Its' the last day of MMM'12

and the group has decided to thank Zoe for organising these groups by holding a thank you sign, taking our photo in front of a red door and/or wearing a garment that is a tribute to Zoe's style, so

Top:  Kwik.Sew 3740 without the cowl and the neckline raised in a green/navy striped knit fabric previously worn on day 13.
Skirt:  Vogue 7937 in navy linen previously worn on day 14.
Vest: Jalie 3129 Vest in navy linen previously worn on day 14
Accessory: Me-made earrings and necklace of Byzantine sections with pearls added in green tones.
Hosiery/Nylons: Black tights.
Boots: Nine West black boots.

I've had a lot of fun this month and will post a wrap up soon.

1 more day...

for MMM'12 and today was a beautiful crisp Autumn day.

Today I am wearing a skirt that was made by a very good sewing buddy, Sandra or Dilliander if you visit Pattern Review.  After making this skirt Sandra decided she didn't really wear skirts that much any more and since we are very similar in size and like the same colours, Sandra gifted this to me, together with the pattern, how lucky am I!!

Top:  Vogue 8572 Blue/gold/brown silk blouse previously worn on day 10.
Skirt: Beignet Skirt made by Sandra and gifted to me.
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 using brown Mercury Jersey previously worn on days 3, 9, 11 and 25. 
Accessory: Purchased belt, earrings and necklace.
Tights:  Brown tights.
Boots: Nine West brown boots.

 

Today is 3rd last day of MMM '12

and it has certainly flown by.

It is a grey day here today and thankfully the rain showers held off so I could get my photo this morning.
 

Top:  BWOF 02-2009-108 knit with bateau neckline in coffee Mercury Jersey previously worn on days 4 & 12.
Trousers: Vogue 9537 in a black medium weight wool previously worn on Days 8, 16 & 24.
Vest: Purchased grey knitted vest.
Accessory:  Purchased earrings and me-made spiral bead and netting stitch necklace.
Tights: Black tights.
Boots:  Nine West black boots.

MMM'12 Day 28

The start of a working week and the boss flew in this morning so not sure if I will see him or not and of course I don't have trousers to wear again, really need to get some more made.

Dress: Simplicity 2648 in navy linen with pickstitching details (blogged here)
Cardigan: Purchased navy cardigan.
Accessory: Me-made crocheted necklace and me-made earrings.
Jacket: Minoru jacket previously worn on days 13 and 14.
Tights:  Brown tights.
Boots: Nine West brown boots.

Back to reality

saw this morning running around doing errands and the grocery shopping.

Any goodies for me?

Top: Simplicity 2603 top with long sleeves in brown merino (blogged here)
Skirt: BWOF 04-2009-101 in salt and pepper cord (blogged here) 
Accessory: Purchased gold band choker with cream disc and purchased earrings and Roscoe checking out the contents of each bag as it is taken out of the car, searching for treats.
Tights:  Brown tights.
Boots: Betts 2 Buckles.

In the afternoon I changed the skirt for a pair of old Levis and boots for sneakers for the remainder of the day.

The fourth Saturday of the month...

means I am heading off to another Australian Sewing Guild group for the day at Rhodes.  Today we are having a workshop with Larraine Jenkins on tips and tricks and it was a very enjoyable day.

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 View A in coffee/grey/cream knit, previously worn on days 1 and 16. 
Skirt: BWOF 04-2009-101 in brown cord, previously worn on Day 5.
Jacket: Jalie Jean Jacket 2320 in a lightweight brown denim and has Hong Kong finishes on all seams.
Accessory: Purchased gold band choker with glass cream/brown/gold fleck disc and purchased earrings.
Tights:  Brown tights.
Boots: Betts 2 Buckles.

The last Friday for MMM' 12,

and our photo challenge today was "WATER".  Seeing our weather has been forecast for possible showers, which is hard to photograph, I thought I would show it another way.

Top:  Simplicity 2603 in brown mercury jersey (blogged here)
Skirt: Custom made in China in 2008 in a pale taupe colour with darker flecks wool, fully lined.
Cardigan:  Simplicity 2603  in brown mercury jersey, previously worn on days 3, 9 and 11.
Accessory: Me-made crocheted necklace and earrings.
Tights:  Brown tights.
Boots: Nine West brown boots.

Big tin sheds

is where I will be spending most of my day today with a work colleague inspecting some of the properties that we manage, so warmth was a major requirement.

Do you have to go to work?

