60's pinny and turtleneck... Burdastyle 09/2012-104 & 105

After sewing a ball dress it was with great pleasure that I returned to sewing regular, everyday, wear-a-lot clothes.  Especially as my winter wardrobe is still a bit lacking. 

Burdastyle magazine had an outfit from the 09/2012 issue that I have always loved.  Love the 60's vibe, the simple styling, the ease of wear and the comfort factor. 

I made the turtleneck top 09-2012-104B.  It is the longer version (down to the hips/bottom) and works so well to keep me warm and snug.  It also sits well under the pinafore.  The fabric is a beautiful merino with a fine stripe from The Fabric Store in Brisbane.

I did actually muslin this (not something I would normally do with a knit top) but the merino was so lovely I didn't want to forsake it for a muslin.  I ended up using the armhole/shoulder width of one size smaller to the rest of the top.  I like this turtleneck style. This one is high enough to keep you warm without choking you.  I have tried a few over the years.

Kwiksew 3740 a great pattern made many times but a too open neckline for a really cold day.

but not as tight a neckline as Burdastyle 09-2011 -121 ...

or  Ottobre 5-2008-121...

Thinking I may have found my ideal turtleneck pattern. 

The pinny (09-2012-105) I made from a ponte which was lovely and soft bought from The Sewing Place when they had an offer for cheap shipping.

I didn't muslin this but probably should have.  I don't think the darts are quite right, but I love it enough that it has already become a favorite in my wardrobe.  For the days I don't want to wear the merino turtleneck I have a RTW purple rayon turtleneck that goes with it really well and is not quite so warm. 

The pockets look a little whoopy in this photo but really don't sit that badly in reality.  Very happy with my start to sewing winter wear.

Ciao kittens... active winter wear next....

Ball gown.... Burdastyle 12/2008 103

My second ball gown.  We decided to go to the ball this year in support of Careflight   It is great fun but of course I needed a new dress (shoes, bag, hairdo) for it. 

Once again I used Burdastyle 12/2008 but chose style 103...

I did muslin the dress and made a few changes (shortened the back bodice, added some width to the back at the upper back and some other minor adjustments).  Well worth muslining when you make a dress like this.

I got a reasonable fit but still had creases on the back bodice. I was not willing to spend anymore time that I already had on this dress so figured I could live with it.

I bought Genoa which is like a matt back satin.  I used the matt side for the body of the dress and the shiny side for the bow.

The main design changes I made was to use the back slit from Version B instead of the side slit and I also made the bow as a more proper double bow.  The pattern has you make it with only the back half of the bow and the tie part.  In the photos they have flipped the top loop of the bow to the front.  Not sure it is meant to be styled that way, but I suspect it will look like a lump on your shoulder if you didn't.

I accessorised  with blingy shoes and bag and put some bling earrings on as well.  However I went and had my hair cut on the afternoon of the ball (rather than trying to put it up) and the cut did not really let the earrings show.

We had a great time at the ball, but I am so happy to return to my regular everyday sewing. Sewing formal dresses is worth the time as there is quite a money saving to be made but they sure take a lot of time for a dress that will probably be only worn once!

Ciao for now kittens!

Wardrobe Contest 2015 - piece 4 ... almost

I apologise for the break in transmission, I seemed to have dropped out of the blogosphere once again... anyway a very quick catch-up post.

I was on a roll with my wardrobe contest entry and my fourth piece was another Burdastyle blouse 06/2013-119  However I decided to play with this one.  I added some pin-tucking to the front and that took a little playing with the fabric.  I also choose to use more feet in my collection and made flat-fell seams.  This also added time to the make.  Anyway this is as far as I got before stalling.

As you can see no buttons or buttonholes.  Also the sleeves have been basted in but I am not happy with them so will be re-doing them.

So why the wardrobe contest entry fail?  Well I had sewing that became a bit more important.  I am going to a ball this week-end and needed a new frock.  So I have been making muslins madly and after quite a few changes I was able to cut my fabric... gulp!

The dress has progressed since cutting stage and is almost finished.  I did get way-laid by having a sewing week-end in Tamworth with some of the girls from Pattern Review.  We had a great week-end and did get help to pin my hem (Thanks Sharon!) 

So that is where I am currently up to - hand stitching - hemming and stitching on the decorative bow at the shoulder.  I hope to blog more about my sewing week-end but will leave you with a picture of a sign outside a lovely little cafe in Geln Innes where we stopped for lunch on the drive down to Tamworth.

