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Showing posts from 2014

New Years Sew-lutions

Hey guys! So many awesome people are doing round up posts, Top 5 stuff. I love reading them, but I don't feel like I really made enough things to count! (I mean, I made more than 5, but haven't blogged quite a few of them...) So I thought I'd briefly mention a few of my sewing goals for the next year: Sew more wearable things. Don't get me wrong, I wear my dresses heaps. But I need more tops, and I feel like I should make a few plainer things so that I can mix and match properly. Sew with velvet. Slightly cheating, but I bought a 3m length of crushed panne velvet in the post-Christmas sales, which will be my test run. Make some PJs! This is something I need to do! I am so fussy and am running out of them. Simple as that. Sew a coat. I am hoping to move countries (Australia to the UK) next year, and I would love to have a handmade piece of outerwear to take and wear with me. Find something to do with my scraps... They are going to take over my life otherwise!

Sixties Awesomeness

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Hi guys, long time no post! Sorry about that, I won't go into too much detail, but lately has been  busy and the weather has been less than excellent. But I had to come back now... When Tilly and the Button's newest pattern, Francoise, was released, I did a little happy dance. You can see from my other posts that I mostly make one kind of style - fitted bodice with a bigger skirt. But after I made my 3-quarter circle skirt (found here ), I had some fabric left over. In fact I thought I had just enough to make... A 60s a-line dress. (Anyone else a big fan of the children's book Something From Nothing? I loved it as a kid.) And just as I was about to go buy Simplicity 1609 , Tilly announced her new pattern, the Francoise!! It was a match made in heaven. My first one (which I actually have no photos of, yet) was made using the leftover fabric. The pattern is gorgeous and I actually love it on me. I can cut a size 4 and it's a perfect fit too, which is excellent. But ther

Stash Busting - Knitting Bag

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So, I've joined the rest of the sewing community... and I've started knitting. Not for that reason though. I learned how to knit when I was much younger, from my grandma, and made some scarves, to some success (using only knit stitch, mind you). I recently rediscovered my kntting when I moved, and now we live 3 hours away from my old hometown. However, we have friends getting married, we have family members birthdays and other social gatherings which mean we've been back in Canberra almost every weekend since we moved. That's quite a lot of driving, or for me, sitting in the car. So I wanted something to do in the car. So I'm working again on a half finished scarf from several years ago (coming along nicely, thanks), and started a beanie with my friend's help. I also realised, though, that my knitting bag is actually my Mum's. So I made myself one using a pair of fat quarters, a zip, and some webbing. It took less than 3 hours! It's basical

Seeing Spots: White on Purple

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Hello again. How are we all doing today? I loved the last dress I made, Simplicity 2444, so much that the very next thing I made was... another one! The fabric is really nice, actually. A family friend heard from my parents that I was sewing things, and mentioned that she had a HUGE amount of fabric she wanted to get rid of. I very happily went around to her place to take a look! She mostly did quilting, so many pieces weren't the right size for the job. But I picked up a few, and this one I wanted to use first. I looked it up based on the selvage, and it's actually a curtain fabric, 100% cotton, and quite sturdy. It gives the pleated skirt a really lovely shape.  I cut a 16 again, and pulled it in 2 inches before sewing it up. I (obviously) made the sleeveless version with pattern skirt this time. I learnt a big new skill for this one - bias binding! I used binding as a facing as well as on the inside of the dress - see, so nice! (Looks so nice...)

Teeny Tiny Circles

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Last weekend, one of my cousins had a baby! It's very exciting news for the family, as that part of it hadn't had a baby girl in generations. As soon as I heard the news, I decided that I should put my sewing skills to good use! I thought patterns would be hard as she was only a little baby, and I live in a different state to them. So I tried to find a free pattern which could work and be flexible. Being a lover of the circle skirt myself, what better than to make some for my new baby cousin! I found a useful pattern piece and tutorial here . The first I made using remnants from the dress for me I'm currently finishing off. I decided to use bias binding on the bottom (and although it was supposed to be a circle skirt in one piece, I had to cut 4 sections - and used my first French seams), and I think it makes a cute touch. Now, we can match! Then, after seeing how little fabric you need (you can fit one onto a fat quarter!), I pulled a fat quarter I hadn't us

On Fit

Hey guys! So I had some posts queued up, but I was hoping that maybe someone out in the wilds of the internet would be able to help me with a few things. So I've been having a few issues with fit, on the back specifically. I think I must have a small back or something, because I find that necklines are too wide, and they gape (at the front and back, but more at the back). I've tried taking it down a size just around the neckline and grading back to the regular size at the bust, but this doesn't seem to work. Would it be better to just take a slice out of the back, or a wedge shaped section? Or (and I just thought of this so maybe it's totally crazy) could I go down a size, then do a FBA for my larger chest area? I don't have any fitting books or resources at the moment, so I was hoping someone might see this and be able to help... Please?

