Oh some tights!

On By Sharon21 Comments

I love my tights in winter and have been inspired by Carolyns’ many version, but so far had not got around to making my own.

Then I started to see the Rose Hips Tights by Seamster Patterns and just had to give them a go, especially after seeing Elaine’s Rose Hip Tights

I purchased the PDF pattern and had it printed at Kwik.Kopy at Bondi Junction on their big printer, just 1 x A0 page!

Here is the first pair I made to test the fit.

Fabric is my brown Mercury Jersey

Size XS which was my hip measurement.

I wasn’t sure how the foot piece would go as my foot is 9 /12 ” which is 1/2″ longer than that for the XS size, but after wearing them a few times they feel fine.

For the gusset I used a piece of the leftover Stella Cotton Elastomeric from my active wear wardrobe.

For this pair and future versions I will reduce the body length, by the amount of the waistband, as the ones pictured above are very “harry high pants” but I have now cut off the waistband, removed 3cm and sewn the waistband back on, much more comfortable to wear.

This is the pair that I have been busting to sew, I even went back to Cabramatta to get some more of the fabric especially for the tights!

As I pointed out here, this fabric has a lot less stretch than the brown Mercury Jersey I used for the pair above and when I tried them on, oh my there was no way I could wear them as the length was too short in the legs.

So of course back to the cutting table where I added a 10cm band of fabric.

I chose the position of the band based on my skirt lengths, so it is only if I lift up my skirt that you can see the band.

The other thing that I really like about making my own tights is that you can add a control top.  This was achieved by making the tights low rise and then use the waistband pattern to cut out the width of the power mesh and sew it on.

These are quite quick to sew, just make sure you have all your notches and dots marked, it makes the going a lot easier!

Now this for the ladies from my Sewing Guild group as they had seen both pieces at our last meeting and strongly suggested this photo.

I will not be wearing this out of the yard ever!

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2015 Stash Out: 5.05m
2015 Stash In: 16.5m

MMM’15 – Days 4 to 10

On By Sharon5 Comments

This week has been a bit of a mixture with the weather, started off cool and then the warmest May day in some areas of New South Wales in 20 years then back to cool days.

Monday 4 May

Top: BWOF 02-2009-108 in blue/brown/green abstract print (blogged here)
Skirt: Self drafted pencil skirt in navy wool (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made blue chain necklace and earrings (blogged here)
Tights: Black tights
Boots: Instep Otiss black suede boots

Tuesday 5 May

Top: Vogue 8572 (OOP) very modified in off white damask (blogged here)
Skirt: Self draft pencil skirt in brown tropical wool (blogged here)
Cardigan: Jalie 2566 fractured knit cardigan using a variety of knit fabrics (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made brown/gold chain necklace (blogged here) and purchased earrings
Hosiery: Voodoo Celestial hosiery
Shoes: Circa Joan and David Callalilly brown pumps


Wednesday 6 May


Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 with cowl in brown/red/coffee knit (blogged here)
Skirt: Self drafted pencil skirt in brown suede like fabric (blogged here)
Accessory: Purchased gold choker and pendant with purchased earrings
Tights: Brown tights
Boots: Airflex Valent brown boots

Thursday 7 May

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 with neckline raised by 2cm in chartreuse/navy/grey knit (blogged here)
Skirt: Self drafted skirt in navy wool, previously worn on Day 4
Accessory: Me made Byzantine chain and bead necklace with purchased earrings (blogged here)
Tights: Black tights.
Boots: Instep Otiss black suede boots



Friday 8 May – Theme Day – Your sewing machines

Today I am at home but still on call, and hope to spend some time in my sewing room.

Janome Memory Craft 3500 and 5200 and Singer Ultralock 14u34


Top: Butterick 3344 in a multi striped knit (blogged here)
Jeans:  Jalie 2908 jeans in light blue denim (blogged here)
Accessory: Purchased earrings
Shoes: Puma sneakers



Saturday 8 May
Today is grocery shopping and then heading north to visit family for Mother’s Day.

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in a blue/brown batik knit (blogged here)
Skirt: Vogue 1247 skirt in navy linen (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made necklace and earrings (blogged here) and Me made leather handbag (blogged here)
Tights: Brown tights.
Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots


Sunday 10 May

Top: BWOF 02-2009-108 cream boatneck top (blogged here)
Skirt:  Vogue 1247 skirt in brown denim (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made crocheted bead necklace (seen here)
Tights: Seamster Rose Hip tights 9701 (to be blogged)
Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots


A week of Couture and a travel wardrobe

On By Sharon22 Comments

On Friday 10 April my sewing friend Sandra and I drove to Armidale for a week to attend a hands-on workshop with Claire Shaeffer as our instructor.

This was all organised by Rita who owns Fabric Fair in Armidale and Rita had organised two workshops during a 2 week period.

Sandra and I had chosen to attend the 2nd week which was the Chanel Jacket Workshop.

There were 14 of us in the class from all over the east coast of Australia.  The group got on sew so well and it just amazes me how sewers bond and friendships blossom.

