new pattern CLASSIC COWL

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

 The pattern is suitable for light to medium weight jersey fabrics and I recommend cotton, cotton/elastane or viscose/elastane blends like the example shown here.  The hem, cuffs and neckline were all finished with twin needle stitching, detailed instructions showing you HOW TO hem jersey using a twin needle can be found right here.
 

 
Leaving the hem edges raw so they roll works best in 100% cotton and an example can be seen here.  The raw denim jeans, with all the pocket stitching removed, are by Nudie and the reading glasses are retro Gucci.

new pattern TANK TOP

A TANK TOP with ties.

 I cut this example from leftovers, a linen for the yoke and a printed jersey I'd been saving for the body.  The striped bias binding came from Luccello, one of maybe 50 different options sold in pre-cut lengths or by the metre.  

The TANK TOP sewing pattern is now available from my Etsy shop in Australian sizes 8 - 14.  For international customers a size conversion chart can be found right here.

As an added bonus you can also cut the back twice and make the back and front the same.  Equally as cute it would look amazing in a combination of dramatic dark colours/ textures for evening...off to do some sewing.

raw rolled edges

Below a new pattern I'm working on called the CLASSIC COWL made up in a 100% cotton single jersey.  For this example the neck, cuffs and hem edges were all left raw so they'd roll back on themselves.  It definitely sped things up, cutting it out actually took me longer than overlocking the pieces together.
 

 

The sewing pattern will be available from my Etsy shop in the next few months and will be offered in Australian sizes 10-16.

If you're opting for a raw rolled edge always leave a trail of overlocking threads at least 10cm long at the end of each seam.  Detailed instructions showing you HOW TO darn them in can be found right here.  Very easy and super fast.

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.

new pattern ESSENTIAL WRAP SHIRT

Some may disagree but for me a wrap shirt is a wardrobe essential,  effortlessly elegant and adaptable.  Here's my version, The ESSENTIAL WRAP SHIRT has been designed for lightweight woven fabrics and features long ties that wrap around the body, 3/4 length flared sleeves and side splits.

I made the photo sample from a Liberty print cotton called Ruby Templar which I found here in Melbourne at Luccello.  The ESSENTIAL WARP SHIRT is now available from my Etsy shop in Australian sizes 8-14.  For international customers a size conversion chart can be found right here.

 

I agree wraps can be fussy to wear.  Adding a snap fastener to the V front is one option but personally I just wear it with a simple jersey tank so I don't have to think about it.

Layering

To THE LONG SKINNY I added the JUMP PANT, a sweater called JACK and an extra long scarf.

Model - Daniela Balcazar

Original Music - Catherine Rewha 

Photography, Styling, Editing - Pamela Cupit

The sweater is knitted from Kidsilk Haze and can be found in Rowan Knitting magazine 30 (pattern in kids, women's and men's sizes). The scarf was made by combining an Annyblatt yarn called Astrakan with Rowan's wool cotton and was knitted for me by my mummy.

Clothes that move!

In 1820 the inventor Thomas Hancock patented elastic fastenings for gloves, shoes, suspenders and stockings.  He founded the British rubber industry and invented a little machine called the masticator which made it all possible.

I avoid making things that require buttonholes, partly it's because my old clunker does a lousy job of it but mostly I'm just really fussy so it takes me ages to get them right...ever unpicked a buttonhole, not easy!  Thank goodness for Mr Hancock.

I love love love working with elastic, it adds shape instantly, creates fullness and texture whilst adding the additional element of comfort...clothes that move with you like the skirt and top shown below.  

The newly released PRETTY BLOUSE is now available from my Etsy shop in Australian sizes 6-14.  It's shown here with the equally versatile FLASH N' DASH skirt.  

new pattern PRETTY BLOUSE

Just added to my Etsy shop, the PRETTY BLOUSE is a simple pull-on style (no buttons!) that's quick to make and easy to wear.  The pattern includes instructions for an optional frill.

The pattern is available in Australian sizes 6-14, for international customers a size conversion chart can be found right here.  The PRETTY BLOUSE is shown here with the FLAPPER SHORT.

Bathing Suit Top

The very curvy and super cool BATHING SUIT TOP shown with a pair of FRILLY FRILLY BLOOMERS.  The pattern for the top is available in Australian sizes 8-14 from my Etsy shop.  

It's designed to be made from contrasting print fabrics and the sample shown combines a lightweight Japanese seersucker with a soft printed voile.   I cut the back on the bias, it takes more fabric but it adds a softness and drape which helps if you're using a crisper fabric. 

Above the LICKETY-SPLIT SKIRT in printed linen.

Retro Swimsuits

Inspired by ultra feminine and curve enhancing swimwear styles popular in the 1940's I designed the BATHING SUIT TOP.
  

Perfect for summer, the front is loose and relaxed while the back sweeps down from the halter neck to form a flattering low scoop.  Long ties secured at the back neck hold the top in place and allow for adjustment whilst the back is comfortably elasticated. 

Perfect as a casual Summer top it might also be a useful party option.  It's shown here with the MINNIE MINI; another summer staple that also loves a fun night out.

The pattern for the BATHING SUIT TOP is available in Australian sizes 8-14 from my Etsy shop.  Altering the pattern to make a dress is easy and it's explained right here.  All fabrics used were found at Tessuti in Melbourne.

Pocket Top Nautical

 A nautical version of the newly minted POCKET TOP made in 100% linen and trimmed with vintage sailor buttons.  It's worn below with a pair of BLOOMERS made out of an old feed sack.  Buttons and feed sack both found at L'uccello.

   

Instead of knicker elastic a satin bias binding threaded with narrow elastic was used; a HOW TO can be found right here.

The POCKET TOP is available from my Etsy store in Australian sizes 6-14.

new pattern POCKET TOP

The sweet and girly POCKET TOP.

The pattern for the POCKET TOP is now available from my Etsy shop and can be made with or without shoulder straps, buttons or pockets. The shape is loose and relaxed, perfect for a long hot summer. 

The POCKET TOP is shown above with a pair of FLAPPER SHORTS and below with the MINNIE MINI and an ICHIGO BAG.  The fabric for the top and shorts came from Tessuti, the vintage bobble buttons were found at L'uccello and the fabric for the MINNIE MINI is by Umbrella Prints  Details for the ICHIGO BAG can be found right here.

new pattern THE LONG SKINNY

 An amalgamation of two of my favourite t-shirts, THE LONG SKINNY combines all the things I loved most into the perfect stretchy knit top...extra long length, curvy side seams that sit close to the body, long skinny sleeves with subtle flared cuffs, a comfortable armhole depth, and a flattering and practical round neck, not too high, not too low.

The pattern for THE LONG SKINNY is available from my Etsy shop in Australian sizes 8-14.  It's super quick to make and comes in two variations; a raw edged version with rolled neck binding or for a more polished finish, with twin needled hems and a classic bound neckline as shown here.  Check out the HOW TO section for more detailed instructions.

Perfect for layering it's shown below with the JUMP PANT and a Rowan sweater designed by Kim Hargraves called JACK (Rowan magazine #30) which I knitted in Kidsilk Haze (the left overs were used for THE SNARF)