Saturday, May 10, 2008

Shirty


I think I'm ready to move on from this pattern now. But what else could this fabric be? It had to be this pattern, there was nothing else for it.
This is a linen/cotton mix (I think). Moggy and I both bought some in Cabramatta last year. I only bought 2 metres, and I had to be very creative with folding to get the pattern laid out, including the absolutely necessary 3/4 sleeves and cuffs.

I went to Remnants Warehouse today to get some zips, and on my way out the door saw this lovely fabric, a heavy stretch cotton sateen with blue and grey roses. I love blue roses on fabric. It insisted on coming home with me and becoming a gorgeous 50s frock. At some point.

Tripafore


OK, so I'm off overseas again in October, so of course I need a slightly different set of tripfits. I'm going to Rome and Paris, people, I must have clothes worthy of eyeliner!

So I have a few bits from the Japan trip, plus a few extras. I'm trying to travel super light, since we will be taking trains about the place and don't want to haul crapola all over the place.

Here's the first bit - a dress/pinafore in thick black stretch from Vogue 2446.

I want to make a wrap blouse to go under - I think I'll try Livebird's Rizzo blouse.

I am also thinking of some kind of cunning jacket-coat thingy which will somehow be stylish, full of pockets, yet unbulky... I might try the Stretch 'n' Sew 1025 blazer

Not a frock, but a place for frocks to be seen


Picked up the ATOMIC RETRO 50'S SOFA BED COUCH VINTAGE BLONDEWOOD (These people know of which they speak, it is indeed atomic print, fifties, sofa bed, blonde... all true):

This will move into the front room once I... ahem... clear it up enough to fit more than the cat in it...












Also, in news just to hand, I decided against the abstract rug and went for the classic cowskin rug instead, from NSW Leather (the Melbourne branch, naturally).

Friday, May 09, 2008

Lakota's 10th birthday

I'm a Posty McPostypants today, I know, but it's our bambina's 10th birthday! In honour of this tireless and generous donor of fluff, which gives all my frocks that much-sought-after angora pizazz, here is a photo essay of her morning:

Ruh roh. They're looking at me funny this morning, it's not bath day is it? Is it?

Phew! Looks like they're excited about this thing. Guess it's for me

Smells kinda funny.

Guess I better show some enthusiasm and look busy, or they might decide to give me a bath after all.

Nom Nom Nom

Phew, think I've distracted them from that whole bath idea. Now, where did I hide that biscuit?

Off the wagon, and Eiffel sees daylight




I haven't bought any patterns on ebay for months. The drought is over.





I took Eiffel out in to the early morning sun the other day. I did a wet block and she grew a little.

Good thing I like my knits sass-ay!

Also, I have updated this post with an outdoor shot of zippy.

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Oh my corazon...


So here she is at last. Why did she take me so long? It's a mystery!

New Look 6699 in Corazon heart quilting fabric.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Not much of the dress...


...but a good view of my new gardening boots!

$29.99 at KMart. Made for me or what?

I will post a pic of the dress, honest!

Friday, May 02, 2008

Eiffel from Knitty


I started knitting this in September last year, (thank you Ravelry for helping me keep track of when I start and finish things, so handy!) The idea was to finish a jumper before winter. It's just so much fun to knit in winter; rugged up on the couch, watching true crime tv. Bliss.
My trouble is, knitting in winter means toasty jumpers just in time for spring at the rate I knit them (mostly. I have made a jumper in 10 days, but I was on holidays). Then I have to wait nearly a whole year before I can wear them. Then I forget where I have put them until the next summer.
Eiffel from Knitty.
I haven't blocked it yet, and it needs it. The lace will relax and it will lengthen a bit.
I made it with some 100% wool I found in a shop in Perth, near the Balga Good Sammys op shop. If I'm ever at home when the sun is shining, I will take a better, non-flash photo.
The wool was $3 per 100 gram ball, and I used two and a half balls- $7.50; velvet ribbon- $1.50 ; knitting time- priceless.

I pronounce her most wearable. Loving the neckline eyelets.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Zippy


Today I made another shirtwaister from the same pattern in the previous post. This fabric I bought at the fifties fair two, maybe more years ago.
The fabric was only 90cm wide and 2.5 metres long, so sadly three quarter sleeves were not an option.

It's been a dark and rainy day today. Perfect for a day in front of the sewing machine, but sadly not so good for photos of frocks. The flash has weirded out the colour. I'll try to take a photo during the day and update this post when the sun comes out next.



Newsflash! Now with outdoor in the sun shot.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Shirtdress!







When Moggy and I are buying fabric, more often than not the same fabric, we always discuss what sort of frock each piece should become. Moggy immediately pronounced this fabric must be a shirtdress when we saw it in Tokyo, and she was right.

I have made a plain black version of this pattern before, with some appliqued corazon hearts on the front, and with hook and eye tape instead of a zip. I wore that last weekend for the first time in ages, and decided it was just the pattern for this print.

And, already muslined! Yay!

I left out the front pleat on the skirt (not enough fabric and not really needed with the loud print) and shortened the sleeves to three quarter, on Moggy's suggestion. What would I do without you Moggy? I think the sleeve length is just right. I kept the cuffs, and amazed myself by remembering to make them a bit larger because the upper forearm is thicker than the wrist. These are things I usually forget, despite my anatomy training. I use a different side of my brain for sewing, obviously.

I think I'll wear her with the belt. Nicer, no?

Moggy and I give our frocks names, so when we are discussing what to wear to an event, we have a shorthand so we know which frocks we're talking about. I'm a bit stuck for a name for this one. Hopefully one will come to me. Any suggestions accepted gratefully.

I shall wear her out to see my friend's band tonight. With shoes I bought in Japan. Yay.

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Umbilical hat

Doesn't this look like a mugshot? The harsh lighting, the slightly out of it expression...I wonder what Humphrey would be arrested for? Indecent exposure probably, he never does wear pants.
My friend H (not Humphrey) is in hospital this very minute, hopefully well on her way to pushing out a baby. This afternoon and evening I knitted up this baby hat, the umbilical hat from Stitch n Bitch.
I intended to make a pillow from some cute fabric I bought in Japan, but I didn't feel like sewing today. Maybe tomorrow.