The Weekend Wrap Up

So we start with the ASG Industry Day at the Simplicity Warehouse at Revesby. We had some great guest speakers and the opportunity to purchase patterns, trims, notions and fabrics. Jodie "RicRac" Carlton had us in "stitches" with her stand up comedy routine .... the girl was an absolute hoot and it was just amazing to see the many totally cute and clever little toys in real life that I had seen on her blog over the years. And ... just to warn you - there will be many photographs on this post ....

Jodie in action "And this is a Bernina Sewing Machine, and the machine on the right is an ... an  ....??"

As you can see, Jodie is a legend, and we could all relate to her hilarious anecdotes - especially if you've ever had a teenage son. Her imagination, skill and sense of humour is mind blowing, and I came away with the reminder to practise those pelvic floor exercises!! If you haven't seen Jodie's work before - pop on over for a look -  the patterns for her toys and other projects are also available.

Another speaker was Renee Wedell - a Haute Couture dressmaker with experience in Paris working for Givenchy, Balenciaga and Chanel -  this lady was truly amazing - her skills, her challenges, her life experiences - there is no other way to say it - but, just amazing. She had made clothes for Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy amongst others- it was a pleasure to hear her story.

Balenciaga Dress

 Also, at Simplicity, John Byrnes spoke to us about some new pattern ranges that Simplicity has been developing, basically to encourage new sewists with simpler patterns - so that should be interesting to watch out for. Once again, another truly worthwhile ASG Industry Day.

So, Sunday was the Craft and Quilt Fair at Darling Harbour. My friend Nicole and I helped out on Nicole Mallalieu's stand. It was a great fair - on my quick buzz around I saw a good variety of stalls - and I noticed great interest in yarns. Nikki's stall was consistently busy, and it was great to see some friendly faces and other bloggers.

The items on the top shelf are some of the great projects in Nikki's new book.

 

 

Nikki & Nicole

 

 

 

 

Hands On Printing Activities

The gorgeous Sewing Guild girls roping in new members.

Delicious Yarn Creations

And so, the sock monkeys and I need to get back to the normal routine. Ciao!

Sewing Stuff in Sydney

I'll be forging my way up the F3 over the weekend .... Saturday the ASG Industry Day - can't wait to meet Miss Clever Pants .... and Sunday I'll be helping the equally Miss Clever Pants at her stall at Darling Harbour for the Craft and Quilt Fair - pop in and say hi and remind me that I do not need any more patterns, fabric or doo dads  ...... have a great weekend everyone!

Style Arc Kate Dress

Continuing on my wave of Style Arc Patterns, here is my Kate Dress. Tempted to make it in 'Royal Blue" but decided instead on a very nice Art Nouveaux Print from Gorgeous Fabrics. It is a fine and lightweight jersey. I made a Size 12 - my previous Style Arc's were size 10 - but since wearing the jacket a few times - I decided to go up one size - just a little too snug under the arms. This Size 12 fits great.

Very straight forward to sew. There are a few curiosities with these patterns - possibly stemming from their Industry background. Anyway, they suggest using  a stretch thread - I interpreted that to mean woolly nylon - which I often use in the bobbin - I've never used it as the top thread .... not sure if that's what they mean. They also recommend to use Vilene Tearaway to stabilise the neck and front edges - and then the remove the tearaway at the end - that's foreign to me - I just used some lovely soft Hansel fusing that I was recently able to get my hands on. So it was fused on - and left there. I also used strips of Hansel to stabilise the edges for turning under - front edges, hem edges and sleeve hems - worked a treat.  As I write this post, I just got a reply from Chloe at Style Arc about the Tearaway.... here it is: "We use vilene tearaway sta's because it saves one process in fusing the required area and the machinist is able to sew the seam to the exact measurement - then tear it away when the garment is completed." I must say that Chloe and the team at Style Arc are very responsive and reply to emails very promptly, they are happy to receive feedback!

I think there is less fullness on this dress than shows in their diagram - you could easily add fullness but cutting and spreading the pattern piece. But again, Chloe form Style Arc replied that they will alter the diagram to reflect the less fullness. But, I still really like this dress - the fit, the style, and the I didn't have that uncomfortable feeling about worrying about the neckline gaping or the front wrap unwrapping!

Hansel Fusing - Super Soft and light - it has a slight stretch as well.

Fused Hansel to the edges.

Hansel Strips applied to hem edges & overlocked.

Oh don't hurt me Big Louis!!

And yes, there will be more Style Arc appearing soon - I'm doing the Laura Jacket at the moment.

Style Arc Terry Tie Cardi and Vogue 1061 Pants

 Caught! How to use the remote control .... Here is my Terry Tie Cardi - pattern by Style Arc and fabric was a remnant from Tessuti's (I think) - it's a merino knit - and very lovely to work with. This is a quick and easy cardigan pattern, with a relaxed front - just the ties keep it together. Easy enough to follow the brief instructions - except I forgot completely to apply the neck binding stay and their are no instructions on how to finish the front edge. I emailed Style Arc and they promptly replied with some pics of how they babylocked the edge - which looked to me like a rolled hem. I ended up just machine stitching the front edge down - in the pics here the edges have not been finished. I made a Size 10 which was fine. I can see myself making this up again.

