tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30983939154883556822024-03-12T19:56:01.074-07:00My FabricationA blog about sewing by an aspiring amateurGailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.comBlogger214125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-68982066031363269802017-02-09T13:33:00.000-08:002017-02-09T13:33:19.705-08:00Field trip to Jimmy's Buttons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGs2UrurHU_mVTYKgUQ-_LQBWgdPEoFV6HycTETytPRyOXoTXZGfGjP6N6k03dwLK3L9IyP3s5y65otDI5s5kenqyqHyTnpAoOECRUrDLepDszXVIOQZUEx5QvexQ5-ZMZp9C2SLNzfA/s1600/IMG_1685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGs2UrurHU_mVTYKgUQ-_LQBWgdPEoFV6HycTETytPRyOXoTXZGfGjP6N6k03dwLK3L9IyP3s5y65otDI5s5kenqyqHyTnpAoOECRUrDLepDszXVIOQZUEx5QvexQ5-ZMZp9C2SLNzfA/s400/IMG_1685.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">In my last post I mentioned the chaos of J<a href="http://www.jimmybuttons.com.au/" target="_blank">immy's Buttons</a>. When my friend Ros sent these photos from our field trip with <a href="http://susankhalje.com/" target="_blank">Susan Khalje</a> I couldn't resist sharing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">It clear from the photos that Jimmy doesn't worry too much about customer or staff safety, but friends...take the risk...there are treasures in that cave!</span><br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-18630205437900743102017-02-06T21:17:00.001-08:002017-02-06T23:11:07.526-08:00Chanel update<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Don't we look fabulous? This was our status at 3pm on day seven. As you can see my lining was yet to attached and I was still attaching the trim. The photo doesn't do justice to the exquisite fabric used by my colleagues. My favourites were </span><a href="https://poppykettle.com/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Poppykettle's</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> stunning teal and blue tweed and Marion's beautiful pale blue silk and wool. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Only the pockets to go now, but my progress may be interrupted by the urgency of finishing a dress for Sydney Frocktails on 18 February. I've left the pocket templates in place to give you a sense of what the finished product will look like. The braids and buttons were purchased in Alveiro, Portugal. The shop was an absolute treasure trove of braids and buttons. I would have bought more if not for the "cash only" requirement. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzlGdMsv7YfjeiDu2RVp0rXuSKItw2z-Jbm62gfOTSZi7MgcwR1ZkQlNhlg3meKBpjNkvR37B543NLuDJUKdeeXFFAEYgDn-4hM1yU8FyZio1M9Pl0TFLfZdHC4DFIowS3KqMb4tF7Ng/s1600/IMG_6689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzlGdMsv7YfjeiDu2RVp0rXuSKItw2z-Jbm62gfOTSZi7MgcwR1ZkQlNhlg3meKBpjNkvR37B543NLuDJUKdeeXFFAEYgDn-4hM1yU8FyZio1M9Pl0TFLfZdHC4DFIowS3KqMb4tF7Ng/s320/IMG_6689.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-22932176408074127932017-02-04T02:50:00.003-08:002017-02-04T02:50:54.674-08:00Don't say cheese, say Chanel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbnhXS5sg93xY-MIvSIk6zsZzVtOEiWUFqqfgZNlAcorSsWPa0Q_TZmRNPOOy2qwaNkgckOzbn9254W1yis2m38d3UNL52osj6l-ca1ww4JAw3z07-y23Rdn4xzqSMTdXxZzephyphenhyphenqBS0/s1600/fitting+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbnhXS5sg93xY-MIvSIk6zsZzVtOEiWUFqqfgZNlAcorSsWPa0Q_TZmRNPOOy2qwaNkgckOzbn9254W1yis2m38d3UNL52osj6l-ca1ww4JAw3z07-y23Rdn4xzqSMTdXxZzephyphenhyphenqBS0/s320/fitting+2.JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What better to kick off the sewing year with a Susan Khalje French Jacket course, with <a href="https://poppykettle.com/2017/01/26/a-third-french-jacket-in-the-making/" target="_blank">12 sewing soul mates</a>! I took the course in Melbourne and can't speak highly enough of the experience. Susan is a generous teacher and the small class size ensures that everyone receives one on one fitting and instruction for the trickier parts of construction.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After seven intensive days in class and about 4 hours since I returned home my jacket is nearing completion. I still have about 3-4 hours of hand sewing including the pockets to go. These photographs show some of the journey from fitting, cutting, quilting to attaching the lining. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also wanted to talk about the wildly eccentric J<a href="http://www.jimmybuttons.com.au/" target="_blank">immy's Buttons</a> - his shop is such a mess - disorganised boxes, buttons all over the floor and the crazy Jimmy himself. But amongst the chaos are absolute gems. I bought 5 mts of beautiful black and gold trim for another jacket, some great black lace and an interesting bronze beaded piping for a neckline, all for a song.</span><br />
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-81697639270782417832016-10-31T03:14:00.001-07:002016-10-31T03:14:20.817-07:00Dress rehearsals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuRKUHZUBTJVZbFaScsMYzkpNxj-3r7PC3-63yhUy0vJ28l4dhORYH_AMdoothAKNUqmGUvO8j0HMYNi3t8eN2sp1OI0gyJ8E_oNOjDZjZ7QAJ1rTnrFrMZkx44iuPDZ5IovTKzA1OZk/s1600/cynthiarowleytop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAuRKUHZUBTJVZbFaScsMYzkpNxj-3r7PC3-63yhUy0vJ28l4dhORYH_AMdoothAKNUqmGUvO8j0HMYNi3t8eN2sp1OI0gyJ8E_oNOjDZjZ7QAJ1rTnrFrMZkx44iuPDZ5IovTKzA1OZk/s400/cynthiarowleytop.JPG" width="298" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMs8YQmR5PKDkivgcZv-TccwY8qz6-hXijB8If0VWvWKRxyXGZ8toiZc2qjkapHFwEqatiwshxvVIO_IqGyTFzNQ3Pc1oehcRX21ssXbU88olE7Ui-hLzEGumI6NSaIovcBa7-keg0N_s/s1600/dresslining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMs8YQmR5PKDkivgcZv-TccwY8qz6-hXijB8If0VWvWKRxyXGZ8toiZc2qjkapHFwEqatiwshxvVIO_IqGyTFzNQ3Pc1oehcRX21ssXbU88olE7Ui-hLzEGumI6NSaIovcBa7-keg0N_s/s320/dresslining.jpg" width="182" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll start this post with a disclaimer. I never go to the races, but the Spring carnival racing season always turns my head towards making dresses. I'm rehearsing dresses that might be worthy of my beautiful yellow frangipani silk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8902" target="_blank">Vogue 8902</a> is a worthy contender but not short odds. I love my new dress, just can't picture it in the yellow silk.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So the good stuff:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The beautiful quality cotton fabric was gifted to me by a woman I met at a sewing function. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The pattern includes a D-cup size so needed very little adjustment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The bias cut of the bodice makes for a comfortable fit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The lining gives the garment a couture feel and looks great inside out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Would I make it again? Yes, perhaps in stripes or colour blocked version. I will take the gathers out of the sleeves - uber feminine isn't really my thing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had just enough fabric left to trial Cynthia Rowley's </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/65600" target="_blank">Simplicity 1366</a>.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> This pattern has been appreciated by sewers from the start and I've been wanting to make my own version for a while. I'm really happy with the top - even drew a rare compliment from my husband! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wore this to work today and it looks only a bit crumpled at the sleeve.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have some blue silk to make other one. Next time I'll take the neckline in by about 1cm, but otherwise its a comfortable fit, especially in the hot weather. It is very quick to make - less than 2 hours including hand sewn hems, french seams and a hand stitched neck binding. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have five patterns and fabrics on my sewing table and I expect that I'll make a choice in my usual random way. Meanwhile, happy sewing!</span><br />
