Me Made May '15 Day 25 to 31 in Review

May has wizzed past in a blur of thinking about and choosing "Me Made" garments to wear, daily photo taking, editing and uploading to Flickr. Here is what I wore for the last week of May:

Day 25

The start of the working week. This was a new outfit sewn over the weekend. Both are patterns I have made before, but work well for me. The top is a Tilly and the Buttons Coco Tunic (longer than the top, but shorter than the dress) in a cream ponte with a funnel neck. The pants are Style Arc Elle pants that I have tweaked further for a better fit, in brown stretch bengaline.

Day 26

Tuesday wearing New Look 6071 dress in purple ponte. The scarf has the dual purpose of keeping me warm and hiding the rather low cut neckline of this dress, making it more work appropriate.

Day 27

Wednesday and looking exhausted after a day at work and the weekly grocery shopping. Arrived home after dark so had to take an indoor photo with artificial lighting. I am wearing McCalls 6163 wrap dress in cotton/spandex jersey. Sorry that you can't see much of it but I needed the cardigan. It's getting cold.

Day 28

On my way to work wearing Style Arc Nina Cardigan in purple jersey, Style Arc Issy Top in poly jersey and my brand new Colette Mabel skirt in black ponte. This skirt was way too tight at the start of May, but fits ok now.

Day 29

Friday and the last day of the working week. Wearing a refashioned ponte skirt with Style Arc Terry Tie Cardigan.

Day 30

Saturday spent cleaning out the garage and taking rubbish to the tip. Wearing some old and shabby "Me Mades" a blue ponte Sewaholic Renfrew and black stretch bengaline Style Arc Elle Pants.

Day 31

Sad to say Sunday is the last day of Me Made May. I spent the day sewing and enjoying the company of my daughter who was visiting. Wearing another Tilly and the Buttons Coco Tunic in pink fleece. This one was only finished today. It's lovely and cosy, and matches my pink slippers perfectly. The jeans are RTW and I'm pleased to say I can finally fit back into them.

It has become glaringly obvious that I love sewing with ponte and stretch bengaline. Maybe I should become a little more adventurous and try some more challenging fabrics? I need some warmer clothes for winter which officially starts tomorrow, so I will be working on that. I have managed to wear Me Made Garments everyday for the entire month and some days, two or even three garments. I have also made good with the other part of my pledge about losing weight so my Me Made clothes fit more comfortably, managing to lose 4.3kg (9.5 lbs) and my waistbands are feeling much better.

Me Made May has been wonderful for recharging the sewing mojo. I have enjoyed seeing what everyone has been wearing, and have been so inspired. Huge thanks to Zoe for hosting Me Made May! Looking forward to next year.


Happy Sewing

Me Made May '15 Day 18 to 24 in Review

Me Made May is just so inspiring and great for boosting the sewing mojo. It's so interesting seeing what everyone else is wearing and great to see that everyone has developed their own unique style. Here is what I have been wearing over the past week:

Day 18

Monday and back to work. Wearing Style Arc Fay Skirt in mosaic print scuba knit and Style Arc Nina Cardigan in red jersey.

Day 19

Another busy day at work. Took this photo in a rush after work, before the light faded. Wearing Grainline Archer shirt in a fine blue gingham and Style Arc Barb Pants in navy stretch bengaline.

Day 20

Wednesday and heading off to work wearing McCalls 6844 cardigan in red ponte, and Style Arc Sara Skirt in black stretch bengaline.

Day 21

Work again. Wearing Tilly and the Buttons Coco Dress in navy and cream chevron striped ponte. Cardigan is RTW.

Day 22

Animal theme for Friday so I have included Ollie in the photo today. It's impossible to get him to look at the camera though! I'm wear Style Arc Barb Pants but the rest of my outfit is RTW.

Day 23

Saturday and a trip to the sewing shop for some supplies and the rest of the day spent in my sewing room (between the inevitable domestic duties). Wearing Style Arc Elle Pants in navy stretch bengaline and Grainline Archer in white cotton voile. The cardigan is RTW. I can't knit :(

Day 24

Sunday and another glorious day. Wearing Tilly and the Buttons Coco Dress in navy and cream ponte with red heart buttons.

Only one more week to go, and I have a new outfit for work tomorrow.

Happy Sewing

Vogue 1247 in Buttersuede

The Vogue 1247 skirt is a very popular pattern and I can see why. This is my second version of this cute and practical skirt. You can see my first version here.

