An award

Well I have failed miserably at achieving the goals I set myself for my time off. It wasn't entirely my fault as I was a bit under the weather so pretty much couch-surfed my way through the break. I did manage to finish my blanket project and buy the buttons and mostly finish the flutter sleeve cardigan - which will probably be the next thing I show you. The dress is still without a zip, facings and hem and the jacket is still not lined.

I often find the change of seasons a difficult time for mustering my mojo. Far from being all inspired and enthusiastic I am usually crippled by indecision. There is so much I need that I don't know where to start and I haven't yet got a feel for the type of look I want to go for (it may be hard to believe but I do actually try to have some kind of a look!).

Fortunately, Melissa has saved me from having to come up with something useful to post about by awarding me the Versatile Blogger award. Not that I think I deserve it at the present time but thanks for having faith in me Melissa!

The task is to come up with 7 things about me you don't already know. I am pretty much an open book so I will struggle to surprise you I think, but I'll try:

1. I have been terrified of peacocks for most of my life - I would freak out if one came near me. One day I commented to my Mum that I didn't know why they scared me so much since no one else seems to be afraid of them. She told me that, when I was about 3, we were on a picnic and I was messing around with my sandwich instead of eating it. A peacock came right up and took it out of my hand. I had no memory of this ever happening but it was obviously traumatic! Since Mum told me this story I haven't been afraid of peacocks any more.
2. Of all the sounds in the world I hate whistling the most. It just goes right through me! When I am out and about and someone starts whistling I get really tense and just want to leave.
3. I cry all the time. Seriously, I would at least well up on most days. I have to carefully restrict what I watch on TV - sci fi and horror is fine, Secret Millionaire no way! On last week's Grand Designs, the husband died before the house could be built and I cried so much watching the ad for it I wasn't sure I'd be able to get through the actual episode!
4. I would love to write a book. Part of my job is preparing reports and I enjoy technical writing but I think it would be satisfying to find a story and tell it in your own way. Problem is I haven't found my story yet. Although I am seriously considering taking on a PhD in the near future so maybe that will scratch my writing itch.
5. I took six years off between the third and fourth years of my degree. During that time I spent 4 1/2 years working as a casino croupier. I learned a lot about people doing that job!
6. I am a terrible sleeper. The conditions have to be exactly right for me to get a good night's sleep - and they rarely are. Add to that an extremely cranky 16 year old cat demanding breakfast at anywhere between 4.30 and 5.30am and, perhaps that explains why I often look haggard in my photos!
7. My hair used to be really curly, like a red Afro. When I was 4 I got the nits and they couldn't work the comb through my hair as it was so thick and there was loads of it. So they had to shave my head. When it grew back the colour was still the same and it was still super thick and plentiful (not bragging - it's a nightmare!) but just wavy instead of curly - weird!

I am now supposed to nominate a huge number of blogs to pass the award on to. I hope you don't think it's a cop out if I don't nominate anyone. I am a bit late getting to this and loads of people have already had this and another similar award. So if you haven't already done this exercise then I nominate you!

Is it really Autumn?

Hi everyone,
Well there is not much to report in chez Josie lately.  Perth is still suffering through the hottest summer on record or some such rubbish.  It's not the hot days that are so difficult but it hasn't dropped below 20C at night for over a month.  Long story short, no one is getting any sleep, everyone is cranky and it is way too hot to venture into my sewing room.  The good news is I now have a week and a half off work, the forecast looks bearable and I have several UFOs and USOs (Un Started Objects) calling my name.

1. Another version of the Garden State dress - this time work appropriate and with a good fit at the bust.  It is about half done so one good session should knock it on the head
2. A cropped jacket I started before Christmas - I haven't been able to think about sleeves, even 3/4 length ones since then!  I only have the lining and finishing to do
3. I have knitted and blocked the flutter sleeve cardigan and just need to sew it together, knit the sleeve bands and find buttons. This is another one that has been too hot to contemplate.
4. I am also knitting another blanket but that is a relaxing/TV project so no hurry on that one - it is over half done.
5. And finally a crocheted cardigan which is also about half done.

A couple of Saturdays ago I was invited to meet up with the ladies from the Burdastyle Perth club (I didn't even know they existed but was so glad they found me!) and shop at the Potter's outlet shop.  It was great to meet so many people with a common interest and even a couple of local bloggers (I met Jacquie, Sewanista and the Curious Kiwi).  I was very restrained and only bought one piece of fabric, it was pricey but only because I needed a lot.  It's a knit print poly-rayon blend and yes, I am aware that every time I sew with knits I swear I never will again! I refuse to let them beat me.  No photos yet, hopefully this is one of the USOs I'll get to while on holidays.  Their next meet-up is next weekend so I am hoping to go along to that - maybe I'll take that pesky jacket lining!