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-23153367138843674002016-10-05T02:18:00.001-07:002016-10-05T02:19:41.504-07:00Ponte, silk and other musing<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, once again its been a long time between drinks. Just over a week ago my beloved 90 year father passed away after a long illness. Spending as much time with him up in Queensland trumped sewing and blogging. I was greatful for this time and miss his crazy humour so much already. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: large;">So enough of me and onto sewing. I've completed two items and have another on the way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first is my self-drafted striped preppy jacket. The fabric is a very good quality ponte from <a href="http://www.tessuti.com.au/" target="_blank">Tessuti</a>. I've also used their buttons and fabulous wool bindng. Call me crazy but I handstitched the binding for a flawless finish. It's not a perfect garment, but I can't tell you how much I enjoy wearing it. I'll use this pattern again. Next time, I'll add a little more fullness across the bustline and use interfacing to fill in the gap under the shoulder pads that are showing us as wrinkles in the photograph.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuN33-pcSJnkwYA1tkuC97HQtaKT925-dcLeIH_OYcCogF0O2ACELGoxmV7YhwlJJoULDWKkLH7DIp7GuTChaflfR_5kcxMyfhhXov3aRwW7DcCVCllLsywTCKjUZwRT2Rvy2MsTMNqY/s1600/vogue1367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuN33-pcSJnkwYA1tkuC97HQtaKT925-dcLeIH_OYcCogF0O2ACELGoxmV7YhwlJJoULDWKkLH7DIp7GuTChaflfR_5kcxMyfhhXov3aRwW7DcCVCllLsywTCKjUZwRT2Rvy2MsTMNqY/s320/vogue1367.jpg" width="210" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wish I could say I loved my second completed garment given the effort that went into creating it. Cut from a "silk" (burn test screams polyester) sari that I bought online from India for $10, Rebecca Taylor's <a href="https://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1367" target="_blank">Vogue 1367</a> (OOP) looks like pjyamas. It does look better tucked into a skirt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Finally I wanted to introduce you my two favourite Brisbane fabric stores - Irma J Smith House of Fashion and Gardams. I bought this gorgeous Italian silk in memory of my father, who loved frangipanis and was always urging me to wear a "nice frock" - as opposed to mini skirts and jeans when I was a teen. So Dad, a nice frock it will be! </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPIb2jmSPgW0f5tKUoHvxPfsZGZrIgBWYIBMCXg283akkHecmT6yGoDdT6ZBLO3poc7_n1YqtSEegXepRbA0NdaTkMCyOFvSLqW5YFfa32hdQs8oE1scihSb5_54HX6J-g8z0PV8WEsc/s1600/brisbane+silk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPIb2jmSPgW0f5tKUoHvxPfsZGZrIgBWYIBMCXg283akkHecmT6yGoDdT6ZBLO3poc7_n1YqtSEegXepRbA0NdaTkMCyOFvSLqW5YFfa32hdQs8oE1scihSb5_54HX6J-g8z0PV8WEsc/s320/brisbane+silk.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqaH_zX-uKq_FQy_6CxPBKV0aJjK0h59dxD38EOdKAiSgeuPeN7jWWtoLTY7MULtkslNO-PFVEGAWfpdruHSTGT05XYiHRpzEEi_aWSS76FSHFcs7iGKAxhPpGCK8mClMFVzg0-yCV_M/s1600/dorothy+gardam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqaH_zX-uKq_FQy_6CxPBKV0aJjK0h59dxD38EOdKAiSgeuPeN7jWWtoLTY7MULtkslNO-PFVEGAWfpdruHSTGT05XYiHRpzEEi_aWSS76FSHFcs7iGKAxhPpGCK8mClMFVzg0-yCV_M/s320/dorothy+gardam.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I didn't actually buy this fabulous linen from Dorothy Gardam, and have been obsessing about it ever since. I did buy a nice piece of printed cotton and bright pink cotton. underlining to set it off. Gardams have moved to Adelaide Street opposite the Town Hall. Irma J is in the Strand Arcade. It was run by two amazingly talented and glamourous sisters. Sadly, one of the two also passed away last week. Hopefully their exquisite (but expensive) store will continue for many years to come.</span></div>
<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-27488836839648506282016-08-11T03:15:00.002-07:002016-08-11T03:15:26.662-07:00Not like Coco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsIzOWUpItH7xTJ4ooxtnlLIM9y_rnVKxVpIksMlFFDNoU2MFGLdTdYAhe71I-2baQhonzwAZfccZqr9KHP9wkYkzDyjCHWlxp_5Ihnc1Q50LLtL_tXBQqRRjvr2trzXKBPOmOTu5pnU/s1600/IMG_6178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsIzOWUpItH7xTJ4ooxtnlLIM9y_rnVKxVpIksMlFFDNoU2MFGLdTdYAhe71I-2baQhonzwAZfccZqr9KHP9wkYkzDyjCHWlxp_5Ihnc1Q50LLtL_tXBQqRRjvr2trzXKBPOmOTu5pnU/s640/IMG_6178.JPG" width="358" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I was gifted one metre of very loose weave wool/silk blended plaid by my real life sewing pal Angelika I didn't have a jacket in mind. My initial idea was a pencil skirt, but such a loose weave wouldn't have withstood up to all that sitting and standing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The inspiration for the jacket came from a woman I saw walking down the main street of Sydney in a checked red and black unstructured jacket with wide lapels and leather (real, I think) sleeves. She looked stunning!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Alas my one metre was not going to deliver wide lapels, so I cut a very old Burda pattern with princess seams for a "Cocoesque" jacket. I think the faux leather sleeves rescue my jacket from looking frumpy. Glad the sleeves serve a purpose because setting them into the plaid was very difficult and the results are far from perfect. The welt pockets were also challenging.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS__eTJUQcpK6FWxgKdnn8U-cxjJENB6TPQIg_Ge7pyf6A1gcFLCzCvfbJN5NoBdKl3yfCRvIBtSv_1jbtPgW2_gSg3MpJnhvHOMQu5WrTS0o-lJphBPtyGwRWvg7Q3Izia3_pxZ8wr4/s1600/IMG_6182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS__eTJUQcpK6FWxgKdnn8U-cxjJENB6TPQIg_Ge7pyf6A1gcFLCzCvfbJN5NoBdKl3yfCRvIBtSv_1jbtPgW2_gSg3MpJnhvHOMQu5WrTS0o-lJphBPtyGwRWvg7Q3Izia3_pxZ8wr4/s320/IMG_6182.JPG" width="179" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've worn it a few times - it was actually finished before I started on my tailoring project - but I lacked a photographer. After putting up a plea on the Sydney Spoolettes Facebook group, I found I was not the only sewer with a neglected blog in need of a photographer. Today enjoyed the radiant winter sun in Sydney's Hyde Park with with Susan from <a href="http://www.measuretwicecutonce.com.au/blog/" target="_blank">Measure Twice-Cut Once</a> and Pamela. Hope to turn it into a regular Thursday meet up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wish I could say I've finished my tailored jacket. In my rush to bring it home, I really messed up the lapels. So out comes the seam ripper for a re-make. I put too much into it to accept second best!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile happy sewing!</span><br />
<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-4356093608030326392016-07-12T03:32:00.000-07:002016-07-12T03:32:11.923-07:00Good foundations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JBK_nQ0JS4lcMMbzKquJ0P4fBeyyFwQysDTIpU2FSi3HoSEMWpcdWzmtTKPYAj2mP_BinJhnZnFk9woSHYsNvwC4tWFeOtSf-qhbcDWs1lvL60buEfUuTQN_VR-KpCe0fnlwJZe-Ba4/s1600/jacketfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JBK_nQ0JS4lcMMbzKquJ0P4fBeyyFwQysDTIpU2FSi3HoSEMWpcdWzmtTKPYAj2mP_BinJhnZnFk9woSHYsNvwC4tWFeOtSf-qhbcDWs1lvL60buEfUuTQN_VR-KpCe0fnlwJZe-Ba4/s400/jacketfront.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The more I tinker with tailoring, I realise that it is a form of structural engineering. Just like a bridge or building, it is the bits that you can't see that provide the strength and longevity of the garment. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiftLhyeIUqjKn6OAZPgpDAhH7eFAPGKOxGf7EZ1qAjYYpidKAmvd9R_eg4Fm_Q5VQW0dc_YU8qMW_bTWuAqHbMAbZRkOUjxYnXlOHyD2XQm56kRMBXl4HRqpbV6oBlx-Hl9zuLj-Y4OE/s1600/jacketscaffold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiftLhyeIUqjKn6OAZPgpDAhH7eFAPGKOxGf7EZ1qAjYYpidKAmvd9R_eg4Fm_Q5VQW0dc_YU8qMW_bTWuAqHbMAbZRkOUjxYnXlOHyD2XQm56kRMBXl4HRqpbV6oBlx-Hl9zuLj-Y4OE/s400/jacketscaffold.jpg" width="236" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Anne Klein jacket is coming together nicely. As you can see from the interior photo, this traditionally tailored jacket is fashioned with multiple layers of canvas and a softer flannel fabric to provide extra structure to the shoulder and arm hole area. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the key advantages of using underlining and layers of horse hair canvas is that as you wear the jacket the canvas conforms to your body and will never stretch out of shape. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's not visible in the photo, but I've also used a shaped felt sleeve head which helps to keep the rounded shape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm itching to finish this project and stitch something simple like a t-shirt. I need instant gratification! Still to do are the hand-sewn hem interfacing, attaching the facings and sewing lining. I've chosen a burgundy satin with a huge colour wheels for the lining. It's not a lining fabric - one of those "what was I thinking" fabric purchases off a remant table at Tessuti. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm going inter-state this weekend to visit my ageing father, so no sewing. </span><br />