Rita had organised a kit for each of us which contained a pattern, fabric and all the notions to make half a jacket in a very small size.

We first focused on the sleeve as this piece lets you learn all the techniques you need to make the entire jacket, except for the chain for the jacket hem.

After two days we had a wonderful range of 14 different sleeve trims to admire.

and by the last day we had this half jacket to keep as our reference.

I was already an owner of Claire’s book and she has kindly signed it for me.

Claire also had with her quite a number of original Chanel garments for us to view and inspect (with gloves on) it was amazing to see how Chanel create the jackets, top and skirts – cutting fabric apart and then resewing it together to get the look they are after was the one that intrigued me the most.

It was a truly memorable week, Claire as a teacher was amazing and the other attendees made the week a wonderful experience and Rita for her hospitality and organising this fantastic opportunity for us Down Under.

Now I have some great ideas for my tweed I purchased from Linton last year, just need to find the time!

Travel Wardrobe

I am so used to packing light to travel I did for this trip as well, except for 2 pairs of boots just in case it got cold and we were travelling in a car.

Time Away:
8 days

Where to:
Armidale, New South Wales, Australia

Season:
Officially the start of Autumn and Rita had let us know that the first frosts for the season had been on the ground the week before we were due to arrive.  The temperature range was from 9 to 26, with the mornings and evenings being rather brisk, but the middle of the day was quite warm.

Expected Activities:
For the majority of the time sitting in a class room as well as checking out Rita’s fabric store and going out to dinner a couple of nights.

Colour Scheme:



What I packed:
(each garment is linked to its original construction post – top to bottom, left to right)

Taupe loafers
Black boots
Brown boots
Black loafers

and I forget to add to the photo my brown mercury jersey cardigan using Simplicity 2603.

Verdict:
This wardrobe worked out really well, all the tops went with the bottoms, my layering pieces worked with everything.  I did have to do a wash during the week but this is something I do on every trip so it wasn’t a bother.

I did take a selection of jewellery and I think this changed the look of some of the outfits.

Now it is time to confess, during out visit to Rita’s fabric store, this is what followed me home, some gorgeous lightweight “Merino State” Silk Jersey called Cayenne!

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2015 Stash out:  5.85m
2015 Stash in:   15.0m

Orange Swirls

On By Sharon13 Comments

I’ve got a new top!

This fabric was purchased from Cabramatta in May last year and has been tempting me every since to make it up.

I have again made another version of KS 3740, and this time I have used the base I adjusted back here.

One thing I forget to check with was the amount of stretch this fabric had and it just felt a bit snug when I first made it a week ago.

So during the week, I unpicked the 4 thread overlock on the side seams and added a 4cm tapered gusset to the side seam.

Thankfully with the busy print it is hard to see.

I can see this top getting quite a bit of wear during winter!

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2015 Stash Out: 5.85 m
2015 Stash In:13.5 m

Oh Watson, what have I done

On By Sharon13 Comments

but succumbed to the purchase of the Watson Bra and Bikini pattern by Cloth Habit.

The pattern is for a bra with no underwires, has a long line or regular band and also a bikini brief and is for knit fabrics.

The pattern instructions do clearly show you how to take your measurements and Amy does provide a bit more information about breathing when taking your Band measurement as well as holding a Sew Along to help us new to bra sewing.

I normally wear an underwire bra but thought this pattern could be useful for those days that I didn’t want to wear an underwire and also this is the style of bra my sister likes.

Taking my measurements I have a Band size of 30 and a C cup.

Sue, from fadanista pointed out that you don’t have to print all of the pattern out which can save you a quite a bit of paper.

I found some suitable sized pieces of the Cream Mercury Jersey left over from this top in my scrap bag for the cup, cradle and band.

The Straps are the first thing you finish and luckily I had purchased a few metres of Bra strap from Metro Fabrics at Tempe.  As I was making the long line bra I needed a 3-row hook & eye which I purchased from Booby Traps along with some 12mm and 6mm plush back elastic.

The cradle is interfaced or lined and I used some Lisa Ho Power Net for this.

As I wasn’t sure how this would wear I didn’t try and line the bra cups but Carolyn from Handmade by Carolyn has very kindly set out the steps to do this.

I will be trying this out for the next version as their will be a next time as I found this bra very comfortable and supportive to wear.

The only change I will make is reduce the width of the long line band by no more than the width of the elastic as it is just a tad too long for me and keeps folding up.

I will be trying the Bikini brief soon, however elastic and I haven’t had a good experience to date.

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2015 Stash Out: 4.45 m
2015 Stash In: 13,5 m

Giveaway Winners!

On By Sharon6 Comments

For us in Australia I hope you are enjoying the start of our 4 day break for Easter and for everyone else the weekend is near.

I have picked 2 winners of the Giveaway at Random.Org by generating a set of 2 numbers between 1 to 17.  The number are 7 and 17.

and the winners are Carol G and Melwyk who have left comments in the respective order.

