The Makers' Journal

Double Face

2012-02-25T14:15:00.000+11:00

Looking at some of the new Winter collections it's clear that the use of sporty design references and textured leather will continue. One of my favourite examples so far, the brilliant Karate influenced pieces in the Proenza Schouler show.

Inspired I adapted our MINNIE MINI pattern (coming soon) and found a double faced fabric to try out. This one is from Tessuti; shiny black PVC on one side and a matte polyester-cotton blend on the other. It's not leather but it was easy to handle and the effect is still quite interesting.

In this version the MINNIE MINI is cut longer in the back with the edges of the double faced fabric left raw. It was sort of like sewing paper with the only caution being to take care when ironing.

Denim Refashion

2012-02-13T15:34:00.000+11:00

Inspired by Nichola, of Wardrobe Refashion fame, my extensive stash of defunct denim is being audited. Some will be patched(finally), some will go to goodwill(tears) but at least one pair is being transformed.

....and voilà! a girly version of our soon to be released FREDDIE VEST made from my beloved Diesel jeans.

The floral prints are of course designed by Liberty and were found at Tessuti in Melbourne. The vintage embroidered ribbon, pink seam binding tape and floral bouquet are all from L'uccello.

Nichola now writes a blog about her sewing adventures and is about to embark on an exciting new business venture called the Handmakers Factory. On occasion she also volunteers to test our patterns for us, thank you Nichola!

The pattern for the FREDDIE VEST will be available very soon.

Frilly Frilly Bloomers

2012-02-10T10:30:00.000+11:00

Inspired by a bit of Old Hollywood Glamour we gave our classic BLOOMER a frilly make-over.

The basic BLOOMER pattern can be purchased through our Etsy shop and instructions for attaching the optional frills can be downloaded right here for free.

We made our FRILLY FRILLY BLOOMERS in a printed cotton called Blueberry Hill found at Tessuti in Melbourne.

Bodywise

2012-02-06T04:00:00.000+11:00

Our first country stockist! Our patterns are now being stocked by the amazing girls at Bodywise based in the town of Woodend, Victoria

Susan, Jen and Irene are passionate about their product; there isn't much that these girls don't know about fitting bras! Their on-line collection and personal phone service is legendary but if you feel like a country drive it's well worth a visit.

Included in the selection are our four basic knicker patterns, as well as the very cute BUNNY BAG. Each takes only a few hours to make and are perfect for gift giving!

Bodywise Emporium

Shop 19,130 High Street
(next to the new Post Office)

Woodend, Victoria 3442
Phone: 1300 66 1766
www.bodywise.com.au

HOW TO sew with top stitch thread

2012-02-01T09:00:00.000+11:00

I love using heavy top stitching thread. If you've never tried it before have a go, here's how you do it...

Shopping list

Machine Needles

You'll need to buy appropriate needles for your machine, find a pack marked TOP STITCH. On my old Husqvarna I've been using Schmetz 130N 90/14 for both light and heavy fabrics and so far so good.

Top Stitch Thread

Pick out your thread colour, I use Gutermann top stitch thread. You also need some regular thread for the bobbin. The bobbin colour depends on the project, I generally use a contrast top stitching thread with a bobbin thread that matches the background of my fabric. By doing this the stitches are more prominent.

1. First change over your machine needle, to avoid any disasters make sure the new one is on nice and tight.

2. Thread the top of the machine with the top stitch thread and put regular thread on the bobbin.

3. Reduce the pressure right down on the sewing foot, how much will depend on your fabric and machine so you may need to do a bit of experimentation.

4. Adjust the stitch length to suit, for the bag below I used a density of 7 stitches per inch.

Special thanks to the lovely ladies at the Camberwell Sewing Centre for all the supplies. The pattern for our WEEKEND TOTE BAG will be available soon.

Bunnies at L'uccello

2012-01-27T12:00:00.000+11:00

Very exciting! Our sewing patterns are now available at L'uccello in Melbourne. Included is the Bunny Bag, made up here in a William Morris print with contrast lining. Kim has both fabrics in stock and the sample is on display in store for some added inspiration. Oh and her new collection of Liberty fabrics has arrived, perfect for knicker making!

L'uccello

The Nicholas Building

Room 5, 2nd Floor

37 Swanston Street

Melbourne

ph. 03 9639 0088

Piece Together

2012-01-24T09:39:00.000+11:00

Our patterns are now being stocked at Piece Together in Queensland.

Founder and instructor Tammy Spiller describes Piece Together as 'a workshop and market place where you can create things, meet people and purchase local handmade and vintage items', sounds perfect!

Piece Together

Studio, Workshop & Marketplace

2/33a Logan Road

Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102

ph: 07 3391 1140

www.piecetogether.com.au

Included in Tammy's selection is our pattern for the Dress-Me-Up Collar Set.

