May Plans, Progress and Purchases

My creative drive has been all over the place lately, I can't seem to settle on a particular project and so all three of my April projects are in various states of completion.  Hopefully I'll have at least one completed by the end of the week.

image via

May is always a busy month so my only planned item this month is the Grainline Studio Cascade Duffle, one of my #2018makenine projects.

I may also have placed an order at The Fabric Store.  There's some beautiful silk, viscose, merino knit, merino sport fabric and a couple of sweatshirt fabrics coming my way.  I've got plans for an Ogden cami with the silk, a couple of pairs of pants (Simplicity 8389 for the viscose and some Animas, a jumper/sweater, two work out tops and a merino knit top (thinking I'll use the Rowan top) - and I probably won't make any of it in May!

April Plans

I hate to sound like a cliche, but... where has the time gone?!  I can't quite believe that it's already April.

I was trying to prioritise my projects for the month and thought that it would be good to blog them, helps me with my accountability but also helps to keep me on track.

Images via Closet Case Patterns and Grainline Studio

I think three projects is realistic - none of these are particularly complex but will be great additions to the wardrobe especially as we head into Autumn.

I've just realised that I'm almost exactly copying the photos above!  I'm planning the Closet Case Patterns Sasha trousers in a caramel stretch wool from Tessuti, the Closet Case Patterns Kalle cropped shirt in a white stretch cotton shirting and the Grainline Archer in a white viscose.

So far I've managed to cut out the Kalle shirt but Emerald Erin's Jordy Bralette is calling my name so who knows - there could be a change in plan!

#2018makenine and other goals

I like the concept of nominating 9 projects for the year so I've made a #2018makenine.  I've already posted it on Instagram but I thought I'd recap here and capture a couple of other goals too.

Let's start with the other goals.  Like so many others my stash is overflowing and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by it.  As I was scrolling Instagram over Christmas I found Katrina's stash diet and decided to join in.  I have fabric piled high on an armchair in my sewing room and I won't be buying any other fabric until it's cleared (my cupboards are also overflowing but I'm trying to be realistic and set small, achievable goals).

This year I'm also saving for a coverstitch machine.  I've wanted one for a long time, Wade even told me to just go out and buy one, but I want to save for it and get the satisfaction of doing this on my own.

Finally, here's 9 projects that I really want to make this year.

True Bias Lodo dress - I already have the pattern and the fabric.

image via

True Bias Lander Pants I have the pattern and need to dig through my stash to see if I can find the right fabric.

image via

Swim Style Chic Bandeau Bikini - Pattern purchased, fabric in the stash, just need the findings.

image via

Grainline Studio Cascade Duffle Coat  I have the pattern, fabric and toggles.

image via

Grainline Studio Archer Shirt I have the pattern and some beautiful linen and I hope to make a start this week.

image via

Orange Lingerie Esplanade Bra Need to buy everything for this one - will be later in the year I think.

image via

Cloth Habit Harriet bra  I have the pattern and I have the fabric and findings.

image via

Style Arc Ziggi Jacket (in leather) I have the pattern.

image via

It's a bit of a challenge and I'm keen to get started.  It will be interesting to see if the plan changes as the year progresses.  Do you have sewing plans and goals for 2018?

#2017makenine review

I hopped on board the #2017makenine train back in January, at the time these were things that I really wanted to make.  I thought it would be good to check in and see what got made, what got worn and what didn't even make it to the cutting table.

Closet Case Patterns Sophie swimsuit: This one didn't even make it to the cutting table.  It's still something I'd like to make, so you may see it in 2018.

Baste and Gather Birkin Flares: These are a work in progress (WIP).  In my mind I'll have them finished to wear on New Year's Eve, but that's tomorrow and I'm just not sure I'll get there.  I'm determined that these will happen soon.

Grainline Studio Cascade duffle:  Another one that didn't even make it to the cutting table but I love this coat and so I've added it to my #2018makenine.

