FINISHED! Drape Drape 2 dress - another attempt

After my first failure with this dress, I tried it again with some fabric I bought at the Addicted to Fabric sale a couple of weeks ago. I had grommets put into my ears yesterday (yes, it does appear to be one of those years!) but as I didn't have to be at the hospital until after 3, I managed to cut this dress out while waiting and trying not to think of food and drink. I then sewed it up this morning.

This time, I added the extra strip onto the pattern and because the material was wide enough to cope with the wide one piece pattern, the dress fits much more comfortably.  This time around, I am even proud of my neck -  I'm still not sure whether I did it the correct way. It sits pretty nicely so doesn't matter.

I am disappointed with the left shoulder.  Stretch patterns always seem to make you sew one shoulder and then put the neck on and then sew up the other shoulder but I find this so messy.  I just can't seem to get it to look nice - my overlocking is always too thick.  Anyway, I've made a note not to sew both shoulders up and then put the neck on (I find the same problem with putting the arm hole bindings on and them).  Other than that the dress is good.  Ben thinks it looks nice and it probably does.  But you know, it's just not me. Apart from some messy seams, it's a nice dress, but I don't feel it when I wear it.  In fact, I think I've realised today that I'm just not that into stretch on me and this style, while I love it, just isn't me. Time to go back to some wovens for a while... I've been making too many 'blah' things lately.

On another note, We went to see Rise of the Guardians today (which was lovely) and I wore my Wiksten tank and some new pants I got on sale yesterday.  Now THIS outfit makes me happy.

FINISHED! No. 4 Drape Scoop Tee

A fantastic thing happened this afternoon at the school pickup - Oliver had an impromptu playdate, which meant that after a little bit of afternoon tea preparation, all the boys were left to play (and destroy things) while I snuck in  little bit of sewing. Yay!  Just enough time to finish No. 4 Drape Scoop Tee from Drape Drape 2.  I truly didn't think I'd get any sewing in before Christmas so this is great!

So there are some good things about this pattern:  The pattern is a fun shape.  Just one big piece to cut out. There is only one piece of binding for the neck... which I'm happy to say I did much better this time than the last time I attempted a stretch outfit and the style is interesting. I'm not sure whether you really see the asymmetry from the photos but it is there.

The cons though is the sewing of the right sleeve.  I just couldn't get my head around how to make that a neat seam.  It's tricky to see but it's sews into a point.  So in the end I just cut the sleeves and didn't bother to hem.  I started to hem the left sleeve, but then realised that would look strange so cut that off as well.  In fact, I prefer the look as it adds to the drape.

The other problem, is that it is reeeaaaally low cut.  It isn't noticeable in the photos as I think I've hitched it back a bit, but I won't be able to wear this unless I have a top on underneath or I'm wearing it to the pool.  If I make it again, I might adjust the scoop a little bit.
So overall, it's ok. Just ok. I haven't decided about the colour and the pattern and whether or not it's a winner. So, I'm not pulling it apart yet to make some undies out of the material - but it's on notice.   It's definitely not the most flattering thing I've ever made. Maybe I'm just not that into stretch fabric!?

FINISHED! Virtual Light Wiksten Tank

The Wiksten tank seems to have some kind of cult status, so who am I to resist it. As planned earlier in the month, I've made one using Liberty of London Virtual Light A from the 2012 Autumn Winter Digital Story collection.  Unfortunately this tank took me ages to finish.  Although the pattern is simple, I seemed to have been jinxed from the start. Every time I started to work on it, I was interrupted, including two trips to the hospital with Oliver after he ran into the cupboard and cut his head in the excitement of having two friends over.  (He's fine - the plastic steri strips they used originally didn't work so I had to take him back, dripping with blood, to get some glue).
I'm not really into wearing low scoop necks like this one, so it's something to get used to.  Also, I think this top needs yellow pants!!?!
Oh by the way, it's my birthday today and I got lots of great things including an entry level SLR canon camera.  Yay!!! Could this be the start of some better photos on this little blog!