The black pants are the pants from Vogue 1061 - I made the tunic coat previously. The stretch pants do not have an elastic inserted - the waistband has negative ease and they simply stretch to fit. I used a heavy ponte - to be honest, I thought I was turning a bit senior citizen with these, but ahhh they are great! Especially since I'm likely to wear them with longer tops. I made a size C - D - according to my measurements. The back fits well over my bum - but I could fold a little of the excess out of the front. The front darts seem to be placed too close together too - didn't photograph that sorry.  I finished these pants last week - and I have already worn them heaps - so that's a pretty good testimony I guess!

Vogue 1061 Tunic / Jacket

Ahh, I needed this! After the marathon of the tailored jacket it was an absolute pleasure to sew up a quick project. One of my students made this recently and she lent me her pattern. We added about 5.5cm in length to each body piece. Photographed on location at my tap class this morning - thanks Miss Cherin!

Fabric is again from Martin & Savage - called Diagonal Knit - it is Poly / Rayon and Lycra - quite lightweight - yet warm - perfect for the current cold snap we are experiencing. The pants in this pattern look interesting too.  Well, I'd better practice my new steps .... knock heel toe heel dig ball change heel heel .......

Finished: Style Arc Sara Jacket

Oh joy oh joy! This is one project I am super happy to have finally finished!! My Sara Jacket made following Sherry's wonderful Ready To Wear Tailoring Sew Along.

This is my first Style Arc pattern and their instructions are sparse. If it wasn't for Sherry's expertise I would have struggled big time by trying to decipher the industry speak in the instructions. There are no diagrams in their instructions - they are basically an order of work.

The fabric was a Martin & Savage "Monaro" mostly polyester, 40% wool and a little spandex. I should have gone for a 100% wool, there are tiny press marks and indentations from the polyester component.
 The pattern is beautifully drafted - I did add about 1cm on most seams around the bodice (I had a Size 10 pattern) - tapering to nothing on the upper bodice. The many notches are really helpful and I have fallen in love with hem notches! I love the block fusing and fusing the hems - the jacket really feels like a proper one!!

I love my lining - shimmer rayon purchased at the recent ASG Industry Day.

I'm very happy with my welt / jet pockets. The breast pocket was done following the Reader's Digest book - and it isn't fantastic - I couldn't follow the pattern instructions and they weren't part of Sherry's instructions - but something to master in the future. I did 2 bound buttonholes - Sherry has a separate tutorial for them. And even though I did quite a few practice ones, on my jacket one was good the other quite disastrous - the little welts were a tad too short and I had trouble poking them back through after slashing the opening, so had to do a re-apply and oh well - live and learn!!

Overall, it was a long but rewarding project. I can highly recommend Sherry's Sew A Long - she is thorough and her tips and techniques were wonderful. The only hand sewing is sewing on the buttons and the little bit of hand sewing on the facing of the bound buttonholes. I am now in need of a quicker project, however, I know that I really really should make a another jacket to reinforce all of the skills from this project. Sherry made her coat in about 3 hours ...!!!! Mine - well, much much longer than that, but I feel that I have learnt so much that I could cut that time down considerably now that it's all in perspective!!! Well, I guess you should watch this space to see if I do as I should!!

Learn to Sew Classes

Just thought I'd show off some of my student's work. Shez made this Vogue 1061 Jacket - however, Chez is modelling it - great design - superb back detail.

.

Fabric is a very nice double knit from Spotlight. Sleeves are very interesting - and "elephant style" with elastic ruching in the bottom section. Well done Sheryl! I've got a plan for this jacket pattern myself .....

Nicole made a little iPad cover last night - how cute are the polka dots with the denim - I even get to play with the iPad sometimes!!!

New student Cathy is always busy making little dresses for grandchildren - this a Burda pattern in a great print.

It wasn't hemmed at the time of the photo ......

And finally, another new student and another Nicole, made this knit tunic for her mum. Love the colour and the print......

With a little tuck on the sleeve hem .....

I very much enjoy our classes - always fun and a mighty pleasant way to spend 3 hours! If you're interested in coming along - and you live in my neck of the woods - Newcastle / Central Coast, NSW, Australia . please contact me - I have vacancies in the Tuesday Day time and the Night time class... I must add that I have recently been emailing a lady who was really keen to join my classes - and we've been organising times etc... then she wanted to know how long it would take to get here ..... from ..... Corvallis, OREGON!!!!  What a shame!!  And, a parting shot taken by my son, Sunrise from my beach, Blacksmiths Beach on Monday 2nd May.......