MMM'15 - Days 25 to 31 and wrap-up

Monday 25 May

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in brown/red/coffee knit, previously worn on Days 6 and 15
Skirt: Self drafted pencil skirt in suede like fabric, previously worn on Days 6, 11 and 14
Jacket: Me made knitted shawl collar jacket (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made necklace and earrings (blogged here)
Tights: Brown tights
Boots: Airflext Valent brown boots


Tuesday 26 May

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in blue and gold swirls, previously worn on Days 2 and 14.
Skirt: Marfy 0757 skirt in blue wool (blogged here)
Jacket: Sewaholic Minoru jacket (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made navy necklace and earrings
Tights: Black tights
Boots: Nine West black boots

Wednesday 27 May

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in brown/cream/orange arrowheads, previously worn on Days 1 and 13.
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in brown wool crepe (blogged here)
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 in brown Mercury Jersey, previously worn on Day 21.
Accessory: Purchased gold choker with cream pendant and earrings
Tights: Brown tights
Boots: Airflex Valent brown boots

Thursday 28 May

Dress: Simplicity 2648 in navy linen and pickstitching (blogged here)
Cardigan: Jalie 2566 in multi coloured sweater knit (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made crotched necklace and earrings
Tights: Black tights
Boots: Instep Otis black suede boots

Friday 29 May - Theme Day

Your Town (interesting landmarks, your garden, a favourite cafe, show us a little slice of where you live.)

Today was hectic, so my town was a bit hard to get to, however seeing you have seen quite a bit of my back yard, I thought I would show you where I spend my working hours, the office.

Trust the phone to ring!

Top: Vogue 1822 (OOP) in spotty Japanese cotton (blogged here)
Skirt: Self drafted pencil skirt with jean skirt lines added in green twill (blogged here)
Cardigan: Miette in Morris Woollahra wool, colour mint choc chips (re-knitted since last year and to be blogged)
Accessory: Purchased necklace and earrings
Tightsy: Brown tights
Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots

Saturday 30 May

This morning it was catching up with a friend for coffee and then grocery shopping.

You've been to the butcher!

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740  in coffee/grey/cream knit, previously worn on Days 11 and 20.
Jeans: Jalie 2908 in brown denim, previously worn on Days 1, 3 and 22.
Accessory: Gold choker with purchased glass pendant with cream/brown/gold flecks and earrings
Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots

Sunday 31 May

Today Sandra and I headed to the Powerhouse Museum to see:

Top: BWOF 02/2009/108 in cream Mercury Jersey, previously worn on Day 10.
Skirt: Vogue 1247 in orange linen (blogged here)
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 in brown Mercury Jersey, previously worn on Days 21 and 27.
Accessory: Purchased necklace and earrings
Tights: Brown tights
Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots

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Wrap-up 2015

The weather this year was very different from last year but the same things are still true, I need more layers and tops.

My sewing list for the remainder of the year is pretty clear, I just hope I can keep away from "skirts" as a blue denim one is calling out to me.

My goal to conquer elastic failed, I ran out of elastic!  New stocks have been purchased and hopefully some new lingerie will appear soon.

Now back to some regular blogging.

MMM'15 - Days 18 to 24

Monday 18 May

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 with neckline raised by 2cm in chartreuse/navy/grey knit, previously worn on Day 7
Skirt: Vogue 7937 in black wool (blogged here)
Accessory: Purchased necklace, earrings and Rosoce (walk in)
Tights: Black tights
Boots: Nine West black boots.


Tuesday 19 May

Today was my birthday and I have received some wonderful cards and presents.

Dress: The Selfish Seamstress Audrey dress in brown linen (blogged here)
Cardigan: Jalie 2566 fractured knit cardigan, previously worn on Day 5
Accessory: Me made necklace and purchased earrings.
Tights: Black tights (just realised I forgot to change them when I changed my dress).
Boots: Airflex Valent brown boots.

Wednesday 20 May

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in coffee/grey/cream knit, previously worn on Day 11.
Skirt: McCall's 7244 in grey wool flannel, made pre blog.
Accessory: Purchased necklace and earrings
Tights: Black tights
Boots: Instep Otiss black suede boots

Thursday 21 May

Top: Vogue 8572 (OOP) and very modified in off white damask, previously worn on Day 5
Skirt: Self drafted pencil skirt in brown tropical wool, previously worn on Day 5.
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 in brown mercury jersey (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made crocheted necklace and earrings.
Tights: Brown tights
Boots: Airflex Valent brown boots

Friday 22 May - Theme Day

Animals (real ones, fabric ones, prints, go wild)

It is pouring rain and Roscoe is worried that I'm not taking him to his mates place whilst I head to Tamworth for the weekend with some sewing friends from Pattern Review.

