I think I almost have too many clothes now....

 Where does the time go? Winter is now upon us down here in Melbourne, and I've been sewing some warmer clothes. I didn't end up participating in the whole of Me Made May, I did a week in the middle though! I was sick of selfies after a week, I tell ya! Watching everyone on Instagram and their blogs is so inspiring though, I've found patterns I'd never thought Id try. Here's a few...

The Rigel Bomber- I first saw it over here, and fell in lust! I don't have a jacket of this style, I tend to go for a coat, but I'm hoping to change that! I made my first one up in a polka dot denim from Spotlight, and pick rib.

Here's the 'fail' welt pocket....not easy. I also went a thinner cotton pocket. Unfortunately it's not lined, and my inside of the jacket showing the pockets looks like a dog's breakfast! So my second one (fabric picked already) will be lined. More for the warmth factor, denim can be a bit cold.

You can probably tell I like pink...

and hamming it up with some 'double denim polkadot' combo.

I loved a bit of fluoro at the moment, so snapped up so duck from Spotlight and made a 2nd large slouch, a real tried and true favourite. Unfortunately it is no longer available, so I'll treasure my copy....

 I definitely wear these 2 out together...

 

I ordered some fabric a while ago from Girl Charlee. I made my first cardigan! I was really happy with their service, and buying without 'touching' the fabrics was a bit scary, but I'm happy with what I got. I've even put in a 2nd order....to make another cardigan!

This is called 'sweater knit', and is so cosy and soft. Really simple to sew as well, I'm so much more confident with knits these days. Though I think I've worn out the overlocker and it needs a service...

 

Styled for work...

 I also 'drank the Kool Aid' and snapped up this pattern. I've made a few of the Portfolio dresses, and the pattern was discontinued...but came back with a V neck, and a new name! I really like this, so comfortable and easy. The fabric is from the Lisette range currently out at Spotlight, a drill.

This (summery) top  has been worn a few times, not sure for the colder months though! I got it as part of the Perfect Pattern Parcel, which is a great initiative. I'm already planning to get the 3rd parcel, just for the bathers alone!

 And last, but not least, the Kimono Tee, a free pattern which you get by signing up to the newsletter. My first one was a bit small, but it found a new home, and my 2nd one is a firm fave- and heaps of comments! The lady in the pet shop loved this fabric! From Spotlight, I've never tried the cotton jerseys, always going for 2way stretch, what was I thinking? They are excellent, when on special they are a cheap, original tee shirt. Washing and wearing well at the moment too.

Building my handmade wardrobe....

I've been trying a few new patterns out lately, mainly because they get sold at (good) ridiculously cheap prices at the Spotlight sales! But there are some good free patterns out there too I have been trying out.

I picked this one for all the styles;  I used some op shopped chambray as a muslin. They looked rather uninspiring on the wall....

But super comfy on! I'm going to 'teach myself' how to make the crotch line a bit higher, so they're not as baggy around the bum! But I feel pretty cool and comfy in these!

I teamed it up with a new tshirt- still love my Renfrews, but like to mix it up a bit! This free pattern is awesome!

I tried out the Hemlock Tee; this is a one size fits all free pattern from Grainline Studios. I have made a few other things from these patterns. This is my 2nd version, the first was so small, as I didnt print the pattern out properly! I would have liked this a bit looser, but it's super comfy, and I'll definietly make it again- so quick and easy!

I finally made a wrap dress-  I procrastinated long and hard, as I had 3 patterns to choose from. I used a $10 a metre cotton/lycra from Rathdowne Fabrics. I'm glad I went with Butterick B5454; it had no facings! and was a 'true' wrap, has cute pleats at the shoulders...and super comfy too boot! Which reminds me, I need to get new winter boots this year, which will be great with this dress!

I got a bit crazy with the pics- I had to take most of these pics on the same day, after work- I blame tiredness, and a cheeky photographer! 

 Oh, this is the ' no spillage' shot- it is one good wrap top! (Always photobombed by the dog)

And a few more of the Deer and Doe Plantain Shirt I mentioned at the top of the post- using up leftovers! The blue one has 2 slightly different colour navy's on the front and back; I figured only I will notice that! (And you now you're reading it). I added a pocket, as I didnt have enough navy for the sleeves, and they looked odd on their own!

The cat had to get in on the pics!

Ok, back to boring pics from now on!

Finally......

There's been some dramas here in my laptop land! I'd somehow used up my free space for storing my blog photos- a bit of investigation was required (when I have the brain space for it) and thanks to Lisa  (she's here too) it's sorted! For now....

