Tag: sewing

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Mini Obsession – aprons

aprons

For awhile we have been making our own bread. It’s a wonderfully satisfying thing to learn and you get the added bonuses of a house that smells like freshly baked bread and freshly baked bread to eat!

The only downside is that whatever clothes you are wearing on baking days get streaks of flour over them (no matter how careful I am I always end up with some on me).

So I’m thinking about aprons. I have an amazing Japanese pattern book all on aprons that I am thinking I will use for some industrial/workwear inspired ones but part of me wants some super girly ones with ric rac braid and ruffles! Plus I think they will be an amazing stash buster!

Do you have aprons? Do you find them useful?

 

Red Apron via Kanso Japanese Aprons black and white book – Japanese pattern book on aprons (I got my copy in Japan) Halter neck apron Pattern via  Sugar Pie Chic on etsy  Vintage Pattern image via Dragon Poodle

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More Sewing and Cycling

Our first sewing and cycling adventure was so much fun that we decided to try again.

This time our destination was Cabramatta but with so many fabric stores in such close proximity we thought there wouldn’t be much cycling?

cycling and sewing layout 2

Luckily Eleana knew a great cycle path that connect a local train station with Cabramatta. Meeting at the station we followed her along the way. It was a really nice ride, quiet and much of it on cycle ways or low traffic streets and took no time to make it to Cabramatta and find a coffee shop.

As usual there was a bit of a fabric and pattern swap and discussion of planned purchases.

Then it was time to hit the fabric stores.

A much needed noodle lunch break

Then more shopping.

I had somewhere to be so I dashed to jump on the train leaving the others to continue shopping and cycling.

Once again another fabulous day of cycling and sewing related adventures.

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Sewing Adventures – Pleated skirt

This is not from the stash of fabrics but the stash of unfinished objects of the sewing kind.

pink pleated skirt

I’ve previously made this fabric up into a dress. When I was cutting out the dress I also cut out a skirt. At the time I didn’t have enough fabric for a waistband out of the same fabric and had planned a contrast waistband. Anyway life happened and the skirt never got made. The dress however got worn a lot and faded really really quickly and was soon quite a lot paler.

When I found the cut out skirt I almost didn’t make it up, as I didn’t want the whole faded thing to be an issue. But it’s hot and I’m stashbusting so I thought a quick no nonsense style skirt might be handy in the summer? And if it only lasts the summer due to poor quality fabric then that’s ok too. I also wanted to try out the skirt portion of this Simplicity pattern as I really like it as a dress. You can see on the hem where I have allowed for the fading by using a paler pink thread. This way the fading won’t be so obvious this time round.

So after a quick sew I used a wide elastic for the waistband (hello 80’s style) and it was done. It’s good for kicking about and I may perhaps make this style of skirt again if I find appropriate fabric in the stash.

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Sewing Adventures – Whale Softies

Stash busting once again.

whale softies

I keep all of my fabrics in large plastic tubs. Some are neatly organised and some are filled with who knows what? An amalgamation of fabrics that maybe don’t suit, odd shaped pieces, scraps, leftovers etc. A fortnight ago I opened up a tub and started cutting. I had a stack of patterns and I was determined to get that tub empty.

These whale softie pattern is from Craftiness is not Optional and consists of 2 panels and one line of stitching. So crazy simple. A few fabrics were cut out using the pattern and then sewn up later in the week. Including hand sewing each one may have taken 15 minutes?

They were so easy and such a great useful stash buster I am sure they will not be the last softies appearing as part of the great stash busting efforts of 2014. You may recognise the floral as appearing in yesterdays pleated playsuit. I swear this is the fabric that never stops. I’ve made a tonne of stuff out of it and yet still miles left. Expect to see more of it to come.

