So...I've finished the wardrobe contest

After much stressing, making pants at all hours and taking photographs in the last of the day's sun, I managed to get 3 collages ready & entered in the contest. But wait...I haven't shown you all the items!

You've already seen the dress and one top. So here are my other three tops.

This is McCalls 5890 which I whipped up on our recent sewing weekend away. A really quick sew since it has no facings. The pattern also features the same top made into a dress and I'm tempted to give it a go! The fabric here is a remnant from a previous top made a few yrs ago.

This top is what started it all and is pretty much the hero of the wardrobe. It's the infamous silk/cotton that I bought in Canberra. Loved it the moment I saw it and I knew exactly what I wanted to do. This is Simplicity 2230 modified at the neck which pretty much means I got rid of that awful neck facing and just did a bias binding and turned it into a V. I did this amazing hem with my rolled hem foot on my sewing machine...I even impressed myself with that! LOL.

The final top is Kwik Sew 3764 with flounce from my dress fabric. The aqua is merino that I bought from The Fabric Store in January. Half price! And then I got a further discount cos it had some small holes. Very happy with that.

I'm also wearing the much-maligned V2948 pants in lime linen/cotton. Not really happy with these. And don't tell anyone...but they're not really finished. Well, not finished finished if you know what I mean. Sshhhhhhh.

Last but not least is one of my "sewist's choice" items, a mesh overjacket thingie from McCalls 6559. This was sewn straight out of the envelope, entirely on the overlocker with a rolled hem edge. Also sewn on the weekend away. I discovered the joys of water soluble stabiliser for rolled hem on this baby!

I also sewed a mesh top for my mother on our retreat but I have no photo of it and I've since given it to her. She was very happy with it so those of you who had your eyes on it can just forget it. :)

PR Travel Wardrobe

It's been a while but I've been sewing this wardrobe for the PR Travel Wardrobe contest. Most of the fabric came from my stash with the exception of the white lace. But more about that later.

It's not often that I make a wadder and I never share them if I do but here is my first one for the new year! It's the Christine Jonson Keyhole top and while I kept it as part of the wardrobe, I will not be wearing it. I'll be unpicking it and re-making. You see, the top is reversible which I thought was a good idea. But the fabrics I chose weren't really suitable as it's really heavy and hot to wear. Bummer. Nor was I happy with the keyhole (& no, I won't be showing you a closeup!). I also look like ten ton tess wearing it.

It's a stripe on one side and a plain red on the other. Can I just say "Boobs"??

My other pieces were another version of the New Look T shirt 6735, colour blocked with all my fabrics; a white lace cardi which has a whole story of its own and a red print gorgeous gorgeous mesh overshirt that can be tied.

I adore the mesh top and that WILL be worn. The lace cardi I'm meh about but it will probably work on the cruise. I do love the colour blocked top although something is going on with the sleeve. Anyway, here's the contest collage:

Now I promised Kristy some GOMI worthy shots so here they are:

Don't know what I'd do without that tree in our yard!

I love yous all!

I discovered there were ants on the tree....and on me!

I'm wiping the sweat from my brow cos it was SOOOO hot.

 Note the pigeon toed stance.

Oh that one is my photographer who always manages a selfie!

It's been a while

Don't for one moment think that just because I haven't been blogging that I haven't been sewing! I'm just sewing secret women's business.

But here are some things I *can* show you.

In May I went away for a sewing weekend where I made some of the secret things. So no photos of that. But I did have a great time and there is another sewing retreat scheduled for August. He he he.

The weekend after that retreat, I did a felting workshop in Woy Woy with NZ felting tutor, Raewyn Penrose. She was one of our tutors at the ASG Convention in Auckland last year and I was very envious of the lucky girls who did her class. So when I was told she was coming over, I jumped at the chance to do the class.

The class was to make this felt and then create a bag but I decided to just keep the fabric as is and use it later. Here's a photo of the finished piece (excuse my tomatoes in the background LOL).

