clearly I need deadlines – and your help!

Back in January, Melanie organised and posted details of a Melbourne SewcieTea (pronounced “society”), to which we could all wear our loveliest self made frocks.  It’s on this Sunday afternoon.  Something like 75 days after the initial announcement.

And no, I haven’t yet made a dress to wear to it.

So, I need your help!  Here are the current contenders:

Vogue 1287, in a woven satiny, slightly stretchy print:

Vogue 1103, in another woven satiny, slightly stretchy print. I’d use a solid for the contrast band at the bottom.  But I seem to remember that Rachel hated this pattern when she made it up.

Vogue 1194 or Vogue 1027, in this printed knit (it’s an ITY type of knit, so it’s very stretchy and relatively heavy):

The A-line Cambie in a stretch sateen.

There were more contenders, but I have managed to narrow it down a little to these options.  The weather forecast for Sunday at this stage is 21 degrees.  So, which should I make? What do you think?

new Butterick patterns I haven’t bought

Butterick have released some new patterns.  I don’t actually own many Butterick patterns – not quite sure why, maybe they don’t go on sale as often as some other pattern lines – but there are quite a few that I fancy for me in this release.  I always find it more helpful to look at the line drawings of the garments than the photos, since then I don’t get as distracted by the model’s pose or the fabric they’ve made the item in or how it has been styled.

Butterick 5862 – although someone has had a problem with knowing the different between a drawing of the front and the back.  I know, it’s yet another wrap dress, but I think that this one looks a little more flattering than many, and I like the sleeve length options.

Butterick 5858 – I love the dramatic sweep of the skirt combined with the long top.  It’s styled in a very 20s way in the photo.  I probably wouldn’t make this, but I like it.

Butterick 5848 – rather dramatic, interesting seaming, loose and comfortable.  Ignore the fact that they say it’s also suitable for maternity….

And last but not least, Butterick 5856 - all that ruching and draping would be quite flattering in the right knit.

But I do have to ask, what were the designers of Butterick 5853 thinking with that bow placement on an otherwise lovely dress?

patterns I like but haven’t bought (yet)

Okay, you know that I have a fabric stash.  You probably also know that I have a pattern stash.  (There is a yarn stash too, but let’s not mention that right now).  Each time that I decide to put myself on a pattern fast, the companies go and publish new ones to tempt me!  However, I have finally realised that many patterns are not styles that would suit my figure or my lifestyle, so I’m getting better at admiring many of the ones I love purely in the catalogues and on others without feeling compelled to purchase them myself.  That cuts down the realistic-for-me pattern pool considerably!  So, these are some patterns that I rather fancy at the moment, and think might work in my wardrobe.  Most of them have been around for a little while, and because it’s summer ahead, I’m thinking of warm weather sewing.  All the photos should be clickable links, if I’ve managed to work out how to do this successfully in WordPress.  Nope, didn’t figure it out.  But I’ve linked in the pattern number.

Vogue 8846 – interesting back treatment, and I love digitally printed fabrics.  But where would I wear it?

Vogue 1333 – I particularly like the skirt, but top might be worth a try too

Vogue 1292 – two very cool skirts.  I’ve seen these appearing in the blogosphere and they look terrific.

Vogue 1275 – interesting ruched centre front treatment, which helps to hide the stomach rolls.  I’d make it with short sleeves, but without the shoulder frills.

Butterick 5778 – it’s for two-way stretch fabric, which always appeals to me from a comfort perspective.  I’d make the longer length.

McCalls 6555 – I like the versions with the different coloured panels.  But this is super loose – could look like a tent.

McCalls 6556 – I’ve seen some terrific versions of this one (especially over at Gorgeous Fabrics)

I haven’t bought any of these, and I’m not intending to in the near future.  I need to sew from the pattern stash more first!  And there will always be new designs to tempt me – it’s nice to browse and get ideas.  Are there some patterns that you particularly have your eye on at the moment?

independent women’s clothing pattern companies – compiling a list!

