Tag: Stash 2014

Activewear – Jalie 3022

On By Sharon16 Comments

I am in the process of trying to make 5 pieces of active wear this month using some of the fabric that I purchased back in January.

Why?

Well over at Pattern Review they are holding their annual Mini Wardrobe competition and the rules state that it must contain 5 pieces to achieve 6 looks.   Now I don’t wear too many dresses and my wardrobe at present has far too many skirts and jeans in it to make any more.

The one area of my life that is very neglected is active wear.  Now I am not a gym junkie, however 3 times a week, I work out at home and my current work out gear is looking a bit sad and sorry for itself.

The patterns I have chosen are:

Jalie 3022 Yoga pants
Fehr Trade Duathlon Shorts
Lekala Sports Vest
Fehr Trade VNA top
Seamster Patterns Advocado Hoodie

I took me a while to work out what colour combination I would like to use and have ended up using brown, navy, grass green and leftover pieces from this top

To start it all rolling, I decided to make up the Yoga Pants from Jalie

I traced the Size R and then scooped the crotch curve lower like I did for my Jeans and thought I would try a horizontal tuck of 1cm at the back upper thigh to see if this would remove the excess fabric in that area.

The yoga pants have a seam at the back of the leg, so I purchased some variegated embroidery thread that blended well with the top fabric to add some interest on the back leg and side seams as well as around the waistband.

To get this look, I threaded the embroidery thread in the looper of my Coverstitch machine and then set up the needles on the widest width and sewed the seam allowances down on the wrong side which gave me this very RTW look on the right side.

I didn’t do the contrast waistband as I tend to wear my tops longer.

I used plain brown thread for the other seams using the same technique.

Here they are!

All the other pieces are in various stages of construction so I will be back soon.

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2014 Stash Out: 18.8 m
2014 Stash In: 45.75 m

Flannelette Tofino’s – Make a Garment a Month – June completed

On By Sharon12 Comments

I did it, the Tofino’s are completed, yes there are two pairs.

This is the fun part of the Tofino’s you can play with the panels.  I also had in my stash some pale lilac flannelette which was close enough to the pale pink in the flowers for it to work.

I didn’t do any further changes to those I made originally, but realised after I had put them on that I had meant to raise the back rise for a bit more length as I find this a bit short in my owl Tofino’s when sitting.

Above I have used the floral for the front and back with the plain for the side panels and tie.

This pair is the opposite, the plain for the front and back with the floral for the side panels and tie.

Now I need to get organised like Carolyn and get some tops made, I get too hot for flannelette tops however at present my older t-shirts are doing a great job until I find some knits fabrics that will work with the floral.

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2014 Stash Out: 17.5 m
2014 Stash In: 45.75 m

Cream Boat Neck t-shirt – May Garment a Month – Completed

On By Sharon7 Comments

So much for my commitment of finishing this top in May, it has been sitting on my ironing board waiting for the hems to be done for quite a few weeks.

I have previously made this top a couple of times and found that I needed a plain cream top (or two) in my wardrobe.

One thing Burda tells you do with this top is to turn and hem both necklines, then join the shoulders. Now trying to get the topstitching to line up this way has really given me a lot of grief.

This time I sewed the shoulders seams, pressed under the hem around the neck edge, hand basted it in place and then used my coverstitch to do the topstitching.

To turn the corner, you hand raise the needles, so that one of them is free and the other is just in the fabric, this lets you turn the neckline around that sharp corner (sorry I forget to take photos).

Roscoe has managed to be in all the photos, he would not leave my side as I had said the magic word to him “work” which means he comes with me to the office for the day and just loves it!!  I need to remember to tell him after my photo session!

This photos does show that I need to a FBA on this pattern and stop denying it, but it isn’t as noticeable in the patterned fabrics.

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2014 Stash Out: 14.7 m
2014 Stash In: 45.75 m

Navy Marfy 0757 skirt

On By Sharon10 Comments

This skirt has been finished for a few weeks now as some of you may have seen it during Me Made May 2014.

I cut this skirt out back in February and then soon realised after reading the wonderful notes by Leisa for the Sew-Along that this would take quite a bit of work to complete.

The skirt is underlined with cotton voile which was cut out the same as the skirt pattern and basted to the wool fabric and treated as one for the construction.  This let me catchstitch the seam allowances to the underling.

I have inserted by first pick stitched zip

For the waist I used my usual technique and then pick stitched the final seam.

Catch-stitched the hem and mitred the corners on the side vents

Handstitched the lace to the lining, finally adding lining thread bars

And here it is being worn,

This skirt has a lot more detail in it than any of my other skirts, I really enjoyed the handsewing and surprised myself by attaching the lace to the lining hem by hand, it just felt like the right thing to do.

