February Monthly Stitch Challenge - UFO Showdown

This year I've decided to try and do more challenges from The Monthly Stitch, which if you're not familiar with it is a sewing community that has monthly challenges. It's run by some of my Wellington Sewing Bloggers Network friends so I thought it was time I joined in!

The challenge for February (which I am posting in March, but I promise I finished up in February) was UFO showdown!

For those of you who don't know, in sewing/general crafting terms a UFO is an UnFinished Object and I have a BUNCH of sewing UFOs.

There are a bunch of reasons for this, but one of the main ones is that for some reason I REALLY like cutting out pattern pieces. So often if I'm having a bad day I want to cut out new pattern pieces, but not actually sew them up. This means lots of bags of half finished garments in my sewing "cave".

I could have actually finished off a bunch of projects, but I chose just one for the "showdown" I  do have a few more UFOs that I should finish off before our trip as I began them with the intention of taking them on other trips to warmer climates.

The project I decided to finish up for the UFO showdown is made using a vintage Maudella pattern gifted to me my Vix. I've made this pattern multiple times including here, here and here.

So I cut out this dress like a million years ago and sewed up most of it, but I didn't add the sleeves and hem it because reasons. I actually made this version of the dress a lot longer than the previous versions and I'm not sure if I'm into that or not - time will tell (well how much it gets worn will tell).

I bough the fabric from Arthur Toye (RIP) and I loved it so much I was scared to cut into it - but no more! It's time to use the "good" fabric because there will always be more good fabric in the future!! By the way I'm standing by the lemon tree that was basically dead when we moved into our house a year a go (We have been homeowners for a YEAR now!) but now its going strong! My friend Emma did a bit of a pruning session when she visited last and its really  sprung into life. Also maybe it got better because I added the flamingo to it that Ria gave me a couple of Christmases ago to its pot - I mean, that HAD to have lifted the lemon trees mood right?

Here's a close up of the fabric and also the cute sewing themed necklace Rich's mum bought me for Christmas. I teally love it, too back the spool of thread is sideways in the picture as that's my favourite charm!

That's my first monthly stitch challenge for the year done (I totally missed January, I thought about doing it, but it turns out I thought about it too much and it never happened) next months theme is "Sew hot right now".

I'm going to be honest, as much as I like clothes I find fashion strange and confusing. I just wear things I like, sewing "on trend" will be a little hard for me! Then I guess that's why they call it a challenge. From my limited research (walking down Lambton Quay where there's a bunch of chain stores) it seems that both the nineties and the seventies are "in"  right now - that's when I think I'm heading with this challenge. Do any of you have any idea what's "sew hot right now"?

The Monthly Stitch - April Challenge - Sewing Double

Just wanted to say thanks so much for all your lovely comments on my last post! It made me feel a whole lot better. I'm slowly pulling myself up an out of that slump, I do have some exciting news, this month I ACTUALLY completed the monthly stitch challenge. 

This challenge was open to a little bit of interpretation - but I decided to make a second version of something I have been meaning to make for about a million years. Some of you will remember the wee dressing gown I made for my niece Sophiia, well I have been meaning to make one for her brother Lukah for the longest time. However, I just never got around to it, I decided the sewing double challenge was the time to make it happen!

Again Kuromi was totally keen to model the dressing gown - I couldn't ask for a better model! 

This dressing gown has a hood as well - because all dressing gowns should have hoods (in fact I'm sad my dressing gown doesn't have a hood!).

Here's another view of the dressing gown - I love this polar fleece, I bought it at the Arthur Toye closing down sale. I am now wishing I bought more!

Here's a close up of that fabric - skulls forever!

Then I decided I couldn't really send Lukah something without sending Sophiia anything - so I doubled up on my double sewing!

Recently I was gifted a bulk lot of patterns - which included quite a few patterns for kids, including this one.

Lately I've been thinking I need to use more of my stash. Making kids clothes is a perfect way to deal with some of the small pieces of fabric I have. 

I decided to make Sophiia a couple of skirts, fortunately being kids skirts they have elastic waistbands so they can be easily altered if needed when she receives the skirts.

You guys most likely remember from my previous posts that I'm not into making (or even buying) my niece and nephew gender specific stuff. There is no way Sophiia will be receiving pink, flowery skirts from Aunty Trees.

Kuromi couldn't really model the skirts - but still wanted to be in the photo (she's so demanding). 

These wee skirts have pleats! My pleats are less than perfect - but I'm pretty happy with them. Plus Sophiia isn't even at primary school yet so I'm sure she won't be bothered by less than perfect pleats.

The blue skirt really could have done with ironing pre-photo - oh well, nothing is perfect in life! 