Animals - Tula Raccoon

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Another backlog post. Hi there everyone! Hope you are all having wonderful days/evenings. This dress, I was dying to make. I bought the fabric in Melbourne when I was there back in April. I was shamelessly inspired into buying the fabric having seen it on Roisin  and it getting stuck in my head. Actually, the pattern was also bought after having seen it on Roisin as well as many other bloggers. The fabric, as you can see is Acacia by Tula Pink; Raccoon in Blueberry. The pattern, Simplicity 2444. I waited until this pattern went on sale, but I'm so so glad I did. I have so many plans with this pattern. I love the V-shaped darts so much. The skirt is just a gathered rectangle (well, 3) - I ran out of fabric for the skirt (I got the end of the roll). The pattern features pockets, but is unlined, just faced. I think I will try and draft a lining for this as the facing doesn't want to behave half the time. I cut a 16, but ended up taking a 1.5 inch wedge out of the c

Plaid Project - Purple

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And finally, I'm back! Hi there. Now, I know it's been ages - but I have excuses. They're even good ones. We moved house, I had to find a new job, and when I finally had some things ready to photograph, the boyfriend lost his camera (he's my photographer) and he had to buy a new one. So yeah, there's that. And now, we're all settled in the new apartment. We've moved from Canberra to Sydney (3 hrs by car), so it's kind of an upgrade. And now I have work too, and the boyfriend has a new camera... So we're all ready to go! I have 4 FO's to show you, but they'll be spread out, I won't post them all at once. This first dress was actually the last thing I finished before we moved. I saw the fabric in my (old) local Lincraft during the half price sale back in June (so, ages ago). I actually didn't buy it when I saw it originally, I walked away, thinking that it wouldn't work properly. But the more I thought about it, the more

On Motivation and Sewing

Don't get me wrong - I adore sewing. I love when people notice my handmade clothes, and even just wearing them knowing I have that set of skills. I've really enjoyed creating things for my family and friends (glasses cases... maybe I should blog those? Comment if you'd like to see some!) and being able to give a unique gift. Maybe my favourite part is that my dragging my BFF shopping for fabric on my trip to Melbournelate last year, I not only persuaded her to get out her sewing machine (for the first time!) but to make a pair of lunch bags for herself and her hubby! But it's not my job. I have a job (I'm a teacher), which keeps me nice and busy. And busy is great. But when I get home after chasing small children around all day, I'm tired. Some days I'm buggered. And that's when sewing gets hard. I don't want it to feel like a chore. I don't want to force myself to do it, because I've done that with things before and that's when I aband

Pretty Inspiration #1

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While I'm still in the process of moving, I still want to blog! I just don't have any way to take pictures of my newest creation (although I am wearing it today), and can't do any sewing because it's all in boxes. So, in lieu of that, I've been browsing online more than usual... So this kind of post is a new thing I might do sometimes, just tracking things I like and would be able to love to make (or buy if I'm allowed!)! Today, from Modcloth, one of my favourite sites for browsing  gorgeous items! This one is beautiful. I went to a wedding last year, and wished I had a dress like this to wear. I had my heart set on navy lace, but for some reason couldn't find one when I needed it. But this is basically what I wanted (does it have pockets? if so, then it's perfect!). I particularly like the self-fabric belt and adorable little cap sleeves.                                         ( http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/left-in-a-spin-dress )

A Short Hiatus

Hi there! I'd love to be coming to you with a new post, but instead I have news... I'm moving! My new house is about 3 hours by car away, and we're moving all our stuff this coming weekend. So, while I do have a new dress (complete with sleeves!) to show you, it'll have to wait becasue life got super crazy! Stick with me and I'll be back in a few weeks - watch this space! (And while I'm here, a big thank you to those who have visited and read the blog so far - I really appreciate it. You guys are awesome!)

Sewcrastination.

So, I haven't been sewing all that much in the last couple of weeks. It's partly because I've been working a lot, and partly because I'm lazy and partly because I've been procrastinating. One element in particular... SLEEVES. The pattern instructions were... vague, to say the least. I had no idea. Thankfully, I have Tilly's new book, Love at First Stitch . Sewing boggers to the rescue! Following her instructions, the sleeves went in a cinch, first time! I'm so so (or should that be sew sew) happy! Stay tunes for my newest piece - now, it only needs a hem and the lining stitched in. Easy peasy. Should be up in a couple of days! (Also, while you're here, any other sewing books you would recommend for techniques or just general reading?)