Dress Me Up!

2012-01-21T09:00:00.000+11:00

Need a lift? how about this.....

A cute little collar to wear like a necklace. We made our DRESS-ME-UP collars in some novelty printed cottons found at Tessuti in Melbourne.

The pattern comes with two variations and is available through our Etsy shop in sizes 8-16.

A PDF version is also available and can be purchased directly below

$19.95 incl gst

WHERE TO BUY knicker elastic

2012-01-20T11:10:00.000+11:00

We've been asked quite a few times where we purchased our knicker elastic. In Melbourne you can't go past Cleggs for notions, they carry a great range.

We used 9mm knicker elastic and Cleggs have two types in stock. The first is from Birch, it's slightly thicker and comes in natural, black or white. The second, called Stretch Ribbon Elastic, is slightly thinner and has worked well in combination with the Liberty print florals we used for our samples (Cleggs also stock Liberty). Its available in five colours including pale pink and blue but the one I use most often is a very pale butter colour. Neither of these elastics are available from the on-line store but Cleggs will happily take a phone order, call 03 9654 7677 and select haberdashery from the options available.

For a step-by-step guide showing HOW TO attach knicker elastic click here.

Special thanks to Tina for all your help!

Little Sweetie

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000+11:00

We call it the SWEETIE; pretty floral ruffles in a contrast print added to the classic TIE SIDE knickers. The TIE SIDE knicker pattern can be purchased from our Etsy shop and the instructions for the optional ruffles can be downloaded right here for free.

We made our SWEETIE from some pretty Liberty print florals found at Tessuti; Mauvey in pink for the body and Tatum in Aqua for the contrast frill. The lolly pink ribbon was found at Luccello.

HOW TO make the perfect folded edge

2012-01-12T08:30:00.000+11:00

This is a really simple way to achieve a neat folded edge, here's how you do it....

1. Sew your seam as normal.

2. On the wrong side press both seam allowances so they face the under side, the side of your work that will not show.

3. Flip your project to the right side and top-stitch close to the seam on the under side making sure to catch both seam allowances underneath. Clip if necessary, fold along your edge and press.

4. My finished collar, perfect!

The pattern for our Dress-Me-Up Collar Set will be available via our Etsy shop from next week.

I Just Love That Fabric!

2012-01-08T09:00:00.000+11:00

The Bunny Bag pattern is now available at I JUST LOVE THAT FABRIC on the Gold Coast. Susie has a huge range of printed fabrics in stock and for a short time the Bunny Bag will be on display for some added inspiration.

I Just Love That Fabric

Palm Beach Avenue

Palm Beach,

Gold Coast QLD 4221

07 5534 8160

www.ijustlovethatfabric.com.au

Tried & True Pocket

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000+11:00

You just never know when it might come in handy; jazz up your TRIED & TRUE knickers with a cute back pocket. The pattern and instructions for the pocket can be downloaded right here for free.

The TRIED & TRUE knicker in sizes 8-14 takes only a few hours to make and the basic pattern can be purchased from our Etsy shop.

We made our knickers in a combination of Liberty prints in Tana Lawn found at Tessuti in Melbourne, the body was cut from Tatum in Aqua and for the pocket we used Mauvey in Pink.

Trim your Skimpy!

2011-12-28T18:59:00.000+11:00

Dress up your SKIMPY with an adorable frilly edge and bow. The pattern and instructions for the optional frill can be downloaded right here for free. The SKIMPY knicker takes just a few hours to make and the pattern is available in sizes 8-14 from our Etsy shop.

We made our SKIMPY in a Liberty print fabric found at Tessuti in Melbourne called Eliza in the colour cerise.

For the bow at the front cut a strip of fabric 6cm wide and 11cm long. Make a double roll top stitched edge along both long sides and one end, then run a gathering stitch down the middle. Pull into a frill and top stitch the gathering in place. Roll into a bow with the unfinished edge in the centre, secure the bow and then top stitch to the front of your knickers.

L'uccello

2011-12-19T15:36:00.000+11:00

Hidden away behind a gigantic patchwork door, L'uccello located on the 2nd floor of the Nicholas Building in Melbourne, is a treasure trove of vintage haberdashery and other assorted little treats. There is so much to see and what you can't the lovely Kim will probably have it squirreled away somewhere.

After a little chat and some show & tell she conjured up a box of vintage seam binding tape (almost too precious to open) and from somewhere under the counter a beautiful floral fabric which I promptly turned into a frilly version of our SKIMPY knicker.

The pattern for the SKIMPY can be purchased here, the Nicholas Building is located at 37 Swanston St and L'uccello can be found in room 5 on the 2nd floor ph: 03 9639 0088

HOW TO make bias binding

2011-12-13T10:06:00.002+11:00

I use bias binding a lot and when I can't find a perfect match I just make it myself, here's how....