Because I still have a back log of projects from my Christmas/New Year flurry of projects I can actually show you something finished.  This is a baby blanket I made for Jess (now can you guess why the wedding has been postponed?).  I made the pattern up myself but was inspired by several similar patterns I've seen over the years.  The yarn is a mystery, bought in bulk from Jo Sharp's shop but it is similar to her Alpaca Silk Georgette.  I am really pleased with how it came out, the yarn is lovely and light but warm with no fibres that will upset delicate baby skin.

Here is the first square in progress:

I picked up and knit each square onto the previous one so I only had ends to darn in on the end of each row:

Since making this blanket I have learned a better decrease that would have a single ridge through each square (a S2KP if you are wondering - it's in the new Stitch and Bitch book - 'Superstar Knitting' which I highly recommend if you want to learn a bunch of clever new tricks) but I used SSK and K2tog (I can't remember which order, I have it written down somewhere!) on this blanket which gives you the double ridge shown here.

I cannot wait to get on with my sew/knitcation.  My fella is going to Soundwave on Monday (it's a public holiday) and quite possibly Future Music tomorrow so that will give me plenty of time to get started!  Oh, and I just remembered I have a hen's do at the races in April so I will need something to wear to that...Maybe it's finally time to try out one of the Patrones cocktail dresses I've been ogling.

Right, well that's enough from me - off to the sewing room!

Jeans - I made jeans!

Hi everyone!


I am so proud of myself - I made jeans!

These are the Hot Patterns Weekender Jean Jeanius Trouser Jeans and I think they turned out pretty good for a first try.

I was inspired by Allison's razor sharp jeans. When she mentioned the right angled seat curve I remembered I had bought this pattern a few years ago and it had been languishing ever since. A quick scan of Pattern Review confirmed the pattern had worked for a number of people so I was sufficiently confident to give it a go.

I can manage most things but have never had any real success with trousers. I have tried every alteration I come across. Some have not worked at all for me, some have worked a bit and some have worked quite well but all have taken major tweaking and the results have never been what I really hoped for. I always end up with extra fabric down the back of my legs and have never figured out how to get rid of it (see Exhibit A and B).

So, long story short, one of the reviews on PR mentioned a one-step pants back alteration that sounded like it might do the trick and whaddya know - it did!

I ended up dropping the seat by 1 1/2" (no wonder I can't buy pants to fit). This results in having to stretch the remaining back leg seam quite a lot to fit to the front but the denim was quite light and cooperated well. I'm not sure if it would be as successful in a less cooperative fabric.

I cut a straight size 16 from the pattern and the only other alterations I had to do were to cut 4cm off the front crotch point and to scoop out the seat a smidge more.

The instructions were pretty bad.  Some pattern pieces were incorrectly labelled so you want to keep your wits about you there.  The fly instructions IMHO were really clunky and ended up with me sewing the whole thing shut (I've never done that before).  Also, correct me if I'm wrong but they don't seem to mention sewing the inside leg seams(!).  Bear in mind I did buy this pattern a while ago and these problems may have been rectified now.

The fabric is a 6oz rigid denim, a bit lighter than recommended but it's summer here.

Okay, i know i am never going to look great in jeans (at least until I get back into reasonable shape) but this is probably as good as I am going to get for now.

I used normal thread in an ecru colour for the topstitching. My primary machine will not get along with topstitching thread, even with the special needle so I have given up trying to use it. In the end i set up a back up machine for the topstitching so I wasn't always changing my thread/settings. that machine works fine with topstitch thread but I had made up my mind by then.

I modelled the topstitching on a pair of Levis but left the back pockets plain as everything I tried looked lame.

I am wearing them with heels here and since taking these photos I have washed them in hot water to get out any remaining shrinkage (the fabric was pre-washed but I don't have access to a dryer) and hemmed to wear with flats as they turned out a little more casual than I wanted.

What's the down side? Well my painstakingly inserted zip is dodgy and keeps coming down. It's too much effort to fix it for now - any tips on getting a metal zip to stay done up?

I am definitely going to use this pattern (and this alteration) again.

V8634 - Knit top with cowl collar

I am very pleased to show you another success story. There is not much to say about this so I'll let the pattern review do the talking...


Pattern Description:
Raglan sleeve top with 'cowl' collar.  It's not strictly a cowl but rather an extended turtle neck or something - I don't really know how to describe it.

