Bag or dress?

This photo was taken to highlight the Jeanne Oliver camera bag....

But......

It's the dress that took my fancy. 

Yes the linen bag's nice, but the dress is just "me".  

Basically it's just a caftan like pattern in denim.

I think I have a length of denim in my stash...

Perfect

Winter coats

Winter may be a long way off down here in the Southern Hemisphere, but that doesn't stop me looking at coat patterns so I have something warm and comfortable for the football. In fact, this is probably the best time to be checking out what's on offer in the Northern Hemisphere.

I've been sticking to my Dottie Angel Challenge ethos and buying second hand items and some vintage patterns have been on my list.

I saw this on Etsy ages ago and decided to buy it in November. It arrived from the US the other day

It's a 1960's Vogue original.

I don't have to buy any fabric. I already have plenty to choose from in my "stash" so I have quite a few options to play around with.  I really like the blue version with some navy velvet on the collar as a contrast, but I also have some lovely camel wool in the cupboard and that may be what I lean towards

The back view has some nice detail and I really like the way the pocket is incorporated in a slot in the front...the little hat's not bad either, although I can't see myself wearing that too often

I wouldn't mind the little dog as well...

Very stylish

Christmas stockings

The sewing machine's been getting a bit of a run these past couple of weeks...

I've been making a couple of Christmas stockings for the kidlets

I was inspired by this...

...and this, from Crate and Barrel last year...or was it the year before?

So I thought I'd give it a go... with my version

I think they'll look cute hanging up along the mantle

I've hung this on a kitchen cupboard just to see how it looks. I think it'll be terrific with a few sprigs of rosemary and a nice gift in the top

I like it. Amazing what you can do with a painters drop cloth!

I Love Lucy

I had a wonderful weekend. Sewing.  I got the machine out, put on a good CD and just went for it. I thought I'd get one of my vintage patterns sewn up...and went straight to the 1950's Lucy House Coat

It's a cross between a housecoat and dust jacket I guess.

I suppose it was even worn as a maternity jacket by Lucy herself.

I mentioned it back here... two years ago!!! Why did I wait so darn long?

My plan was to do a trial run with it first in a navy and white gingham...I try to make a sample first when I'm using a new pattern, just in case it  doesn't suit or is sized in such a way that it doesn't fit me. But having said that I always do this trial run in a fabric that I'm still happy to wear, just in case it turns out OK

...and it did!

The pattern came without instructions so I had to play around and try to remember what order each pattern piece went in, but I'm really happy with it. I'm also happy becayse it was marked a size 14, with a 32 inch bust? What's with that?

Anyway, the only thing I'd change is to make the sleeves a little longer, maybe an inch or also....and I'd also make them a little narrower.

Apart from that....success!!

Thanks Lucy.

From the "stash"

Over the past few months my desire to sew has been missing, but things have changed....and the over locker and sewing machine have been getting as bit of a workout of late

I've had these patterns in my collection for some time now and all, bar the Vogue, have been used before. The Simplicity pattern was purchased at an op-shop a couple of years back. I made a dress from it last Summer.

The Quick sew is a terrific, versatile pattern that I've used to make 4 polar fleece tops for the past couple of Winters. I also used it for a stretch cotton dress last Summer. The McCalls is one from the 80's or 90's I think. The little sleeveless top is a terrirfic design. I've made tops and a couple of dresses from it. Very versatile. In fact, whenever I look at patterns I always look for interesting tops rather than dresses because I can always make a top patern into a dress.

All of these fabrics have been in my "stash" for some time too.

This is a blue and cream spun rayon. It has a gorgeous weight and falls really nicely. Whenever I see spun rayon I've always tried to buy a couple of metres. I think it's one of my favourite fabrics to work with, apart from linen

This is a stretch fabric and while it looks very black and grey, it's actually a whole range of blues.

Another stretchy fabric....it's going to be a t-shirt dress I think...haven't made a final decision on it yet...but half the fun is deciding what pattern to choose and then seeing how it turns out. IF it turns out that is. I often have complete disasters that end up being put in a special "to fix later" bag.

Full time vs Part time

For the past couple of years I've been working part time and I've loved it.

I went down to three days a week after becoming just too tired and irritable. I work funny hours and thought the extra couple of days off would help. Boy, did they help! Just ask MONT. I got to sleep in, shop and potter about at my leisure...and I was a much nicer and happier person.

But from this week I'm back full-time again and possibly back to being irritable all over again

The girl who worked the other two days for me is also heading back to full-time employment and that left two days to fill, so I stepped into the breach. Again. My employer and I will reassess things again in the New Year to see how I'm "travelling".

What it also means though is that I need a couple of new things to wear to work because I've been relying on jeans and t-shirts and polar fleece tops through Winter. I need a few things to layer...to see me through the cool mornings until our heating/air-con kicks in at work...and now that Spring is here, I thought it was a good opportunity to get the over-locker and sewing machine out to give them a workout.

This doesn't help though.

I feel some new, colourful t-shirts and long tunic tops coming on.....

Making the bed

If you're like me, you love the way the bedroom looks when you've just made the bed with fresh sheets and plumped up the doona.

But the one job that's not on top of my favourite's list is actually changing the doona cover....in fact a friend of mine hates that particular job so much, she gets her husband to do it...

So I thought about this little trick that helps make the job easier...I learned about this years ago but have only just put it into action.

...and it's simply done by sewing some ribbon or tape onto the corners of your doona and the inside corners of the doona cover.

I used grosgrain ribbon, because it doesn't slip , and cut it into lengths of about 6 inches or 150 cm. Sew it onto the inside corners of the doona cover...

...and the corners of the doona...

Then when you change the cover, you just tie the ribbon ends together and slip the doona inside the cover. It also helps keep the doona in place.