Tessuti Patterns Ruby top/dress:  Made, but not blogged.  I have posted it on insta if you want to take a look.  It's a winner and will be coming to the blog soon. 

StyleArc Blaire top/dress:  Also made but not blogged.  My fabric choice wasn't quite right, it's a little too short and my collar looks sloppy - very 'home made' but in a bad way.  I'll blog it soon but think I'll just harvest the buttons and try again in a different fabric.

Silk fabric: Also a WIP, this is on its way to be a Ruby top.  I told you the pattern was a winner!

Orange Lingerie Montgomery briefs: I've made a selection of these and really like the pattern.  Fabric choice has a big impact on which pairs I reach for.  The microfibre and lace ones get worn the most, the other two I just don't reach for unless everything else is in the wash.

Evie la Luve Bella panties:  Totally addicted to making these!  I love them and they've become my undies of choice!  This pattern is a total winner for me.

Evie la Luve Esme panties: These are one of my recent makes (scroll down) and I'd like to make them again.  Next time I'll go down a size and use fold over elastic to finish the legs.

Not too bad - 5 made, 2 WIPs and 2 not started.  I'll post my #2018makenine next week, but if you want an early look you can check it out here.   How did you go with your plans/goals for 2017?

Striped Willow top

Somehow several months have disappeared since I last posted but, such is life, right?

I had the chance to attend Sewjourn with my sister and some of her friends and it was amazing - I had the best time.  So for the first time ever I actually have a backlog of projects to show you, I just need to get them photographed.  I'm someone that likes to take photos as I wear the items so I have to hope that I have a willing photographer, daylight and that I've managed to keep my clothes semi-clean during the day.  Not always an easy combination for me to achieve!
 

This little top is a winner.  It's the Willow top/dress from Grainline Studio.  I've made a straight size 14.  I think my bust measurement was between a 12 and a 14 and I sized up.  I could probably get away with a 12 but I'm happy with the way this fits.

I've used a cotton/linen blend cut on the cross grain because I wanted the stripes running horizontally (sorry Mum, I know you hate that!)  I was inspired by this top on Pinterest.

There is no stripe matching on this top!  I can only assume the stripes were off grain because despite my best efforts there was no way I could get them to line up without skewing the top.  If you look closely you can see that even the bust darts end on a different stripe which just drives me crazy.

Fit wise I'm pretty happy with this straight out of the envelope.  I think the bust dart could be raised a little bit for the next version, and there will be a next version.  I've worn this twice in the last 7 days so it's definitely worth a second go.

April Sewing Plans

I've got a few days off over Easter and wanted to make the most of the extra time in my sewing room.

I have a massive wish list of things that I want to make but figured if I could focus on just a handful of items I'd be more likely to get them done!

 

So here's five things that I'm hoping to sew up over the rest of April:

First up is a new skirt for work.  It's Vogue 1170, a Rachel Comey pattern from a few years back.  It's no longer listed on Vogue's website but you can pick it up on Etsy or Ebay easily enough.  I'm planning on making it up in a beautiful Italian wool that I bought at Tessuti several years ago.  

The Birkin Flares are one of my #2017makenine picks and something that I've been wanting to make for a couple of years.  These will be a great addition to my weekend wardrobe and will likely make an appearance for casual Friday at work too.

I fell hard for this beautiful viscose poplin from Blackbird Fabrics and all I could think of was making the Grainline Archer shirt.  Also, I need tops for work so this seems like a winner.

Next up I'm planning to make Vogue 1460 in a gorgeous denim coloured merino jersey from The Fabric Store.  A warm, cosy winter work dress.

My last planned make is Megan Nielsen's Rowan body suit - colour and style as per the picture below.  I layer all my clothes in winter so I think this will be a winner.

