Month: February 2008

adult's clothing, patterns, sewing

New Look 6705

The last five tops I made were all from stretch fabrics – so it was time to get back into my comfort zone and whip something up in a woven.

The fabric is a cotton voile remnant from Spotlight.  I made view E, the sleeveless round neck version, because I didn’t have much fabric!

After checking the finished bust measurements and amount of ease (plenty!) indicated on the pattern, I made this as a straight size 10, hoping that then it would fit nicely around the upper chest and shoulder.  I eliminated the back tie – I never use them, so never include them when sewing for myself.  I crossed my fingers, sewed it all up and hoped that it would fit well.

Sorry about the photo of my armpit – no-one much over the height of one metre was available to take a photo for me.  This fits perfectly!  Loose enough to be comfy, yet not massive, no gaping armholes, and the neckline is just right.  I’ll definitely use this pattern again!

by thornberry
children's clothing, kids clothing, miscellaneous, sewing

Christmas dresses

Christmas was a couple of months ago, I know.  But I hadn’t posted pictures of the girls in the white dresses that I made for them!  We had some professional photos taken, and we are thrilled with how they turned out.

Stella’s romper-dress pattern is Simplicity 5115.

Clare’s dress pattern is New Look 6613.

I love this photo of our two girls – although at first glance it looks as though there are three!  The photographer was Frank from one 2 one photography.

by thornberry
bags, craft, fabric stash, sewing

Rosie’s new clothes, a new bag, more fabric, and Brownies!

While I’ve been busy sewing clothes for myself, Clare has been designing clothes for her doll.

Although I did the machine sewing, Clare drew her own patterns using the doll as a template for size, cut them out, and pinned them all together.  She’s just turned five, so I’m very proud of her!  I was particularly impressed with the hat.  It’s rather lovely to be working away side by side in the sewing room.

I needed a “quick fix” project after my frustrations with the Butterick top, so made up this bag from the Oriental Bloom pattern I won from Tania at Jet Designs.  Thanks again Tania!

It’s a nice beginner sewing project – very quick, straightforward constructions, no pockets etc, and the fabric was a heavy enough weight not to need interfacing or wadding.  It’s already holding one of my crochet works-in-progress.  I reckon it took me less than an hour to make.  When I ran out of thread part way through I popped into GJ’s to pick up some more – and of course, they had some nice remnants on sale!

Other than the linen/cotton in the front, they’re all stretch fabrics – more tops coming my way!

My brownies welcome pack arrived in the mail this week too.  Some embroidery to do!  I’m looking forward to my first meeting (not until March for me).

by thornberry
miscellaneous, this is ...

This is … me taking a picture of myself in the mirror with my favourite accessory

Why do I find “this is” so difficult?  Maybe because it is the one time in the week when I have to really think out of my normal box!  Once I stop trying to think too hard, I realise that I have a number of favourite accessories – which I’d overlooked because I wear them every day.

The gold hoop earrings – they go with everything, and I only change them if I’m going out somewhere out of the ordinary.  My wedding ring and engagement ring.  My grandmother’s diamond ring and my mother’s ruby ring.  My watch.

And my glasses.  Do they count as an accessory – because for me they’re definitely a necessity!

by thornberry
children's clothing, embroidery, kids clothing, refashioning, sewing, wardrobe refashion

Refashioned – pants into skirt

Remember this pair of pants?

Embroidered by me, worn by me quite a few times about ten years ago.  Not at all in style or my style anymore, but I couldn’t bear to get rid of them.  So finally – they’re a skirt!

I cut both legs off, cut them in half vertically, squared them up, then sewed them together to form a skirt with an elasticised casing waist.

So much better on Clare than on me!  And the left over “shorts” have now become running shorts for my husband (since they’re not worn for very long and he’s not too embarassed to wear bright turquoise shorts in public – what a tolerant man)!

by thornberry
adult's clothing, patterns, sewing

Butterick 3124 view C

Meh.  Don’t like it.  Doesn’t fit properly. 

Butterick 3124 is a Sandra Betzina “Today’s Fit” pattern, which means that it has different sizing to the usual.  I made a size “D”, which corresponded perfectly to my bust and waist measurements.  But sadly, it doesn’t fit me.  You can get a better idea when I’ve got my hands on my hips.

I just look big and matronly.  It’s too short – I did my usual petite adjustments to the body and sleeve length, and shouldn’t have.  The bust darts are too low, the shoulders are too wide, and overall it’s not a success.

