McCalls 9420

I've been hanging onto this pattern for awhile.  I finally found some hot pink fabric that was perfect for this. When I say found, I mean amongst my fabric collection. 

A really easy dress to make.  I had a little bit of an issue with the pleats not being completely evenly spaced, but I was able to adjust enough to make them look reasonbly even.  I was going to put little white buttons down the front but decided against it in case it drew attention to the pleats not being perfect.

 

 I was probably a bit too generous with the sizing, but it looks quite good front on.

I'm very pleased with this little number, so darned comfy.  I was also very chuffed to find the fabulous fishnet tights on ebay (only $8).  Alas I only got wear before it's put away until the cooler months.   

 

 

Vogue 8971, The Return

I'm getting a whole lot of use of this old 90's pattern of mine.  So glad we got reacquainted. 

This dress is just so darned easy to make and you really don't need to put in the zip. Unless you want to make the it really fitted around the bust area.

 

  
I bought this cotton sateen on line from Spotlight. It looks a lot more like a satin though. Whatever the fabric properties, it doesn't seem to crush. Hooray! 

And my vintage necklace goes perfectly. I've been wearing that necklace since the late 1980's when I purloined it from my mum's old jewelly collection from the 60's.It went perfectly with the op shop dresses I was buying at the time. 

And I really nailed it witht the pattern matching on this side of the dress. Not so much with the other side.   I'd recommend tracking this pattern down if you want a versatile shift dress. 
 

 

Ivy Pinafore

Yikes, this post is a long time coming.  I made this over a year ago.  I wore it on my trip to Canada where I tried to get some good pics of me wearing it, but alas it wasn't the case. First my camera was playing up and  I think the denim I used has too much stretch and it can look a bit baggy which it did in the photos taken at Grouse Mountain.  Pfft.  

Jennifer Lauren has some really lovely patterns.  I've bought a few of them now, but this was my first make.  This is a great simple and comfortable pinafore.  Firstly I didn't line pinafore so I had to put some facing on the underarms.  I also didn't do button holes for the straps, I just sewed the buttons on through both pieces.  The pattern was easy to follow and simple to make.  

This year I've been trying to make the effort to get out and about while the weather is still cool.  My mum, and oldest friend Jodie and I had a little road trip about a month ago out to the Koorooomba Vineyard and Lavendar Farm.  What a beautiful place. Only about 45 minutes outside of Brisbane. 

So I had a few photos taken amongst the lovely lavendar.  As you can see, when the breeze is blowing it's quite unflattering the way my pinny blows back against my mid section.  I really must try this pattern again, maybe next winter with a corduroy.  But for now I've got to put together the Jennifer's PDF for the Pippi Pinafore ready for summer.

McCalls 7325

I bought this pattern when I was holidaying in Seattle last year.  I was just looking up the website for Nancy's Sewing Basket and the website said that they were closing after 39 years. That is such a shame. It seems it's hard for independent fabric stores anywhere in the world.  It is so strange given the fact that there seems to be a new wave of people starting to make their own clothes. Obviously not enough  I could bang on for hours about all the stores that used to be in Brisbane when I was a novice sewer back in the late 80's.  The smaller stores that do exist now are generally still part of a chain and the fabrics are quite expensive.  I hope fabric doesn't become something you can only buy on line.  That would be madness. Imagine not being able to touch it.  Don't go the way of the video store and no doubt eventually the record store, I beg of you!!! 

Well that's enough of that, to the garment at hand.  It only took me just under a year to finally use this pattern. I had this lovely rayon I bought 2 years ago that I was kind of holding onto for a possible summer dress, but it was the right amount so it's now my first (of no doubt many) McCall's 7325. 

The pattern was really straightforward and I had no issues with the construction.  I decided not to leave it opening at the front because the rayon is soft I thought it would probaly just flop forward with an opening.  I could have probably done this top in one afternoon, but I got distracted with other things. I think I'll be able to get a bit of wear out of this top before the weather turns hot. Such nice roomy sleeves. 

 

 

I took my new top out for a test drive. Mum and I went down to Sandgate, north of Brisbane to have a nice lunch by the bay. It was one of those perfect winter days. Blue sky, warm in the sun but a  nice breeze coming off the water.  And I got to pat some lovely dogs who were out enjoying the day with their owners.

