy on her. I used size 110 for the width with 116 for the length, but I think it needs to be the 104 width still (see, I have almost completed a dress and I used a 104 width and I think it was pushing it, but it may have been just that pattern. She is still wearing 98 width tees fine).

I have some small cuts of lime green and powder blue to use. I really have a lot of work since I have bought 25m of fabric in the last couple of weeks. I can barely resist a bargain, especially when I am encouraged by my husband.

Frugal sewing – can’t shake it off

2011-07-10T11:37:00.005+10:00

For years I was a frugal sewist. Sometimes it was a case of not having much money to throw around. Other times I was saving as much of my money as I could. Anyway, I learnt a few tricks to get more bang for my buck:

• I reused the same patterns over and over. Patterns are pretty exxy in Australia, so if I used the same pattern a few times, I was spending less on other patterns.
• I borrowed Burda magazines from the library to read.
• Refused to pay full price for fabric or patterns.
• I chose patterns that did not use a lot of fabric and laid out patterns to use the least amount of fabric. I used to carry a list so that I only ever bought as much as I needed.

One discovery I made while laying out patterns from the same fabric was that I could cut out a knit top and a tee shirt in the same amount of fabric it took to cut out one tee. You just have to cut out one or two pieces at a time and refold.

While we are no longer watching the pennies so much, I am still careful with my spending and sometimes old habits refuse to die. I was able to cut out a long sleeve tee shirt, a knit shirt (Kwik Sew 3032 Top A) and a pair of undies all from 1.5 metres of fabric. I have just realised that I have made quite a few pairs of undies out left over knit fabric this year!

PS Shannon, thanks for the reminder - I had heard about them. I put in an order with Fashion Sewing Supply last night. Even with a massive postage quote of nearly $28 (yowzers) it works out the same price as the interfacing I have been using with less than stellar results. I think I had been putting it off because of the postage, but it works out if the interfacing is even a little bit better than the whisperweft.

Mulberry Jacket

2011-07-07T10:34:00.014+10:00

I fell in love with curved lapels and collars when I made my last jacket. I wasn’t keen to make the exact same jacket pattern again so soon, so I began my search for another Burda jacket pattern.

I found what I wanted in pattern 111 from Burda 3/2009. I love that it is not too long, has princess seams and the sewn in belt was cute too.
I used a stretch cotton twill in a lovely Mulberry shade. It is actually a darker shade than my last jacket. I obviously gravitate towards the same colours. I picked stretch twill since it is fairly casual and comes in some great colours.

I followed Sherry’s RTW Tailoring Sewalong notes again. I think I will be referring to them everytime I make a jacket, because they are so helpful in achieving a lovely result.

I did change the yoke pattern piece. The piece is a combine front and back yoke, so there is no shoulder seam. While I did not mind the look of it I wasn’t sure if my sloping shoulder adjustment would work. So I drew a seam line at the shoulder points and added the front yoke piece to the front, while keeping the back as a yoke.

I just hope I was not too aggressive with my sloping shoulder adjustment. I made the same as I normally do but you can see the diagonal pulls. I wonder if I traced the shoulder point in the wrong spot or something.

Here is a closer view of the collar.

While I cut out the curved pockets and flaps, I ended up not using them. I thought they were a cute feature, but for whatever reason, did not feel like sewing them on at the time.

I am annoyed with the interfacing I chose. I used whisperweft which requires preshrinking. Except a lot of the beads of glue came off. Very hard to bond without the glue on there. Grr. Not sure whether to get textureweft next time, as it requires no shrinking or go for something entirely different altogether.

Here is a peek at the lining. While the lining likes to twist and squirm all over the place when cutting and handling, with the right needle and foot pressure it was a breeze to sew.

My new baby

2011-06-23T15:58:00.001+10:00

I have been wanting an iron press for some time but when I had to block fuse my fabric for the RTW Tailored Jacket sewalong I was really keen. I have been keeping my eye on Ebay and this one popped up in a suburb close to me. I am yet to use it, as I want to give it a bit of a clean, but it should be really handy.

MMJ 18-23

2011-06-23T15:30:00.007+10:00

Day 18:blue tee, purple cowl jumper, newer jeans
Plans: Going out socialising, outside, in the freezing cold. I had to add a coat plus I had a blanket around me I was so cold.

Day 19: white tee, charcoal grey wide leg pants, yellow RTW jumper
Plans: Sunday school and chores at home.
Day 20: Hot pink tee, blue jumper, black straight leg pants, plus coat and scarf.
Plans:working late. Thhis was taken after work and I was exhusted. Last week of school before holidays.

21: purple jalie top, purple jumper, grey pants
Plans: working. It ended up being a horrible day for me, let's just say good thing I only had one more day of work. My principal gave me chocolate for doing an extra bus duty the day before - he knows how to make me happy.

22: Forgot to take photo. I was in holiday mood.

23:Purple tee, blue jumper, new grey pants
Plans: baking for "bug ball" + attending "bug ball"

MMJ 17 - another pair of pants sewn up

2011-06-17T11:41:00.005+10:00

I decided to wear my new pants so I would only have to take one lot of photos for them! I used a charcoal polyester rayon blend, it has a very such metallic sheen to it. Very similar fabric to my other charcoal pants, although that fabric has a faint stripe through it.

The pattern is a combination of two patterns to make some pants with a wide curved waistband, front fly zipper, front pockets and straight legs (just had a look,# 107A from Burda 1/2006 plus #113 from 8/2003). After my last pair of pants (apparently they are flared, I call them wide leg) I wanted to make up my next pair with a skinnier leg. I decided a straight leg wasn't so unflattering at all.

For my next pair, I am going to try the alteration described by Sew 4 Fun. Just to see if I can get rid of those diagonal wrinkles under my butt!
It is really windy today, but sunny so it is not totally fresh. The pockets on the front have been very handy today for holding my keys. I always miss it when I don't have pockets in my pants while out and about.

I am wearing a RTW jumper, but a self made tee under.

MMJ Days 12-16

2011-06-16T16:25:00.008+10:00

Day 12: Red wool blend Burda pants, off white tee and off white cowl jumper
Plans: hanging at home, sewing, dropping daughter off for sleepover.

Missed taking a photo of day 13. I work purple marle cowl jumper and black cord pants. It was a public holiday for the Queen's birthday, and I did my normal last day of the weekend of washing, folding, baking and cooking a roast chook.

Day 14: Floral mock wrap Jalie top, new Jalie jeans and RTW cardi
Plans: Work day - I am counting down the days until holidays, while enjoying working in a heated classroom.

Day 15: New herringbone pants, white tee and blue jumper. Much the same outfit as I work to church on MMJ 11! Also bomber jacket and scarf as I am freezing my butt off these days.
Plans: work and then professional development after classes. It is funny but I love these pants now. The fabric feels so nice and they are ultra comfy while looking professional enough for school.

Day 16: RTW jacket and hoodie, me made viscose knit tee plus black cord pants again.

Plans: at home. I did some washing and sewing, read a book, worked on the pattern for a Burda jacket and watched a taped TV show. I really felt like wearing some old tracky daks today, not sure why. I did not even bother to brush my hair today, I was just in a mood.

MMJ day 11 - my new pants

2011-06-12T09:01:00.008+10:00

Okay, my latest pants morph is bit of a flop. The wool pants I made from my original favourite pattern (from a Burda WOF magazine circa 2003) have obviously shrunk, so the pattern does not represent the pants shape that I wanted to copy.

My new pants are a combination of my original favourite pants and these wide leg ones with the waistband, pockets and fly zipper I love (which funnily enough looks flared in the photo). They ended up way too wide and so I took them in by 1cm on the side seam from the thigh area down.

At least I only picked out some fabric that was worthy of these stupid pants. The content is apparently polyester and rayon but it frayed like crazy and puckered more than any fabric I have used in years that I suspect that the rayon content is very low, if present at all.

I was drawn to the herringbone weave - it makes the pants look grey, but the fabric is black and white.

Based on the photos I have been taking for Me Made June, I think I am going to stick to only variations of a couple of my favourite pants patterns: Jalie jeans, Jalie 2909 pants for stretch and my Burda straight leg pants. Somehow I feel they are more flattering.

More Jalie jeans

2011-06-10T10:41:00.008+10:00

I have finally finished my second pair of Jalie jeans. I truly thought this pair would be easier. I had one pair under my belt and hadn't had any problems with them, so why would I think there would be a problem this time around. Turns out there were going to be numerous issues and annoyances crop up.

See, I used a much thicker and stretchier fabric that my last pair. I could not locate any jeans needles anywhere locally, so I went ahead a used a regular size 16 needle. Worked fine for the regular thread, but my machine had a fit when I had to topstitch with the topstitch thread.

And the waistband totally stretched out when I sewed it. This wouldn't have mattered so much if I had sewn on the belt loops. But in my wisdom, I had left them off thinking my needle/machine would not be able to cope with so many layers at once. So the stretched out waistband was a total disaster. And I had no more fabric to recut the waistband.

Lucky for the jeans, my stubborn streak kicked in and I spent an evening unpicking, pressing, adding some interfacing at the top edge and re-attaching the annoying piece. I ended up topstitching the seam where it is attached at the waist with regular thread and the buttonhole is in the navy thread as well. The other three sides of the waistband is the the topstitch thread. I figure no one is really going to notice and anyway, who cares.
I tried to come up with a really cool picture for the back pockets, something like Mary Nanna's here or here or this amazing design from 21Wale, but I don't want to be a copycat and I can't draw, so I just went for some not so random lines. It took me a whole morning to come up with what I wanted, how sad is that.

Look Mum, these are not real jeans. I actually made them, check out the mistakes.

They are super comfortable and I think will be in high rotation this month. Although I am hoping to churn out a few more things before the Me Made Month is over. This is a long weekend without any out-of-home plans and there is only two more weeks of school before the holidays. I really want some more pants and maybe some more tees and jumpers.

