styleARC Polly

Another garment that was finished a few weeks ago was the StyleARC Polly top.  I’ve spotted a very similar Burda pattern on a few sewing blogs lately.  There is an inverted pleat and a box pleat in the centre front that folds over a gathered section to form the neckline detail.

The fabric is from Spotlight, and is slightly sheer. Because of that, I cut the entire top double. I did think carefully about the best way to cut each piece. In the end I cut the sleeves with the hemline on the fold, so that they are self-lined. I cut the back with the hem on the fold as well. Cutting with the hem on the fold didn’t work for the front piece, because the front hemline is curved, so I just cut it twice then treated the two pieces as one when assembling. I sewed up the side seams before inserting the sleeves in the round, which has meant that the sleeves only have exposed seams around the armhole.

I made size 12, without any alterations, and am quite happy with the fit. I’ll definitely use this pattern again – I’d like to try it in something a bit stretchier and drapier.

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On another note, my dear friend Anne died peacefully this morning. I met Anne through my book group well over ten years ago, and I am going to miss so much about her. Her intelligence, her wit, her breadth of knowledge, her thoughtfulness, her insight, and her laughter. The world is a better place because Anne has been part of it.

Farewell my friend.

lovely layers

Lisa of Crafty Mamas has a great eye for a flattering pattern.  I made the Cherish dress four times over the course of summer, and now that I’ve made the Lovely Layers tunic once, I know it will happen again.

I made the size Large, with the scoop neckline option. Mine is a couple of inches shorter than the tunic length pattern piece, because of fabric width restrictions. This pattern certainly does take a lot of fabric – the hemlines are the full width! I chose the long sleeved option. There were no other alterations.

This is another pattern that fits closely around the shoulders, upper chest and bust, then flares out to skim over the tummy, hips, bum and thighs. I rather like the long draped sides. And can you tell that I did a pretty good job of matching up the stripes? I even impressed myself. It would have been good if I’d snipped off those long threads before the above photo was taken too. I’ve done it now.

The neckband worked out rather better than anticipated. I wanted a narrow black stripe right on the fold, which was easy to press, but didn’t realise until I’d sewn it up that there would also be a narrow back stripe encircling the neckband seamline. Hooray – I couldn’t have done it better if I’d tried. The fabric was from the Darn Cheap Fabrics $2 per metre table; a slight crumpled/creased viscose/lycra blend (I think). It was lovely to sew with and to wear – and if you’re quick I think that there are still a few bolts left!

And did you notice my beautiful hand-crafted necklace? Made by my Stella for Mother’s Day. There’s also a hand-beaded bracelet made by my Clare on one wrist.  So sweet. I’ve also got the Crafty Mamas Frida pattern ready to sew soon. And another Lovely Layers tunic all cut out…when you’re onto a good thing, stick to it!

Vogue 8771

This top was completed around a week ago.  When I first finished it off, I wasn’t happy with the neckline or hem.  I was almost ready to give it away.  But the next morning I gave it another press, and hey bingo, it’s a keeper!

The pattern is Vogue 8771, and I think that I bought the double sided with different widths stripe fabric from Darn Cheap Fabrics (not on sale – yes, I do also buy their fabric at their full price, not always from the $2 per metre table…).

The good points about this pattern:

• great for stripe play
• dolman/batwing sleeves that incorporate princess seaming for the bodice
• fashionable high-low hemline (also known as a “mullet” hemline)
• perfect with skinny jeans or pants
• only four pattern pieces!

My alterations: shortened through the body at the alteration points about an inch. I made the “Medium” size.  I used Vliesofix Tape to secure the hems (neck, sleeves and body) before stitching them with a zig-zag stitch on the sewing machine.  Other seams were overlocked.

What I’d do differently next time:

• do a google search before cutting out and sewing together, not after
• cut the cuffs double with the hem on the fold
• add a band around the neckline – it’s a very wide and open neckline, and would look better brought in a bit. Far too open for a winter top – very chilly!

So, will I make it again? Absolutely!

more Linda pants

After the success of my first pair of Linda pants, I quickly made a couple more.  (These were finished a couple of weeks ago; there has been no crafting whatsoever during the past crazy week I have had).  They really show you the difference that changing fabrics can make.

I don’t ever tuck my tops into my pants, although I do sometimes wear fitted tops over them. But you can see in the next photos how these ones fit around the stomach/waist/bum.

There’s not hiding that pot belly – or my undies lines – in this pair of pants! Despite what the photos tell you though, they aren’t actually too tight. It’s all about the fabric.