 

 

Self drafted rayon dress

This fabulous red rayon gave me flashbacks to the 80's. I'm sure I remember seeing blouses in a fabric very similar.  So it was only fitting that I used an 80's dress pattern as the basis of this self-drafted frock.  

I think I took these photos a year ago.  Where does the time go.  Anyways this is just a very simple dress. Pretty much 2 rectangles for the bodice and 2 rectangles for the skirt.  The bodice was joined to the skirt and then I created a casing for the elastic. 

These photos remind me it's time to colour my hair again. 
 

The 70's Pinny

 

How good is a pinafore?  I've always had a soft spot for them, or even just wearing a dress as a pinafore in the cooler months. This 70's version was a perfect addition to my work wardrobe.  It's  a shame the cute tops on the packet aren't part of the pattern.  

This is a very easy pattern to construct.  Though, I'm not sure why, you have 2 separate pieces for the front and back. I guess, maybe the seam is a feature, or perhaps it gives the finished product a bit more body. I also did a bit of hand sewing on the arm facing because the facing itself wasn't very wide and would probably keep popping out. I also decided to forego the pockets. I don't think they would have ended up looking too good in the end.  

The first time I wore this I actually wore a black and white spot top similar to the one on the pattern cover with a pussy cat bow.  It just looked a little too bulky underneath.  I have to be careful with this material as well. It reminds me of a fabric I've used before with a bit of weight to it, however, it seems to crush quite easily.  

I was happy to get to wear my white tights.  I bought them a few years ago, not sure what I was intending to wear them with, but they go perfectly with this combo. 

Overall a very satisfying make.  I might consider using the pattern again, but there are plenty more pinafores that want to make before I backtrack to this.  

Vintage McCalls 3884

I always like to make a new frock for any birthday outings.  This year my celebrations included a trip to the theatre to see the London production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night followed by a nice dinner out with friends. Firstly, the play was just amazing.  I loved the book so was optimistic the play would be just as good, and it was.  Secondly, on the dressmaking front, I wanted to make another verious of this pattern I made several years ago now https://pjfrocknstuff.blogspot.com/2014/09/mccalls-3884.html.  I bought this rayon from Spotlight last year.  I loved the colours. Their rayon selection can be a bit pedestrian most of the time, but this fabric was definitely more interesting.  I actually only saw it on line. 

This is a very simple dress to make. The pattern does call fo a zip at the back, but I learned from the previous version you don't need one as there is plenty of room around the neck line so it goes straight over the old noggin. 

I do love a fabric with a stripe feature, so I used the pattern going in opposite directions to yoke for a bit of a contrast.  It's not as obvious with the pattern fabric.  The fabric is a bit like those pictures people used to have where if you stared at it long enough you'd see some hidden image.  

I love all the colours in the fabric, which means I can pair the dress with different colour tights. I have so may coloured tights in my collection. People are always asking where I get them from because you no longer seem to be able to buy coloured tights at stores.  Ebay from my friends.  Plenty of choices and they mostly reasonably priced.  

 

 

Vintage Style 1583

 

Here's a  take 2 on one of my 70's patterns. I was really happy with with my oringial denim version of this dress.  I had been trying to decide what pattern to use for this broderie anglaise fabrice.

 

 

Again, something for the work wardrobe. It was also the reason I made the full slip from. 

I also used buttons again instead of the ties.  These metalic buttons were in my collection so no extra costs there.  I didn't bother with the pockets for this fabric as I didn't think it would really add anything to the look. 

The only thing is that the fabric is quite heavy so I can't exactly wear on a regular summer day in Brisbania.  Still I think it's a definite success and that another piece of material has finally been used. So many more patterns and material to use, so little time.....
 

Cambie Goes Tropical

This is my third adventure with the Cambie pattern.  My first attempt was a red and white spot number.  It was quite a nice dress, but the fit was a bit disappointing because it was a bit big. And the pattern was totally lined so it's hard to make adjustments once that's all in.  My second Cambie was the A-line skirt version.  That turned out quite well as a Christmas party dress.  I bought this beautiful fabric at Joann Fabrics in Seattle on my holidays last year. As soon as I saw this cotton sateen I knew that  it was coming home with me to the Land of Aus. So I present, my tropical Cambie.

I decided to forgo the waistband this time.  I really don't like a fitted waistband on me.  I think this works perfectly well. Afterall the main feature is the lovely fan style sleeves.  