Pattern Sizing:
x-small, small, medium, large etc. I cut a straight medium.

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

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes they were fine although I stabilised the shoulder seams with iron-on bias tape which is not covered in the instructions. Most of the construction I did with my overlocker (serger). I tried to do the hems with a twin needle but my machine was having none of that so I ended up just doing a long and narrow zig zag.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Love the shape of the collar. I was concerned it might be boxy but somehow the seam on the front gives it a good shape.

The neck seam does tend to roll out a bit with the weight of the collar but it is not noticeable in this print. In a heavier fabric I might attach bias binding to the seamline and topstitch it down to disguise the seam and flatten it out - just a thought.

Fabric Used:
A drapey knit. I don't enjoy sewing with knits so I only buy then when they are super-cheap!

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
None, for once I made it straight out of the envelope and there were no fit problems.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I can see myself making a long sleeved version in winter, and perhaps one in a sweater knit.

Conclusion:

This is a nice fitting t-shirt with added flair. Here's the back.

Burda 09-2009-131 Denim A-line skirt

Hello, I am cheating again by doubling up my pattern review here and on PR, but you get the bonus of extra photos here.  This is one of the Take 1 Make 4 skirts from the September 2009 Burda.

Pattern Description:
A-line skirt with shaped waistband.

Pattern Sizing:
Burda 36-46

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
I left off the pockets but generally yes.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
I really didn't look at them, it's a straightforward pattern.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I can't get enough of a-line skirts! I liked the yoke/waistband on this one

Fabric Used:
6oz rigid denim.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made:
I left off the pockets and added jeans-style topstitching to complement the denim.  I cut the length of version 132, added a 5cm hem allowance but ended up taking a 1.5cm hem as it was still a bit short.

I am pretty proud of my matching job here - this is not something that comes easily to me.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, in fact I have a workday version already cut out!

Conclusion:
This is a versatile and flattering pattern. Definitely a keeper!

BWOF 09-2009-137 Flounce skirt

I guess one bonus of going up in size (on the bottom half at least) is that I now get better value from my Burda magazine - being able to utilise both the standard and plus size patterns.  This skirt is from the plus section of the September 2009 issue.  Can someone tell me where to find the line drawings these days? Anyway, if you have the mag then you can look if up, if not it doesn't really matter anyway does it?

I cut a 44 in the waist and 46 in the hip, which should have fit my measurements but I actually found it a tiny bit snug and had to let the seams out a smidge.  In future I would allow extra width in the side seams just in case.

The fabric is a wool/polyester blend.  I previously used it for my entry into the RTW knock-off competition on Pattern Review a couple of years ago, which I only got three votes for - me and two of my IRL mates.  I didn't think it was that bad!

I didn't make any changes to the pattern, even the length was fine for once.  The flounce at the back is a nice detail and avoids the need for a vent.  I usually find that hemline details in skirts tend to make me look a bit squat but this hangs nice and straight and doesn't add width.

I am pretty happy with how this skirt turned out and it will be wearable all year around which is a bonus.

Cupcake Apron

A co-worker of mine has a friend whose little girl loves cooking.  For Christmas she was given a toy kitchen which she loves but her Mum couldn't find any aprons to fit - she is only 2.  I was enlisted to have a go at making one that would fit so my friend could give to the little girl for her birthday this week.

I used BWOF 07-2008-137 (a baby's romper) for the bib part and this template for the skirt and pocket (I cut the top off and added 8cm total width in the centre front so I had enough to gather).  For the frill and straps I used strips of the  contrast fabric which I folded in half (frill) or sewed into a tube (straps).  I made two small loops (straight grain, folded in the edges and top stitched) and attached them just above where the skirt joins the bodice to thread the straps through. Also I bagged out the bib for neatness and topstitched in a three-step zig zag to jazz it up a bit (any fancy stitch would work). It probably took me an hour and a half or so from start to finish.

I think this is probably the cutest thing I have ever made and so far everyone (me, my friend and the Mum) has loved it.  It's the little girl's birthday today and I can't wait to hear her reaction.

It's my 3rd Blogoversary

Today is my third Blogoversary! Wow, when I started this thing I never imagined I’d still be going three years later and I hoped rather than believed anyone would be interested in reading it!

So this is an opportune time to reflect on the past year in my creative life.

2010, as I have previously mentioned, was a challenging year for me which overflowed onto my crafting world in a big way. In March we got caught in a freak hailstorm that hit Perth which resulted in our house getting flooded. It was nothing like the scale being experienced in Queensland at the moment (donate to the relief fund here) but it was enough to lose all our floor coverings and a large portion of our furniture. We managed to save most of our belongings, which spent the next three months crammed into my sewing room while we got everything replaced. On the positive side I did a lot more knitting in 2010!