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Sewing Adventures – Pleated Playsuit

I’m all about the stash busting at the moment and have so many projects finished up. Rather than one huge post I’m breaking them up or you would be here for days reading just one post.

pleated playsuit

So I want my stash busting efforts to not only reduce what I have but to result in things that are useful, needed or wanted. This one in addition to being wanted is just plain cute!

One of my nieces seems to have inherited the fashion gene and loves a good outfit. Previously I’ve made her this but when I saw the pleated playsuit pattern over on Petticoats and Peplums I thought it would be just the thing for my niece’s next outfit.

The pattern is free from Elegance and Elephants and it’s really cute. Slightly frustrating in that you have to print, tape and then trace which is time consuming but I also had a few issues with the pattern. Nothing major just little things like the lengthen here line is not in the same place on the front and back pant patterns. Thankfully I figured that out before I cut my fabric or I’d end up with legs different lengths. Like any pattern just be sure to check it before you start cutting your fabric.

Despite these few setbacks it went together very quickly (helps when you have the Olympics to watch while sewing). The fabric is a printed quilting cotton from the stash. This seems to be the never ending fabric. I’ve made at least 2 dresses, a top and numerous small projects and I still have miles of it!

I didn’t make facings but just cut the front and back bodice panels in a lining fabric of a lightweight printed cotton from the stash and fully lined the bodice. Much easier and less fussy than making facings. I also didn’t make my own shoulder ties but used some velvet ribbon from the stash.

So a very cute outfit made entirely from the stash! Slowly but surely am going to make a difference.

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Sewing and Cycling

In what seems all too long ago a sewing friend had a wonderful idea. Why don’t we gather up friends who sew and ride and do a little bit of a Fabric store and bike ride day?
Perfect idea! Yay!

cycling and sewing layout 1
We met at a cafe down in Surry Hills to fuel up with coffee and tea and a fabric swap. Everyone had to bring something from their stash to swap. I took some patterned voile in robins egg blue and mushroom pink.
After the swap we swung onto our bikes and headed off.

First stop, round the corner to The Fabric Store  where we looked at pretty laces and lovely silks. Then on to Tessuti which was packed with classes going on and a few bridal groups shopping for fabrics.

Then it was up and across Oxford st and down to William street to visit the lovely ladies of Cloth. They also had a class on that was all about using natural inspiration and up cycling. Fascinating stuff.

After all that it was decided that food was in order so Bourke st Bakery was a popular choice. Despite the fact I coughed the entire of lunch (due to the plane trees on Bourke st whose fuzzy little droppings irritate my throat and eyes like crazy) it was fabulous food.

Feeling full it was time to move on.

Ici et la was up next to look at lovely French inspired trims. Then it was time for Bevs Remnants House which had fantastic upholstery pieces.

From there it was a quick spin out to The Remnant Warehouse where we just missed it due to closing time. Stopping for a much needed drink we recovered and discussed sewing plans with our purchases. Laughing that on long rides we often day dream about what to sew!

Onwards we headed to Ikea to raid their homewares fabrics and pick up some picture frames.

By the end of the trip we were utterly exhausted but had baskets and panniers filled with fabrics and rode home with more sewing plans brewing.

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Sewing Adventures

Sometimes you just need a dress, not a fancy dress or even a complicated dress. More of a “it’s been hot and I need something to throw on” type of dress.

black floral dress

On Saturday I went to take a look at the Follow Store closing down sale (so sad Sydney is losing yet another independent retail store). They had suitcases filled with vintage remnants they were letting go at bargain prices. So naturally I picked some up, which is totally a violation of the no adding to the stash rule of 2014. Despite this, I was determined that it should not remain in the stash long.

So on Sunday I cut out Simplicity 1873 which I have made a few times before. It’s simple but looks good and I make it faster by not doing any facings or linings but instead using bias binding to finish the neck and armholes.

By late afternoon I was done and had a new dress to wear. It’s nothing fancy, just simple and practical and the fabric is pretty. In the spirit of using up things from the stash I put an exposed chunky zip at the centre back and used what bias I had for the neck and armholes.