<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-82308715799137447662016-06-18T23:42:00.001-07:002016-06-18T23:42:39.738-07:00Dreaming jackets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have to admit to an obsession with making the perfect jacket lately. Since my last post I've completed an unlined Style Arc Cindy jeans jacket in a stretch woven, have another plaid and faux leather combination finished awaiting closures and am now working on the scaffolding for a traditionally tailored navy blue wool blazer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So first lets talk about the <i>Cindy</i>, a slim fitted jean style jacket that lends itself to more sophistocated styling. The design lines, with extensive shaping in the centre front panels and princess seams really enhance the fit. I made a size 12 and only adjusted the sleeves - my usual widening and shortening. I also decided to sew the upper pocket flap into the front yoke seam as it didn't make sense to stitch down above the seam line and used a self yoke at the back rather than a facing. The latter alteration proved to be quite tricky and not recommended if working with difficult fabric. Mine definitely fell into this category - fraying a lot and somewhat resistent to pressing. I'll definitely make another jacket like this. I saw a fantastic version using contrasting fabrics on Pattern Review that really has me thinking. One of the other things I love about the pattern is the way it showcases great buttons. Do you like these fantastic </span><span style="text-align: center;">decahedron shaped buttons by Marc Jacobs that I found in a jar at the Fabric Store in Sydney? I have made several flawed attempts at a wearing photo, but black fabric against Sydney's winter grey sky doesn't make for good photography. </span></div>
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As the photos suggest, I've also been working on some traditional tailoring. </span><span style="text-align: center;">The patten is an oldie </span><a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/review/pattern/72267" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">V2853</a><span style="text-align: center;"> by American designer Anne Klein. </span><span style="text-align: center;">I'm following Alison Smith's classes on Craftsy.com. She is a fantastic teacher who illustrates very well not only the how to of traditional tailoring methods, but the purpose of doing things in a particular way. I'm not sure why my canvas looks so lumpy in this photo as it is actually quite smooth.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Hand-sewing has always been my drug of choice, so as you might imagine, I'm addicted! Hope to show you more soon. Meanwhile, happy sewing!</span></div>
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-46435557050891696212016-05-15T03:20:00.001-07:002016-05-15T03:20:22.703-07:00Morris blazer <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSxmcIXTz-sZ7mPkijrt-HJ2vJWtHyildTMxwVW52VHaMJu0IxX-gtp8tNfR1gwysWOoTLdh3Nsp4E9zX5rjQ47qQ_6oQ736HKeLaqDKay-E-cO9t9VTAAenrZ41npXBzNAhTE6cscGU/s1600/Morris+Blazer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSxmcIXTz-sZ7mPkijrt-HJ2vJWtHyildTMxwVW52VHaMJu0IxX-gtp8tNfR1gwysWOoTLdh3Nsp4E9zX5rjQ47qQ_6oQ736HKeLaqDKay-E-cO9t9VTAAenrZ41npXBzNAhTE6cscGU/s640/Morris+Blazer.jpg" width="321" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grainline Studio's Morris Blazer is a winner for me. I finished it a couple of weeks ago and it is already a high rotation garment in my autumn wardrobe. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While the pattern is great and I love the finished product, a word of caution about fabric choice. I bought this interesting double sided ponte (?) print from Tessuti's Surry Hills store with a Morris blazer in mind. What I didn't realise is that four-way stretch isn't suitable for the design. So I ended up with an odd bubble at the hemline on the right front. To fix it one of my clever real-life sewing mate at the Australian Sewing Guild suggested a tuck dart under the collar. It's an invisible mend that rescued my project.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hkp2Zhpa0N-N6vXwAqiHDFS3nqgpySlxHfGg_JfpZpy_fwaa0w3uejCjrp5Gd4QmBJlJBkqAVb1Kr-FHIvIBuUIPgTlftZGHdmMPPe3zLu7ZRM5q6cGgn-EEOfphKbMxaiyPBKSvTJQ/s1600/IMG_1884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hkp2Zhpa0N-N6vXwAqiHDFS3nqgpySlxHfGg_JfpZpy_fwaa0w3uejCjrp5Gd4QmBJlJBkqAVb1Kr-FHIvIBuUIPgTlftZGHdmMPPe3zLu7ZRM5q6cGgn-EEOfphKbMxaiyPBKSvTJQ/s320/IMG_1884.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Next weekend is a sewcation - three blissful day with nothing to do but sew with women who share my passion. I'm always over ambitious about what I can achieve at the annual getaway. True to form, I've cut out four garments and plan to cut one more. Lets see just what can be achieved. Meanwhile happy sewing and thanks for your encouragement.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNLWPYsvVe1_rY4xWL54czXIi9rCWq-8z9eD5o5jhByx_FfWiQ09l68e-4Vx0vyZGJLFjYcD3TeH2xguZrjr6lEFNvr0_Q9rdepC8_Nvu3DAUo5Vx9QmBziwbAQRGd27PxJeJnvN6BJk/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNLWPYsvVe1_rY4xWL54czXIi9rCWq-8z9eD5o5jhByx_FfWiQ09l68e-4Vx0vyZGJLFjYcD3TeH2xguZrjr6lEFNvr0_Q9rdepC8_Nvu3DAUo5Vx9QmBziwbAQRGd27PxJeJnvN6BJk/s320/IMG_1886.JPG" width="320" /></a>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-32271888043448018052016-05-10T03:01:00.003-07:002016-05-10T03:01:57.768-07:00Happy returns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJY4cAhnb920s9SmQkOmbQNGLsPldvUBMPz_Ze0booEdlP917BRu6tkHdNdOcifPsr4Mnu6OgyckacIoJQczbIgOY-O4CuAYHRWFBNVJ5j6h_pCt8bznxDxJ0G8JMEqgfTPTq1bbm8usY/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJY4cAhnb920s9SmQkOmbQNGLsPldvUBMPz_Ze0booEdlP917BRu6tkHdNdOcifPsr4Mnu6OgyckacIoJQczbIgOY-O4CuAYHRWFBNVJ5j6h_pCt8bznxDxJ0G8JMEqgfTPTq1bbm8usY/s400/IMG_1428.JPG" width="242" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll let you in on a secret. I often think of dropping blogging, turning to instagram or not recording my sewing at all. So I take a break which somehow turns into a lengthy absence and it becomes apparent to me that blogging and the virtual friendships I have are important to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So here I am making a comeback with a long list of completed projects to talk about.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Project 1:</b> Stylearc's <a href="http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=858&category_id=8&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45" target="_blank">Edith top</a> pictured above was a dream sew in light weight cotton chambray purchased from Tessuti. I'm a recent convert to Stylearc. Their designs are contemporary and their pattern making precise and true to size. I wore it lunch at my friend's gorgeous home on Sydney harbour.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZ8yEf69oa3HORXQTS5Jv8iY-9wYPuf3Rsu-h4wc-EW7Aj8Nod0RIf215gmO8ZoE8FheY90jf13kJ-yULHNmizPBVqo4ubnWDS33NjiKSku6mrDfwkEtACYnAWxQIoZ0o9SToKD4CAX8/s1600/IMG_1412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZ8yEf69oa3HORXQTS5Jv8iY-9wYPuf3Rsu-h4wc-EW7Aj8Nod0RIf215gmO8ZoE8FheY90jf13kJ-yULHNmizPBVqo4ubnWDS33NjiKSku6mrDfwkEtACYnAWxQIoZ0o9SToKD4CAX8/s320/IMG_1412.JPG" width="194" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Project 2:</b> Vogue 1247 (OOP) Rachel Comey's popular A-line skirt design with inseam pockets. This project was a test run for a leather skirt that lives inside my head. I agree with my daughter's comment that the colour is a "bit odd" but the verdict is yes go ahead with production in leather. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are a few tricks to this pattern. First use a woven without any stretch as the weight of the pockets will cause the yoke to stretch and bubble slightly, and second, make sure you use a tape or interfacing to support the pockets. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDQSUPbxWt5OsG2I9nPxw5jOuL-Sdld4Ls-aEp52hKq9jXPElNmmlpuh8tVQzXqK6edqxVx1s0o8Z1jAokXCRjo1eiBPHA_mPe6OCiMiSERGy0-mtDv92wAimEvx1dPxlZS7WsqOU2l4/s1600/IMG_1432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDQSUPbxWt5OsG2I9nPxw5jOuL-Sdld4Ls-aEp52hKq9jXPElNmmlpuh8tVQzXqK6edqxVx1s0o8Z1jAokXCRjo1eiBPHA_mPe6OCiMiSERGy0-mtDv92wAimEvx1dPxlZS7WsqOU2l4/s320/IMG_1432.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpWDF_CyF6vZ3LrtFEiB8rIIqPszd-HrogBuT-mvbN9HcVBG1Y1LDwk5ymZAeTfe2ReTkzugmOHIzo9W30twd3kpwd74oW8ZkuXKroMixnAcOKiwCabSQxdF4qeAuGN8DuY-q3U4OFDM/s1600/IMG_1431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpWDF_CyF6vZ3LrtFEiB8rIIqPszd-HrogBuT-mvbN9HcVBG1Y1LDwk5ymZAeTfe2ReTkzugmOHIzo9W30twd3kpwd74oW8ZkuXKroMixnAcOKiwCabSQxdF4qeAuGN8DuY-q3U4OFDM/s320/IMG_1431.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Project 3:</b> I raced to put together two t-shirts in merino wool from an ancient copy of Ottobre magazine (May 2010) to take to Japan trip. They were worn to death but Japan in March/April is very cold and rarely came out from under layers of wool for a photo. I really love the teal design for its versatily. It looks equally good over jeans or under a suit for work. The sleeves on the casual t-shirt are a little long and baggy at the wrists. If I could be bothered I'll taper them in one day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've completed a few other projects. I'm especially happy with my Morris Blazer and that will be the hero of my next post. Promise not to be a stranger...again...! </span><br />