They’re a very stretchy woven, not particularly thick, and quite clearly show every single curve, bump, and line. Over the course of the day, they bag out and stretch quite a lot more during wear. Surprisingly comfortable and wearable, but in my opinion not even slightly flattering around the middle – so it’s a good thing that you can’t see the middle in actual wear! The other pair are made in a much thicker stretch woven.

These ones are holding things in place much more smoothly! Here’s the back view:

Way improved. Both fabric were from the Darn Cheap Fabrics $2 per metre table a little while ago. So, now I’ve made this pattern three times. Each time I have used exactly the same pattern pieces with the same length alterations, some folded out above the knee and some folded out below. Each time I have used a stretch woven (although each with varying degrees of stretch and recovery and varying weight overall). And each pair fits quite differently.

This is a great pattern for work pants – I’ve been wearing all three pairs – but I’ll remake the brown pair in an alternative brown woven when I find one of a thicker weight. Interestingly for me, I’ve used both the navy and the brown before to make the Elle pant and have worn both pairs many, many times.  The more fitted style seemed to work better for the lighter weight brown woven than this looser Linda pant.  More to ponder!  So much about sewing for yourself is trial and error, and learning from experience.  Just when you think you’ve got wovens all figured out, along come the stretch wovens to add excitement to your day – not to mention the variety of knits that are available now!

And if you’d forgotten my first pair of Linda pants, here they are again:

Great in a substantial stretch woven with plenty of stretch. The pattern did recommend Bengaline – I suppose that I could have gone with the recommendation! Instead, I shopped my stash.

functional sewing

It’s Melbourne, and the days are getting cold.  Clare’s school pants were showing her ankles.  She’s actually grown since last winter!  A few years ago I discovered the perfect pattern for her school pants – the “Neat Beat” pants from Ottobre Winter 2009.  I first blogged about them a couple of years ago, and this would be the fourth size I have traced off.  So if you think you’ve seen these before – you are correct.  But this time they’re bigger.

Okay, they aren’t terribly exciting, but you get the general gist. The pattern is designed for a slim child – which is why it fits Clare much better than the school pants she has tried on in the shops.  Although it is intended for stretch wovens, I have used cotton/lycra knit in the past and this time used poly/cotton knit that is fleecy on the inside. You know, typical tracksuit fabric. Clare likes the flat front waistband that dips down a bit under her belly, and the higher cut at the elasticised back.  Less bum crack!

Wide elastic is sewn directly onto the pants at the back through a facing.  Most of the rest of the construction is on the overlocker, with twin needled hems.  I have made numerous pairs of these now and can whip up a pair in less than an hour. Which is a good thing, because I have another two pairs to sew for this winter.

My girl is growing up – she had an overnight sleepover at Luna Park on the weekend with hundreds of Girl Guides from around the state! Oh, to be ten years old.

family photos

The girls’ primary school had a family photo fundraiser recently through Advanced Life Photography.  Just wanted to share the photos –  because the one of the girls is absolutely adorable!

How sweet is that! Aged 10 and 5 respectively (grade 5 and Prep). I know that this photo will be one that we look back on over the years. My two primary school girls.

Okay, my husband is looking a little vague in this one – and he’s usually extremely photogenic! – but otherwise it’s pretty good of all of us.  Yes, my husband and I are looking quite middle-aged now, but that’s because we are 48 and 44 respectively!  That is middle aged, if you live to 96 and 88!  I keep kidding myself that the kids are keeping us young….

We only had about one family photo done when I was a kid. My husband’s family had loads, because they were migrants and always wanted family photos to send back to the relatives still in Holland. I remember visiting houses where there were numerous family photos on the walls, and I was always fascinated. I like having family photos around me – they remind me of how things have been, and are an interesting link with the past for the people to come. Do you get family photos taken regularly? And how long do you display them for?

(And to the relatives and godparents reading this – yes, you will get hard copies in the mail!)

(and yes – I did make all three dresses!)

getting organised

Well, things are still pretty hamstered, but I expected that.  But in two weeks today I’ll be off at Sewjourn, sewing up some of the what feels like hundreds of garments I have cut out over the past few weeks.  They’re all quick sews, almost all knits.  I really need to slow down and make some proper woollen jackets and coats for this winter, especially for the girls.  We have a trip to Tasmania planned in July – it will be COLD!  But in the meantime I’m writing more lists (yes, I am a list-writer Meredithe!), ticking more things off the lists, writing more things on the lists, getting through the commitments, and buying fabric to make Clare an “Anne of Green Gables” dress to wear at the school Literature Character Dress Up Day in late May.

