Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Some op shopping


The kids and I went to our local Lifeline shop yesterday and came out with this stuff.

A huge old Tupperware container. I have no idea what to do with it, but it's Tupperware and I had to have it as I'm a bit of a Tupperwhore. I love the colour.

Some gumboots and trainers for Elizabeth (2 years old). She hasn't taken the boots off since we got them. Her favourite pink shoes have been tossed aside.

A purple zipper and two packs of purple shank buttons.

Pretty boring, but still worth sharing!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Fancy a quickie?



Quick post!

Here's something I have been working on...just need to sew the hem and zipper!

I scored these WICKED yellow LEATHER shoes from an op shop yesterdee...they are Nine West and cost me the princely sum of $5! Aw yeeh!


I love this sudden cold weather we have had since yesterday. I am head-over-heels in love with tights!





Friday, April 6, 2012

New Look 6078



I purchased this blouse pattern last year and couldn't wait to get started on it. I cut out my toile about 2 months before I finally sewed it up. I used some red fabric from my stash that was given to me by a friend, thinking that if I didn't totally balls it up, I could actually wear it.

It certainly wasn't a quick sew. I find darts incredibly tedious, and this one has six of them. The collar was very fiddly to attach and I'm not happy with the way it sits. Once I'd attached and finished the armhole seams on the sleeves, I realised that not only had I cut out two identical sleeves (as opposed to a right and a left), I'd also managed to sew them into the wrong armholes- so the buttons are on the front instead of the back!


Mistakes aside, the fit is great. Actually, it's perfect!
I wore it to work and everyone commented on it.

So I sewed up my 'real' one without making any alterations to the pattern- except this time I did the sleeves properly. Also, I decided to 'improve' the way the collar was attached. In hindsight, I should have just stuck with what the instructions said.

The fit isn't as good this time. It seems too loose around the bust. Lesson learned: Make your toile in a similar fabric to the finished item.

I'm still pretty happy with it!





Pattern used: New Look 6078

Does it look like the drawing on the pattern/ envelope?
Yes!

Were the instructions easy to follow?
The attachment of the collar was tricky. I didn't find this one as easy to follow as other New Look patterns.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I would like it if there were other collar options. As cute as Peter Pan collars are, I don't think I want a wardrobe full of them!

Fabrics and notions
The main fabric was left over from my first dress. I used about a metre.
I went on a search specifically for buttons for this project. I found these ones at Lifeline.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made
Just the collar attachment.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, I would definitely sew it again and recommend it. It takes a while but is so cute that it's worth it. I may make one of the longer sleeved ones for autumn.

Did you use any new skills?
Sewing on shank buttons.

Cost
Pattern: It was half price...$4.50
Fabric: The fabric was from Spotlight- $4/m and I used about a metre.
Notions: Buttons- came from Lifeline- used a pack and a half. $1.20
Thread: Stash
Total: $5.70