Picture via

If I'm crazy productive my two bonus projects will be a Tessuti Sydney jacket in a gorgeous charcoal marle boiled wool and a pair of navy stretch cotton Ginger (jeans) pants.  I'm pretty excited by all these projects so I hope I can them all sewn up.

#2017makenine

I'm not on Instagram but love the idea of nominating nine items that you want to make in 2017 so I'm playing along here.

All photos used in the collage above are via the individual pattern companies.

I've loved the Sophie Swimsuit pattern since it was released and wanted to have a pair made up for our recent trip to Byron Bay - I ran out of time but hope to get these made up soon.

I don't know if flares will be popular again this winter but I still love them and plan to make the Birkin Flares from Baste and Gather.  In winter I live in denim so being able to play with a different silhouette will be great.

The Cascade Duffle Coat has been on my to sew list since it was released.  I have all my supplies but I bought the PDF pattern and I just can't bring myself to stick that many pages together!  I've just bought the paper pattern so hopefully this gets made before winter rolls around again.

The Ruby top/dress is another pattern that has been on my radar for ages.  I really want to make both the top and dress variations - I think they'll be really versatile additions to my wardrobe.

The Blaire shirt from Style Arc is a departure from I normally wear but it has been calling my name since it was released.  I'm going to make this in white linen but I love the version my sister just made in a gorgeous rayon.

Number 6 isn't a pattern, it's a gorgeous pieces of fabric.  I couldn't resist the beautiful city lights silk crepe de chine from Tessuti Fabrics but I've been too scared to cut into it in case I stuff it up.  Time to get over it - there's always more beautiful fabric!

Everybody wants beautiful undies and I want to add the Montgomery briefs from Orange Lingerie and the Bella and Esme undies from Evie la Luve to my collection.

I feel like this is a really achievable selection.  There's a nice mix of quick makes and more detailed projects and I know I'll feel pretty awesome if I manage to get all these made up.

So do you Instagram?  I'm tempted to sign up but all the comments about the new algorithms have made me wary.  Are you on Instagram and do you like it?

Getting started in 2016

Happy New Year!

My first finished item of  2016 is the Grainline Studio Moss Mini and I'm pretty happy with the outcome.  I made view A using a coated twill from Joy's Fabric Warehouse which gives it a bit of a leather look (it also shows every wrinkle).  I cut this out over six months ago but I think I made a size 14 with several inches extra length.  I'm not sure of the exact amount because it was so long ago.  At a guess I'd say I added at least four inches and then removed two when I hemmed it.

I'm pretty excited to be back sewing.  I had a fantastic day in the city on Saturday with Mum and my sister - we hit up Darn Cheap Fabric, The Fabric Store and Tessuti, had lunch at Chin Chins and then saw Fiddler on the Roof.  Talk about kick starting the mojo!  I had such a great day and I can't wait to sew up the fabrics that I bought.

My only issue with this pattern is the instructions for the fly - they're just nuts. I'm tempted to make this again and if I do, I'll use the method from the Ginger Jeans.  It gives a much nicer finish.

I think I need to invest in a tripod and remote. When I asked Wade to take my photos he told me to spin slowly like a rotisserie chicken!  Ah well - at least I'm back sewing and blogging again.

Morris Blazer

This jacket nearly didn't make it to the blog.  I didn't want to be the only sewing blogger that struggled with this pattern.

I love the pattern and the combination of fabrics that I chose, but the fit is just terrible on me.  I used a stretch sateen for the majority of the jacket and faux leather for the lapels.  Maybe I should have gone up a size to account for using stretch woven rather than a knit.

I measured myself up and my numbers put me right on a size 14.  I left the body length alone, but added  xx inches to the sleeves (should have gone more but couldn't believe I needed that much extra length to make them full length).

I had a moment with the instructions for joining the facing.  One step tells you to fold the facing in and press, and the then next step you join them together.  To get the join to work you need to unfold and sew what you have just folded up, but this isn't mentioned.  Not a huge drama, but it did seem counter intuitive.

