Tessuti's Fave Top

A little while ago I made the "Our Fave Top" by Tessuti's Fabrics. I used a most lovely knit purchased whilst doing a Palmer Pletsch Workshop at Martin and Savage Fabrics last November. The fabric is a Rayon / Polyester blend with great drape and texture. Up until today, we have been experiencing very warm weather so I haven't felt like putting anything on with a sleeve, so my photos are on this lovely lady ....

The pattern is very easy. I added about 9cm to the overall hem - and I added a little width to the sleeve - where it tapered to fit snugly to forearm.
I shamelessly did not bother match the pattern at the side seam. I was concerned that the boat neck edge might be too wide or too deep at the back - but it wasn't! It drapes beautifully from a nicely fitting neck area.
This is a great pattern for the right fabric - something soft and drapey ... a great mid season staple!

The Perfect Canvas

Nicki describes this bag as "the perfect canvas for embellishment". And indeed it is.
Sometime ago I played with screen printing some foil adhesive and applying metallic foils. I printed some denim and put it away.
I cut out this bag, and put it away.
Finally, it has been made!
All pieces (except for the strap) were interfaced and pelloned.
Magnetic closure inserted.Template plastic used for a firm bottom.

I used decorative stitch #86 on my Bernina Activa - which has a double or triple hand stitch type of effect - one of my faves!

Plenty of further scope for play with this pattern - and highly suitable for males!

Ruffles and Tulips

I have revisited the Wikstenmade Tulip Skirt ..... this one using a cotton print from Spotlight ... with happy red buttons ....
This is an excellent little skirt pattern, highly suitable for those learning to sew. And here is one in a denim from Tessuti's. I lengthened the skirt about 9cm since I am no longer particularly youthful (according to my birth certificate) .... it's a lovely lovely fabric, and I like this skirt - but I don't love it - best for the young ones .....
The little black blouse is a FREE pattern - JJ Blouse from Burdastyle. This is a super cute little blouse - I enjoyed making this. Fabric from the now closed - Pooh's Place at Belmont NSW - but recently resurrected into BLOCK N ROLL - Yay! we again have a local fabric store!!!! The fabric is a lovely spotted voile - I have more of this stashed away in cream.
OK, now I need some help ... for the denim skirt,
I topstitched the hem and placket using Gutermann's topstitching thread - it is quite thick. I used a topstitching needle - size 90, and I loosened off the upper tension. My little sample piece was good, but the results on the skirt were not good. The stitches on the wrong side had bubbly bits of the top thread throughout ... I'm hoping someone can help me ... should I fiddle with bobbin tension? More decrease on upper tension? Anyone? Anyone?

Monica Poole and Elaine Lye

I am a member of the Australian Sewing Guild, and while I am usually unable to attend their Neighbourhood Groups, I do like to attend their Industry Days. Yesterday it was at Niagara Park, Central Coast, NSW. Monica Poole from Moonshine Designs was our first speaker. Monica has a fashion industry background, but has worked on Patchwork Patterns and designs - especially Quilt-As-You-Go designs - she is now venturing into fashion patterns. Her work is just lovely! Her output is impressive! She has been using the Texture Magic or Shrinking Sheet products to add texture to some vests ....




It's been a little while since I've done a quilt - and yes I purchased a couple of patterns - sounds like a good autumnal project!
Sandy Curtin was the next speaker - she has an amazing collection of fabric, buttons and bits and pieces for sale - her new shop is in Whittingham near Singleton.
Her hubby sells old farm machinery and she looks after vintage textiles - what a combo!

Elaine Lye was another speaker. She was very cool and had a very interesting story - TAFE teacher and world traveller ..... her work is amazing - she is a textile artist in the true sense of the word! Here is a Shibori jacket, that must have a gazillion different techniques in each little patch - the more you looked, the more you found .......

She was prone to buying tablecloths as she travelled and then made them into jackets and embellished them .....
She doesn't throw anything away - here is a little bag made from fabric strips knitted together.

Here is Elaine ....
And finally, here is one of her great necklaces - I might have to look into doing some classes with her!



Elaine is one of the tutors at the next Guild Convention in Ballarat - the convention has a most impressive line up of classes - i can't go this time, but hopefully one day!

Thirteen

My baby turned 13 this week - another milestone! I printed some photos onto the inkjet fabric sheets, found a motif from a purchased cushion that was no longer functioning, and decided to add a couple of cool iron on patches and some fabric for the borders - yes, another birthday cushion ...... sorry about the colour on this - oops!

I unpicked some of her old Size 7 jeans for the cushion back.
I used applique foot Twenty Three (the number two character has gone into early retirement on this computer ...!) to applique the sequinned fairy ......
I stitched together the unpicked jean pieces to try to get some kind of flat squarish shape - I did two rows of topstitching to represent proper jean seams and I kept the raw edges visible.
I squared off the back of cushion shape and added some bleached denim to fill in the blanks.

here is the completed cushion top, and of course, I used Goldies Cushion Inserts (70cm),

I use invisible zippers in the side seam.
She loved it! Happy Birthday my dear little Sweet Pea!

