Sew Darn Tired

I've used Burda 2711 again for some pjs for my Mum's birthday this Friday. She doesn't do computers so there is no chance she'll see these before she gets her gift. The fabric is some more of the Japanese cotton lawn (is lawn anything other than cotton? I'm pretty sure it's not - please correct me if I am mistaken) bought from Spotlight a couple of months ago for just $4 per metre, although not quite  Sarah Liz's recent bargains , a bargain just the same. As soon as I saw it I knew it would be pjs for my Mum. She has always kept chickens (although these are  roosters I know); since as far back as I can remember, although she gave them up a couple of years ago as she's getting on. She'd also use them for food - oh I remember her chopping their heads off with an axe and them running around the back yard  when I was about 4 years old ...... that's enough, you get the picture.  TMI? I remember a time when at the dinner table, my older s...

I had this top cut out before the Burda top made recently but avoided making it. I don't know why - maybe all the pleats at the neckline? I've made this top before in a heavier knit in a tunic length and i call it my cycling top. I wear it with leggings when we go social cycling. I made a size 10 then and made a note on the envelope that it was big in the back and shoulders so of course I noted it and then cut out a 10! It's made from a textured pure merino knit that is more summer weight and bought on sale at The Fabric Store a couple of years ago. I also made two infinity scarves out of it - on for my niece and one for my cousin's young daughter for her trip to Canberra during the thick of winter. The back neckline only is finished with bias binding - I made mine from some scrap from the pjs I made a while ago.  The feature of the bias came in handy as the back was big so I threaded some elastic through it and it pulls it in on the shoulders for it to fit b...

I finally finished the Ottobre jacket from the Winter 2015 issue. It's a terrific pattern and quite easy to make. I finished it a few weeks ago but just haven't had the inclination to blog about it. Some details: it's made from the merino/nylon mix from The Fabric Store, which was only $8 per metre. It is very stretchy which posed some problems with the zip but so comfy and warm. The merino is the terry like loops on the wrong side and the nylon is the outer layer. I have it in some apple green too and they had some in a raspberry colour as well. I made leggings out of it for my niece and me a while ago and she still calls them the best leggings she's ever had! The shoulders fit me perfectly ! Really just like it was made for me (ha ha) but the hips are very narrow for me. It's a lovely two piece raglan sleeve with an add on cuff. This is left with raw edge by using the coverstitch, as is the collar. You'll notice below the cuffs and collar are lined with...

Ok, so only  Tropical Threads  asked but I'm obliging. (I was going to respond in the comments but that would be one too long reply).  I can't stand buying stuff I can make myself and that includes food. I love Thai green chicken curry but at nearly $18 a takeaway container, I cannot afford it (lets face it, even if I could afford it I wouldn't pay it). In this Thai green chicken curry is capsicum, broccoli, mushrooms, snow peas and carrots. The key to good Thai curry (I thought) is to make sure you use good quality coconut cream/milk and good paste if you don't make it. (I don't make it). (too many parenthesis ;) ) Although I've been making this for a long, long time, I couldn't get that same flavour when I bought it ... it was good but just something missing. Well it was kaffir lime leaves. For some tight wad reason I wouldn't buy them as I thought how much could they add. Turns out it was the missing link. Now I get them when they are marked d...

The Brisbane Festival was on during the school holidays and my niece had a busy technical role there. This meant busy days and nights (till about 3am!) for about three weeks while the public was there and many weeks pre and a few post. The upside for us was we got to see two free shows and we chose three shows to see as well. If you ever see that  The Listies  are in town, you must go see them. They were HILARIOUS.. Gratuitous Thai green chicken curry - I'm seriously addicted. That was the third one in two weeks. Of course they always work out a bit different due to the veggies I use but either way it's always great. You can see sewing is never far away, with a pattern piece on the stove top! There has been sewing but I think I need to make two posts so I'll start with the stuff I made for my son. The last thing I made him were some sleep boxers from this one piece pattern. It's sized for men, teens and boys and he's moved into the teens size...

I decided that I need to write a plan of the things I need to make before moving onto other things. I wrote a plan, which you can see below and then immediately cut and made a simple vintage top, as you do.  It is made from a cut up cotton voile, strappy summer dress I bought last year for $10 that was too voluminous, to my ankles, lined in plain cotton voile which basically made it unflattering and way too hot for our summer. I love the bright colours and I love the cotton voile. You may notice that this top was not on the plan.  I'm excited about this top for two reasons. One it worked out and fits and the other reason is because I thought it was a size 14 but it is a size 10. That actually makes more sense as the shoulders, neckline and length is perfect (if just a smidge tight in the bust but I am an E cup).  No gaping in the back either which is something I really struggle with. I'm really pleased with this little top and will make more. It's actua...

I really love the unusual style of Burda Kenzo shirt copy.  Chanel No 6 blog  person has made this top and as I had it out of the library I thought I'd give it a go as mentioned in the previous post. I never make muslins (toiles) as I get bored making the same thing twice in a row but that's probably why I don't have a good fit, and I really wanted to see if this would suit me before cutting into some nicer fabric.  Photo courtesy of Chanel No 6 blog. I was looking for something else in the stash that lives in the boxes under the house and found this quite stiff poly/cotton (I think) fabric which is really perfect to see drape of the flounce. They are not good photos - using the selfie stick and the mirror at night. Not a perfect  scenario but the best I can do not having a photographer at home at the moment. I love the flounce on the front. I'm surprised it looks ok. I made the muslin with no sleeves yet and I haven't attached the collar either bu...