Now I just need to get around to my next challenge - braving the post office to post these goodies out to the "kidlets". Hope you're all enjoying your week xoxo

The Monthly Stitch: Miss Bossy Patterns

One of my "things to do in 2014" was to undertake at least six monthly stitch challenges. I'm not sure if I've blogged much about it before, but the monthly stitch is a collective organised by three of my Wellington Sewing Blogger Network friends - Kat, Mel and Juliet. The collective is an ongoing sew-a-long with a new challenge each month and the challenge for March is Miss Bossy Patterns.

The theme does seem a little confusing to start with - but let me explain more! Miss Bossy Patterns is about making a pattern from your pattern stash which is brand new (to you at least, it can be vintage or second hand) but you have never made. Sounds easy right?

This is where the "Bossy" part comes in - you have to ask your blog readers to chose which pattern to make (by giving them a choice of three patterns). So have a look and let me know which you would like to see me stitch up during the month of March.

Pattern One - Sew Liberated - The Ashland Dress

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I bought this pattern long ago, before I thought I had the skills to make this dress. It was kind of a pattern to "work towards". I am pretty confident I can now make it, but I just haven't "gotten around to it yet". 

I really love this dress - it looks really comfortable and I love the neckline and there are some great versions of this dress around the internet. I love this grey version worn with a shirt underneath (it changes the look of the dress altogether) and these two versions made by Meg McElwee who is the designer of Sew Liberated Patterns. I just think the styling of her patterns is so beautiful. I also would love to make the Brynna Dress, School House Tunic, Sunday Picnic Blouse and strangely enough the Bohemian Carpet Bag (I know - me wanting to make non clothing items!).

So if you'd like to see me sewing up my own version of the Ashland Dress (does anyone else say Aslan in their head? Like as in from Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe? No? Just me?) then just let me know in the comments below!

Pattern Two -Made by Rae - Washi Dress

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I have seen about a million versions of the washi dress and ALL of them look amazing - look here, here and here for a few versions of the dress. The designer Rae (obviously that's her name, give the name of the pattern company!) has even created a washi expansion pack so you can add a bow, sleeves or peter pan collar to your dress. I know, loads of you are like "but I can make those alterations myself" yeah I could more than likely too if I tried, but I'd just rather have someone else do it for me and spend more time sewing and less time mucking about trying to draft pattern pieces.

I bought this pattern not only because I thought it was adorable, but also because the designer Rae seems like a really nice person (is that a weird reason - I mean if the pattern wasn't my thing I wouldn't buy it, but the fact she is nice makes me want to give her my money more). I've followed her blog Made by Rae FOREVER and I also love her Ruby Dress pattern - but I HATE sticking PDF patterns together, so I will wait until it becomes a printable pattern before buying it (hopefully it does become a printable pattern).

 If you'd like to see me sew up my own version of the washi dress pattern, just comment below and let me know. 

Pattern Three - Christine Haynes Patterns - Emery

So if you've been following this blog for a while, you will know that Christine Haynes is pretty much my sewing idol when it come to indie patterns. When I was first learning to sew, I learned about a million things from her book Simple and Chic Sewing and I recently made my squirrel print dress from Christine's Derby Dress pattern.

There are so many beautiful versions of the Emery dress out there, for just a few examples look here, here and here. I don't really have much more to say about this one except I love Christine's Patterns and this kind of pattern is basically why I wanted to sew. So why haven't I made it yet? I have no idea! But in my defense I haven't owned this pattern long, I only bought it at the start of this year (when I bought a pattern to buy Rich a shirt). So it hasn't been lying around unused for too long. 

If you'd like to see me make up my own version of the Emery - let me know in the comments below.

So that's all about my March sewing challenge, let me know what you want to see - an Ashland, Washi or a Emery. Hope you all had a great weekend (I've been sick ALL weekend - its the WORST - obviously I'm not resentful about it). 

 

The Monthly Stitch - Frocktober - Purple Velvet Dress

You may remember this post where I told you all my plan for frocktober was to make one Halloween themed dress for each week in October. I feel like I may have over-committed myself, but I am going to continue to try and make four Halloween inspired/themed dresses even if some of them come into existence after Halloween.

Here's my second Halloween themed dress - its purple (again) and its a very deep shade of purple. This is more of a gothic witch inspired frock.

So I should let you all know that the last couple days have been EXTREMELY windy, even by Wellington standards and that's been putting my haircut to the test. Which is a problem, my haircuts are usually based on being manageable in our wild weather conditions!

This is another dress made from Maudella 5619 - basically when I find a pattern I love I used it around a billion times! I'm not as crazy about this version of the dress as early versions, I may try it with a belt and see if I like it more.

I am currently working on my fourth Halloween dress and I have started stitching it up - want a sneak peak? Well here you go!

It's being made from a pattern I've never used before *shock horror* the Derby Dress pattern by Christine Haynes. I'm making the fabric on the right and I'm using black cotton and some of that sweet little ghost/coffin fabric. 

Just one thing before I go - I thought I'd share my wee ghost necklace - I think he adds an extra creepy cute touch to the outfit.

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend - now its time to go and sew up my next dress!