Except for then dropping said laptop! Luckily I took it straight up to a repair place nearby and they looked at it (for free- I told them what I shitty day I was having heehee) and said 'good thing you brought it straight in- it's fine. But you could have moved the motherboard and blah blah blah. All I heard was 'fine'!

So here is a (brief) update. I've been busy....

There was a Spotlight sale (as usual) and As Ms Curlypops and I had been umming and ahhing over a new dressmaker dummy for a while, when this one came up on sale, we grabbed! (Kind of- we waited till that least day of the sale teehee).

 Her name is Mildred.

The tall skinny bitch that doesn't live here anymore! (well, she's put away for now in the garage until the kid grows up)

 

Speaking of the (9yr old-in-a-week) kid, here is her new t-shirt! Lovely cotton lycra from Rathdowne Fabrics. Pattern from here. What I love about sewing is I don't have to make her heaps of things, or make her every t-shirt, just being able to do it is enough! Pattern details- I made a size 9, shirt sleeve, and no bands or neck band. 

And a bit of baby sewing! These pants with a couple of boring white singlets.

This set is actually a fluke- accidentally matching.

Simple appliqué

With some labels on the outside so they don't scratch!

and some more pants.

I thought of a good trick for the hem (for the quick growing bubba's). The folded one hem over, sewed it and then folded again. So when they are too small- a quick unpick of the outside stitching will make a bit longer!

Back soon with more....

Running out of imaginative titles....

This week this great giveaway arrived from Vic. I was planning to leave it wrapped until Xmas, but the paper got torn a bit in the post...so I had to tear it more, and I'm so glad I did! It is awesome- the fabric is definately going ot be a bag, the recipe file and clutch looked at lots.

She added some cute badges, and

buttons and a plate! Well, saucer, but it is my first one for my vintage plate feature wall I want to start, very special!

I have been sewing a few gifts, which I can't show yet, but also making a few coin ourses, just to work on my zipper technique (oh, and use a few of the buggers up!). How cute is this pocket one, some old jeans (found VERY cheap at the oppys) and lining fabric. A pocket on the outside of your coin purse. Gosh, I feel clever!

Another finished item is this Xmas tee, and long sleeve one I chopped the sleeves off, and hand appiqued the tree on. It is a pattern from an old Handmade, I can't find out which one if anyone wants to know. She loved wearing it to the Carols in the Park last night.

Have to get a wiggle on, my poor friend will be left short if I don't finish (after i've started) the hats for her. Plus I want to see her on Wednesday, i'll look pretty silly turning up without them, hmm, short conversation that day I think!!

Xmas snaps

I finally set the tree up, now the birthday is over. I put it on top of the table, and it's taller than me! I love the lights, first thing I put on when I get home from work.

The red chenille gave me a bunting idea....more to come, it's not as finished as I'd like.

I finally put this one together- a pattern from Handmade, Vliesofix and an hr, just have to sew around it now. And make the skirt. Not much.

I passed on the gingerbread man bug to my neighbour, Sarah. She took it a bit further and did this! Stick + spray paint + tin foil = cool tree! I'm glad my swap partner liked hers as well!

I am getting very lucky with the embroidery/tapestries lately too. I found all this handmade white bedlinen? that looks hand embroidered, and the small ones. Lots of ideas for reusing. I can't believe the quality of the items- the lace around the edges is hand sewn on, lots of pillowcases and bolster cushion covers (long tubes with embroidery either end). Maybe this was an unwanted gift?

Off to the market today, hmm, what will we come home with?

A bit of creating

I was inspired last night to interrupt my 3 or 4 projects on the go to finish another one, by this post. If only I had so many beautiful pieces of chenille! I've been meaning to fix up my old cushions for ages, this being a shot of some old ones I had made and did a dodgy job finishing them off....they never stayed shut!

So I got out some zips, and my purple chenille bedspread cutter, and made these up. Purposely matching the wall hanging, of course, never mind about the doona! I should of changed it to white, but nah, nothing too fancy here. Made a bit small, so they are nice and puffy.

I learnt how to change an over locker needle too- ouch!

Finished a little boy tee today, a bit scared as I am still Vliesofix-less, but I did OK I think. I used up the last scraps Of my Kokka astronaut print.

I needed something to keep the t-shirt part from puckering, and ironed on some interfacing onto the back. Now I think I know what that stabiliser stuff in machine embroidery is!

By the way, I finished this book recently, which I picked up in my op shop frenzy.
It's fantastic, I can't wait to get the other books by her now. I really want to see the movie, but may be disappointed- anyone done both?

Addit: as the Easter Bunny igonored me (again!) and I didn't want to take any of my little one's stash, the brownies are all gone......