From Stash to Wardrobe!

 I've had some success with my garment sewing over

 the last couple of weeks, and some failures too!

The cotton lawn kimono-type nightie was too big in the

 bust area so that will be moved out...

The pink fabric I hope to make in a dress was narrow so

 has gone back into the stash.

The dress shown in this pattern wasn't without its

 issues either.

The armhole facings were different sizes!

I emailed McCall USA but I'm not sure they appreciated 

my interference!

Well, they never said thank you anyway!

I decided to put sleeves in rather than wait for an 

answer from them.

The dress has plenty of 'ease'.

Do you think that, in fashion terms, 

means it's going to be too big?

Anyway, I may wear it about and see how it feels.

The second success was the Lisette 2245 blouse that

 I have made numerous times.

It fits nicely and is very cool on a hot day like today!

I've cut out the Melody tunic in the green check BUT....

I'm thinking it might be time to bite the bullet 

and baste a quilt.

I feel like doing some quilting!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

More garment sewing!

Back in February, I saw a “Seed” dress in a local op shop.

I bought the cardigan though, that is on the right there!

 

It was too small but I loved its easy style.

 

I had two patterns that I thought I could make work,

 

So once I found some fabric, on sale at Spotlight,

 

I decided it was time to give it a go. 

 

The mauve double gauze is for a boxy blouse, next Summer

I used the skirt and front band from the Stylearc 

pattern 

 

and lengthened the bodice of the Simplicity one.

 

The inverted pleat can be seen here.

The Simplicity pattern has the back gathered into the 

bodice. 

I made an inverted pleat like the Seed dress instead.

 

I added a contrast collar, cuffs and the centre band 

closure with a light weight denim.

 

And the pockets cut on the bias with denim flaps.

I was pretty pleased with my check matching skills, 

although I acknowledge it’s not perfect.

 

It still need buttons here.

The trick is to not stand still long enough for anyone to 

notice!😄

I hope to get a better 'modelled' photo soon.

Happy days,

SUZ

All ready for St Patrick's Day

 in my new green linen and Liberty "Sawtell" dress!

I took my time making sure it was as perfect as I could 

make it!

I'd had this piece of linen for quite some time and really 

wanted to find the perfect pattern!

On a whim I joined the "Curated by In The Folds" group where, for a monthly subscription, you receive a pattern, sewing techniques, hints and lots of support during the making process.

There is a link here if you are interested in the concept.

I took my time binding many of the seams with a 

treasured piece of Liberty I bought in Bordeaux in 2014.

 

And of course I had to add a "Kylie and the Machine" 

label that says, "YES, I made this"!

I also did top stitching across the back yoke, the 

neckline and around the pocket shield.

It is exciting waiting to see what the next pattern 

release will be ?!

Happy sewing!

SUZ

Where to now?

 As we begin to open up after our eleven week 

lockdown,

there is still some nervousness about how life will look 

in the near future.

It is wonderful to see people enjoying our new-found 

freedoms-

Getting a haircut and new glasses were high on my 

priority list!

The spectacles are my usual shape but I do love the 

green! 

I finished this dress a while back.

This is the "Emerson" Stylearc pattern, which I altered 

slightly, by not having it button all the way through.

I also had a little trouble with the Mandarin collar so I 

just bound the edge, as I would a quilt!

I finally decided to begin a new quilt, by sorting through 

my scraps, yet again!

These are 16-patch blocks made from 2 and 1/2" 

squares.

This is the quilt I am using as inspiration.....

but first I need to make a trip to my LQS for some 

white solid fabric.

While not all retail is open, many innovative businesses 

are able to set up shop on the footpath outside.

All this will change on Friday when we will have 80% of 

our 16+ population vaccinated,

allowing regional travel and retail/entertainment to reopen!

Here we are in Vietnam, New Zealand, France and Melbourne!

Today my husband and I celebrate our 40th wedding 

anniversary! 

So there is some cause for celebration.

Unfortunately our plans for a meal in a restaurant together, for the first time in who-knows-when have been scarpered......

 by a malfunction in the kitchen of our chosen 

restaurant!

Life certainly is looking a little different from last week, from last year AND from 1981!

😄

Happy days!

SUZ

Where have I been?

 Now that we are out of lockdown and with that 

dreaded illness 

virtually eliminated from my beautiful country,

Taken on a recent walk, just 10km from the city of Melbourne!

life is back to covid-normal (masks inside, social 

distancing etc) and my days are full!

Finishing up a 42-year teaching career may have had 

something to do with it.

Some of the beautiful cards etc I received on my semi-retirement

And spending lots of time with my gorgeous grandsons 

is definitely another!

But I have been knitting,

sewing...

a dress for my sister-

the very versatile Eme dress from Stylearc!

Pretty fabric from Spotlight

And a starry quilt top (flimsy) for a friend....

And some planning for these beauties!

I'm thinking something with big and bold blocks!

Just maybe not all of them in the one quilt!

Any suggestions on a pattern???

I'll certainly have more time for all the fun things of life!

Happy days!

SUZ

Staying busy!

 I can honestly say I don't remember how long we

 have been in lockdown.

But sewing helps me punctuate my days!

I certainly don't have the focus to baste or quilt, 

Although I have pieced together

 a modified version of my Smorgasbord quilt.

And enjoy evenings EPP'ing my Quattro Colour quilt.

I'm up to the last round, aiming for an October 1st 

finish!

I have chosen some smaller projects too...

A new cushion in more subdued colours.

Using up every scrap of these fabrics!

I sorted out my dressmaking fabric stash and

made a Style Arc "Eme" dress.

Happy sewing indeed!

SUZ