The Letter C and Colette Laurel

I lost my blog plot for a while. I'm still here. Still sewing too but very slowly. I've been working on muslins for a shift dress for what feels like ages. First I tried out an Hot Patterns shift dress but when I had finished the muslin I didn't like it at all. I guess that's the point of making a muslin.

After looking at all the amazing Laurel dress by Colette Patterns I ordered the pattern from Sew Squirrel. I got the muslin made apart from the sleeves and then stalled for a while. I now have the sleeves in and I'm really happy with the end result. A little bit of tweaking at the back neck to get rid of some gaping and a dead dart at the front and I think I'm happy with it.

The fabric I wanted to make up the dress is a winter weight and it's the first day of Spring today. An excuse to go to Spotlight and shop ! I'll wash The fabric this afternoon.

In the meantime here is the letter C.

The Letter B

I got really excited about the letter B !

Took way more than a photograh a day. At Walsh Bay near work they were celebrating the annual writers festival so there were loads of books.

The most exciting thing about b is Bowie! A friend gave me the book from the Bowie exhibition at the V&A in London for my birthday. Lucky Me!

I spied Bicycles, Books Bees, Buttons, Broken Chairs, Birds Nest Ferns, Buoys, Book Bags & Birds on vases.

My Alma Blouse

I made this blouse quite some time ago and I was following along with the Craftsy Couture Dress class but, obviously, it's not a couture dress !

I used some fabric from the Fabric Cave. I'm not totally sure what the fabric is but I did a burn test and I don't think it's totally plastic. The bllouse is interlined with cotton voile. I had no idea what interlining was until I did the Couture Dress class. I didn't line it as well cos I thought it would be just too much.

 

I think the fit is ok. I was a little self conscious to wear it in the begining cos I made it myself but now I feel really happy wearing it. It feels comfortable. It's not a great blouse for summer cos the interlining made it a bit warm.

I'm going to make this pattern again without the collar. I purchased some Liberty print fabric that I am a bit scared to use. It's so expensive out here in Australia.

Haven't posted in so long. I have been sewing up a storm but haven't taken photographs of the items.

I got a new camera for my birthday and to encourage me to learn the different functions of the camera I started doing a little photographic project with one of the girls I work with.

We are taking a photographs of differnt (things that begin with) letters of the alphabet each week for 26 weeks.

We have a private Facebook group but I have been taking way more then 7 photographs so I thought I might post some of the photographs here.

Starting with A:

Let's hope my photography improves and I am encouraged to play with my fancy new DSLR !

Disaster !

I was feeling so confident because of my success with the projects in Sewing with Knits I leapt into sewing a dress from Sew U Home Stretch - Built by Wendy.

It's too small. Why didn't I make it up in the cheaper fabric purchased from the Fabric Cave like I planned?

Currently being cheered up by the Dr Who Christmas Special and a cup of tea.

Feeling like I never want to sew again.

My next project is making baby dresses for Miracle Babies. Dresses for premature babies. It's our next sew-along project for our little sewing group at work.

Then I think I'll tackle the breton top from Sew U Home Stretch. I'll make it a size larger as I do like a roomier fit.

Happy New Year !

Sewing with Knits

It's been a long time since I've blogged anything but here goes...

I have stumbled upon Craftsy and finally put my money down to do one of their courses "Sewing with Knits" with Meg McElwee http://sewliberated.typepad.com/, I've loved every part of it so far.

My first project was a cotton fleece hoodie and the second was a scoop neck t-shirt. I watched the first couple of video classes and started to gather the additional tools that I would need. I have always cut out fabric previously using the kitchen table and a pair of fabric scissors. Still using the kitchen table I have added a large cutting mat and my Mum bought me a rotary cutter. Makes cutting out a lot faster. The next major purchase was a walking foot for tje sewing machine.

Most of the sewing was done on the my Mum's overlocker (serger) which I've aways been a bit scared of always relying on her to change cottons and fix it when it stops working properly. When I wanted to change the cottons on the overlocker to make the scoop neck t-shirt I held my breath and thread it myself and after a few hiccups got kit working.

It was so great doing the Craftsy course it was like having Meg in the room with me showing me as many times as necessary step-by-step.

The Craftsy community are great. Everyone is so supportive and ready to help with advice.

I have a pair of yoga shorts a similar skirt and a dress to make in knits and I've already signed up for The Couture Dress, Pant Fitting Techniques and Pant Construction Techniques. So I've piled myself up with projects which sometimes feel overwhelming but I'm determined to just put one foot in front of the other and work slowly through.

Feeling a lot more confident sewing along with the Craftsy community ... finally.

My Aunt's Beautiful Knitted Blanket

I've always loved this knitted blanket my aunt made from leftover wool. It's so great that leftover wool can be pulled together and transformed into something so amazing.

The details are just gorgeous. Each square has been knitted in stocking stitch with a moss stitch border then embroidered in wool using a different design for each square and crocheted together. A crochet border has been used on the edge then it is backed with wool felt. It is incredibly warm and beautiful.

You might have noticed I have used a photograph of the blanket for the background in my blog. My Aunt is also a wonderful painter and, of course, an inspiration to me.