April Plans

Well what a month March was!  I started the month with a night out in the city moving from roof top bar to roof top bar and finished the month in isolation.  Along the way I also successfully applied for a new job and handed in my resignation at an organisation that I've worked for for over 15 years.  I've felt all the emotions this month!

There was very little sewing in March.  My black ginger jeans are 90% done - just need to sew the buttonhole and hems and bang in the button.  The wrap top and the bra are not even close, but I still want them and hope to be able to get it done in April.

Images via Tessuti Fabrics, Orange Lingerie and David Jones

So for April I'm planning to make:

• Tessuti Berlin Jacket in black boiled wool from The Cloth Shop Ivanhoe
• Tessuti Many Boat Tee x 2 in green and ivory merino from The Fabric Store
• Orange Lingerie Devonshire Bra
• Trousers/jeans - pattern/s to be determined

I finish up at work on Thursday and have two weeks off before I start in my new role so I'm hopeful that I'll be able to achieve everything on my list this month.

These are all really practical items that will work well during this isolation period as well as filling current gaps in my wardrobe.

Making plans - March

Lately I haven't felt productive.  At the end of the day I'm so tired I just want to fall on the couch and scroll Instagram - which only makes me feel worse!  So I decided to put together some simple plans for March to try and get some balance back.

Images via Orange Theory, Tessuti, Peppermint Magazine and Closet Case Patterns

Here's what I hope to get done:

• Devonshire Bra from Orange Lingerie
• Peppermint wrap top in a gorgeous rhubarb silk satin from Tessuti Fabrics
• Ginger Jeans in true black denim from Threadbare Fabrics

The best part is that I have all the fabrics and patterns in my stash and I've made a start by cutting out the jeans and the bra.

Pretty modest plans but I'm excited to see them come together. 

#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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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?

Miss Montgomery

Does anyone else always over estimate what they can achieve?  I knew I would have almost no sewing time in May and yet I still thought I'd get more done - not sure when I thought I'd be sewing!  I did get manage to sew up some more undies and ticked another item off my #2017makenine list so not too bad I suppose.

These are the Orange Lingerie Montgomery Briefs.  I've made up five pairs in a range of different fabrics. 

The pink lace and mesh version would be the prettiest pair, but the comfiest are the grey microfibre.  I've also made up two pairs using a beautiful soft lining fabric paired with different laces.  I only had matching lingerie/picot elastic for the black pair (and I didn't want to buy any more supplies) so I used fold over elastic instead and I'm pretty happy with the way these turned out.  I'm even happier that these were all made up using items in my stash.  How awesome is the elastic on the black microfibre pair - love it.

The design of these is really similar to my all time favourite RTW style (Elle McPherson lingerie from a few years back) and overall I'm pretty pleased with the way these turned out.  Some days you just want a bit more coverage and these don't leave a line under your clothes.

 

My underwear drawer is looking pretty gorgeous right now so I might take a break from making undies for a while.  It's only the second day of winter but I have been absolutely freezing at work so I think it's time to make up some warm pieces for work.

May Plans and Me Made May

I'm really happy with the way my plans for April helped me make the most of my sewing time so I thought I'd do it again for May.

We have a lot of commitments in May so no weekend sewing time.  It's also the annual Me Made May challenge which I want to participate in, but don't want to feel pressured to take a photo every day or try to churn out new items just so that I have something new to share.

images via Tailor Made Shop

I'm generally wearing at least one item I've made every day, and it's just as likely that I've made my entire outfit so that's not such a challenge anymore.  Lingerie making has been on my to do list for a couple of years so I thought this was the perfect time to give it a go.  New undies can be sewn up pretty quickly and I'm told bras don't really take that long either.  I know I have a steep learning curve ahead of me but I'm excited to get started.

images via Evie la Luve

To get things started I purchased some bra kits from Tailor Made Shop (she has the most beautiful kits).  Top of my list is the Orange Lingerie Montgomery Briefs (check out Norma's Instagram feed for pure lingerie beauty).  I'm also really keen to try the Evie la Luve Esme and Bella undies.  The Watson Set is still something I'd like to sew up and I have a really lovely kit from Blackbird Fabrics that I want to use - time to stop stashing and start sewing.

So here's my pledge for Me Made May:

 'I, Robyn of Sew Love Red, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear at least two pieces of me made underwear each week and sew one new bra for the duration of May 2017'

I certainly won't be posting modeled photos of my pledge items but I will share the finished items.  Are you playing along?