As well as talking about, ogling, stroking and buying fabric at our Melbourne Sewists Meet we talked a lot about patterns.  We’re all fairly familiar with the big names – Vogue, Butterick, McCalls, Kwik Sew (those four are all owned by the one company), Simplicity, New Look and Burda Style (also all owned by one company).  But a number of other names came up too.  I thought that it might be helpful to compile a list of links to independent women’s clothing pattern companies.  These are the ones that I have heard of – some of which I’ve used and others which I haven’t.  Are there others that you can add to the list?  I suspect that there are many.

styleARC

Megan Neilsen

Colette

Sewaholic

Papercut Patterns

Nicole Mallalieu Design

Victory Patterns

Hot Patterns

Jalie

Burda Style magazine

Ottobre Woman magazine

Marfy

Folkwear

The Maker’s Journal

Salme Sewing Patterns

and possibly many others on etsy!  I am going to restrict this list to women’s clothing patterns – although I know that there are huge numbers of independent children’s clothing pattern companies out there too (Oliver + s and Ottobre immediately spring to mind), as well as those specialising in costumes and reproduction clothing, underwear and corsets, and bags.  I look forward to your input – as well as any commentary on whether you’ve used the patterns and what you thought of them.  I’ll add to this list as I come across more!

***** Hooray!  Blogless Anna has just alerted me to a list that pretty much does all of the above!  A Good Wardrobe has an Independent Pattern Designers list.  And has commentary on each company!  Thank you Anna for letting me know – and thank you Lizz for doing all the work of compiling it!*****

Also, if you are looking to buy these patterns it is always worth checking their stockists page before ordering direct – there may be one close to you, or based in your country.

in a frenzy

I’m in a cutting out frenzy.  I do this every now and then.  Currently I blame it on the weather – I know that summer is just around the corner!  All winter projects have been abandoned and winter fabrics and patterns returned to the cupboard (and yes, there is one dress all cut out that won’t now be sewn together until next year).  Now it’s all about spring and summer!  The children have actually outgrown lots of their clothes – and that takes a while in my household of short people – and need some new dresses and skirts.  I also suggested shorts, but they weren’t interested.  It’s wonderful pulling those lovely fresh prints from the cupboard and matching them up with patterns.  I already have a pair of bathers, two skirts, a skirt/top set and four dresses cut out for the girls, with another eight or so garments waiting for cutting.  I might intersperse a little sewing inbetween wielding the scissors.  And cutting out garments for me! These are some of the patterns in my queue.

I’ve also got some lovely trims that came from Darn Cheap Fabrics that are begging to be worked into a garment. Don’t most people make the garment first then trim it? I’ve done it the other way around.

So once I’ve cut out and sewn up what is currently in my pile, I’ll move on to some more creative garments that incorporate these trims and/or some of the embroidered and lace-trimmed doilies in my collection. I’ve been doing a little reading too. Craft related, of course (although that reminds me, book group is a little over a week away and I haven’t started The Happiest Refugee yet).

I have a few copies of Stitch in my collection. I really think that this is a great craft magazine. Like it’s sister publication Interweave Crochet, the projects are classy, have a strong design aesthetic, and introduce new challenges and techniques. I highly recommend it (my copy came from Crafty Mamas).

My beautiful girls are just home from spending a few days in the country with Grandma and Pa while my husband and I returned to work. I really love school holidays – once child care arrangements have been sorted out, that is. We had a lovely time away, and the girls enjoyed the time just with their grandparents. My grandparents still live in my childhood home, and it is beautiful watching my girls play where I used to play and participating in the types of activities that I used to do. They had a ball riding their scooters around and around the house, using brooms as horses, drawing pictures in the gravel of the driveway, and blowing and chasing bubbles. And eating ice-cream and Grandma’s sausage rolls and spaghetti bolognese (which is apparently way superior to any bolognese that my husband or I have ever made). And breathing in the fresh country air!  Just wonderful. I also enjoy the change in routine, the lack of rushing, and watching Stella playing with Clare – since normally Clare is at school during the day. Only a few days left – sigh!

These two patterns arrived in last week’s mail. The Jalie one is a terrific basic, and can be made for the girls and for me! The Hot Patterns one, I’m still not quite certain about. I have a few Hot Patterns now, but haven’t made any of them up yet. I’m considering the version that is made in two fabrics. Anyway, I’d better go and get organised for the day ahead! We have a few social engagements over the next few days to round off the holidays. Thanks also for the lovely comments about Vogue 1250 – I hope to see lots more of them popping up on the Aussie blogs soon!

dreaming of sewing

Even though my sewing output has diminished somewhat, I am still dreaming of sewing!  I am still buying patterns.  Here are my latest:

These are all for summer, bought in readiness so that as soon as the weather appears to be turning I can whip out some new frocks! They are all sewn from knits, and I seem to have plenty of those in stash. Stretch fabrics are a little more forgiving through my weight fluctuations. They should all be work appropriate for summer too.