I’m making view A – the dress with the floral bodice and solid skirt. I’m not making the jacket that coordinates – getting the dress made well in time will be enough for a dress-up! Clare was very pleased with the fabrics and trims that I chose – I usually choose such things with her, but she was at school and I needed to get it done. We’re still working out the best way to dye her hair red for the occasion. Spray on colours will be too tomato red, I think. I suggested an auburn rinse, but warned her that it would last through 8 washes or so. She was horrified at the thought! In the meantime a friend suggested that she could do her hair in a sock bun. I had no idea what one was, so Clare has been busy googling and we have found an excellent website called cute girls hairstyles. She is spending lots of time finding out groovy ways of doing her hair. Fun!

And if you were wondering what I was going to make for Stella to wear on the day – she’ll be going as Silky.  I gave her no option!  Luckily she loves The Magic Faraway Tree series.

Roselettes

I think it’s been a whole week since I sewed anything!  Things are pretty much hamstered here at the moment.  In between Girl Guides AGM preparations, Principal Selection Panel duties, my part-time day job, working three extra days next week, a sick child last week, minor medical issues, preparing for a trip to Sewjourn in a few weeks time, a variety of social commitments, a visit to family to farewell my Mum who is now touring in Canada/Alaska, and being a household manager have me exhausted.  Let alone that other job, being a mother.  My brain is close to exploding with the effort of remembering everything that I am meant to be doing!

So in the meantime, whenever I’ve been in a situation where I have the opportunity to sit, I have crocheted.  A Roselette for my niece’s gorgeous daughter Chloe, and one for Stella.

I have been lax in my great-auntly duties, and this is the first hand-made item that I have completed for Chloe. And she’s nine months old. I crocheted this in Cleckheaton Country Tartan, following the instructions for size 4 but with a 4.5mm hook, which theoretically makes it suitable for a 1 year old. I hope that it fits – she’s a beautiful, contented, dimply little thing! I took the opportunity to use a couple of kitty buttons on the back.

I pretty much used up three balls of yarn making this. The length is longer than the pattern specifies – I didn’t want to waste that yarn! More details on this top can be found on Ravelry here.

So, to Stella’s! She chose the yarn herself (she actually chose the yarn for Chloe’s as well) – it’s a Shepherd Colours 4 Me print. I looked at it and thought “this will crochet up looking like fairy barf”. But it’s okay.

This time I used four balls of yarn, with a 5mm hook and following the instructions for size 6. Unsurprisingly, Stella has refused to try it on as yet, but I reckon that it will be fine for my petite five-and-three-quarters-year-old. Kitty buttons on the back again (guess how I keep her occupied and what she asks me to buy her as a reward whenever I subject her to Darn Cheap…)

This one is on Ravelry here.

So if you’re looking for a quick crochet fix that is quite straightforward and can be made in a wide range of girl sizes, this is the pattern you need!  I’ve made it twice before, and will probably make it again.  I will show you modelled photos when they become available.

Now I’m off to finish a glass of wine before I retire for the evening then get back on the wheel tomorrow…

new glasses

Those of you who know me “in real life” or who have been following my blog for some time would know that I like to use my glasses as an accessory.  Before I got my most recent multifocal prescription, I had multiple pairs of single vision glasses that I could alternate depending on my outfit and my whim.  For the past year I’ve only had one pair.  They’re a terrific pair of glasses, multifocals with transition lenses. but I really wanted a few more pairs of multifocals that I could swap them around with.  These arrived from Zenni Optical on Friday.

So, what do you think? I’m very pleased with all of them, actually!   There are subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between all of them in colour and shape, These are all acetate/plastic frames, although there are metal frames available, but I find acetate/plastic more comfortable.  I spent a lot of time comparing the measurements of the frames that were on offer with my current optometrist pair, and made sure that the bridge distance and the temple lengths were very similar. The problem with buying glasses online is that you can’t try them on – so you do need to pay a lot of attention to the detailed descriptions. These are assembled in China, and altogether the four pairs – with multifocal, anti-scratch and anti-reflective coatings, but no transition lenses (although these are also available) – cost me about one fifth of the price of my one current optometrist pair. No, they’re not the same quality as my optometrist pair, but they’re still extremely good and excellent value for the price. Just what I was after for spare pairs.

And no disclaimer needed – I’m just a happy customer who wanted to share the details with my other glasses-wearing friends!

what do you buy at a quilting convention?

Last week I visited the Australasian Quilt Convention.  Amazing quilts, lots of people, impressive stalls, fabric everywhere, chats with special crafty friends too!  And what did I buy at the Quilt Convention?

That’s right – yarn. Not fabric. Not quilting paraphernalia. But yarn.

Oh well.