Getting started on the summer wardrobe...

Actually, I'm finishing off last years summer wardrobe attempt first, then getting started. I'm on 2 weeks annual leave at the moment for the school holidays (in the middle right now). The first 3 days were slow as the Little Miss came down with a virus/bug of some sort, and spent 3 days on the couch. she's still not 100% but starting to get back into her activities she'd planned. You would think I got a lot done in those 3 days, but no. being nurse/Mummy came first, but the house is looking pretty tidy for a change!

I decided to be completely selfish and only sew things for me! I didn't even know about this when I decided! But I had a backlog of stuff I'd cut out and never gotten too, or started and not finished (known as UFO's or 'unfinished objects' in the sewing world). I'd also made a few things recently that needed adjusting, in particular waistbands (taking in, which is always nicer than letting out!). Boring jobs though.

This particular maxi dress was cut out and started last year- as in last summer. I've made it before, too. Don't know whats happened to that dress, possibly tossed during a non fitting stage. I think there was another dress out of it, but I don't have that one anymore either! Anyhow, it's now spring, nearly summer again. I cut it out as per measurements, a size 18 apparently, and it was mahoosive on me! I had to check and remake the bodice- I'd gotten the fabric quite cheap at Spotlight and bought more than I needed, luckily.

I took the chance on the sunny afternoon this afternoon for a dress up- not realising it was so windy! No, not pregnant, just look it!

Ooh, the moon glow! It was a long, dark winter hehe.

  I'm not 100% happy with how it fits around the boobies, but I think it will depend on the bra I'm wearing with it. Which on hot, at home days will probably be none anyway! I don't think it's too sheer for a voile, either, but if anyone comments when I'm wearing it I can whip up a lining.

 Oh, WORST PHOTO EVER alert. Can you tell Miss 9 was grumpy and tired and didn't want to take pics? She neglected to tell me I look like He-man from the back! Grrrr....

 And I am nearly all prepared for spring with a pedicure yesterday, and haircut today. It's getting shorter and shorter, I think...

  

So once I'd gotten that UFO out of the way, I started on a new purchase (once again ignoring the precut pile hehe). I wasn't 100% sold on this style on me from the original pics, but once I saw lots of different versions I thought I'd give it a try. I even had this op shopped rayon-ey stuff to try it on. Horrid but like able at the same time!

 It looks terrible on the hanger- but like all of Tasia's pattern, amazing when on!

Even a quick check late at night got me excited!

Yep, Murray agrees. Always in for a photo bomb, that dog!

 

It feels so good on! I didn't retie the straps, which is why the bra straps are showing I think, because the other try on times this didn't happen. I didn't put the zip in, as I read that many people didn't and it still went on easy, which is true. But then I didn't know how to finish the blousy bit at the back, I'll be hunting for a tutorial on that bit, or working on it a bit better next time.

It's going to be a 'wear with caution' on a windy day! Must remember clean knickers that day hehe. I had enough fabric to make the maxi length, but the fabric wasn't wide enough, so I have a little left over, maybe a tank top for summer or something.

And the cute shoes with this frock- my fave platforms I picked up years ago op shopping with Ms Curlypops! They're getting me excited about warmer weather- I just wish the warmer weather was excited enough to stick around longer than 3 days!

My totally Selfish Sewing was of course interrupted by Henry needing a new hat- a quick one was whipped up from Nikki's book, as his head is finally big enough! Some more of the unknown mystery fabric that just goes well as anything, with a cute Spotlight print. I'll be adding straps once I measure it on him to get the placement right. Totally cute!

Keeping Out Of Trouble Part 1

Spring is in the air! I was a bit tired of the old winter wardrobe, and the beautiful week of spring weather recently spurred me to update the wardrobe a bit. I dove into the stash and found some nice medium weight denim, and 2 hours later....

a skirt! Pattern by this chickie, and you can buy it from here. I'm lucky (or unlucky, depends how you look at it!) to be the same size as I was the last time I made it, so I had the pattern all ready, and have made a few now so  it was a great quick make.

The top is another Alma blouse, the seersucker gingham *sigh* was bought specially for it- a few weeks prior! I love this fabric....I cheated this time and didn't put a zip in, as it fits easily over my head, and I could have taken a bit in the shoulders so the tight cardi doesn't sit a bit funny- but I'm hoping for less need for the cardi in a few weeks!

The warmer weather has (temporarily) altered the need for the knitted cowls; I threw together a quick 'infinity' style scarf, a long tube twisted and stitched together. I used some lawn from Spotlight as a practice, trying to get the guts to cut up some Liberty lawn!

Remember the Triple Zip swap I mentioned a few posts ago? Mine was very well received, with a wonderful blog post about it over here. I also received a gorgeous pouch, from manybooks4u (on flickr).

It was full of yummy goodies, I've never seen coloured magnetic snaps, and have fallen in love Glamping now I have a mini charm pack!

 And last update- the scrappy zig zag is pieced and ready to go....when I get to the Spotlight sale and pick up some batting!

This one's a keeper, that's for sure!

             Stayed tuned for part 2 where I reveal a special little job I was asked to do....

For Sale (finally)

Yay, it's finally happening! 

I have listed these bags on my Facebook page, 'For sale'. I decided to start small with something with no fees, as I have no extra money at the moment, and hey, we all have to start somewhere, right?

Descriptions and more pics are over 

here;

here;

 and here.

