Sew, I've Been Thinking ...

I was worried about the lavender skirt and jacket looking too 'Mother of the Bride' when I'd really been aiming at 'Jackie Kennedy'. This fabric is one of the four pieces I bought at Spotlight when I only wanted a zipper. Sadly, it doesn't photograph too well. It's a poly satin and the colours are way more vibrant than this picture shows. I think this lifts the outfit. I made it into this top from V1127 . I've made the skirt before, but it was a wadder. The pattern runs very large, as all the reviews will tell you. The skirt didn't work for me because it sits very low on the hips and I have a definite waist. I haven't made the jacket, but there are plenty of reviews out there that tell of the fitting issues. I normally wear a size 10 in Vogue patterns, but knowing the size issue with this pattern, I cut a 6 for the top. In addition, I halved the height of the collar and halved the length and width of the ties. I really didn't wa...

I wanted a slightly high waisted skirt and I like the look of a skirt shaped by panels rather than darts. This is Vogue 8672 View A. I've made View C before and I may well make View E for SWAP as well. This may become my favourite pencil skirt pattern. Here it is with the jacket from yesterday, although it looks a little 'mother of the bride' in this shot. The blouse I plan to make tomorrow should fix that. Don't you love having time at home to sew? I made the skirt this morning and then took Molly for a walk, We went to see this. Funny, I never had any interest in the Sydney to Hobart before. Even Molly wanted to have a look.

I don't know why I started with this garment, but I'm really pleased with the results. It's M5244 that I bought about three or four years ago and never got around to making. The pattern has a separate piece for the undercollar, which makes it sit perfectly. The fabric is Midweight Cotton Twill from Gorgeous Fabrics and there is still some left. It sews beautifully and is a little spongy with a perfect hand for a jacket. I have enough left for a short skirt. This shot shows the assymetric collar and the button placement. The lining was a whim. I went to Spotlight yesterday to buy thread - that's all, really. I ended up with this poly satin (and three other fabrics). This picture doesn't show it very well, but the lavender spots match the fabric exactly. As well as this lining, I purchased another satin and a charmeuse that go with this fabric and I may well make one of them into a blouse for my SWAP. You can see my label in this shot. I still get a k...

I've been invited to a christmas lunch tomorrow. The price of admission is a Hawaiian shirt. I had this fabric in my stash although I have absolutely no idea where it came from. It's been there so long that it's faded in lines where it was folded, but I expect that liberal application of champagne will prevent anyone from noticing. I made this from BWOF 01-08 whatever it was I made in broderie anglaise last week - the pattern was on the table so I used it. I used the square stand from the long sleeve version and left off the collar completely. I eyeballed where to trim the long sleeve to make it short sleeve, but I made them a little too long. Once again, the champagne will take care of that. This is what Molly will be wearing and I'm ashamed to say it's RTW. Wishing you all a safe and happy christmas. SWAP sewing will commence in earnest on Monday.

I think this time I may have overstepped the boundaries of good taste. This is the very popular Coffee Date Dress as designed by the Selfish Seamtress a few years ago, which is lovely and I have made twice before. A colleague suggested we wear something christmasy to work tomorrow. I found this hideous christmas print in my stash and put the two together. It's ugly, but what else would you expect from christmas clothing? I thought the gold belt added that little something extra.

This is BWOF 01-08-108 that I've made about 6 times now. I love this pattern. I love the shape of the collar. There is another version in the magazine, which is think is 107, that has a long sleeve without the gathers and a wider nehru style collar which I have made several times as well. It's a great fit for my shape and has a lovely feminine feel. This piece of fabric is one that I pulled from stash with a view to possibly using it in my SWAP. It's a sheer voile broderie anglaise with lavender flowers and spots. It's been maturing in my stash for about 8 years now and is something that I've often wondered why I ever bought; I'm still not sure I even like it. I've taken a closer shot to show the embroidery but the colour doesn't show very well. I doubt that I will sew broderie anglaise again as it was a pain in the neck. I want to make a lavender tie to wear with this as in the Burda shot. I am undecided as to whether I will include this in...

Bloke sewing is hard at the best of times, but doing it at a distance is something else. Having said that, though, there is something to be said for not having someone watching over my shoulder and critiquing every single step, like they are suddenly a sewing expert ... This is BWOF 04-08-132 but with the button closure of 133. I made this once before for Grant's SWAP two years ago and it's been a favourite (I forgot how dorky he looked in the photos). Grant got the idea in his head for a 60's inspired overshirt, inspired by the pool scene in The Graduate and the original was all made from things he found in my stash. Likewise, this new blue version is all from stash and it's a shame I didn't take a close up of the ribbon I used because it has a lovely rope like detail on each side. The brown stripe is vintage bias tape from the op shop and the blue and tan ribbon one length, just reversed. One side is tan with blue and tan rope design and the other side i...

