Getting back to it

I've wanted to step back into this space for a while but felt like I needed to wait for the right moment.  I have no idea what I thought the right moment would look like, so I kept waiting.  Time to just jump straight back in.  

I have a massive list of all the things I want to sew, more than I will ever have time for, and then when I do have time to sew I get distracted by all the projects.  I've spent a bit of time thinking about what I need and what I'd like to make and this is where I landed:

Image via Something Delightful

A black slip.  I'm going to use Butterick 6031. I ended up throwing away my last slip once it had patches in it that had worn through.  Also, my shape had changed (or the slip shrank) as it no longer covered my bum and that's pretty important.  I bought two of Gertie's kits to make these years ago so I have everything I need.  There's several items in my wardrobe I can't wear without a slip so this will be enormously helpful.

Image via Simplicity.com

Camel trousers.  I have some beautiful camel wool that I bought from Clear It several years ago with the intention of making trousers.  I think I'll use Simplicity 8056.  I have practically lived in an old, worn out pair of black pants for the last 12 months so these will be a very welcome change.  Also, they should work really nicely with my predominantly black, white, grey and navy wardrobe.

image via Friday Pattern Company

Cambria Duster.  I bought the fabric and pattern for this thinking it would be great for spring.  It never got done (are you sensing a theme!)  Anyway, I think it will work just as well as a light layer for autumn.  I'm planning on using this Harley fabric from Tessuti.

image via @truebias

Square neck Nikko top.  I've made the Nikko top from True Bias multiple times over the years.  I loved the square neck version that Kelli did using the hack from What Bella Made.  I'm planning on making it in black depending on what fabric is in the stash.

This is a really good jumping off point for me but I know that there'll be other projects that sneak into the queue.  I think this will help keep me on track when I don't know where to start,

Tessuti Sydney Jacket

Have you ever looked at a pattern and thought 'that's not for me', then you see so many awesome versions you think you should give it a go?  When you finally make it up you LOVE it and wonder why you ever doubted the pattern?  Well, that's me and the Sydney jacket.

The Tessuti Patterns Sydney Jacket was hugely popular a couple of years ago.  I made one up last year (never blogged) and really liked it, but didn't use the recommended fabric (I used a double faced wool that frays) and almost immediately regretted it.  Not this time!

During the Christmas sales I bought this beautiful boiled wool from Tessuti.  I cut this out late in March but it was still warm so it sat patiently waiting in a corner of my sewing room.  I had a bit of excess energy after getting home from my daughter's netball game late one night this week and decided to start this.  Maybe two hours later and this was finished!  It's a seriously quick sew that makes a big impact.

My version is a straight medium and I've left off the pockets.  I know that I won't use them in this type of jacket and that seriously sped up how quick this was to make.  The overlapped seams aren't hard and with no hems this is such a simple, relaxing sew.

So the Sydney Jacket is totally me after all.  I'm sewing up patterns that I love but maybe thought weren't for me and I'm having fun with it!

Tessuti Tuesday - Frankie love

I realised as I was writing this post that everything is from Tessuti - so Tessuti Tuesday it is!

I'd been on the lookout for a pattern just like the Frankie dress for over 12 months, I even had vague plans to create one myself using the Scout tee as a base.  I'm glad I never got that far because this pattern is perfection.  It's a really simple design with a couple of clever construction techniques that create a fitted, yet swingy, dress.

I've made this up in Tessuti's hashtag black.  It's a size M, knee length version with an additional 2 inches in length which I think I took off again when I hemmed it.  I feel like it looks much shorter in these photos than it does in real life!

The wind was wracking havoc when we took these photos so I've added an inside shot so you can see how nicely it hands.

I also think it works well paired with the Megan longline cardigan - the one below was made up in a merino jersey (yep, from Tessuti).

I think you'll be seeing Frankie again in the future.  

Tessuti Megan Longline Cardigan

I'm loving the Tessuti Megan Longline Cardigan at the moment.  It's such a simple and satisfying make.

This is my third version made up in a wide ribbed knit poly/rayon/spandex blend from Spotlight which has a beautiful hand.