Overall I am pretty happy with the make and look forward to having a comfortable dress dress to pop on when I am at home.

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Hot Air Balloon Mobile

The first of my Sewing Adventures for 2014.

Hot Air Balloon

This fantastic mobile made from panels available from Craft Schmaft. I just adore the entire aesthetic of Craft Schmaft so expect to see a lot of their patterns and panels featured here.

The mobile itself is incredibly easy to put together and you only need to straight stitch and do a little bit of hand sewing. In fact the biggest challenge for me was getting the dowel cut for the actual hanger (mostly because we don’t own a saw). One of the things that makes it so easy is there is a fab Hot Air Balloon Making App you can get. Which makes everything wonderfully clear and makes you wish that all craft and sewing projects came with their own follow along app!

So if you want to add a bit of cheer to your sewing room or make one as a present it will only take maybe an hour or two from start to finish and is perfect for sewing the balloons and then doing all the stuffing and hand sewing in front of the telly!

 

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Sewing Adventures

I did it again, I made another skirt!

pattern runway skirt 2

I’ve been enjoying my first Pattern Runway skirt so much that I made another. I actually made this one a few weeks ago but was too embarrassed to admit to making yet another skirt for the 3rd week in a row.

This version is in a lovely cotton I picked up forever ago at The Remnant Warehouse and it has been languishing in my stash ever since. Now I’m not entirely sure what I got it for at the time as I only bought a small amount and it has all together too much orange in it for me to want to use it for a dress, I can only imagine I had it mind as some kind of trim or to pair with something else?

By cutting it on the opposite grain I managed to squeeze it onto the amount I had purchased. I even managed to get the pockets too. The side seam pockets are fantastic, just one small thing. I need to move them up. I had shortened the skirt pattern last time I made it up but as I had omitted the pockets on that one I hadn’t measured their placement in relation to my own arms. This time I just matched the notches and sewed and well they could be slightly higher up for me. I’ve written a note to myself on the pattern for next time, because we all know there is going to be a next time with this pattern.

So it seems that I have finally come around to being a skirt wearing person! I’m now totally open for suggestions on your favourite skirt and top combinations as I’m keen to sew some more.

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2014 Sewing Goals

I am so excited about 2014! I love the start of the new year, new goals, news plans, new lists to make. It’s all very exciting.

2014 sewing goals

1: Sew from the stash.

The stash is still huge! So this year I am going to making a big dent into it. A big part of that will be continuing to sew my own clothes.

2: Release a range of patterns.

This one is super exciting. I have been working away on it for awhile now and am so hoping you will all like the patterns and all the fun extras that are going into the packs. I cannot wait to share it all.

3: Sew for The Englishman

Despite making so much for myself The Englishman never gets anything made for him. So this year I am making him a coat, some comfy shorts for lounging round the house in and aim for at least a few other garments too.

4: Make my own bras and knickers

I feel like a bit of a sewing challenge this year so I thought this would be a nice one to do because who doesn’t like pretty knickers?

5: Quilting

I started a handsewn quilt when my sister first got pregnant and it’s still not done yet…. she now has 3 children. So it is on the list to be finished. Also in an effort to help bust the stash, am plannning a machine sewn quilt for myself.

6: Get photos of myself in my makes for the blog

The really scary one. I dislike having my photo taken, plus at Fashion college we had it drilled into us that you should not put yourself in your own catalogues or photos. It won’t happen straight away but hopefully I can sneak myself in every so often and get over being so self conscious about it.

Other things I want to achieve include wanting to give more handmade presents, hopefully teach some classes and make time to meet up with all the lovely sewists whose blogs I read and that I chat with on Twitter. Can’t wait to meet you all in person.

Non sewing goals of 2014 include reducing my 10km run time, run a half marathon, ride my bike more and do some travelling.

Such a huge year ahead, am really looking forward to it.