I've made this dress for christmas. I have a party to attend next week at a very fancy restaurant on the Hobart waterfront and this was a perfect marriage of pattern and fabric. Burda used a two sided fabric for the short version and suggested using the reverse side for the side panels. I remembered this fabric and knew it would be just right for this project. The fabric is from the very popular Vera Wang selection that was sold on Fabric.com a couple of years ago. I bought this because I love the shades of green, but was a little dismayed when it arrived as it has a hand somewhere between cheap taffeta and ripstop nylon. I had no idea what I could possibly make with it, so I put it away and tried not to think about it. This is BWOF 05-11-108 . The long version was too long and the short version was too short, so I cut it exatly half way between. It's a size 19, which I think is a petite-ed size 38. I could have lengthened the bodice but I didn't and it fits a...

I made this dress last weekend and it has hung on Vera all week as I wrestled with the closure issue. This is BWOF 01-08-121 and I'm disappointed that you can no longer access the BWOF archives for the line drawings. The reason this was unnecessarily complicated is that although this is essentially a wrap dress, it requires an open end zip to keep it closed. I used a stretch cotton, so I needed to stabilise the fabric under the zipper. I used a length of cotton tape on the inside. On the right side, the zip attaches under the facing, which pulled the facing out, so I had to stitch the facing down. The facing itself was an issue as it really isn't wide enough. If you make this dress, I would suggest either widening the facing or completly lining the dress. I ended up retro inserting a lining to the fronts only. As usual, the pictures in the magazine don't give much clue to how this dress actually sits, so I made it sit how I like it best and this is it. It had a s...

My mind is filled with Bluesfest because now that I no longer live a five minute drive away from the venue, of course, all of my favourite artists are playing. I am still deciding whether or not to fly up ... One of the things I enjoy about Bluesfest every year is the artist sideshows. If you keep your eye on the music press you will find wonderful artists popping up for one off shows in all sorts of venues. With these thoughts in my head, I bring you some SWAP sideshow sewing. I had a vague plan in my head for a purple, black and white SWAP, so during the week I pulled a whole pile of fabric from the stash and draped it all over the living room (Molly thought it was for her to sleep on). I've been adding to and subtracting from the pile all week. This is a quick down and dirty shot on the sofa of what I've ended up with. I never consciously bought purple but it has appeared in my stash quite a lot. In addition to this pile, I have quite a few pieces that still co-ordi...

This is BWOF 05-11-128 dress and unfortunately you can't see any of the lovely details. It has a lovely rounded collar, a nice wide neckline, a side zip and a blouson back just like the last dress. I really didn't think I would like this style, but it looks great on and is very comfortable to wear. I didn't line it because I couldn't figure out how to line the top - I would have needed to draft a lining pattern for the back because I didn't want a blouson lining as it would be too bulky. I was too lazy. The fabric is a cotton print bought at Spotlight. They have it in a paler colourway as well, but this darker one really caught my eye. I thought the vague retro feel suited this 50's inspired dress. I may or may not wear it with a belt and I can't decide on what shoes to wear with it. Next up another dress and a jacket.

I apologise for the poor mobile phone photos but I loaned my camera to someone who has not returned it. I took these pictures with my phone, then couldn't find the cable (disappeared in the move somewhere) so I sent these to my mini laptop by bluetooth and here they are. This is BWOF 05-11-117 shirt dress. You can't see the details very well but this dress has a lovely shaped skirt and is waisted, so is much more flattering than a waistless shirtdress, at least on me. The back view is even less revealing, but it has a blouson-style back, which makes it very comfortable to wear. The collar has one of those shaped insert stands that I don't know how to describe. I've made them on jackets before and they sit so much more nicely than a regular collar and stand. The fabric is a stretch cotton print I also bought in black and red (and very nearly black and white) from Fantazia Fabricland in Tweed Heads just the week before I came to Tasmania. I used some square/round buttons...

