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!

Simplicity 2177 The End!

So last year sometime I started a frock. I blogged about it too, it was a labour of love.

It was going to be worn for a birthday party- it even made it out of the house ON me, unfortunately to be put back in the cupboard after i had a wee panicky/anxiety attack on the way to the party, rendering me useless and needing to go home.

So I decided it was cursed! (And didn't really have anywhere to wear it till now anyway). 

But today was a special event, a 'lungiversary' for a special friend, so I pulled it out. Ooh, lovely!

Look closer...by the end of the day, I just wanted to get home and rip it off! It seems I've now put on a bit of weight around the upper arm, and those bust darts were never right, I don't think. I'm calling them the 'headlights' haha.

 Standing, walking etc are fine, but sitting and definitely driving mean I still have a red mark on my arm! 'A bit toight' I would say!

 I *swear* I was standing straight and tall during this pic too, so when I saw this- ugh!

So, a disappointing result. The fabric is lovely, a silk/cotton. I enjoyed the process of making it, and learnt lots of techniques. So I'll try 'gifting' it to whoever steps over the doorway, be warned! hehe.

Simplicity 2380

So keeping up with the summer sewing theme (and still on the clothes) the girl and I were window shopping last week when we went into Bardot Junior. I was asked to take her out of there (by her) as she wanted everything in the shop! This jumpsuit caught her eye, anmd I quietly freaked out over the price! So I reminded her of this pattern, which I made her twice 2yrs ago, in dress and short style.

So here are the 2 pairs....and the challenge for me was to whip them up in a weekend!

and she picked this off the clearance table at Spotlight, bless her, trying to save me more money. $15 for the fabric. NOT my pick at all, I thought a plain purple, or an animal print but we couldnt find it.

I didnt want to do a casing and elastic, I deviated from the pattern (a big "shock, horror" for me) and tried some shirring elastic. Too easy!

  

It was a border print, and I'm sure it's sideways, but I (and her) aren't too fussed.

A try on at a few stages...

  and the shirring around the waist. A bit gentler on the 'food baby' than a casing and elastic!

I finished it last night after bedtime, so she was desperate to try it on after school- stinky socks and all (freezing in Melbourne today!)

 I need my sunglasses! So cool though, and there were grumbles when I asked her (4 times) to take it off and go for her shower!

  'Jumping' in her jumpsuit!

Lucky this pattern goes up to a 16, so a few more versions I hope. 

Especially if I find that animal print rayon!

and, gratuitous baby shot. We took him to the park! Love the boy so much!

Getting started on the summer wardrobe...

Actually, I'm finishing off last years summer wardrobe attempt first, then getting started. I'm on 2 weeks annual leave at the moment for the school holidays (in the middle right now). The first 3 days were slow as the Little Miss came down with a virus/bug of some sort, and spent 3 days on the couch. she's still not 100% but starting to get back into her activities she'd planned. You would think I got a lot done in those 3 days, but no. being nurse/Mummy came first, but the house is looking pretty tidy for a change!

I decided to be completely selfish and only sew things for me! I didn't even know about this when I decided! But I had a backlog of stuff I'd cut out and never gotten too, or started and not finished (known as UFO's or 'unfinished objects' in the sewing world). I'd also made a few things recently that needed adjusting, in particular waistbands (taking in, which is always nicer than letting out!). Boring jobs though.

This particular maxi dress was cut out and started last year- as in last summer. I've made it before, too. Don't know whats happened to that dress, possibly tossed during a non fitting stage. I think there was another dress out of it, but I don't have that one anymore either! Anyhow, it's now spring, nearly summer again. I cut it out as per measurements, a size 18 apparently, and it was mahoosive on me! I had to check and remake the bodice- I'd gotten the fabric quite cheap at Spotlight and bought more than I needed, luckily.

I took the chance on the sunny afternoon this afternoon for a dress up- not realising it was so windy! No, not pregnant, just look it!