Top: Jalie 2566 top in animal print (blogged here)

Jeans: Jalie 2908 brown jeans, previously worn on Days 1 and 3
Cardigan: Jalie 2566 cardigan in animal print (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made necklace and earrings
Tights: Brown tights
Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots

Saturday 23 May

Top: BWOF   02/2009/108 in blue/brown/chartreuse, previously worn on Days 4 and 16.
Jean: Jalie 2908 dark blue jeans, previously worn on Day 2.
Vest: Me made knitted Shona Vest (blogged here)

Accessory: Purchased necklace and earrings
Tights: Brown tights
Shoes/Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots

Sunday 24 May

Haydon Hall, Murrurundi

Top: Kwik.Sew 3470 in orange swirl knit, previously worn on Day

Skirt: BWOF 04-2009-101 in salt and pepper cord (blogged here)
Cardigan: Simplicity 2603 in brown merino knit (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made Captive Chain Maille necklace (blogged here) and purchased earrings
Tights: Seamster Rosehip tights in brown Mercury Jersey tights (blogged here)
Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots

MMM'15 - Days 11 to 17

Monday 11 May

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in coffee/grey/cream knit (blogged here)
Skirt: Self drafted pencil skirt in brown suede like fabric, previously worn on Day 6
Accessory: Purchased necklace and earrings
Tights: Brown tights
Boots: Airflex Valent brown boots


Tuesday 12 May

Dress: McCall's 5433 in navy linen (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made necklace and purchased earrings
Tights: Black tights
Boots: Nine West black boots

Wednesday 13 May

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in brown/cream/orange arrowheads, previously worn on Day 1
Skirt: Self drafted pencil skirt in brown tropical wool, previously worn on Day 5
Accessory: Me made necklace and earrings using smokey Quartz (blogged here)
Tights: Brown tights
Boots: Airflex Valent brown boots

Thursday 14 May

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in blue and gold swirls, previously worn on Day 2
Skirt: Self drafted pencil skirt in brown suede like fabric, previously worn on Days 6 and 11
Accessory: Me made necklace (blogged here) and purchased earrings.
Tights: Seamster 9701 Rose Hip tights in brown Mercury Jersey (blogged here)
Boots: Airflex Valent brown boots.

Friday 15 May - Theme Day - Something Old

Something Old (give a well loved garment its last hurrah, wear something you made years ago, but whatever you do, tell us the story behind it)

Skirt: Self drafted pencil skirt in brown linen, and this is its last wearing!

This skirt was part of my 2009 SWAP plans and was interlined and lined with Sun Silky.

Unfortunately the  skirt itself is looking very tired, particularly at the hem and I am only left with the interlining so there are a few reasons for the final hurrah!

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 with cowl in brown/red/coffee, previously worn on Day 6.
Accessory: Me made burgundy necklace and earrings (seen here)
Tights: Brown tights
Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots

Saturday 16 May

A lazy day at home, time in my sewing room and dog walking.

Top: BWOF 02/2009/108 blue/brown/green abstract print, previously worn on Day 4.
Pants: Simplicity 3640 in blue stretch twill (blogged here)
Hoodie: Seamster Avocado Hoodie 3401 in brown Stella Cotton knit (blogged here)
Shoes: Puma sneakers

Sunday 17 May

Some time in the sewing room and then a visit to the nursery and some serious planting.   This is after my darling sister had dug out the old plants and prepared the soil for me, she is a gem.

Top: Butterick 3344 in multi striped knit, previously worn on Day 8.
Pants: Simplicity 3604 in blue stretch twill, worn yesterday :)
Shoes: Puma sneakers

Pale pink pearls

I found this necklace this week whilst trying to work out what to accessorise this dress with, and then realised I hadn't blogged about it before.

This was made during one of my many workshops with Sharon from Goddess of Beading, it is a delicate choker as it sits right at the base of my neck.

I used grey seed beads and some small pink pearls and with some clever stringing through the pearls I have created a multistrand necklace.

It works perfectly with a high closed neckline like my shirtmaker, but I am not sure if I will get to wear it with much else as most of my other necklines are rather open.

Oh some tights!

I love my tights in winter and have been inspired by Carolyns' many version, but so far had not got around to making my own.