<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-4013647091096581302016-02-15T01:27:00.001-08:002016-02-15T01:29:06.185-08:00Apparently the 70s are back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KzpiwjOO6s-tIqCZ6zOhy1fiRMA7DLF45CsHmZDG32sKiKnBiRjPfl-6yTr5Ksv_xWS2OWOnmAAeNNgAaDsO4jJnt_W_sQB8L9Grj5kv9JcCWqf_9c1dpq8dqMdOsdB0LdmGwDJJXMw/s640/landscape-1429020692-culottes-ss15-tyler-joe-05.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;">Cullottes are a runway trend that I've shyed away from.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;">It's a tricky look to carry off</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;">, especially the wide and wondrous varieties in street style blogs and magazines. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsAXS6aNwDp4LJSamwe6n_KX8NTHDKA2fpZd8sc_CIfAAltpyBSKes76zVMn2twzWMtaMge8tPgZ2VirGe2g86Oa4x7Rd-PQ8xPy5WbQ9mnEvE_CBQckeDwnnp8ZFitF5I-aYTemFvmM/s1600/70s+cullottes+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsAXS6aNwDp4LJSamwe6n_KX8NTHDKA2fpZd8sc_CIfAAltpyBSKes76zVMn2twzWMtaMge8tPgZ2VirGe2g86Oa4x7Rd-PQ8xPy5WbQ9mnEvE_CBQckeDwnnp8ZFitF5I-aYTemFvmM/s640/70s+cullottes+front.jpg" width="292" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's face it, front pleats and overly wide legs aren't likely to be worn successfully by an woman who is only 156cms tall, with a 100cm hip circumference! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But after seeing a particular pair by <a href="http://sirthelabel.com/pages/spring15-collection" target="_blank">Sir the Label</a> I was keen to try out the type of cullottes I wore in the 70s. These pants were flattering, fitted through the hips without a pleat in sight, roomy pockets without adding bulk and wide floaty legs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Having committed to </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">try it out, next came finding a pattern with that 70s feel.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> A relic from my history, Vogue 9873 to the rescue, the most perfect cullotte pattern on the planet. Unfortunately the pattern was more suited to my 70s body and needed 10cms extra in the hips - an adjustment not for the feint-hearted.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">I made them up in a polyester, that has the look of distressed silk on the outside and a satin finish on the inside. Loving the results, pants that do equally well for weekend laziness and glammed up with heeled sandals and a shirt. They've gone to work on casual Friday with chunky heels and been worn twice on the weekend in the first week of their life.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuUfKD_sc2pik-K3TABQ_33iQrmgLNptTcOSBsfWdH8IJRWLj4-Mb4BtjuYgENszPBsocChivxKRaofHivuBBUEf7_dJWskXeDeDWYvn_SphgzVtP5Tv2w_QfW6fAr1K-TjOKTsqebm0/s1600/vogue+9783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuUfKD_sc2pik-K3TABQ_33iQrmgLNptTcOSBsfWdH8IJRWLj4-Mb4BtjuYgENszPBsocChivxKRaofHivuBBUEf7_dJWskXeDeDWYvn_SphgzVtP5Tv2w_QfW6fAr1K-TjOKTsqebm0/s320/vogue+9783.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8g6eEuNKIA93yxggFY25sqncIS2AVRZTyK1-qh6E3oLPYQ3cg5fhNe4WNIGyygEulSxC4JEsFmwszEjygPhnNlarldGJay7TWPXVzgsaQb0qIfkh9bayp8Q6SXtY23fwwqI0NXoDOsTU/s1600/70s+cullottes+rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8g6eEuNKIA93yxggFY25sqncIS2AVRZTyK1-qh6E3oLPYQ3cg5fhNe4WNIGyygEulSxC4JEsFmwszEjygPhnNlarldGJay7TWPXVzgsaQb0qIfkh9bayp8Q6SXtY23fwwqI0NXoDOsTU/s400/70s+cullottes+rear.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-14694427999043660442016-02-03T18:42:00.000-08:002016-02-03T18:42:09.346-08:00Street wearables<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DU5I9nSQFn6DutK2McomZE7ogsHcfs01q3Ne4XcP0CSL1_OVJ26l0_k_MvDowDgxL_Dloq0Bl4VeQj3-cmSaXC9ejNTDPYOn8HqzJosA2CXxHk0lwmhyphenhyphen00kYXIzj-5f3mftrEm5eiZ0/s1600/IMG_1349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DU5I9nSQFn6DutK2McomZE7ogsHcfs01q3Ne4XcP0CSL1_OVJ26l0_k_MvDowDgxL_Dloq0Bl4VeQj3-cmSaXC9ejNTDPYOn8HqzJosA2CXxHk0lwmhyphenhyphen00kYXIzj-5f3mftrEm5eiZ0/s640/IMG_1349.JPG" width="344" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This post is a bit of a cheat. I finished the skirt in December during my blogging hiatus. Anyway I wore it up the street for lunch with my daughter and asked her to take a candid snap or two. The thumb print in the corner shows just how seriously she took my request, but you get the general idea! The pattern is <a href="http://burdastyle.ru/vikroyki/yubki/yubka-burda-2008-1-109-a/" target="_blank">01/2008 109</a> from Burda magazine's golden age of plentiful and practical designs, printed on four sheets. I made it up from a simple cotton gaberdine, that doesn't have any stretch. I recommend sewing this skirt in a stretch denim as the diagonal shape of the pocket seam takes quite a lot of tension as you walk. I had pocket rivets and a jean stud button (not visible) </span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: large;">inserted by the lovely Mick at <a href="http://tessuti.blogspot.com.au/2009/01/quick-buttonhole-service-in-alexandria.html" target="_blank">Quick Buttonhole Service</a> in Alexandria. May he never retire! I love the man.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo_qPeIUjc3iaCxS9BKyrkd1j40ktTcBh2eJN8ncxvGztVxuczFlxgUDnHJWymkJLYOCh926uYO4aT9ziNmywQv4oysk6OqrxhW-lmdl2xtoin1yI4b8RBTHCZSNaPqaweo7fknfsrdE/s1600/IMG_1351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipo_qPeIUjc3iaCxS9BKyrkd1j40ktTcBh2eJN8ncxvGztVxuczFlxgUDnHJWymkJLYOCh926uYO4aT9ziNmywQv4oysk6OqrxhW-lmdl2xtoin1yI4b8RBTHCZSNaPqaweo7fknfsrdE/s320/IMG_1351.JPG" width="178" /></a><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of love, I also love the princess seams at the back of this design. They make fitting easy and create a flattering line over the booty. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I made the t-shirt a few years back- another ancient Burda.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm currently working on some culottes from a 1970s pattern. Meanwhile happy sewing!</span><br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-18302732419444028782016-01-15T17:27:00.002-08:002016-01-15T17:28:37.219-08:00Weekend winner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00NGoL_kOtUG2JhUY2ddsi-05KICvrm7uFZ3yDiBnbgCAYeiTgwuIe1deN8kSGK8exPhvEJfIgiaMrxhiGgFjQgJVSdro39n5pEakjd8kFXs2ehQhZ-zWj2Gzq0nHbmuQlqzgmCpiiVk/s1600/sutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00NGoL_kOtUG2JhUY2ddsi-05KICvrm7uFZ3yDiBnbgCAYeiTgwuIe1deN8kSGK8exPhvEJfIgiaMrxhiGgFjQgJVSdro39n5pEakjd8kFXs2ehQhZ-zWj2Gzq0nHbmuQlqzgmCpiiVk/s320/sutton.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm going to give you three reasons why I love the <a href="http://shop.truebias.com/product/sutton-blouse" target="_blank">Sutton blouse</a> by True Bias. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One - the pattern is well put together with good instructions that provide a garment that is quick to put together and looks almost as good inside out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Two - the front is slighter narrower than the back which creates shape and allows the fabric to drape well. The longer back is also great cover. And three - the design is economical and uses less than a metre of 150mm fabric. Great scrap buster too if you are working with contrasting fabrics.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkvNZjkyDljb3ffVBsiH3wkdAIDoGa9GYHY64AWohvrNhepg9mAKb_E4OmkR0MURFRI17NHZOF5_RtEvVsjn3Yo8gOghMN93GoOHebKXm_9GKV3rOUdbVIk5MkT-tKvdbt6gyP9MQ80U/s1600/sutton2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkvNZjkyDljb3ffVBsiH3wkdAIDoGa9GYHY64AWohvrNhepg9mAKb_E4OmkR0MURFRI17NHZOF5_RtEvVsjn3Yo8gOghMN93GoOHebKXm_9GKV3rOUdbVIk5MkT-tKvdbt6gyP9MQ80U/s320/sutton2.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've used printed crepe purchased in Portugal last year and some black crepe from stash. I made it up in size 12 without any alterations. The only change I'll make when (note I didn't say if) I run up another is to use bias tape for the arm hem. This is simply to reduce bulk from the French seams. