A bit of sewing....

 As I mentioned, I have been up to a bit of sewing, and loving my new items.

I finally got around to the City Shopper, which is a bigger version of the Wristlet bag I made here. 

I don't know the name of the flap fabric, it was in the stash but bought from Amitie a while ago.  The hounds tooth was from an oppy and also in the stash....

actually, so was the lining! I think all was from the stash- the antique brass hardware was bought a while ago, and I'd run out of the silver I normally use...but I think this is better! I did the zip pocket and key fob too (I just have to remember to use it! Der!)

It's good and roomy, perfect for when you don't want to take much with you, but has space to fill it as well.

I added a magnetic clasp instead of the button, I knew I was too lazy to button and unbutton it haha

 

So the bag was a few weeks ago, it's been getting a workout, now for the blazer. I saw one over here and liked it, but I didn't think I had good enough skills to copy it off a pre made one. Plus, I want it lined as I can imagine the sleeves sticking etc. I had this pattern in the pattern stash, in the smaller sizes, I made one years ago, don't think it was very good as I can't find it! So I bought the bigger sizes, and cute it all out in anticipation....

I waited till I got to the Retreat (last post) as Abbe cleverly has the 2 sizes in the Singer dressmaker dummy- my small-medium is a tad small, I need the medium-large. I cut an 18, and took it in a little around the sides and perfect!

Don't forget to head over and check out her giveaway!!

Chambray was from Spotlight, and lining from the stash (a pick satin)

  I was so impressed by my 'first attempt' buttonhole;

 And it got worn! As soon as the button went on, actually. And I loved making it- the detail, the tailoring, I'm so bloody happy!

 It doubled up with my Renfrew Merino top I made, the 2nd of three tops I've done so far. (Another post on the Renfrew, it deserves it's own haha)

  Not the most glamorous shot, a butt one!

 I am so thinking of making more, check out this gorgeous floral one Kelli has spotted- they are really addictive, I agree!!

And one last thing- it's my 701st post! There'll be a giveaway at the end of the week!

Another Tova??

I love my Tova pattern, and was pleasantly surprised when I found this pattern I bought a while a go as it looked a bit similar. I originally cut it out in black and white spots, but the kid changed her mind!

 Racing outside for the photo shoot!

I like the collarless version, she would like an extra button on the placket though. 

Felt a bit breezy I guess!

The little mistake of cutting it off too short (her request, silly mumma listened) was fixed and

 I think is barely noticeable.

Yep, very happy!

The fabric is from Spotlight, I bought extra when it was on special for quilts/binding.

 I have a little left, thank goodness!

Tova

So now I've made my second one, I thought I'd better rave about my new favourite pattern. It is going down in history as the most expensive pattern I've ever bought, but I already realize the quality and expertise behind it!

 WORTH. EVERY. PENNY!

So, what's so good about it?

Super easy placket.

No interfacing.

Easy gathering (I used my shirring elastic again)

Sizing is perfect- I made an XL with no adjustments at all.

I used this crinkle fabric from the stash for the first one; the only trouble was pressing

 the seams and making sure I didn't iron out the crinkles!

The second one is in $4 a metre Spotlight cotton; I used about 1.2m, a bit of a bargain! 

I love the spots! I didn't try them on, but will try and snap some of me wearing it- they'll high on rotation in my work wardrobe. I've worn the first one and got a compliment straight away!

The pattern now comes in a downloadable form, much cheaper (but without the gorgeous packaging and you have to sticky tape it all together- that's how I justify my purchase ha ha). I've also read the tank is great, but it's so similar to this one I made I don't need another pattern!

Working hard- or hardly working.

So when I posted the other day, I forgot about all the sewing FOR ME I've been doing!

I quickly wear them, they go in the wash, back in the wardrobe....forgotten! And getting the kid to take the pics- forget it!

So, into the patterns!

The first one took a while to get too. I tried these ones; just OK. I got a hot tip from Sophie about this pattern. And for $4.50 pdf download- we have a winner!

length is good. This is a cotton sheet;

then I tried some stretch. COMFY!

Just a warning, though- I'm about a 14 in the shops; I made the largest size 

in this pattern and it was snug. Comfy but snug.

Oh, easy to follow instructions too!

The next one was a pattern a friend had picked up. I stole the idea

 (hmmm, been doing that a bit) and tried it out.

Fabric is a ?Tana lawn from Spotlight.

No adjustments made to this pattern.

Easy- no zip! (for the zipper-phobes)

I tried a spunky double hem. Not twin needles, just 2 rows of stitching.

the 'poufy' sleeves remind me of bubble skirts! Don't love it, but don't hate it either.

Next (but not last) is the new flavour-of-the-month Lisette.

What do I like about these patterns? Simplicity (equals good instructions and good fit to me)

a cotton voile from Spotlight.

It's a 3/4 length tunic on me, I wear some grey leggings underneath

 (but NO leggings as pants haha)

I made this while the overlocker was at the shop being repaired. My machine has a

 great overlock stitch, slow but definitely do-able in a weekend!

pockets;

cute buttons from the stash (and no zips, zipper phobes! hmmm, maybe I'm a zipper

 phobe too, I choose a lot of patterns without them!)

I lengthened the sleeves, really easy to do.

As I chose an all over colour, you can't see the detail as much, but I like it!

So, what's next?

A pattern review of one I'm not too happy about;

getting a chance at this pattern;

and joining in on a spur-of-the-moment sew-a-long 

andthatsaboutallfornow!

a few tops

I've been a bit inspired by this lovely lady and her top and dress sewing frenzy- I've been hanging to try the 2 tops she talks about!

So this is the 'Not Sorbetto top', actually a Simplicity 2938. I made it in a 16 with the normal size seam allowances, 5/8 inch. In a wearable muslin!

I then made it in the fabric I wanted, a vintage Ken Done doona cover. This one feels a bit tighter- maybe not as much stretch? Still cute!

I then went back and made a Sorbetto top. This was a 14, but I made the seam. allowances on the sides 1/4 inch.

AND I got my directional print (Hollie Hobbie) right!

The only thing I don't like about these 2 different patterns- the tops ended up too short, even though I only used a 1/4 inch hem. I like the length to sit on my hip, being short-waisted is a pain! There is bias binding around all the sleeves and the neck of the Sorbetto; the 'Not Sorbetto' has facings. 

They both seem similar, but they are also really different. Not sure what ,y fave will be yet, hopefully will get some wear out of them!

I had a cheeky kid take the photos today.

 

Warning- don't trust them. I was asked to turn around so she could a shot of the back 

of my top....grrrrr!!

My Creative Space

In between couching it with a headcold this week, I finished one top off, and have another one to finish tonight.

Same pattern as here; joining in over here.