2020 The View From Here

Posted on April 3, 2020 by

Hi there,

I hope you are safe and well.

I am quite embarrassed by my lack of posting last year. I sewed loads and just couldn’t tackle the job of posting . My computer was a challenge that didn’t seem to be a priority at that time.

I suffered a back injury at the end of 2018 and it has impacted me in many ways. I don’t move as quickly or as smoothly as I once did but I am working hard to try and get back there.

It has not however affected my ability to sew, and creating is my sanity saving strength.

A quick run down of 2019.

I did some work last year in costume.

A short film on location, “The End and The Begininng” Directed by Archie Chew.

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A stage play in Sydney.

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Also an on stage show   “Anarchy”  in collaboration with Enmore Tafe, A Grecian Goddess was the brief.

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I will sort my 2019  makes  for myself and upload later.

For 2020 however I can show you one that I think I will be making a few more of.

The pattern is V9305.

 

 

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V9305

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This pattern is great to make a simple design .                I used a lovely viscose fabric  bought from

Pitt Trading an online fabric store 

. It gives this beautiful  soft drape, and to finish the neck edge I bound it with silk organza in pale blue. I forgot to take construction pictures as I was in a hurry to have it ready .  It was  made in November 2019. 

This  garment is a pleasure to wear, cool and comfortable.I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well in this crazy time.

Happy Sewing,

Sue  🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The support and encouragement the sewing community gives one another is a wonderful testament to the generosity of the human spirit. Something we all need today and for the foreseeable future.

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I love Lace

Posted on February 28, 2019 by

Hi there,

Sorry I have taken so long . I have finished my Diploma in costume production so if you would like to see my creations click on this link, https://ombrenuno.com/

I made a quick lace top again grey in colour for my costume presentation. The lace came from Tessuti fabrics in Surrey Hills . I popped in looking for something to go with my latest Tessuti Robbie pants a grey and white linen .

The lace is pictured here a gorgeous grey and white cotton lace .

I decided that in order to get what I needed I would join it invisibly. The top is a simple style self drafted and easy to wear and I love it .

It was lovely to wear and worked well here I am wearing it with my model for my costume.

Happy sewing

Sue 😊

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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