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not sure what I'm making next, so meanwhile happy sewing! </span><br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-24354130692110566582016-01-14T02:56:00.002-08:002016-01-14T02:56:53.068-08:00The Italian job<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for all your comments welcoming the prodigal sewer back into your midst. I value your encouragement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm surprised <a href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1351-products-46627.php?page_id=313" target="_blank">Vogue 1351</a> has been overlooked by sewers. What's not to like about it? It is easy to fit, falls nicely on the body and the construction techniques are excellent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've posted a photo of the inside of the cowl neckline, which is machine sewn into lining. This is much better than a facing which can flap up when you least expect it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I understand why the DKNY team made the dress in a block colour. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The entire garment, except the upper back is cut on the bias, and</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> finding fabric that works on the diagonal can be quite a challenge. In the end I choose a silk twill purchased in Rome a few years ago. I just love the result and am sure it will be a high rotation frock for summer.</span><br />
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-52426788278719810062016-01-12T02:24:00.000-08:002016-01-12T02:24:00.382-08:00Spot the dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">One of my goals for 2016 is to make time to post my finished work, so here is the first of many (I hope!). I've been absent from the blogosphere for so long I'm not sure if anyone is still following. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My first garment of 2016 is exactly what I needed - walking the dog weekend wear- but it is not a favourite. The fabric is fabulous navy and white Japanese (?) linen purchased at my spiritual home </span><a href="http://www.tessuti.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tessuti Fabrics</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Unfortunately Rachel Coomey's design (Vogue 1247 OOP) doesn't exactly thrill me. </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKCLCe0GpfnBlUhzDhAToOMn-7pcoCGPyCmx2XdfGXbfiyVmWexOrCJZMrekCwAF2yFclwad41D_8IT7aLq2l2Pad5fBSsAgu4yLTorVTL1kRO3QGUptbfCc72pFYcM63eQj0VN-T-Dw/s1600/V1247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKCLCe0GpfnBlUhzDhAToOMn-7pcoCGPyCmx2XdfGXbfiyVmWexOrCJZMrekCwAF2yFclwad41D_8IT7aLq2l2Pad5fBSsAgu4yLTorVTL1kRO3QGUptbfCc72pFYcM63eQj0VN-T-Dw/s320/V1247.jpg" width="303" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My point of comparison is the Sutton Blouse by </span><a href="http://www.truebias.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">True Bias</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">. Kelly's pattern is beautifully put together and the cut is more flattering falling softly against the body. Will post wearing photos and more details shortly.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">I've had a great start to 2016 with two other completed projects to show you. My new dress is being worn tomorrow, I guess you'll see that next.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">Don't be strangers - stop by my blog and say hello!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-62487982833039258652015-10-14T04:13:00.001-07:002015-10-14T04:13:38.177-07:00The Studio Faro Dinner Shirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdAyDrOp-30fzztTo7k9Fuq7RHr3EYZWBBCqKzDBEOsWDlizIsWy3_1fkuPPcfI3nxYz3hBjOO5WcQ_PWfQ8XkiXvHoSHjf_OJKr5I1tJtkOrPhhuo-gBKeRbQEKaAAJgDt23G68qqhM/s1600/Anita+blouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdAyDrOp-30fzztTo7k9Fuq7RHr3EYZWBBCqKzDBEOsWDlizIsWy3_1fkuPPcfI3nxYz3hBjOO5WcQ_PWfQ8XkiXvHoSHjf_OJKr5I1tJtkOrPhhuo-gBKeRbQEKaAAJgDt23G68qqhM/s400/Anita+blouse.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anita at <a href="http://www.studiofaro.com/" target="_blank">Studio Faro</a> is working to expand her range of patterns. I was thrilled to test her dinner shirt pattern which I started back in July before I went overseas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm ashamed to say this sat finished but without buttonholes for nearly a month. Last night I dragged myself to the machine and did the deed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anita's pattern isn't available on her website yet, but look out for it. She describes it as a "production-ready women's shirt pattern in nine sizes 6-22". The instructions and seam allowances are geared to commercial construction, but not beyond the home sewer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My vintage John Kaldor fabric worked really well with the pattern but tends to hard the design lines. This traditional tailored shirt features a dinner shirt bib panel with princess seams, double layer back yoke and full gathered sleeves with continuous placket. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I made a size 12 with adjustments only to the length which is suited to someone around 5 ft 7 in. Next time I make this shirt - and there will be a next time - I'll add about a cm to the bust for wearing ease, but otherwise I'm very happy with the fit and practicality of the design. I'll also make more of a feature of the bib, perhaps with pleating or fabric variation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've finished a few other garments so will make the effort to post. Love to hear your comments, meanwhile happy sewing!</span>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-89541072290734047672015-10-01T04:00:00.000-07:002015-10-01T04:00:21.934-07:00Sparkly business<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Couldn't let lack of a willing photographer get in the way of showing off my latest business wear. It's all a little bit sparkly with a subtle metallic back thread.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love the 70's vibe of the jacket. It is begging for a button down A-line skirt, but for the time being I've teamed it with a flip skirt, Burda September 2014, no.104.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The pattern for the jacket is from January 2008 Burda magazine (no.117). The details are great, especially the extra large cuffs with an extra decorative band. The leather trim was the result a "happy accident". I cut the garment and forgot to trace the collar stand. There wasn't enough of the brocade left to cut the piece. The Fabric Store had run out of the original fabric but did have an unusually small skin of soft lambskin in the perfect collar. My old friend Mick from Mick's Buttonholes at Alexandria did the studs. May he never shut his doors!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've also completed two blouses and a striped skirt since my last post. I've been promoted recently and I'm spending more of my free time sewing than my blogging about it. Not sure what is coming up next, so until my next catch up happy sewing!</span>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-19755508923743620972015-09-03T04:42:00.006-07:002015-09-03T04:42:59.007-07:00The magic of the colour wheel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Y-o3dr6UT6IL5TAjaBdDHPmGmoYytILxP1E18C3cDvflp3v5lgiBKyD4QikHGLhgM2OMP1ozFRoYJj-ssHyhkgnuwFM7dZFlF7NB22IyzRkG4v_c7pk1Ipi4jnynUVaprE-vo64TcL4/s1600/emerald+green+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Y-o3dr6UT6IL5TAjaBdDHPmGmoYytILxP1E18C3cDvflp3v5lgiBKyD4QikHGLhgM2OMP1ozFRoYJj-ssHyhkgnuwFM7dZFlF7NB22IyzRkG4v_c7pk1Ipi4jnynUVaprE-vo64TcL4/s400/emerald+green+cropped.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJWsCnYqp-fgsYf5AI1uqJvuRNUo1yaG9HMk5VLsz-ydu-7CCouLU9a6fOCihQLGbnb7uWB_0WS9r5cZv9Lr3XjOPY70cl1jMQaATG3kcchfDwPq2gIWTFI9qSaCR7l02EbgA7Yi35DE/s1600/IMG_7001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJWsCnYqp-fgsYf5AI1uqJvuRNUo1yaG9HMk5VLsz-ydu-7CCouLU9a6fOCihQLGbnb7uWB_0WS9r5cZv9Lr3XjOPY70cl1jMQaATG3kcchfDwPq2gIWTFI9qSaCR7l02EbgA7Yi35DE/s400/IMG_7001.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #414141; line-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Emerald green has been described as <i>the most magical, refined and elegant shade in the color wheel</i>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #414141; line-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not sure I'd go that far in praise of the colour, but it does look amazing with so many other colours and suits every shade of skin and hair. I bought 2 metres of this rich emerald/teal green ponte from <a href="http://www.tessuti.com.au/" target="_blank">Tessuti</a> in 2013 when emerald was the major Spring colour trend. The black ponte is also from Tessuti - a more recent purchase.