Then I started to see the Rose Hips Tights by Seamster Patterns and just had to give them a go, especially after seeing Elaine's Rose Hip Tights

I purchased the PDF pattern and had it printed at Kwik.Kopy at Bondi Junction on their big printer, just 1 x A0 page!

Here is the first pair I made to test the fit.

Fabric is my brown Mercury Jersey

Size XS which was my hip measurement.

I wasn't sure how the foot piece would go as my foot is 9 /12 " which is 1/2" longer than that for the XS size, but after wearing them a few times they feel fine.

For the gusset I used a piece of the leftover Stella Cotton Elastomeric from my active wear wardrobe.

For this pair and future versions I will reduce the body length, by the amount of the waistband, as the ones pictured above are very "harry high pants" but I have now cut off the waistband, removed 3cm and sewn the waistband back on, much more comfortable to wear.

This is the pair that I have been busting to sew, I even went back to Cabramatta to get some more of the fabric especially for the tights!

As I pointed out here, this fabric has a lot less stretch than the brown Mercury Jersey I used for the pair above and when I tried them on, oh my there was no way I could wear them as the length was too short in the legs.

So of course back to the cutting table where I added a 10cm band of fabric.

I chose the position of the band based on my skirt lengths, so it is only if I lift up my skirt that you can see the band.

The other thing that I really like about making my own tights is that you can add a control top.  This was achieved by making the tights low rise and then use the waistband pattern to cut out the width of the power mesh and sew it on.

These are quite quick to sew, just make sure you have all your notches and dots marked, it makes the going a lot easier!

Now this for the ladies from my Sewing Guild group as they had seen both pieces at our last meeting and strongly suggested this photo.

I will not be wearing this out of the yard ever!

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2015 Stash Out: 5.05m
2015 Stash In: 16.5m

MMM'15 - Days 4 to 10

This week has been a bit of a mixture with the weather, started off cool and then the warmest May day in some areas of New South Wales in 20 years then back to cool days.

Monday 4 May

Top: BWOF 02-2009-108 in blue/brown/green abstract print (blogged here)
Skirt: Self drafted pencil skirt in navy wool (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made blue chain necklace and earrings (blogged here)
Tights: Black tights
Boots: Instep Otiss black suede boots


Tuesday 5 May

Top: Vogue 8572 (OOP) very modified in off white damask (blogged here)
Skirt: Self draft pencil skirt in brown tropical wool (blogged here)
Cardigan: Jalie 2566 fractured knit cardigan using a variety of knit fabrics (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made brown/gold chain necklace (blogged here) and purchased earrings
Hosiery: Voodoo Celestial hosiery
Shoes: Circa Joan and David Callalilly brown pumps

Wednesday 6 May

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 with cowl in brown/red/coffee knit (blogged here)
Skirt: Self drafted pencil skirt in brown suede like fabric (blogged here)
Accessory: Purchased gold choker and pendant with purchased earrings
Tights: Brown tights
Boots: Airflex Valent brown boots

Thursday 7 May

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 with neckline raised by 2cm in chartreuse/navy/grey knit (blogged here)
Skirt: Self drafted skirt in navy wool, previously worn on Day 4
Accessory: Me made Byzantine chain and bead necklace with purchased earrings (blogged here)
Tights: Black tights.
Boots: Instep Otiss black suede boots

Friday 8 May - Theme Day - Your sewing machines

Today I am at home but still on call, and hope to spend some time in my sewing room.

Janome Memory Craft 3500 and 5200 and Singer Ultralock 14u34

Top: Butterick 3344 in a multi striped knit (blogged here)
Jeans:  Jalie 2908 jeans in light blue denim (blogged here)
Accessory: Purchased earrings
Shoes: Puma sneakers

Saturday 8 May

Today is grocery shopping and then heading north to visit family for Mother's Day.

Top: Kwik.Sew 3740 in a blue/brown batik knit (blogged here)
Skirt: Vogue 1247 skirt in navy linen (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made necklace and earrings (blogged here) and Me made leather handbag (blogged here)
Tights: Brown tights.
Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots

Sunday 10 May

Top: BWOF 02-2009-108 cream boatneck top (blogged here)
Skirt:  Vogue 1247 skirt in brown denim (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made crocheted bead necklace (seen here)
Tights: Seamster Rose Hip tights 9701 (to be blogged)
Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots

A week of Couture and a travel wardrobe

On Friday 10 April my sewing friend Sandra and I drove to Armidale for a week to attend a hands-on workshop with Claire Shaeffer as our instructor.

