Sew Darn Tired

Well hello again. I've just come back from a cruise to Papua New Guinea and I made a dress for Island night. Island night or any theme night is just a suggestion... there is no organised event, meals, activities; just a dress code suggestion.  As soon as I read that, I searched for this vintage surfie fabric I bought years ago at an op shop. I was thrilled to use it. I needed an easy pattern that I could make 2 days before the cruise departure and one that I would wear again.  I used this Style 2911 pattern that I only bought online a few months ago. Style are my favourite patterns. I cut out a size 16 but had to reduce it to the 12. It's a great simple but elegant pattern and it went together perfectly. My machines liked it too... they cooperate when they like what I'm making and it was a breeze.  I cannot believe that we didn't get one photo of it on. I was thrilled with it and even tho there is some ink staining you can't really see it as it's so busy. I had ...

 I found a photo of the silk I bought when I went to Seoul South Korea. It's so pretty. I can't remember how much it was but it was a good buy. Earlier that year, when I was at the fabric area in Paris, the silks although beautiful, were very expensive.  The colour on my monitor is pretty accurate. I love it. There was huge markets with lots of crafty stuff and fabrics but it was overwhelming. The market we went to, Dongdaemun had lots of hand made jewellery too. I bought some capiz shells to make a mobile (I must find those). My friend bought some lovely big feathers. ** from here to the coffee is a repeat. For some reason I didn't remember already putting this up so apologies :) My friend gave me a big tub of really beautiful quality fabrics. These above were remnants pieces but I decided to make her something. I used the Kwik Sew 2028 pattern and made two sets. There is also a few metres of the brown top in a rayon twill which is such fantastic quality, unfortunately I d...

Firstly happy new year! I hope 2025 is a good one for everyone.    I love pineapples and I bought this sequinned application in a market in Seoul in November 2023. (It's a little brighter in real life). Serendipitously, it fell next to the pineapple fabric (I bought years ago originally to make my Mum some pants) and a dress was born. I bought it in a lilac colour way and made some things for my niece   years ago too.  Forgive my terrible look. I had to set up my phone on a drain and took some terrible photos. I'd just come out of the shower after an hour of rigorous aqua aerobics, so I'm exhausted and had wet hair and despite the sunshine cold (for here anyway). They aren't great but give you the idea of the scale and look. I don't really wear black and although I like the dress, I'd prefer it in the lilac but I don't have anymore of that. It's what I call a swim dress... easy wear to the pool and quick to get undressed to get into the pool (I wear my t...

Well part 3 is here. First up Style 1876. Did I ever say that Style are my favourite patterns? So this one was an op shop find a long time ago. It's a great pattern. I can't remember if the bodice is cut on the bias (but I think not) and the skirt is cut on the bias. I made it out of some synthetic crepe in the most fabulous colour. It has great pockets that you can see on the red dress.. The are sewn onto the back pieces, and then when you sew it up and leave the opening, you stitch the pocket onto the inside/front of the dress. That pocket isn't going anywhere. I used up all the fabric which was a gift from a friend's mother in law. It turned out to be a bit see though and I didn't wear it. It fits so nicely around the shoulders and arm holes. I decided I was going to wear it to Brisbane Spoolettes Frocktails this year as I didn't have time to make something else. I decided that it needed something else though as it was a little too see through for me.  I had ...

Hello... welcome to part two of things I've made. I now realise there will be a part 3 as there's more I can't post tonight. These things I made last year before I went to South Korea for a holiday. The photos of the top that I made with the Vogue pattern above are down below. Don't know why Blogger won't let me move them, but I don't have time to argue with it!  Anyway, I made it with some merino French Terry I bought years ago. It is merino loops, but the outer facing part of the fabric is nylon. It's very lightweight, warm and comfortable  but not the best for this pattern as the nice high neck doesn't stay up high, but it's still really nice and useful in my warmish winter. I made it as the vest top and hemmed it and bound the armholes with some fold over elastic I bought at some markets in Lisbon in my trip last year. I put a chunky metal pink zip as the closure. I will make this again as I really like that it's not a boring old pullover. I...