I made this version specially to go with my floral Style Arc Stacie Jean Jacket. This jacket has been a bit of an orphan in my wardrobe and was in desperate need of some matching garments to pair it with. When I saw this khaki butter suede during a visit to Spotlight last year, I knew it would be a great match. I don't know why it has taken me this long to sew it up.

This time I made a straight size 16. I did lengthen it considerably from the original pattern. I was a little concerned during construction, that it may be a bit lightweight for this skirt. I didn't shave any off the side seams (like I did in my previous version) because I wanted it to be a looser fit so that it would hang nicely. But I think it has turned out OK.

The fabric has an interesting texture and a definite nap. Similar to velvet, but much lighter weight. I did struggle a bit with static electricity while wearing this skirt, even after spraying it with anti static spray. Hopefully this was due to the dry and windy weather we had been having.

I am a little disappointed with my invisible zip insertion. I only had a black zip on hand and it is not very invisible. Too impatient to wait a few days to get a more appropriate colour. At least my jacket covers most of it. I hand stitched the hem for a neater finish but this was quite tedious and difficult to keep the stitches invisible on the fabric. Still, I think it looks better than a top stitched hem on this skirt.

My first outing in my new skirt was last Sunday...the most perfect Autumn day. The weather was absolutely beautiful. I met up with a girlfriend for lunch and we then went for a walk along the boardwalk around Wagonga Inlet at Narooma. I wore my new skirt with my Scout Woven Tee in cream spun rayon and my floral denim Style Arc Stacie Jean Jacket. Hopefully I will get some more wear out of my Jacket now it has a matching skirt.

Happy Sewing

Me Made May '15 Day 11 to 17 in Review

Here we are half way through Me Made May already. Taking the photos everyday is starting to wear a bit thin and it's hard to come up with new ideas to make it more interesting. However, I know I will find it valuable information to reassess my wardrobe. Here are the photos taken over the past week:

Day 11

Monday morning and not looking too excited to go back to work. Wearing Sewaholic Renfrew Top in lilac ponte and Style Arc Barb Pants in stretch bengaline.

Day 12

Another day at work wearing Style Arc Sara Skirt in blue stretch bengaline and New Look 6648 top (made pre blog).

Day 13

Wednesday and another work day. Wearing a new dress finished the night before. It's based on the Style Arc Kristen Dress with the Sewaholic Renfrew Cowl neckline. The patterned panel on the front is a scuba knit and the navy and white fabrics are ponte knits.

Day 14

Thursday and off to work again. Wearing New Look 6071 purple ponte dress with Style Arc Terry Tie Cardigan. This was a new combination and I felt good wearing it plus it was nice and warm for a freezing day.

Day 15

Friday, last day of the working week. Being a bit slack today and only wearing one "me made" garment...my Style Arc Sara Skirt in black stretch bengaline. Everything else is RTW.

Day 16

Saturday spent at home doing housework in the morning and some sewing in the afternoon. Keeping it real...no makeup. Wearing Sewaholic Renfrew top which unfortunately has a chocolate stain on the front that refuses to wash out so is only worn around the house, and Style Arc Elle Pants.

Day 17

Sunday and we had the most perfect Autumn day. Had a short drive down the coast to meet up with an old friend for lunch. Wearing Style Arc Stacie Jean Jacket, Grainline Scout Woven Tee and Vogue 1247 Skirt (just finished last night). I made this skirt specifically to go with my floral jacket.

Love seeing what everyone else is wearing on the Me Made May '15 Flickr page.


Happy Sewing

Style Arc Kristen Dress, Colour Blocked and Modified.

I had a long narrow strip of the lovely mosaic print scuba knit that I used for my Style Arc Fay Skirt left over in my stash. It was too good to throw away, but not big enough for an entire garment. This is what I came up with:

I used the Style Arc Kristen Dress pattern which I have made once before here. It's such a simple design...a blank canvas.

I redrew the front pattern piece, adding a 20cm wide strip down the centre and two side front pieces. I also substituted the crew neckline with the Cowl neckline from the Sewaholic Renfrew Top.

The fabrics I used with the scuba knit are a navy and an off white ponte. All fabrics were purchased from Spotlight last year. The zip was eliminated as it is completely unnecessary in a knit and I also left off the pockets.

I did add some long fisheye darts in the back after trying it on. The fit was a little too "sack like" without them.