This is a large with an additional two inches added through the body just above the waist.  The only other alteration I made was to remove the centre back seam.

I absolutely love the movement when you walk - it has a really nice swish to it!  My other two versions have been made up in merino wool and are lovely and warm.  I've been on a little bit of a Tessuti streak lately having made up the Sydney jacket, 3 Megan cardis and a Frankie dress.  I love them all and the Frankie dress will be coming to the blog soon.

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?

White for summer - Simplicity 2250

As I put this jacket on again this morning I realised that I still hadn't blogged it.

As I was making this up I didn't think I was going to like it.  The sleeves are wider than I was expecting and a lot shorter (despite adding additional length) and I was worried that it wouldn't work very well with either my figure or my existing wardrobe.  It was miserable on the day we took these photos hence the dark, slightly blurry indoor shots taken by my totally disinterested 11 year old.

Turns out I shouldn't have worried - it's incredibly versatile and very comfy and I'm surprised how often i'm wearing it!

This is Simplicity 2250 in a size 14.  I added 1.5 inches in extra length to the sleeves and through the body.
I couldn't find an exact match for the bias binding, and I didn't want a contrast so I finished the edges with a narrow band (below).

This was made using leftovers from another project so I had to piece the band, but I think it has worked pretty well.  I've also left off the shoulder pads and front self lining.  This is possibly the most basic jacket anyone could make - it would be a great beginner project.

At the end of September I drew myself up a sewing plan for October - I was more than a little ambitious and have barely had time to get to my machines.  I'm considering taking patterns and fabric in to work and using the boardroom table on my lunch break - does anyone else do this? 

Frustrated

I am so disappointed.  After tracing the pattern, adding seam allowances and very carefully sewing up the lining I found that my BWOF jacket was way too big so I have to start all over again. It nags at me every time I think about starting something else.  I've had the fabric and pattern sitting in my stash for so long that I just want it done, but I don't want to mess it up by rushing or forcing it.  Does this happen to anyone else?  I've bought some more lining fabric and I will finish it within the next couple of weeks before the cold weather is gone.

To try and ease my disappointment I made another mission maxi (previous version here), this time I used the version with the godet in the back.   I love it.  Wade loves it, especially the back.  This pattern is such a winner - I don't think I've seen a bad version.  This is a straight size 14 with an extra 5 inches added to the (unfinished) hem.  I need to get Wade to help me trim the hem of the godet so that it's even with the rest of the dress - the slight train effect is nice, but I'll trip over it all the time so it needs to go.

The worst thing about this dress is the fabric.  It just won't take any pressing and I'm worried that if I turn up the temperature I'll melt it.  This dress should be photographed on a beach somewhere warm and sunny but it's cold and wet in Melbourne so indoor pictures are the best I can do.  

I've got a couple of new tops to show you too - I needed a simple project to get my mojo running again.

Slowly, slowly

I've made a start on my Burda jacket (09-2008-105) but progress is v.e.r.y slow.  I'm trying to complete all the things I need to do which doesn't leave much time for the things I want to do, like sewing.

I've traced the pattern and I'm constructing the lining first to check the fit.  It's no surprise that Burda's instructions for lining the jacket suck, so I'm doing my own thing.  We'll see how well that goes :)  I've just pinned the back lining to Ruby below, it's not actually how it will sit, but it gives you an idea of the colour.

I'm planning on finishing the lining tonight and then if the fit is good I'll cut out the wool and start assembling it tomorrow.

I need your advice.  I can't get the Megan Nielsen Banskia top out of my mind.  Several times I've put it in my shopping basket and then cancelled at the last minute.  Has anyone sewed this top or any of her other patterns?  Are they ok, good, great?  Including postage it will cost me $26, which seems like a lot of money for a single top.  But then she is an independent designer and it's always nice to support a fellow Aussie too.  Your advice would be much appreciated!

Take 5 - Simplicity 2443

I love this pattern.  This is the fifth time I've used it (previously here, here, here and here) and I'm pretty sure I'll use it again because the vest is whispering my name.