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #414141; line-height: 26px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #414141; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26px;">I missed the boat for being exactly on trend, pondering over loads of ideas for this piece of cloth over the years. But the colour hasn't exactly gone away. I must confess that the end product is the outcome of pattern laziness. Rather than trying to fit something new I reworked a recently made dress pattern <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3098393915488355682#editor/target=post;postID=7880511131367574537;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=3;src=postname" target="_blank">Burda 10/2014 101</a> coupled with my standard simple ponte pencil skirt. These skirts are becoming staples in my business wardrobe. I'm loving the </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #414141; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 26px;">A-Grade comfort and pop of colour</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #414141; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 26px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #414141; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 26px;">they add.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #414141; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26px;">My black ponte skirt works just as well under the peplum top. Overall, I'm very happy with the outfit and feel that it is more versatile than the dress. Pop by and let me know what you think.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #414141; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26px;">Meanwhile happy sewing!</span></span><br />
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-66992709793226676592015-08-18T05:01:00.002-07:002015-08-18T05:01:25.977-07:00Home and back in action<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl6aAS3zeVXWh-NTYSbI3UM3VHU1ZsBCj2lu5-ijiT86gOEF2IyMq8xH4gaNlAWIRJgsZ8L3V3tFOnslv_0xIr_hv2OSvuElktUWynAXES0qsXsgg8ZKUosgUohqZFhH5ccQ6_PG8yFk/s1600/London+outfit1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl6aAS3zeVXWh-NTYSbI3UM3VHU1ZsBCj2lu5-ijiT86gOEF2IyMq8xH4gaNlAWIRJgsZ8L3V3tFOnslv_0xIr_hv2OSvuElktUWynAXES0qsXsgg8ZKUosgUohqZFhH5ccQ6_PG8yFk/s320/London+outfit1.JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My absence from Blogland has been conspicuous (to me at any rate). I've spent the last few months preparing to go away, going away and coming back again to a mountain of work! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While ostensibly it was a business trip, with the opportunity to speak at conferences, work with colleagues in London and have a brief holiday in Portugal, I did spend a lot of time talking and thinking about sewing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The outfit photographed was self made for travel. A self drafted black ponte pencil skirt, a Rigel bomber jacket made from a fabulous linen synthetic blend that doesn't crush and doesn't need ironing, and a black jersey cowl neck t-shirt. I love this outfit and wish I had a photo that showed more garment and less of the Savoy.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsqm6C90UGNPvPcEwwniGia3xdl38f_LpLxyPJgY_qf3sKekh6QiirP72oFR0r3F3NN44zUrgChmIp6KKUVJlNXEHRZbNofGt26VpKmYqwvZC_lVKFCg8q9C6qlCAJMmEnxRXLCqz5GQ/s1600/IMG_6241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsqm6C90UGNPvPcEwwniGia3xdl38f_LpLxyPJgY_qf3sKekh6QiirP72oFR0r3F3NN44zUrgChmIp6KKUVJlNXEHRZbNofGt26VpKmYqwvZC_lVKFCg8q9C6qlCAJMmEnxRXLCqz5GQ/s320/IMG_6241.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I travelled to Paris for weekend (as you do!) and found stunning antique buttons at the </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 26.3999996185303px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Marché aux puces de la Porte de Vanves on the outskirts of central Paris. I bought four lots for 20 euros and much haggling. There is lace to be found at this flea market but the quality is variable. Expect to pay for the good stuff. I also went to my favourite fabric stores on Montmartre and was slightly disappointed. But I did find 3 metres of interesting cotton blend for 10 euros. And am kicking myself for not buying the 3 metre 'coupon' of burnt orange faux leather indistinguishable from real leather. I was worried about excess baggage.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXcoVeTfgGcq1TYYuylKO-cQfYyCdCkIH481RdQRONSHx2HREW2Eddu608SIGy4EPiThcmOS8eE5xAknEUYvQT0jPiWLFedqrUW6o3Tg2JX0h9b7ZQzm-vX82OkvGXfi1Rt-x0LJMOzs/s1600/IMG_6350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXcoVeTfgGcq1TYYuylKO-cQfYyCdCkIH481RdQRONSHx2HREW2Eddu608SIGy4EPiThcmOS8eE5xAknEUYvQT0jPiWLFedqrUW6o3Tg2JX0h9b7ZQzm-vX82OkvGXfi1Rt-x0LJMOzs/s320/IMG_6350.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidERD0H66f287jvRg56sskMAoh8kaNHTCoH4owsXbvi0l7xkEAnx687cLL_255szWKTw9mJ4YqT-Qm7FrpUVtfVRPvW-OHeHezvKdW9mcT8VpBlWedwjxeMB9gBqMzJ15e69Tr5ue0bXY/s1600/kate+in+London.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidERD0H66f287jvRg56sskMAoh8kaNHTCoH4owsXbvi0l7xkEAnx687cLL_255szWKTw9mJ4YqT-Qm7FrpUVtfVRPvW-OHeHezvKdW9mcT8VpBlWedwjxeMB9gBqMzJ15e69Tr5ue0bXY/s320/kate+in+London.jpg" width="173" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Back in London I met up with the lovely Kate from <a href="http://fabrickated.com/" target="_blank">Fabrikated</a>. We shared dinner at her house and I felt privileged to see her hand made clothes, sewing area, cloth stash. Kate is wonderfully creative and has been dabbling in fabric printing and painting. She is also a skilled pattern-maker and was finishing an amazing cotton maxi at the time of my visit. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtQN5Sb_U_eUjuN_1N_jd_WJetqpONKSOlrZQRLQun00IkPbHyEYYpwqhAKM2SkDiKk6HgHSRqBPbDZd0aShP5XqoIvryP5RbTGVoZGvyTuvYeQ8aUO-z4hVnl0RtHUyECNKnwiVWfV4/s1600/Tany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtQN5Sb_U_eUjuN_1N_jd_WJetqpONKSOlrZQRLQun00IkPbHyEYYpwqhAKM2SkDiKk6HgHSRqBPbDZd0aShP5XqoIvryP5RbTGVoZGvyTuvYeQ8aUO-z4hVnl0RtHUyECNKnwiVWfV4/s320/Tany.jpg" width="198" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another trip highlight was meeting Tany from <a href="http://tanysewsandknits.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Tricot et Couture</a>. Tany is utterly charming and amazingly generous and talented. We spent time touring her home town in Portugal with her husband and son. We clicked and talked about all sorts of things, including cloth...how could we not? Seeing her work close up was really very special. Tany led me to her favourite fabric store Feira dos Tecidos which has branches all over Portugal. A sample of my purchases is pictured below. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tany also directed me to a very special supplier of trims and buttons. I bought buttons for a Chanel jacket and the red and black braids on the counter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I've just finished my first garment since my return, a tuxedo shirt which I'm pattern testing for my friend Anita McAdam at Studio Faro. I have hundreds of buttons, but do you think I have 8 small black shirt buttons? Fraid not!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I promise not to be a stranger again. Please pop by and say hello.</span>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-76664146430734419282015-05-12T03:17:00.000-07:002015-05-12T03:18:55.156-07:00No boring business<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Clearly April's dress was not a winner in the popularity stakes, but what do you think of my <a href="http://papercutpatterns.com/products/rigel-bomber" target="_blank">Rigel bomber</a> with a simple tube pencil skirt? I am huge fan of Papercut patterns for fit, skillful pattern design and easy to follow instructions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I bought the floral fabric on a whim from a designer fabric website Kristy recommended. The piece was very small - enough for a pencil skirt (an obvious choice) or for a colour blocked jacket. I did have a more structured jacket in mind until I saw just how well it blended with the mustard wool ponte that lived deep in my stash.