MMJ day 6, 7, 8 and 9

2011-06-09T11:02:00.005+10:00

Day 6: off white tee (Kwik Sew), purple cowl jumper (Kwik Sew), black wool pants (Burda)
Weather: Cool with cloud cover
Plans: Work. This is the first time in a long time that I have been happy about going to work.

Day 7: purple cross over tee (Jalie), grey wide leg pants (Burda), black cardigan (RTW). Love the loop hanging there
Weather: Coolish
Plans: Work. I was feeling extremely happy because I am loving going to work. This year has been very stressful for me.

Day 8: white tee (Kwik Sew), off white cowl jumper (Kwik Sew), jeans (Jalie)
Weather: cold. It was cloudy all day and never warmed up.
Plans: Work again. Jalisa is off to school. Tracksuits are such a good look.

Day 9: black viscose knit skirt (Kwik Sew, with some changes), viscose knit tee (Kwik Sew, old and ugly), red velour hoodie (Kwik Sew). It looks funny because it is caught on my tights.
Weather: absolutely freezing
Plans: Sewing and lounging at home. I like to wear comfy clothes to dag around in. As it is, I have been sewing with my shoes on, which I hate.

MMJ 3, 4 and 5

2011-06-05T16:58:00.004+10:00

I have read that some bloggers are a little over the Me Made/Self-Stitched concept. Me, not so much plus I had a mini-revelation regarding my pants and pants leg shape.

Day 3:purple ruched sleeve tee, blue flared jumper, grey wool pinstripe pants.

Weather: cool but not too bad

Plans: grocery shopping, general chores, tracing patterns

I made the pants from a wool blend that I washed before cutting but I am sure that they shrank because they were not always this tight. This was made using my old favourite Burda pants pattern (circle 2003!). It has the curved waistband (yoke as Burda say) on the front, invisible zipper at the side and a flared leg. Love me a flared leg. I don't use this pattern anymore because I like my fly front pants better.

When I looked at the pictures of me on day 1, I was not happy. Those wide leg pants are very comfortable but they make me look really wide. The red straight legs ones are alright, but like I said, I like flared legs.

So that afternoon I traced off a new pants pattern, combining the elements that I like. I have cut out the fabric to test them out, but it will have to wait until at least Thursday when I get a chance to sit down at the machine and actually be able to think.

Day 4:purple marle cowl jumper, elastic waist black skirt + blue tee, black gored skirt and tweed jacket to church (no photo)

Weather: Coolish and bearable

Plans: Buying supplies at some fabric stores, sewing jeans, pulling my hair out as jeans were not behaving themselves.

Day 4: bright blue tee and Jalie jeans

Weather: lovely in the sun, icebox inside our house.

Plans: teach sunday school, nanna nap, chores

The start of Me Made June

2011-06-02T09:06:00.006+10:00

Me Made June (MMJ) here is going to be a tad boring. June is Australia is the first month of Winter. Being a Queenslander born and bred, I tend to be a bit of a wimp and freeze throughout the colder months while people that have migrated here tend to think that Winter is really mild and you only require a light jacket at the most.

Winter for me means a uniform of tees, jumpers or cardigans and pants. And a coat. When sewing, I use the same patterns over and over. Being stressed and quite sick lately, I have not produced many new Winter clothes. I did sew some new jumpers and tops earlier in the year, so that is good, but the one jacket I did sew is being held by the show society to go into the State final, so I don't have that to add to my rotation. I have a half sewn long jacket that would have been ideal, but I have stalled after getting to the lining and feeling bored.

MMJ will probably see the addition of my trusty RTW coat, which I need to wear most days and can't survive without.

Day 1: Grey pinstripe pants (Burda), off white tee (Kwik Sew), off white cowl jumper (Kwik Sew). Topped with a denim jacket, that was removed and replaced with a warm black coat.
Weather: grey and freezing
Plans: Work day

Day 2: red pants (Burda), white tee (Kwik Sew)

Weather: warmer with plenty of sun

Plans: School drop off, hanging at home, shopping at the larger shopping centre in town.

Toffy pants in denim

2011-05-28T16:03:00.005+10:00

I thought it would be a good idea to make DD, DS and my jeans altogether. I finished the boy's pair an age ago, so it was about time to finish the girl's before I finished mine.

The pattern is Ottobre's Toffy pants (#15 from 4/2009) but with the pockets from #12. The Tulip pants (#12) are the girly version of the Toffy pants, but with the gathered wide legs, it was probably too baggy for my skinny minny. I liked the gathering on the front pockets and the pintucks on the back pockets though. The binding looked good too.

I find it hard to believe that I traced a size 116 for the girl. Of course, she is still 98 in the width (and I had to take it in more at the waist since there is no elastic).

Jalisa is thrilled with them. I am glad to get them finished and into her wardrobe where they are needed to the chilly weather we are having.

Pink Wool Burda jacket

2011-05-05T13:47:00.009+10:00

I have spent the better part of today finishing the jacket and dress pictured here. I quickly snapped some photos because it is nearly time to do the pick up and I want to enter them into the local show this afternoon.

Both patterns are from Burda. The fuchsia jacket is #116 from 9/2005. I followed Sherry of the Scissors, Paper, Cloth blog's RTW Tailored Jacket Sewalong. If you haven't checked the sewalong out, you simply must. Sherry has generously demonstrated so many wonderful tricks of the trade and shared a lot of information.

The jacket I chose has curved panels on the front, curved lapels and collar, two piece set in sleeves (no vent though), and a back peplum with two back vents. I did leave these vents out, since I wasn't sure I would be able to bag out the lining with them plus the extra ease from the curvy hems at the back. I added bound buttonholes, since the wool crepe had become quite thick in the wash (yep, I just chucked it right in the washing machine, and the drier too!).

Here is the back view.

Side view

I tried to zoom in here to get the buttonholes. I take suc

Here is the jacket unbuttoned. It still looks pretty good. This is how I will wear it most probably.

I hate being lazy. I tried to take more photos, but I am really no good, so I gave up. I need to get the entry organised - one last press etc before it gets bagged up.

This boy cracks me up

2011-05-01T08:33:00.008+10:00

This was Scott's favourite spot last week. He has to crawl through the dishwasher to get in.

I snapped some more photos of the boy's new clothes. The hoodie is from the newer version of Kwik Sew for Toddler. I made a size 4. Nothing special, just something to keep him warm in the cooler months. I had Wayne draw a picture of a hotrod to stitch on to the front. The fabric is polar fleece.

The pants are the Eskimo pattern from Ottobre 5/2006, #11. These were my trial pair in an 80 width and they were too wide. They are size 86 in the height, which is perfect for him, even though he is a lot taller than that. I had to use his inseam/outseam measurements to get it right. The thing is, I think there is a nappy allowance in the smaller sizes so I can't go too small without getting too baggy in the crotch. I used a beige coloured cotton fabric.

The back panels almost make a circle with their big , wide curves. The front panels only have a slight curve. It is an easy pattern, although the back panels look tricky to put together, they go in fast.

Here is a close up of the hot rod. I don't like how it picked up where I stopped and started, but I wasn't about to bin it when the mistakes are only noticed when you are very close.

I have been lazy

2011-05-01T07:19:00.011+10:00

I have been lazy and not kept the blog updated. I have been a little bit stressed at work but I have been sewing as normal. Hopefully I should get a couple of posts up soon, since I have a few things to photograph.

I took these photos at night, as we were wearing the new clothes to church (so the photos are blurry - I am making them do)

First up is a off-white jumper for me. The pattern is Kwik Sew 742, size 10 (it is a vintage pattern, thus the different sizing). I added flared sleeves just to make it a little different from the last time I made it.
Pants from Ottobre 2/2005 (my favourite Otto). These are design #23 but lengthened as they are only short length. For my skinny minny child I use size 80 for the width and size 86 for the length (I used a different pattern for reference). Size 80 ended up being too wide still, so I removed some of the seam allowance, reducing each leg by about 2cm. They are still baggy but look more in proportion.

It was a lot harder to get the perfect length pants. Normally for shorts, it does not matter where they end, but I had to go through several trials to get the perfect length, and actually measure his inseam and outseam. I tried using his height measurement alone, and that just ended with super long, extremely baggy pants.

Jalisa's outfit: The tiered skirt doesn't have a pattern as such, just a formula. You start with the waist measurement and multiple anywhere from 1.5 - 2.5, depending on the fabric used. I went with 1.6, as I thought that is what I had used previously. When I later checked my notes, I found that 1.4 was adequate for baby cord fabric. You need to add hem, waist casing and seam allowances to the panels too. I made each teir the same length visually, so tier 1 and 3 end up being bigger since they have the hem and waist casing added.
The jumper is from Ottobre 5/2006 #22. Ottobre have it made in a drapey knit, but I thought it would make a good jumper. The fabric is the same off-white as my jumper. It is 100% acrylic but it is lovely to sew and very soft on the skin. I love the little sections that are shirred - at the front, top of sleeve and are the wrist.

I had originally bought this denim fabric for me, but I already had some other denim for my jeans and I thought my kids could do with some of their own jeans. The pattern is the same as Scott's pants above. I liked the patterns because it had a couple of cute features that wouldn't take me too much time to get through. I am really impatient when sewing kids clothes. Simple works for me and the kids. The pants have a faux fly, front pockets and back flaps. I used a green thread to topstitch.

It is supposed to have belt loops, but they annoy me when sewing and that part isn't shown under his shirts, so I did not bother.

At the moment I am working on a few things: a jacket for Sherry's RTW Tailored Jacket Sewalong, a dress for me and jeans for Jalisa. The jacket and dress will be entered in to the local show sometime this week. I have only to bag the hem and sew on the buttons on the jacket, and dress needs hemming and the lining sewn down.. I should be able to reveal the jacket very soon.

It made sense at the time...

2011-02-27T12:07:00.009+10:00

Last weekend I decided I should make some more cropped pants for work. I had a couple of cuts that would work with Jalie 2909. I picked the black to start first. With only a few pattern pieces, and no extras, the pants went together quickly. Now I could have cut out and sewn a red pair (or kept working on the coat that I am in the middle of) but I thought that I would cut out a deep purple jumper.