The Monthly Stitch - Frocktober - Purple Kitty Dress

This months challenge over at The Monthly Stitch is Frocktober - my original Frocktober plan was to make a Halloween themed dress for each week of the month. I love Halloween and thought this would be a great excuse to make four ridiculous Halloween dresses.

But then you know how things go - life gets in the way! It's now 15 October and I've only made one Halloween themed dress. I always have good intentions but making them into reality can be difficult. I've decided that I won't be too hard on myself for only having made one dress - the rest will come with time (even if that time ends up being November or December!).

Here's my first dress of Frocktober 2013 and I've rather chuffed with how it turned out - my purple kitty dress.

Remember how I visited Alicia and Bear in Pennsylvania and Alicia took me to ALL THE HUGE craft stores - including Joanns. I could have spent my whole trip budget a Joanns - but I restrained myself and bought only seven and a half yards. That included two and a half yards of this purple fabric with kitty print.

It's pretty adorable fabric! I love the cats and their happy faces and purple just seems like a Halloween colour don't you think?

We are back in the delightful car park of our building - complete with weeds and random crap on the ground.

If any sewing geeks out there are wondering - I made this dress from a pattern in Sew La Tea Do. The pattern in the book is the "Too Cute Tunic Dress" which I have made countless times before (well actually more like five). I really love this dress as its just so simple to make and every time I've sewn it up it looks great. I guess I'm just one of those sewists who finds a pattern she likes and makes it over and over again.

We had a pretty big storm in Wellington yesterday, which is a bit of a worry when your apartment block is covered in scaffolding and "stuff" is flying everywhere. See that bit of wood I'm standing on, it "fell" off the building and Rich helped the guy that runs the shop downstairs move it to the back of the building to get it out of the way - have I mentioned before how much I am looking forward to the scaffolding coming off the building? Because I REALLY can't wait until its ALL GONE!

Seen as we are talking about the storm and scaffolding - this building site near our house didn't come out of the storm so well. I took this photo on the way home last night, Wellington is known for its wind but this is kind of out of control.

So its been kind of an exciting week so far - let's hope for calm skies and sunshine for the rest of the week!

The Monthly Stitch: Vintage Pattern - Action Shots!!

Remember when I posted about the dress I made from a vintage pattern for my first monthly stitch challenge? 

Well that post just showed the dress on a coat hanger and it wasn't at all inspiring, so I was determined to have some "action shots" of my dress.

I was meeting my friend for a coffee on Saturday and asked her if she would mind taking a few photos of me in my new frock. I've known Jaimee for years and I never knew she was such a fantastic photographer! We took these photos at an empty lot near our apartment, when we first came home to New Zealand there was a wee historical cottage here that was demolished, it was a pretty big deal at the time as the time as I don't think the property owners had permission to demolish the building. It does make for a good place to take photos though, apparently a market is meant to be opening around here soon, so perhaps I should take more photos here before its gone.

I hope you all had a great Monday xoxo

The Monthly Stitch: Vintage Patterns

A few months back a few of my friends from the Wellington Sewing Bloggers Network set up a monthly sewing challenge via The Monthly Stitch, which is an ongoing sew-a-long with a new challenge each month.

I didn't quite get around to completing the August challenge, but I decided I WOULD do the September Challenge which is vintage sewing patterns.

I'm sure that many other people doing this challenge will be making patterns MUCH older than mine - I'm pretty sure there will be a lot of patterns from the 1940s and 1950s.  However, whilst I was once rather smitten with the 1950s - really these are not decades I'm crazy about in terms of style. I'm much more of a 1960s/1970s girl (ok I admit it the 1980s was pretty rad) so that's what I made.

First up the pattern is my trusty old Maudella 5619 that was gifted to me by Vix. It had been my intention to make a vintage pattern I had not made before for this challenge, but the month kind of got away from me and I figured I should just make something I was familiar with or I would not have time to  make anything at all.

I could not find any further information about Maudella 5619 online and its not dated, but I'm guessing from the style and the art on the pattern envelope its from the 1960s. I chose to make it in this GLORIOUS stretch sparkly fabric I bought at the last fabric-a-brac.

Action shot of cutting out the pattern - I use novels as pattern weights, because I'm super fancy.

I REALLY wanted to do some dress action shots for this post, because this dress looks pretty sack like if its not on an actual human body (or dress form). I planned to do this after work today as daylight savings started on Sunday. But the weather was pretty grey, dark and rainy today and when I got home it wasn't the kind of weather for outfit posts. So you all will have to cope with sack like photos for now and I'll add action shots at a later date.

Like I said - it looks sack like when its not on a body! But I was determined to do this post before September ticked over to October. 

This is the fourth time I've made this dress pattern (because I'm the kind of sewist that finds a pattern she likes and makes it over and over) and I think the construction on this dress is some of the best I've ever done so feeling pretty pleased with myself about that.

Octobers Monthly Stitch is "Dress it up for frocktober" - I think I can manage that!