June 2012 – THORNBERRY

adult's clothing, sewing

Renfrew meets Simplicity

Like many other sewing bloggers, I purchased a copy of the Sewaholic Renfrew pattern. Doesn’t everyone need a well-fitting pattern for a basic t-shirt top, with sleeve length and neckline options? I certainly do! When I was at Sewjourn I sewed up my first go at a Renfrew. It definitely won’t be my last.

The fabric is a mystery knit with not a great deal of stretch. Possibly just a basic cotton interlock, really. I actually traced off the front and back pattern pieces instead of just hacking straight into the pattern pieces with my scissors as I normally would, because I wanted to straighten out the bust/waist/hip curve to better accommodate my measurements. Apparently Sewaholic patterns are drafted for a pear-shaped figure, which is pretty much the opposite of mine (and why it’s taken me so long to buy any of them, as much as I like the styles). I traced off a size 12 around the shoulders, neckline and bust, somewhere between size 8 and 10 for the hips, and pretty much a straight line from one to the other to approximate my “waist”. I think that it’s worked quite well, although looking at these photos I might try a 10 through the shoulders next time (depending on the amount of stretch in the knit) and maybe a slight FBA. Or maybe not.

And can I point out how well I matched up the stripes on the body and the sleeves? Not too bad considering that this is a “wearable muslin”! I did a rather dodgy job on centring the v-neck binding unfortunately,but it’s not too noticeable. I’m looking forward to giving this pattern another try in a slightly stretchier knit. Fabric choice makes such a difference in these types of garments – you can make exactly the same size/pattern over and over and get different results depending on the amount of stretch and the fibre type.

Because I have lots of this fabric, I also whipped up a vest from Simplicity 2283. I’ve made this before.

I do like a long, drapey vest! This pattern has cutaway armholes and a centre back pleat. It’s easy to construct and I think that it would flatter many body types. The other Sewjourners thought that the vest might be a bit much worn with the top, but of course I wear them both together quite often. Too much? What does that mean? Now that I’ve written this blog post, I might head upstairs and cut out another Renfrew!

Thursday, 28 June, 2012 by thornberry

what I wore

what I wore – week 25

And there goes another week! When I was on holidays, each hour felt like an hour – it was wonderful! Now that I am back each hour seems to vanish in around fifteen minutes. What is going on there?

I worked three days last week instead of my usual two so that I could take today off – Stella’s childcare centre is having a professional development day, so was closed for the day. I rather like only working one day in the week! I’m doing similar during school holidays too, working more days one week and less the next. Ah, the constant juggle of childcare and school holiday care! Clare’s Bali braids came out this morning, and I’m about to undo Stella’s. Clare was so upset about undoing them, because it really represented the end of our holiday and return to normality. She had such a wonderful time – as we all did. Already planning to go again next year! Starting to save those dollars now…

Wednesday, 27 June, 2012 by thornberry

kids clothing, sewing

hopscotch nighties

When I first looked at the Oliver + S Hopscotch dress pattern I thought that it would make a terrific nightie. And it has!

These were made when I was away at Sewjourn, and have been the nightwear of choice in our house ever since. The cotton interlock fabrics came from Spotlight. (By the way, I was in Spotlight at DFO recently, and was amazed at how terrific their range of fabrics is nowadays. Still messy, and I think quite expensive, but they certainly have some gorgeous fabric). Since I was planning to make these at Sewjourn, I had them all cut out. Except I’d forgotten to cut the strips to use to face the neckline. Luckily, I had some frilly pink stretch elastic with me (!!!!) that matched both fabrics adequately.

I sewed the elastic trim to the right side of the fabric, stretching it ever so slightly as I went, then flipped it over and zig-zagged it in place. I did the same for the sleeve hems.

I made size 8 for Clare and size 5 for Stella. After making quite a few Oliver + S patterns I feel that they are definitely drafted for slim girls – which is why they fit my daughters well. This is a delightful design, either as a nightie or as a dress! It can be made short or long sleeved, and I plan to give this pattern quite a workout. It’s quick and easy to assemble, which always helps too, and because of the cross-over v-neck yoke it’s easy to get on and off.

Fabric choice really will make the difference between it looking like a nightie or like a day dress. It would also be a terrific pyjama top paired with simple elastic waisted pants….hmmm, Clare really could do with another pair of winter pj’s….

I actually bought this pattern for the skirt, with its cute pocket detail. I wonder when I’ll get around to making that!

(For some reason WordPress have just changed their dashboard/post writing template – and now I have NO idea how to centre things! Aaaargh!)

Sunday, 24 June, 2012 by thornberry

adult's clothing, crochet

4-S/Insight Vest

I’ve mentioned before that I really like Doris Chan‘s patterns. This vest is a combination of the 4-S vest and the Insight vest from her book Everyday Crochet.

