Here is the latest Index for Volume 18 for Australian Stitches, please take a copy if you want.
I have also sent a copy to Lynn Cook, Editor of Australian Stitches.
Enjoy
Cargo Pants
I finished the cargo pants two weeks ago, and have only now had the chance to take the photos.
For the workshop, Angie suggested that we use a track suit pattern for our cargo pants and stretch fabric. Now the only tracksuit pattern I had in my stash was Simplicity 3640 (OOP) which I had seen reviewed on Pattern Review and tracked it down as it is a slim fitting track suit pattern which is what I prefer.
So before the workshop I had traced off a copy of the pants and found a blue stretch twill in my stash for the toile.
Angie started the day off explaining all the features of cargo pants, the seaming details, pocket styles, and adjustments that we may want to consider.
First up we had to compare our hip measurement with the finished hip of the pattern and make sure that we had 2.3cm of ease as the minimum and thankfully that worked out to be the size 8 I had traced off.
By the end of the workshop Angie had tweaked my fit and had made the changes to my paper pattern, which were:
- Extend the centre front by 0.5cm to just where the crotch curve starts.
- Added a fly extension.
- Raised the centre front by 0.5cm.
- Scooped out the back crotch curve 0.5cm
- Redrew a new waistband due to my sway back
- Took in the centre back seam.
That night I was very enthusiastic and removed the chain stitch from all the pieces ready to do the adjustments, and this is where is sat until the ASG meeting at Alexandria on 2 July.
I soon realised that I didn’t have enough fabric to cut a new waistband, so I transferred all of the above adjustments to the toile fabric and figured out I would continue with the toile using the waistband/yoke from the original fitting, as I really wanted to see how these were going to turn out. The waistband/yoke needed a wedge out of the back yoke seam of 1.5cm on the fold and back to nothing at the cut edge, and then I added some elastic in the back yoke to keep it against my waist, needless to say I won’t be wearing my tops tucked in.
The cargo pockets on the legs were traced from a Burda magazine that I had with me and then I have added some Antique Bronze snaps that I purchased in the US to keep the pocket flaps flat. The patch pockets are the original from the pattern with some top stitching on them.
So here they are,
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| Front |
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| Back |
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| Cargo pockets |
As you can see they still need fine tuning, which Angie has now given me, as a group of us had a “fitting session” at her studio last weekend, so I might try the adjustments on this pair which can be done with some minor frog stitching to the back waistband and crotch depth.
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Now I must apologise as there is no photo of the formal outfit, we had a lovely time, so much so that we forgot to take any photos of the evening.
Accessories
Later this month we are attending a Formal Dinner in Cairns, which is not a frequent event in our lives.
I was tempted to make a new dress, however time was not on my side, so I decided that I would wear the dress I had made for me whilst we were in China in 2008 that was for a Ball that I was attending the night after I arrived home. At the Ball the dress was accessorised with bronze, burgundy and olive.
In an attempt to make the outfit look different, I decided to change the base to charcoal/silver to start with. I did have the dusty silver strappy shoes and was given a beautiful charcoal wrap for my birthday this year, so all I needed was the necklace, earrings and a bag.
So I headed to Goddess Beading at Beverley Hills where I have been having my beading classes with the dress and shoes, and discussed the options with my teacher. This is what we came up with.
Next was the evening bag, so the other week at The Remnant Warehouse, Alison and I found some charcoal wool (that matched the wrap perfectly) and then when reading the Bag’n-telle website I saw a reference to clutch play by the very creative Don Morin. I was lucky and managed to borrow a copy of the Vogue April/May 2011 magazine, so this weekend I have been making my clutch bag.
This is my very first bag and I am rather pleased with the result. I got to play with the quilting attachment on my sewing machine and also had the opportunity to use the Professional Touch Applicator Wand that Alison gave to me for my birthday last year to attach 3 rows of Swarovski Hot Fix Crystals (another gift for the same birthday from a sewing buddy).
Thank you Alison for showing me your bag and the tip about the metallic thread and the cord, it worked a treat.
The clutch has a divider inside.
Here are all the pieces with a small part of the dress (sorry it is not warm enough to wear the dress tonight, but I will try and remember to get a photo at the dinner so you can see the outfit) together with the charcoal wrap.
Next, fingers crossed, is the cargo pants.
Me-Made-June Wrap-Up
I have had some delightful comments during the month and thought I would share some of my thoughts about Me-Made-June.
First up Carol commented: I think you have the most co-ordinated wardrobe of anyone I have ever seen! I’m very envious.
So I need to confess.
I don’t purchase any fabric or garment unless it works with these, My Personal Colour Solutions swatch.
This colour swatch lives in my handbag (it has the dog ears to prove it) and even for the smallest purchase, it is taken out and compared to the item I want to purchase (my DBIL even says I won’t purchase jelly beans without it). If it doesn’t work, no matter how tempting, it doesn’t come home with me.
It doesn’t have to be exact, it can be a mixture of a couple, as long as the base is the same.
Here is some fabric that I purchased on Saturday.
In real life the match is better, but I hope you can see what I mean.
I first had my colours done about 1989, however I did have a refresher last year at Kerryn’s Fabric World and was very pleased to see that I am still in the same Autumn family.
Secondly, I need more accessories e.g. scarves, necklaces, belts that can make my tops look different. This is an area that I really need to work on.
Lastly, I was surprised:
- at how many different outfits I could create over the month, there was only 1 day that I had the same look when sitting at my desk and there were a lot of new combinations for me.
- that even though I loved my suit on Day 15, I really need to have another look at this as I don’t think all that taupe is good for me.
I have really enjoyed the month and with the assistance of DH and sewing friends taking my photos for me it was a lot easier that setting up the tripod each morning even though I have purchased a digital remote for my camera.