You know, a jumper. Those things you wear in cool weather. It made sense at the time, something quick to whip up while the overlocker thread was the right colour. I would eventually get around to wearing it. I just wasn't thinking that I would need to snap some shots for the blog. Just wasn't thinking it was going to be the hottest day of the week when I finally had some time to take a photo.

The pattern is Kwik Sew 742, found in an op shop years ago when I was obsessed with collecting KS patterns.

I made the jumper at the end of the week and by this time I had totally forgotten about cropped pants for work and was thinking about cool weather sewing. So yesterday I made two tops that I can layer under jumpers or wear on their own when the weather is cool but not cold.

The purple is Jalie 2804 again. 3/4 sleeves and a gathered front panel ( I forgot about the gathering, I think I could have made it sit nicer if I felt like taking some more hot pictures). I was meant to have long sleeves, but there was a fault in the fabric so I ran out.

The blue is my TNT Kwik Sew 3003 ( crew neck drafted by me). The blue and purple fabric are a cotton/poly/elastane blend that I am hoping will wash up nicely. They sewed up rather nicely compared with the rayon/elastance blends that I like for tops.

If I am not working on my coat, my next project will be some red cropped pants, probably accompanied by a red jumper.

Keeping my mind off the floods

2011-01-13T08:50:00.007+10:00

Much of Queensland is under water. My hometown of Ipswich was expecting record water levels but at 19.5m it did not quite get to the 1974 level. Thankfully the worst thing that has happened to family and friends is power lost and roads cut off. My heart goes out to the families where members lives have been lost. The events that happened on Tuesday the 11th were such a tragedy.

I have been weighing up whether it is appropriate to post that I have been sewing when so many have lost their possessions or at least their power. Sewing is my hobby but I use it as a time to reflect and pray. As I was sewing yesterday, I was just so thankful for my family being safe and sound.

This is Jalie 2804 - the empire crossover top. The pattern comes in a range of sizes, for children to plus size adult, and there are 4 sleeve options (sleeveless, cap, 3/4, long) and two front panel options (flat or gathered). I went with the flat front and cap sleeves.

Based on my measurements, I went with a size T. For reference, I use a Burda 38 for my upper body. I forgot to adjust for my sloped shoulders, so I ended up retro-fitting the shoulder area to get rid of the wrinkles. I used a hot pink viscose elastane fabric left over from a tee I made the other year.

It's a great fit, nice and fitted, but I don't like the way the modesty panel pulls at the sleeves. This is because the elastic is shorter than the panel length to fit snug to the body, but it just tries to compensate by stealing some of the sleeve and then gives some ugly wrinkles.

This Jalie pattern, when compared to my Kwik Sew patterns, has a lot more length. I decided that in the future, I would compare it and then reduce the length if I felt it was excessive. I feel it is a little unflattering as it stops at my widest point (a big no no for us pear shapes).

Well, the next day when I made it again, I shortened it by 6cm and did not bother with the modesty panel. I used a printed viscose elastane, from my local Bargain Box fabric store and eleccted to use the 3/4 sleeves, since I know that I will be needing them soon and my current ones are worn out.

I think this length is a little more flattering on me.

One of my goals for this year is to use more fabric than I buy. Instead of just shelving the leftover half metre, I thought I would cut out another top and sewing it up at the same time (you know, production line style).

This pattern is Kwik Sew 3032. It has some gathers at the front bust. My coverstitch machine was being a princess, so I sewed the neck and armhole seams with a zig zag stitch on my sewing machine. Before my CS machine, I would use a twin needle, but I was feeling rather lazy after threading and rethreading my touchy machine.

End of year post

2010-12-23T09:49:00.002+10:00

As we will be busy with Christmas festivities and then going on our summer holiday, I am going to post a bit of a review of my sewing for the year.

I had a number of goals that I wanted to achieve this year. Here is my list, I am happy that I did quite a few of them. I did have a longer list than normal.

Winter coats for both the kids Only sewed Jalisa' coat
Flannelette PJs for both the kids Sewed PJs for Scott only
Sew up something using some ugly fabric
Jacket for me DONE
Sew something from a vintage pattern and post on Sew Retro
Little black dress for me DONE
Black pants for me DONE
Creative entry for the local show DONE
Discharge dyeing DONE
Tray dyeing using thickened dyed DONE
Make 4 pairs of work pants for DH
Make a body double DONE, just need to stuff it
Trial 12 new patterns for me DONE, I managed 16

In 2010, with everything included, I sewed a total of 74 things. 33 things were for the kids (including clothes, undies and bags).

The unwritten goal I was aiming to do this year was to do a lot more 'me' sewing. This year I sewed up 41 items for me.

Dress = 5 (including 2 new patterns)
Skirts = 3 (1 new pattern)
Pants and shorts = 9 (5 new patterns)
Blouses, tees and cardigans = 11 (6 new patterns)
Jackets = 2 (2 new patterns)
PJs and undies = 11 (1 new pattern)

I think I met that goals. Overall I am pleased with all the sewing I have done this year.

Jalie 2909 - Stretch pants

2010-12-18T16:49:00.004+10:00

I love reading sewing blogs. There are some fabulous ones out there. One thing that I don't get, that I wish I could do, is sew something, then wait and get all done up and then take photos. Love it, but I don't have a lot of patience, and I want to show off what I have done to my sewing buddies at Crafty Mamas. See, I finished my Jalie shorts then raced out to snap pictures. No makeup, hair every which way, old top with singlet that is sticking out....I just don't wait. One day I will learn.

There is a lot of love for this pattern, so when CM (see link above") did a Jalie buy, this was the first one I knew I wanted. Simple pants, with rave reviews about a great cut. Now, being summer here is Australia, I knew I did not need pants, but shortened, they would be fab.

I went with a green rayon blend Bengaline from the stash. I knew this fabric was stretchy, but I did not realise that the stretch runs lengthwise (rather than crosswise). I had already cut out and sewn the fly before I realised. Luckily, I had bought enough fabric to cut out another pair. For Jalie bottoms, U seems to be the right size for me.

When I tried them on before sewing on the waistband, I realised that I was going to have to make some adjustments. I had a lightbulb moment when I researched the frowns that were appearing at the front that I might need to reduce the length of the front crotch seam. For some reason, I just was accepting this little extra bit, but having tried on several pants and pinching the front, I could see that the front instantly looked better with a smidge less length there.

The other thing that was bugging me was the extra folds under my butt. With lots of research, I ended up scooping out the crotch (which lengthens) and then taking out at the top of the seam. This works for the moment, since I have made up the pants already and could not recut, but the actual alteration is a little wedge removed from somewhere along the back crotch seam (not right at the top). I have since gone on to make these adjustments on some other pants patterns, so hopefully it is the right one. It is an improvement, and that is what matters to me at the moment.

Ottobre 3-way dress

2010-12-18T12:43:00.006+10:00

Gosh, this dress was quick to make. Actually, it was quick to sew, being a pillowcase type dress (Ottobre 3/2009, #18). I had to hand dye the fabric and that took two separate occassions due to storms (and me rushing to get the fabric dyed before it rained down on me). Each piece of fabric wasn't perfect but there was enough between them make a good rainbow dress.

For the front piece, I cut from the graduated rainbow fabric.

For the back, I used the more random rainbow piece.

For the dyeing, I laid it on some other fabric to soak up the excess dye. I think it would work better with a 100% polyester fleece, but I need to buy some because I plan to use what I have on hand. I used procion dye on a stretch poplin, squirting it on and then using a paintbrush to soften where the colours blended.

I have another one cut, this time a plain + print combo, then I am going to make Jalisa a halterneck dress with flared skirt.

Burda dress for Summer

2010-12-17T13:46:00.008+10:00

While I was trying to find inspiration in the sewing room, I came across this fabric that my SIL gave me many years ago. Despite not digging this print 100%, there was something about the fabric that kept me holding onto it and it was never chucked out in my recent clearout. It's actually a polished cotton. Clear colours with a tropical theme. I thought it would make a good dress to wear while on holidays. This time last year I made a couple of tropical print dresses. Maybe this will be a tradition - my version of those loud hawaiian shirts.

I used #123 from Burda 6/2005. Actually, this way one of the patterns for one of those dresses, but this time I morphed it onto a pattern with a flared skirt (just like I did my last Burda dress).

I like the look of a fuller skirt, especially for everyday wear. Sitting down is so much easier and there is a chance of not flashing my undies when I have to pick stuff up (like Scott's thong at the supermarket today).

This pattern has princess seams and a square neckline. The back is really high, which makes it a little hard to zip up. I really like the straps, which are curved slightly to sit flush with the skin and allow a narrower front than back.

Ottobre for my boy

2010-11-28T12:25:00.005+10:00

I have recently made some new clothes for DS, but since they are good clothes, and he is generally grubby, I haven't bothered to take some photos until now. I am lazy so of course the shorts are the same pattern, as are the shirts.

The shirt is from issue 2/2003. This is a really good issue, I think I have made at least 6 of the patterns as well as an applique. This particular shirt (#27) has raglan sleeves with extra darts that you can topstitch as well as the usual pocket and collar (no actual stand but has that look rather than the lapelled effect.

The shorts are the "Ahoy" ones from 3/09 (Summer issues of Ottobre are the best I reckon).
The pattern came together really well, I left of the drawstring because I couldn't find something that I liked at home. The denim is leftover from my jeans, and the dog print is a SL poplin, again left over from Scott's first birthday outfit

I love Burda because

2010-11-25T12:41:00.006+10:00

1. One issue can have many fabulous patterns
2. I can easily morph two or three patterns together
3. They are drafted so well.

This dress is #109 from Burda 5/2010. Actually, the dress is also from 3/2009. I traced the 109 and then layed it over another tracing to get the flare that I wanted. I like swishy over hip hugging. I actually wanted the neckline from #140, a plus size, but at the timeI did not feel like grading down a few sizes, I just wanted to sew.

