A completed plan!

Here we are on the South East Coast, Victoria, Australia.

Miracles will never cease... I have for the first time ever completed a plan.  A notorious joiner I struggle to complete plans, and as such I have a strict policy of cut out and make up.  If not for this policy I would have many unfinished items (UFO's) or as Elizabeth from Stitchers Guild calls them - kits.  I am like a magpie collecting this idea and that, my mind full of creative possiblities but moving from this to completion can be a drag to my creative brain!!!

I have often declared my interest in the SWAP on Stitcher's Guild and have made elaborate boards complete with patterns, fabric and inspirations.  But that is the fun part; knuckling down to see the plan to the end has been a problem.  So I moved onto the 6pac and I have finally completed one - and before the time.  Not only completed but worn continuously, first as a travel wardrobe and now back at home over our hot summer. I cannot downplay the sense of accomplishment I feel - dancing around the room!!! 

The Details

Originally the intention was to create a complete wardrobe but time constraints meant that I decided to use the bottoms I had and add some T-shirts and dresses. For the T-shirts I used Style Arc Ann, this is an old favourite (a TNT) that I can now whip up in about an hour.  This pattern fits and flatters my figure well.  

I then made up Style Arc Cruise Club Kim in a beautiful cotton lycra knit print from Designer Textiles Otara, Auckland (this shop has the best selection of knits in New Zealand).  The first muslin I made did not go so well - the extra I added  produced a sack like garment and problems were encountered with the sleeve and neck holes.  I took out the extra and finished the neck and sleeve as it a T-shirt neck with much more satisfying results.  I tried to follow Style Arc instructions but all it produces is a misshappened loose edge - does anyone else have this problem?

Careful planning of the pattern gives the illusion of a waist!!!.

The final dress is Simplicity 2938

I have made this up previously and knew it fit well.  The material I used is one of the first pieces of fabric I bought when I left home - it is over 30 years old!!
I have carted it with me looking for the perfect pattern in which to make it up.  It is a heavy viscose linen and is cool to wear and feels smooth against the skin.   
I had limited yardage and had to piece the bottom of the skirt edge - luckily the placement of flowers was ok as there was only one way to layout.

A little break...

Image from http://www.palmprints.co.nz/gallery/Symmetrees/tui-in-pohutukawa-2/203414

Back to blogging after a longer than anticipated break.  I am now trying to catch up with everyone's blog entries as well as update mine.  A very busy season this year, I hope everyone had lots of time with their families and relaxed, recharged ready for 2013!

I have been busy sewing a dress for a wedding and a travel wardrobe for our trip to Australia. 

First up was the dress from a fabric featured at the beginning of the year

This beautiful rayon became Vogue 8486

Pattern Sizing.

I made up a size 20 with no alterations – I need to rewrite this!! I needed no alterations.

Did it look like the pattern photo /drawing envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes, yes, yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow?

Yes, followed most of them but changed the facings.

What do you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

I love the pleats and the way the dress falls about my body – it is a very cool dress on a hot summer day.

Fabric used?

Although this pattern calls for the use of a stretch fabric I used rayon with little stretch and it is a perfect fit.  The fabric like most rayon is very slippery and drapey which works well with the pattern style.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made?

On the sample pattern I added extra to the seams as insurance, which was not required.

Would you sew it again or recommend it to others?

Yes, I would like to try this again as a top and can see me making the long sleeve version for winter in a merino knit for the classroom.

Conclusion.

Laying out the pattern on the fabric was a challenge as the skirt is pegged – I worked hard to match the stripes and they mostly work.  I love the star effect of the bodice and am very proud of the placket at the back as the stripes match across the centre back seam.  I loved the final dress and felt like a million dollars wearing it.

I made a silk chiffon overtop from McCalls 6210 using some fabric from the auction which worked great. I also finally used the overlocker to make a rolled hem on the overtop. Too easy and I am don't know why I took so long to try using this stitch!!!

Sew Arc - Fangirl

At last I can post what I have been sewing recently.  DH has returned from the desert and is off collecting cars from Wellington with a mate.  As he is away working for long periods when he returns we (children and I) devote a few days catching him up with all the happenings in our world.

I have been working on a few Style Arc patterns - notably the Ann T-shirt.  I love the fit of this T and have eliminated the rouching. This has become my favourite T-shirt and I have a few more cut and ready to sew.  


I made this in a Size 20 with few alterations except for lengthening the back to match the front.  The fabric came from a lovely shop in Mt Albert from a shopping expedition with the lovely Chris (SIL).  It is a cotton lycra and feels smooth and is very cool to wear. 

I then moved onto this Simplicity pattern which I have had on the wish list for a while following my cowl-neck sewathon.  Cruising through the stash I found a brown check/plaid, which I am unsure of both content and origin, that would look perfect for View A. 

I made a Size 20 with some additional width at the bust downwards.  It was a simple and quick sew up but I had difficulty with matching stripes at side seams, I am hoping that it really is not noticeable. 

View C is now in my sights with a beautiful cotton from the wonderful Global Fabrics.  Both tops are part of my travel 6 PAC for our Christmas Trip to Australia.

Finally I made something for DH's babies, to keep them dust free and protected. The photographer and himself spent an afternoon measuring all the babies and I was presented with this...

and made a pattern which became this...

He needs a few more for the rest of the babies so I will be busy making covers for a little while longer. 

Winning - A Double Edge Sword!

Metallic non stretch - 20 metre roll

Quilted metallic - 10 metres

Green quilted metallic also in pink

Powder Blue brocade

Silk Chiffon - 2-3metre rolls

Black Silk Charmese/brocade

Coffee lace - 5 metres

Array of laces and silks

Various polyester chiffons and viscose

Interfacing in various weights - fusible and sew in.

Polyester blouse weights.

Polyester Suiting - linen like and knit - Think '70's crimpelene suits!

Polyester crepes - some rolls up to 30 metres.

Silk Shantung - 14 metres

Cotton Twill

Designer Tapa like cotton.

Bright Cotton twill

More lace

Black linen

Brushed cotton 

Silk 

Jackie O - powder blue silk boucle

Polyester satin embroidered with sequins and feathers - three different patterns and colourways, blue, black, cerise.

Recently I won an auction of a fabric from Trademe, which is the source of my double edged sword.  I was captured by the thought of the array of silks, linens and other cottons that were listed, even though I am trying to reduce the stash.

Flash forward to collection of the bounty and it was a careful packing of the stationwagon with bolts and bolts of fabric.  No time to examine closely as we shoved, pushed and jammed more and more into the car.  Two hours later I was home and unpacking, with the lounge knee deep in rolls and rolls of fabric.  It is now carefully packed away in the shed waiting for DD and SIL to look over and choose what they want.  I have already made up some of the silk chiffon for a wrap to wear at a wedding in the weekend.  I have selected some fabric but it was more polyester than I expected (which I can not wear) and will be reposted back onto Trademe in the coming months.

As well in the new year I will take a page from Ruth's wonderful blog and have some competitions to win some of this wonderful bounty!