new pattern RETRO RAGLAN

The RETRO RAGLAN made up in a mottled French Terry found at Tessuti in Melbourne.  The fit is relaxed through the body, darts at the shoulder add shape and you can cut the tapered sleeves in two different lengths, 3/4 as shown or full.

The RETRO RAGLAN sewing pattern is now available from my Etsy Shop in Australian sizes 10 to 16, for international customers a size conversion chart can be found right here.

 

The pattern is suitable for the lightest of jersey through to bulky brushed fleece, if you select a bulky fabric I'd maybe consider going up a size.  I mashed a couple of prints together which also worked and I have plans for an oversized version in combination with a silk screen workshop at Handmaker's Factory...just need to finish my design and book.

Hat Making

Forgotten photos taken on a particularly hot morning in the upper levels of the eastern arcade.  It's a glasshouse type structure hidden in between the buildings at Federation Square and the sun and glass in combination turned the walls to an intense shade of blue which seems particularly fitting considering the subject.

THE AVIATOR was inspired by the brave and beautiful Amelia Earhart and originally released in July 2013.  The sewing pattern uses very little fabric and allows for the patching together of textures and colours, so perfect for leftovers.

Silver Lining pt 3

At the top of the pile a 57cm long piece of the Liberty print Ciara Grey plus, in what can only be described as an extreme cutting event, a slightly modified APRON TOP pattern were combined together to produce a highly wearable version of one of my favourite patterns.
 

The APRON TOP sewing pattern is available from my Etsy shop in Australian sizes 8-14, for international customers a size conversion chart can be found right here.  There was no fabric left for the collar so I replaced it with a narrow bias cut tie and step by step instructions have been included below.

1. Follow the APRON TOP instructions to step 8.

2. For this example I've used a pre-cut/folded 3.5cm wide bias binding in 100% cotton sourced from Luccello.

3. With right sides together stitch the binding to each side of the neck making your stitching line just to the right side of the fold line.  For my APRON TOP I allowed 19.5cm for the back neck and 45cm for each of the front ties.

 

4. Clip the seam as required and trim away the ends of the binding from the underarm.  Slip stitch the binding in place on either side of the neck.

5. Bring the free folded edges of the binding together, tuck in the end of the ties and topstitch through all layers to secure in place.  Trim any excess threads, press and you're all done.

Silver lining, it's all about me sewing bee continues...

Silver Lining pt 2

The silver lining sewing bee continues with a rendition of a sleeveless top from HAPPY HOMEMADE vol 1.

I've made it before not realising the seam allowances weren't included (no English text) so this time around it'll be slightly larger and a bit longer.

Cut from 65cm of the Liberty print Gemma with no front frill and contrast polka dot armhole bindings found at Luccello.  It's shown together with the cardigan Martha, from Rowan Magazine 37, and a linen skirt of my own design.

 

If you've never used bias binding to finish an edge I've included two examples including detailed step by step instructions here and here.

Take care of yourself, solidarity sisters.

Silver Lining pt 1

My knicker making class got cancelled funk came to an abrupt, silver lining stop, when I saw this...

Surprise! (insert that feeling you get when you discover a piece of really beautiful fabric you bought years ago, packed away and then promptly forgot about...fabric stash amnesia) suffice to say, I started plotting an, it's all about me sewing bee, immediately.

PART 1 - PRETTY BLOUSE

From only 60cm of a Liberty Print called Emma & Georgina I cut myself a PRETTY BLOUSE.  As I write Strawberry Thief still has stock on hand but I did originally purchased my fabric from Luccello.

For this version the elastic casing was deleted from the waist, 5cm was added to the length and then the hemline was curved to create a shirt-tail shape.  The bib at the front was the scrap of fabric left after the front neckline was cut, bagged out with another leftover and trimmed with vintage buttons.  The neckline and hem edges were finished with a pre-cut/folded gingham bias binding found at Luccello in 100% cotton and only $2.00/mt.

It's shown here with a cardigan called Chicago from Rowan Magazine 37, more shots on Ravelry.

 

The PRETTY BLOUSE sewing pattern is available from my Etsy Shop in Australian sizes 6-14, for international customers a size conversion chart can be found right here.  Detailed instructions showing HOW TO bind an edge with bias binding can be found here although in this case it was machine stitched in place.

too many flowers...NEVER!

Flower mash-ups by Erdem, these from Resort 2016, encouraged a re-imagining of a new pattern I'm working on called the RETRO RAGLAN.

The fabric called Floreale Nero was found at Tessuti, a viscose elastane blend bound with a liberty print binding from Luccello.  The binding can be purchased by the meter along with around 50 others.  

Sewing pattern coming soon in Australian sizes 10-16.  The tapered sleeves can be cut in 3/4 or full length, the shoulder is darted to enhance the shape and the body is loose and forgiving.

Detailed instructions showing HOW TO bind an edge with bias binding can be found right here.

new pattern BIG BUNNY

It's as though I took a BUNNY BAG and like a balloon just blew it up a bit.  I've changed a few things, added some quilting, altered the proportions but it's still cute, just a little more sophisticated and grown up.

   

BIG BUNNY fits snugly up under your arm and features a comfortable quilted shoulder strap and base, inner pocket and of course big floppy ears. 

Select medium to heavy weight woven fabrics, upholstery fabrics will also work as would suede...project for the future.  This example was made from leftovers, a textured canvas for the outer and two contrasting feed sack fabrics previously used for a POWDER PUFF cushion...never throw anything away!

If you've never quilted fabric or stitched with heavy thread a HOW TO can be found for each here and here.  The BIG BUNNY is worn here with the BATHING SUIT TOP made up in a Japanese seersucker previously featured way back when.  All sewing patterns are available from my Etsy shop.

Upcycling my purse

A new pattern I'm working on called the BIG BUNNY combines what was my Ichigo bag (carefully picked apart) and leftovers from the MINNIE MINI Charlie is wearing with her POCKET TOP.

You can find out HOW TO make an Ichigo bag right here.  

The BIG BUNNY sewing pattern will be available from my Etsy store  in a couple of weeks.  It stands around 35cm from base to top, 30cm wide when seated and fits snugly up under your arm.

 

For step by step instructions showing HOW TO sew with top stitch thread and HOW TO quilt fabric using batting follow the links.  

The sunny yellow outer is a design from Alexander Henry called Rolling Hills and it's combined with two fabrics from Umbrella Prints, Rock Dots for the inner strap and Stone Flowers on the side panels.  The contrast top stitch  thread is Gutermann #722.

  

A quilted PARTY DRESS is also in the works, super short, sassy and yes I did say quilted.