suessewbynme

Hi All ,

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

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.

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.

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.

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 🙂

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 🙂

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.

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.

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.

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 🙂

Hi everyone,

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed the festive season.

Here in Australia it is Summer and incredibly hot . This pattern another by Sandra Betzina is a winner. I am really becoming a fan she makes really fun and comfortable patterns that are great to wear and I love all the tips she gives in the instructions.

This pattern is for a top and skirt. The top has an interesting high neckline, it is sleeveless and has a high low hem.

The skirt has an interesting design line and pocket.

I decided as I am apt to do to not use a knit fabric as suggested, there are instructions and  pattern info for using woven fabrics so not super radical.

I made the skirt in this fabric : A sheer crinkle crepe.

I underlined it in a sheer black polyester. I did put the piping in but then removed it it was too heavy in the fabric.

Then I used the top pattern to make three of them,( you know me it is a great shape I love an interesting neckline and sleeveless so couldn’t resist).

Fabrics are,

1. Embroidered organza in black underlined in black silk satin.(The silk satin was a long sleeved top that I no longer wore so I cut it up.)

2. A satin polyester fabric with a painterly grey print.

3. Is a Cotton Voile printed in shades of grey.

The garments came together quite quickly,

The organza top and the skirt.

 I don’t know if you can tell from these pictures but the tops are all slightly different lengths. The cotton one is the shortest as I followed my standard bodice adjustment with this one and reduced the pattern by 4cm.The black  one is slightly longer as I thought it looked better with the skirt and the satin top is longest as it is the length of the pattern with no adjustment. I love all three of these tops and the skirt is a joy to wear.

Since I have the pictures up I must also give you the scoop on my linen pants.

I made the Tessuti Robbie pant  and absolutely love them .

I made one pair in a linen I had in my stash that I had dyed black it is not a heavy weight so lovely to wear in warm weather and I bought the gorgeous electric blue linen from Tessuti to make the blue ones. I am living in these at the moment and have another cut out to make . If you are a fan of linen pants these are great.

Until Next time,

Happy Sewing 🙂

Sue

I had purchased this pattern a while ago but had only recently gotten around to making it. It is Vogue 9060 another Marcy Tilton pattern what can I say I am a fan of her patterns. I find they fit well and are incredibly easy to wear.

This is the back of the pattern the line drawing gives a better look at the seams and style lines. It is an unusual skirt .

This is the fabric I used for 1 skirt a really nice stretch jacquard.The other fabric is a stretch that I had initially brought to make some pants. 

I have no construction images this was a really fast make and I didn’t think to pause. Sorry. I love these skirts.

They are really comfortable and easy wearing.

As you can see the skirt on the left is softer the fabric not as thick and a little more drapey than the right skirt.These are a terrific addition to my wardrobe.

They work for all seasons for me, we don’t have extreme weather conditions in Sydney ,seasons are pretty mild although summer can be pretty warm.

I really recommend this pattern it is a lovely make, feels great on , I will definitely make it again.

Happy Sewing,

Sue 🙂