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.

Blogtoberfest Day 17

 Phew, I'm glad we're just over halfway through, this daily blogging is a bit full on, now my life is a bit busier with work. But I always remember just before bed, thank goodness!

I whipped this up on Sunday morning, when I decided I really didn't want to continue with any of the projects from the Saturday Sewing Session- definitley a benefit having something cut out and ready to go! And as I'd finished the dress version (yet to be worn) this went together really quickly.

I. LOVE. IT!

I wore it all day Monday and got a few compliments from colleagues (I generally work alone, so it was rare to have colleagues to compliment me on! Double bonus!)

I thought the sleeve length would be shorter, and my old-school faded tattoo would be more obvious, but it was ok.

Excuse the crinkly bum part, this was after a full day sitting, then basketball training, then car rides! Held up pretty well I thought!

Hmmm, I think three of these is enough, better pop that pattern away for a bit and try a different one!

Blogtoberfest day 10

 So, new readers and old, I am seriously apologising for my lack of quality posts. Blogtoberfest has happened to coincide with about 3, maybe 4 weeks of full time work- eeek! I'm excited because it means I won't be eating out of bins in December, my Most Expensive Month (2nd only to the other 11) but I'm am bloody tired! And all these babies keep getting born, and I am apparently quite indispensable when it comes to helping people with that whole business *sigh*.

But it doesn't mix well with the 24/7 single parent thing. My hand quilting and fatigue is gluing me to the couch lately, and has anyone else had a 'daylight savings hangover' kind of effect? (I've started Vit B as well, and had my iron checked, don't worry!) I easily slept from 8pm until 7am this morning.....so had some energy to get this happening tonight! Once I get off the couch I'm OK....

It's this pattern, I blogged about it the other day, but the pattern wasn't as clear. Googling the pattern number and 'images' brought up heaps of different fabrics and designs, might give a few more a go as tops too. This is the dress, and one reason I love it? Not fitted! So I don't need my dressmaker dummy, and I don't really make any adjustments. I like it lose and casual, heavier fabric may make is sit a bit different though. I've made another one in voile, and this one is Tana lawn.

 

bathroom self portraits at 10.30pm. I look quite good really.

I really like the pockets- the front piece from the pink yoke down is attached to 2 side bits. Very crap explanation, but to me very easy sewing! Now some pink cuffs and the neckline. And i'll be snapping it again to help with hem length. As it's lawn, and a bit sheer in light, don't know if i'd wear it as a dress, or as a tunic over pants or leggings. Hmm, i'll be back for an opinion on that...

Blogtoberfest Day 7

Even though my sew-jo will hopefully start  to return on it's own, the weather has pushed me into action, and some new garments are needed! I figured the more I have cut out and prepped, the easier it is to sit down and sew! It's what's worked for me the past, anyway:)

So I'm making another one of these; well, 2 actually, the Tana lawn from Spotlight for a dress, and the apple seersucker for a tunic.

I also (finally) started to trace out this pattern- so many pieces! I'm tempted to make a muslin out of the shorts to check fit first,  hard to tell how things will fit around your butt! Except I've just found this, good timing to read it before I start! And maybe join in :)

I also want to make view C in this pattern, some simple tops for work and the warmer weather. I've used this pattern before over here.

Is it just me, or this a massive (and unnecessary) selvedge?

And annoyed with the naughty pattern- it overestimated the amount of fabric by about half a metre! 

I wanted to show my trick for transferring markings too. I'm sure lots of people already do this, or some other form. Many times I wouldn't transfer the markings, then as I was sewing the garment together, had to pull out the pattern piece for one little dot- that can make all the difference! So I started using my hole punch- a single hand held punch would be easier, but this works fine for me. (I take to bottom off, that catches the confetti, then I can see where to punch).

 I usually half to fold the paper a bit, but then I have my dots done, to mark on the fabric, and more accurate than chalk etc. When I learnt at school we used thread to stitch the circle, this is so much easier!

Off to start sewing!

Overacheiver.....

So, as I finished the sew a long dress a bit too quickly, I decided to make a bag. I found the mustardy yellow fabric in the remnant bin- yep, the roll sold that quick at my Spotlight that they had a remnant leftover! A bit cheaper too, $10 for 1.3m.

