OOL*

Mmmm, view B in a spotty silk.

*Object Of Lust

Stormy

I'm done with the shirtdresses, but not yet done with three quarter sleeves with cuffs it seems. I am on a mission to make winter dresses I can use for tripfits, as this is a big travel year for me. This is Vogue 8409, view A, in a dark grey viscose knit. It's not finished yet, there's still some basting showing, it's not hemmed and I haven't handstitched the cuff facings up, so they're just folded inside in this photo.
The pattern is for wovens, so I traced off a size smaller than I usually would, and pinned out the darts on the pattern. I left out the zip, so I cut the bodice back, band back and skirt back on the fold. I also didn't use the band facing, because this fabric is quite thick and it would have been too bulky. I also overlocked and turned the neckline and back neck edges, instead of using facings. Pfft, who needs facings?
I will overlock and turn the hem too, and I quite like this length, so it will be my usual teeny hem.
Edited to add finished photos, on my way out to dinner tonight.

Why I didn't sew this weekend...

...because I was cleaning /reorganising the front room into Guest Quarters / Computer room thingummy setup.

I'm sure it doesn't sound much, but there was a LOT of stuff in there... now it is all somewhere else (out of sight, out of mind for the moment). But I can see all my sewing books! Hoorah!

Still lots more organising to go though.

(Almost) instant gratification

I bought this fabric and half past four and had the pinafore done by half past seven... it's a bought shirt though (co-incidently bought at the same place I got the fabric, I just realised).

I made the pattern from a 'sloper' a couple of years ago, inspired by a wonderful 1950s Vogue sewing book. (the red is the first fabric I made it from - a lovely wool woven with lycra)

As may be obvious, I do love a pinafore!

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).

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.

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.

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!

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.