SEWING // Beaching Wrap

Misses' Super Jiffy Cover up is from Simplicity Vintage reprints range. It screams 70's and funnily enough was originally printed in 1971, as Super Jiffy 9415.  

The pattern features one pattern piece with some clever darts to give it shape.  It was quick to cut out and sew.  It can be made in two lengths although beware. It flies in the breeze and if not wearing your swimmers you might just flash someone. 

 I fell in love with this fabric at Spotlight (believe me, that doesn't happen often as my local Spotlight is a shambles and I can never find what I want)

This came together very quickly, the instructions were easy to follow.

I love this and have already worn it a few times.  I don't know about you, but getting organised to go to the beach can take a while (especially when the kids want to take their Sit-on-top Kayaks) This allows me to put something on over my bathers quickly without having to worry about getting changed or finding a change room. I'm thinking one for Miss 10 in a towelling material might be a good idea.

Pattern:  Simplicity 1100 (Super Jiffy)
Fabric:   Lycra Stretch from Spotlight - 3.2m at $21
          (purchased during 40% fabric sale)
Size:     xs 

Changes for next time:

• Sew it in the fabric suggested.     
• It is a little loose at the back.  Not sure if this is due to the material used or if I need to take a little off when cutting it out next time. 

 
Photo Location: La Perouse
See also: Foxmollie with her added ties to keep it from blowing in the wind.  HeHeHe+She for a short version.

SEWING // Star Board Shorts

It appears that with moving to a city where I have many great fabric stores an easy drive away, my fabric stash has exploded.  I continued to purchase patterns and fabric throughout the year although, the output wasn't matching what was coming in.  I am not going to tell you that I won't buy any fabric, but my purchases will be more planned and I would like to get some control over the fabric and yarn boxes this year. 

It appears that I have been bitten by the sewing bug. I did sew in 2015, I will have to share some of those photos with your soon.  Some how I managed to volunteer my time and co-ordinated and outfitted the cast for my children's school musical + four classes worth of accessories.

These aren't the first make for 2016, but they are the only ones that I have managed to get a photo of.

Pattern:  Patterns by Figgy's - Board Shorts

Fabric:  Light Cotton Canvas with Stars (gifted by Cath)

Size: 7/8 (which is the largest of this size range. My long lanky boy will be in these for a while)

Thoughts:  I only really used the pattern pieces.  The Instructions were mind boggling and I couldn't get my head around it.  I used these instructions to insert the side pockets.  I had fun doing top stitching details on these. 

Changes for next time:

• Pockets - The side pockets are a little on the small side and next time I make these I will make them a little larger so they are useful.

See also: Earthgirl Fabrics

2015 : Gone but not forgotten

Sorry about the lack of blog posts this year.

2015 started with a huge move for us and settling everyone into city living, new schools, jobs and making new friends. 

If I had to describe the year in a word : it would be EMOTIONAL!

It's a year that I don't want to repeat in a hurry.  I've learnt a lot about friendships, family and love.  Lost two very special people in my life. (one far two early for my liking) 

With each new year we have a chance to restart.  Many wipe the slate clean and start again.  I learnt a lot about myself in 2015, and for all of these experiences, although hard at the time I think that I am better for them. 

2016 has started off with a bang.  We bought in the new year in Sydney and watched the fire works with friends.  We have been blessed with some quality family time and have enjoyed spending time with the friends that we have made during the year.  I am not making new years resolutions this year,  I never seem to keep them anyway, but I would like to sew for myself and expand my skills in both sewing and knitting.

I have been sewing (If you follow my Instagram feed you would have seen what I have been up to,  I am hoping to get some modelled photos this week so I can blog those)

Thanks to those that have hung around.  I promise to pop up in your newsfeed more than twice in 2016.

Glen Isla {Test Knit}

As the weather starts to cool here in Australia we start to see the designers from Oz crank out the patterns.

I love nothing more than test knitting for Tikki and when she said she was after test knitters I again stuck my knitting needles high in the air.

This yarn has been in stash for some time.  It is an Evoke Hand Dyed Yarn which I purchased in Brisbane close to five years ago.  After the most recent of moves and the limited storage that I have here I am making a real effort to use what I have in stash before buying anything else new.

This beanie was meant to be for me.  What do you think the chances of getting it back are?

Pattern : Glen Isla by Tikki
Yarn :   Evoke Hand Dyed Yarns: Four Bags Full Merino (8ply)  Earth Mother
             Biggan Designs (8ply) Magenta for the brim
Needles :  3.5  and 4mm

 

Camping in the Garden of Eden

There is something special about this place.

Be it that we get away from it all and spend time as a family.  The walks along the beach at sunrise and sunset or falling asleep hearing the waves crash on the shore.  Eden has a place in all our hearts.

Moving and City Living

It has been a while since I have blogged.

For those of you that follow along on Instagram, you will know that we have completed our big downsize move.

How was it?  In a word : Epic

We have moved from a quiet little area in the bush surrounded by gums, kangaroos and emus to

SYDNEY

A massive change for the whole family but we are getting there.  There are no boxes left to unpack, the sewing room is set up and I have completed my first sewn item since the sequin gown (maybe I just needed an extended break after that)

 We are loving playing tourist and think that we will always feel a little like tourists in this city.  I just need to buy a selfie stick and then we will really fit in and I can not get enough of this amazing bridge, I don't think I will ever get tired of admiring its beauty.

 

 

Black Sequins

From fabric to a ball gown in a week.

With a ball to attend I wanted to make a dress to wear. I true Kylie fashion I left it until the 11th hour before actually starting it. From fabric to ball gown in a week.

I started with an idea from a picture.  Fabric was purchased and a calico toile was constructed.  Having the choice to wear either long or short to this event I was torn as to what I would do and truth be known is why I put this off for so long.
I was going to make a slightly gathered dress but then when to Rathdowne Fabrics and purchased something completely different and opted for a long dress.

The last time I made a long dress it was to attend a ball whilst I was pregnant with B.
Being a little out of my depth and starting to think that I had bitten off more than I could chew I  purchased Vogue 8358 to help with the dress section and The Pattern Drafter and my toile top design to get the fit. 

Sequins!!!  Who's idea was this?  The girls at Rathdowne Fabrics were fantastic with their advise. Had I known that the sequins had to unpicked from the darts and seams prior to sewing I probably would have chosen a different fabric before it was cut. Lara suggested I read Poppykettle's sequin dress post and I found it very helpful.
I also used the quilting walking foot.  I found that the lining fabric wanted to slip and slide while sewing and using this foot help eliminate that.

Alterations: 
Slightly lower back and V-neck at the front
Straight Straps (the pattern had cross over straps)
Altered the underarm and front to account for my small bust size.
Fully lined instead of just a facing

What I would do differently:  If I made this again I would add a little extra length.  I had to purchase a new pair of shoes (the horror) to accommodate for this.  On the upside I managed to dance the night away on the dance floor and didn't have sore feet and have to walk home shoeless.

Would I make this again:  Yes, however I am hoping that this dress will be able to be worn again.  Black is a classic colour and moving as often as we do I manage to get a few wears out of my gowns.
I also have approx. 1m left of the sequins and I'm thinking a pair of shorts or a jacket, I can't let it go to waste.

Pattern:  Vogue V8358 ; The Pattern Drafter
Material : Black Sequin and Stretch Underlay from Rathdowne Fabrics
Cost: $134