Just under 4 days left of 'It's all about me November sewing'.  I wonder can I squeeze any more sewing in before the run into Christmas.

FINISHED! Pretty Pink Pavot

Et voila! A very pink veste pavot in pink linen. The second of my selfish sews for November.

I think it looks super cute and I am really proud of it (except the button holes which I blame my machine for..).  The pattern came together really nicely, even in French and I love how the collar is attached.  In fact, I found this a nice calming sewing project...   except for last night where I stayed up very late last night to sew on the buttons so I could wear today, I mean why wait until Sunday to wear it!  

I made a size 38 because I didn't want it to be too tight.  I like how it is  a looser fit, although I had to take about an inch off where the sleeve slips in as originally the sleeves were really puffy and sitting completely off my shoulders.  I'm not at all sure this was the right way to do it but it achieved the desired result.

The only problem with the coat is that because it isn't lined I feel as if I should carry around a little pair of scissors to snip off lose threads. I did try to catch them all as I sewed but they seem to be breeding.  If I ever make this again I think it would be nice lined... but for now it is a perfect weight for spring/summer coat.

FINISHED! Drape Tree Mini Dress

I didn't go to work today as I have an ear infection which has rendered me painfully hollow, well actually like a big blocked echoey tunnel.. in one ear (so happy I had that sinus operation which I thought was going to stop this constant ailment??@!), so I pottered around the house, checked in on work now and then, watched the US Election coverage and did a bit of sewing.  It was pouring with rain here so it was kind of nice to be indoors.

As foreshadowed, November is all about me and today I sewed up Mini Drape Dress No 12 from 'She has a Mannish Style'.  The material is a jersey silk and the plan is that I will wear this to a party later in November. In-situ photos will come later.

I've sewn this pattern up before and did think about making this one longer but thought the colour at the top of the material would wash me out, so wanted to start where there was a bit of colour and honestly, I'm short and I like a mini dress!  I added pockets into this dress, which might have been a mistake but I think with a few well placed stitched the pockets will sit better.

FINISHED! the disintegrating double gauze sugar tee

Clearly I was pretty taken with the sugar tee by Katie-Maree Cole in my recently aquired Home Sewn book, as no sooner had I finished my little post about the book, I was dragging out some double gauze I have had in the stash for a long time, some yellow lace bought on a whim and got pattern tracing.

The size in the book is a 10, bust 87cm, waist 67cm and hips 94cm so I just went right ahead with the sizing to see how it would turn out.  The instructions are basic but straightforward (just 7 steps). No diagrams, just 7 short written steps.

The fit is great and will definitely be making many more of these.  I just adore this style.

Worn to work today - Hulk drawn by Oliver one afternoon in my office

I'm also pretty fond of the yoke for which I used the 'wrong side' of the double gauze. I love the feel of this material and I've always thought that it was a shame that I could never find anything to make out of it.  I'm super keen on it with the yellow lace.  The lace is a bit narrow (maybe) and I didn't gather it as per the instructions in the book but I prefer it this way on this top at least.

What I won't do next time is

1. Think that this will be really quick and easy and try to squeeze it in before and then try to push on after dinner.  Yes, 90% of it goes together quickly but there is still some time in the binding.  This is not the time to be trying to sew with small children and Ben away.  Everyone and everything goes feral. Oh, who am I kidding.  I probably will do this wild chase of instant sewing gratification again, but one day I need to learn.
2. I won't sew double gauze like it's normal cotton - or even worse like it's jersey which is sort of what I did as I used the overlocker for the seams - don't ask me what I was thinking - see point 1 above!  Of course everytime I looked at it a split appeared in a seam. I have fixed most of them now, but can see myself carrying around the fray stoppa and glueing it all back together.  I was nervous wearing it to work today but no splits spotted.

FINISHED! Is there a Dr Tulloch in the library?

