New Look 6187

I've been trying to branch out and make more tops recently. I bought a  couple of patterns last time when Spotlight had their $5 sale on patterns. Whenever these sales are on I go through the draws with my list of patterns and mostly they aren't there. Then I just start trawling through the drawers at random to see if anything takes my fancy.  This is where I found the New Look 6187.  I liked the looked of the mandarin collar version. 

  

Alas I was not happy with the end result.  Perfectly easy little top to make, but I didn't make the top long enough and also the sleeves are very boxy.  At first I thought I wouldn't wear it, but I guess it is wearable I'm just not l-o-v-ing it. 

As the basic style of the top is nice I might give one of the other versions a go in the longer sleeve and add a couple of inches to the length. 

Material was a quilting cotton that I've had for about 12 months.  Funny how it matches the diagram on the front of the pattern. 

Laptop Case

I've had my laptop for a couple of years now and for some reason only recently thought to make a cover for it.  I try to put it away in a cupboard when I'm not using it but it often lives under my coffee table.  Given I have a poo-load of fabric lingering around the joint I decided to use this vintage 70's floral print.  Yellow isn't really my shade but it looks quite good in an accessory.  

My first design I tried was an envelope. Unfortunately it didn't sit very well I think because I put wadding in the lining.  I just thought some padding was a good idea. 

  

Here I re-jigged the design and put straps with button holes and some covered buttons in the same fabric.  I also couldn't find any plain white material for the lining. I have white material somewhere, but alas I couldn't locate it.  I had a white pillow case that had gone a bit off colour so I decided to use that instead.  It was just the right width.

 Far from perfect, but it should do the job.

Lucky Cat Frock

Here is another of my much used patterns, Simplicity 2215.  Though I've only made the dress/pinafore once before and it was not too fab.  So I'm out one day having lunch with my friend Cat and we walk into a little Japanese crafty gift store and they had some lovely linen type fabrics and one which screamed out to me, naturally featured pusscats. I'm not sure if I've actually seen the lucky cats on fabric before but here it is. The fabric was a dream to work with.   

 

So overall this Simplicity pattern has been pretty good to me and I had seen some lovely versions of the dress on blogs. Certainly the type of material you use is the key ingredient and I am very happy to have another kitty frock in my collection. 

I found some nice reddish coloured buttons at Spotlight which were a fairly good match the red tones in the material.  

And finally, I have the perfect outfit for my kitty bag.  I bought this bag last year and was initially put off by the horrid smell that kept emanating from it.  It was one of those strong chemical smells. Fortunately after airing it for about 6 months the aroma has now passed and I can wear my crazy cat lady ensemble with pride.  



And on the subject of "lucky cats", I would like to introduce a new family member to the FrocknStuff household, Salem.  He was my first and last foster cat.  I thought I'd do a good turn and become a feline foster carer.  But a 5 week foster, turned into 7 months and well I couldn't imagine not having him around. So Polly-Jean now has a little brother. 



McCalls 6794

I'm on a mission to make some more tops. Pretty sure I have enough dresses for the time being, or do I. I've had this material for quite some time. I didn't know what exactly I wanted to do with it. I thought it would be good for a dress. But with a most sewing projects I tend to pull certain materials out and contemplate whether they are worthy of the specific pattern I want to make. It's a super light weight cotton so it would have needed lining so that kind of makes up your mind. It was perfect for this top.     

 

Such an easy pattern to work with. This is definitely a top you could make in one day.  I actually love these type of sleeves. So much simpler than adding sleeves separately and you just turn over the seam instead of using binding or facing.  By just adding length this would a perfect dress also.  

Simply a great top that would go with pants or skirts.  I think now the weather is finally cooling down I might try the longer sleeve top. 

Butterick 4443

I was lucky enough to be given a bag a fabric recently from a friend of the family. I guess there are many metres of fabric lying stashed away in homes across Australia. I personally didn't have that much fabric lying around from my years of sewing. Though my mum actually had a couple of items which were even still bagged up with cotton, and notions all ready to make. Now, I could almost fill a whole cupboard with fabric bought in the last 5 years.  Anyoldhow, pink seemed to be the colour du jour in this little bundle.  

So I located one of my old patterns which was perfect for this cotton/denim combo. The pink cotton is a drill which does need a good press.  Rather than fully line the bodice I just used a section as facing and self-made bias binding for the armholes.  For some reason though the material is a tad crinkly around the arms.  

I had used this pattern previously with a purple and white spot, with a sleeve.  Unfortunately the zip broke and I didn't feel motivated to put in a new zip. Too many other new things to sew. 

And I dedicate this photo to my friend Anna who says I don't smile enough in my photos. And yes, I know it's not really a big smile as such, but when  a girl gets to a certain age it's hard to take a good smiley photo that doesn't leave you exposing some double chin action. It's hard enough trying to take a decent photo of the upper arms for goodness sake.

Vogue 8185

A definite blast from the recent past this 2006 pattern.  I made my first version I guess nearly 10 years ago.  My word where has the last decade gone.  I had intended to make version F with the triple frill layering. But of course I did my usual thing in not really concentrating on the instructions when cutting it out I cut the main part of the dress a bit too long and I didn't realise until I'd already put the first frill on.  Bother!  So rather than unpick a perfectly good frill I just had to stick with the most basic of versions. 

Anyway you can't really tell but this is a black and white spot pattern.  You know the kind of cotton when you bend over to buckle your sandals it leaves these ghastly wrinkles all through it.  I also used some nice buttons from my vintage button collection. 

All in all a very easy make and a nice summer dress. 

Italian anyone?

Inspired by a dress I saw on line I was keen to try a red and white check dress.  But seriously you can't look at a red and white checks and not think Italian restaurant.  

I chose my favourite go to pattern New Look 6223. I did fully line the dress this time. Sometimes I just do the bodice depending on the how sheer the fabric might be.  Unfortunately the dress is a little snug on the waist darn it all.  This could be because: 

(a)  I gathered the skirt instead of using the pleating; or 
(b)  I ate too many hot cross buns at Easter and my belly is telling me to get on the treadmill.

I may try letting out the darts a bit and see if that makes it more comfy.  As per usual an easy dress to make and quite satisfied the end results. 

Pretty happy with our my checks seem to match up.