Here are some closeups of some of my favourite bits

Then I decided in order to get the technique of bag-making, I would make this little pouch. No plans for what to do with it though! I used a different background colour and absolutely adore it. So yummy.

I've also been making some underwear. I bought this fabric about 18 months ago when Target decided to change the undies I liked. Grrrr. I got 7 pairs out of 1 metre - one was a toile. I ran out of elastic at the end & needed to sub so just used some cream. I think it looks fine. And besides, who is gonna see it???

The pattern is Kwik Sew 3881, size XL. I did a cross between the full brief and the bikini. I just measured my RTW side seams to get the preferred length. I also used the RTW for elastic measurements and I made the leg openings a bit higher.

A closeup of the elastic attachment using a 3 step zig zag, length 3 width 2.5.

This garment is part of my ASG Convention Sewing Challenge entry.  It's New Look 6082. I've been working on this one for a while cos it was so gapey and low on my body. Anyway, it's now fixed and is fine. The colour is not true to life here - it's more a grape colour.

Last but not least, is a present I made for my best friend. It's a waterproof bag for her to use with her wet sponge/washcloth/whatever you call it. The fabric came from The Remnant Warehouse and is a laminated cotton. The inside (no photo) is just remnants of my much hated Minoru jacket.  I used that old familiar Nicole Mallalieu pattern but didn't box the bottom out.

So that's it for now. I will be back with some more stuff I promise! I'm currently making DD a ponte dress and a merino top for myself. I can definitely show you them!

2 tops, obligation sewing & a catch up

I've just realised I haven't blogged about the few things I've finished this year.

I used to have a nice TNT sleeveless top that I wear around the house. I decided to make another version for my cruise but discovered it's no longer a TNT due to body changes. Anyway, here it is. Apologies for the hanger shot but the fit is not that good plus my photographer is out.

McCalls 8050

Lizette cotton sateen fabric from Spotlight

$5 per metre bought on 8 December 2013

Here is the second top - also sleeveless and using another pattern that I've sewn before. This one is New Look 6895. I made 2 of the sleeved versions way back in 2011. This one fits better but I had to play with the neckline *a lot* cos it was very low and wide. I finally got a photo that shows the true colour of the fabric. You can see the difference between the first & the second photos. It's the first one that shows the correct colour of the fabric.

New Look 6895

View A

Cotton voile from The Remnant Warehouse

$5.95 per metre purchased on 2 November 2013

Close up of gathered front detail

My obligation sewing has ended with the finish of this gown for my mother. She calls it a brunch coat...not sure what Americans call it. She asked me to make it as she couldn't get one in the shops for love or money. They all tie around the waist which mother hates. Her alternative was to pay $70+ in David Jones. Anyway, it's made of the most gorgeous Cambridge lawn that I've had in my stash since the 90s. Back when Lincraft used to sell beautiful fabric. Sigh. I knew that I would never use it as it's not my colours plus I don't do floral much. But for a brunch coat it's perfect. It just needs the buttons & buttonholes (no buttons in the stash that matched). Oh & I added a patch pocket which was requested by mother.

Kwik Sew 3106

Size XL

Fabric from Lincraft

Close up of the front yoke

Also sewn for the cruise was a swimming costume for myself. Of course, this has to be a hanger shot...there's no way I'm exposing my body to you all! I'm considering buying a dressmakers dummy for better displaying these type of items. The hanger does nothing for it!

Kwik Sew 2333

Fabric from The Remnant Warehouse

$10 p/metre

Back view

Last but not least were 2 lanyards. Necessary items for the cruise. I made 2 but DD's has disappeared into the void so I could only photograph mine. Vera Bradley fabric (what else?) and I just made it using a 2.5" strip of fabric.

2013 wrap up

I've been reading all those hits & misses posts around blogland but (and don't hate me) since I don't have many, if any, misses I thought I'd just do my usual wrap up post.