The fabric is a cotton stretch, which is a dream to sew. I used the facing that came with the pattern, since I think it is crazy to add a lining to a Summer dress. The fabric is surprisingly opaque.

I took in the strap seam an extra 1.5cm, I suppose to account for my sloping shoulders. But I did forget to take out under the arm to compensate before cutting and sewing on the facings, so I did just fudged it a bit and called it a day. When I tried it on, I had the whole horrible, stick-out thing happening at the back, but it mostly went away when I extended the dart an extra 1.5cm.

I have already traced another pattern but using #106 to get the square-ish neckline that I want. I think that will be a lot more flattering on me that this ultra wide neck. I do like the way the straps widen towards the top.

I traced Burda Easy Fashion (2009) #4 pants a while ago. I liked that they have a wide waistband with a little fly and button closures (rather than the fly all the way up). I am pretty sure I traced the size 40 (which is my hips size, not my waist, I figured I could take the waist in). I actually traced these off between lengths, for long shorts. No way would I ever wear shorts like that.

I used a stretch poly rayon bengaline. When I tried them on, I was really dismayed. They were pretty tight. The pockets sticked out, making me look wider. And they come right up to my natural waistline (which is high, I don't like them that high). I really wanted to chuck them, because I really thought that the sizing must be different for the Easy Fashions. It is not apparently, and when I layed it over my other pants patterns, it was the same. Maybe I have put on a little weight.

Now that they are finished, I realise it is a pretty good fit after all. And I like how the bottom of the leg starts to flare out.

I was ultra confused about the pockets, which extend out to the fly, and because it is all in German (and being to lazy to find another pattern with a similar pattern piece), I just slapped it together any which way.

My next pair of shorts is going to be from Jalie 2909 (or 2908, the stretch woven pants anyway, not the jeans). When I layed this pattern over the Jalie one(have misplaced my tracing, argh), they are a similar draft, but the Jalie has a narrower waistband and no pockets. I do like to have pockets (to shove pens in when I am at work) but maybe I will be able to add bound pockets to them, like a pair of Esprit capris that I have.

Rainbow nightie

2010-11-07T18:14:00.004+10:00

Okay, my theory for the dye patterns was this: blue dye reacts slower than any other colour dye. There are some little dots of dirt on my tray, since it was kept all winter up against the shed in the garden, and somehow the slow moving blue was attracted to the dirt and then reacted or stained the fabric from there.

Usually procion dyes will only react and bond to the fabric within a short time frame, not the 2 and a bit days my fabric was sitting there. It can stain I imagine.

Look at how pretty the fabric looks made up. This is a nightie for Jalisa. I used the freebie Ottobre singlet pattern (obviously shortening it by folding the pattern) and used the width of the fabric for the skirt. I tried gathering by zig zagging over some string - worked like a treat.
Thought I should take a picture of Scott too, since he has new jammies too. I reverse coverstitched the hems but got lazy with the neckline and just turned and topstitched. Tee is from Kwik Sew for Toddlers, shorts are some Ottobre pants (the pattern is for woven, but I used a size 62, so it works in a knit fabric without being too baggy).

Aliens visited our house.

2010-10-31T14:20:00.003+10:00

Last weekend, I used my dyeing tray to dye some rainbow coloured fabric for a nightie for Jalisa. I covered it with garbage bags and left it for a couple of days. I checked on it over the course of the two days that I left it, but boy did I recieve a surprise. I found all these little blue rings all over the fabric. Tiny crop circles if you like. It was a bit of a mystery at the time, but I think I have the mystery solved.

Can you guess what caused the blue circles?

Jalie 2908 - stretch jeans

2010-10-01T11:48:00.003+10:00

When I saw Dawn's Jalie jeans on her blog, I was inspired to buy this pattern. She churned out some awesome jeans and it made me believe that I could too.

Being the lazy sewist that I am, the pattern sat there for awhile. I only trace patterns when I am in the mood, and it is not often. Meanwhile, Liz created some jeans from Ottobre which seemed to enthuse my mood for creating my own jeans once again.

I found some denim in my stash which seemed to have some stretch that I thought would work for a test pair. I read all the reviews and tips that I could find (mostly on Patternreview, a site I haven't really looked at in years).

Anyway, here they are.
Based on my measurements, I went with a size U. However, my denim is not a stretchy as the 20% recommended, so I used 6mm seams at the side seams instead of the 1cm allowed for by Jalie. I had read that the pattern can be a little tight in the thighs, and with my saddlebags, I am wondering if I need to add extra when I use this pattern next.

My sewing machine was happy topstitching with upholstry thread in the top and regular in the bobbin (apart from the buttonhole). I used Gutermann 887, which is golden brown.

I used a regular zipper, not the metal jeans ones. I could have bought a shorter one - the 8 inch was plenty big. I couldn't find any jeans needles, but my universal size 14s worked fine.

Love the back view. I have to wiggle to get them on, but they are comfy when all zipped and buttoned up.

I used the low rise version which was a good length for me (but then again, I am short waisted and have a long mid section).

I will be making these again, in denim as well as stretch cord.

SSS Day 25 and 26

2010-09-26T13:24:00.004+10:00

Outfit: Anthropologie inspired tee (with ruching) and cord pants
Plans: Visit the Gold Coast to visit family holidaying and to book a unit for our annual Christmas holidays. It wasn't exactly beach friendly, but it was comfortable and warm enough during the winds and light shower.

Outfit: Beige cotton lycra tee (kwik sew 3003, vee neck version) and bonds tracksuit pants. I later changed into a beige short sleeve tee and black cotton skirt.

Plans: Today I dyed, raked up some grass and pottered around the house, hence the house clothes.

SSS Day 24

2010-09-24T16:23:00.002+10:00

Outfit: Red wool blend pants (Burda), rayon elastance tee.
Plans: grocery shopping, hanging out with my SIL and 3 nephews

Yesterday I wore old, me made clothes. This morning when I was washing windows and dyeing, I wore an old black cotton lycra tee and red stretch cotton poplin pants.

2010-09-22T12:53:00.003+10:00

Outfit: New black wool dress and metallic cardi
Plans: I cleaned this morning in my PJs then dressed up to drop the kids at SIL for a playdate. DH is taking me to the movies.

Black wool blend dress

2010-09-22T12:38:00.003+10:00

I used the same Burda dress pattern as my rainbow dress - bascially a princess seamed, A-line dress. The straps are from Burda too but they are supposed to be pleated and I like them sewn in flat. I had to add to the length of them, but I did make them a little too long and now they slip off.

The fabric is a wool lycra fabric that I have had stashed since my uni days. I think I would have bought it from Lincraft. I lined it in a cotton nylon fabric.

SSS Day 21

2010-09-21T09:03:00.003+10:00

Outfit: Rayon elastane knit dress. I made the pattern by morphing a top and skirt from Kwik Sew (3003 and 3032 I think). I think the top and skirt would have been more flattering on me, but I only realised after it was made.
Plans: Going to SILs to get my hair cut and coloured.

SSS Day20

2010-09-20T16:14:00.003+10:00

Outfit: Pink rayon (?) elastane knit tee with grey wide leg burda pants
Plans: Birthday cake prep, small family party for Scott and FIL, my parents over for birthday dinner.

Karen - it wasn't really warm enough for cotton voile yesterday!

SSS Day 19

2010-09-19T14:13:00.002+10:00

Outfit: White cotton lycra tee (modified kwik sew), cotton voile gored skirt (burda)
Hair:Pin curls set.

Plans: Shopping

There is no picture from day 18. When I finally got dressed, I wore an black velour skirt (ahem, old maternity one), a beige tee and a grey marle hoodie. I did not even brush my hair. It was not a good day.

SSS Day 17

2010-09-17T15:26:00.001+10:00

Outfit: Kwik Sew jumper (sweater knit) and modified Kwik Sew skirt (rayon elastane knit)
Plans: School drop off, grocery shopping, chores at home

SSS Day 16

2010-09-16T11:23:00.003+10:00

Outfit: Anthropologie inspired tee (based on a Kwik Sew pattern) and cotton paisley print skirt (Burda)
Plans: Help out in Jalisa's class with guided reading group, tutoring this afternoon.

SSS Day 15

2010-09-16T11:16:00.002+10:00

Outfit: Cotton voile peasant top (Burda) and cotton washer canvas shorts ( modified Burda)
Plans: School drop off, into work on my day off and special lunch for my boss who is getting married on Saturday.

SSS Day 14

2010-09-15T13:36:00.003+10:00

Outfit: Cotton linen pinstripe shorts (modified Burda), metallic shirred shirt (Burda pattern).
Plans: Work

Note: my name badge was on straight! It looks wonky sometimes.

Kbenco (sorry, don't know your name) asked what Burda pattern yesterday's black pants were. They are actually two patterns morphed: 107A from 1/2006 for the curved waistband/pockets and the straight legs 113 from 8/2003. I tend to use the Burda's I have already, so they tend to be from the mid noughties, unless I borrow them from the library. I can and sometimes do buy them single issue from Crafty Mamas but I tend to be a staples girl and use my patterns over and over.

SSS Day 13

2010-09-13T17:08:00.003+10:00

Outfit: Burda wool pants, Burda striped cotton voile blouse with flutter sleeves and Burda blue jacket
Plans: Work

I recieved quite a few compliments today, especially on the blouse. Most people were surprised that I had made my entire outfit.

SSS Day 12

2010-09-12T11:06:00.002+10:00

Outfit: Cotton elastane tee (Kwik Sew), stretch metallic cardi (Kwik Sew) and rayon blend pants (Burda)
Plans: Sunday School movie day, schlepping around the house

SSS Day 11

2010-09-11T14:02:00.002+10:00

Outfit: Kwik Sew tee in rayonc elastane and thrifted skirt that I slightly revamped.
Plans: Library and general chores around the house (dishes, washing etc)

SSS Day 10

2010-09-10T12:23:00.002+10:00

Outfit: Kwik Sew sweater knit jumper and Kwik Sew asymmetrical skirt.
Plans: Taking daughter to get a check up at the doctor, general schlepping around the house.

