suessewbyme

This is a pattern I found on;http://rhondabuss.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/fabulous-free-pattern-friday_13.html

It is a really fabulous  pattern that is self drafted following Rhonda’s instructions. It is important to use a two way stretch fabric . I had this amazing fabric in my stash and decided to do my own spin on the style.

I fell in love with this fabric and have had it for a while.

The fabric is a sheer knit with this lovely rich felt like stitching forming the pattern. It has lovely caramel , grey and creamy white tones. Upon finding the free pattern Friday blog Rhonda has I fell in love with this particular style of dress. I love the versatility. An article of clothing that can be worn in many different ways. The pattern is really just 2 rectangles the top is the length from one wrist to the other and the depth to a little below the waist. Cut 2. The skirt is body width and length that works for you add seam allowance and cut 2.

Check out Rhonda’s blog for the details.

This version of the dress I felt due to the sheer fabric I was using would need  lining of the torso and skirt so I have used a black jersey. I haven’t lined the sleeves or the entire length of the skirt.

The side seams on the skirt are wide enough to open up inside and be stitched to form a channel in which to thread strings to help in the different ways you can  wear it. For this you will need 2 channels on each side of the skirt and 2 along each of the shoulder to wrist seams. I also added draw strings to the wrists of mine to give a gathered sleeve as well. There is a band around the neckline also about 5cm finished width.

The skirt section before drawstrings are added and the top attached. 

Gathered sleeve   , I have added additional draw strings in the wrist of my dress as I am not tall and when it is a dress I need a slimmer opening to balance it out . The top style however is fine on my frame with big sleeves.  I felt when I added the drawstrings that the knot at the ends were not substantial enough or interesting so I decided to do some beading on the black net and encase the knots .

The assembled dress with wide sleeve

Beading for the drawstring ends

the encased ends of ties

Gathered sleeve

Skirt ties drawn up and shoulder ties as well Now it is a short sleeve top

drawn up shoulder ties . This is a great dress to wear . It is a shame that I finished it just as the weather turned hot , I haven’t been able to wear it the wool threads really do not work in summer I will have to make it in a normal jersey next time.
Happy Sewing ,
Sue

Back belt view

I found this great fur remnant recently and thought it would make a lovely warm vest.

The red and black is a lovely combination. the lining was some satin that I had initially bought to line another jacket, but I have lost enthusiasm for that, I will rethink it.

I decided that this was perfect for my fur vest. the pattern does not have much shape and as I have had to join the fur to get the length it is possibly not as sleek as it might otherwise be. Saying this though I still like it! It’s  colorful,fun and warm. The pattern calls for the vest to have a belt, I am not sure I like the belt on it but I am using one I had. I didn’t want to make one. Sewing the fur is a challenge bigger stitches are required and slower speed because of the bulk. It wasn’t too hard ,another new experience.

For future reference I now know that when cutting fur fabric cut the base fabric not the fur so you don’t get distinctive lines in the garment.

Happy sewing,

Sue

Fabric shine

My sparkly creation

This fabric was irresistible ,the sparkly sequins hang down from the sheer fabric so I used a crepe to make a camisole.

I gave the top a v neck opening on one side so that it is reversible it is fun to wear a little bit of shine. I used navy satin bias tape to finish the neckline and armholes.

It was a quick little project .

Enjoy your sewing,

Sue

The original top

Front view of the final .

another view

This is a dress or long top that I purchased because I loved the fabric. The problem was that when I put it on I looked like I was playing dress up it was shapeless and didn’t look good at all. My solution was to take off the sleeves and make a belt also adjust the side seams to give them shape. I am very happy with the final result it is a great dress to wear very comfortable and doesn’t crush so great for travel.

Happy Sewing,

Sue

Beaded Skirt one of the 4 used

The finished costume.

This outfit was made for my daughter to wear to her sweet 16 Gatsby themed birthday party. I took 4 beaded skirts purchased from an outlet store. I got them for a good price. I then took them apart and reassembled them and re did the beading in a lot of places to make into an appropriate costume. I am happy with the result.

Keep on Sewing ,

Sue

The next outfit I have completed is a dress. I managed to find some beautiful black suede silk when I was away at the beach so I made it up using NewLook  6119 . I decided to make it in the shorter length it was very easy and is really comfortable to wear. Perfect for our Australian summer weather.

Front view

Back View

New look pattern 6119