My work life was also very stressful in 2010 for reasons too boring to discuss here. This impacted my creativity just because I was so tired a lot of the time.

There have also been some other issues competing for my limited time which have drawn my attention, sometimes too much.

However, not to be overly negative, when I have had the chance to make stuff I have enjoyed it as much as ever, maybe more. And I did manage to reach my goal of completing 30 projects – even though I did cheat a bit by including 2 wadders and a couple of (major) toiles. So without further ado…

Stats:

My top three for 2010
Gossip girl dress

Houndstooth coat

Baby starghans

My three biggest disappointments
The Garden State dress: my ham-fisted fba mucked this one up!

The grey frankendress: this one was not my fault but suffers from pointy boobs that I just can’t seem to fix.

Sunflower dress: I don’t know why I just don’t love it

Projects to carry over
The red silk corset: I just can’t face this right now. I have almost finished it but have got to a stage I don’t know how to remedy and if I don’t do it right it will look terrible!

Jess’s wedding dress: That one is on hold for a while due to circumstances beyond my control (good circumstances – they haven’t broken up or anything!). It will probably fire up again in late 2011.

The McQueen Kimono jacket: I still really want to do this project but my weight gain means there is no chance it will fit me as it is. I need to do major work to the pattern and I just haven’t had the energy. I am not ditching it but just need the stars to align a bit better before I can take it on.

Wish list for 2011
My immediate goals are the need to blog a couple of projects I have finished in the last few weeks. Then I have a UFO to finish and two more projects cut out. After that I want to have another go at BWOF 11-2007-107 and fix that pesky bust problem.

Further than that it is hard to plan beyond summer. I am on a contract at work which ends in August. I have to re-apply and don’t know if I will get it or not (there is a pretty poor record for that here). I will have to apply for other jobs just in case and who knows what might eventuate there? Always in the back of my mind is the desire to do something more creatively satisfying.

So 2011 will really be stepping into the unknown for me. Whatever happens there will be a lot of change and its associated stresses, which is why I am unwilling to add more stress by setting too many goals. My only goal is to create as much as I can and not too many wadders this year (although I read once that if you don’t make bad fashion choices sometimes you are playing it too safe!). I will try to blog at least once per week but please forgive me if that’s not always possible. I hope you will stick with me for this ride and I look forward to what comes next.

Goodbye 2010 - the Garden State dress

I don't know about you but I am quite happy to see the back of 2010!  To say it was a challenging year is an understatement but I have definitely come out of it stronger.  All the stresses of 2010 means I wasn't able to focus on my creative pursuits as much as I would have liked, but when I could they helped me get through some really difficult times.  I foresee 2011 also being challenging (at least the first few months) but what can you do other than face it head on?

I'll do my 2010 round up of projects on my blogoversary in just over a week so today I will show you what I whipped up for New Year's Eve...

I was going for this -

http://www.catwalkqueen.tv/2008/07/galleries/cq_gallery_mad.php?pic=1

But may have strayed dangerously close to this -

http://manolomen.com/2007/07/12/striking-a-match/

Whatever, I loved Garden State so I don't mind too much!
The pattern is BWOF 11-2007-107 which has been really successful for a number of people.

I love how the skirt came out - although on me I could have done without the underskirt.  I made a lot of alterations to the front bodice and never managed to get it quite right.  I don't think that is the fault of the pattern, I think I was a bit over-zealous with my FBA.  I haven't made a fitted bodice from Burda before, are they cut for a c-cup to start with by chance?  There is just too much fabric in the front so it pokes and pulls a bit weird.

The back isn't bad, the only alteration I made was a 3cm sway back adjustment.  There still seems to be some excess fabric in the back waist but not enought to be really concerned with.  It's so hard to fit yourself and it's usually not until I see the photos that I notice problems, especially on the back.

The fabric is quilting cotton (yikes!) which I don't normally use for garments (other than PJ pants) but I don't think it looks too mad.

I am thinking of this as a wearable muslin.  I want to use the pattern for a work dress so this was a trial run to see if the general shape works on me.  If I can get the fit worked out I think it will be okay.

Christmas wrap up

Hi everyone, hope you all had a wonderful holiday.  Christmas day here was blisteringly hot (just shy of 40C) but fortunately we went from air conditioned house to air conditioned car to air conditioned house to air conditioned car to air conditioned house to air conditioned car to air conditioned house to air conditioned car to air conditioned house.  Yes, a lot of running around but you may be surprised to hear that is less than normal so for the first time in about 20-odd years, I got a sleep in on Christmas Day - bliss.