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKv51Uqyl2_V56NMhyphenhyphenaLMEBvdcBWocCwQw2bTsjvF1qtZdPxx583Cel_n8PFhPnqKD_2E51PfgeOTU5RQ8_Juklta6GdXKVWXhj4Nom79v6p3x-IN9vyvKfn5_OdOTw9VP5dhvbvwBnw/s1600/rigel+bomber+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKv51Uqyl2_V56NMhyphenhyphenaLMEBvdcBWocCwQw2bTsjvF1qtZdPxx583Cel_n8PFhPnqKD_2E51PfgeOTU5RQ8_Juklta6GdXKVWXhj4Nom79v6p3x-IN9vyvKfn5_OdOTw9VP5dhvbvwBnw/s320/rigel+bomber+2.jpg" width="202" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoy8FGfW3nuRmDBl4JxiTjlP0Rtdc_b-mjXEJPtCIbwymyDsqMOOhsKHgfOsJy8-0YwQxOgWippRtT0abY3zdyowxEp-uLbna8tNy5XII5jrPk1EPDtRePP41vRfTXuXmIyhrSKWYLmg/s1600/rigel+bomber+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoy8FGfW3nuRmDBl4JxiTjlP0Rtdc_b-mjXEJPtCIbwymyDsqMOOhsKHgfOsJy8-0YwQxOgWippRtT0abY3zdyowxEp-uLbna8tNy5XII5jrPk1EPDtRePP41vRfTXuXmIyhrSKWYLmg/s320/rigel+bomber+3.jpg" width="205" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In theory I love this suit -particularly the back view- which I made as an antidote to boring grey business suits. In practice I'm a little shy to wear it. The feeling of needing to hide away wasn't helped by husband's comment to my daughter "Have you seen Mum's vomit jacket?"..."Bomber jacket!"..."Oh I thought you said vomit" (look of sheer innocence upon his face). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I made it and some other items at an our annual Sewing Guild sewcation at Stanwell Tops. I was joined by other bloggers; <a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/petite-sewing-2687092" target="_blank">Sharon</a>, <a href="http://loweryourpresserfoot.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Kristy</a> and <a href="http://ontheroadtosewwear.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Beverley</a> and 30 other talented soulmates. Beverley posted some great photos on her blog. If you don't get together with sewers in the real world, I recommend it. We learn a lot and inspire each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIF1RdEJhLK1O301syokS20NXFFBhgI7oTCWa-iMzuCWgoX1zd-7u_XlXf_rz5_3eaK8IJtMaR_VSjWLmoPTtlE1xBKtM0V14zGYnu2LAs8DaeZXeAYbEX3tClHV6GutYooiRz4Ywvlc/s1600/sewing+weekend+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIF1RdEJhLK1O301syokS20NXFFBhgI7oTCWa-iMzuCWgoX1zd-7u_XlXf_rz5_3eaK8IJtMaR_VSjWLmoPTtlE1xBKtM0V14zGYnu2LAs8DaeZXeAYbEX3tClHV6GutYooiRz4Ywvlc/s320/sewing+weekend+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-78805111313675745372015-05-11T04:15:00.000-07:002015-05-11T04:19:02.813-07:00Autumnal tones for April dress<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkjfQIL84AnvAZxTn5mOk0e66swlF-FBDZnASl7C8lEn95gVnBK_er1hBw2865Gm3wMrwIUuSYvQCjU8Lmvl_DGpVQcELhYJXhHQ-97ufGAMdP1PsNEYODPQC19AEGNOZ1pn-9ytHTdo/s1600/burda+101+10-14+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkjfQIL84AnvAZxTn5mOk0e66swlF-FBDZnASl7C8lEn95gVnBK_er1hBw2865Gm3wMrwIUuSYvQCjU8Lmvl_DGpVQcELhYJXhHQ-97ufGAMdP1PsNEYODPQC19AEGNOZ1pn-9ytHTdo/s400/burda+101+10-14+closeup.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You could be forgiven for thinking that I spend more time musing about sewing than actually sewing. My rate of blogging does suggest that! </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">April is a strange month with holidays disrupting the normal week, taxes falling due, and the month seems to fly by</span>. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">But there has been plenty of action here, just no so much inclination to sit down and write about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the ages since my last post I have completed my April dress; a wild suit (see my next post); a white wadder; and a flippy skirt that is waiting on a Bellatrix Papercut jacket to match. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiektIdwUY2QiWU-mKxCYpFN0tyux-whRehGvdqTgS053mZ5-A2rZQxGWmFbhMKmAY1Qkm770FseQEGI8uuaHo0oQHGEpypZte4QEceWkCFpv_1HyaYd-cR09UbTQKi7eQfEUpbg17evz8/s1600/Burda+101+10-14+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiektIdwUY2QiWU-mKxCYpFN0tyux-whRehGvdqTgS053mZ5-A2rZQxGWmFbhMKmAY1Qkm770FseQEGI8uuaHo0oQHGEpypZte4QEceWkCFpv_1HyaYd-cR09UbTQKi7eQfEUpbg17evz8/s640/Burda+101+10-14+front.jpg" width="346" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's talk about the April dress. The pattern is <a href="http://burdastyle.ru/modeli/platya-tuniki-kombinezony/burda-2014-10-101-b/" target="_blank">Burda 10-2014 101</a> made from patterned ponte I bought in Barcelona at a store that I was taken to by the charming Spanish designer <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/people/pacoperalta" target="_blank">Paco Peralta</a>. I paired it with plain ponte from Lindcraft.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The pattern is well constructed and quite easy to sew. The centre front panel replaces bust darts and does sit quite high, but I like this effect. I added an exposed zip to modernise the look. The only suggestion I make is to interface the corners especially if your fabrics are different weights. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2I4P9QDZMWnwS0cO7i5cAjOmxnBj0GgILomF7Y5605u1N3eAfEvAEUeQokaWaXFkLg_3VvcjQTyH38CgWl99AQnD2o9x6K16KHQJdXzOFirdeIlUjauHVj3Ll-Lf6-y9yuqYEP19dNDQ/s1600/Burda+101+10-14+rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2I4P9QDZMWnwS0cO7i5cAjOmxnBj0GgILomF7Y5605u1N3eAfEvAEUeQokaWaXFkLg_3VvcjQTyH38CgWl99AQnD2o9x6K16KHQJdXzOFirdeIlUjauHVj3Ll-Lf6-y9yuqYEP19dNDQ/s640/Burda+101+10-14+rear.jpg" width="355" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This would have helped April as the Spanish wool ponte is lighter than the denser Lindcraft variety. Overall I'm very happy with my dress and have worn it a few times already.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love the way the fabric matches my vintage Oroton earrings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While I am persisting with my calendar dress challenge it is a bit of a distraction. I looked into my closet and it is crying out for separates, and solid colours. Not giving up just yet!</span><br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-51389695876063050222015-03-31T02:30:00.001-07:002015-03-31T02:32:41.577-07:00March takes sports lux to the office<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaPwviEXSUqD5rrbMujyKbwzbqGu0uNo1NZJDzxW8UjX7bs5SfuYcCVtBxTLgw13d3dFZ20cbxxGbDlyHBmBaOWw5XBW8MpMIMU9N0-k1l6DjF9yrNO1qkhIVUa_e0Xx9mI5GZFeFbrY/s1600/12-2014-105remodel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaPwviEXSUqD5rrbMujyKbwzbqGu0uNo1NZJDzxW8UjX7bs5SfuYcCVtBxTLgw13d3dFZ20cbxxGbDlyHBmBaOWw5XBW8MpMIMU9N0-k1l6DjF9yrNO1qkhIVUa_e0Xx9mI5GZFeFbrY/s1600/12-2014-105remodel.jpg" height="640" width="342" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Despite the telling wrinkles at the end of the day, I love my March dress. Perhaps I should have taken it off and waited until it was fresh again, but it is 31 March and I have a deadline!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">March is inspired by the sports luxe trend so prevalent this year. Sportswear doesn't just belong in the gym does it. I've taken it to the office using creme and black ponte from <a href="http://www.tessuti.com.au/" target="_blank">Tessuti</a> in Sydney. The pattern is a remash of Burdastyle 12-2014-105 which I used for my David Jones top.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEezRkRBVvWepLf98VfyHvw4oFvOyTgsykEThXR_4Qgd8uXJboe-iAhDwwRdWlcFbSIrFSdnOodpX0P5u2QeS4oCcNQNKKeG71zErLTmntMXk_vuvMjhEnxlf4ckBsI7dWY9CtoppLC8/s1600/12-2104-105remodel4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEezRkRBVvWepLf98VfyHvw4oFvOyTgsykEThXR_4Qgd8uXJboe-iAhDwwRdWlcFbSIrFSdnOodpX0P5u2QeS4oCcNQNKKeG71zErLTmntMXk_vuvMjhEnxlf4ckBsI7dWY9CtoppLC8/s1600/12-2104-105remodel4.jpg" height="400" width="176" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The changes to the pattern are simple. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Open the front seam to the upper front panel; insert a zipper; add a shoulder and back yoke; and add an additional panel to both </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">the front and back sleeve seam. I drafted my own pencil skirt without darts using the waistband of the peplum as my starting point. If you are using a stretch fabric like ponte you don't need the underarm zip.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZiyPUBFZExMOyruh2bDXYQMxnUTIbWclP8cNWai5fSwyurTZOBL9PoU5g0vNVoR6ow0N2v2ew0_HgDg2YX-fB3cmhSGyb6YkuBOTt5vBR1frFSMBwD2ZxpjDqNEp2QhBhYA_RfgQJkQ/s1600/12-2104-105remodel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZiyPUBFZExMOyruh2bDXYQMxnUTIbWclP8cNWai5fSwyurTZOBL9PoU5g0vNVoR6ow0N2v2ew0_HgDg2YX-fB3cmhSGyb6YkuBOTt5vBR1frFSMBwD2ZxpjDqNEp2QhBhYA_RfgQJkQ/s1600/12-2104-105remodel2.jpg" height="320" width="310" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What's next? Not sure. I have a lot of fabric ideas for tops and coats, and one dress that is still taking shape.</span><br />
