Category: Sewing Adventures

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Sewing Adventures: Spotty grocery bag

My second make of the year! and it’s a super practical bag made fun with spots! I made and wrote this post ages ago and then it’s taken me forever to get photos!

I’ve been making do with only one cloth bag to carry with me in each day to use instead of plastic bags. It works some days but then other days I find myself having to use the dreaded plastic bags and every single time it annoys me.

After the fire I managed to salvage some fabric the spots were amongst the ones rescued. It’s had to be heavily laundered so the once stiff lightweight canvas now feels more like super worn in jeans. Nice and soft handfeel but structurally the fabric and fibres are still ok.

 

I know I initially got the fabric from Spotlight (part of their cotton duck range) and had planned to make shorts with it at some point. In my new mindset of use all the good fabrics all the time I decided I wouldn’t use it for shorts that quite frankly would look ridiculous and never get worn but instead use it for something practical that will get used every day.

Naturally I researched some bag patterns but decided to just kind of wing it and based some of the measurements loosely on the Purl Soho tutorial which can be found here. Now winging it should always be encouraged but sometimes it bites you in the ass and there are a few sections of this bag which look less than 100%. Most noteably the top turn over. I measured and then folded it but didn’t press it and well it’s not exactly straight. But it works, it’s sturdy and I’m ok with things not always being a beacon of perfection.

I added an oversize pocket on the inside so I can throw my phone in there and not loose it to the bottom depths of my bags like I normally do and it will hold my public transport card for easy access too.

All seams are done as French seams to add a bit of strength and longevity to the bag.

Pattern: Made it up as I went along, some measurements from the Purl Soho tutorial

Fabric: From the stash (originally purchased at Spotlight)

Alterations or Changes for next time: Use the iron a bit more to get it looking a bit more organised on the inside

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Sewing Adventures – Grainline Linden, sloth edition

Sloths! I love sloths and when I saw this fleece at Spotlight I couldn’t resist. It didn’t get made up straight away but went into the stash and survived the fire.

As soon as the weather started to cool I knew I wanted a comfy house jumper to keep me warm and what better way tos ray comfy and warm than fleece sloths!

I’d never made the Linden before and had always thought the neckline a tad wide for my tastes. A quick chat on instagram with @Daisysewcrazy (and not daisysewlazy that I wrote originally ?) confirmed that you can easily add in more and still not end up with too much of a blocked in neck look I went for it. I cut the largest size and added 2cm to the neckline all the way round. Even with the band it’s still quite an open neckline so definitely think about that when you are planning one.

By sheer co incidence I managed to line up my stripes down the side seams! Sloth magic for the win.

Because it’s a comfy home one I just turned the hems under and used my cover stitch machine to secure them all down. I found the trick to me getting the stitch line and internal hem perfectly aligned is to measure and pin, then use a bit of washi tape to help give me a guide on the plate while sewing. Am sure it will get easier but for the moment it’s making it work for me.

All in all a very simple but very cozy make.

Pattern: Grainline Patterns Linden Sweatshirt

Fabric: Fleece sloths from stash originally from Spotlight

Alterations: no bands, added 2cm to block in the neckline, adjusted neck band length accordingly. For neck time potentially add another 1.5cm to block in? Shorten sleeve length if adding rib bands.

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Sewing Adventures – Papercut Patterns Sway dress

I had thought I’d set myself an extra challenge this year and make all my patterns myself, so no shop bought patterns no Indies all my own…..then I realised sometimes you just need clothes and you need to get on with things and just to go for it.

Enter the Papercut Patterns Sway dress. This pattern was given to me by a friend after the fire, they thought having a loose swingy dress would be an easy make after all our dramas. They were right it, was a quick make.

I think the longest part was cutting out and making sure the rayon fabric didn’t slip and slide around. I cut on the wooden floor and it was a surprisingly stable rayon which made for a nice change.

I cut the size medium but increased the length as I’m hoping it might be a good trans seasonal piece and I’ve been liking the look of longer dresses lately so I can see how I look and feel wearing one.

Having read reviews of the pattern I should have been more cautious and checked the armholes but I didn’t. They are really big, like show about an inch of the side of my bra big. I don’t care about showing my bra but I do care about ugly armholes and the size of these is not good. Am not going to hassle with this make now but in future would be adding to the armholes to bring them up by at least 4 to 5 cm.

Becasue I wanted to keep the rayon to be nice and flowing I chose to go with the provided facings, despite my hatred of facings. They go in easily and make the insides look clean but this bit here where you can see the facing from the lower v neck is visually repugnant to me. Next time I’ll use bias binding to finish the neck and armholes and avoid this.

The waist ties are not too long, I choose to make my longer so the ends would fall down the dress more. Mostly because my middle section needs a bit of visual camouflage. I added the tassels to the end to stop a fairly plain dress (for me) be not too boring. Because the waist ties are not attached to the dress it means they won’t be going through the wash which is handy as I’m fairly sure those are ceramic beads of some kind?