I made 36 items this year which is a record. There's a few items I haven't blogged about including the 2 tankinis I made for my DD just recently. I actually have a photo of one to show now.

I changed the tie at the back of the neck to a clip at DD's request. I've yet to make the matching pants or even hem this but thought I'd whack it up anyway. Oh & no, she won't be wearing it with track pants!

Anyway..back to my stats. Here's the lowdown re patterns & types of items made.

Tops - 11
Pants - 3
Cardigans - 3
Jackets - 3
Swimwear - 2
Bags - 2
Socks - 4
Onesie - 1
Other - 7

Kwik Sew - 5
New Look - 10
McCalls - 5
Green Pepper - 4
Jalie - 1
Butterick - 1
Simplicity - 4
Other - 7

The reason there's a lot of tops & New Look patterns is the contest I entered on PR, One Pattern Many Looks in which I came second. I made 5 of the New Look top and wear all of them all the time!

I also made 3 pairs of ponte pants for the ASG Convention using the same pattern and the cardigans were also all one pattern. So TNTs were winners for 2013!

Here's a collage of my (blogged) finished items. Some are missing as I never got around to photographing them.

Retreat sewing

Two weekends ago, I went on a three day sewing retreat with the Australian Sewing Guild Highlands to the Sea region at The Tops Conference Centre. It was fabulous. Three full days of sewing, eating, chatting, laughing & sleeping. The food was fabulous and so was the company. I even managed to finish some items. These are their stories.

The items I sewed were all for the ASG Convention in Auckland next month. I made 2 pairs of ponte pants - one black, one brown. I don't really need to show you photos of them, do I? I also made a brown top to match said brown ponte pants.

It's the top from Simplicity 2148. A pretty basic design with only 3 pieces (front, back & neckband). I did an FBA & rotated it into the centre front gathers, took about 2cm off the width of the neckband and changed the side seams to 1/4" as the sleeve was quite snug.

Simplicity 2148

Size 16 at neck, 24 at sides

Fabric from The Remnant Warehouse $8.95 per metre

I also made 2 cardigans but as only 1 is completely finished, that's all I can show you. This one is burgundy to match the burgundy outfit for Convention (excuse the brown pants & the windswept hair).   I added about 3" to the length after my last version was much too short.

Kwik Sew 2759

Fabric: Acrylic sweater knit from The Remnant Warehouse $10 p/m

One post per month?

After much radio silence, I'm back to update you with my sewing finishes. 3 weekends ago, I went on a sewing weekend which Sharon organised at a local hotel. I had been cutting out & planning stuff for weeks beforehand and here are my results.

I managed to finish three tops, one cardigan & work on a vest. There are no photos of the vest because it's not yet finished nor do I like it much. Oh well. The lining on the other hand is drop dead gorgeous. Pft.

The first top I made was McCalls 6247. I've made this before, quite a while ago in a plain cotton spandex. What I love about this top is the shape...it flares out below the bustline so covers my tum quite well. The only problem with it is the neckband instructions are complete cr@p. They almost did my head in. Also this fabric is quite flimsy so probably needs some support in there. My coverpro hated the hem on this fabric. I'll be ripping it out & re-doing with spray starch as it looks awful. Otherwise, I like the top. LOL.

McCalls 6247

Fabric: Poly spandex from Spotlight purchased 12 July 2011

Cost: $11.95 p/m

My second top is that good old stand-by, New Look 6735. In it's ever evolving state, I have shortened the band a little so it sits nicer now. I think it might be almost perfect except that my boobs keep growing. The fabric is aqua & brown so it will go nicely with the brown jeans I've been making forever  since Christmas.

New Look 6735 

Fabric: Poly spandex from The Fabric Depot, Portland OR purchased 27 Feb 2011

Cost: US$7.99 per yard

Third & final top is also New Look 6735. This time I used the front from Simplicity 4076, Views C & D and finished the neckband with black FOE. Another win.