Confession: I did not even brush my hair or wash my face for the 11:20 appointment.

SSS Day 9

2010-09-09T16:12:00.002+10:00

Outfit: Hot pink cotton lycra tee (modified Kwik Sew, my jewel neck standby) and stretch poplin skirt (Burda)
Plans: Parent teacher interview and grocery shopping. Tutoring ended up being cancelled.

Confession: Yesterday I had school photos so I had to wear our school uniform. I never got around to taking a photo of me yesterday, so you will just have to imagine the 2 sizes too big maroon, bright yellow and bottle green polo shirt (tunic length on me - so eww).

SSS Day 7

2010-09-07T16:39:00.003+10:00

Outfit: Burda jacket, Burda straight leg pants and peasant top (modified from a Burda dress pattern)
Plans: Work day, including playground duty that ended up being quite full on.

SSS Day 6

2010-09-06T17:40:00.002+10:00

Outfit: Purple ruched sleeve tee, adapted from Kwik Sew pattern, Kwik Sew jumper and Burda pants
Plans: Teaching at school then professional development afterwards.

I wasn't sure what the weather was going to be like this morning, since it was been raining. You know, sometimes we get warm rainy, sometimes we get cold rainy. It ended up clearing and became really warm, too warm for my half sleeved tee.

SSS Day 5

2010-09-05T10:49:00.003+10:00

Outfit: Black Burda twirl skirt, off white Kwik Sew tee, blue Burda jacket.
Plans: Father's Day lunch with DH's family.
Notes: Possibly cold out in the country, so need a jacket for Justin (you know, just in case)

SSS Day 4

2010-09-04T17:14:00.007+10:00

Outfit: Burda blouse and skirt - both made by me this year.
Plans: Going to a first birthday party and a high tea bridal shower.
Thoughts: This is the first time that I have worn this blouse. I quite like the style of both the blouse and skirt, but I have actually tweaked some other Burda patterns to be a little more what I was going for (twirly skirt with less work, blouse with less wide but still open neck and slightly less puffy sleeves_.
Above was my afternoon outfit. Here is what I wore this morning.

Outfit: Blue rayon poly knit tank (circa 2000), hand dyed cotton lycra skirt, fabric curlers.

Plans: Chores, wrangling children and general around-the-house schleping.

Afternoon outfit again:

Confession: I move the photos around so that my schleping photo would not be on those blog lists people have!

SSS Day 3

2010-09-03T09:36:00.002+10:00

Outfit: Rayon elastane tee from modified Kwik Sew pattern (changed the neckline) and rayon linen blend bias cut skirt.

Plans: School drop off, cleaning, maybe some sewing or pattern tracing.

Thoughts: It is nice to see how my sewing has evolved. A few years ago, I just about only made elastic waisted skirts. They were so easy and quick. Now I prefer skirts with a wide waistband (or yoke, not sure which it is. Burda says yoke) and invisible zipper.

SSS Day 2

2010-09-02T12:44:00.002+10:00

Outfit: Polka dot peasant top from thrifted fabric and rayon elastane knit skirt (modified Kwik Sew pattern). I also had a green cardi that I had made this morning when it was chilly.

Plans: Helping out with morning groups at school, grocery shopping, general chores around the house and tutoring after school.

Confession: I couldn't find any shorts or pants suitable for exercise, so I wore some store bought ones with a tee that I made to my PT session.

Self Stitched September (SSS) Day 1

2010-09-01T12:03:00.004+10:00

Outfit for Day 1: Burda blouse (white and silver) with shirred waist, Burda straight black wool pants and Kwik Sew metallic cardi.

Plans: School drop-off, buy some zippers, home to sew, and regular chores like washing and dishes.

Thoughts: A little dressier than I would normally wear for sewing and chores, but I wanted to start off the month with a bang rather than a fizzle. I will have to change this arvo as I have a personal training session at work.

Here is the first garment finished this month.

Burda gored skirt, like my jade version, again with godets. I actually made the godets a little longer this time, and added them at the side seams.

Fabric is a rayon polyester faille ( I think). It has been in the stash since my uni days, so I have to set up my old computer to look up my fabric stash record if I wanted to properly identify it exactly.

I love twirly skirts.

Cinderella

2010-08-21T14:02:00.006+10:00

One costume, suitable for a princess and pirates party, as well as bookweek.
I have always had nerdy hair. I have always curled it, starting with braids, moving to foam rollers, bendy sausage curlers and also heated rollers and curling irons. My hair went curly naturally for a few years but lately it has been extra stupid. I came across this tutorial for comfy curlers that you can sleep in.

http://lifewithmonkey.wordpress.com/2007/09/03/hair-curler-sewing-tutorial/

I made my own yesterday and wore them to bed last night.

Here is my hair do today.

Bright Blue Burda jacket #122 from 6/05

2010-08-01T13:40:00.004+10:00

I have not ever really been a jacket person. Of course, I have a denim jacket or 3 and jackets for when it is freezing. I was hooked after my recent boucle jacket adventure and scoured all my old Burdas for a jacket with a small notched collar that could be worn open or closed. This pattern also has a two piece sleeve and two sets of patch pockets.

I used a stretch cotton drill that I had orginally bought intending to dye and make shorts for Scott. I decided that this would be the perfect wearable muslin fabric. I did get lazy and use white thread throughout, becuase I only had enough matching thread for the topstitching, hems and buttonholes.

I chose to add some darts up the back for a better fit (I must have found a similar jacket pattern and just traced it, I also eliminated the shoulder dart). The pattern does not have a lining, and I chose not to line it, but it would be rather easy to add the lining (simply deduce the shape of the facings from the front and back pieces and then add a seam allowances, plus a pleat at the centre back).

I used Debbie Cook's perfect pocket tute and the pockets are pretty good. I went out and bought some shoulder pads, but because there is no lining, I decided not to sew them in after all. I thought it would annoy me having to adjust them when I put my jacket on and off, though I may add them at a later date if I desire.

I used my blindhem stitch for the hems, which turned out rather nice (a lot better than topstitching the hems would have).

I am pretty happy with this jacket. When I make this again, I will sew in a lining and maybe I will curve the front lower edges. I found another Burda pattern that is very similar to this, including the already drafted back darts. Interestingly, I must have skipped over that one as it includes 3 welt pockets.

Two white Burda blouses

2010-07-17T13:04:00.008+10:00

For the first one, I used #107 from Burda Magazine 7/2005. This is a pattern for a princess seamed blouse with vee neck, simple collar and puffed sleeves.

I traced the size 38 and adjusted the shoulder seams for my sloping shoulders. The fabric is a self stripe cotton fabric.

The original pattern includes a waistband, which I did not want, so I extended by the amount the waistband would have lengthened it by (that is, 5cm). I also changed the back piece into two so that it would also be princess seamed. I found a similar pattern with princess seams on the back and traced the new line - pretty easy.
I changed the sleeves as well. The Burda one has a slit in the sleeves and you finish it with ties made from bias binding. I wanted to add a cuff. I did not calculate the cuff width correctly, so I ended up with a narrow cuff. It still looks fine though.

I will probably use this pattern again, but I have a few others that I want to try first. There is a couple in Burda 5/2010 that I am keen to make up and I am currently drafting up some anthropolgie blouse knockoffs as well (using a Burda shirt as a base!)

Next up is #107 from Burda 6/2008. I love love love this pattern and it comes in a dress variation, which I plan to sew sometime in the future. Again, I traced the 38 and adjusted the shoulder seam. I used a white cotton lurex fabric which was sometimes a nightmare to sew (funnily it was fine when I used some in DD's coat, but the lurex kept catching, grrr).

The only variation to the pattern was the shirring. The original is a elastic casing sewn on the outside, but I thought it would be easier to gather with shirring elastic (and it was very easy).

I love the sleeves - pleats at the hem for a slightly puffy sleeve.

I can't wait to try the dress version of this.

Fun pants

2010-07-01T15:43:00.002+10:00

The other night I was going out to a family catch up and I wore a pair of grey pants that I had made. Combined with a button up shirt and a blue jumper, I was feeling a little granny-sih. I had taken my new jacket with me, but it ended up being warm enough without it on.

Anyway, I was thinking that I needed more fun winter stuff. Bright colours that enhance my mood, not dull grey which leaves me feeling a little down. So enter the fun pants:
Don't you agree that they are cheerful. It makes you want to have fun. Yee haw

More work pants for me, an essay on buying fabrics online and some fitting issues

2010-07-01T12:31:00.013+10:00

This is another version of the straight legged, fly front Burda pants, with slanted pockets. This time I used a wool blend from Fabric Warehouse Sydney. I have been doing a lot of online fabric shopping of late. It can be the only way to access some quality fabrics without travelling too far. The only problem is having to rely on the descriptions to be accurate, and being willling to work with something that is not exactly what you envisioned.

Take this wool blend fabric. I have been looking for a black wool fabric that is not too exxy for a while. I was hoping to stumble across a black wool crepe. The first time I purchased some (also from FWS) I ended up with some very lush but heavier weight than I wanted fabric. It is going to be a jacket in time, but I needed black pants. While I did not manage to win the auction, I was given a second chance (woo hoo). And while the fabric is fabulous, again it is not exactly what I wanted. Actually, when I first recieved it, I thought it was navy. After comparing it to some navy and black thread, it is not navy, but I don't think it is quite black either. A very dark navy maybe.

Anyway, I am pretty happy with the results. I have some whiskers happening here - I did not clip under the fly, so maybe that has contributed. When I look at the pictures, I am thinking maybe the straight legs are not the best choice for me after all. Or maybe it is okay in a casual fabric, but not a dressier fabric. I am halfway through sewing a red version, but my next pair might be the wider leg version again.

