1957 meets 1970 meets Multicultural Day!

So my children's school hosted their annual Multicultural Day on Friday and I put my hand up as a parent helper....again!

Although I've helped out most years, it's always been last minute and I've never bothered to do the costume thing myself - usually because I'm too busy costuming the kids!

Alas, this year, Tom just wanted to go as an English Soccer player (how lame I thought, but seized the opportunity to deck myself out instead).

So last week, I was in Textile Traders with my Mum and spotted this glorious craft fabric and knew immediately that I had to make a Novelty Dress with it.

The bodice is from Vogue 9071 (circa 1957) View A and the skirt is from Simplicity 9065 (circa 1970) the longer view skirt. I didn't want the full skirted version of the Vogue - just a 'no frills' skirt with minimal fabric requirements.

I eliminated all unnecessary seams (centre front and back) so that the print wouldn't be compromised and I also needed a very plain design so that it wouldn't take the eyes away from the fabric print also. I inserted an invisible side zipper so I could eliminate the centre back seam.

A very easy dress to make, I lined the skirt as it was a wee bit see through.

The dress and I had a wonderful time on Multicultural Day, and caused quite a few compliments... and laughs...and prods!

"Oh, Mrs P, I'm dressed up like that person there, and my friend is this one!"

I'm thinking now that I'd like to make up the Vogue dress again with the full skirt for work, maybe in a plaid?

A BELT AND MUST SEW #6

I have been so very uninspired to do some sewing lately, but I got a bit of a prod from someone the other day......which made me get off my bot-bot and finish a long awaited project - actually two projects!

I made this self covered belt to go with my Easter Dress that I sewed over a month ago (I know, I know, way too long between drinks!)

I hadn't made a belt like this before but am now thinking I'd like a few more - they really finish an outfit off nicely. I probably could have put in a couple more eyelets, but I thought 'Hey, I'll quit while I'm ahead before I muck it up!'

Rather pleased with myself!!

Then there's the matching jacket. I think it took me so long to finish because half way through it I wasn't sure that I actually liked the darn thing and it just sat there staring at me from my sewing table for about 4 weeks, but having finished it and worn it to work,

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!

And don't you just adore the nifty back view of the collar?

I was a bit puzzled how to put it all together at first, but it kinda fell together quite nicely in the end.

And it won't be so long for the next post.....promise!!!!

EASTER DRESS

I finished my latest project in time for Easter...just!

It was really easy to put together, although I had to take in the waist about 4cm, which was unusual because I don't normally have to make any alterations to the actual fit of the garment. (I'll probably have to let it out again though, considering the ridiculous amount of chocolate I have consumed in the last 24 hours!)

Loving the design. I was a little perplexed at first when constructing the pockets. I was thinking that I had the incorrect pattern pieces as they didn't seem to sit flat on each other, but soon realised that they were designed to sit out from the actual garment.

It's a cute feature, and was probably a good idea in the 50's so that the fashionable woman could fit in her hanky and cat's eyes sunglasses without causing ugly bulk in her pockets!

At first I wasn't too keen on this design element, and almost re cut the whole pocket again so that it would lay flat on the dress, but decided to keep with the original idea.

I'm SO glad I did! I found an even better reason to have these pockets!

Now I have to admit to avoiding hand stitching like the plague! I hated doing it, and was never satisfied with my hand hemming etc.

That has all changed!

I had lunch with a couple of friends a while back, and one of my girlfriends wore a fabulous dress that she had whipped up. Yes, she had hand hemmed the darn thing! And did a fine job of it.

Bearing this in mind, I decided to give it one more go. I got a bit 'OCD' over it and brought out this trusty little gadget and measured every stitch along the way. Very please with the result too, I might add.

Thanks Tracy, I'm a convert!

Hope everyone had a lovely Easter!

We are off to Kalbarri for a few days, so the jacket will have to wait until then...

MUST SEW #6 AND A VINTAGE DRESS

My next project is this circa 1954 Simplicity 4651 which I bought from this lovely Etsy Seller

Bec and I spent some Mummy Daughter Time together on Saturday fabric shopping, and I found this lovely (craft) fabric in Textile Traders .

I'm thinking that the dress pattern would look really nice made up in the Polka Dots....

Love Polka Dots!

It's 100% cotton, and now I'm busy making chocolate coloured bias binding for the pockets and neckline. I bought enough chocolate fabric to make the matching jacket for my Must Sew #6!

Bec found some groovy fabric to make some pj's....she thinks I'm making them...

Muahahahah!

THE DRESS THAT ALMOST WASN'T

Well, that's several hours of my life I will never get back!!

I thought I'd whip up a simple shift dress, and it turned out bigger than

Ben Hur!

Love the sketch on the pattern cover, and it could have been a simple pattern, but for the life of me, I couldn't work out how they did the neckline and facing! My Mum told me that I need to think like someone from 1966 (funny!)

I tried to do it how the instructions stated, but I just couldn't get the thing to work out. In the end, and several days later (and more than enough unpicked facings later...), I put the instructions back in its packet, and just made the whole thing up as I went along!

Its McCall's 8565 (circa: 1966) and I've made it up in a cool wool suiting in the teeniest of hounds tooth pattern. The fabric feels really nice to wear and this is the first time that I have made up a pattern that called for underlining.

Because I didn't want the pockets (no need to make my hips look any bigger), I made a self covered button for the front just to add a bit of interest (to match the buttons on the back belt).

It's not my favourite dress,

it will be OK for work though, and I'm sure it will grow on me over time.

Not sure if I'd ever make this up again.

MUST SEW #2

Well I finally finished this shirt for husby. He likes it. Yes, he does.

So do I.

And Bec.

And Tom.

Tom wants a mini one for him.

It was really easy to sew up, I like the simplicity of the Kwik Sew patterns. I was going to hide the pocket in the guitar panel, but changed my mind and placed it onto the other side (as per pattern instructions). It's more of a balance, I think.

I didn't have to make any alterations, although I reckon I could get away with making a size smaller for the next one. Both fabrics were 100% cotton, but the guitar fabric was actually a craft fabric and I think it really suits the style of shirt. Husby just has to learn how to play the guitar now...

And it actually didn't really take almost a month to make, just when I was getting my 'sewjo' back, Tom's class needed some chair bags to be made up, so I was distracted with that for a while...

Have a super week!

MUST SEW #2

As my New Year's Resolution was to finish off last year's Must Sew List, this is my current project awaiting completion (and starting for that matter!)

Glen doesn't know I'm making this so Shhhhhh!

I am making view "B" with the guitar contrast fabric down one side, but instead of adding the pocket to the plain side, I am going to hide it in the contrast panel.

So will post this project in the next few days......hope he likes it.