Just for the record...

I'm off to see Wanda Jackson - The Queen Of Rockabilly! - in a couple of weeks so I thought I should make a frock for the occasion.

It so happens I had 4 or so yards of record print fabric (see first small pic on this previous stashpost) and a new Simplicity pattern (3774) to try out. It's one of those ones that you look at and think it is rather no-thank-you, but when you have a closer look realise it Has Potential:
Look at that sweet crossover bodice! Those little sleeves! Forget the aqua and pink abomination of a fabric...

So here is the bodice part - I frankensteined an almost full circle skirt on, but I am waiting for delivery of a couple of crinoline petticoats and shall wait to post the full thing until then.

EDITED TO ADD: I've stuck the with-petticoat pics on Sew Retro to encourage reluctant petticoat wearers out there.


The bodice is lined - inside there are darts rather than pleats, so it sits very nicely. I think the pleats might be lost a little in this rather *ahem* busy fabric, but they do make a nice shape.

Little frocker

I did a bit of a stash dive this morning, because it's littlest neice Gioia's birthday soon, and she has nearly grown out of last year's frock. I had a fabric in mind, but then I saw that I had enough apple print cotton left over from making my blouse. I thought it would be cuter than the plain fabric I had in mind. This is the third frock I've made for her, all from New Look 6578.

It's a handy little pinny, good for layering so it can be worn for most of the year.

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.