My Second Dress - 80's-o-rama

A couple of weeks back I completed sewing my second dress, the pattern I had was pretty 80's and I ended up with an 80's looking dress. I showed you all the pattern I was going to use WAY back in this post, clearly I shortened it a lot as it was far too long for me.
I am pretty happy with my sewing, the dress is made from jersey stretchy stuff which was at times a total bitch to sew. However I finished it, it looks like the pattern and everything but the problem is, I just don't like the style! If you follow my wardrobe posts you will know I like to wear vintage frocks which are generally fitted. This frock is just lacking in structure for me, I feel a bit like I am wearing the kind of tee shirt nightie I used to wear as a teenager. In fact if it wasn't for the belt, this frock would be a bit of a sack.

I am happy with my work, just not happy with the style, but I guess this happens to a lot of sewers or at least I hope it does? I have found from being a crafter that sometimes what you imagine something to be and what it actually ends up being are two distinctly different things.

Final photo of complete silliness - I made a headband of this fabric for an earlier Red Velvet project so I thought I'd wear them both at the same time. Oh the silliness.

Inspiration Board

Recently I was looking at one of my favourite blogs, Red Velvet and I came across this post about "staying inspired".

I love to do crafty stuff and create all kinds of things, but I have to admit, staying inspired is something I do struggle with.

I am one of those people that has about a squillion ideas floating around my head, but I find having the time/motivation to put these ideas into action really difficult. I also have an amazing but at time stressful job. I do LOVE my job and I know I am so fortunate, but at times it takes nearly everything out of me and I feel like I've nothing left over to create.

One of the ideas for staying inspired it the post was to create an inspiration board - I have been wanting to make an inspiration board for a while - so the article was the kick up the butt I needed to finally create one.

I decided that I wanted to pimp my board out a little - so I glued a whole bunch of stuff to the edges. Most of it just bits and pieces I had lying about. Seen as I am focussing on sewing at the moment - I decided to pin up these snaps and needles. The flower cameo is from my friend Meg and the little skulls are from my friend Vany. I received these wooden initials in a craft swap AGES ago and I had no idea what to do with them! The inspiration Board seemed like a good place for them. I bought this pattern at an op shop last weekend, its the next frock I intend to make. Right after I add a zip and hem my first one. It's so close to being finished! My friends Sue and Conor sent me all kinds of Kawaii cute for my birthday this year and it was wrapped in this amazing paper. I just can't bring myself to throw this paper away - but I'm not exactly sure what I want to do with it either. So much cute! Finally - yes a fan! It's from my friends Lisa and Aaris in Taipei - they sent Rich and I a whole bunch of Amoeba Music stuff from California last time there were home. I love the design!

Red Velvet - Project Five - Belts

Project five of my DIY Dress up course from Red Velvet was to make a belt. I do wear belts a lot so I was kind of excited to have the chance to make one, so I would always have the perfect belt.

The course had instructions for two types of belts so I made both! I'm really getting into this whole sewing thing.

Belt number one

To be completely honest, I found the design of the first belt to be a little weird. It looked like an obi belt, but instead of wrapping around like an obi belt it had snaps at the back. I didn't really like the design so I went with an obi belt instead. I'm still not sure if I like this belt, it may be a little big and the ribbon is a little long. But I do like the cute ice cream!

Belt number two

I was much happier with belt number two, it does look a little pink in this post but its fire truck red! With a big bow and contrasting white stitching! I've been wanting a little red belt for a while. This one is just perfect.

Red Velvet - Projects three (2.0) and four

Sew September has been going pretty well for me, I have so far managed to sew every day! Except for one - but even then I did pin and hem a vintage dress I had bought. So I did do something sewing related.

I thought I'd share with you all some of the sewing I have been up to, in particular the items related to my Red Velvet course.