I had a girl's night out planned and I was determined to wear this jacket.  I don't usually like sewing to a deadline, but this time it really worked for me and I love the way its turned out.  The jacket doesn't pull across my bust (not that I'll ever wear it done up), it's just the way I'm standing.  I seem to get all awkward in front of the camera.

The fabric is a beautiful soft olive linen/cotton blend from Kelani Fabrics.  This time around I left off all the pockets and tabs, added an extra inch to the length of the body, left off the sleeve plackets and fully lined it.  I knew I wanted buttons, not the ties, but I was really worried I wouldn't find anything I liked.  In the end I found these mottled brass buttons as Spotlight, which I love, but I think the buttons ended up costing as much as the fabric (does $7 a button seem like a lot to anyone else?). 

I finished the jacket about an hour before I was due to leave and I decided I needed a 3/4 sleeve t-shirt to wear underneath (as you do!).  So I used an old t-shirt as a pattern and cranked one out.  It's a bit tighter than I was planning but I really like it, and I got out the door on time.  I was on a sewing high and had a great night out with my netball girls.

Success! Simplicity 2443

I've finally got something to show!  I think my jacket's pretty cute, it's certainly not perfect, but I'm OK with that.

This is the jacket from Simplicity 2443 and I've got to say that I'm pretty impressed with the pattern drafting.  I hate easing in sleeves, but for the first time ever these worked first go.  Not unsightly wrinkles or puckers, it was great.  A lot of people have mentioned that they had problems with the instructions for the sleeve plackets, with that in mind I took my time but I had no problems and I'm really happy with how they've turned out.

This is a size 14 made straight out of the packet - I did add a lining and I've left off the middle bars between the front pockets and the ribbon ties.  I'm planning another version and I plan on adding some extra length and leaving off the front pockets.

Sorry - I'm not scowling at you the sun's in my eyes.

This is a great casual jacket that injects a shot of colour into my spring wardrobe.  I've got so many things that I want to sew I'm not quite sure where to start.  Hopefully that means there will be plenty of action happening here.

Coming soon...

...An actual finished garment.  Hopefully by the end of this weekend I'll have something to show you.

Here's a progress shot of what I'm working on.  Do you recognise the pattern?

Just when I thought I was getting into a bit of a groove my sewing mojo up and left, hence three weeks with no post.  But spurred on by an online Tessuti purchase (a couple of metres of this is heading my way) I'm planning on spending a considerable amount of my weekend holed up in my sewing room.

See you Sunday.  Do you have plans for the weekend?

...6,7,8,9,10

Prepare yourself for a picture heavy post - it's a Me Made March update.  It seems I left off with day 5, so we're up to day 6.

The weather warmed up a bit on Sunday so I got to pull on my most recent version of Simplicity 3503.  I love maxi dresses, they always make me feel so elegant and yet so comfortable at the same time.

Day 7 and I was back to work where I pulled out one of my favourite tops.  I'd had the 'wings' fabric for a little while but wasn't sure what to make with it and then I saw another blogger make McCall's 5337 (they used a quilting cotton) and it was like a light bulb went off.  My version isn't perfect but I love it.

Day 8 should have been a work day, but Miss G was sick so we both had a day off.  I pulled on another version of Simplicity 3503, this time in a silk jersey.  I'd had this dress stashed away with my sewing things for ages because I hated the way I finished the hem, but now I think that it just needs a good press, something I didn't bother doing before I wore it!

Day 9 was all me-made for most of the day - the little cardi only came out late in the day when it started to cool down.  The top is my recently completed Simplicity 2603 and the skirt is Vogue 8426.  Hubby complimented me on this outfit so it must be OK.

Day 10 brings me up to date.  Today's me-made is my jacket.  It's a natural coloured linen with a metallic golden finish, which I don't think you can see in the photos.  It's another Simplicity, this time it's Simplicity 3538 one of the earlier Project Runway patterns.

I'll be back later today with Day 11's picture.  Prepare to be underwhelmed :-)