Top: Diana Ferrari burgundy top purchased in 2009
Trousers: Vogue 9537 in a black medium weight wool made in 2008 previously worn on Days 8 & 16.
Cardigan: Me-Made knitted Shawl Collar Jacket in Touch Possum Yarn (blogged here)
Accessory: Me-made necklace and earrings. 
Boots: Betts Marathon

MMM'12 - Day 23

I'm at a loss tonight, sat up too late last night knitting, but this is what I wore to work today.

Top: Butterick 3344 in multi striped knit previously worn on Day 6.
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in dark brown wool crepe previously worn on Day 17.
Jacket: McCall's 3750 in the same dark brown wool crepe made in 2003.
Accessory: Purchased gold band choker with cream disc and purchased earrings.
Tights:  Brown tights.
Boots: Nine West brown boots.

MMM'12 - Day 22

A clear sky today but the temperatures are dropping, and as I had to go into the city during the day the merino cardigan will definitely be needed for the wind tunnels created by the office buildings.

Top:  Vogue 8572 in rust Polyester/Rayon blend worn on Day 2.
Trouser: Vogue 9537 in brown fine wool and fully lined with Sunsilky worn on Days1 and 12.
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 in brown merino wool worn yesterday as well.
Accessory: Purchased necklace and earrings.
Tights:  Brown tights.
Boots: Nine West brown boots

MMM '12 - Days 19, 20 & 21

It has been a very busy few days, on Saturday it was my birthday, so I met up with Alison, Maria, Janelle and Michele at Pitt Trading to do some fabric shopping.

Maria, Michele, Janelle and I - photo by Alison

Top: BWOF 02-2009-108 Bateau neck t-shirt in brown/green/cream abstract print worn Day 7.
Jeans: Jalie 2908 white stretch jeans (blogged here)
Accessory: Purchased necklace and earrings
Hosiery/Nylons: Voodoo Celestial.
Shoes: Betts camel flat shoes.

Interesting that 3 of us were wearing our Jalie Jeans.

Sunday saw us heading north for a 21st birthday luncheon

Dress:  Vogue 8280 in a burgundy wool (blogged here)
Cardigan:  Portmans grey cardigan with fabric pleating around the neckline worn Day 18.
Accessory:  Purchased earrings and me-made spiral bead and netting stitch necklace worn Day 2.
Hosiery/Nylons: Black tights.
Boots:  Nine West black boots.

and back to work Monday:

Top:  Kwik.Sew 3740 in blue/brown tie die knit from Spotlight worn Day 5
Trousers:  Brown wool with a fine stripe custom made for me worn Day 9
Cardigan:  Simplicity 2603 in brown merino wool (blogged here)
Accessory:  Purchased necklace and me-made earrings.
Tights:   Brown tights.
Boots: Nine West Boots

MMM'12 - Day 18

So being Friday, today's photo challenge was green, so I have taken my photo with Gymea Lillies behind me, unfortunately they are not in flower but then you would have only been able to see the stalk as the flower spikes are up to 6m off the ground.

Top: Vogue 8572 using chartreuse crinkle fabric which you saw on Day 9.
Skirt:   McCall's 7244 in a grey wool flannel made in 2007, creases from sitting in the car driving to work.
Cardigan: Portmans grey cardigan with fabric pleating around the neckline purchased in 2010.
Accessory: Purchased earrings and necklace.
Hosiery/Nylons: Black tights.
Boots:  Nine West.

MMM'12 - Day 17

Another beautiful Autumn day, chilly in the morning and evening but just lovely when I went for a walk at lunch time.

Top: Vogue 8572 in lemon (blogged here)
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in dark brown wool crepe (blogged here)
Jacket:  Purchased Chanel style jacket in brown, tan and lemon tweed.
Accessory: Necklace and earrings made by a friend for me.
Tights:   Brown tights.
Boots: Nine West Boots

  ***************************************

dlogan asked a few posts ago how I line my Vogue 7937 skirt.  Excellent timing as I am about to cut another one out for winter, so stay tuned.

Best of Contest

PatternReview.com has just finished the "Best of Contest" which is the member's choice of the 10 best patterns for 2009, 2010 and 2011 and the badge is on my sidebar.

As I have 9 of these patterns (4 from 2009, 4 from 2010 and 1 from 2011) I decided to enter this competition.

You have seen my first entry, which was BWOF 02-2009-108 Beateau neckline knit top and my second entry is BWOF 04-2009-101 skirt in the burgundy corduroy.

