Been a hell of a month but everything is coming up roses

This trench jacket (Burda 4/2008 107) is indicative of the frustrations of June.  I'd successfully made a summer trench dress from this pattern and started my 'winter safari' last winter but didn't make it past the finish line.  I pulled it out again determined to get it done, but no matter how many tricks I played I couldn't make the sleeves (frankenfurted from another Burda pattern).  By good fortune, I found an old black wool cardigan that the moths had found before me and voila, perfectly fitted sleeves that bring my garment into 2012.

It is not finished, as I need to cut the lining and have some self covered buttons made.  I did make the belt from a kit from Sunni at A Fashionable Stitch which I am really pleased with.  June brought other frustrations included having my house broken into, but I wont dwell on these sewing stifflers.

On the plus side of the ledger.

1) my sewing student finally finished her two garments, this skirt pictured and an overly ambitious dress project Burda 01/2011 103.  The latter took literally months to complete with too much assistance for learning.  I've sent her off to complete the hems and buttons on her own. Pictures? Perhaps next century...

 2) I've completed two quick projects:
An Alice and Olivia draped t-shirt Vogue 1261.  I can tell my readers that this pattern is not well suited to prints.  My roses on the centre seam came together so oddly that I added a flounce to cover my tracks.  I'm not in love with it, but wearing it in Spring over white linen trousers and silver jewellery might change my mind.

My second project was a resounding success, a Katherine Tilton t-shirt Vogue 8817.  Looks better on but the photographers are missing in action.  I especially like the ragged edge neckbinding which was from the fabric selvage.

3) I've started Susan Khalji's Couture Dress course at Craftsy and can't recommend it highly enough.  Still working on my muslin - a revelation in itself and will keep you posted.

Happy sewing!

Sometimes I want to look prim

Sometimes I want to mix it up!  I just love my new Butterick 5566 skirts.

Now I know this Italian ponte panel print from Tessuti will not be to everyone's taste, but I couldn't resist its playfulness.  I cut my skirt rather meanly to preserve the orange 'high rise buildings' section of the panel.

Both skirts feature bright orange poly linings, invisible zips.  The only thing I'd do differently is not use a stretch interfacing on the waist facing.  I think a slightly weightier interfacing might have stopped that slightly stretchy feeling you get at the end of a long day at the office.

I have a long list of winter sewing ahead of me.  Next up - two finishing off jobs - a faux leather mini skirt for my DD and my "Corporate Should Never Be Boring"leopard print trench jacket. 

Happy sewing...

Drum roll please...

Thanks for all the nice comments on the Beignet.  Based on my random number generator the lucky winner of the Collette Beignet skirt pattern is OzViking.  Please use my email address to send through your postal details.

A wet weekend is forecast.  While everyone around is feeling down about it, the little sewing fairy is struggling to contain her glee!

Beignet giveaway

 I finished this skirt a while back, but haven't had a chance to photograph it. I've rattled my chain about Collette Patterns before, so I won't go on. The Beignet is a clever design -a high waisted skirt with six panels, lined, 12 buttons and inseam pockets-and creates a flattering skirt.  But, and it is a big but, the initial fitting problems are immense.  I cut acres off my seam allowances and this complicatd completion of the lining panels. I'm pleased with finished product but I don't think I'll make another.

 

I had planned to return the pattern to Becky from whom I won the pattern gift voucher that purchased my selection of Collette patterns.  Becky has since purchased her own, so as a mini give away is in order.

If you would like to put your name in the hat, simply make a comment and follow the site.

My sewing has been rather slow of late. 
Blame work, blame school functions and just plain laziness!
I've made two skirts with my new favourite skirt pattern Butterick 5566 that can be worn with my recently completed jacket.  One is in the same tan ponte uses View D and other in a beautiful printed ponte uses View B.  Both skirts are sans lining at present, but I am ashamed to say that I've worn the first one twice already.  High on the weekend agenda.

Happy sewing!

An insider's view

 

 I don't have much time for blog posts lately.  But a promise is a promise and I wanted to show off the inside view of my latest Ponte jacket.  Really there must be at least 5 metres of seam binding in this garment and I not regret a centimetre of it.  What isn't bound has French seams, not a finish I'd recommend for Ponte but it worked well enough on the sleeves and shoulders.

I've also included a photo of my nearly finished Beignet skirt.  Now here I have a confession to make.  I recut the panel with the bound buttonholes that were utterly awful.  Tonight I put together 10 self covered buttons.  I now need to make the six belt loops, attach them and sew 10 button holes.  Ah easy!!  I will donate this pattern back to the lovely Becky whose gifted me a Collette gift voucher.  Becky, I really do love my skirt but there is only Beignet in me!

Next up, I am finishing a leopard print trench that I started before I went to Europe; and will be cutting out some more workwear.

New favourite jacket is an old favourite

 

 I need a new camera.  This rather grainy image doesn't do justice to my new favourite Autumn jacket - an old favourite for some of you.  I've used Burda 04/09 jacket 116 and can only conclude that this is a great pattern.  My fabric, a khaki/brown/black ponte is so comfortable to wear and holds up well after a long day at work.  It is rather late and I need to head off for bed, but wanted to post a wearing photo before I changed into the jamies.  The inside of the jacket is pretty impressive, so will post a more detailed review tomorrow.

Blouse factory

Just a short post to let you all know I'm still on planet earth. While I haven't been doing much blogging due to regular interstate commutes to see my mother who has been in poor health, I've been churning out blouses from my TNT blouse pattern McCalls 5433.  This one is in navy blue silk with gorgeous filagree silver vintage buttons.  I've also made a crisp white one. 

Now I know that they say that a crisp white blouse is a wardrobe must have.  But frankly mine leaves me a little cold.  It is beautifully made, the fabric first quality, I just look frumpy in it.

Not so my DD, who looks gorgeous in just about anything.  I copied this blouse from her favourite Zara shirt.  The skirt is also self drafted.  You have no idea the joy that 40 cms of ice blue corduroy can give a young girl.  She looks pretty cool don't you think?

I started work on a new Burda jacket today and am very impressed with the results so far.  Pics shortly. 

Happy sewing ladies...and gents!