I am planning to make the jacket later this year using the same navy wool and the final post has just been posted by Leisa for the Sew-Along. This gives me access to so much detailed information that will help me use some new and refresh some techniques with the jacket.

First I need to finish up the garments I took away for my sewing weekend!

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2014 Stash Out: 13.35m
2014 Stash In: 45.75m

Burgundy Track pants

On By Sharon16 Comments

These are the track pants that I took away with me in April.

Now track pants aren’t part of our normal holiday attire, however when DH packed his I asked why and he said to be comfortable whilst visiting his Mum.  Well my track pants are not fit to be seen outside at the moment so this is where I really appreciate my stash.

I had purchased 5 metres of this tracksuit fleece from Standard Knits in April 2012 for the sole purpose of some track suits for dog walking and to wear of an evening when I get home from work when it gets colder.

It was also lucky that I had used Simplicity 3640 (OOP) track suit pattern before for my cargo pants so I knew they fitted as the pattern had already been adjusted.

3 hours later they were finished and packed in our bag.

I am really happy with the fit of these,they are a slim fit which I prefer.

They are high waisted but that suits me fine so no cold air can creep in when I am sitting down.I also put a piece of fabric in the back waistband for easy identification.

This is not the true colour, the pictures above are.

Now they aren’t perfect for dog walking as there are no pockets so Roscoe now has to carry his own bags, but I plan on making another pair and they will have pockets.

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2014 Stash Out: 11.75 m
2014 Stash In:  43.75 m

MMM ’14 – Days 8 to 14

On By Sharon5 Comments

Another week has passed and I am starting to find a few holes in my wardrobe, more tops and a cardigan or two wouldn’t go astray.

Thursday 8 May

Top: Vogue 8572 in lemon (blogged here)
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in brown wool crepe (blogged here)
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 in brown mercury jersey
Accessory: Me made crocheted necklace and earrings (blogged here)
Tights: Brown tights
Shoes: Brown Joan and David Callalily Pumps

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Friday 9 May

The photo theme for today was blue and that was a pretty good choice for me.

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in a blue/brown batik knit (blogged here)
Jeans: Jalie 2908 in blue denim (blogged here)
Vest: Jalie 3129 in navy linen (blogged here)
Accessory: Me nade necklace and earrings (blogged here)
Hosiery: Celestial Voodoo
Shoes: Taupe flats

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Saturday 10 May

I’m off to the Miss Fisher costume exhibition at Parramatta with some of the Sydney Spoolettes.

Top: Vogue 8572 in cream silk crepe de chine (blogged here)
Jeans: Jalie 2908 in brown denim (blogged here) 
Jacket:  Vogue 7975 in brown/blue/cream cotton tweed (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made necklace worn on Day 1 and purchased earrings
Hosiery:  Celestial Voodoo
Shoes: Charles Keith brown pumps.

During the queue for the exhibition Melanie mentioned that she had seen some lovely wool jersey at MyHung and this one just had to follow me home.

Deep camel
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Sunday 11 May

Today consisted of the household chores and then headed off to get the groceries.

Where is my treat?

Top: Jalie 2566 in animal print (blogged here)
Cardigan: Jalie 2566 in animal print (blogged here)
Skirt:  BWOF 04-2009-101 skirt in brown cord (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made necklace and earrings (blogged here)
Tights:  Celestial Voodoo
Shoes:  Taupe flats

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Monday 12 May

Back to work and my cold office!

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in blue/gold swirl knit (blogged here)
Skirt: Self drafted TNT straight skirt in brown wooL (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made necklace and earrings (blogged here)
Tights: Brown tights
Boots: Brown Joan and David Callalily Pumps
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Tuesday 13 May

Top: Vogue 8572 in brown/gold silk (blogged here)
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in navy linen (blogged here)
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 in brown mercury jersey worn previously on Day 8.
Accessory: Purchased necklace and earrings
Tights: Brown tights
Boots: Brown Joan and David Callalily Pumps

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Wednesday 14 May

Today’s temperature is expected to reach 24c so I am hoping that my office has had a chance to warm up with it being occupied for the past two days.

Dress: Simplicity 2648 in navy linen (blogged here)
Cardigan: Jalie 2566 in a mixture of knits, worn previously on Day 1.
Accessory: Purchased necklace and earrings
Hosiery: Celestial Voodoo 
Shoes: Navy Circa Joan and David Luxe 

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2014 Stash Out: 10.45 m
2014 Stash In: 43.75 m

Dress A Girl Around the World

On By Sharon5 Comments

As part of the ASG’s initiative for SewMayhem, some of us from the Alexandria Achievers ASG Group held at the Remnant Warehouse made some dresses for the charity Dress A Girl Around the World – Dress a Girl Sydney & Australia.