I crocheted it in Bendigo Woollen Mills Melody (now discontinued) which is a delightful mix of wool, microfibre and cashmere. It has wonderful stitch definition! I followed the instructions for size 37, but used a 6mm hook.

I really liked the striping of the 4-S vest, but knew that I didn’t want it to be cropped. So I kept on going lengthwise. Then when finishing the edges, I decided that I didn’t want a buttoned closure, so used the edging instructions for the Insight vest to have a tie closure. Many of the garments in Everyday Crochet have construction similarities, so can be mixed and matched a little bit.

This vest is a raglan, top-down crocheted garment, so I was able to try it on as I went along and check that it was going to fit okay. I really enjoy this type of garment, and it was actually quite straightforward to make once I got into the rhythm and the pattern repeat. The above photo of the back shows that it fits quite nicely. Of course, the shell stitch is rather forgiving.

The other lovely thing about the garments in Everyday Crochet is that they can be worn everyday. They fit nicely into the usual wardrobe! I am thrilled with how this has turned out. It took around eight weeks of occasional crochet to get it done – not bad either.

By the way, I did take a couple of crochet projects away with me on holiday. A scarf that was my commuter project – I did about two rows – and another top that I didn’t even get out of my suitcase. Now I’m trying to decided what garment to make next. I’m considering this Zig Zag skirt, in some of my stashed Wollmeise. But with my new relaxed holiday mentality, there’s no need to make a quick decision! Details of my vest are Ravelled here.

Friday, 22 June, 2012 by thornberry

what I wore

what I wore – weeks 23 & 24

Yes, I pretty much remembered to take a daily photo while we were away on holiday! Actually, there was often more than one outfit per day, as there were bathers and coverups worn as well. The climate contrast between then and now is very evident from these photos!

Tuesday, 19 June, 2012 by thornberry

2012 BAMCAL, crochet

May BAMCAL squares

It’s fairly indicative of the last month – I didn’t get around to crocheting the May BAMCAL squares until just before we went away in early June. But hurrah, here they are!

This one is called the Windowpane Square. A little different to the usual, and I rather like it.

The filler square is the Stained Glass Afghan Square – and I really like it! My blanket is progressing nicely. I plan to finish the June squares in June!

Monday, 18 June, 2012 by thornberry

family

we’re back

We’re back. Exhausted after the overnight flight (now I remember how incredibly uncomfortable and impossible it is to try to sleep sitting upright) but feeling so happy with our holiday. Shall get back to normal blog programming later – possibly much later – in the week.

Sunday, 17 June, 2012 by thornberry

Uncategorized

in bali

What can I say. Bali is just as beautiful as we hoped. The hotel is wonderful and the weather superb. The girls have spent a huge amount of time in the pool and have had their hair braided and nails done. We are eating out for every meal and are enjoying spending time together and apart. Wonderful massages and cocktails, friendly people, etc. The perfect place for a relaxing family holiday – and we still have quite a few days left! It is all terribly indulgent and absolutely brilliant. And warm!

Monday, 11 June, 2012 by thornberry

what I wore

what I wore – week 22

It’s well and truly winter in Melbourne now. Today is absolutely bitter. But tomorrow morning, I’ll be on a jet plane…

The days are short and the nights are long now. Getting a photo of my daily outfit on the days that I work has become a challenge, so I have enlisted a colleague to take them for me. She’s still getting used to taking them with my phone, so they are still a bit blurry. We both assume that they will improve with practice!

Tuesday, 5 June, 2012 by thornberry

children's clothing, kids clothing

rosy ra-ra ruffles

You probably already know by now that I sew each of my girls a dress for Christmas and one for their birthday. I had a lovely embroidered eyelet pinwale corduroy all picked out to make an Oliver + s Apple Picking Dress for Stella this year. But I ran out of time. Mainly because I was making the dress I knew she would want me to sew, rather than the one that I would want to sew.

Every time we are in a fabric shop and we come across anything in pink that has sparkle, shimmer, silkiness or shine involved, Stella practically hyperventilates and asks me to buy it. So I figured that this dress would combine every element that she loves while still being comfortable and easy to wear.

Most of the fabric is from GJs Discount Fabrics (yes, the remnant table). The bodice and one tier are in cotton/lycra jersey, another tier in pink/silver jersey, the sleeves and another tier in crushed stretch velvet, and the lower tier in satin. With that amazing pink ribbon rose trim (from Darn Cheap Fabrics) overlaid on the bodice!

I based this dress on the Violette Field Threads “Adele” dress pattern, altered to have the tiers/ruffles on the front of the dress as well as the back, and with long sleeves instead of short. It is winter, after all! Each skirt tier is finished with an overlocked rolled hem.

Although I didn’t especially enjoy making this dress – I’d have much rather been sewing the Apple Picking dress – Stella was thrilled to receive it. And wasn’t that really what it was all about! This time it was the product rather than the process.

Monday, 4 June, 2012 by thornberry

Month: June 2012