This was all organised by Rita who owns Fabric Fair in Armidale and Rita had organised two workshops during a 2 week period.

Sandra and I had chosen to attend the 2nd week which was the Chanel Jacket Workshop.

There were 14 of us in the class from all over the east coast of Australia.  The group got on sew so well and it just amazes me how sewers bond and friendships blossom.

Rita had organised a kit for each of us which contained a pattern, fabric and all the notions to make half a jacket in a very small size.

We first focused on the sleeve as this piece lets you learn all the techniques you need to make the entire jacket, except for the chain for the jacket hem.

After two days we had a wonderful range of 14 different sleeve trims to admire.

and by the last day we had this half jacket to keep as our reference.

I was already an owner of Claire's book and she has kindly signed it for me.

Claire also had with her quite a number of original Chanel garments for us to view and inspect (with gloves on) it was amazing to see how Chanel create the jackets, top and skirts - cutting fabric apart and then resewing it together to get the look they are after was the one that intrigued me the most.

It was a truly memorable week, Claire as a teacher was amazing and the other attendees made the week a wonderful experience and Rita for her hospitality and organising this fantastic opportunity for us Down Under.

Now I have some great ideas for my tweed I purchased from Linton last year, just need to find the time!

Travel Wardrobe

I am so used to packing light to travel I did for this trip as well, except for 2 pairs of boots just in case it got cold and we were travelling in a car.

Time Away:
8 days

Where to:
Armidale, New South Wales, Australia

Season:
Officially the start of Autumn and Rita had let us know that the first frosts for the season had been on the ground the week before we were due to arrive.  The temperature range was from 9 to 26, with the mornings and evenings being rather brisk, but the middle of the day was quite warm.

Expected Activities:
For the majority of the time sitting in a class room as well as checking out Rita's fabric store and going out to dinner a couple of nights.

Colour Scheme:

What I packed:
(each garment is linked to its original construction post - top to bottom, left to right)

Minoru Jacket

Kwik.Sew 3740 Sandra Knit

Vogue 1247 skirt in brown denim

Kwik.Sew 3740 coffee/cream/grey cowl top

Taupe loafers

Black boots

Kwik.Sew 3740  red/coffee cowl top

Jalie 2908 navy denim jeans

Possum shawl cardigan

Kwik.Sew chartreuse and grey top

Vogue 1247 skirt in navy linen

BWOF 02-2009-108 cream boat neck top

Brown boots

Black loafers

and I forget to add to the photo my brown mercury jersey cardigan using Simplicity 2603.

Verdict:
This wardrobe worked out really well, all the tops went with the bottoms, my layering pieces worked with everything.  I did have to do a wash during the week but this is something I do on every trip so it wasn't a bother.

I did take a selection of jewellery and I think this changed the look of some of the outfits.

Now it is time to confess, during out visit to Rita's fabric store, this is what followed me home, some gorgeous lightweight "Merino State" Silk Jersey called Cayenne!

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2015 Stash out:  5.85m
2015 Stash in:   15.0m

Yes I am participating again this year, to meet new people and to catch up with others that I only seem to see during the month at the Flicker Group.

My pledge is the same as last year, even though I have made one bra, I do have a long way to go before I can include lingerie.

I, Sharon from Petite & Sewing sign up as a participant of Me Made May 2015.  I will wear handmade clothing (except lingerie) for the duration of May.  I would like to by the end of the month conquer my fear of elastic and make some knickers.

The month started off with a 3 day weekend for me, heading south to The Tops Conference Centre for 2 and bit days of sewing with 30 other women, how perfect!

Friday 1 May

Just setting up.

Top:  Kwik.Sew 3740 (without the cowl) in orange/brown/cream arrows heads (blogged here)
Jeans: Jalie 2908 Jeans in brown denim (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made Chain Maille necklace (blogged here) and purchased earrings
Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots

Saturday 2 May

Top:  Kwik.Sew 3740 (without the cowl) in blue and gold swirls (blogged here)
Jeans: Jalie 2908 Jeans in drak blue denim (blogged here)
Accessory: Me made blue and gold rope necklace and earrings (blogged here)
Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots

Sunday 3 May

I can't believe how much stuff I took!

Top:  Kwik.Sew 3740 (with the cowl) in orange swirls (blogged here)
Jeans: Jalie 2908 Jeans in brown denim (previously worn on Day 1)
Accessory: Purchased gold choker with cream pendant and earrings
Boots: Sandler Sampson brown boots

I hope to share some actual sewing during May, so I will upload my outfits weekly so as not to overload all of us.