Pattern: Sway Dress by Papercut Patterns cut in a size Medium

Fabric: Printed rayon from the stash but originally from Pitt Trading, cream tassels purchased from Pitt Trading

Alterations: Added 10cm length to the dress, cut waist tie twice as long, added tassels. Next time use Bias binding instead of facings, add 4 to 5cm height to underarms to bring them up.

 

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Sewing Adventures: Emma Racer Back Slip in lemon and pink

A sweet Emma in lemon and pink! I actually had made this exact version before but lost the garment in the fire and when I discovered I still had some I knew I had to replicate it.

It’s a slinky jersey knit from Pitt Trading with pink lace trim and pink fold over elastic also from Pitt Trading. I love that their range of lace trims is so large you can always find a colour that is going to complement your fabric choices.

Much like my last Emma I’ve gone for a 12 top and graded out to a 14 bottom half. I’ve also been keeping them at the longest length. I’m just liking the silhouette of the longer line.

As you can see from my photos of all my Emma’s I have been trying hard to get better photos. It’s so much easier when you can shoot outside like I did for my Me Made May challenge. Hopefully with some more practice it will get slightly easier. Right now all I can see is the flaws in me and the photo.?

Pattern: The Emma Racer Back slip and bralet from Measure Twice Cut Once

Fabric and trims: slinky jersey, stretch lace and fold over elastic all from Pitt Trading

Alterations: This version made at the longest length on the pattern, see how it goes during sleep before deciding if I should keep it at that length or not?

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Sewing Adventures – Emma Racer Back Slip with lace

Another Emma! this time with added lace. I really like how this one turned out, I made the variation with the lace and like how the black lace works so well with the darker style print.

The fabric was picked up at the Sydney Spoolettes first fabric swap of 2018 (2nd from the top in this photo. It was smallish but you need so little for this pattern that I knew I could make it work. It’s super soft and the original owner said she got it from Knit Wit in Perth.

It’s slightly firmer across my stomach where I’m lopsidedly swollen after surgery but am not worried as thats something that is unique to me and not the pattern fitting incorrectly.

Since my last version I’ve sized down the bust area to a size 12 but kept the body at a 14 but apart from that no other changes.

One of the reasons I wanted to do a racer back slip is that I am a very wriggly sleeper. Normally slips fall off my shoulders and I get all tangled up in them. This narrow curving back fits perfectly and stops the slip from moving off me as I wriggle in my sleep. A great solution that also looks flattering.

I also got to use my overstitch machine for the hem, was very exciting. Am still in the early stages of knowing all the ins and outs of the machine but so far very impressed.

Pattern: The Emma Slip by Measure Twice Cut Once

Fabric: Sydney Spoolettes fabric swap 2018 and black fold over elastic and lace from Pitt Trading

Alterations or changes for next time: None

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Sewing Adventures: Emma Racer Back Slip in a moody floral

My first make of the year that’s all for me! I’m very excited. It was such a wonderful feeling to pull on something I’d made after what feels like forever since I’d last done that.

Onto the make, it’s my newly released Emma Slip. I’ve been wearing these since I finished the pattern like 2 years ago. I kept putting off releasing the pattern thinking it wasn’t the right time or I need to have professional photos for it or a million and one other excuses. No more waiting for the perfect timing. If patterns are ready I’m going to let them loose into the world and not wait for that elusive perfect moment (that doesn’t exist anyway).

Size wise I went for a straight 14 as I’m still swollen post surgery and have an oddly lopsided torso. Ideally I think I should have gone 14 for the skirt section and cut a 12 for the bust as it’s a little big, not hugely so but just enough for me to notice it.

Apart from wanting to make that small size adjustment everything else is exactly as the pattern is. The dreamy moody floral knit fabric was a remnant at Pitt Trading and it’s lovely and soft. Perfect for a wriggly sleeper like me.

While I was making it I shared this quick tip on Instagram, when sewing to easily note the front and backs of a project I use one pin for the front and two for the back. You’d be surprised just how useful this turns out to be!

I like it so much I’ve already got more planned!

Pattern: The Emma Slip by Measure Twice Cut Once

Fabric: Floral remnant and lilac fold over elastic from Pitt Trading

Alterations or changes: Next time size the bust down

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It’s Me Made May and I’ve set myself a photo challenge

It’s Me Made May! For those who don’t know Me Made May is where sewers from around the world are encouraged to wear their own made clothes every day for the month of May and document it in some way. It’s a wonderful way to connect with the community, identify gaps in your wardrobe and generally show off your handmade wardrobe.

This year mine is going to be boring as I have such a limited wardrobe after the fire. So I’ve set myself the additional challenge of taking better photos. I’ve been experimenting with the timer on my iPhone and using my back pack as a tripod.

It’s not a brilliant solution (sometimes I have no head or not so flattering angle). But it’s making it a whole lot more fun to take photos something which I normally hate with a vengeance.

I’ve been busy scouring the city for beautiful art walls to use and while I’ve taken some photos already to take advantage of being in front of some beautiful art, I’ll still be seeking out more throughout the month.