Ooh, the moon glow! It was a long, dark winter hehe.

  I'm not 100% happy with how it fits around the boobies, but I think it will depend on the bra I'm wearing with it. Which on hot, at home days will probably be none anyway! I don't think it's too sheer for a voile, either, but if anyone comments when I'm wearing it I can whip up a lining.

 Oh, WORST PHOTO EVER alert. Can you tell Miss 9 was grumpy and tired and didn't want to take pics? She neglected to tell me I look like He-man from the back! Grrrr....

 And I am nearly all prepared for spring with a pedicure yesterday, and haircut today. It's getting shorter and shorter, I think...

  

So once I'd gotten that UFO out of the way, I started on a new purchase (once again ignoring the precut pile hehe). I wasn't 100% sold on this style on me from the original pics, but once I saw lots of different versions I thought I'd give it a try. I even had this op shopped rayon-ey stuff to try it on. Horrid but like able at the same time!

 It looks terrible on the hanger- but like all of Tasia's pattern, amazing when on!

Even a quick check late at night got me excited!

Yep, Murray agrees. Always in for a photo bomb, that dog!

 

It feels so good on! I didn't retie the straps, which is why the bra straps are showing I think, because the other try on times this didn't happen. I didn't put the zip in, as I read that many people didn't and it still went on easy, which is true. But then I didn't know how to finish the blousy bit at the back, I'll be hunting for a tutorial on that bit, or working on it a bit better next time.

It's going to be a 'wear with caution' on a windy day! Must remember clean knickers that day hehe. I had enough fabric to make the maxi length, but the fabric wasn't wide enough, so I have a little left over, maybe a tank top for summer or something.

And the cute shoes with this frock- my fave platforms I picked up years ago op shopping with Ms Curlypops! They're getting me excited about warmer weather- I just wish the warmer weather was excited enough to stick around longer than 3 days!

My totally Selfish Sewing was of course interrupted by Henry needing a new hat- a quick one was whipped up from Nikki's book, as his head is finally big enough! Some more of the unknown mystery fabric that just goes well as anything, with a cute Spotlight print. I'll be adding straps once I measure it on him to get the placement right. Totally cute!

Simplicity 2177 Part 1

So I mentioned last night on 'The Twitter' that I have a serious case of ADD when it comes to crafting/sewing at the moment. I start something, then start something else...it's a good reflection of where my head is at at the moment, and nothing can change that very quickly- so the projects may continue!

I thought it may help to document some of them- then I have to show a finish eventually, right?

So I'll show 'The Dress' first! I've had this pattern for a little while, and originally planned to make it for a Xmas party frock last year; time got away from me! I forgot about it. Then I found this amazing emerald/peacock green Marc Jacobs silk/cotton fabric reduced to $12 a metre at The Fabric Store. It was screaming out at me!

The first problem was the sheerness of the fabric. No worries, I thought, I'll line it. The first bodice ended up a DISASTER-I thought I could sew it together right-sides-together and turn inside out. Er no, and the attempts shredded the seams of the superfine fabric.

Luckily a call to the store gave me happy news that there was some fabric left on that sale roll (how about that luck!) and it was another $2 off!

So this one went in the bin and I started again!

 This time I followed the pattern more and lined the bodice and inserted the sleeve, and finished the edges with binding.

I originally sewed the binding by machine but thought the seam was a bit off putting- do you agree?

                                              I then unpicked and hand stitched the binding down- a big difference, I think! Worth that little bit extra!

 So the sleeves are hemmed, and the skirt attached etc. All that's left are the hem and zip. Given the fabric and that ugly seam from the machine sewn bias, I'm thinking of a hand picked zip- any thoughts? The stitching will be seen either way, and after the effort from the bias binding, I'm thinking why not?

 

 Oh, and thanks to the old Fem-bot for modelling and helping me fit it! (The new one is put away now, I lost some weight (yay!))