A Modern Day Dorothy - Myosotis Dress

 So I might be the last person in the sewing community to make the Deer and Doe Myosotis Dress.  I feel like I've been seeing it everywhere for the last few years now.  Its a classic v neck dress with a gathered skirt and collar stand.  I made veiw A with allllll the gathering. 

I think the gathering was what put me off, I love the look of gathering, however I always think its more effort than it is.  Thankfully the result is always worth it.

I used a beatiful navy and white rayon gingham which I purchased from The Fabric Store during theire sale late last year.  This is one of the most beautiful rayons I've ever worked with.  It had a beautiful weight and drape, plus is just good quality. I purchased 2.5m and managed to just squeeze it out, even though the fabric recommendations state 3m. Nothing a bit of pattern tetris can't solve!

To save time, and be kinder to myself, I used my overlocker to do a rolled hem on both the skirt and sleeves.  This was so much quicker than doing a double (or single for that matter) fold hem, especially given the length of the hem - I think this is about 3m from memory, if not a bit longer!

This was a surprisingly quick make, I think probably about 3-4 hours from start to finish, if that. I made it while on a sewing retreat with some friends so it probably could have been done quicker if there wasn't so much chatting.

Helen's Closet Gilbert Top

I think there is something really classic about a white button up shirt. I made one a few years ago, however was chasing a replacement in my wardrobe.  I knew I didn't want a plain shirt, my previous shirt was a Cheyenne/Lucerne Mash up (both by Hey June) featuring the fabulous tie sleeves of the Lucerne. However, for some reason the Helen's Closet Gilbert Shirt wasn't top of my list when looking for replacements.

That was until I checked the fabric requirements.  I'd managed to score 1.4m of white cotton crepe as a remnant from The Fabric Store during a visit and hoped I'd be able to squeeze a sleeved top out of it. The Gilbert Top View A (short sleeves and tie front) has a maximum fabric requirement of 2.3m for 115cm wide fabric, as I had 150cm fabric I was able to play a bit of pattern tertis and get it out of what I had. Though there wasn't much room for error!

I'm really happy with the fit of this one - the only adjustment I made being a full bicep adjustment.  The sleeves still feel a little snug, I think I shouldn't have raised the sleeve cap as much as I did in the end. However it won't stop me wearing it.

 I think this is the perfect shirt which can either be dressed up or dressed down depending on the occasion.  I know I will get plenty of wear out of this in the future.

Necessary Clutch Wallet

I was browsing online and I have no idea who I stumbled across the Necessary Clutch Wallet by Emmaline Bags, all I know is that I did and I knew it had to move right near the top of my must sew list.

It faltered at the top for a while while the doubt set in. Interfacings, zips, lots of layers, lots of top stitching, finding the right interfacings and a latch made it seem a little more challenging than I wanted to deal with.  Thankfully I discovered Handbag Hardware Australia on Etsy who have a kit specifically for making the NCW.  This made it so much easier to get the right interfacing and put some of my fears to rest.  I also had a fantastic experience purchasing from them as I ordered before work Friday morning, received a shipping notification by Friday lunch and it had arrived on Tuesday! The kit was a really generous size and I think I have enough left over for any other NCW

I would feel much more confident buying my own interfacing a now that I know what I'm looking for, especially as I have samples of what I'm looking for now.  I also discovered this blog post which shows the Australian Legacy Intefacing, available at Spotlight, comparable to the Pellon varieties.

There is also a Facebook Group, NCW Addicts, which is incredibly helpful with a wide range of files and thousands of members who are willing to help.  I'm sure I would not have been as confident about diving into making my first NCW without this group.  There are files in this group for a bunch of modifications to the original pattern.  I used one of them to put in a double zipper pocket as I always think that the more zippers the better.

I dug the hexagon poplin and teal homespun, both from Spotlight, out of my stash and I'm so pleased with how it turned out. I'd been reading and people recommended making your first out of fabric you wouldn't be disappointed if it didn't turn out.  I specifically picked these fabrics as I wouldn't be too disappointed but I also had enough fabric left over that I could make another if it didn't turn out.

