Sew Darn Tired

 I have this cute vintage pattern and I also had some leftover red polka dot rayon from a dress I haven't finished yet. I had just enough to cut this cute little top out. I made this a few months ago now. I wanted to try the pattern as it was so cute - not that I have that much time to make random tops, but there you go.  It turned out really great! I moved the middle bodice part which is cut on the fold in 1 cm from the fold to widen the bodice a bit as I was making it for my son's girlfriend. It is and self line bodice.  I haven't seen it on as it just got cool when I finished it so I'll get a photo when summer comes around again (and that won't be soon enough!) The back is open has these two cute ties so it would be so cool in our hot summer. I love how This top turned out. It's cute and quite trendy in the little crop top phase that is going around.  See the tassels above, I washed this dress in a friend's top loader which are much rougher on clothing an...

I get drawn to novelty prints but really they aren't for me. I don't really know why. When I was in Melbourne in 2016 I bought some nice cotton knit with 'flat cat' and in Spotlight a couple of years ago I bought a moustache print (that I noticed they still sold online the other day). Alex's pjs were getting too small and ratty. He was wearing a t-shirt that was bought in light blue to wear under his school shirts in winter as it was just a bit too cold for just his jacket but too hot to wear a jumper (sweater) with it. It was worn out and stained and soft so he loved it but it had to go. I threw it away while he was at his Dad's. I've used this Simplicity boxer pattern a lot. It covers all sizes, uses small bits of fabric and is quick and super easy 1 piece pattern so there is no side seam.   I've used this Simplicity boxer pattern a lot. It covers all sizes, uses small bits of fabric and is quick and super easy 1 piece pattern so ther...

This is the Ottobre top no 4 from 5/2017 magazine. I have a lot of their magazines but although I like their basic styles I don't make much. I'm trying to get myself using them more.  Sorry, such bad photos but I never remember when I'm out and about somewhere nice. I made it from some white cotton knit that I bought at a workroom sale locally. The woman was having a big sale and although there were some nice fabrics, it wasn't my style or not that great a bargain to justify stashing. (I've done too much of that already). There was a huge pile of large and smaller remnants and she wanted $20 bag (on of those ugly heavier supermarket bags) so my friend and I shared one bag full and boy did we manage to stuff a lot in that bag. It's a very nice fabric and all the fabrics were good quality. I've got a top cut out of another knit with roses (but I can't find the instruction sheet even though I've tidied everything up!).  I made my top ...

I was coveting this pattern for a while and waited for the pattern sales...once, twice ... it was never available but on the third sale, I got it. Amy  very kindly and generously (she's like that) did offer her copy should I never get one.  Love my Spoolette sewing sisters! My (blood, non sewing) sister does lots of great op shopping and bought this dress ... adult version of the pillowcase dress. It was huge and very long for me so I picked it apart one tv night and it was enough fabric to make this dress if I slimmed down the skirt and make shorter sleeves. Both modifications were fine with me because a) too hot to have the long sleeves now, b) not sure the full skirt wouldn't make me look huge and c) I was testing this pattern out for a beautiful silk my friend brought back from Vietnam for me a few years ago (and keeps asking if I've made anything yet). It is white with flowers and very beautiful but only 2 metres from memory and I wanted to see if it would f...

I don't often get obsessed by clothes but I saw this skirt  and I really love the simplicity. Then I remembered some purple gingham I bought at the op shop a few years ago. It's a beautiful polished cotton with such a nice hand and drape almost like a rayon. I have cut view D which is on the bias and have cut long (will be pieced together) ties. I was playing pattern tetras with this because the fabric was a 1.5 mt square but the pattern suggests 2.1 metres so I have cut the front overlay and the back piece whole, and the under wrap part will be pieced. The other problem with this fabric was it was stretched on one side... so I lay it flat on the floor for a week and kept pulling and stretching it back. I wasn't perfect but not as bad as it was. Did you notice how much for that simple skirt... US$301 and sold out! I'll need a top and I have a cut of beautiful cream crepe (remnant from the designer fabric sale $1) that I will make something up - not sure what tho...

So I've made another Simplicity 8296 but in a dress. I made view E sleeves with length of B probably but I just used the length of 2 remnants from Spotlight.  I think this is the first time in simply eons that I have made something in the current fashion, in current fashion fabric! Here's the back... bad iPhone photo. I made a size 10 at the shoulders and armholes and then graded it out to the 18 at the hips. I could probably go to the 12 or 14 really... it's a bit swishy. I could also use a sway back adjustment too. Bit of a daggy length though. I may take it up a smidge. I also like that this pattern has a bust dart but I make it a little shorter. I have the McCall's that's pretty much the same but no bust dart and no flat panel on the front. Plus it's a much narrower fit so this one is better for my shape. I probably wouldn't have bought this fabric if I'd seen it on a roll for $16 per metre, but as a cheap remnant I'm happier to tes...

So I've been sewing some tops. This Simplicity 8296 was one of the ones my friend brought back for me from the States. I also got the McCall's one but I like this flat front band and the McCalls is a different cut and not as wide around the hips where I need it.  This has a dart too and that's useful for me too. The top is made from a remnant my friend gave me a few years ago. It's a lovely soft beautiful, good quality cotton. It was easy to sew and a it's lovely to wear. I've got my ordinary bra on with the straps on my arms. I couldn't be bothered to wear the strapless. I was just off to vote.  All I can think is I am wearing something that is actually in fashion... I always seem to be out of kilter. This is the back view. I've always loved peasant tops/dresses. I think they are a snap to sew and easy to wear and flattering for a larger bust.  I think the bra is really letting me down. My only daily bra died after being washed and worn fo...

Finally I finished the Burda trousers I started way back at the beginning of December  (link for for the original post), probably started late November even. I only had to overlock the seams, take in the back seam about 2 cm for my sway back and put the waistband on. As I said it was way  too hot to even put these trousers on till now to fit that back seam. Even today was 27 degrees but in that cool, overcast way but I'm still wearing a sleeveless top (the one I made yesterday... up next).  Sorry about the dark, terrible photos. I went to the park with my son after school then promptly forgot to get him to take some photos... that's ok, if your son can't stop talking to you, photos come last! This photo actually really shocked me as I know my right shoulder drops but I didn't realise just by how much! You can see my hips are relatively level - my hands are in my (terrific deep) pockets though and it's a funny angle but I am crooked! Those wrinkles in the p...