The Drum

Nicole is one of my students .... here is her DRUM BEAN BAG.......
She bought the pattern at the recent Newcastle Craft Expo .....
The brown fabric is a strip of chenille, the remaining fabrics are all patchwork strips.
The top part features a free machined piece with Texture Magic (or Shrinking Sheet) underneath a layer of batting and the top layer is homespun. Isn't she clever!! Of course filling it with the beans was best part!!!
Happy 17th Wedding Anniversary Pete and Nicole!!!

Bordered Boho

Here is the 3/4 elasticised sleeve version of the Boho style top from my previous post.
Fabric from Spotlight - total cost about $15. Pattern is New Look 6730. I cut a size 14.
This style isn't particularly flattering to me - but it's cool and easy.
I'm teaching some Learn to Sew Classes for children in the next holidays. This little top is one of the classes I am offering. Click here for more info.

February Roundup

In the spirit of my consistent inconsistencies with blogging .... here is an update of stuff going on round here ......

Firstly we have a rather lovely stylish bag made by Nicole - one of my students ....
I have taught her quite well = she has an excellent stash of great fabrics ...... here she has used a Pippijoe print with some lovely grey linen ....
Pattern - Nicole M's SQUARED FLAT BAG - well done to BOTH Nics!
Next up, we have the traditional birthday present (at the present time at least), this one is a cushion for a special young man who is rather keen on one particular NSW rugby league team ...
Images were printed directly onto Prepared Fabric Sheets on my inkjet printer.
I used bleached denim on the back - and I put in an invisible zipper along one of the sides. I use great big cushion inserts from Goldies.
Happy 13th Birthday Corey!
Now, here is a Mod Bag in production ... when sewing multiple lines I like to use this little gadget. You can set the distance of the little ruler, and away you go - it's called a Seam Guide with Ruler - very useful for beginner sewists to gain confidence or for when you know you can't really trust your eyesight accuracy ....


For sewing edges, I like to use #10 Edge Stitch foot for Bernina machines - the little metal plate glides along the fabric edge and you can adjust your needle position to get spot on topstitching.

And here is groovy little Mod - this is a great bag - nice and roomy - great proportions - and lots of design variations available. Fabric from The Fabric Shop in Surry Hills (Sydney).
Inside a did a compartment pocket and a zippered pocket - I also tried adding Pellon to the LINING - it did provide some added structure.
Now, for me. Today I made this New Look pattern.
View B, fabric fromSpotlight - a Summer Voile.

Really easy, I cut a 14. I am going to teach this little Boho top as a Learn to Sew workshop for the next School holidays. I have View A cut out in a border print - so hopefully I'll get that done ready to show you before March!

..... a myriad of uses

... and sew it seams that the old plastic bag scrap catcher system isn't working (either that or I'm too lazy to change it before it breaks) ....
At some of the Guild workshops I'd been to, I had seen little mat things under the overlockers with a piece of fabric to act as the bag to catch the scraps ..... thought I'd have a go .... Here is the underneath part -MAGIC GRIPPER .... it has a myriad of uses .. I like that!

So, I cut a length to cover the base plus an overhang, and I cut a piece of fabric for the "bag". At the top of the bag I made a casing and inserted some plastic strapping from cardboard packages, this hopefully allows the bag to stay "open" ready for the scraps.I used a Teflon Foot to sew over the rubbery stuff.
Then I attached some binding strips using the walking foot.
and here they are .... for the one on the left, I cut it a little larger then I put in couple of pleats in the base seam to allow the top to open a little more, the one on the right is a flat piece of fabric - no pleats. Let's hope they work!

and the winner is .....

Image: Hudson Valley Wine Goddess

Thankyou to those who entered my giveaway,
There can only be one winner
I used Random.org to determine the winner
I don't know how to insert the image of the actual little random widget
But anyway
With further ado

Congratulations to entry No. 9

Beck!

beck said...

Hi again, I've just noticed all your amazing labels on the sidebar...you've been a busy girl! Please count me in for your giveaway, fingers crossed! x

I will be in contact Beck!

Wiksten-made Tulip Skirt

Inspiration! This time from Nikkishell. I was so glad that I had this magazine, time to make a tulip skirt for Sweet Pea.
There are a few pattern corrections to be aware of - go to Wiksten-made.
I had some lovely Cotton Sateen given to me by the lovely Miss Alice - she made a very cute Retro 50s dress from this ..... and there was enough for the tulip ....
It's a very easy pattern to sew - great for beginners - the front tie belt aids to pull it in if the waist isn't exactly snug. Sweet Pea is 12 - I cut a Small - the waist is being pulled in by the ties.
I am tempted to make one for myself, except I have legs like a front row forward - but I'll give it a go, and make it a little longer - though I expect I'll lose the Tulip effect .... we'll see....
Now, would you like to win a $80 voucher for some lighting of your choice from Buyster? Then get thee to my previous post and leave a comment ...... go on ...... now!