I cut this skirt out in the winter of 2009 but living in the subtropics, as I was, had no real reason to actually sew it up. Now that I'm in Tasmania, I may actually get to wear it. it's Vogue 8604 and I've made it several times now. I cut the size 12 straight from the packet without alteration, not even shortening it. The fabric was an op shop find that cost me $1.50 and is the most incredible quality wool that was a dream to sew. I had intended to regale you all with the tales of my move to Tasmania, but so much has happened in such a short space of time and some of it I really don't want to re-live. I'm here now, my stuff is here and Molly arrives next Friday. Suffice it to say that moving interstate is tough, made worse when you add the deaths of five friends in the space of 7 weeks and when there is an ocean crossing involved, the degree of difficulty is further increased! I'm glad I made the move, though, unsettled as I am. I'm looking forwar...

I suspect only Australian readers may get that joke. For the rest of you, this song may clear things up a little. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcoreV10hI8 This picture will explain the rest. This otherwise happy time in my life has been soured by the tragic deaths of four friends and colleagues this weekend past, three to a dreadful aircrash and one to cancer. I'm sure Australian readers have heard all the news stories. I had expected to see these people this weekend at a party to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a show we had all worked on over the years. Here's a link to a story if you're interested. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-19/ian-carroll-dies/2847732 http://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/paul-lockyer-john-bean-gary-ticehurst-tribute/ There will be sewing soon from my new sun-filled sewing room, along with some tales from the journey.

It involves a water crossing. There will be sewing soon.

The winter before last I bought a yard of purple rayon from Gorgeous Fabrics. For some time I had had a hankering for a purple and green wardrobe. I just wanted a simple purple long sleeved tshirt and I knew I could get my favourite Kwik Sew t from a yard. Somewhere along the line I changed my mind and decided to make the top from V1020, which I had made as a dress twice before. I could do it with a yard, but it meant jiggery pokery and cutting each piece out individually. I don't know what happened, but I managed to cut the front and back and one sleeve, but when it came time for the second sleeve, I somehow cut it out of the already cut out front piece. That's what happens when you get blase and don't pay attention. I thought I could just buy some more but, of course, it had ran out. I cursed my stupidity, put it in the UFO pile and forgot about it for two years. Last year I still had the green and purple thing hanging around in my mind. By then I had bought some lovely g...

My exams are over and I have my life to myself until next semester. If I ever find the person who told me I could work fulltime, study part time and still have a life ... wait, I think it was me. I have actually been sewing, little by little. Here are some things I've made recently. Both the jacket and the skirt are made from a chartreuse wool and silk blend that was part of the Vera Wang collection sold on Fabric.com a couple of years ago. I had no idea what to make with this as it is a very difficult colour to wear. I didn't intend for the jacket and skirt to go together, but I had more of this fabric than I realised. Despite some rodent activity in my sewing room, leaving a sizable hole in this fabric, I still have enough left for something else. I may make a vest. I have a love/hate relationship with this fabric. It is incredibly soft and very comfortable, but it stretches like crazy because of the twill weave. On the other hand, it took very little coercing with the steam ...

I just wanted to pop my head up and let you know I am still here. Work has been tough and study has occupied a lot of my time. I've decided to make some changes in my life, which I will post about when I am sure what they are. In the meantime, here is some of what I've been up to of late. This is a McCalls dress and I can't remember the number. I love this print; something about it reminds me of a zebra print, which I'd really like if anyone knows of any. I bought this knit in Tweed Heads and I have almost lived in this dress. It's a favourite for sure. Next up is a beret and jumper for a baby born last week. I knew this one was a girl, so I made a girly outfit. This is a beret and jumper for the first grandchild of a friend from high school. We only have just found each other again after almost 30 years, but that's a whole other story for another time. I have made some other things, but no photos to show as yet. I have an exam this week and then the pace of lif...

Not dead. Just busy. This is a few things I've made lately. Kwik Sew 3668 top without the ruffle on the front. I made this when it was stinking hot and needed woven cotton tops. It was too hot to wear knits of any kind. It's a pebble print quilting cotton that's been in the stash for ages. Not very exciting, but it served its purpose. This is the McCalls dress that everyone has made. I've forgotten the number and I'm too lazy to go downstairs and look it up. Front and back views. I made this from a very light knit I bought at the op shop for $2. Of, course, I wear it with a black slip underneath. This dress got more comments than anything I've made in ages. This skirt is Vogue 8672 View C. I made it with leftover cotton sateen that I will regret. Whilst comfortable and lovely, this fabric is a bitch to keep pressed. This will wrinkle in no time flat, but I love it anyway. Caramel is a hard colour to match with anything, though. I might actually iron this and tr...