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.

Flat Cap

I kept forgetting to blog this one, and Carmel reminded me today! Cam made one too, and a few others I don't think have blogged it yet.

It's available as a instant download, which I've found is a great quick way to get a pattern! No trawling the shops/ordering online and waiting for postage. 

This took me a few hours, mainly fabric choice being the hardest decision, of course! Not having made one of these hats before, or worn one really, I went with a medium/heavy denim- in hindsight, not the best fabric! It all worked fine- eventually! But I love how it turned out, so worth persisting with a heavier fabric. Just throw on your walking foot and use a denim needle.

This pattern also uses my fave new obsession- this stuff is the bomb! I've used the Birch brand one before, and it was really smelly and sticky- this is the opposite. I even basted all of Henry's quilt with it- inside! Amazing stuff.

Anyway, back to the hat! 

  

She's such a better looking model than me!

The lining was a repurposed shirt from the stash. A bit of poly/cotton/rayon-ey stuff, worked perfectly.

 Thanks for the challenge and all the tips I learnt with this one, Nikki!

Op Shopping with the best- Part 2

After last night's disaster, I watched a few eps of True Blood, knitted and slept it off- to emerge and finish this off in my nightie! Thanks for all the positive comments, too. I'm still fiddling, this one is a leeetle bit too big, but better. Having trouble finding laminated cotton (the oilcloth gives a nasty smell) but I got a good tip from Jenny and decided to go with clear vinyl. In the girl's choice of fabric- in the machine as we speak.

Then I remembered to show you a bit more of the goodies I got with Cam the other day. Can I mention this was one of the cheapest op shopping outings, as I had been expecting to pay for the holiday program for the month that morning, to find it had been taken out in December- so all this was free really (think about it :))

Artex- ahh, the 70's craft, my mum had the set and I remember it being thrown out. These may end up laminated as place mats or something, or in frames- so cute!

I almost yelled out- 'the larger size racks have the most fabric' in the middle of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, thank God manners took over, I do occasionally suffer from foot and mouth though. But here is the proof- a 'housecoat' maybe? Beautiful Poppy fabric, handmade, a skirt in there I think.

and the jeans haul. Did I tell you they were $2 each? Found some Bettina Liano's, but size 27...damn, that was me once. Lots of pockets in this pile....

but I really only needed this one pair. Check. It. Out. (tragic)

They are a size 38 waist, so I'm assuming men's. I'm thinking tragic men who wear the waistband around their thighs. Up close, I don't even think the pockets are what I want, but maybe a funny photo for when I need cheering up- I'll see if Little Miss and I fit in a leg each!! But think about the amount of denim I got form just one pair of jeans for $2...hehehehehehe

So it's off to cut out pockets, and plan some more items.....hoping to be at Daylesford market soon. And getting my shop stocked...and selling something from my shop.....

by the way, I am not as angry at the lunchbag pattern now, and will be making some to sell...not for $200. I'll keep you posted.