New Look 6735 with front from Simplicity 4076

Fabric: Poly spandex from The Remnant Warehouse bought on 20 April 2013

Cost: $8.95 p/m

Last but not least is the cardigan. It's Kwik Sew 2759 in a really lovely black/grey sweater knit with black ponte band. I stole that idea from Carolyn. I had a couple of problems while sewing but it's turned out nicely & will be a great addition to my wardrobe.  Nice view of our unpainted architrave!

Kwik Sew 2759, View C

Fabric: Sweater Knit from the Remnant Warehouse

Cost: $9.95 p/m

Band: Very lightweight black ponte, $9.95 p/m also from RW

A wearable toile

I'm currently planning my wardrobe for the ASG Convention which will be in Auckland in late September. It's pretty chilly over there that time of year so my plan of things to sew includes 2 pairs of ponte pants (one burgundy, one black), four poly spandex tops, 2 cardigans and various other bits & pieces.

I discovered when I went to try on last year's tops that my boobs have somehow grown just a little so those tops are now snugger than I'd like. :( Not happy with that. So I got my patterns out to work out how much I'd need to add only to discover that the pattern for my very favourite top, Simplicity 4076 is completely unusable since I'd cut the original on the smallest size. Grrr. So I decided to amend the pattern I'd used for the One Pattern Many Looks contest on PR, namely New Look 6735. I love that pattern! Anyway, I overlaid the neckline of Simp 4076 onto this one & traced a new front with the gathers. Here is the result:

While it's pretty good, I'm not happy with the neckband on the left side. It's gaping. Methinks this band is a little large for this pattern. So I'm going to take it off, remove about 1.5cm and re-attach. Hopefully that will fix the problem.

There's also something going on under the arm but I don't know what. LOL. Ironically, it would seem that this top is now too big. The back is quite loose, flowing nicely over my lumps and bumps. Maybe too loose? Anyway, I shall leave that for the moment cos I think it may change with different fabric and the one I'm using for the Convention has a bit firmer weave.

All set for Convention....

Two weekends ago I had a mini-retreat in my own sewing room & managed to get 6 tops finished for Convention. I had realised that owing to a little weight gain, none of my previous tops fitted. Well...they did...but not how I like them to fit. So I went through the stash, sorted out my fave TNT knit top patterns & got to work.

First up is Kwik Sew 2759 an oldie but a goodie. I probably should've gone up a size for this one but it will do. :) This has FOE around the neckline and I've sewn the overlap down so no flashing.

Next are 2 tops from Simplicity 4076. One has FOE around the neck and the other has the band from the pattern. The one with the band was a bugger to sew...very slippery.... and my Coverpro hated it. I wanted to try to make the neckline using my binders but it wasn't to be. Wrong choice on my part for a first attempt.

This is Kwik Sew 3784 without the buttons/loops and centre front seam. I used a fine wool blend that I got at Remnant Warehouse. I was in dire need of a plain black top so this has filled a hole in my wardrobe. The neckline is gaping a bit but I'm not sure if it's due to the facing or whether it may have stretched a little.

Again, a TNT pattern - Kwik Sew 3740. This first one, in the most gorgeous & expensive red/black/grey knit from Addicted to Fabric in Canberra, has no cowl and FOE around the neck. I had to laugh...I had my hair done this morning and you can see it getting messier and messier with every photo!

This version of 3740 is done using the softest most drapey fabric. I had to buy it just for the feel! It came from the Remnant Warehouse and goes so well in this pattern. It looks black and white in the photos but it's actually brown. Sharon, you should get some!

Last and certainly least is this silk jacket I've been making since May. Talk about give you a challenge! This was supposed to have a double mitred hem but my fabric didn't want to play so I ended up overlocking it and turning it over. Now I look at the photos, the sleeves are huge! probably not my best look but, as I was wont to say during construction especially at the end, I don't care!!

Vogue 8088

Fabric: silk sari given to me by ASG Board (hence the obligation sewing of same)