Flashback - Seeing Spots: White on Blue

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Another spotty dress! Part of my new fabric buying ban includes spotty fabric, in fact, after the two I've made... But this one is lovely! (Excuse the derpy face there...) This pattern I've had for a long time, actually - I attempted to make one a few years back, but it was masses too wide. This is Kwik Sew 3682, View B, with more spotmania fabric from Lincraft.  I really like this dress, only next time I might make the front skirt one section so there's no seam down the middle of the skirt. Having cut a size L last time and being swimming in it, I cut an M this time and it was spot on! New skills: facing

Flashback - Vintage Flowers: Aqua

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This fabric I have had for a long time - there was a sale, I saw it there... I had to have it. I can't remember what it is called or where I bought it, but it is a poly cotton with a nice drape to it.  A perfect pairing to the harder version of New Look 6208, View C, with V back and straps and bows! This was the reason I bought the pattern in the first place, for the bow back! (Excuse the black - that would be my bra strap!) As the last time I found the neckline a bit wide, I graded the pattern to a 14 at the neck. The waist still needed reducing at the waist 2" (more than las time to account for the ease of the fabric). After I completed this dress and left it to hang, it stretched more than I'd anticipated. I had to restitch the zipper, side seam and bottom hem. I also lifted the shoulder seams 1cm to realign the back straps with my bra back (and as you can see in one photo, you can still see the black of my bra there - sorry about that)   (See? B

Flashback - Circle Skirt: Scotland Check

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Having made so many dresses, I wanted something else. My favourite skirt is a high waisted one with a gathered skirt and waistband, covered in multi-coloured polka dots. I wanted another skirt that I wanted to wear just as much, and given that I wear this skirt on average twice a week, I'd say I was onto a winner. [Since writing this post, that has been upped to at least 3 times a week, I think. It's so comfy and versatile!] This is a self-drafted 3/4 circle skirt (drafted using this tutorial ). I wanted a full circle but didn't have enough of this lovely weight check fabric, so 3/4 it is! Both the Scotland Check fabric and the black Bemsilk lining I used were from Lincraft, again. The skirt is cut to 22" to hit just above my knee. I ended up putting a few tabs on the waistband - it was just a little loose when completed. I love how twirly this is! New skills: self-drafted.

Book Review: 110 Creations

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When I started sewing again, I wanted something to track what I was up to, the patterns I owned, and the sizes I used for the best fit. I didn't want a notebook - that seemed too hard, so I did what any normal person would do. I googled. And I found 110 Creations: A Sewist's Notebook ! This. Thing. Is. Genius! Wih room for sketches, noting your pattern collection, your needle changes, your wishlists... Oh, it's amazing. There is space for 110 of your creations (obviously), pages 1-90 of which feature a mannequin drawing, space for pattern, fabric, and taking note of notions, accents. You can note which size you cut, how it worked, and what you would change for next time at the end of it all. Projects 91-110 don't have a figure drawing, but a blank space for your handbags/accessories (or kindle cases, in my case). I have only completed 8 projects, and have a handful of patterns, but even for people with more, this is awesome. I am already planning

Flashback - My Eleventh Doctor

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Hi! This was a dress I virtually dreamed up. One of my favourite TV shows is the BBC's Doctor Who, and when the boyfriend and I got tickets to go to the Symphonic Spectacular earlier in the year, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to get an appropriate outfit. I didn't want to cosplay any of the female characters (all the one I look remotely like are not very exciting), and was thinking of wearing a dress. So I googled 'Doctor Who dress', and bam: (Dress from The Vintage Doctor  - still available!) Only problem was, it wsa a week until the concert, and the dress is a little out of my price range at $225. Cue thoughts of 'Oh, I could make that!' Enter Simplicity 1606 (View A), one of their 'Amazing Fit' dresses, some brown, maroon, and beige stripe cotton. I cut a 12, the D cups *the cups are sized seperately, which worked out well for me, as I sometimes go up a size just for my bust... It must have been a long pattern, as I hemmed it up 10&

Stash Busting - Kindle Case

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Hi there! After pushing through to get my Sew Dolly Clackett entries done, and spending a week in Melbourne, I've been a bit... listless with my sewing. I have a list of projects and at least 6 fabrics to use, but have been feeling like its a little too much effort for the last week (I am planning on starting something this weekend though, and have just ordered a new pattern I'm super excited for!). So, I decided I wanted a cover for my Kindle. Mine is the Kindle Touch, the model before the Paperwhite (I love it, by the way - currently rereading Harry Potter!), and has a case, which is a plain black hard case. I like having a case for it to protect, but very quickly the black became... so boring. I needed something nicer, stat. So I Googled, and found this tutorial . It's so easy, it took me less than an hour from finding the tutorial to having a completed case! It took me a few tries to get the perfect stitching distance, but I'm so happy with the end result. T