1. Work out how much binding you need and double check the width required (don't forget to add extra for the seam allowances on both sides). Press your fabric and lay it out onto a large flat surface. On the wrong side draw a line diagonally across; I use a protractor to find the exact 45 degree angle from the selvedge.

2. Once you've marked out all your binding carefully cut out the strips without pulling or stretching the fabric.

3. You may need to make joins and this is done by placing right sides together and stitching as shown below.

4. Press the seam open and you're ready to go.

5. If required you can pre-press the edges of your binding, it will depend on your sewing project. These little gadgets can help with the folding and pressing, Tessuti in Melbourne stock them in 6mm, 12mm, 18mm and 25mm widths.

I used my binding for an elastic casing around the edges of our Bathing Suit Top (photos very soon)...super cute!

If you're feeling a bit lazy take a look at this

Super Sexy Skimpy

2011-12-12T12:00:00.000+11:00

The super sexy SKIMPY! We made our SKIMPY in a pretty Liberty floral called Mauvey in pink. It takes only a few hours to make and from 1/2 a metre you can easily cut 2 pairs. The pattern is available from our Etsy store.

We found our Liberty print cotton at Tessuti in Melbourne, just look at the range.....

Envirocare

2011-12-05T17:12:00.001+11:00

Choosing the paper on which to print our patterns was an incredibly important part of our design process; papers add personality and we love beautiful paper!

We spent more than a few hours perusing the shelves in the magazine mecca that is Mag Nation; an appealing paper really does make a difference.

Eventually we settled on a silky smooth Doggett stock called Envirocare.
Slightly heavier in weight the patterns are both durable and practical. They can be traced around easily or pinned directly to the fabric without damage. It has a beautiful raw look, the fact that its manufactured entirely from waste with no optical brighteners or Chlorine makes it even more lovable.

100% Recycled and gorgeous, what more can you ask for!

Magazines we love....

Frankie
Peppermint
Selvedge
Lula
Dumbo Feather

...way too many!

Red & Yellow Roses

2011-12-05T09:26:00.000+11:00

TIE SIDE knickers made in a 100% silk georgette called 'Red & Yellow Roses' which we found at Tessuti in Melbourne. The pale green ribbon came from Luccello.....so pretty!

The TIE SIDE knicker in sizes 8-14 takes only a few hours to make and the pattern can be purchased through our Etsy shop.

HOW TO attach knicker elastic

2011-10-21T13:44:00.000+11:00

Attaching knicker elastic can be a little tricky the first time so we've added some step by step instructions to help guide you through the process. We highly recommend buying a little extra and practicing first.

1. Measure along the edge of the opening and reduce by 1/3, cut the elastic to this length.

2. With the right side of fabric facing up and the straight edge of the elastic aligned with the edge of the fabric, attach the elastic using a zig-zag stitch stretching the elastic evenly as you go. The fabric should not be stretched, only the elastic.

3. Flip the elastic to the wrong side. The scalloped edge of the elastic should now be on the outer edge with the fabric folded underneath. With the right side of the fabric facing up, zig-zag along edge stretching the elastic evenly as you go.

....hopefully you have something that looks like this.

Bloomers

2011-09-16T16:21:00.000+10:00

Sew your very own BLOOMERS....perfect for flippy skirts on windy days and especially handy when cycling. We made our bloomers from a light weight cotton Gingham found at Tessuti in Melbourne but they look equally cute in florals or novelty prints.

Our BLOOMER has been designed for woven fabrics and is cut on the bias for added comfort, they fit loosely around the body and the pattern is available in Australian sizes 8-14 from our Etsy shop.

Bunny Bags

2011-08-13T16:40:00.004+10:00

Called the 'Bunny Bag' this cute accessory is suitable sized at just under 30cm to the tips of its floppy little ties. Especially sweet made up in Japanese cottons found at Tessuti in Melbourne and is perfect for a quick trip to the corner store. Pattern now available.

Shown below with a pair of our SKIMPY knickers made in a beautiful Liberty print called Mauvey.

Tessuti Awards

2011-07-26T17:50:00.009+10:00

The 2011 Tessuti Awards, themed 'Linen and Lace', includes this entry from Pamela of The Makers Journal; halterneck linen dress with uneven hemline, optional lace trim and a wide double frill. The floral bangle is from Collezione Alessandro.

Linen & Lace

2011-07-25T15:41:00.007+10:00

Elegant sleeveless daydress with open back and optional crochet lace trim. Entered into the 2011 Tessuti Awards and selected as a finalist, the pattern will soon be available in sizes 10-14 from our PREMIUM PATTERN SERVICE.