I had a busy week last week and fell into the weekend with only an ounce of energy left. Friday night I was looking down the barrel of a busy weekend of kids activities, including soccer and back to back kids parties on Sunday (9.30am to 3pm, gone gone gone to kids parties) plus the usual weekend 'stuff'.  Nevertheless, I stole minutes from wherever I could and managed to fit all manner of activities in, including a dinner at my mum's with my sister and her family, accidentally slamming Ben's fingers in the boot of the car - woopsa!, soccer, present buying and sending, selling our car - not because of the fingers in the boot (to a mum from preschool and school, so let's hope the car goes ok otherwise I'll have nowhere to hide) finishing the dreaded French homework.... and... yes, the Dr Tulloch Library dress got made as well!

I need to bottle away how I managed to find minutes here and there to make this dress. Looking back I can't believe it got done and not even too late into the night. Not tooooo late!  Admittedly it is an easy dress and it comes together very quickly which kept me motivated.

The first time I made this dress, Simplicity 2615 which Emily sent, I didn't buy enough fabric.  I also felt the collar wasn't quite right for me so ended up making a scarf to compensate and if I'm honest with myself the length isn't quite right.  It's not abandoned though and is still on the work outfit rotation.  

This time around, I added a peter pan collar and definitely prefer it. I also kept the dress longer (funny what happens when you buy enough material) and this too works better and suits the style of the dress.  I couldn't find a belt I like so just made up the tie, but will keep my eyes open for a belt.   I'm really happy with the way it has come together... it does have a cute librarian feel to it. Which suits the books in the material perhaps.  I feel very demure in it.

I have some better shoes for a summer wear of this dress  I originally thought black patent shoes would look good but it's not quite right.  Of course this isn't exactly a winter dress, but with a coat and scarf on for outside and in a heated office where I'm always running around..who cares!!

The collar that wasn't quite cut right has now become a 'design feature'!

Would I buy this in the shop if I saw it. Yes.  Yes, I think I might.

By the way, We are currently reading this book, The Hero's Guide to Saving your Kingdom by Christopher Healy  at any opportunity, when I'm not trying to sneak in some sewing. Highly highly recommend it if you are looking for a present for a child. Oliver is 6 and he is loving it!  (As am I!).  We read a lot of chapters of this over the weekend too!  Do yourself a favour!
Here's what the book is about:

"In the first volume of the Hero’s Guide saga, we meet Prince Frederic, Prince Liam, Prince Gustav, and Prince Duncan — better known as the Princes Charming who rescued Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Snow White, respectively — and find out that these men are far more (or less) than the cardboard cutout heroes we’ve heard tales about. Rejected by their princesses and cast out of their kingdoms, these four men bond over their shared anonymity and band together to battle witches, goblins, trolls, bandits, and giants in order to save each of their kingdoms from a diabolical plot."

24 May 2012 - cats

My two boys (spotty and snotty) are still at home today, but Ben and my mum are watching them for a while, so I'm off to work for the morning.  First however, I decided to perch on my little sewing corner for a photo: I'm wearing my Nani IRO top Cwith self drafted collar in Powell B from the SS12 Central Saint Martins collection.    I first blogged about this top here. I love a fabric that has a story! To remind you all, the liberty website says of the fabric:
This print was designed by Timi Hayek who was inspired by Sylvia in ‘La Dolce Vita’ who wore a lacy provocative top and behaved in a feline manner. 
The top is jutting out in a strange manner - like I have something in my bra - but this was the best photo I had for Me Made May 12 documentation - so I'll just have to live with it!

