Fabric leftovers

 One of the best things about making your own knickers is how little fabric you need; probably a good thing considering how addictive it is. 

Once you've got the hang of it you'll even find yourself rearranging patterns so you can fit a pair in.  Another possible sign of addiction might be classing as a "DISASTER" the fact that my favourite knicker elastic colour had SOLD OUT....O M G! 

Scraps were used to fashion this frilly version of the LOW RIDER.  The cotton and silk blend voile (perfect for knickers) was found at Tessuti in Melbourne and the pattern for the LOW RIDER is available in Australian sizes 8 - 14 from my Etsy shop. 

  

Givenchy on Film

Showing tonight at ACMI, Otto Preminger's fabulous Bonjour Tristesse.....costumes by Givenchy, jewels by Cartier and Handbags from Hermès!

Released in 1958 and filmed in Paris and the South of France, it also stars Deborah Kerr, David Niven and the utterly irresistible Jean Seberg.  

Saturday 7pm & Sunday 5.30pm

Another Givenchy showcase, William Wyler's 1966 romantic crime caper How To Steal A Million is a must see.  Also shot in Paris; the costumes, locations, cars, makeup etc.....all fabulous, plus of course it stars Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole!

This one is not showing at ACMI however I do know they have copies in the store because that's where I found mine.

New Stockists

Located in the Victorian country town of Hamilton, HAZEL GREEN is owned and operated by local Jackie O'Brien.  The store "is devoted to high quality woollen yarns, dressmaking fabrics, knitting and sewing patterns as well as striking handmade garments and accessories" and Jackie has included the TRIED & TRUE knicker and BLOOMER sewing patterns in her assortment.  You can read more about HAZEL GREEN right here and if you feel like a country drive Hamilton is located about 4 hrs drive south west of Melbourne.
 

photograph - Sharyn Cairns

HAZEL GREEN
73 Thompson Street
Hamilton VIC 3300
phone 03 5572 2278

CAN DO BOOKS in Hawthorn is a local treasure chest filled with every kind of craft book you can possibly imagine.  A large table in the centre allows for lengthy browsing and doubles as a workspace for the various classes which are held regularly.

Join one of Stephanie's MEET-UP groups SEW MELBOURNE, LOOPED, CAN DO CRAFTS or CRAFT LIKE CRAZY which all meet at the store.  Details for a forthcoming knicker making class will be announced soon.

Stephanie is stocking the entire collection of patterns in store and on-line.
  
CAN DO BOOKS
608 Burwood Road
Hawthorn Victoria 3122
phone 1300 308 261
www.candobooks.com.au

HOW TO an alternative to knicker elastic

I've been working on a new bloomer/short shape (not sure what to call it yet) and instead of knicker elastic I've been using bias binding threaded with elastic.  It gives the knicker a cute retro look, here's how you do it....

1. First, stitch the front and back together at the crotch and side seams, and then neaten.  With right sides together stitch the bias binding (I've been using a soft satin bias 11mm wide) around one leg opening. Stitch just to the right of the fold rather than right on the fold.

2. When you've almost stitched the binding the entire way around stop leaving a gap of about 5cm so you can make a join in your bias binding.

3. With right sides together make a join in your binding.  Check its correct by pinning first.

  

4. Trim away the excess binding, press the seam open and then stitch this section to the leg opening as before.

5. Flip the bias binding to the wrong side, press and then stitch along the free edge leaving a small opening to insert the elastic.

6. Repeat steps 1-5 for the other leg and waist and then give the knicker a good press.

7. Thread elastic (I've been using a soft 6mm wide elastic) through the openings you've left using a small safety pin. Take care not to twist the elastic.  The amount of elastic you need will depend on your size, a general rule is the total circumference of the fabric x .66  Once confirmed overlap the elastic by a couple of cm's and using a zig-zag stitch, stitch back and forth a few times on the overlapped section.  Using a straight stitch, stitch the opening in the bias binding closed....and voilà!

You can use this method for the TRIED & TRUE knickers, FRILLY FRILLY BLOOMER and BLOOMER patterns.  

Wardrobe V Pantry

Recently featured as part of a series of fashion related talks at the National Gallery of Victoria were the Melbourne based authors of WARDROBE V PANTRY who match photographs of fashion with food.

 So how hard can this be?....well, as it turns out, very! It was so hard in fact, that I gave up and started screen shopping.

So above a new cushion cover pattern I'm working on called POWDER PUFF and, after hours and hours of searching, it's food handbag nemesis c/o Dolce & Gabbana....chosen mostly because I just want one!

The POWDER PUFF shown is made from a selection of vintage feedsack fabrics found at L'uccello.  For the inner I re-purposed an old feather doona (feathers everywhere!); the bias binding used for the edge also came from L'uccello.  

The pattern for the POWDER PUFF will be released shortly.