<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-936815280348846562015-03-24T04:35:00.001-07:002015-03-24T04:43:30.458-07:00February calendar dress - the bimbo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQH4xjhPK27uq1OztG9bq8h1EOjOnXhcSF7r5MdFgghyphenhyphenIeNMQodl2fiC0SEtCilQtF2x3VUNYi02ivYGAzuIp6fGBYS4QJDVT64LnAMy7ii2Z-nnfRmlwfJVAhNOHBfwnGZ83NSgkAlAE/s1600/IMG_6140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQH4xjhPK27uq1OztG9bq8h1EOjOnXhcSF7r5MdFgghyphenhyphenIeNMQodl2fiC0SEtCilQtF2x3VUNYi02ivYGAzuIp6fGBYS4QJDVT64LnAMy7ii2Z-nnfRmlwfJVAhNOHBfwnGZ83NSgkAlAE/s1600/IMG_6140.JPG" height="640" width="316" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My February calendar is finally given a public viewing! I'm calling February the "Bimbo". Burda 09/2014 122 is attractive, but essentially stupid.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeQ1l_nbfKEGYrZM9wKntibdvJfdyDTNGa1nSyhVcKjGGVuGW_yLXoD8yXo4x-ROJRkcfdHfjHjJGY19ceVO4ZDl7NKpGibggcFQ8YF4cLlqpTSaDzzNMMShRtaU-XLs5Lkx69HXrhCw/s1600/burda9-2014+122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeQ1l_nbfKEGYrZM9wKntibdvJfdyDTNGa1nSyhVcKjGGVuGW_yLXoD8yXo4x-ROJRkcfdHfjHjJGY19ceVO4ZDl7NKpGibggcFQ8YF4cLlqpTSaDzzNMMShRtaU-XLs5Lkx69HXrhCw/s1600/burda9-2014+122.jpg" height="320" width="195" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The balanced ledger looks like this. Credits: great flounced inset at the front and a longer hemline at the back; interesting design lines that shape the bust and waistlines beautifully; a blank canvas for jewellery. Debits: flawed drafting of the<b> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 19.8400001525879px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">armscye</span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> that left just enough room for a twig prior to adjustment- note the photo of the model!!; poor fabric choice - the synthetic crepe wrinkles badly when sitting and needs a great deal of ironing even after drip drying. Not a practical dress by any measure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I won't be making this dress again, but if I did I'd consider underlining for more stability on the curved seams. I'd also shorten it - I was a little fazed by the different pattern pieces that required adjustment and left it as it was. Mid calf is elegant but the shorter magazine version is funkier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On the other hand, March is almost done and I am over the moon with the result. Pictures as soon as the hems are completed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, happy sewing!</span>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3098393915488355682.post-75955562761716973462015-03-15T23:43:00.000-07:002015-03-15T23:43:19.480-07:00David Jones logo top<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcPm7XPEOeaw2uWLrmXU-hGm2F1_hR-Rxk9CqGm1rJcVh7tqHonc0vgV6tXHSeT9-QA3yUdNI4iaAJT4c7jCOLr6BTzqbiJAPcaF8EMk7rG9HPTgj-gFV7ZynjI1E1s574hIdmHRw0ZQ/s1600/Burda+12-2014-105+v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcPm7XPEOeaw2uWLrmXU-hGm2F1_hR-Rxk9CqGm1rJcVh7tqHonc0vgV6tXHSeT9-QA3yUdNI4iaAJT4c7jCOLr6BTzqbiJAPcaF8EMk7rG9HPTgj-gFV7ZynjI1E1s574hIdmHRw0ZQ/s1600/Burda+12-2014-105+v1.jpg" height="640" width="362" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Despite looking distinctively like the Australian retailer David Jones's signature logo, my version of Burda 12-2014-105 is a definite winner for summer business wear. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made a size 40 with no alterations, beyond adding the faux leather shoulder inset to break up the fabric and taking in the sleeves...by a lot! I should have been vary about the sleeves after looking at how limply they hung on the Burda model. Even for my solid arms, they are massive. I shaved about </span><span style="font-size: large;">about 1 inch from each side of the two piece sleeve. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you are altering the sleeves, try to maintain the existing sleeve head as they slot into the arm hole without a lot of easing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqU-KUgcemVp4eG7qw51vWZRXFglMFN41GygXweKQSTKSJBeU6_g4iNOnkzNcmWzQpIymA_6px5u0eiXmNfb9PPLRpqKEipSzgRmX221s970UZjdUOOZYjchoE7-t82MJlVdz9w3lk9w/s1600/12-2014-104+v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqU-KUgcemVp4eG7qw51vWZRXFglMFN41GygXweKQSTKSJBeU6_g4iNOnkzNcmWzQpIymA_6px5u0eiXmNfb9PPLRpqKEipSzgRmX221s970UZjdUOOZYjchoE7-t82MJlVdz9w3lk9w/s1600/12-2014-104+v2.jpg" height="400" width="227" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This pattern is the prototype for my March calendar dress. Where is my February dress I hear you ask? February was indeed finished on 28 February, but despite two wearings has not been photographed. My daughter has PROMISED to be around when it has its next outing on Wednesday!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjum1P4v2VlIh_ei7KTWhfVvkx93Dw2nDka8uKQV-voSg8rvRTw-FJAPZNQ_xaniKA1mpJx5bzkKg4N3NpPn9o9mpBykWheXWXE5YcQ9CywIfMEgbzdMcrtEYNvmfVo19UNphrMNjLcbbw/s1600/12-2014-105+v3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjum1P4v2VlIh_ei7KTWhfVvkx93Dw2nDka8uKQV-voSg8rvRTw-FJAPZNQ_xaniKA1mpJx5bzkKg4N3NpPn9o9mpBykWheXWXE5YcQ9CywIfMEgbzdMcrtEYNvmfVo19UNphrMNjLcbbw/s1600/12-2014-105+v3.jpg" height="400" width="230" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-MmIqJ3QNHvpj8ZiyeEvDTrgshktn1wCqtXfn5n9xVi5P5HJpBex3ZqmukuZXeqjMmSHtEKo1Qj_9E00G0UPOsmwbZ0SuBeexitTwbolyQxTyYEIY2pMFmvmWo9R-qpDELVq6-J1BQ8/s1600/djs-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-MmIqJ3QNHvpj8ZiyeEvDTrgshktn1wCqtXfn5n9xVi5P5HJpBex3ZqmukuZXeqjMmSHtEKo1Qj_9E00G0UPOsmwbZ0SuBeexitTwbolyQxTyYEIY2pMFmvmWo9R-qpDELVq6-J1BQ8/s1600/djs-logo.jpg" height="320" width="293" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgvxp7neqaxs6Kxm_lxNO1QPMZ2MBoUthqAgTJT8i3Pj2WPDpAP6IGQU6rPsjAMNhJJ196Eb2o61Lx_cZlUymNGE4MyuobPqmvqoePOv8WePu-QBeKPheykkWjmm9eghgBXuy8UhuCEg/s1600/IMG_6741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgvxp7neqaxs6Kxm_lxNO1QPMZ2MBoUthqAgTJT8i3Pj2WPDpAP6IGQU6rPsjAMNhJJ196Eb2o61Lx_cZlUymNGE4MyuobPqmvqoePOv8WePu-QBeKPheykkWjmm9eghgBXuy8UhuCEg/s1600/IMG_6741.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I do wish I'd purchased a tripod on the weekend so you could see a photo of my new dress on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My one sewing goal for 2015 is to make a calendar of dresses, one for each month appropriate to the season.</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Its a stretch assignment, but involves no stretch fabrics. My self-imposed rules are: 1) Each pattern must be unique; 2) Woven fabrics only; 3) The design should be suitable for a number of purposes; and 4) the pattern must have some complexity - simple shift dresses will not pass.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiue5YivIJyOfSM9zqRgXCdgncX9Brnm2N_o9J1zNnDm_DJs2LBzqQMUO7zPBAcmAVbxet1wAeuoEQk4ri43sb082xZj0MAPm0Roch6d2us0MfSDK3L7O266XY9WLzlvWIrHnNLiU5v0/s1600/IMG_6744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiue5YivIJyOfSM9zqRgXCdgncX9Brnm2N_o9J1zNnDm_DJs2LBzqQMUO7zPBAcmAVbxet1wAeuoEQk4ri43sb082xZj0MAPm0Roch6d2us0MfSDK3L7O266XY9WLzlvWIrHnNLiU5v0/s1600/IMG_6744.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So meet January. I've been thinking about January since the beginning of Spring when suddenly Sydney shop windows were filled with pretty floral dresses. My floral is a cotton sateen print from Lincraft. I've trimmed with the black cotton drill that my husband rescued from someone's castaways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">January is built from Burda Style 103 from May 2014. The design is a 'tall' pattern, something that might be a deterrent when you are only 5'2'' or 156 cms. However, being rather long in the torso, (my shortness coming from lack of legs) the only adjustments needed were to raise the plunging neckline by at least 2 inches; dart in the raglan sleeve line and shorten the hemline by 3 inches. The pattern calls for an invisible zip in the back seam. Let me tell you this is really hard to do with the extra layers of black fabric and the precision required. After two attempts that were less than pleasing I gave up and placed the zip in the underarm seam. This worked a treat and is easier to get on and off. All my zips will go into the side seam from now on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm ecstatic</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> about the fit and feel of January. Happy sewing while I trace off February!</span></span><br />
<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00622769905155059570noreply@blogger.com32