Seeing all the other members of Me-Made-June’s outfits has given me quite a few ideas and patterns to check out.
There wasn’t much left in my wardrobe that was Me Made and I still have a way to go to have a wardrobe of all Me Made and I will get there, maybe not for September though.
And now here is a collage of all my outfits for the month.
Now back to some sewing, or maybe beading!
The end of Me Made June
Today is the last day I will be taking a daily photo of what I am wearing, well maybe not, as I have found it very interesting to see the variety of garments I have and find the photographic records works very well for me, however I won’t subject you to any more, well at least not until September.
The pieces in my outfit today you have seen before and I was surprised by just tying the ties into a bow and putting the top with a suit, how different it looks.
(mmm maybe we should have taken more than 1 photo)Top: Jalie 2921 in brown/coffee circle knit which you saw on Day 4.
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in dark brown wool crepe which you say on Day 10.
Jacket: McCall’s 3750 in the same dark brown wool crepe made in 2003 again on Day 10.
Boots: Nine West
I plan on doing a wrap up early next week.
All but last
Today I had to dig deep and this outfit you have seen most of it before however I have managed to get my “desk view” different.
Jumper/Sweater: Purchased from Country Road in Oyster colour which you saw on Day 8.
Skirt: McCall’s 7244 in a grey wool flannel made in 2007 you saw on Day 6 and 20.
Vest: Purchased purple sleeveless vest
Jacket: Me-Made knitted Shawl Collar Jacket in Touch Possum Yarn which you saw on Day 16, 22 and 25.
Accessory: Purchased silver/gold/pearl necklace
Boots: Nine West
Now I’m off to bed, it has been a big day.
MMJ Day 28
For some reason I thought today’s outfit would be a challenge, but then I remembered a combination that I haven’t worn all month and one that I normally wear a lot.
Top: Vogue 8572 in yellow that you saw on Day 1 and 17.
Skirt: Self Drafted Skirt in brown linen, interlined (to help stop the wrinkles) and lined in Sun Silky which you saw on Day 9.
Jacket: Chanel Style jacket from Day 9 and 14
Accessory: Pearl necklace and purchased earrings.
Boots: Nine West
Now what am I going to wear tomorrow??
MMJ Day 27
Oh wow, we are on the last stretch, and I must admit the IPad came in very handy this morning when getting ready for work as I could see what I had worn for the last 26 days at a glance.
Still focusing on not having the same view if I am sitting at my desk, this is what I came up with today.
Top: BWOF 02-2009-108 in coffee jersey which you say on Day 18 and 23.
Vest: Purchased burnt red vest.
Trouser: Vogue 9537 in brown fine wool which you saw on day 7.
Jacket: Purchased leather jacket (again)
Accessory: Silk scarf purchased in China
Boots: Nine West
Only 3 more days to go, this could be very interesting.
MMJ Day 26
You may have figured out that I do like to support the ASG and today it was a win/win situation, I help woman the ASG Stand for a few hours at the Craft & Quilt Fair and get free entry into the Fair for the whole day.
This suits me fine as I find I can wander around quite quickly, checking out the exhibitors I am interested in, catching up with friends, maybe doing a Workshop and then heading home.
Of course I had my camera with me to take today’s photo, however it never quite happened even though a few people reminded me of the fact, so when I got home DH was requested to get the camera.
Of course Roscoe hasn’t seen me for at least 8 hours so he has decided it is play time and here he comes!!
Top: Purchased cream t-shirt
Vest: Purchased grey knitted vest.
Trouser: Vogue 9537 modified in black denim you saw yesterday
Jacket: Vogue 7975 in brown and blue tweed which you have seen on Day 5 and 7.
Accessory: Me-made crocheted necklace again
Boots: Betts Marathon
Sorry I have nothing to show, although I have ordered some buttons, but you will have to wait until I have finished knitting (which could be a while knowing me).
Wonderful company and a great day
Today was the ASG’s Industry Day at Simplicity Patterns at Revesby.
Industry Days give me the opportunity to catch up with other members who I don’t get to see so often and to listen to the guest speakers and purchase the goodies that are available.
This is Simplicity’s Distribution warehouse, it is not designed for warmth, so you have to layer up as it can be freezing, although this year the Committee organised some great gas heaters for us.
Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in coffee/grey/cream knit which you saw on Day 20.
Trouser: Vogue 9537 modified in black denim (blogged here)
Cardigan: Me-Made knitted Shawl Collar Jacket in Touch Possum Yarn which you saw on Day 16 and 22.
Coat: McCall’s 8522 in aubergine cashmere wool (not seen) which you saw on Day 13.
Accessory: Purchased gold band choker with pearl disc and purchased earrings
Boots: Betts Marathon
There were 3 speakers during the day:
John from Simplicity talked about the new patterns and the new products that are heading our way and most importantly had wonderful specials for all of us to enjoy.
Renee Wedell’s career in haute couture dressmaking was amazing to listen to and to find out that she made clothes for Audrey Hepburn and other famous people during this time was amazing. Renee showed us some of her beautiful work.
Jodie Carlton once again had us in stitches and her cute toys were passed around for us all to admire her skills.
I was a very restrained and didn’t purchase any fabric from Chic Fabrique who came along for the day or any patterns, but I was tempted by the Burda Tissue Paper at $5 per pack.
We were also given a lucky door ticket as we arrived and I was lucky enough to win a packet of fabric which consisted of:
* 1.5 metres of Martin & Savage Gold viscose polyester
* 1.5 metres of Martin & Savage Crush Gold viscose polyester
I do have a formal dinner to go to next month which this fabric would be perfect for (once I worked out what pattern to use LOL), but not sure if I have enough hours in the day to get it done.
Petite & Sewing 