Monday 20 June 2011

Comments - help please

OK - I've had enough of Blogger's dodgy comment problems. 

It seems that some people are able to comment on my blog and others can't.  I've been in to my settings and changed a few things around, including removing the word verification and allowing anonymous comments (although I'd much prefer if you did leave a name or blog link so that I can return the favour).  Fingers crossed that it works and I don't just end up with a heap of spam.  If anyone has any other suggestions I'd love to hear them.

And I found this yesterday - what do you think?

Sunday 19 June 2011

Saturday Sewing

Hubby was invited over to a neighbours to watch football and have a few beers so I spent a couple of happy hours with my sewing machine.

First up was the Schoolhouse Tunic from Sew Liberated.  I made it up using a printed rayon from Spotlight (I have mixed feelings for Spotlight, but that's a whole other story) .  I'm glad I checked out some other reviews before I started cutting.  It's generously sized - I cut out a size 10/12 and I usually cut a 14 in Big 4 patterns. 


I made the dress length and it's pretty short - a strong breeze would have me blushing.  I knew I'd never wear it without leggings underneath so it didn't worry me but you might want to check the length.  Other than that this was a breeze to put together.  I made one change and that was to use a centred inverted box pleat, the same as the back.  I just preferred the way it looked. 

Me Made June - Day 19

Finally I whipped up three pairs of black leggings, talk about instant gratification.  Mine were made using an Ottobre Women's pattern (2/2008 #16).  The pattern is only for 3/4 leggings but I just measured my legs and extended the length.   The girls' leggings were also made using Ottobre patterns. 


I'm off to trace another Ottobre pattern, Georgia has put in a request for a hooded top.  I really love it that the kids still think it's cool to have me making clothes for them.

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Kasia, my friend

Here's my latest finished project, the BurdaStyle Kasia skirt.

Day 14 of Me Made June

This is the second time I've made it and I think that I like it better this time, although after seeing the photo above I might hem it just above the knee.



I made a straight size 42 in a black cotton sateen.  It's just a little bit more snug than I usually like, but that's due to my recent addiction to Cadbury pineapple chocolate and has nothing to do with the pattern sizing:)



I love the pockets, the button front and the gathered inserts and I think that the high waist is quite flattering.  You can see in the photos that after wearing the skirt all day it has bagged a little in the butt area and that the waistband has a fold line in it.  These aren't deal breakers for me.  I didn't line the skirt or wear a slip (I should have, it crept up my stockings every time I took more than two steps) and I think that this would help to prevent the bagging.

I can't stay out of my sewing room at the moment, I've got a couple of projects cut out but I'm not sure what I want to do. 

Sunday 12 June 2011

Kids Clothing Parade

There has been quite a lot of kid sewing happening lately - and I'm taking advantage of it while I still can.  So far I think everything has come from my beloved Ottobre magazines, I only wish that I had discovered these when the girls were still babies.  


C is modelling the Nana dress from 6/2008 number 37.  I've combined the width of size 152 with the length of 164 and made it up in a mid weight wool jersey.  I'm not sure that this dusky pink is the best colour for her but she's happy with it.  C was really happy with it until she tried it on and then she felt like she was being choked by an old fashioned night gown. 

In the end I widened and scooped the neck quite a bit, but I did use a neckband rather the just fold under and sew as directed.  My sister pleated one side of the dress for an asymmetrical look, but it the end C just wanted it to be shorter.  I had not planned on this being a mini dress, the old saying 'measure twice and cut once' is ringing in my ears. 


P is wearing the Hooded Sweater from Ottobre 4/2007 number 34 in a size 128.  This size corresponded exactly with her measurements , but I'm not 100% happy with the way it looks on her.  The only alteration I made was to lengthen the body by about an inch.  The sleeves look almost ridiculously long compared to the length of the body.  P says it's comfy and she likes it and C & G have put in orders for ones in other colours so it's a winner for the kids.


And a super quick one to round it out - a pair of pink and white striped leggings, size 128 from Ottobre 1/2009 design number 32.  These are pretty loose, I prefer leggings to have negative ease so next time I'll use a different pattern and just add length to a size 116.

I'm loving this long weekend, I've managed to finish quite a few things that have been hanging around for a while and plan quite a few new projects. Hopefully you'll see a finished item tomorrow.

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Cozy, Comfort Clothing and a Confession

First up a confession - because apparently it's good for the soul.

I couldn't wear a me-made item on June 7th.  "Why not?" you ask - well I had no appropriate clothing.  Winter has well and truly hit Melbourne and on Tuesday my nose was so red from the cold I could have given Rudolph a run for his money.  Not that I could feel it because my face was completely numb.  I don't have any me-made coats and I don't have any tops that would have been warm enough to layer under a coat.  I guess I could have worn a t-shirt under another top under a jumper, but if I'm going to wear me-made clothes then I want them out there for everyone to see (this may change if I ever start making underwear!).  So that's my confession.

Badly cropped photo so you can't see all my mess!

Neckline close up

I did manage to squeeze in a tiny bit of sewing on the weekend.  After sitting in my pattern stash for quite some time Butterick 5247 (apparently now out of print) jumped out at me, I also had some mid-heavy weight wool jersey hanging out in my fabric stash and about an hour later I had a cozy comfortable new dress (which I wore to ward off the cold on Monday).

I made view D in a size 14.  If you're thinking of making it check your sleeve and hem lengths.  I added an extra inch to the sleeve length and still had to hem it with a band to make it long enough.   Also view D looks to be well below the knee on the model and on me it ended up being a couple of inches above the knee. 

Overall a really simple project with a nice neckline and I'm sure it'll get plenty of wear of the next couple of chilly months.

Thursday 2 June 2011

Totally random

You'd think that a total blogging absence for two weeks would mean lots of finished garments, but you'd be wrong.

The Kids Clothes Week Challenge had me pulling out all my Ottobre magazines but accomplishing very little.  I now have a very long list of things to make the kids.  I did manage to finish one pair of track pants, one dress (adjustments have been requested) and almost complete a hoodie.  The pants have been a winner and I think the hoodie will be too.  We'll have to wait and see about the dress.  I'll post the Ottobre details when I can get the kids to pose in their new gear.

Hoodie in progress

Dress in progress

Some new additions to the stash

Favourite new pants

Sis, these are coming your way - hope you like them!

I'm hoping to get to those new stash additions over the weekend, as well as completing a couple of UFOs.  Almost can't remember how my sewing machine works.

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Here we go again

It's day one of Me Made June and I'm kicking it off in comfort.


Vogue 8685 took me from the office to the netball court where I was the game day coach for an under 9's netball game.

I can't believe it has been two weeks since my last post but I do have a couple of things to show you - hopefully tomorrow.