Jimmy Buttons

Hi all.....well after telling you about my "Frightie" the other day, you know the frock that takes you from day to night and beyond...I got a couple of emails and a comment wanting to know more about the place where I bought the trim to go on it.

It's Jimmy Buttons and it's a fantastic treasure trove for sewers.

I called in there again today to pick up a couple of things because I'd had no luck at another large, well known fabric store....and yes they had exactly what I was after.

I asked if I could take a few photo's to show you how it's all set out, but unfortunately they said no, only because they have fierce competitors who also want to know what they have hidden inside.

So....if you're a sewer I suggest you do yourself a favour and head down to Jimmy Buttons at 375 George Street Fitzroy and check out their laces, braids, chains, ribbons, elastics, buttons and everything else hidden inside....oh and they do professional covered buttons as well!

I promise you will not be disappointed.

375 George Street is just around the corner from Johnson Street. It's a little, nondescript brick building that contains all that your heart desires...and they're reasonably priced too.

24/7 Fashion

It's funny when you make a dress that can take you from one day to the next and still not look out of place.

Yes, it's the frock/nightie

That's why I had to find a "trim" to put around the neck to make it look more daywear than nightwear. I just need to sew it on this afternoon to finish it off.

It's the same dress pattern as the silvery linen one I showed you yesterday. It's Vogue 8655 which I think is still only available to purchase via the McCall website. We're a season or two behind here you see. Well worth a visit though, especially when they have a sale on and you can pick up a Vogue for a couple of dollars.

Anyway, the fabric was from my very own stash in the cupboard. I don't know how long it's been sitting in there waiting to be used but I'm glad I was able to find it.

The trim is from "Jimmy Buttons" in George Street Fitzroy. It's a fabulous treasure trove where you'll find all the buttons and trims you could ever imagine...

More on Jimmy Buttons another time though. It's such a great place with very helpful owners/staff, that it really deserves it's own special post. I'll have to ask them if they'll let me take a few photos to show you just how wonderful it is...oh and did I mention it's also pretty darn CHEAP? Be still my heart

So, sew!

Hello me lovelies...how's it going?

Did you have a wonderful Easter? I sure did. I spent most of the four day break SEWING! It was absolutely wonderful and I got heaps done.

A few days before Easter I paid a little visit to Rathdowne Remnants in Brunswick. I mentioned it here in an earlier post...anyway while I was there wandering around, I spied this beauty.

It's a natural linen with a silver metallic thread woven through it...Beautiful!

...and the pattern? I bought it online and I have to admit, it is one of the simplest dresses I have ever made.

Here's the (almost) finished product. It needs the hem done and desperately needs an iron, but will look fab once it's completed. I'm so pleased with the way it turned out... so pleased in fact that I made a white version...I'll show you that tomorrow.

By the way, thank you for all your lovely comments regarding my award and the uh umm "seven interesting things about me"...yeah well, not sure about them being interesting or not, but hey, it's a way of us all getting to know each other a little better right?

Flashback Vintage

I mentioned last week that I'd found a new fabric store that sells everything vintage! IT'S FANTASTIC!!

Look at all these gorgeous colours and patterns.


It's Flashback at 79 High Street Westgarth.

If you love Vintage, you'll absolutely love this treasure trove.

...and you don't have to live in Melbourne to shop there.

They also have an on-line ordering service.

Check out these lovely children's fabrics

The store is open Tuesday to Sunday 12-5pm and you can call Nola on 03 9482 1899.

It really is well worth a visit.

Lampshades, cushions, upholstery fabric and dress fabrics are all available....as is wallpaper...I was amazed to see all the rolls of vintage wallpaper they have. They also have the design books with the newer modern designs.

I had a lovely time wandering around this beautiful store... It was very, very hard to keep my purse in my bag, but I will be back there soon. LOVELY!

T-Shirt dress

I've been doing a bit of sewing these past couple of weeks. Not a lot, just a bit.

I love a bit of bling, but I also like "simple" so thought I'd make a couple of T-shirt dresses in different fabrics for night and day.

I found some sequined fabric in soft gold, not too sparkly, so got a couple of metres to see how I'd go....I'd like it to resemble this Philip Lim sequined dress, although I plan to make it with short sleeves.

I've had this old Butterick pattern since the 1970's, at least I think that's how old it is. I originally made it up in a dark navy blue knit and I wore that dress to death.

The other day I made it in this black knit. I bought this wool jersey ages ago and got it for a real bargain because it had some faults. This is the second dress I've made from the piece of fabric and there's a little bit left to make a floaty sort of top too.

This photograph isn't the best as far as detail goes though...( I really must do some photography classes to hone my skills). Anyway, this was my trial run dress and I plan (hope) to get the gold one up and running over the next week or so. We have a big holiday planned and I'll need some party frocks, so I think it'll look nice in gold... I hope it will anyway.

Tuesday Vintage

Lovely huh?

Beautiful vintage Vogue designs from the 1950's.

Elegance, class, style. Can't get much better than that.

Don't forget my giveaway this week. It's a $70 voucher that will allow you to choose some lighting for your home.

Make sure you leave a comment on any post this week so you can go into the draw.

New Arrivals

Apart from the Goddess Gown and the Lucy Housecoat, I also purchased a couple of other vintage patterns from Etsy the other day

This one's a Vogue from the 1970's. It's a maternity pattern but, no...I am not expecting. I like it for the one shoulder dress, which will be great over Summer

I also like this 1972 McCalls, especially the short blue version with the cut away armholes.

...and then there's this 1963 McCalls...

All of these have already arrived in my letterbox. Unfortunately, the only one that is yet to reach Number 10, is the Goddess Gown. Hope she gets here soon.