Lemon Squeezy - red linen blouse

The other piece of fabric which sprung to mind when thinking of new blouses was the remnant from this shirt.

Using the same self-made pattern as this white broderie anglaise blouse, I simply squared off the armholes and hem, then cut bias strips for both them and the neckline.

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

Bees (Butterflies?) Broderie Blouse - Butterick 6275

Some of my blouses are getting a little shabby* and need swapping out over the coming months. Mulling over the fabrics and patterns in the stash, I imediately came up with a couple of suitable combinations for newer versions.

Butterick 6275 was bought new in the 1970's as a teenager (40 years ago - ekk!). I made version A in a blue cotton seersucker way back when. This time, I made version D, plus cut a pair of button-back tabs for the sleeves. Of course, the pattern is too small for me now, so a couple of extra centimetres were added in the sleeves and side seams. I actually made this version 5 years ago in a dark sage green cotton/silk, but the fabric was awful - everything left a stain (water, sweat, food, urgh!), so didn't blog about it then.

The white cotton broderie anglaise fabric was another Sallies score - $3 for 3 metres. It has bees (or stripey butterflies? not sure what they are suppose to be) embroidered on it, which initially I felt was a little childish, however from a distance they look like spots, so I'm not concerned about them now it's made up.

Love the finished blouse, even though it's a bit see-through, I have plenty of camisoles to wear underneath.

* I cherish my clothes and look after them carefully, so even if they're "a little shabby" (imo), they're still in good nick and will be donated. 

Look! I made a ... Muumuu?

One of those occasions where I started out making one thing, but ended up with something completely different.

When I saw the batik fabric in Spotlight, I originally envisioned another one of these - a basic kaftan shirt. However, mid-September was hot and muggy, so I changed my mind. Using the same pattern - New Look 6803 - View D, I cut out a basic tunic-y style dress, shortening the sleeves, shortened the front opening (as suggested the last time I blogged about this pattern), and even managed to squeeze out a couple of pockets. But because I hadn't bought quite enough fabric for the my new bright idea, I needed to add a back yoke to bring the length to the knees. I also turned the front facing to the inside for a cleaner look.

I wore the dress a couple times before October arrived (= cold, wet and windy), and it's heaven! Cool, loose and comfy. The fabric's still a bit stiff, but given a couple more washes and wears, it will be perfect. Roll on summer! 

Boredom Busting Purple Shirt - Butterick 6811

Scratching around in the stash for boredom-busting projects during lockdown, I came across the remnant fabric from this dress. About 1.5m but ony 90cm wide, I estimated a short sleeved shirt was achievable.

I used Butterick 6811 before as a base for this top. This time I started with view B, removed the front pleat, and cut the sleeves as long as the fabric would allow, intending to do turn-up hems.However, I later decided to add cuffs instead, as a bit more length balanced out the look of the shirt.

Actually very happy with the results, apart from the ugly make-do buttons, which have now been replaced, thanks to shops being open again.

Hurray! Think I've got comments working again - would love to hear from you all. How was/is lockdown for you?

The Nirvana Sweater

If there was one thing I was determined to finish during lockdown, it was this sweater for SunnyJim.

It's been knocking around since last year, picked up and abandoned several times in favour of "newer, shiny things". To be honest, I disliked working with the yarn (from Spotlight), even though it's a lovely colour and 100% wool, it was heavy, and not particlarly soft to handle.

I made the pattern up as I went along, and decided on the basket weave front to stop me dying of boredom while knitting. So much knitting!

However, once I handed it over, he loved it immediately and nicknamed it his "Kurt Cobain sweater" (even pulled out his guitar and had a noodle). He puts it on almost every evening shortly after walking in the door, these nights have been so chilly.

Must admit, it's not my best work, but it's DONE.

Colour My Bubble Fuchsia Coat - Simplicity 8467

Got to say, loving working from home - the hours saved by not commuting - more hours for crafting!

I couldn't quite believe my luck when I spied this fabric in the Sallies last year. Pretty sure it's wool/cashmere, about 2.5 metres and the most beautiful vibrant fuchsia colour. Unfortunately, it looked like orange juice had been spilt on it, but at $6 for the piece, I took the chance it would wash out. Mostly it did, just a wee stripe of hard-to-see discolouration remains on the back (about shoulder level - know you're going to look!).

Luckly, I decided on a pattern and found matching thread and buttons just before lockdown. I liked the French darts on Simplicity 8467, but didn't have enough fabric for the front angled overlap, instead making a standard 3cm button overlap. However there was just enough fabric to 'grow' the neckline into a simple stand collar.

Such a simple coat, so snuggly and lovely to wear.

Colour your bubble.

Covid Coat - Butterick 3308

Now I'm into the swing of "Bubble" life, I've got my sewing mojo back, and have to say it's lovely making things at a leisurely pace.

Noticing houndstooth coats and jackets popping up on Pinterest and fashion sites, I knew I had a blue and black piece in the stash somewhere... another gift from my mother.

Wool acrylic, it's super soft, but because of it's loose weave was an absolute pain to cut and handle. Therefore, I chose a basic pattern - Butterick 3308, (another Sallies score for 20¢) and pretty much fused the whole thing to stabllise it. The two changes I made to the pattern were lengthening the jacket by 45cm to coat length and elimitating the button fly front. Later, I added a tie belt.

A little underwhelmed during the construction process, it wasn't until the sleeves went in that I fell in love with it.

Will have to wait a while to wear it though - maybe a return to work at Level 2? (I'm fortunately able to work from home at the moment).

Or, Formal Friday, anyone?

