Liberty Fabric

Posted on April 8, 2018 by

Hi there,

Hope you are enjoying life.

It is still hot here in my little part of Australia so it is hard to think about sewing for winter. I have an extensive collection of natural fibre fabrics for warm weather sewing, to inspire me in and around my Tafe sewing.

I was fortunate enough to get wind of the Fabric store sale on Liberty cottons at the beginning of the year  so raced in and bought a few different types to use.

One was this lovely print. It feels incredible so light.

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I love the colours so much that  I promptly cut out a top to make for myself. (No post on that yet haven’t started it). But when I had cut it out I realised because of the width of the fabric that I had enough to make a shirt for my husband. I had a discussion with him about Easter and he declared he wanted no chocolate this year , so I offered to make him a Summer shirt for Easter.

As is often the case I jump in,  I hadn’t made a mans  shirt before but as I was  basing it on a RTW shirt he liked and using a pattern I had  I figured I would be ok.

The pattern I used was M2447.Capture

The alterations needed were done to replicate his shirt and it came together really well. I lined the collar with navy linen. jb3jb2It fits really well and he is very pleased with it so much so he wore it to our family Easter lunch.

The photo with the belated message is of our view for lunch.

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I hope you are enjoying this time of year wherever you are,
Happy Sewing
Sue 🙂

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A Spot of Fun

Posted on January 22, 2018 by

Hi there,

I get inspiration from lots of different places. A picture of something, a glimpse of a shape or colour that looks interesting can spark the quest to make the item that fulfils the promise made to self . My inspiration for the newest blogged garment came from an image I screenshot from a website or blog I didn’t make a note of the source  but here it is. I love the look of this so  I thought I would attempt to make a version that worked for me.denim
Now I am sure you are aware I am not a tall model type so I needed to factor in what I have learned about styles that suit me.

  1. Must not drown me in fabric
  2. Must not be to long cropped lengths work best.
  3. Must be comfortable or I won’t wear it.
  4. Must also be practical, anything too like hard work will stay in the wardrobe as well.
  5. Must be  made from fabric from my stash.                                                                                                                                                                                             Armed with my riding instructions I went looking in my stash for denim that would work. I have a bit of denim as I had bought it to make shorts and pants for my kids but then didn’t. I have also bought it to use for myself over the years but for some reason didn’t use it.                            This is the fabric I found.denim printeditIt is a spotty denim print .As you can see in this next picture the blue is printed onto the white denim. Leaving white spots.inside denim edit I decided to use a favourite pattern that I thought would lend itself to the design I wanted.  The pattern I used is a McCalls. From the NYNY collection 6437.I had made this pattern years ago and I still enjoy wearing the garment.IMG_5571editThe style I was after was a little different but it gave me a point to start from. I have no construction photos it was a fast and furious make , you know when something is coming together well, and you have time, you just race on with it.                              I decided to incorporate the selvage as a trim .selvidge edit It is interesting.                                                                            I overlocked my seams .edit seamsand I gave my self a large hem just in case I change my mind on the length.                                                                                                                                                       Hem denim edit

The finished jumpsuit is fun and comfortable I am very happy with this my next RTWFAST 2018 garment. The denim is light weight and its any easy wear jumpsuit.

A fun summer addition that will do well for my Tafe classes I think.

I hope you a having fun and success with all that you do.

Happy Sewing  🙂

Sue

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Here I Go Again, 2018 RTW FAST

Posted on January 9, 2018 by

RTW2018Hi there ,

I have committed to the RTW Fast again,  this time for 2018.

I am hopeful that I will have a little more time this year to sew up the gorgeous fabrics in  my stash. I plan on getting more organised in my sewing room and will plan to post as often once a week if I can .

My first make for this year is a pair of pants using the Tessuti Robbie Pant. This is my go to summer pant so comfortable in Linen . This version I had cut out with my others last summer but hadn’t finished . I didn’t put the pockets on them this time and I quite like the clean look.

These have already been worn a few times they are great. The temperature here has been ridiculously hot ( 47.1 degrees Celsius ) the top ,so it helps to have comfy cool clothing .

How are your sewing plans for the New Year? I have decided to make use of the shrink your stash challenge .stash tracker

My plan is to make use of more of my fabric collection which lets face it is extensive and try to not to buy any more and keep track. I am in awe at the expected output of a fellow 2018 RTW fast member and blogger I have just discovered Sarah. This is where I got the link so have a look ,amazing plan.

 

I cannot commit to this level of sewing as I still have a year of my course to finish but I am going to be more mindful of making what is missing in my wardrobe and giving away those things I don’t wear, it’s time.

Ambitious or achievable? I am a fan of ambitious planning to achieve as much as possible ,it keeps me moving.

I have to keep up the momentum I have missed sewing for myself . I need to organise my stash and make note of what I have .The challenge is also that my sewing room is in the attic with no air conditioning  just a fan to keep me cool. In Summer Cotton gloves are my new best friend keeps sweat marks off delicate fabrics. In Winter alpaca finger less gloves keep me warm. We do whatever we need to and for me sewing is a necessary part of my creative life, I get so much satisfaction from it and I love it.

I hope you are finding satisfaction from the process and the  success in your creative pursuits.

