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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Wishing you a fabulous 2010...

Keep it safe and keep it gorgeous!

Well I was "blog naughty" these last few months and kind of lost my sewing mojo (whilst getting into the new work regime of mine!) Because of that, I didn't finish my "2009 Must Sew List".

So my New Year's Resolution is to complete the list BEFORE I sew anything else.

Here's what I did achieve...

1. Vintage Butterick 4699 DONE

2. A funky shirt for Glen STILL TO DO (bought the pattern)

3. Animal print shift dress STILL TO DO (still looking for nice print)

4. A funky shirt for Tom (or anything else

he desires!) DONE

5. An apron DONE

6. A jacket or coat STILL TO DO (no excuses here)

7. A few tops/blouses DONE

8. An outfit for Bec (or help her make one) STILL TO DO (no excuses here either)

9. A skirt (or two) DONE

10. A pair of pants/jeans DONE

I'd better get 'crackin' as there is sewing to be done!

WALK AWAY DRESS

This is my version of the 'Walk Away Dress'.

I've used a really nice embroidered gingham from Spotlight with the re-issued pattern from Butterick 4790.



The original pattern was Butterick 6015.

OK. This was a super easy pattern....no facings at all and it just needed bias around the neckline, armholes etc.

This was actually going to be my Christmas outfit and was going along just fine (on Christmas Eve) when I realised that the centre front was only held together by 3 press studs.....

Yeah, Right!

I stopped sewing straight away. The thought of my 3 tiny snaps "popping" after downing the Christmas turkey left me in a cold sweat! I didn't even entertain the idea - I had read a few pattern reviews on this particular pattern, and a lot of sewists suggested making a size smaller than needed, so I had, and it was nice and firm around the waist (the full circle skirt makes it rather heavy, making it drag a little at the behind), so any added pressure would have been disastrous!

So instead of the press studs/snaps, I used a 'hook and eye tape' and it holds nice and firm. And the 'self cover' buttons on the front just hide the sewing nicely.

I love this dress! Perhaps it's my New Years Eve Dress instead...

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Rebecca, Thomas and I wish you all a safe and joyous Christmas.

WIGGLE SKIRT

I made myself a wiggle skirt for work....unintentionally!

I've used the McCall's 5523 pattern (View C) and lengthened it by about 15cm as I prefer the longer line. I also made it on the more fitted side (that's the intentional part), but because I lengthened it, I should have actually made the frilled section a little fuller to accommodate walking. I can walk in it, but with a wiggle (that's the unintentional part!)....ha! Hence the term "Wiggle Skirt".

I love this pattern because of the different effects you can have on the back panel. I'll probably make this again with the View B as it was so easy

Made from Prestaline which wears really well. The pattern didn't call for lining, but I chose to line it anyway as I believe that skirts/dresses just hang a whole lot nicer when lined, and helps with 'seating' in the rear as my job calls for sitting pretty much all day (not fond of the pouchy bum look in skirts and pants!).

I also put in an invisible zipper instead of a lapped one because I'm getting really quick at these and they look better.

And for the back view...

PRETTY FLAMINGO...

The flamingo costumes (x4) that I made for the JRock Eisteddfod that I spoke about last post would have to be one of my most favourite costumes so far.

I sourced some beautiful fabric that was called "feather" and it just set the costumes off. It was a hot pink chiffon with feathery strands hanging from it. It played havoc with my hay-fever, and in fact, still over 12 months later, I still find bits of pink fluff on things!!

I made the head section using the Simplicity 3663 pattern, which were a little tricky to put together. The beaks being the hardest as they were from craft foam. Well worth the effort in the end though. And just because Bec was one of the flamingos...I ordered some extra long false eyelashes from ebay for them all and stuck them to the eye section. Then I used sparkly glue on the eyes to make them glisten. The girls thought that was a huge laugh! You may just be able to see them if you click on the photos...Very girly indeed!




I just made the necks like a bent tube that thinned out towards the head and attached them to the skirt front and head section. They're just stuffed with wadding.

As they were performing a ballet, the teacher requested that they be a little more delicate looking for the body part, so I took inspiration from this. Only as the fabric wasn't stiff, I had to find another way for the back part to stick out. Several prototypes (and weeks) later, I ended up making elasticised skirts with an extended behind so that they could hide a 'bustle' under their skirt. I haven't got any pictures of the bustles that I made them (tsk, tsk), but they were pink and made from the Butterick 3737 View D. Another 'hit' with the girls!

We just bought black skivvies and hot pink tights to finish off with.



Making those flamingos was indeed a very long journey. But the 'Ooohs and Ahhhs' that I heard from the crowd when they graced onto the stage made it so worth while.

Edit: I forgot to add that the school scored a perfect 10 for the costumes too!!!! Yay!