Cinderella

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

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

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

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

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

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?

'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.

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

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

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.