Okay, fitting now. Most of my fitting issues I can live with. They are not uncomfortable so that is why I have not tried too hard to address it. Yesterday I was researching how to fix the pooling of fabric that happens in my lower back in tops.

It looks a little bit like I have swayback issues, but I don't have a swayback. Through reading, I have found people have similar issues when they have a small waist and large bottom. That sounds like me. I took some pictures of the different alterations* I tried. (*only pinned out).

First I pinned out a diagonal wedge, as that is how the back looked like it was pooling to me. More is pinned out at centre back and it tapers out at the side seam. It did get rid of the wrinkles at the back pretty well, but I was unsure if I did the right thing because I did not find any alterations done like this online.

Above I have pinned out a wedge going down the centre back. I could still see wrinkles pointing up and out with this, but again I have only pinned it so it is not really a true indication.

Above is the traditional sway back tuck. It worked pretty well too from the back, but not from a side view. Actually, none of these look any good from the side and they were affecting the front as well.

I had a look at some of the dresses that I had made earlier and realised I did not have any pooling problems with them. They had darts in the back. So I tried pinning out some darts. Yes, they are in the wrong placce.

While it doesn't look brilliant in the photo, it was the only method than looked decent from the side view.

So maybe for now I will choose shirts and jackets with princess seams or back waist darts or add shirring there until I figure out the best solution.

Black and white boucle jacket

2010-06-28T08:41:00.007+10:00

I had wanted to make myself a jacket this year, and I have finally gotten around to making one. I actually bought the fabric at the start of the year while I was on holidays, but I did not have a pattern in mind. I would have bought more if I had known I was making this jacket, because the pattern that I chose comes in a longer coat version with welt pockets that looks great.

The pattern is #111 from Burda 9/2005. It has a rounded 60s style collar, 2 piece raglan sleeves and the original has a fur collar and cuffs, which I did not want. I wanted a simple design because I am not a huge fan of working with boucle and did not want too many seams incase I had to unpick it (it would have been painful and messy). As you can see, it is quite a boxy fit. I could have played with it but I wanted to stick with the integrity of the design as much as possible.

As I did with Jalisa's jacket, I underlined with flannelette, for warmth and to give the fabric more loft. I chose to add 1 layer of flannelette in the collar as well, which ended up giving the fabric the right thickness that I wanted but caused me to make an error (I will explain soon). I ended up using a cotton sateen (left over from my applique dress project) to line the fabric with. I detest polyester lining fabric and wanted an injection of colour and this made the jacket even warmer, so postive all around). I used a bagging out method to do the hems, but since then I have found an even better way of doing it at the fashion incubator. The way I did it makes the lining the same length as the outer shell, but the FI way reduces the length of the lining hem. I did this for the sleeves, not shown, but did not think to do a search for a better way of doing the hem.

This is a picture of the sleeve. I love the way it is inserted into the armcyce. You sew the undersleeve seams and the side seams of the jacket. Then you attach the sleeves to the front and back. Then you sew the shoulder seam and the top of the sleeve seam. It ends up with a nice point where the seams meet.

The lining shows it a little clearer.

The only thing I did wrong was miscalculate how much turn of cloth I would need. You can see the undercollar as I did not make the upper collar big enough.

Who is in?

2010-06-21T19:25:00.001+10:00

'I, (Marie), sign up as a participant of Self-Stitched-September. I endeavour to wear only handmade or refashioned item(s) of clothing every day for the duration of September 2010'.

Join up at So Zo.

I had better get stitching.

2010-06-06T16:01:00.012+10:00

Doesn't Scotty scrub up well after a shower. Here he is in his new wiggles PJs. I traced the shirt from Otto 2/03 (just a basic collared shirt) and the pants are just some elastic waisted ones in his size.
I can't believe I spent $6 on a zipper. The zipper is a non-chunky, open ended zipper. Oh course, I only found out the price after I had paid for it. There was no prices on the stand. And the hoodie looks like I sewed the zipper in the dark. It kept sliding on the velour, and despite unpicking both sides twice, looks just as bad as my first application

Hoodie pattern is Kwik Sew 2993. Pants are from Burda. I morphed the wide curved waistband I like onto a straight leg pattern (#113 from 8/2003). I can't say good enough things about Burda pants. They rock. They are true to size - I have overlayed all my Burda pants patterns and while they have different with legs and waistband, they are all the same crotch curve and seams over the hips.

I have always steered clear of straight leg pants patterns. No sure why since I wear straight legged, thrifted jeans. Time to step out of my comfort zone and try some tighter clothing. I used up some black pinwale cord that I had in the stash. Usually I don't add back pockets, but I wanted to avoide the Long Butt look. I did have to take the sides seams in by 3cm on each side, so the pockets are not where I thought they would be (got moved in the process).

They are really comfy - perfect for me.

Now for some Mum photos. DH took the tyres off his project (yep, we still have the truck in our yard. Yes, I think we are percieved as bogans in our area). Anyway, Scotty declared he had put the tyre back on...how cute.

And one of the girl, just because she is adorable.

Goodies for the kids

2010-05-26T14:30:00.003+10:00

Firstly, some simple tees for the boy. The fabric is french terry, dyed by moi. I used a raglan and a regular long sleeved tee pattern from Ottobre. I made these three plus another blue one the other week.

I cut out this tee as part of an outfit for Jalisa. However, I am not totally happy with it so I may end up finding some other fabric to use to match the skirt (which I haven't sewn yet). The body is an Ottobre basic tee pattern. For the sleeves I used a puff sleeve pattern but cut it at full length. It looked terrible so I used some shirring elastic to tighten things up. Here is a good outfit that I have made for Jalisa. The pleasted skirt is # 14 from Ottobre 4/07 and the knit top is "Kaisa" from Ottobre 1/09. I always seem to chose the simplest styles from Ottobre. This is probably no accident. I am too lazy to sew complicated outfits and I prefer simple colours and patterns over Euro for my kids (although I love to see Euro outfits made up).
The boucle in the skirt was picked up in the remnant bin for $2 a metre and with a red bolero already purchased in the January sales, the only suitable colour for a top was black. I had a small remnant of some rayon elastane left over from a skirt a few years ago. Perfect.

I love basics

2010-05-26T14:26:00.008+10:00

I do prefer simple styles, particularly in Winter when I need a bazillion layers. I am on a mission to sew stuff that I can wear under all the winter woolies that I have already, that can also be worn on their own when it gets warm (during the same day, gotta love the weather here).

So I present, the off white tee
Hmm, a little see through. Very comfy and totally me.

Next up, more Fly Zipper pants, in a grey pinstripe. My assistant insisted on being there.

This is the pants with the tee that I made today. I just used my TNT tee patterns and added a row of shirring elastic to create a ruching effect like some It worked okay. The sleeve on a hanger looks like a longer version of the Anthro tee but on me the ruching is lost because it is a little tight. I think I need a teeny bit more ease for it to look better on me.
I also made this jumper for me today. The fabric is acrylic and I was expecting a struggle but it was really nice to sew with. I used Kwik Sew 2874, basically a raglan with flared sleeves. I have decided I don't like raglans on me, I get this pleat of fabric happening under the arms but I like the sleeve shape so that was enough for me to give it a go.

Jumping for joy

2010-05-08T10:36:00.005+10:00

I did a fly zipper! I have been sewing for a long time but, being lazy, I rarely try new things or new patterns. This year I challenged myself to sew 12 new patterns for myself. I think this is about 6 or 7 (the pleated blouse was a dud and I never quite completed it). Carolyn's challenge for this month is zippers, but I am pretty good at zippers, well the invisible ones. Having read Debbie Cook's fly tutorial, I was less scared of the scary fly. I even found a pattern like my go-to pants pattern but with a fly zipper. The pattern is # 107A from Burda 1/2006. The pattern even had front pockets, which I avoided in the past.

I found that with the fabric I was using, the pattern was much to wide. I had to take it in 1cm on each seam. Debbie's tute was amazing and i had a great looking zipper done in a flash. However, I was a little stumped with how to apply the facing. Burda's directions read like gobbledeeguck, my sewing reference books only seemed to address fly fronts with waistbands and so my first attempt was extremely slapdash. After a quicck search (online of course) I found a fantastic tutorial. I had to unpick the edgestitching and topstiching, as well the some of the seam and understitching but the results are much, much better than before. Still room for improvement on the inside, but there are not horrible threads sticking out.

See how nice the inside can be. My version had a wedge shaped out and the threads showing. Ick.

Look out for some more versions soon.

Cardigans

2010-05-07T11:02:00.005+10:00

The other day I was in the mood to sew, but wanted something simple that wouldn’t require me to change colours on my overlocker. I was feeling lazy, nothing new. Anyway, I found this glittery silver grey knit and thought it would make a really cute cardigan. Now, I have had Kwik Sew 2759 in my pattern collection for a long time, I have even traced it in different sizes as I grew older and fatter. But I can’t recall having actually made it up. I love wearing cardigans with the SE QLD weather – autumn days means freezing in the morning and really warm during the day. Anyway, I chose view C, which as a binding around the neck and front edges. There are no buttons on my version, simply because of the laze factor and I usually don’t use the buttons anyhow.

I have had this knit top since I was pregnant with Scott. I actually used a Kwik Sew outerwear pattern but I used a lightweight wool-type jersey. This is a terrific green colour and I used a matching thread on my sewing machine, but I must have run out of ideas for a hem finish because I just left it as is. While I had my cardi pattern out, I thought I might as well reconstruct it into something that I can wear now. There was plenty of fabric to use, but not enough for a band. Not that I needed a band, as the pattern gives an option to finish with lingerie elastic, but I just like the look of the band more.
I left the sleeves a little fuller than the pattern, as it was already sewn up anyway. I did not have enough for long sleeves but I think the shorter sleeves suit the weight of the fabric anyway. I knew straight away that I would be using black picot elastic – that was the colour I had in my overlocker. I even found the elastic in my picot elastic stash. I haven’t used this colour before because I have only really used it for Jalisa (and therefore not in need of black yet).
I chose not to interface/add buttons. I rarely button my cardigans up and I just wanted a quick project. If I did it again, I would cut the sleeves with the right width. It is a little full and my coverstitch machine hates sewing picot edged hems in the round.

