Gone Dotty

In the recent (online) Tessuti sale I bought this black dotty jersey I didn't know what I wanted to make, but I knew I had to have it.  Then driving home from the Melbourne meet up (more on that in a minute) I realised it would make a perfect balloon top.  

I love this pattern - the round neckline at the front, the gentle V at the back, the shape of the sleeves.  It just really does it for me and I think this version might be my new favourite (previous versions here, here and here)  

I already mentioned that I went to the Melbourne meet up.  I was nervous as all get out (I absolutely dread walking into a room full of strangers) but everyone was great and it was pretty cool to see some of things I'd really admired in person.  I had a really lovely afternoon and came home so inspired - it was a great kick start to my mojo.  I don't have any photos, but there are lots of great posts that do - here's the full list of attendees if you'd like to check out some inspiring ladies:

Rachel: Boo dogg and me

Kat: All the whimsical things

Rachel :My messings

Kirsty: Rocket Sews

Leith: Sew Brunswick

Lara: Thornberry

Melanie: PoppyKettle

Helen: Funkbunnys kitchen garden

Christy: Little Betty

Rachel: The two windmills

Sarah: Sewsquirrell

Tj: The perfect nose

Belle: Bella's Collectanea of Sewing

Special mention to the lovely blog-less ladies Anna, Catherine, Heather and Sue A. 

Finally - I'll leave you with a little sneak peak of another finished item - I just need to get some photos of me wearing it.

Repeat Love

I think my new year resolution should be that I won't sew as many repeats!

I saw this outfit on Pinterest and loved it, particularly the colours.

Source: bananneliese.tumblr.com via Robyn on Pinterest

Then I realised that with a couple of the fabrics in my stash I could put together my own version.  I made the pants (Simplicity 3686) a while back, but only just got a chance to make this top.  It's another (my third) from the Balloon dress pattern, this time made up in a medium weight cotton knit.  I just love the neckline and the drapey style, but this version doesn't hang as nicely as my other two. 

Simplicity 2865 got another run too.  Caitlyn picked this animal print for a top a while back.  I'd put off doing anything with it because I wasn't sure what style I wanted or how my machine would react to the burn out poly knit.  In the end I decided that a tank top for layering would be the best way to use it.  I took these photos before I hemmed it but you can see that it's much higher in the front than at the back - a requested design feature. 

We're both really pleased with how our tops turned out.  Sometimes simple really is best.  I've got a really basic dress cut out and ready to go so I might manage to squeeze it in before the new year.

New Balloon

Not too long ago Tessuti Fabrics featured some linen jersey as their fabric of the month. It took me a couple of days to decide to order - I loved the look of the fabric but at $28 a meter I needed to think before I ordered.  I ended up ordering some white linen jersey and some beautiful navy merino jersey. 

All that to say I've made another Balloon top.

Could of sworn this was straight when I took the photo!

I knew I wanted to make something that I would love and that would get a lot of use and I think this fits the bill. 

In other news I've signed up for the Kids Clothes Week Challenge.  I'm a bit to the party - it starts on Monday - but my kids really need some new gear so this challenge is ideal.  You're supposed to sew for your kids for an hour a day, every day for a week.  I'm going to do a little bit of prep work this weekend so that I can just spend my hour sewing.

Anyone else signed up for the Kids Clothes Week Challenge or Me Made June?