As you can see from the photos the shoulders are way too wide for me, not something I usually have a problems with.  I also have fold lines on the sleeves in the bicep area and a great big fold across the back where the jacket is clearly too tight.  Sorry I didn't get any photos of the back when I was wearing it, but the wrinkles tell the story.  I also found that the armhole felt really small and tight.  I'm wondering whether the combination of the too tight armhole and too wide shoulders are contributing to the pulling across the back.

I really wanted this to work, it would be perfect for the more casual environment I'm in at work.  I'm not sure whether to work on the pattern (it really wouldn't be that hard to fix) or just move on to something else.

Day Dreaming

I've had such high hopes for my sewing but I haven't been able to turn those dreams into reality.

You know how it goes - there's a party so you think you'll make something awesome to wear, there's a job interview so you need a new outfit to give you that extra boost of confidence, there are important meetings where you want to be at your absolute best and you can't find anything in your wardrobe that feels right.  Surely I'm not the only one!  All these events have come and gone without a stitch of new clothing in sight and I've survived (I even got the job!).

But I'm itching to sew.  I bought some gorgeous new fabrics on a trip to Sydney, I've indulged in online shopping and even Wade has suggested that I'm going to struggle to make up all the patterns that are arriving in the mail.

It's time to put my foot to the pedal.

We have a public holiday on Monday which means a long weekend and for the first time in months I don't have to be out all weekend at kids sport.  Given that I'm the worlds slowest sewer I figure I can get through three simple garments, anything else is a total bonus.


So here's my Queen's Birthday long weekend sewing list:

The Morris Blazer - just need to pre-wash my fabrics and I'm ready to go.

Image via

Simplicity 1366 - So many versions of this top out there, but I just think it would be a great winter layering piece.

Papercut Patterns Anima pants - I have a beautiful bamboo/tencel french terry set aside for these and I can't wait to wear them.

image via

Hopefully having a dedicated list will stop me from becoming overwhelmed by everything that I want to sew - I've been going into my sewing room and looking at all the lovely fabrics and patterns and not quite knowing where to start.

Do you have any weekend sewing plans?  Do you ever get overwhelmed by the long list of things you want to sew?  How do pick what you're going to make next?

My top three for autumn/winter

I loved the responses on my last post about what you were planning to sew next, it really got me thinking about my own plans.

I dug through my stash for inspiration, grabbed a note book and pen and started making a list.

It was a great list, but there were way too many items.  I'd be lucky to have a total of five hours a week for sewing so there was really no way that I was going to be able to make 20+ things.  I thought about splitting it into work and casual priorities and making a list for each, but in the end I decided it would be much more realistic to aim for three items that I would really love.  So here's my top 3 for autumn/winter...

Closet Case Files Ginger Jeans

image Via Closet Case Files

I have worn my current jeans so much I can actually see through the fabric on the backside - they're not going to last much longer.  Also I have had the same style/pairs for many, many years and I am completely sick of them.  The sew-along looks fantastic and I've loved every version of the Ginger jeans I have seen.  I want some of that goodness for myself. 

Grainline Archer

image via Grainline Studio

Curiously - I have no shirts in my wardrobe. I had a white tuxedo shirt in rotation for over five years but it's no longer in a state fit to be worn out of the house.  I really need a classic white shirt and again the Archer has had great reviews.

Grainline Cascade Coat

image via Grainline Studios

I hit buy on this pattern the day it was released - I love it.  With the amount of outdoor sport my kids play I need a good coat.  I have fabric and toggles in my stash and can't wait to get started on this one.

I might also have bought fabric to make Vogue 8926 :)  I was inspired by the picture below on pinterest and I'm considering this one my bonus!

image via pinterest

So that's my top three, plus one, for autumn/winter.  If I can make all these I will be absolutely thrilled.