The competition is now closed and voting  has commenced for anyone that is a member of PatternReview.com.

MMM '12 - Half way there!

I will admit that I was on Cloud 9 on Tuesday and it wasn't until I climbed into bed that I remembered I hadn't posted my outfit, so now there are two days in a row.

Tuesday

Blouse: Marfy 2254 blouse (blogged here)
Trouser: Vogue 9537 in brown fine wool and fully lined with Sunsilky which you saw on Day 1.
Jacket: Purchased Chanel style jacket in brown, tan and lemon tweed.
Accessories:  Purchased necklace and made-for-me earrings.
Tights:   Brown tights.
Boots: Nine West Boots

 Wednesday

Blouse: Kwik.Sew 3740 View A in coffee/grey/cream knit which you saw on Day 1.
Trouser: Vogue 9537 in a black medium weight wool which you saw on Day 8.
Accessories:  Purchased necklace and earrings.
Tights: Black tights.
Shoes: Courtney C21 Black leather with patent toe.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments on my SWAP win, you really helped to keep me on Cloud 9.

The SWAP winners are up on Stitcher's Guild

and the winners are:    

3rd Prize: Robin’s City Separates

2nd Prize: ahearta’s Mix and Match Minoru

Grand Prize: Sharon loves her new blue collection

Thank you so much everyone, did you hear my squeal of joy as I never expected anything like this to happen!  Thank you to everyone whose vote contributed to my collection receiving this amazing award.

It was so hard to vote as all the SWAPs are amazing and each one of them has added something to my wish list.

A huge thank you to the folks at Stitcher's Guild for all your wonderful work in planning, coordinating this SWAP and inspiring so many of us to participate.  A special thank you to the sponsors, your generosity is very much appreciated.

 

MMM '12 Days 12, 13 and 14

Back home after spending the weekend with my darling Mum.

For Saturday I wore :

Top: BWOF 02-2009-108 knit with bateau neckline in coffee Mercury Jersey which you saw on Day 4.  
Skirt: . BWOF 04-2009-101 skirt in burgundy corduroy purchased from the Fabric Cave (finished this morning).
Accessory: Me-Made crocheted necklace.
Hosiery/Nylons: Black tights
Shoes: Betts Marathon

On Sunday the wind was howling, so we were both rugged up:

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in green/navy stripe (blogged here)
Jeans: Jalie Jeans 2908 in navy stretch denim (blogged here)
Jacket: Sewaholic Minoru jacket in navy rip stop (blogged here)
Accessory: Me-made necklace and earrings of Byzantine sections with pearls added in green tones.
Hosiery/Nylons: Black tights
Boots: Betts Marathon

and Mum is wearing Simplicity 2603 cardigan that I made her (blogged here)

and, today I'm back to work and realised that I have no trousers clean for Monday,

Top:  Kwik.Sew 3740 without the cowl and the neckline raised in a chartreuse/grey/ink navy knit fabric which you saw on Day 8.
Skirt:  Vogue 7937 in navy linen (blogged here)
Vest: Jalie 3129 Vest in navy linen (blogged here)
Jacket: Minoru jacket which you saw on Day 13.
Accessory: Purchased earrings and Me-made necklace of Byzantine sections with pearls added in green tones. 
Hosiery/Nylons: Black 100 denier tights.
Boots: Nine West.

I am happy to report that the 100 denier tights did the job and I was lovely and warm all day.

Ugly places

Today's photo challenge was "ugly places" and this is an area that we walk past most mornings when walking Roscoe.  I do feel sorry for anyone that has a large light coloured wall.

Tagging

Dress:  McCall's 5433 Shirt lengthened for a Shirtmaker in rust Kerry Linen from Kerryn's Fabric World in Queensland (blogged here).
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 using brown Mercury Jersey which you saw on Day 3 and 9. 
Accessory: Purchased necklace and Me-Made earrings from the set below.
Hosiery/Nylons:  Voodoo Celestial.
Shoes: Joan & David Callalily Pumps.

I'm heading north tomorrow to spend the weekend with my Mum for Mother's Day so I will be absent for a day or two.

MMM '12 - Day 10

It is a beautiful autumn day today and there is a client luncheon that I need to attend, so

Top: Vogue 8572 Blue/gold/brown silk blouse (blogged here).
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in dark brown wool crepe which you saw on Day 2.
Jacket: Vogue 7975 in brown and blue tweed (blogged here).
Accessory: Necklace and earrings made by a friend for me.
Hosiery/Nylons: Voodoo Celestial.
Shoes: Joan & David Callalily Pumps.