I am quite happy with the fit now, still relaxed but with a little shape. I'm not sure if I like the cowl in off white. I am wondering if it would have looked better in the navy. Hopefully it will grow on me because I really don't feel like unpicking it, and I have just enough navy ponte left over to make a skirt, so I don't want to waste it cutting another cowl.

You can see the lovely print in the close up photo. I also top stitched the joining seams between the panels with a twin needle. All the hems were turned up 2.5 cms and topstitched with the twin needle as well.

This was a nice and easy dress to make and it's very comfortable to wear too.


Happy Sewing

Me Made May '15 Day 1 to 10 in review.

May has proved to be a busy month with two challenges to keep me focused. I have been participating in Me Made May '15 and also working on losing those pesky extra kilos that I have gained over the last couple of years. The daily photos are keeping me accountable. You can see my pledge here.

Day 1

Wearing Style Arc Kristen dress layered over Grainline Archer shirt for warmth, for a day at work.

Day 2

Enjoying the beautiful autumn leaves. Dressed for a trip into town to choose paint and carpet for our lounge room renovation. Wearing Grainline Scout Woven Tee and Style Arc Stacie Jean Jacket. Jeans are RTW.

Day 3

A relaxing day at home wearing Style Arc Elle Pants and Style Arc Adele Top.

Day 4

Back to work wearing Vogue 1250 dress and RTW cardigan.

Day 5

Work day again, wearing my grey shift dress refashioned from my Named Kielo Wrap Dress and Style Arc Nina Cardigan.

Day 6

Catching up on sewing blogs after a day at work, wearing Style Arc Ginger Top and modified Style Arc Sara Skirt. Cardigan is RTW.

Day 7

A quick snap taken on my way to work wearing a refashioned top from a dress, based on the Grainline Scout Tee, and Style Arc Barb Pants. Cardigan is RTW.

Day 8

Theme Day. Photo with my sewing machines: Bernina B350 bought 2 years ago; overlocker Baby Lock BL4-736DF bought in the late 1980's and on the floor behind me is another Bernina 1005 bought second hand in the 1990's. I love all my machines. Wearing Style Arc Fay Skirt in a scuba knit.

Day 9

The weekend at last. Taking Ollie for a walk and enjoying the beautiful sunshine. Wearing Style Arc Elle Pants, Maria Denmark Kirsten Kimono Tee and Style Arc Nina Cardigan.

Day 10

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mums out there. I am joined in the photo today with my own beautiful Mum. I am wearing a Style Arc Terri Tie Cardigan and Style Arc Wallis Ponte Pants.

I have been enjoying wearing my "me made" clothes and finding new combinations. It's been so inspiring seeing what everyone else has been wearing too. And the scales are starting to go down as well, so everything is on track.


Happy Sewing

Vogue 1250 in Black Splotch Jersey

Vogue 1250 with modifications

This very popular dress pattern has finally found its way to my sewing room. Unfortunately, my pattern only included sizes 6-14 and my current measurements are a little larger than that, so I made a few changes. This dress only has three pattern pieces and that includes the back neck binding. I knew I needed more width in the tummy and hips, but the shoulders and neck would be fine at size 14, so I added a wedge to the centre front and the centre back bodice making sure that I added equal amounts at the waistline. I then added a strip to the centre back skirt seam, making sure that the back bodice and skirt waistline seams were the same length. That's probably about as clear as mud. Perhaps a photo will help.

My changes to the pattern

My alterations were a success as the dress fits me, but it did change the shape of the dress. It resulted in a more A-line shape than the nice tapered shape shown on the pattern envelope. 

Vogue 1250 Line Drawing

The fabric came from Style Arc but it is no longer available. If I recall correctly, it was called Black Splotch which is a perfect description of the print. It's a lovely jersey with an excellent drape.

I managed to get enough width so that it doesn't cling to my wobbly bits although I do feel more comfortable wearing this dress with a cardigan.

The back has quite a loose fit and the waistline seam is a little low. I might make a few more adjustments before I try another one. This is a little hard to see in this print but would be quite obvious in a solid colour.

Vogue 1250 cowl

I love the cowl on this dress. I have found it to be the ideal depth for me and it drapes so well. I turned the hem up 2.5cm twice as there was plenty of length to play with and this made a nice thickness to hem with a twin needle.

I can see this pattern would be great to make some spring/summer/autumn work dresses. If you use the right fabric, they would be so easy care...no ironing required and also work well with a cardigan or jacket.

This is how I have been wearing it to work with a cardigan and tights.


Happy Sewing