I paired it up with this pattern; the 2nd pattern of Nikki's I bought, and that I got at the pattern launch- gosh, I felt like I met someone famous that day! Well, I kinda did- my kind of famous, anyway!

The first bag I made from this pattern was pretty terrible, no photos remain and I 

don't think it was ever blogged!

It's a bit fiddly, lots of steps, but worth it in the end....

Ta-da!!

 (I wasn't feeling in a modelling mood, and the kid is having pj day as she's sick- so 

Fem Bot stood in for us. Thanks, darl!)

I usually wear mine on this side; I purposely put the adjuster at the back to there is less bulk at the front. Smart like that I am teehee

a zippered gusset;

the lining was a quilting cotton I picked up in Spotty in the sales- reminds me I love me!

And am worth a new bag whenever I feel like it!

And I challenged myself to another zip, this time a pocket. I don't have a fear of zips- just am generally pretty lazy, and prefer not to if I can get away with it. Luckily, Nikki's patterns have such good instructions they take no time at all!

This will sure brighten up the wintry days to come!

Now to go and sort the washing- it can only ever be put off!

Lisette Sew A Long

There was Tweeting about a Lisette dress the other day, and Cam got her wiggle on really quickly and organised a Sew A Long!

I'm already a fan of the Lisette patterns, and definitely the Oliver & S patterns! So I raced around getting the pattern and the fabric I've been eyeing off....

This is one of the easiest patterns I've ever made! 4 pieces (5 if you count the tie); no facings, no zips, a real beginners pattern, which is great for instant gratification!

The first thing (for my fellow 'sew a longers') is it's VERY roomy around the bust. Measurments showed I need to cut an 18 for my usual size 14 body. I sewed the armhole facings before a try on myself ( my dummy not as accurate as I thought!) When my sister came over yesterday and I tried it one, she suggested taking it in under the arms, and bingo, a much better fit!

A tip for the gathering- I used sewing elastic in my bobbin, and set the set length to maximum- you get an even gather, unlike if you do 2 rows of cotton and pull them to get the gather. A bit like shirring!

I still like the looseness around the middle and bottom.

Also, I didn't alter the length and this is wear it came to. If you want it below the knee, you'll need to add some length through the body.

I'm pretty impressed with my straight seams haha

How you doing?

Working hard- or hardly working.

So when I posted the other day, I forgot about all the sewing FOR ME I've been doing!

I quickly wear them, they go in the wash, back in the wardrobe....forgotten! And getting the kid to take the pics- forget it!

So, into the patterns!

The first one took a while to get too. I tried these ones; just OK. I got a hot tip from Sophie about this pattern. And for $4.50 pdf download- we have a winner!

length is good. This is a cotton sheet;

then I tried some stretch. COMFY!

Just a warning, though- I'm about a 14 in the shops; I made the largest size 

in this pattern and it was snug. Comfy but snug.

Oh, easy to follow instructions too!

The next one was a pattern a friend had picked up. I stole the idea

 (hmmm, been doing that a bit) and tried it out.

Fabric is a ?Tana lawn from Spotlight.

No adjustments made to this pattern.

Easy- no zip! (for the zipper-phobes)

I tried a spunky double hem. Not twin needles, just 2 rows of stitching.

the 'poufy' sleeves remind me of bubble skirts! Don't love it, but don't hate it either.

Next (but not last) is the new flavour-of-the-month Lisette.

What do I like about these patterns? Simplicity (equals good instructions and good fit to me)

a cotton voile from Spotlight.

It's a 3/4 length tunic on me, I wear some grey leggings underneath

 (but NO leggings as pants haha)

I made this while the overlocker was at the shop being repaired. My machine has a

 great overlock stitch, slow but definitely do-able in a weekend!

pockets;

cute buttons from the stash (and no zips, zipper phobes! hmmm, maybe I'm a zipper

 phobe too, I choose a lot of patterns without them!)

I lengthened the sleeves, really easy to do.

As I chose an all over colour, you can't see the detail as much, but I like it!

So, what's next?

A pattern review of one I'm not too happy about;

getting a chance at this pattern;

and joining in on a spur-of-the-moment sew-a-long 

andthatsaboutallfornow!