Masks: something I never thought I'd make

Like so many others, I've been making masks.  This afternoon even tighter restrictions were announced for Melbourne, we will go from Stage 3 lockdown into Stage 4.  It's necessary, but that doesn't make it any easier.  My sewjo disappeared when we went in to lockdown 2.0 and these are really all that I've been making.  

Now if I have to wear a mask, I'm going to wear one I like and I'm pretty happy with these.  It's a free pattern from Twig and Tale, it's multi size and has a filter pocket.  You can also add a channel for a nose wire but I haven't done that.

These were all made using fabric and elastic from my stash.  I'm lucky to have had supplies on hand as elastic has become pretty hard to come by.  I've made these using three layers of cotton.  The colourful masks have quilting cotton on the outside and inside, with a really tightly woven 1000 thread count sheet for the inner layer.  The black masks have cotton drill on the outside and then the sheet fabric and quilting cotton on the inside.  I've used 5mm and 6mm elastic, as well as narrow fold over elastic for the ear loops.

These have washed and worn really well and it's a really nicely drafted pattern.  

Hopefully the additional restrictions help to control the spread of transmission and we're able to see family and friends again in 6 weeks time.

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. 

Cottesloe velvet lounge set

The Megan Nielsen Cottesloe pattern was released as Australia heads into winter so it didn't seem like the right time to be making a pair of bathers but I really wanted to try the pattern.

A quick search of the stash unearthed this stretch velvet from Spotlight.  I'd actually call it velour (like the popular track pants back in the day) but Spotlight says it's stretch velvet.  Whatever you call it, I just love the colour and the feel of it.  I could not get this colour to photograph well, it's a really saturated jewel toned blue.  It looks very luxe.

I decided to make view C and cut a size 14 top and size 16 bottoms based on my measurements. 

For lounge wear, the fit is fine, but I wouldn't feel secure swimming in these.  When I make these again as bathers I would reduce the length of the under bust elastic (in fact, I'd use the top from view D) and I would either size down in the bottoms or tighten the elastic for a more secure fit.  But that's the great thing about sewing, you get to customise your projects so the fit is exactly how you like it.

I've got to say this was a really simple project, perfect for a Friday night after a long week at work. 

A "Gem" of a top

So the title is a really bad pun, but the top is really good!

I used the Style Arc Gem Knit Tee to create this top with long, slightly flared sleeves.

The pattern is a good one for a basic t-shirt and I used it late last year but didn't think it warranted blogging.  This is still just a t-shirt but I thought it deserved it's own post.

The idea for this has been rolling around in my head for a while.  It was probably inspired by something I saw on Pinterest or another blog.  It had to have long, slightly flared sleeves, be semi-fitted through the body with a scooped neckline.  I also knew that I wanted to make it up in this light weight ponte that I bought at Spotlight a couple of years ago.

To create the vision in my head I scooped 2 inches out of the front neckline, grading to 1/4 of an inch at the shoulders.  I extended the sleeve to a create a finished length of 68cm and a circumference of  40cm (yes, I do switch between imperial and metric measures!) and I used a facing to finish the neckline which I think provides a really clean finish.  I've kept the slightly high-low hemline as I like the touch of extra length in the back and the shape of the hemline.

I'm loving this top and plan on making at least one more in a sold colour, not sure yet whether it will have the flared sleeve or not.