Happy Sewing ,

Sue  🙂

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2017 My Year in Review

Posted on January 7, 2018 by

Hi there,

I have been very absent this year on the blog  Sorry, my course and work meant there was next to no  time for selfish sewing.

I have been sewing up a storm at work I am working at a dressmaking and alteration business as well as doing my course at TA

This year I completed Stage 1 of the “Diploma of Live production and technical services” Costume. Which in a nutshell is the first year of my 2 year course. I have also completed a Certificate 3 in Millinery, so I have lots of creations to show for my year.

The first creations were the corsetry needed for an 18th Century women’s garment.

IMG_4009IMG_4010I made the petticoat as well. Next was the finished costume . Front View, and back view

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A classical  Tutu is the next costume I had to complete. My first try at this type of costume ,lets just say  that I found the netting to be a whole other experience as a very tactile person I  didn’t enjoy using it though it is essential.

The next costume was a 50’s dress.

I drafted the pattern and made it to fit me to wear to a party.IMG_4328a

The next completed costume was a harlequin to go with the lady.

I made the costume to fit my husband. I made the mask in latex and the hat in my millinery class.7518833248_IMG_3697

There were other under garments made and the start of an Edwardian walking suit.

My millinery makes were in all types of materials and was an incredibly interesting course.

IMG_4025aIMG_4041aIMG_4797aIMG_4335ahat 2IMG_1967aIMG_4407IMG_4896bc

So that’s  my round-up for 2017. A very productive and busy year but hopefully next year will be more of a year to make time  for myself.

Happy Sewing,

Sue 🙂

 

 

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A Little Lace

Posted on June 19, 2017 by

Hi All ,

I love remnant fabrics the possibilities and the inventive approach you need to make what you desire.

lace edit

This gorgeous lace was a remnant from a store called Pitt Trading in Ramsgate NSW.

It is cream and grey and I wanted the big sleeves and I also love the edge of the lace ,so I needed to figure out a way to make best use of it.

lace 2 edit

Using my tried and true stretch bodice block I cut out the front and back and also the sleeve just to below the elbow.

The seams are all french seams and the neckline is a self bind.

lace 5edit

This was a really quick make but it is gorgeous to wear.

The sleeve frills are just gathered into the the sleeve and stitched. My luck was such that I am short enough to be able to get this top out of the piece I had.

A camisole is needed under as it is sheer but just a delight.LaceSDtop

Now I really must update you on what has been happening with me.

 

So sorry it has been awhile since I posted but life is really busy.

I started my costume and Millinery courses and with them I also got a job working 4 days a week sewing. So I went from loads of time to scrambling to fit everything in. I am now down to two days work and on Study break although I have loads of work to get done for my course.

I will share my costume makes later no pictures of them yet.

I hope your creations are working for you,

Happy Sewing,

Sue 🙂

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2016 Year in Review

Posted on January 11, 2017 by

Hi All,

I thought I should look at all that I made and blogged this year. There are a few things made that I haven’t blogged about so they will have to go into 2017.

Love this print !!!
The Other Top
Front view with collar

I am really amazed I thought I hadn’t done enough but I think I did ok.
I have lots more finished and unblogged and cut ready to go so I need to take more photos and get on that . It is nice to look back at all I finished in 2016. I feel a sense of accomplishment, it is great when you can see your wardrobe coming along through self made garments that you love to wear.

I hope you had a wonderful festive season and may 2017 be an inspiring creative year.

My news,

I am hoping to start a costume production course this year, I was accepted into it for 2016 but there were not enough qualified students so fingers crossed it will run this year . I have also applied to do a Millinery course as well so maybe I will feature some hats soon.

What are you looking to make next ?

I am contemplating a few sew a longs but do you  (anyone not in the USA) find it frustrating that we don’t have the latest release patterns from the big companies at the same time as the USA. You can order online but you pay a premium for postage. If I want to participate in the current sewalong I am looking at that is what I need to do , whinge over  :/ !!!

Oh well back to the machines 🙂

Happy Sewing,

Sue 🙂

 

 

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When is a top not just a top?

Posted on December 30, 2016 by

Hi all,

I picked up some rayon recently and didn’t want to cut into the wonderful pattern it was a remnant and I wanted to use it all.top summer.jpg

I just love the colours and the hand of this fabric so I set about making it work.

Firstly I folded in half and cut an opening the width of my under arm chest and back. I then used navy bias tape to finish the edge and added straps.top summer4.jpgtop handkerchief.jpg

This is the first interpretation a handkerchief effect not stitched side seams just hemmed. This looks great on my helper but on me not so much.

But I love the fabric its cool and moves well. So next I tucked in the straps and pushed it down to my hips I have pretty much the same measurements at the top and bottom so it worked . I needed a slight side seam but then good to go.topskirt2.jpgtopskirt.jpgtopskirt3.jpgtopskirt4.jpg

So now I have a top that doubles as a skirt, I think I like it better that way. What do you think?

The little over top I am wearing in these pictures is another remnant. A gorgeous piece of shot silk chiffon just enough for this little top, self drafted french seamed,with rolled hems, works well with my skirt.

Happy Sewing ,

Sue 🙂

 

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