Yes, we do have a pink truck parked in our yard. I hate having it there - it makes up the bogans of the street. DH won't even park it behind the shed anymore because it got bogged. Anyway, I thought it might make a nice backdrop.

Pink boucle coat for Jalisa

2010-05-01T12:39:00.005+10:00

Jalisa chose a pink boucle fabric for her Winter Coat this year. Since it is not exactly a warm fabric, I interlined it with a cream flannelette. It is lined with a white and silver cotton. Pattern is from Ottobre
The fit is is okay - it will fit all her layers under it so that is the main thing.

This is a close up of the fabric and the buttons. These are the most expensive buttons I have ever used.

Rainbow dress

2010-04-15T17:36:00.005+10:00

This is my entry for a wearable art category at the local show. I had so much fun making quilts last year that I thought it would be equally fun to make a crazy patchwork outfit.
Fabrics are hand dyed using various techniques (swirl dyed, low water immersion, dye bath). I cut the fabric into strips and sewed them together onto calico.

The pattern is Burda - a princess, A-line strapless dress. The ribbon is actually some stripped that I pinned together. It was windy and it was floating around. I think I want to sew a few of the left over together to make some type of scarf/drape as part of the entry.

I forgot to get a photo of the lining - it is hand dyed as well, a lovely shade of green.

Purple dress with applique

2010-04-14T13:24:00.005+10:00

Okay, jumping the gun again because I still have 20cm or so of the lining to hand sew, but I don't care.

This dress started off as Burda WOF #107 from 12/04 - a princess-line, raglan sleeved evening gown that I thought would work for the creative piece that I had in mind As I sewed up the purple sateen (gorgeous fabric to work with BTW) I hit a snag. The dress looked terrible on me. It did not sit right and it was these wing things happening from the dart at the top of the sleeve (did not make how much I blended, and shaped and coaxed, the apex kept jutting off my arm and it looked terrible.

After having a big sulk about my wadder, and having a big whinge at DH who was just tryinng to enjoy the Easter weekend, I began to compare the pattern pieces with other Burda dresses that i have have traced. I discovered another dress was almost identical in the skirt, and I had enough fabric to recut another bodice.

This dress is going to be entered into a creative dressmaking category for the local show. It was a little ambitious seeing that I am not particularly arty or creative and I wasn't sure if dyeing was what they had in mind (exammples given include smocking and embroidery). I would have like to try reverse applique a la Alabama Chanin but that is better suited to stretch knits. I appliqued the flower with satin stitching.

Sewing ADD

2010-04-08T08:18:00.009+10:00

I had a mini tracing/cutting frenzy on Sunday. I had been meaning to trace some hoodies for Scott but always found something else to do. Anyway, here are some of the results.

This one is Kwik Sew for Toddlers (the newer version). I thought the grey marle needed a little jazzing up, so appliqued his name on the front in the same fabric.
This is an Ottobre hoodie ( #9 from 4/09). Has my fave curved raglan sleeves and is reversible. The pattern is meant as a top but I have used Polar fleece on one side so it is more of a jumper.

This is KSFT again, the jacket option. I lined the body but did not have enough fabric to do the hood. I still have to add the snaps and sew the hems shut, but I felt like snapping a picture anyway.

Here is Jalisa's coat. So far I have finished sewing the outer shell. I have to buy the lining fabric before I can progress. It has come along beautifully, as most Otto patterns do.

This is an inner shot, to see the flannelette interlining. The pattern has you press the seams to the centre and topstitch, but I have pressed them open to reduce bulk and topstitched on both sides of the seam. Hard for me to capture but the seams are nicely highlighted with doing it this way.

This is Jalisa trying it on. Good thing her face is not clear - she has jam all around her mouth. The sleeves are a little long but some of the length will be taken up with turning the sleeves in with the lining.

Here is another work in progress. This is my wearable art dress for the show. I only have to understitch the top seam and hem it. All the fabric is hand dyed. I am not sure how I feel about the results. It was supposed to be random and crazy but I am still not sure I got it close to right. I will still enter it at any rate - a lot of hours went into this baby. When it is completely finished, I will do a modelling shot. This is my first strapless dress and I actually don't mind wearing it.

2010-03-13T09:29:00.005+10:00

Whoops, I traced the pattern incorrectly and it is missing a zipper. Yay, it still fits (even if it is a tight squeeze to get on)

Whoops, there is a huge smudge on the camera lens. Yay, this is my own draft of a peasant to so that I don't need a zipper.

The only thing I have left on this blouse is the buttonholes and buttons. But the top is so unflattering. The sleeves are supposed to be puffy and they are, slightly. And the pleats make it look maternity. I am not happy with the collar style on me. The pattern itself looks fab. Maybe I can save it. I need help.

Yay - some undies that fit DD. Traced off a RTW pair, I added more height and the waist and bound the seams. They fits wonderfully well.

There is not picture of the whoops vintage style undies that could be mistaken for a parachute.

Curved panel pants - with a tutorial

2010-02-28T09:31:00.008+10:00

After cutting out a few pairs of too big pants for DS (still not sure what went wrong) I wanted to add a little something to my basic Ottobre pattern that I had sitting around. Enter the curved panel pants.

First trace your pattern. Draw a line were you want you it. Add seam allowance to both sides - I do it at 1cm since that is my regular seam allowance.

Now you have to trace off your new piecces.

Since the patterns include a seam allowance, they should not match up nicely (only on the stitching line). It is really important to draw the grain line on all pieces.

Cut out as normal

Sew up the panel seams. I don't pin - you can see how it doesn't look like it is matched up at the seam edge...

but you manipulate the fabric around as you sew for a smooth seam.

Make sure you clip the seam so that it will lie flat.

Colouring in cord

2010-02-21T11:28:00.006+10:00

For awhile I have been thinking about a dye technique that would be easy like low water immersion but with soft smooth variations in colour. The idea was tested first in my trusty kitty litter tray (reserved for dyeing, no cat in this household) and some plain paper. On Friday there was a break in the weather so it was time to test my idea in full scale.

For this method, I use my tray and mixing up the dye like I would the shaving cream method. However, I make up a huge amount of the dye /shaving cream mixture, pour it into the tray and move the tray to creat soft mixes of the colour. It was a steep learning curve, since the ground wasn't flat and I hadn't worked out what the right dye+ shaving cream+water ratio was best.

It was a windy day too so I couldn't spread out my fabrics flat. Above is my favourite one. Pity it is the smallest piece.

I needed to mix up some more dye here. Too many blank areas.

I made two other pieces but I think they will be redyed. The depth of colour is low and the contrast minimal.

What do you think?

Pink and jade Burda for me

2010-02-14T12:03:00.005+10:00

You know, I am pretty low maintenance. I am pretty economical with my words (spoken and written). This is pretty much reflected in my infrequent posts and minimal pictures. I love seeing ones with full make up, hair done and coordinating shoes. Not here. I feel pretty good that I have managed to take some photos (with the help of a tripod).

First up is a dress that I made last year. It is two Burda patterns morphed together. I like the shoulder area of one dress but did not like it's sleek, sheath skirt portion. So I traced another dress pattern with a flared princess lined skirt.

I was looking a little sack - like until I used the seams and took it in, lots.

I can't remember if I showed this blouse from last year. It is the same pattern as this top

I made it with a white stretch poplin. I chose to use the collar and lapel option and a flat sleeve. I can't get the lapel to sit down though - the lapel piece is quite thin and with the lapel/interfacing + seam + facing/interfacing, it is quite thick with fabric.

I am wearing a new skirt that I know I haven't blogged yet - I finished it yesterday. Pattern is Burda, actually the same skirt pattern as my January Meme

However, between each panel I have added a godet (you know, a triangle). So it is lovely and swishy.

See, I told you it was swishy. Fabric is a cotton voile - lovely fabric to sew with.

Sewing reviews

2010-02-11T10:21:00.006+10:00

This is some of the sewing that I completed last year before we went away on holidays. They have been worn a fair few times but each time I wouldn't have time to get a picture or the batteries were flat or some other lame excuse.

First up is my TNT Burda yoked a-line skirt. I really like this fabric but did not buy much of it. Maybe I was buying it for Jalisa. I would have liked a dress from it, but had to settled on the skirt.
This is a dress from Burda WOF (6/2005 #123). I wanted to try something different for a change. The fabric that I chose did not pair well with the pattern. Too many seams cutting up the pattern.

The pattern was easy and went well together. I had to let out the side seams a little to skim more over my hips. Next time I will flare out the skirt portion when I am cutting out to make it a more flattering A-line shape.

Eek, I did not realise I looked like that from the back.

Thanks for looking.

This is how you model

2010-01-30T10:15:00.004+10:00

According to Jalisa

I am not seeing the pount though. These are the tees that Jalisa and I dyed last Sunday. They turned out very solid (what I was aiming for) but I think they may need a bit more decoration, maybe a stencil or two is in order.

I think she did a fabulous job. We did not make too much mess either.

January Challenge meme

2010-01-29T10:10:00.003+10:00

Argh, I hate photos of myself. This is a Burda gored skirt (it has 12 gores and a yoke at front and back). This was actually a test run to check the pattern, but it will be good for school runs. Fabric was hand dyed by me, but I am not really that keen on it.

This is a Burda blouse. I have used this a few times now. Time for something different. I just need to get around to tracing /printing them off.

I also have a half-finished skirt, based on the above pattern, but with godets as well. I still have a couple of days to finish it in time I suppose.

6 (long) years

2010-01-29T10:01:00.004+10:00

Every year on our anniversary we take photos in the same spot (goes back to the first year when we couldn't afford anything much and were camping down at the Gold Coast). This is my fave, but I will need to hop on my other computer to adjust it. I don't have the software on my laptop yet.