My line of pineapples on the skirt seem to be quite straight at the back, but for some reason they are on an angle at the front. I don't think it's that noticeable given all that's going on with the pattern of the fabric. 

The sweetheart neckline does roll out a little bit, even with understiching. I probably could have bought the sleeves a little closer in and maybe it would sit completely flat

I was completely chuffed with my finished product as I'm quite the devotee of anything pineapple themed.  Though the dress only got one comment when I wore it to work.  I was suprised, at the very least I'd call it eye catching.  Not your usual old boring office attire and mass produced yawn fest of frocks produced by a lot of retailers.  

I'm so happy to have something else in my wardrobe that reminds me of a lovely holiday.  If you are even in Seattle go to the beautiful suburb of Queen Anne and check out Joann Fabrics.   

 

Enter the Dragon

I haven't kept many of my old patterns, but for some reason I did keep this Vogue pattern from 1994.  I can't remember the dress I made with the pattern. I have a feeling it was something with long sleeves.  

 

 I was trying to find a pattern to use for my dragon print material.  It is always hard sewing with material that has a design that runs in a particular direction.  This means that you can't go turning pattern pieces upside down on the fabric. I learned this hard way previously.  The fabric is a cotton that looks like a linen. It's wrinkle factor isn't too bad either. 

This pattern is nice and simple to make up. However, I had to make adjustments for the underarms as they were very snug and slightly uncomfortable. It involved some upicking and cutting away near the under seam to give me some more room.  I guess that's the difference when my 20 something figure had a little less going on in the underarm department than my 40 something figure does.  I also probably could have forgone the zip at the back. There would still have been plenty of room to get over my head without a zip. This pattern would be particularly good for a feature style fabric as the design is a good basic shift style dress.    

 

I certainly didn't mean to make this dress as short as it turned out.  I'd definitely add a few more inches next time.  That's another disturbing thing about getting older, your knees start looking weird.  Not that knees are anyone's best feature.    

Overall I love this dress. I wore it to a friend's house for dinner and it was hit, as was the tiramissu that I made.

 

Hooray for Stripes

I am very happy to finally use this material that I bought in Vancouver back in August during my Canada holiday. I wanted to use a pattern where I could have the stripes going in different directions for the bodice and skirt.  This worked perfectly for this self-drafted number. The material is a cotton which has a lot of body.  So it's not great for our summer weather, but will be a good for me in the cooler months.    

 

I used a bodice from one of my go to New Look patterns and then just cut out 2 rectangles for the skirt. I like using the 50's style patterns, but I've decided I prefer the 70's style of this type of dress where the skirt is more highwaisted. 

This was a new colour pallet to add to my work wardrobe. I don't think I've had a maroon before.   I am very happy with how the sleeves match up with the stripe in the dress.  Unfortunately the side stripes don't match. That's always hard for darts, you've got to remember to match from the bottom of the pattern piece not the top. Ah, next time then. 

 

DIY Full Slip - A fast and easy make

I think I may have done something quite clever.  I have been thinking about full slips and considering making one myself, a cotton one.  So many of those synthetic ones tend to ride up to around your waist as soon as you walk about 5 steps.  Also cotton is so much cooler for the summer months.  Not wanting to fuss with straps and having to work on anything too delicate I came up with this quite good idea. 

Firstly I thought about buying a bralet top. They are the kind of things I wear instead of bras anyway.  I couldn't find one that was strappy enough and I also didn't want to spend too much money. Anway, I was in Best & Less when I saw these lovely singlet tops with the lace overlay.   And it was only $8.  

So I took my singlet top and cut it off about an inch below where the lace finished.  I then cut out some black voile. I used the pattern pieces for the Southport dress pattern for the skirt. It seems to be quite the right shape.  

I first gathered the skirt slightly at the top.  Then I attached it to the the bodice.  And I am ever so happy with the result.  I will be making another slip in a neutral tone and am thinking about doing a nightie as well.  

On a side note while I've been getting my craft on recently, I made this little scotty dog pincushion. Easy little project for when you are sitting watching the telly on a hot day. I printed out a template from the compooter and then just used some felt for the fabric. The filling is actually some cotton wool and steel wool.  I read that steel wool was good for sharpening your pins.  I've got a couple of other ideas in mind for a second one, but quite happy with this little fella for now.