Ciao kittens... pretty gown pics soon...

Wardrobe Contest 2015 - piece 3 - Burdastyle 09/2011-128

My third piece, another top but this time a button-up blouse.  This is a pattern I have wanted to make for ages and I wish I had made it sooner as I really like it.   It is Burdastyle 09/2011 -128 called "Straight Ahead".

I love the simple lines but interesting details that makes this an interesting sew as well as lifts the top out of being too simple.  I think I will have to make another one soon in a plain fabric.

The only real alteration was to shorten the pattern.  That sucker is seriously long!  I did shorten a little more than I might normally but I was constrained by the amount of fabric I had.

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Every top in this contest is either fabric from a remnant bin or a left-over from something else I have sewn!  A real left-over wardrobe!

I love the set-in collar at the back that lines up with the level of the pleats at the front.  Hard to photograph in this fabric though.

The fabric is a Japanese cotton (lawn?) from Spotties.  Fairly stiff so not the best choice for the pleats in this top.  I am hoping it may soften with a few washes.  When I make it again I will try for a softer fabric.  I like how this one coordinates with my central piece, the cardigan.

So the full review is linked here. 

See you soon kittens, one more top to go...

2015 Wardrobe Contest - piece 2 - Ottobre 02/2015 #1

This is my second finished piece in my entry for the Wardrobe Contest on Pattern Review. It is again from the latest women's Ottobre issue 02/2015.  This time pattern no. 1 "Grain Field Top".  Can't quite get the connection of the name to the pattern.  any clues??

As this is part of my contest entry I haven't got the official photos yet but have got some on Diana.

This top is lovely.  The fabric was bought from a remnant bin - a cotton/silk blend and has been one of those pedestal pieces I was afraid to cut into.  I love the fabric, the colours, pattern and the way it feels.... yummy!

I have reviewed this pattern here, so won't repeat a lot of it here.  The basics are I lengthened the top, used a button/ loop closure at the back seam instead of an invisible zipper and had problems with the fit around my upper back.... boo hoo!, I thought it would end in tears, but I managed to fix the issue well enough by letting it out a little at the side seams.  Lesson learnt - when it is a pedestal fabric then muslin it or add extra to the seam allowances!!

I also love how it goes with my RTW cardigan that the wardrobe is based on.

Ciao kittens... another top soon... on a roll!

2015 Pattern Review Wardrobe Contest... off and running

I seem to be in contest mode.  My last post is the dress I entered in the Best of Patterns contest (voting open until the 9th of March) and now I have got all enthused to join in the 2015 Wardrobe Contest.

I have put together a story board.

The patterns are all Ottobre, Burdastyle and one Hot Patterns.

Their is one piece that can be made before time or RTW.  I chose this RTW cardigan and have planned the wardrobe around it.

My first top is Ottobre 02-2015 #10 and you can see it under the cardigan. I used a piece of Silk crepe de Chine leftover from this dress.

I have written a review here about this top.  My only other tips I would add are that I used tailors tacks to mark the neckline pleats and for the narrow hem at the front neckline, I turned it 5mm, stitched and then did the same again.  I also used a bit of spray starch to make it behave itself.

The top was shortened by 1" and sized up one size at the hips as it is a close fit at the hips. Take care if you are a pear shape with this top.  

Overall I really like the top, it was a quick make and the pleats give it a bit of interest.

I also like how the colours in the fabric match with my cardigan.

Ciao for now kittens, mad flurry of sewing happening so there may be more posts sooner than later...

March Dress - Kitschy Koo Lady Skater Dress goes to Tea

Well the plan had been for a frock a month, but February's frock didn't happen.  However I did get one made for March.

This dress is the Lady Skater Dress by Kitschy Koo.  I had plans to make this dress as part of my frock-fest so when it happened that this pattern was one of the ones included in the "Best of" patterns contest it seemed to be the right time to make it.

I also had an invitation to attend the Brisbane Social Sewist's High Tea and it seemed right to have a new frock for it.  I didn't get any photos at the High Tea (bad blogger!) but we had some time before it started so we went to New Farm Park in Brisbane and got these photos.

I would have liked a narrow gold or aqua belt to wear with this but this gold circles belt is the best option I could find.  It is cute though!

The dress has a little twirl factor going on...

but I may be getting to old to twirl as I got quite giddy...

I have reviewed this dress in detail on Pattern Review so all the details about the sewing of it can be found in the review - here.

And for those of you who can vote, I encourage you to check out all the entries - here.

Ciao kittens... more contest sewing up next.