First things first. A massive shout out to Cidell, who posted this recipe on her blog.  The pumpkin and mushroom Wellingtons were a big hit at my family's Christmas vegetarian lunch. Don't they look cute?

Now.  On to the outfit.  This year I fancied wearing linen pants.  I don't know why.  I have never worn linen before, let alone pants but I got the idea in my head that swishy wide legged pants would be cooler than a dress.  Yes, I know they would look better with heels but Christmas is pretty casual in my family and I have a lot of driving to do.  Even I can't wear heels all the time!

I used a stretch linen, probably a bit thicker than necessary - it's almost cargo weight if that makes sense.  I won't do a proper review of this since the pattern is a bit of a fudge.  I started with a Patrones pattern but widened the legs substantially, converted the waist facing to a shaped waistband and added pockets.  I think they came out okay but by the time these photos were taken (after lunch) I could already pinch a good inch on each side.  I may run them in a bit and then do a proper post on them, or I may just keep them as slouch-around-the-house pants.  I need some distance before I decide.

Here's the back, you can see how big they are on me.  Instead of looking relaxed and slouchy they just make me look wider than I already am.

The top is the cool, calm and cowl top which was a free download from Hot Patterns, but now you have to buy it.  I made it for the PR wardrobe competition last year so I have already reviewed it.  I really wish I had gone back and checked my own review so I could have remembered to lower the front neckline a bit.  Ah well, it will do for work.  I did at least remember that the band around the bottom did not work for my body type so I left that off and lengthened the top a little to compensate. The fabric is a remnant I picked up for $8 a couple of years ago.  I am not sure but it could be silk jersey - whatever it is, it feels beautiful!

This is my sister's dog Fergus, isn't he cute?

I am now working on a dress for New Year's Eve and am pretty pleased so far...

As a final note, these photos were taken on my lovely new camera that my fella got me for Christmas - yay!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone.  Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday.  I also hope it is a bit cooler where you are than here!

Back soon with a post about this year's Christmas outfit.

Pattern Review - Simplicity 2360 - the spotty ruffle dress

Phew, only 2 more days of work this year!  I cannot wait to have a break!  Apologies, I am a bit knackered so if you want full details you will need to check out the full review (see sidebar).

So this dress was inspired by the fabric, a polyester crepe de chine at a minuscule $5.00 per metre.  I already had loads of thread and elastic so this worked out to be about a $10 dress. 

Here is the front.

And the back.

I had to make a quick fix at the waist as the bodice was too short.  I attached a band in the middle and top-stitched the seam allowances down to make two elastic casings instead of one as provided in the pattern - sorry the picture isn't very clear.

Overall a pretty quick and easy make and the pattern has potential to be used for a heap of different garments.

Inspired by Van Gogh - the sunflower dress

I found this fabric at my local Spotlight for about $6.00 per metre and something abut it spoke to me.  The colours remind me of the Sunflowers painting by Van Gogh.  It is 100% cotton, hence the wrinkles after a full day at work but it is very light and cool in the hot weather.

The pattern is Simplicity 2424 - one of the Threads collection patterns.  I also like the cardigan in the pattern but I will have to give the jacket a miss though - the wide lapels will probably swamp my narrow shoulders and I suspect the poofy sleeves will end right at my widest bit!

I would have liked to have lined the dress but the only lining I had in my stash is the kind that wrinkles like mad after washing so I thought it would be a nightmare to take care of with two layers to iron!  My solution is to wear a full slip underneath which I actually quite like to do anyway.

Here is the back.

The princess seams make it easy to alter for many body types.  I made an fba, a sway back alteration  and narrowed the upper back.  The front neckline is a little high and makes me feel a bit claustrophobic but I can live with it.  I probably should have altered for my forward thrusting neck. 

I forgot to lengthen the pattern so I hemmed it using 2.5cm hem tape, but as you can see this pattern is a little longer than standard - I normally lengthen skirt patterns by a good 5cm.  I quite like the stability it gives the flimsy fabric.

Overall I like but don't love it.  It's not as comfortable as I would have liked, with it's slightly too high neck and the belt carriers are on an awkward part of my waist so the belt digs in a bit (this will not be a problem if your waist goes out gradually to your hips, rather than quite abruptly as mine does).  But I am desperate for clothes, it was super-inexpensive and it will do for one summer.  I would make the pattern again but take more time to fit it properly.