FINISHED! velo pjs

Two winters ago, I bought about 4 metres of this flannelette fabric as I thought I might make some pjs for the boys.  I think I made one pair of pyjama pants for Elliot and then this fabric was forgotten and left to take up it's place in the stash.
It was an absolutely stunning autumn day in Canberra today, one in which we should have been out enjoying the sun, but because Oliver is in 'quarantine' due to his chicken pox, we all just lazed about all day so I took the opportunity to delve into the stash.  The pants are K from Stylish Dress Book volume 3 and the top is a simple variation of the top I make all the time from Les Couleurs Francaises pattern W.  I debated about doing a differnt top, but this pattern is already cut out and easy to assemble.  I added some pockets into the sides of the pants... at first they were enormous so I did a little bit of fixing so the opening doesn't go all the way to my knee. Overall I love them.  I love that they are 4/5 length and have cute little darts at the ankle... and of course that they are snuggly and warm!!

In the boy's playroom

14 May 2012 - cheap cheap cheep top

Yesterday, I went out to buy some more interfacing to use for tracing patterns. Given the only success I ever seem to have comes through using Japanese pattern books, tracing paper is an essential part of my tool kit and about 18 months ago, I bought a huge roll of some fantastic stuff which I was hoping to find again.  Unfortunately, they no longer sell it, so was stuck buying packets of 5 metre medium weight interfacing. While out and about, I also had a bit of a browse and came across this cute bird dodgy polyester (chiffony) fabric.  At $9.95 a metre, who was I to say no to it and immediately raced home, tracing paper in hand, ready for a quick bit of afternoon sewing to compensate for the disaster from yesterday.

I used pattern F from A Stylish Dress Book, but shortened it into a top (so probably pattern P) with only 2 rows of shirring rather than the 3 and 1 row of shirring on the sleeves.  I've made a lot of Japanese pattern clothes before, but this was the first time I failed to locate the sleeves on the pattern sheet!!  I even asked Ben to try and help me but not even he could find the sleeves, so I found some lines that I thought might work and traced them out and cut the fabric.  This material was slippery to cut, and today, of course, the cutting of my 'could be' sleeves was also a litte bit off... so it's no surprise that when it came to matching seams and sewing it all up nothing really went together.  After yesterday's defeat I wasn't giving in so quickly.... so, after quite a bit of messing around (and swear words) with the sleeves, I made them fit.  They are not as 'flouncy' as they probably should be and while my rolled hem is not nearly as neat as it should be, for a $10 top it is ok and I'm not ashamed enough not to wear it.   In fact this morning, I have had quite a few compliments on it!

1 May 2012

First day of Me Made Me!!  And I've jumped out of bed early to get dressed and do this post before getting the boys ready and flying off to work!!!  So, today I'm wearing this Liberty top. The material was bought from Addicted to Fabric in December 2011 and I used pattern W as the base from Les couleurs francaises.  I love this pattern - you will see it more than a few times this month!  It is a lovely pattern and lends itself to lots of changes and a variety of outfits.  This particular version I popped a peter pan type collar on, which I drafted using pattern X in the book.  This was my first time making up a collar so I wasn't exactly sure what I was doing when I drafted it so it sits up a bit - but I like it.  It's a mistake which actually worked.  Added a self covered button (first time for this as well!!).. Oh and I am very proud of my matching of the pattern.  The other change was I used elastic in the sleeves.Ok, off to put my sneakers on!

FINISHED! A clockwork orange

Good Friday sewing! A quick top made from Liberty of London Picardie from the SS12 Central Saint Martins collection. This print was designed by Phil Kim and inspired by the film ,‘A Clockwork Orange.’ Kim describes the design as an “hallucination of unexpected combinations”. This is one of five designs selected from an annual collaboration with the BA Fashion/Textiles course at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.I love this fabric and Mum (after a gentle push in it's direction) gave it to me for Christmas 2011 from Addicted to Fabric a2f.com.au.  I used the pattern from my Nani Iro book and this time, made up a collar for it. I love the kimono sleeves they are so easy. I'm happy with it.  It's loose but comes in at the bottom.....  And here I am wearing it with my new Scervino Street jeans bought from theoutnet. Not sure these jeans - or this top for that matter - are the most flattering things I own - but they are both very comfortable and I do love the look of the jeans with my boots.