We started a goofy shot this year.

Dyeing day

2010-01-24T17:06:00.002+10:00

Jalisa and I did some dyeing this morning. Just some blank white tees that I bought specifically for Jalisa to dye. I wasn't sure if she was ready to dye in terms of motor skills but I thought it would be a good lesson in mixing colours.

I did not give Jalisa a choice in the procedure, just the colours. She chose dark pink, yellow, light blue, green and purple. I actually mixed the dye with some shaving cream to make the dyes visible rather than transparent in the mixing bowl. This was good way to show Jalisa the different shades of green that could be achieved by adding different amounts of blue and yellow.

We wet the t-shirts then placed them into the dye/shaving cream mixture. The dye was masssaged in, to cover all of the white areas. We then added one cup of soda ash mixture (while lifting the tee out of the bowl) and massaged this in. I was particularly careful with the pink and purple, since the red is the fastest of the dyes to strike.

I am pleased to report that the colours are looking bright and fairly solid. Maybe the most solid I have ever done. The original colours were golden yellow (I think), intense blue and mixing red. The purple that was created is gorgeous. No pictures, as we need new ones.

I'm excited

2010-01-08T18:20:00.002+10:00

Carolyn is hosting this sewing meme:

Not sure about doing all 12, but I have already started this month's challenge. A gored, yoked skirt in hand dyed fabric. A new for me Burda pattern. I already want to do this pattern again and add godets between each gore. I have a couple of skirts like that and I love them - nice and swingy.

Goals for 2010

2009-12-18T09:30:00.003+10:00

2010 is going to be a different year in the Ashton household. Jalisa is prep age but for a variety of reasons we have decided to homeschool her. A trial.

See, Jalisa and I don't get along sometimes. We need our own space. I am going to need to find more patience. Add to that more discipline (dedication to work that is). I get far too lazy at home.

I can see I am going to have less time on my hands. Working. Homeschooling. I want to try to do more volunteer work at church (they have a tutoring program that I would like to be involved in). So no more doing craft sstuff that I don't care for. I feel this obligation to make as much as I can, just because I can.

Not 2010. These are my goals crafty wise:

Winter coats for the kids
Work pants for Wayne
Something from ugly fabric
Something from a retro pattern
A winter jacket for me
Flannelette PJs for the kids
Clothes for me using non staple patterns - phase out cotton tees from work wardrobe
Experiment with my ideas for dyeing with my tray and shaving cream.
Crafty stuff with Jalisa, that we can use.

Oh, and blog more.

Marbling on new tray

2009-10-28T17:29:00.002+10:00

DH's tray works like a dream - though I had some issues with the day being very windy, not good for flat dyeing large pieces. I did not cure this for very long, as the turquoise dye was running everywhere. I am going to trial using my intense blue for a change.

I have thought of a brilliant idea for using my tray with the shaving cream dye thing, but not getting the marbled/swirly look. Stay posted if things work out.

My new dyeing tray and a meet up

2009-10-23T13:44:00.004+10:00

Today I met some crafty mamas. This is Lesley with Katherine, Romi with Jasmine, with Jalisa and me at the front. We had a great time. Jalisa wants to play with Katherine again.
Here is the dyeing tray that DH made. He reinforced all the edges, waterproofed the corners and ever applyed tubing around the edges. The tray is huge 1.3 x 1.1m. I have already tried it for my marble dyeing and it is great (once I get used to dyeing the large pieces again)

Dyed goods, skorts, PJs...lots of goodies

2009-10-01T14:04:00.013+10:00

So I have finally gotten around to blogging again. It hasn’t helped that we have been through 3 weeks of sickness and therefore sleepless nights (and everytime I go to use the camera, the batteries are flat). Anyway, I am just finishing my holidays and thought it was more than time to do an update.

First up, some PJs for Jalisa. I shortened a leggings pattern for the bottoms and used a singlet pattern for the top. Orange fabric hand dyed by me. I used picot elastic just on the neckline edge, I was too lazy to do it for the armholes as well.

I have wanted to create a skort pattern for Jalisa for ages now, and being on holidays has given me plenty of time for tracing new patterns. My inspiration came from a Mini Metalicus knit skirt – basically a yoke and a little gathered skirt. Attach some bike pants and it should be good. Well, the trial came out alright, but I did not like gathering the knit skirt.

Here is version number 1 in some hand dyed knit.

No more flashing!

I redid the skirt, flared it out. The skirt is probably ¾ of a circle in total. This looks better and is much easier to attach (no gathering). To do the skorts, I traced off some bike pant-length shorts from a leggings pattern and reduced the crotch depth by the yoke amount (but adding on seam allowances. When sewing, make a sandwich of the bike pants, skirt section and yoke and overlock it all together (having already sewn the pants and skirt seams/hems etc). Then do the waistband and ta-da. Modest girly wear.

I bought some plain white undies to dye using the LWI (low water immersion) method.

I found a white bonds skivvy and dyed if for next year's PJs. Jalisa wanted and rainbow. I am no Sara from Willow and Moo so this is what I came up with. Don't ask about my other attempt.

The other pattern I have been wanted to make is a tennis-type dress. Basically a singlet with a attached flared skirt. The first one is going to be a nightie seeing as the drop waist is too dropped. Fabric is dyed by me, a poor attempt at graduation dyeing.

This is my second version. I raised the waist seam by 4cm but I think it is still a little too dropped. Anyway, the top is a little loose, so it may look better next year. If I make it again, I will make the skirt part shorter too I think. I dyeing (dip dyeing) turned out alright I think.

At Christmas we are staying with my PIL’s at a beachfront unit rather than camping, so I needed some modest PJs…somehow my slip from last year wasn’t going to cut it and I need a cup of tea before I do anything else. the material is the same as the robe I made myself last year.The pattern for the boxers is traced from the Kwik Sew book (for adults) – shortening the pants pattern. I have already trimming the waist down on the pattern for next time – the pattern is pretty old and high waisted is not my thing. My coverstitcher was being silly, so the top was downgraded to pajama wear.

And finally, a basic white tee for me.

Thanks for looking.

Other quilty blanket

2009-09-01T10:03:00.002+10:00

I mostly followed the directions of Thea's puzzle quilt (available free from Amy Butler's website) to make my TV blanket. Rather than having 9 blocks and borders, mine has 16 blocks and extra fabric at the ends to make up the length.

I used the A3 recipes from this site for the blue, green and pink (using turqouise, mixing red and golden yellow procion MX dyes) and then to get the lighter colours, I used the original dye baths (which is saved when you put the fabric into bags) and adding another cup of water. The purple is ultra violet, which ends up very pale with the addition of the extra cup. This site is fabulous because its recipes are very frugal and there is a huge variety of recipes to try. Of course, if you use a different base of primary colours, like I did, the results are different to the colours she has made.

Spent some time sewing...

2009-08-31T13:39:00.008+10:00

How can three weeks have gone by since I last posted? Shocking. I have been sewing, but I haven't really finished anything until this weekend.

First I made myself a blouse. It is from my Burda WOF - there are a few different options to make the top different. You can have flouncey sleeves or little cap sleeves. You can have a collar or have a reverse facing. I used a red rayon/polyester that I found on clearance. It has a nice sheen and I just wanted to test the pattern.

Summer has arrived early, so I whipped up some shorts for Scott. I used my old faithful Kwik Sew shorts and added an extension to make a mock fly and Ottobre patch pockets.

I started this a while back when it was actually cold. We like to snuggle under blankets and watch TV and I thought it would be nice to have something other than the plain blue ones that we have in the cupboard. Jalisa wanted rainbow colours, so I hand dyed the fabrics. The recipe I used made vivid colours, so you kinda need sunglasses when looking at it. Yes, the panels are meant to be uneven. The idea seemed good in my head...

I probably broke a heap of quilting "rules." See, I don't like quilting. Dyeing the fabric, yes. Cutting the fabric, yes. Piecing the fabric, yes. Binding, yes. Laying layers on top of each other, egh. Quilting, yuck. Even just straight lines I am really bad at doing. I also only used, shock horror, polar fleece as a backing and no wadding. I ended up dyeing too much fabric in FQs so not enough for my "quilt" and the backings. Whatever.

It is a really windy day, so this was the best photo I could grab...it is not that uneven. :)

I am so rude...

2009-08-10T12:33:00.002+10:00

I participated in a survey at snailblazer and my name was drawn out - Cass sent me some fab goodies including her traveller (which has come in very handy). So sorry that it has taken me so long, but thank you again Cass for such a great package. Here is my trophey from the State finals of the cotton creations. I came second for my red Bellville Sassoon dress. Check out the shears that I won - they are positively huge compared to my others. The gift voucher will be spent soon I expect.

I have have huge plans for next year, and I have decided I need to start soon and get some entries made this year. By the time the show arrives at Ipswich, I am generally in full swing with sewing the kids' winter wardrobes. Next year I will be schooling Jalisa too so I will have even less time.

More curved raglan sleeved tees

2009-07-11T11:13:00.002+10:00

I think whoever designed this tee-shirt is a genius. It is my favourite tee pattern.

The latest issues had added a hoodie to the pattern and kangaroo pockets but I am still using the 2/05 version rather than adding on the extra features (already cut before my issue arrived). The dino drawing is from one of the Kwik Sew books (the toddler one I think) and the caterpillar was inspired by an applique I saw in Ottobre, though it must be in an issue that I don't have. Fabric is hand dyed by me.

Felty fun

2009-07-03T12:04:00.003+10:00

I saw these little felt "boards" ages ago and added the concept to me list of gift ideas. With an invitation to a 4 year old birthday party, I thought this would be good to try.

The outside has handles and a pocket for storing the felt shapes.

I still have more shapes to cut, but they are fiddly and I dislike fiddly, so I haven't done them yet. I was thinking of adding accessories such as a hat, bag etc. There are some more hair bits that must have stayed in the pocket.

Jalisa has requested one for christmas. I hope the birthday girl likes it.