Roscoe decided to join me today.

PS:  I've updated yesterday's outfit with a closer picture of the crocheted necklace.

The SWAP photos

have been revealed and you can find them here.  There are an amazing 13 SWAP's and it is going to be so hard to choose a 1st, 2nd and 3rd amongst them all.

The voting rules are up on Stitcher's Guild and if you are a current member you can vote for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners.  If you aren't a member don't let that stop you from having a look at the wonderful inspiration that the 13 SWAPs have to offer.

Now I have to work out who I'm going to vote for

MMM '12 - Day 9

My office is slowly heating up so today's outfit was a bit lighter.

Top: Vogue 8572 using chartreuse crinkle fabric (blogged here).
Trousers: Brown wool with a fine stripe custom made for me whilst in China in 2008.
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 using brown Mercury Jersey which you saw on Day 3.
Accessory: Me-Made crocheted necklace
Tights: Chocolate brown.
Shoes: Diana Ferrari


Here is a closer look at the crocheted necklace,

Sharon loves her new Blue Collection

It is now official, I have completed my SWAP as it is not only sewing, but:

•  taking photos of all your outfits in various combinations (165 photos),
• selecting the ones you like, cropping  them to show the garment, as this SWAP is all about TNT Patterns and fit,
• Finalising your photos to end up with 6 minimum and 12 maximum,
• Adding detail to each photo of the garment type, fabric, pattern,
• Finally emailing it all to the AnnR for it to be included on the overall SWAP page.

So last night, the email was sent and I have received confirmation that it has been received.

I did have an original idea of what I was going to do for this years SWAP and had written it down and you will see that I made a few changes along the way, so how did it all turn out?

Here are my 11 completed garments, more detailed photos have been sent to AnnR for the SWAP page.

Simplicity 2648 - Navy linen dress with pickstitching.

BWOF 02-2009-108 Knit top with Bateau Neckline with Jalie 2908 Jeans in white denim.

Vogue 8570 Burnt orange blouse with Sure Fit shorts in navy twill.

Vogue 8570 Navy/gold silk blouse with Vogue 7937 skirt in navy linen.

KS 3740 Green/navy stripe t-shirt, Jalie 3120 Vest in navy linen and Jalie 2908 blue jeans.

Sewaholic Minoru jacket

If you want to see more details of any of these garments, if you click on the SWAP 2012 label it will list all blog posts to do with the SWAP.

MMM '12 - Day 8

It is really starting to cool down, this morning it was 11c (51f) and even though it is forecast to get warmer 22c (71f), my office is in an old sandstone building, with no air conditioning, so it takes most of the working week to warm it up with heaters and then it is closed for two days so we end up going around in circles.

I have worked out for me to be comfortable for the first 3 days of the working week I need to be wearing trousers, so I need to stop talking about them and get them made.

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 without the cowl and the neckline raised in a chartreuse/grey/ink navy knit fabric (blogged here)
Trousers: Vogue 9537 in a black medium weight wool made in 2008.
Accessory: Me-made necklace and earrings of Byzantine sections with pearls added in green tones (blogged here). 
Tights: Black tights.
Shoes: Courtney C21 Black leather with patent toe.

Another working week

It's the 7th day of MMM '12 and back to work we go.

Top: BWOF 02-2009-108 Knit with bateau neckline (blogged here)
Trouser:  Vogue 7881 in navy wool crepe (blogged here)
Accessory: Purchased earrings and necklace.
Hosiery/Nylons: Voodoo Nightshade
Shoes:  Circa Joan & David Luxe

Before you think I had forgotten about these trousers when I purchased the navy wool yesterday, I hadn't as I need heaps of trousers for winter and a 2nd navy pair (different style) will be very useful.

Look what the postman delivered

last week, my 5 Simplicity Patterns that I mentioned here

Yes, they were in a plastic bag, taped very well and it looks like they came via the internal mail who then put some postage on it and this is how it arrived.  At least they couldn't get wet which was a good thing.

Here are the patterns that my sister and I chose:

2599 - Misses' Top with trim variations.
2475 - Amazing Fit Skirt.
 2154 - Misses'/Miss Petite Blouse, Skirt, Jacket and Knit Cardigan.
2284 - Misses'/Miss Petite Lined Jacket (for my sister).
1886 - Misses' Top with trim variations (for my sister).

