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

Simplicity 2148

I bought this pattern when I attended the ASG Industry Day. It was a spur of the moment purchase after Suzanne Gray recommended it. I originally thought it might replace my much-loved Simplicity 4076 because of the top but realised later it wouldn't. However, the jackets in this pattern caught my eye and I've been sewing like a mad woman & have 2 done.

The beauty of this pattern is once you have the pieces adjusted, you get 2 jackets as both Views B & C use the same pieces. Yay! I've made View B for myself out of stretch velvet but have no photo yet as my photographer & I can't get our act together. But here is my second version which I made for DD.

This jacket looks really professional on her & I think it's suitable for work (that's if she had a job!!). The  fabric is ponte & it sewed really beautifully. The band sits well (trust me, a floppier fabric does not) and I'm very happy with the result although the shoulders are a tad big.

The pockets are fabulous if a little bulky in the ponte to sew. There was also a mistake in the pattern but you'll find all the details about that in my review on PR.

Here's a closeup of the floppy pocket. This is almost identical to a RTW cardi that DD has. This one is much nicer though...or am I just biased?? LOL.