I also bought these, with the intention of sewing them sooner rather than later.

I actually have the pattern pieces of the McCalls pinafore dress all laid out on fabric ready to cut, but I am agonising over what size. Many bloggers appear to make muslins/toiles before they cut into their good fabric: I’ve never been someone who regularly does that. After years of sewing for myself I know what standard adjustments I usually need to make, and I always measure the flat pattern to check what size would be best. However, this pattern comes with a variety of cup sizes, so that should accomodate the bust; but how do I accommodate my thick waist and tummy? I’ve put on weight again while I’ve been working full time and although I am “planning” to get back with a diet program soon, I am still realistic and know that I need to sew for the size I am, not the size I think I want to be. Either way, my shape doesn’t change when I gain/lose weight, just my overall size.  I’ll probably just cut this one out as a size 14 and fit as I go.  Actually, the bodice is lined, so I’ll make that first and get an idea of the fit that way.

What sewing dilemmas do you have when your weight fluctuates?  When mine is creeping up (as it is now) I tend to get to a stage where I only sew knits for myself but sew more for the kids – and make more bags and quilts!  I sometimes have friends say that I have a lot of clothes, but they don’t realise that I pretty much have three lots: some size 10, some 12, some 14.  All depending on where I am weight wise.  So if you look at the number of items per size, it’s not so much.

Sunday Stash #50

Rather than showing you additions to the fabric stash (and don’t worry, that will happen soon – just placed a couple of orders, shhhhhhh don’t tell) I thought you may be interested in some of the additions to my patterns stash.

I recently bought these four patterns through Crafty Mamas and I’m really keen to make some clothes for myself.  If only I could work out what size I am and what size I’m likely to stay – I’m praying that all my efforts at the gym will kick in soon and I will lose some of the padding I have accumulated over the past winter, as evidenced by the number of summer clothes that no longer fit me.  These patterns have terrific details and there are videos on YouTube to support their use.  There is more info on the Hot Patterns website.  The first one I’m going to try is the cowl top from this pattern.

For more Sunday Stashers pop over and visit Tamara.

More ruffle pants

The second pair of Ruffle Pants from the Portabello Pixies pattern. 

This time the capri length with a single ruffle.  Once again, Clare chose the fabrics.

She’s quite enjoying dancing and twirling for the camera.  I don’t think that we’ve finished with this pattern yet – and we need to make some for Stella as well!

Sunday Stash #42

Don’t faint with the shock – I have no new fabrics to show you!  I’ve been drip-feeding my last purchases to Sunday Stash over the past couple of months and haven’t been buying any more, despite the plethora of excellent fabric sales that have been around recently (Nikki has been buying up at those sales instead).  The cupboards are full!  However, I can show you these marvellous Ottobre pattern magazines.

I recently subscribed to Ottobre through Crafty Mamas after reading many positive reports on their designs.  I am now itching to make something.  Once I get my deadline projects completed I’ll probably begin with some pants for Clare – yes, a miracle has occurred!  After years of exclusively wearing skirts and dresses (with some leggings underneath) Clare has decided that she does want to wear pants occasionally.  Because Ottobre comes from Europe the seasons are back to front for us here in Australia, so there is no pressure to get any of these made before summer – they’re all autumn/winter clothes.

Vintage children’s patterns

Shepparton Savers rules in the vintage pattern department.  I bought quite a few (um, more than a few) patterns when I was there a few weeks ago – for 69 cents per pattern.  These are the children’s ones.  Even if I never make them up, I love the illustrations.  But I do plan on sewing at least some of them!

Girl’s skirts.  I reckon that this one will definitely be used in the future.

Girl’s dresses – Clare has put in an order already for the flutter-sleeved, collarless version in the front.  It’s on my list for summer sewing.

Jarmies and dressing gowns!  These are destined for Stella.  As are the next ones.  A great way to avoid branded pj’s.

The last one is for boys – but it’s going to be made soon for Clare.  After all, a dressing gown in this style is completely unisex!

I have some 80′s apricot fleecy in my stash that will be perfect for this.  Clare’s current dressing gown is way too small now.  Should be able to whip this pattern up on the overlocker in no time!