I was thinking the other day, though, that all my pics seem to be of 'finished' things, and this isn't really what a blog/ my blog is about, I need to blog the process more! Unfortunately, all my fellow 'Instragrammers would have seen these before, but a lot of people aren't on Instagram, and are missing out! (on my pics, I mean, haha)

I'm going to try and blog more 'in process' pics, the finished item is good, but it's fun seeing the 'behind the scenes', isn't it?

Bag a long a long a long.....

So my friend, the Queen of the Sew Along's, is having a new one for August. And no sticking to the same pattern, it's your pick!

Need some inspiration? Here's one I did last Saturday, for my friend's b'day present. It's a City bag, and is what I'd call 'one of the simple ones'. Some zipper practice, interfacing and easy strap, and super glam looking! Stoopid me forgot to photograph the lining in inside zip! Der!

 

Cam has a great shop, where she stock nearly all of Nikki's patterns, and will order any that aren't there if you ask her nicely! Other stockists are here.

I have another couple of bags planned, lets see how many I actually get done!

(Looking at these, I realised I got three bags out of this fabric! Not bad! And I still love it!)

A bit of sewing....

 As I mentioned, I have been up to a bit of sewing, and loving my new items.

I finally got around to the City Shopper, which is a bigger version of the Wristlet bag I made here. 

I don't know the name of the flap fabric, it was in the stash but bought from Amitie a while ago.  The hounds tooth was from an oppy and also in the stash....

actually, so was the lining! I think all was from the stash- the antique brass hardware was bought a while ago, and I'd run out of the silver I normally use...but I think this is better! I did the zip pocket and key fob too (I just have to remember to use it! Der!)

It's good and roomy, perfect for when you don't want to take much with you, but has space to fill it as well.

I added a magnetic clasp instead of the button, I knew I was too lazy to button and unbutton it haha

 

So the bag was a few weeks ago, it's been getting a workout, now for the blazer. I saw one over here and liked it, but I didn't think I had good enough skills to copy it off a pre made one. Plus, I want it lined as I can imagine the sleeves sticking etc. I had this pattern in the pattern stash, in the smaller sizes, I made one years ago, don't think it was very good as I can't find it! So I bought the bigger sizes, and cute it all out in anticipation....

I waited till I got to the Retreat (last post) as Abbe cleverly has the 2 sizes in the Singer dressmaker dummy- my small-medium is a tad small, I need the medium-large. I cut an 18, and took it in a little around the sides and perfect!

Don't forget to head over and check out her giveaway!!

Chambray was from Spotlight, and lining from the stash (a pick satin)

  I was so impressed by my 'first attempt' buttonhole;

 And it got worn! As soon as the button went on, actually. And I loved making it- the detail, the tailoring, I'm so bloody happy!

 It doubled up with my Renfrew Merino top I made, the 2nd of three tops I've done so far. (Another post on the Renfrew, it deserves it's own haha)

  Not the most glamorous shot, a butt one!

 I am so thinking of making more, check out this gorgeous floral one Kelli has spotted- they are really addictive, I agree!!

And one last thing- it's my 701st post! There'll be a giveaway at the end of the week!

My Creative Space

I haven't played along for a while, busy with work and usually just finishing 

something by Thursday!

This ones taking a bit longer.

We're heading down the coast this weekend, and I realised I had still hadn't made myself a toiletry bag in my friend Nikki's book!

I used some leftover  I&S fabric, my fave colour lining, and all ready to bind. I was planning to use the yellow dot, but a trip to Spotty meant I nabbed some turquoise (or "Peacock" homespun) and decided that would be used instead.

Off to finish it off!

Overacheiver.....

So, as I finished the sew a long dress a bit too quickly, I decided to make a bag. I found the mustardy yellow fabric in the remnant bin- yep, the roll sold that quick at my Spotlight that they had a remnant leftover! A bit cheaper too, $10 for 1.3m.

I paired it up with this pattern; the 2nd pattern of Nikki's I bought, and that I got at the pattern launch- gosh, I felt like I met someone famous that day! Well, I kinda did- my kind of famous, anyway!

The first bag I made from this pattern was pretty terrible, no photos remain and I 

don't think it was ever blogged!

It's a bit fiddly, lots of steps, but worth it in the end....

Ta-da!!

 (I wasn't feeling in a modelling mood, and the kid is having pj day as she's sick- so 

Fem Bot stood in for us. Thanks, darl!)

I usually wear mine on this side; I purposely put the adjuster at the back to there is less bulk at the front. Smart like that I am teehee

a zippered gusset;

the lining was a quilting cotton I picked up in Spotty in the sales- reminds me I love me!

And am worth a new bag whenever I feel like it!

And I challenged myself to another zip, this time a pocket. I don't have a fear of zips- just am generally pretty lazy, and prefer not to if I can get away with it. Luckily, Nikki's patterns have such good instructions they take no time at all!

This will sure brighten up the wintry days to come!

Now to go and sort the washing- it can only ever be put off!

My Creative Space

Sneaking one in for the last of the year! I haven't missed too many I hope, I like that you

 can drop in anytime for a play!

So the last few nights have been cutting and fusing....

Ta Da! They managed to be finished by tonight. I love my Echino one, perfect for our summer holiday by the beach! And I love that my girl has the spunkiest hat in school (lets hope it doesn't go 'missing' for 3mths this time)

 See over here for more spaces....