Thank you Tilly and the Buttons for the chance to win these patterns.

Did you know that Simplicity/New Look is offering a discount on their patterns to the Me Made May '12 participants - they are certainly promoting themselves to sewing groups.

MMM '12 - Day 6

Another beautiful Autumn day today and I met with my some of my sewing buddies at the Fabric-a-brac to check out what wonderful fabrics and goodies they had to sell.

We were too busy watching each other purchase fabric that I forgot to get a photo until I got home.

Top: Butterick 3344 in multi striped knit (blogged here)
Trouser:  Cargo pants using Simplicity 3640 (OOP) track suit pattern in blue stretch woven (blogged here) .
Accessory: Purchased gold band choker with ink navy disc and purchased earrings
Shoes: Betts camel flat shoes.

My purchase was a piece of navy wool for some trousers.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent taking photos of all my garments for SWAP 2012.  Now to choose 12 photos from the 165 I took, adding details and emailing them to the co-ordinator of the Group ready for the big reveal on 10 May (EST).

MMM Day 5

Ah, the first Saturday of the month and that means sewing with my buddies at The Remnant Warehouse at Alexandria (we are all members of the Australian Sewing Guild).  Seeing that Maria is also participating in MMM'12 I asked her if she wanted to do a joint picture which she was thrilled to do.

Photo styling courtesy of Alison

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in blue/brown tie die knit from Spotlight (blogged here)
Skirt: BWOF 04-2009-101 in brown cord (blogged here)
Accessory: Made-by-Me necklace and earrings (more detail here).
Hosiery/Nylons: Voodoo Celestial
Shoes: Betts camel flat shoes.

We have a great day here, sewing, chatting about sewing and life in general, and we always seem to get the shoppers interested in what we are doing.

Photo shoot courtesy of Alison

Today's I managed to cut out and sew another version of this skirt in a maroon cord, buttons and hems to be done, so you will see it very shortly.

Don't forget to pop over the Maria's blog to see here MMM'12 creations.

MMM '12 - Days 3 and 4

Due to a technical glitch last night, here is my outfit for Day 3.

Top: Vogue 8572 in lemon (blogged here)
Skirt: McCall's 7244 in a multi flecked fabric with a large amount of polyester purchased from Kerryn's Fabric World, fully lined using Sun Silky and made too many years ago to remember.
Cardigan:  Simplicity 2603 cardi in brown mercury jersey from Lincraft (blogged here)
Accessory: Made by a friend for me.
Hosiery/Nylons: Voodoo Celestial.
Shoes: Joan & David Callalily Pumps.

Day 4 was a photo challenge day and today we had to have a photo of food/eating/cooking which I found out just before I left for work. So tonight when I got home Hubby had done the fruit and veg shopping so I selected the vegetables for tonight's stir fry before I got changed into my old track suit to do the actual cooking.

Top: BWOF 02-2009-108 made up in a coffee mercury jersey from Lincraft (blogged here)
Skirt: Vogue 7937 View C, made 2006, the same fabric as the trousers on MMM Day 1.
Accessory: Me-Made crocheted necklace
Hosiery/Nylons: Voodoo Celestial.
Shoes: Joan & David, Callalily Pumps.

MMM '12 - Day 2

Another sunny day, but they are getting cooler, and my office is cold, so the tights are back in action.

Top:  Vogue 8572 in rust Polyester/Rayon blend (blogged here)
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in dark brown wool crepe (blogged here)
Cardigan: Purchased rust cashmere cardigan whilst in China in 2008.
Accessory: Me made spiral bead and netting stitch necklace (blogged here)
Tights: Chocolate brown.
Shoes: Diana Ferrari

I found it interesting this morning when I put the cardigan against the top, they match, even though they were purchased quite separately, different continents and in 2008 I didn't even have the fabric for the top.  This is not the first time this has happened since I have started using my colour swatch and it still amazes me when it does.

MMM '12 - Day 1

Let it begin, today is the first day of Me Made May 2012 and the sun is shining.

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 View A in coffee/grey/cream knit (blogged here)
Trouser: Vogue 9537 in brown fine wool and fully lined with Sunsilky made in 2006.
Accessory: Purchased pearls and Victoria Spring pearl earrings.
Hosiery/Nylons: Voodoo Celestial.
Shoes: Circa Joan & David Callalily Pumps.