Before I saw these photos I thought I might get away with it – now I think no way.

The mesh wasn’t too difficult to sew, and I still have loads left.  I’m going to make another top in a more traditional t-shirt shape without any bust darts – there is lots of stretch in this fabric, so it should be okay.  This one is going to the op shop.

by thornberry
adult's clothing, patterns, planned projects, sewing

Simplicity 4020 – view D

The tops in Simplicity 4020 are vastly different to one another – they barely share pattern pieces!  This time I made view D, in a fabric from my stash.  The fabric actually came from June’s stash (my friend’s mother who moved into a retirement unit) and is by John Kaldor, circa 1980s.

Once again I adjusted the pattern with a FBA, and made size 12.  This one was super fast to sew up using a combination of sewing machine and overlocker.  The finished result:

The bodice fits fine and the loose sleeves were super comfortable to wear.

But I spent the whole day tugging at the top and sucking in my gut (which I am also doing in these photographs) – a good reminder why I don’t generally wear clothes with a fitted midriff.  I’m sure that this top would be much more flattering on someone with a defined waist (mine is two dress sizes larger than my bust and hips). If I made this again I’d cut the midriff panel larger and longer – but I won’t make this view again. 

Instead, I’ve got this one cut out ready to go, in the v-neck long sleeved version.

I haven’t sewn mesh stretch fabric before – so wish me luck!

by thornberry
adult's clothing, crochet, patterns, sewing

Simplicity 3790 – sleeveless version

The sleeveless version of Simplicity 3790 is finished, in size 12 with FBA.

Note to self: don’t wear a black bra under lacy blue fabric.  Especially when the diamond parts of the lace are placed right in that spot.

No drag lines on this one though – I think I’ve improved the sizing.  I bought loads of this fabric incredibly cheaply at a Spotlight sale last year, but it’s probably not the best to work with to get a good idea of fit.  Just not as drapey as many knit fabrics.  You’ll be seeing more of it though, since I have so much!

The hem is actually even all the way around – it’s just the way I’m standing that makes it appear different.  The only part I’m not as happy with here is the back neckline – it seems to be gaping a little.  I probably need to experiment with doing an adjustment for my slight “dowager’s hump” (what a shocking name for a figure feature), but that would require a centre back seam and/or some darts – neither of which I particularly want in this type of pattern.  I might experiment a little though next time I make it and see what I can do.  It could be due to the fabric more than the pattern.

The multicoloured February CAL block is finished.

I’ve actually done a good job of crocheting this one, but you’d have no idea from looking at that photo, would you!  That yarn shows very little stitch definition – all you can see is those blobs of colour.  I hope that Clare’s doll really likes this multicoloured afghan once it is done!

by thornberry
adult's clothing, patterns, sewing

Simplicity 4020

What a posting frenzy!  It’s because the baby is asleep long enough for me to get this done – I have to take advantage of the opportunity!  I made Simplicity 4020 yesterday morning, in view C.

The fabric came from the kinder garage sale last year.  I made the size 12 with FBA, as promised.

What a weird stance!  Or is it the angle of the photo?  Anyway, it fits properly!

Hubby doesn’t like the little sleeve bands much, but I do – and it is very comfortable – I’m wearing it today!  Whoops, baby awake – must go!

by thornberry
apron, aprons, bags, craft, patterns, planned projects, sewing, tutorials

More patterns

I won another bag pattern!  This one is from the lovely Tania at Jet Designs.  She also runs Jet Music & Books, which is where I’ve bought my Melly & Me patterns.

Thanks so much Tania!  She is running another bag pattern giveaway on her blog at the moment, so head over and leave a comment to be in the running.

These patterns arrived last week from Montessori by hand.

I have read through the bag instructions, and they appear to be comprehensive and easy to follow, with plenty of photo to help.  It includes full sized pattern pieces (I prefer this when I buy a pattern) and seems to have been well tested – the bag materials list includes good interfacings and structure.  I’m really looking forward to making both patterns.  Have you gathered that I have a bit of a pattern obsession/collection?  And at the moment many of them are bag patterns!

I did make this doorstop the other day, using the tutorial from Oh, Fransson!

This is the quick and easy version – no nine-patch, no quilting – mainly because I really needed a doorstop!  I love these ones filled with beans/rice/wheat, because they don’t hurt if you stub your toe on them and because Stella can’t hurt herself playing with them.  And they look good!  The feature fabric is a bit of Amy Butler Nigella fabric.

by thornberry
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