I remember very clearly purchasing this fabric, it was on my first visit to Kerryn’s Fabric World back in 2003.  I have tried to work with this fabric for a number of years however it has an uneven stripe and the multitude of colours keeps seeing me putting it back in my stash.

This seemed the perfect way to use the fabric.

I made a size 8 and 3 from 1.5 metres of fabric.

Now to get these in the post.

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2014 Stash Out: 10.45 m
2014 Stash In: 40.75 m

Blue and Gold swirls

On By Sharon12 Comments

I have a new top and have again used Kwik Sew 3740 view A without the cowl and raised the neckline by 3cm.

The fabric is called “Sandra Printed Knit” from Knitwit which I purchased in June 2012, I am loving the gold looking swirls.

My purls are making the neckline stick out!

I cut this top out on Anzac Day and took it to my ASG meeting on Saturday along with my Coverpro machine and knit binders as I wanted to try to do the neckline binding.

Here are some not so clear iPhone pictures more for my reference for future.

Neck binding has been threaded through and under the needles
Here the neckline is being fed into the binder

Maybe it was because I was jet lagged but with Alison’s reminders about setting it up, I was rather surprised when it worked first time, even calling the rest of the group over to have a look which was probably why I ran off the neckline at the very end, but thankfully Coverstitch is very easy to pull out.

It did take a few more goes to get the binding on, I also spray starched the neckband once which seemed to make a difference.

Here is a close-up of the bound neckline and I still have some work to do to get the stitching to sit correctly on the back of the binding.

You will see a lot more of this top during May worn with various skirts and jeans!

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2014 Stash Out: 8.95 m
2014 Stash In:  40.75m

Yellow Blouse – April Garment a Month – completed

On By Sharon9 Comments

Back in January Alison and I joined the ladies at the ASG Frocks Group at Bateau Bay to attend a Confident Coverstitch – Techniques and Attachments Workshop run by Baby Lock.

The workshop book is based on the Baby Lock Coverstitch models, however there were quite a few of us with the Janome Coverstitch and our teacher, Michelle was very knowledgeable about both brands of machines.

I love my Coverstitch and do use it for all my knit hems but I wanted to learn how to use it better as well as getting to understand the knit and woven binders I had purchased previously from Sharp Sewing Supplies.

As you all know I love my TNT top pattern and had purchased the 3/4″ woven binder (finished width) particularly for this blouse.

It did take me a little while to get it working and I was very lucky that Alison had taken her Coverstitch to our ASG Group at The Remnant Warehouse the other Saturday and I was able to play with the binder with some scraps of fabric on her binder whilst I was sewing the blouse together.

Once I got back home, I settled down with my machine to finish the construction of the blouse as follows:

–  Sew the darts and press.

–  Sew the right shoulder seam and press (leaving the left shoulder seam open).
–  Edge stitched the blouse neckline.
–  Cut a 4cm bias strip which I then pressed in half as my binder is a A binder (raw edge) and I didn’t want that sort of finish for this fabric.

–  Attached my Janome extension table.
–  Tightened the foot pressure knob to a height of 1cm.
–  Threaded the Coverstitch for a chain stitch e.g. single needle.
–  Set up my binder and fed the bias strip through and under the needle and did a few stitches.

I still had the 2 needles in at this stage.

–  Then I set up my fabric so that it fed half way up the binder, this worked best for me.

–  Sew the left shoulder seam and pressed, and then hand stitched the binding edges down at the shoulder seam as the binding ended up quite thick.

–  Put in the invisible zip in the left side seam, sewed the right side seam, put in the sleeves and did the hems.

    Debbie Cook has some fantastic information about Coverstitch machines on her blog.

    I have also managed to sew something that fits with the Stashbusting theme this month, COLOUR!

    Note: I have managed to get a photo of the neck binding for those interested.

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    2014 Stash Out: 7.6 m
    2014 Stash In: 31.75 m

    Interview and March Garment of the Month – completed

    On By Sharon17 Comments

    Emily, our Stash-busting co-host asked me to share my thoughts about how I go about creating a cohesive wardrobe and you can read all about it on Emily’s blog.

    Now half of My Garment of the Month has been completed, it is my TNT Self Drafted pencil skirt in the navy wool that I told you about here.

    Again there is not much to tell, it is made like all the others

    Looks like the fabric is a magnet for Roscoe’s fur!

    Waistband using twill tape.

    This is also a garment for the March Curating Challenge – Wardrobe Evaluation – I definitely need more work attire and this skirt fits the criteria perfectly.

    Now to get back to work on the Marfy skirt, it has taken a few backward steps since last Saturday, I had to undo the hand picked zipper and pick stitching along the waist facing as the skirt is too big!!

    Seeing I am still working on my SWAP garments, I am not sure if this will be part of the 3rd 3-pac as my coral top will be great with it!

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    2014 Stash Out: 6.8 m
    2014 Stash In: 31.75 m