Silk Scout III

I'm demonstrating my love for the Grainline Scout pattern again today.  I treated myself to some amazing silk in Tessuti's summer sale, it's possibly the most expensive fabric per meter that I've ever bought.  I promised myself it wouldn't sit in a cupboard and become to precious to cut in to.

Yes, I appear to have a flower on my boob - despite my very best efforts not to.  There are worse things in life!

This is my third silk Scout (here and here) and my fourth overall (here).  The cotton version has been moved to my scrap box for re-use, but my silk ones are in constant rotation.  They're perfect at work, I think they look just as nice tucked into a skirt as they do left out over pants and they're great with a pair of casual shorts too.

I guess this post is more about me proving to myself that I do use my special fabrics rather than sharing any particular sewing info!

Tropical birds or silk scout number #2

I actually made this top several weeks ago and haven't had a chance to blog it.  I completed a silk scout top not that long ago and wasn't planning another, but somehow this got pushed to the front of the queue.

It's a silk crepe de chine from the depths of my stash and it was popular blogger choice a couple of years ago.  I'm a little behind the times so I'm just making it up now.  There are no changes from last time I sewed the scout - french seams through out and lined body.

Spring is definitely in the air in Melbourne, but it's not quite warm enough to wear a silk t-shirt, so this top is getting layered with a cardi and tank top for work.  It's actually had quite a bit of wear, the colours in the birds give you lots of options for coordinating.  I, of course, chose to wear black :)
 

I thought I'd write a list of a few things that I wanted to sew in September - I was thinking maybe three or four items to help overcome my exceptional procrastination skills.  I ended up with a massive list, so it's back to the drawing board.  Time to prioritise and be logical (boring but necessary).

Geometric stars - a silk Scout

I'm not much of a patterned fabric person - I have to really love a pattern before I'll sew it up.  I fell in love with this silk as soon as I saw it and hesitated to sew it up because didn't want to ruin it.  I figured something simple would best showcase the design so I decided to go with the Scout.

I've made the Scout before (strangely enough also in a patterned fabric).  This time I added some gentle shaping through the body by taking out 3cm from each side, front and back, at waist level tapering to nothing at the armhole and hip level.  I also added 2 inches to the length.  I even cut it out in a single layer so I had no bulls eye issues!

The crepe de chine was a little sheer so I added a silk habatai lining to the body.  There's nothing worse than wearing a beautiful silk top and then having to wear a synthetic seam free cami underneath!

Yes - very blurry photo (the kids had been playing with my camera and fiddled with settings and put grubby fingers on the lens) but I think it best shows the gentle shaping on the sides.    I love this top - yes the tension is a little tight around the neckline and I forgot to use french seams through out, but it's going to get a lot of wear.

Looking at these photos I wish I'd waited until I had something else to wear it with - with such a voluminous top I needed a slimmer fit on the bottom - but I hadn't shaved my legs, didn't want to wear tights and desperately need a black pencil skirt :)  On the upside they are pants I made and I was comfy all day.

Splattered Scout - Grainline 31002

Thanks everyone for your well wishes on my last post - I found out yesterday that I have passed all modules!

I feel so much more relaxed and I'm really enjoying time in my sewing room.  I've even managed to sew three (basic) items, the first one being the Scout tee from Grainline Studios.

I think everyone else has said everything there is to say about this top - mine's a size 12 with an extra inch in length through the body.  I even cut into my much loved and patted Liberty fabric.

I've always admired Liberty fabric on others, but the floral prints just don't feel like me, so when I saw this splatter print tana lawn (Melly) I snapped it up. It was such a pleasure to sew.  The fabric was beautiful and the pattern went together perfectly - even the bias strips behaved themselves.  Because it was Liberty I felt like I should use french seams instead of the over locker, and I was incredibly proud of myself for using them on the set-in sleeves too.  Not something I've ever done before, but it was actually pretty easy and now my top looks beautiful on the inside too.

I'm getting my sewing mojo back and I love it.