Swishing about

A little adaptation....

To make the LITTLE TRUCK STOP TOP into a Dress I added 10cm to the length plus a gathered hem frill, 13cm in width.  The frill is made from a new Liberty print called Pointillism in the colour red.  A leather chain belt from Collezione Alessandro was used for the bangle.

Mighty good for swishing about!
 

 Helene from Stitch 56 has just launched her new website and to celebrate has put together some amazing pattern offers including this one for the LITTLE TRUCK STOP TOP and LITTLE FREDDIE VEST.

Little TRUCK STOP TOP

 
The pattern for the LITTLE TRUCK STOP TOP for girls is now available in my Etsy shop.  It comes in sizes 7-10 and includes the option of adding a frilly hem.
 

 

The printed viscose blend jersey was found at Tessuti in Melbourne as was the contrast Liberty print cotton used for the frill.  Jersey fabrics with a high content of viscose don't tend to roll as well so if you particularly like this effect perhaps select a cotton or cotton blend jersey instead.

Tennis anyone?

The Australian Open is in it's second week and Melbourne is awash with Tennis inspired ensembles especially at Fed Square where devoted fans have been reclining till the wee hours transfixed by the big screen action.

 

My tennis inspired offering is the FLAPPER SHORT made up in a jacquard fabric; pale beige combined with shinny silver.  You'll need a stretch fabric for the waist and I went for a contrasting apricot twill in cotton elastane.

   

The pattern for the FLAPPER SHORT is available in Australian sizes 6-14 from my Etsy shop. It's shown above with the POCKET TOP which I really do promise is coming soon.

Raw Edges

The pattern for THE TUNIC is now available in store at Tessuti in Melbourne and Sydney.  In this version, made from a lightweight viscose blend jersey, both the armholes and hem have been left raw.

  

The pattern for THE TUNIC is also available through my Etsy shop and is worn here with the FREDDIE VEST.  

Freddie ALSO LOVES the tunic

Another perfect match?

The FREDDIE VEST in a combination of solid colours; a sheer viscose in a muted khaki combined with a heavier textured fabric in black.  The lining is in a Liberty print cotton.

Using a sheer when you can't find a perfect match is not a bad idea as it helps the colours and prints to blend together.  Here the print of THE TUNIC, visible through the front of the vest, adds an extra dimension.

The Tunic

THE TUNIC pattern in Australian sizes 8-14 is now available in my Etsy shop.  Wear as a dress or top, belted, tucked in or loose and free.  It's incredibly easy to make and takes less than a metre of fabric.

For the photo sample I used a cotton blend jersey found at Tessuti in Melbourne.  This version has twisted bands at the neck and armholes while the hem edge has been left raw.

HOW TO make a twisted jersey band

A new style in jersey called THE TUNIC features a twisted band at the neck and armholes.  It looks complicated but is actually incredibly easy, here's how you do it...

Follow the pattern instructions for THE TUNIC to step 3.

1. Press the seam toward the band and then join the remaining shoulder seam.

2. Press under 1cm along the long free edge of the band.

3. Fold the band toward the inside of the garment and slip stitch the pressed folded edge to the seam moving the edge 2 cm to the right of where it would naturally sit.

4. Once complete DO NOT PRESS the outer edge as this spoils the effect.  On the body any puckering around the neck seam will disappear under the weight of the garment.

The armhole bands are completed in the same way.