Building my handmade wardrobe....

I've been trying a few new patterns out lately, mainly because they get sold at (good) ridiculously cheap prices at the Spotlight sales! But there are some good free patterns out there too I have been trying out.

I picked this one for all the styles;  I used some op shopped chambray as a muslin. They looked rather uninspiring on the wall....

But super comfy on! I'm going to 'teach myself' how to make the crotch line a bit higher, so they're not as baggy around the bum! But I feel pretty cool and comfy in these!

I teamed it up with a new tshirt- still love my Renfrews, but like to mix it up a bit! This free pattern is awesome!

I tried out the Hemlock Tee; this is a one size fits all free pattern from Grainline Studios. I have made a few other things from these patterns. This is my 2nd version, the first was so small, as I didnt print the pattern out properly! I would have liked this a bit looser, but it's super comfy, and I'll definietly make it again- so quick and easy!

I finally made a wrap dress-  I procrastinated long and hard, as I had 3 patterns to choose from. I used a $10 a metre cotton/lycra from Rathdowne Fabrics. I'm glad I went with Butterick B5454; it had no facings! and was a 'true' wrap, has cute pleats at the shoulders...and super comfy too boot! Which reminds me, I need to get new winter boots this year, which will be great with this dress!

I got a bit crazy with the pics- I had to take most of these pics on the same day, after work- I blame tiredness, and a cheeky photographer! 

 Oh, this is the ' no spillage' shot- it is one good wrap top! (Always photobombed by the dog)

And a few more of the Deer and Doe Plantain Shirt I mentioned at the top of the post- using up leftovers! The blue one has 2 slightly different colour navy's on the front and back; I figured only I will notice that! (And you now you're reading it). I added a pocket, as I didnt have enough navy for the sleeves, and they looked odd on their own!

The cat had to get in on the pics!

Ok, back to boring pics from now on!

I see leopards....

There's a bit of sewing and non-sewing going on over here. I want to try and participate in 'Me Made May' this year, where I can wear 'handmade by me' for the month of May, so I'm trying at fill the gaps in my wardrobe! More on that later though, I'll show you what I've been doing for everyone else...

I gave the girl free choice of fabrics at Spotlight to make an outfit for her bestie's birthday party. (We'd actually bought a long sleeve denim dress from Target she'd had her eye on, but was too hot and uncomfortable!) This light top (not sure the fabric, but a pain to sew and heaps of thread pulls, grrrr!) suited the day much better! I used a pattern, but ended up taking it in and adjusting so much, I may as well have cut a rectangle with a whole for the head!

I made the leggings too, from a tried and true pattern. It's a ponte stretch (from Spotlight as well) and she adores them! They have the gathered elastic bit on the outer leg, gives em an extra bit of cute. Hmmm, something about this outfit makes me think in about 20yrs I'll hear 'How could you let me go out in THAT?? It's pretty out there!

We ended up buying a denim jacket, as the fussiness and umming and ahhing over styles, fabrics etc was doing my head in! Gone are the days when I can whip something up and she wears it regardless- I have a pile on non-worn handmade stuff to prove it! I made the leggings again, though, she's pretty mad on leopard print at the moment.

I also made some bags for a happy customer, she chose some great fabrics, definitely not my colour schemes, but a real pleasure to sew with. Another fave pattern by You Sew Girl (but unfortunately discontinued)

 A little extra pillow for her son...is that the cutest pillowcase you've seen? I joked that they would all have names within a day!

We had a lazy long weekend a few weeks ago, and we joined Cam for another basketball game- and another Tigers win! We're officially fans!

  

We had a great long day out, with dinner and a play at the park on the way home. The perfect weather made it easy to chill out!

I finally dug into my wee Liberty stash and ran up this pattern, which I'd printed forever ago and hadn't made up! I'd also been after a cute pincushion, similar to these.

 

I also cut up some scraps and made a bigger one, gosh, it is sooo cute! 

I've been carrying the bigger one around all week, despite not having a minute in the workday to do any knitting at the moment. It makes me smile!

Hope your last few weeks have been stitchy and smiley too!

Back soon to show you some clothes.