Please contact me at sharonspils at gmail dot com with your postal address so I can get the prizes in the mail to you.

Congratulations to the winners and a big thank you to those who entered the giveaway.

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For me, I plan on spending some quality time in my sewing room as well as with my sewing buddies at The Remnant Warehouse on Saturday with plans to make this into something wearable.

Flat Iron – Curling Iron Travel Case

On By Sharon16 Comments

Even though I said my sewing mojo had disappeared, it didn’t stop me from making my best friend a Curling Iron travel case for her birthday back in February.

I found this great tutorial over at Sew4Home for a Flat Iron, Curling Iron Travel Case and then spotted the perfect print and plain fabric as well as the Insul-Bright Insulated Lining (so the iron can be packed when it is hot) at The Remnant Warehouse.

The instructions are very well written and easy to understand.

The one thing I did differently was to quilt the sandwiched fabric together to keep it all secure.

This is the Travel Case closed with the cord in the back pocket.  To get an idea of the finished size it is sitting on top of my carry on bag.

The hot iron is encased within the Insul-Bright Insulated lining.

 and the cord is then folded into the pocket on the back.

For those days that the iron is cold, you can put both the Iron and cord in the front pocket.

I believe it has been on few trips already!

and, if you haven’t entered my giveaway, you still have a few days to do so.

Goodies and a GIVEAWAY!

On By Sharon18 Comments

Back in December Yoshimi had a giveaway for a gachapon and I’m certain that Yoshimi heard my squeal of delight when I was a winner.

Look at the gorgeous packaging by Yoshimi!

and inside

Isn’t that the cutest sewing machine!

and then,

I found a new blogger to me, Mainleydad from The Japanese Pattern Challenge, who I first spotted over at Pattern Review with his Missoni jacket.

Mainleydad is a self taught sewist, and is making himself a very interesting wardrobe, with pieces that might work for Mark (Thread Theory patterns as well as some of his plainer shirts).  One product that he uses a lot of is Hug Snug.

I was blown away when the postman delivered this generous parcel from Mainleydad.

Three different colours of Hug Snug and some #40 Cotton Basting Thread. His note did say, “the basting thread might turn me into a baste-oholic like him“, only time will tell.

Mainelydad also shared with me the link for Lilacs & Lace where Laura Mae shows you how to use the Hug Snug

Now it is my turn for giveaway.

I have been trying to tidy up my sewing room and have found these that I thought you might like.

The first is the SideWinder, it is a portable bobbin winder that winds your bobbins without your sewing machine.

Here  you can see it in action.

Next is a Sewing Companion Library book that I have ended up with 2 copies, it is Easy Guide to Sewing Blouses and here at Amazon you can have a look at some of what is inside.

If you would like either of these let me know in the comments which one you would like.  Entry will be finalised and drawn on 2 April 2015.

New Jeans

On By Sharon27 Comments

I really needed something to kick start the sewing mojo and The Jeans Contest over at Pattern Review did the trick.

With the weather getting cooler I finally admitted that my blue jeans needed to retire, so searching amongst my stash I found some lovely dark navy 10oz washed stretch denim which I had purchased from Spotlight back in 2010.  Thankfully it had been pre-washed and was all ready to go.

Again I have used the Jalie Jean pattern which I have made here and here.

One thing I keep forgetting to tell you is how I get the mirror image for the pockets.  Jennifer Stern told us about it during the Blueprints to Blue Jeans course over at Pattern Review and Jennifer was given this tip by an ASG member.

Once you design your pocket, you take a piece of nylon tulle and trace off your design with a Sharpe.

Lay the tulle over your pocket and then trace the lines with your Clover Chaco liner

Stitch your design and you have two perfectly mirrored pockets!

and here they are completed

I also dug out this lovely Vera Bradley cotton fabric for the front pockets.

This time I used Debbie Cook’s Jeans Fly tutorial and then the buttonhole wasn’t working with the automatic buttonhole foot, so I found a great video tutorial for a manual buttonhole over at 3 Hours Past the Edge of the World

Now for the completed Jeans!

Notions used:

  • Prym tool to install all the rivets.

  • Gutterman Upholstery Thread # 36 for all the topstitching.
No wardrobe is complete unless you have a pair of blue jeans so I am now ready for the cooler weather that is starting to sneak in.
I’m not too sure what will be next, there are too many ideas running around in my mind.

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2015 Stash Out: 4.2 m
2015 Stash In:  13.5 m

Dressmaking with Stitches

On By Sharon6 Comments

I’m so glad I didn’t say which Christmas I would have Volume 21 available for you to download as I have just missed the 2nd Christmas since I made that rather rash statement.

To that end I would like to thank Ellen, one of my fellow sewers at Rhodes who enjoys using the index, for her assistance in proof reading Volume 21 for me so that I could share this with you sooner than my time seemed to be letting me get it done.

So here is the Index for Volume 21 for you to take a copy if you wish.  I have again shared this with Lynn Cook.

No promises in future, but Volume 22 is underway and well Volume 23 has snuck up on me!