Speaking of Tulips, Nikki is making a kiddies Tulip Dress Pattern - and she's having a giveaway - go there and enter ..... after you've entered mine of course .....

Help for Haiti - The Selfish Seamstress has a very funny range of Sewing Products for sale - read her post about how she is helping the people of Haiti. While you're there check out her sewing - she's very talented and super stylish!

And one more ..... there's alot of generosity around - Grosgrain has an interesting piece of jewellery to giveaway - got to be in it win it!

A Joint Effort

Inspired by the recent sewing efforts of Colette's daughters, I decided to get my daughter into a little project .... it ended up a joint effort - we made a sweet little drawstring dress to wear over swimmers up to the beach .... I drafted the pattern - front and back the same - and just traced a similar style dress she already had .....
I really like this Bernina clear foot - #34 - it's great for beginners to see exactly where they are sewing and they can use the middle red line to line up where to stitch - in this case I wanted her to sew along the top part of the overlocking ...
I attached some Satin Bias Binding around the armhole edges ....
We used some Cotton Herringbone Ribbon / Tape to thread through the casing at the top which then becomes the ties at the shoulders.
Fabric from the stash - Spotlight I think. Cool and happy - she was really impressed with how quickly this came together - about an hour all up - yes, a joint effort! Thanks Colette for the inspiration!
Now, recently my own motivation was definitely waning. I don't know why .... I'm on holidays .... nowhere to be .... nothing awaiting a deadline .... all the time in the world and a thousand projects just waiting to get off the ground. Yet I slumped into a pathetic and miserable nothingness - I was even watching Dr Phil and Judge Judy ...... eek!

Anyway, hopefully I've turned the corner and having done some sewing with Sweet Pea, I whipped up a little dress for moi! Firstly, as I was using a knit fabric, I wound some woolly nylon onto my bobbin. I learnt about this doing a workshop with Pam Kerr as part of the Australian Sewing Guild - are you a member? It's really worth looking into - the Guild is a treasure trove of knowledge and skills .... Anyway, the woolly nylon needs a little help to ensure that you don't wind it too tightly - you simply hold it in between the tension guides - you just manually adjust the tension - not really loose just not super tight ....
This is woolly nylon ....
Another thing I recently learnt about at the Palmer Pletsch Workshop I did was an overlocking thread by Mettler called Metrolene - it's super fine - just lovely - not bulky - you can hardly see it on your seam edges - but is still easy enough to thread and handle.

So, back to the dress. I made up another BWOF 04/08 116 Dress - this time I decreased the length of the front V neckline, as shown below - the red asterisk is where the new point is for end of the CF gathering, you can see the old asterisk in pencil. I also took out a small dart since I was gathering up a much larger piece.
I used this lovely fabric from Marting & Savage 94% Poly 6% Spandex.
And here it is, pictured at Bondi Beach (well, at the front car park). We went to Sydney to see Circus Oz - it was excellent - highly recommend it! As well, did you know CityRail has a Sunday special for families? Each member can travel all day for $2.50 each - bus, train and ferry - I think the area allowed is from Wollongong to the Hunter Valley - bargain!

I'm happy with the neckline alteration - this is a great dress. The last time I made this dress I forgot about the armhole binding piece and simply attached the sleeve and then did the underarm seam and side seam as one ... this time I made a point of putting in the sleeve as instructed - but no way! The sleeve was too large - a mystery to me - so I did the same as before and it's fine.
Psst .... have you entered my giveaway? Entries close this SUNDAY 24th January.

Bleaching Denim and a GIVEAWAY

Do this

Dip it in this
Get some of this ready to neutralise
take a little nap, and you get this

Bleached denim all ready for some more cushion backs.

What about the giveaway? I hear you ask ....... Well .......... you could win ......
a voucher for $80 to spend on lighting of your choice at Buyster. Whether you sew by hand or machine we all know that good lighting can make all the difference. The Buyster people have a fabulous range of lighting for all sorts of needs. Could you use $80 to spend on a new light?
Here's the deal:

1. Competition is open to Australian residents only - sorry!
2. To be eligible to win you must be a Follower of this blog, if you're not already one go to the right hand side bar and become one.
3. Then just leave a comment - anything you like really. Edited to add: Anonymous comments probably not a good idea - I won't be able to track you down if you win!
4. If you also have a blog, you can get an extra entry if you post about this giveaway on your blog - just leave a 2nd comment to say that you've linked me.
5. Easy! A random entry will be deemed the winner on Sunday 24th January, 2010.
6. Good Luck!

Finally, how cute is this little vinyl sticker from etsy! - Lindsey T put me on to it.