Hydrangea print blouse - Simplicity 7084

Another fabric found for a dollar in the local St Johns charity shop was this beautiful hydrangea print stretch cotton sateen. The piece was clearly a left-over scrap, almost a metre, with a bit extra on one side, and a bit less on the other where a sleeve had been cut out.

Initially, I thought the most logical garment to make would be a pleated skirt. However, I really couldn't imagine myself wearing it, so after a few weeks contemplation, I chose instead to make a blouse.

Using tried and trusted pattern Simplicity 7084, view B with view A's sleeves, there was just enough fabric. Super quick and easy to make as there are no fastenings, it simply pulls on over your head.

Its lovely to wear and has received many compliments.

UPDATE

With everthing going on at the beginning of lockdown, I found it difficult to concentrate on any project for too long. So, I found this tutorial and made a few masks with fabrics at hand.

Teal blue wool bouclé "Melba" cropped jacket

Started in 2013, this self-drafted jacket, called the "Melba" (because it's based on my memory of a wildly expensive jacket seen in Melbourne) was made up to the point of deciding whether to make Spanish Snap buttonholes, or machine keyhole buttonholes. After languished for seven years, I'm over it and just want it gone. Machine buttonholes it is.

The fabric is a heavy wool bouclé originally from The Fabric Warehouse.

Maybe if I'd finished it in 2013 I'd wear it, but I really can't see myself in it now, so it will go to Ziggurat in a few months, when they are taking winter stock.

Pink pom-pom beach poncho from a blanket *tutorial*

Orginally a $5 polarfleece baby blanket complete with pom-poms from Countdown supermarket.

The only pattern piece I used was for the hood. Any hood pattern piece will do - in this case Butterick 6101, as it was still out on from the teal hoodie. Pockets were drawn straight onto the fabric by tracing around my hand.

I've illustrated a chart to help explain the process.

1. Cut a strip off one side just wide enough for the hood and two pockets. TIP: cut these with their openings on the finished edge to save time hemming.
2. Hem the main piece along the cut edge, then fold into quarters. Cut a quarter-circle hole out of the folded corner for the neckline. The finished circumference size needs to be the same size as the lower hood neck seam length.
3. Sew all pieces together using a zigzag stitch. You may need to stretch the neck edge a little when attaching the hood to make it large enough to pull over your head.

It's not my best work, but it took less than an hour to make, and is a perfectly functional poncho for the beach.

Teal/green hoodie - Butterick 6101

Another piece of fabric give to me when my mother when she retired her stash was this lovely teal/green merino wool, also from Manawatu Knitting Mills.

Using the same pattern as this, this and this - Butterick 6101 (ca.1980), with all the same adjustments, once again it has a self-lined the hood and body.

Striped T-Shirt dress - vintage '80's Vogue 7338

One of the easiest garment I've made in years.

The striped cotton rugby knit fabric was made at Manawatu Knitting Mills in the 1980's; the pattern from around the same era picked up last year in St Vinnies. My mother gave me this fabric plus two other pieces in different colourways when she retired her stash. I'm tempted to make them all up the same.

Using View C, pin the pockets to the front and back pattern pieces to cut all-in-one, and lengthen the hem and the sleeves as much as the fabric will allow. Instead of using the patterns facings, cut a strip about 4cm wide by 60cm long to use as a neck binding. During construction, ignore the shoulder pleats.

If I do use this pattern again, next time I'll move the pockets up a couple of centimetres. Without a belt or tie they're just a fraction too low.

So basic, yet so comfortable.

Take 4 - the pants edition

Pinstriped pants and matching cat!

During a de-stash last year, (which saw me sell 4 boxes of fabric no longer "sparking joy" at Fabric-a-Brac) I came across three trouser length pieces of lightweight wool - one black, one navy, and one brown with blue pinstripe, each $3 at the Sallies some years earlier, and 5 metres of $5 per metre "fire-damaged" grey wool/cashmere from Pete's Emporium.  (A good wash and line-dry in the wind shortly after purchase got rid of a faint damp/smoky odour).

Desperately needing to replace my black work pants after 6 years of wear, I grabbed my favourite self-made trouser pattern, and promptly cut all four fabrics, plus lining to the knee for each. 

Then they languished for months, until my sewing bee a few weeks ago.

Since returning to work this year, they've all been worn at least once, and will be fabulous when the seasons turn towards the cooler months again.

Each a welcome addition to my wardrobe.

3-tiered maxi dress - New Look 6936

Happy New Year, dear readers!

It's been so windy in Wellington these last few months, I'm reluctant to venture out more than necessary - atmospheric pollen invokes uncontrollable sneezing! Never mind, all this indoor time has given me a chance to make a dent in the stash.

First up this year, is a dress made to wear to Christmas festivities. Technically not stashed fabric, as it was bought early in December. $1 for 4 metres of a lovely cotton lawn from the local St Johns charity shop - couldn't say "No!"

As New Look 6936 is for stretch fabrics (and of course lawn doesn't stretch at all) I cut to the largest size. I'm not fond of overlapped fronts so using view C as a starting point, I placed the centre front line on the fabric fold, creating a v-neck instead.

To make the tiered skirt, I shortened the skirt pattern pieces to 27cm below the waist, cut two middle tier pieces 36cm height × 92cm width, and two lower tier pieces 47cm height × 140cm width, which was two widths of the fabric.

Small brass bells, originally from an Indian bracelet, were added to the tie ends as a finishing touch.

The dress was a breeze to make, and even with the tiers, didn't take much longer than 2 hours. It's lovely to wear too - definitely a winner.