Vogue 1395

Finally, I bought the right material to make up this pattern.  I had really liked the pattern when I first saw it on someone's blog and think I probably picked up the pattern for $5 at Spotlight during one of their regular sales. 
 

This was one of those patterns where you read the instructions several times because you can't figure out how it's going to work.  The first step was easy. The front section is 2 pieces and you attach the binding on each neckline before you join it up in the centre.  So much easier than attaching binding around a curve. 

Now the back section is a little trickier.  It is 2 layers. Attaching the 2 pieces was a bit strange, but it worked.  Hard to explain, but if you use the pattern you'll see what I mean. Anyway, the top layer creates the back portion of the sleeve and obviously the tie that wraps around to tie at the waist. 

 

This material from Lincraft was fabulous it's a bit like a searsucker with a sheen to it.  The dress is so comfy and I have already worn it at least 6 times.  Will be great for holidays as the fabric doesn't crush. While I'm happy with the outcome, not sure I'd make the pattern again, maybe. Though you need a bit more material than you would think because of the layers and the tie.  I never seem to have enough fabric for some patterns.  My mission in 2019 is to not buy so much fabric, buy quality of quantity.  We shall see how that goes.....

New Look 6457

Happy 2019.  I am so very far behind with my blogging over the last 12 months. I thought I'd better at least post my Christmas party dress for 2018.  This is one of those occasions where I had the material sitting around for a few years and also the pattern, I just never thought to put the 2 together.  I do love a good halter and I probably have only a few good years left to get away with such a look. 

The fabric was from Hearts and Found on Etsy.  She has some beautiful and interesting fabrics and a reasonable price to boot.  I previously bought a beautiful red fabric with floral border which I used for another festive frock 2 years ago. Then I saw this fabulous fabric with lobsters and cocktails in coconuts. Couldn't pass this one up.  This is 100% cotton so I was a bit concerned about what pattern to use because it might get be a crumpled mess 2 mins after you put it on.  As it turned out this halter dress was the perfect pattern.  

This pattern was very easy to make. The front section is fully lined, but the back section of the bodice was meant to have facing.  Instead I decided to line the back as well.  Also I did the back section separately, attaching back bodice to skirt section and then inserting the zip. I like making up my patterns this anyway as it is easier doing the zip.  I also wanted to do this dress with this method because I made it to a size 14 and suspected I would need to make adjustments to the bodice. And things were a bit loose around the bodice so it was easy taking in the side seems rather than having to unpick the skirt section from the bodice to do it.  

 

 I also loved that the halter wasn't too low cut at the sides, or the front for that matter. Much more flattering for those of us in the over 40 age bracket. Very comfortable tie as well.  In fact, let's just say a darned comfy party frock. 

I know I'll get a bit of wear out of this number over the summer months.  I am inspired to maybe make a gingham one as well.  I am also proud to say it also resulted in me finishing off some resin jewllery that I made about 5 years ago.  I did a 1 day course, which was great, but we were meant to go home and finish sanding the pieces back and do the polishing.  I was just lazy and didn't get around to it. So my lovely blue bangle is from that along with a blue ring. I also did a red and brown bangle as well.  Now I have them to wear, woohoo.  I also had to get my craft on for the flowers in myhair  I couldn't find anything in the shops so bought fake flowers from a discount shop and attached them to a comb.

And finally for a litte behind the scenes of my photo shoot. Here's Salem Lebon hanging out. One of the felines is never far away giving me a judgmental stare. 

 

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.