There is still plenty of room for improvement but I pretty proud for a first attempt. I've already got plans for future ones and plan on making some changes.  The changes include using peltex throughout the entire top flap (and possibly the body of the wallet), and ensuring that I cut my zippers shorter so I can sew over the zipper tabs and get a nicer overall finish.

Anyway, I'm sure there are more NCWs in my future, for me, for gifts and for everyone who ever needs a wallet ;).

Golden Girl Watson Bikini

Just a super quick post for tonight.  I managed to squeeze in a few hours sewing on Friday night after a pretty big week.  We had a new guy at work start and it's been interesting to say the least.

I whipped up a quick Watson Bikini using some lace from Lincraft and my new gold dot FOE.  I couldn't let metallic sit around for too long without being used!  I'm going to need a matching bra but I haven't settled on a pattern yet.

Seriously, Watson Bikinis are my favourite,  They always fit just perfectly and I don't think it will be possible to ever have enough in my wardrobe.

This lace has a more cotton than synthetic feel too it.  It also has a good amount of stretch.  The recovery feels quite good so I have high hopes.

My favourite part of this pair has got to be this elastic though.  It is just something else.  I'm totally in love with it.  Good thing to as I have 100 yards to use!!

Have you sewn anything this week?

Emma

No Buy July

 

 As I've written before I recently bought my first home.  Mortgage payments and a fabric addiction are probably not the best things when combined, so I'm setting myself a goal of buying no new fabric in July.

I'm going to make exceptions for notions, such as zips, elastic and thread as these can often be needed to finish off projects and sometimes without them no sewing would occur.

I am also not going to buy any patterns during July, I'm going to limit myself to patterns I already own and free ones I find online.  Saying that August 1 I am going to purchase the Watson Bra pattern :).

If you're wanting to join me in an effort to sew down your stash and save some money in the process, grab a button and join the link up below!

<a href="http://www.ahandstitchedlife.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/477/19372732092_370c2964c3_q.jpg" alt="A Hand Stitched Life" /></a>

An InLinkz Link-up

Everyone Deserves Pretty Knickers - Betty Knickers

As I've mentioned before I'm a little in love with Ohhh Lulu's patterns and creations, I've already used her Grace Knickers pattern a few times before.  This time I used her High Waisted Betty Pattern with some nice results.

 

The pattern is similar to Grace in the way that they have panels of stretch on the sides. The major difference being obviously that Betty is high waisted. In the interests of full disclosure  the instructions weren't particularly comprehensive there were enough to work out what needed to be done

I'm going to be completely honest and say I've never own or worn a pair of high waisted undies before but I think I'm a little in love. I probably wouldn't wear them to work everyday but for something a little different these are amazing. I'm actually really digging wearing them under high rise jeans.

For my first pair I used a cotton jersey (given to me by a friend) and mesh for the outer panels. While the fit isn't perfect (I cut an extra large) I'll probably try a Large for the next pair if using stretch fabrics. I'm hoping that that will help with some of the fit issues and make them a little tighter fitting.

Using the cotton for the main panelling feels amazing. I plan on making more than one pair out of this fabric for sure!

I used a Ric Rac elastic around the leg holes and fold over elastic for the first time ever on the waist. I'm not sure I attached the elastic correctly and I stuffed up by putting the join at the front not the back, thankfully a bow distracts from it.

Overall I do recommend this pattern. The fit is good and the high waist is a thumbs up in my book. I'm planning to make many more, especially out of Jersey!

Handmade Tuesday #9 - Pants you can't be sad in

Unless you are a Girl Guide or have been a Girl Guide you will probably have no idea what I'm talking about when I mention Happy Pants. 

Well in essence Happy Pants are part of our unofficial uniform, and occasionally out semi official uniform :).  They are made from a Pyjama pants pattern and using all those fabrics you buy and love but never actually wear unless you're under the age of five because they're too bright and out there.

The theory behind Happy Pants is that it is impossible for you not to be happy when you're wearing such happy fabrics.

Anyway I'm off to guides tonight for our AGM and to sew some more Happy Pants :)