I know some people frown upon pre taking some of the photos but when you’ve only got a handful of dresses to work with bathroom selfies of the same things over and over would be boring for everyone and  right now I need some fun in my life so fun photos it is!

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Prym being amazing

Last year I started a fabulous agreement with Prym to use their products and talk about them on my blog and social media channels. I was so happy because the products are amazing quality and even simple things like their loop turners are utter game changers. Seriously.

Some of my Prym supplies survived the fire because they were away from the source of the fire and crucially the lids on the Prym containers lock down to seal off anything getting through. That was super important as so many of the plastic tubs that stored my stash didn’t lock down and I lost a lot to smoke and water damage.

I sent Prym a quick email to let them know that makes of any kind would be a bit scarce until we were back on our feet and I things like sewing machines and things again.

Honestly I cannot describe how amazing they were. They immediately sent back messages of concern and support and offered to outfit my entire sewing area again. To make sure they knew they were serious they got in contact with Maria aka velosews and told her to make sure I really did give a list of everything I needed to replace.

Maria even came by and helped me make the list to ensure I didn’t forget things like hand sewing needles and rulers.

A few weeks ago the parcels arrived and I’m still blown away by it. Machine needles, hand sewing equipment, elastics, trims and so much more. They’ve replaced all the haberdashery I’d lost and then added in so much more for me to play with. Honestly when something so big as a fire happens it’s easy to think about the big stuff you’ve lost but weird when you go to reach for the little things like needles or elastic and realise you no longer have any. So for them to replenish all those things is a huge gift to me to making things feel way more normal.

Thank you so very much to the entire team at Prym for going above and beyond and thanks to Maria for helping me make my list. I’ll be doing my best to share my reviews, thoughts and projects and host some giveaways with everything throughout the year. It’s going to be fun.

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An update on what’s been happening

I thought I’d do a quick update as I know many people have been curious as to what has been happening and while I’ve put it on Instagram the new algorithm means you could so easily miss things. So here’s the rundown

Last year I had surgery to remove a tumor from my back. Because of how and where the tumor was positioned I also lost my side muscles. Thankfully the tumor wasn’t cancerous so I’ve just been recovering from the surgery. Everything is going well but I’m still swollen and have an oddly lopsided torso.

While overseas for Christmas our apartment caught on fire and we lost around 90% of our possessions (including my sewing machines and a sizeable chunk of my stash) amazingly our cat survived. Everyone in the sewing community have been absolutely amazing and we have been so very very very grateful for all the support we have been receiving. From people lending their houses, financial help, checking in with us and a million other things it’s been amazing. If there is a silver lining to such a horrible accident it’s that people are generous and kind.

Even though mini the cat escaped the fire when the fire brigade broke the door in, she suffered some smoke inhalation issues. She has been on a few courses of treatment and is very slowly improving.

Since the fire we have been leading a nomadic life around Sydney suburbs as we wait for our apartment to be fixed so we can move back in. We have been lent homes, stayed in Airbnb’s, house sat and crashed on friends floors. It’s now over 4 months since the fire and no work has been started on our apartment yet so it looks like our nomadic lifestyle is set to continue for awhile yet.

So if things have been a bit quiet around here I hope that explains why? I’ve been busy making plans and trying to do what I can while we are in an odd limbo and hopefully I’ll be able to share all of that with you soon. From new makes to new patterns and cool stuff I’ve discovered along the way.

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Rebuilding a wardrobe, new patterns to try

In considering what I will make to rebuild my wardrobe I’ve been looking at some patterns that on first encountering I dismissed as not for me.

The Closet Case Kalle shirt, Deer and Doe Melilot or the Style Arc Blair.

I’d spotted a girl across the road, similar build and shape but taller than I am. She was wearing a small floral print shirt with a front packet, dropped shoulder and collar. It was effortless, a little bit dressed up and good for those days when you aren’t entirely sure what the weather is doing. I tried to snap a photo but missed her in the crowds. Once I was on the train I started searching and these patterns are the closest to what it was she was wearing. Yet when each of them came out I was all “meh, not my style”. I’ll probably try the Deer and Doe as I’ve liked their patterns in the past and I can’t be bothered with the endless sticking together of sheets that Style Arc are.

A wrap knit dress. I don’t often wear knit dresses as I’ve always felt too lumpy and bumpy to wear them, plus when I have tried them on I’ve found them too cleavagey for me (when you are short you realize everyone is looking down your top and it’s a bit well, weird sometimes). Pattern choice for this might be the Cashmerette Appleton.

Pants as in trousers not as in knickers. I love my jeans, I have little to no desire to make my own (well not until I can get back to Japan and get my hands on the best denim in the world). But a nice pair of not too shiney stretch cotton sateen pants might be nice? I’ll keep looking in case I find something in the fit I am after?

The new Grainline Coat looks interesting. Ages ago I had planned to make this jacket.

Sadly much of the work didn’t survive the fire. I did rescue the wool fabric as it had survived. I think I’ll work out a simplified version of the design and use The Yates Coat as the base pattern.

For the moment that’s all that I had come up with but I feel like it’s a decent start? If you’ve got any suggestions let me know.