Project three -Make up bag - version 2.0

If you follow my blog, you will know that my original version of this pouch didn't work out correctly. The pouch looked fine but the lining didn't work out at all. So I thought I would try it again. I actually decided to make a pouch for my notebook rather than a make-up bag and my notebook fits perfectly. In case you were wondering - yes that is Hello Kitty fabric. I saw it on trade me and I couldn't resist it. I am glad to show you all the lining of my pouch which worked out this time! There is still room for improvement, but overall I am pretty happy with this pouch.

Project four - Headband

Project four was my first attempt at sewing with stretchy fabric and it wasn't quite as scary as I thought. The only problem is what to do with my headband! Its not really my style, I was hoping that I could wear it to the gym as my hair isn't really long enough to wear tied up bit it is kind of out of control at the gym. But this headband isn't really gym friendly. I am trying to grow my hair longer at the moment, so maybe the headband will suit me better when I have longer hair.

My next project on the list is belt - I am hoping to make a belt with the ice cream fabric I used for my original make-up bag. I'll be back with more photos soon!

Red Velvet - Projects two and three - plus a September challenge!

I do promise I have been working on my Red Velvet DIY dress-up course! I just haven't posted any pictures in a while. So for your viewing pleasure here are projects two and three from my course.

Project two: Magazine tote

The inside of this bag is fully lined too, its sky blue. I did mean to get an picture of the inside but I forgot, sorry folks. But here is an action shot just for you all!

Project three - Make-Up Bag

The make-up bag didn't go as well as I hoped - the lining got all kind of messed up and I had to cut it out. But I'm ok with this, as two sewers I admire - Ria and Meg have told me that sometimes sewing projects get a little messed up. So I can deal with it, I won't get all broken hearted. Plus I am kind of proud of myself because I managed to do this! Yes! I put a zipper in! I am currently using this little make up bag to carry about a few of my sewing bits and pieces. In particular my measuring tape which I always seem to lose.

I am planning on trying this project one more time and this time I am determined to make a fully lined make-up bag. I have all the materials sorted and this brings me to my September challenge!

If you have a look over at the citybirds nest you will see that the lovely CB has created a challenge that even a novice sewer like me can complete. You simply have to sew each and every day in September - it doesn't matter if its five minutes or five hours a day. With this in mind - I am off to cut out the pieces for make-up bag version 2.0! Have a great night everyone.

Red Velvet D.I.Y Dress Up Project One - Hair Bow

I have now completed the first two project in my red velvet sewing course and I am pretty proud of myself.

I decided to share a couple of pictures of my first project with you (I am yet to take pictures of the second one!).

My first project was a simple hair bow - it didn't take long to make and I think it looks fabulous! I am rather in love with the cute kitty fabric which I bought at Wellington Underground Market at Frank Kitts Park. It wasn't cheap - but it was totally worth it.

Here's a photo of the hair bow in action - I think it looks pretty fabulous. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

Sewing Saturday

I have been blogging a bit recently about how I really want to learn to use my sewing machine.

I bought it back in June and although I love crafting a lot I just haven't used it much. I need to make friends with it and quickly!

I have been working on a rather amazing cushion this week, that I hope to show you all by the end of the weekend. Its pretty amazing.

But I decided I need to do something to motivate me to sew more, I have so much going on I really need to set aside time to sit down and sew.

So I have decided to do an online sewing e-course with Red Velvet - I love Red Velvet, its one of my new favourite blogs. The course starts off super simple - with a bow and then moves up to skirts, dresses and even includes a cardy and a bag.
I could most likely make some of the most basic things in the course by myself - but I figure its good to start off making really simple things to build confidence.

If you would like to check out the details of Red Velvet's D.I.Y Dress Up course you can find them here.

Also a little later this afternoon, I am heading over to my friend Ria's place. She is going to help me start sewing a frock from some crazy fabric I bought at recent fair. I'm not sure how it will go - but I've got to start somewhere right?

Hope everyone has a great Saturday!