Sew Darn Tired

Last Sunday my sister called at 8am and said come over for lunch and the boys can have a swim. Perfect, except I just remembered, I bought lycra from Pitt Trading for swimming togs for Alex but I hadn't made them yet. I go to aqua aerobics every Sunday at 9am so I dragged out my Jalie 3242 pattern, measured Alex and traced a size T. I was going to use  Katherine's (Sew Blooms) tips to change a Jalie into togs for boys  but I have a different pattern so with my limited time, I just went with what I had.  I got them to here before having to go to aqua. I came back at 10.20 and then I finished them off and left the house by 12 noon. I used the coverstitch to do the hems and around the ...middle, but I think this makes them look like undies but I also figured it would keep the seams flat and less aggravating.  I get this great elastic from Trad's ... it's elastic that's about 2.5 cm wide and it has nylon tie through it, which is perfect for boy's t...

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...

Firstly, thanks for all the nice comments in recent posts. I know it takes some effort when we are all so busy. I really appreciate the thoughts. I finished the shorts I was making for my son. Sorry he's at his Dad's so there are not photos of him wearing them. The pattern is the Burda 9965 which as you can see is for jeans type pants. I couldn't find the other Burda pattern I used to make his  cloud shorts  so I just used this one. It's got some weird details like the fold over flap at the hem and the maple leaf look pockets.. yes they are maple leaves as I just checked the pattern and it says "Imported for Canada". Anyone know if the flaps are for some purpose or just a design feature? Oops, should have cropped out my foot!  This is some gabardine that I bought on our recent trip to Toowoomba. $3 for the piece at the op shop. He's hard to please with patterns and colours so I was pleased he liked this. Best fly I have ever done and t...

I made this Vena Cava Vogue 1228 (sorry I don't have a photo of the pattern) out of some fabric I got at The Spoolette High Tea - maybe the second one.... anyone recognise it? I'm not often drawn to but but I like the pattern and it's mostly navy. It's a polyester chiffon but it's quite nice and it was easy to work with. I cut it out last year and had it in a bag... it's such an easy pattern I'm not really sure why it took me so long but probably by the time I got to it, it was out of season and then forgotten and shuffled around in the sewing room. After the coat I really wanted something quick and I really didn't want to cut anything out. I had a Lekala cut and half done too, but couldn't bring myself to finish it (it's done now.. that'll be the next post). I do remember  Up Sew Late  had made a couple and so I read up and garnered that the top was very low. I am about 15cm shorter than Gabrielle (I think she is about 175cm and I...

I got these patterns last year from my friend in the US. I finally made the waterfall coat from some delicious raspberry wool. This is from the fabric sale I go to... $4 per meter!!! It is a bit fuzzy on one side and shiny and smooth on the other. It is beautiful and soft and perfect for this jacket. I just got rid of my wool coat I bought about 25 years ago. Sounds like eons, but in Brisbane it got worn only on cold days when I was going out, it got a lot of wear when I bought it but mostly for going into and back from work, so really not a lot of wear on a day to day basis. I saw it had worn through a couple of months ago so time to go. Don't get me wrong, I knew it had to go years ago but I wasn't working for 12 years so wasn't budget for it or real need either. It seems all my photos will be in the work lift. Sorry I know they are terrible but I just don't have a good photo set up or the time (mostly no inclination). I had my backpack and walking shoes on. ...

This is a bad elevator photo of one of the Halle skirts. It's worn with he rayon top and a long cardi bought at Kmart. I'm going to copy this cardi as I like it. I didn't think I would hence buying a cheap one but having said that, I've used it heaps and it hasn't pilled. I've got a lovely floral knit I bought from the fabric sale last year (earlier this year??) but as it's going to be 37 degrees tomorrow, don't know if it's worth investing the time.  Also I made a bra. I went to a bra making workshop last Saturday. It's not finished and it doesn't fit hence the not finished. I'm leaving you with some photos and when I have the energy on the weekend I'll review the course and the pattern as I see it. Maybe it'll be finished by then too... I have it half pulled apart now to redo and I also have a Kwik Sew pattern I have had cut out for a couple of months and maybe I'll get that made too. Not bad for a first go and really ...

This should be called the *rapiest photos ever.. anyway, this is from probably two months ago. I have just had no time to get good photos or me wearing them even though I wore them a lot during winter. Of course winter here is about 5 minutes long.  I scored the Style Arc Halle Stretch Skirt from the Spooleetes High Tea in April. I love the asymmetric front. The skirts below are not in the order I made them.  It's a great pattern. Three pieces and I can cut one out and sew it up in 30 minutes. Perfect work skirt.  This piece of fabric was from New Zealand when I was living there in 2003. It was just a small piece and just enough for a front/back straight piece using the back pattern piece only, with splits on the side. It is excellent fabric and a very plain but useful skirt. The  second made was the very spongy black patterned knit stuff. I bought this at Darn Cheap in Melbourne last year. It's soft and warm and very easy to sew. It was the full siz...