Kittys Drawings

Hiiii!

I’ve  been busy. As per usual.

These are the things I’ve been talking about in my last posts. I made a simple tank top and a gathered skirt.

(Boof is smiling too!)

The top I used a vintage pattern for. It’s made of very thin purple slub cotton. Not the best quality but this was my “test” go. The size was pretty small – so I ended up removing the darts from the front. It still only just fits in the front. The next time I make this I will give myself a bit more room around the bust and it doesn’t really need to be so fitted as I like my tops a bit looser.
The back of it is nice and I like how low it goes (you can’t see sorry – pics were taken in a hurry today!). I’m thinking I might want to add some kind of embellishments to not make it so boring. Maybe some embroidered daisies around the neckline.
Next time – I will also be lining it. Facings are annoying! I followed the instructions on attaching them which left some hand sewing a the shoulders which was kind of shitty. I’ll do it the other way I know how to line sleeveless garments when I make this next.

The skirt didn’t need a pattern. I just cut a long rectangle of fabric and gathered it into a waistband. Since this was a sheet it didn’t even need hemming. Yay! I only sort of like this – lesson learnt: gathers look better with more at the back then at the front.

So this is one outfit down for Fiji! And I even found a belt and shoes to match.

Also – Check out my new shoes! SO AWESOME! And mega comfy. I don’t have much to wear with them though (shhhh) – But I couldn’t resist the bargain – $50 from Asos for Miss L Fire – that’s pretty cheap!

I can make things to match though can’t I? I do need your help though – I’m not sure if I should make another skirt like this one but in white….or a pencil skirt in white? I have some white cotton drill similar to the khaki skirt fabric. I also have enough of the purple cotton from the top to make a skirt – then I could put the two together and it would be like a dress. All I’d need is some green accessories. Does anyone have any other ideas? I’m a bit thrown off by the white. Help!

Anyways – that’s all for now! Til later…

Lightning fast posting today….

Look what I scored today – from the Salvos and Savers.

Okay so I buy something new almost every week. My stash is getting immense! I’m using it though! I just need storage. Shelves. Not the giant pile spilling out of shopping bags on the floor of my ‘sewing room’ :shifty:
But these were super pretty so I had to show you. I have PLANS for them. Mostly for my ‘resort wear’ collection mwahahahaa – ie. What I Will Wear on My Island Holiday. I have a pattern in mind already for the two on the right. Would you believe they are BED SHEETS? Yes. Yes they are. There’s so much crazy-awesome stuff at Savers and its mostly in the bedding section. I had to restrain myself!

The other two will be tops. I need more top patterns. I only have a simple round neck vintage one (which I am about to start tracing today). I’ve not been that enthused by any modern patterns. I think I need to look at some different eras – maybe the 70′s for the floaty blouses I tend to favour. Like the one in my last sewing post. Anyone that can point me towards something along those lines? The polka dot sheer fabric would be perfect for one of those.

Anyways I promised this would be quick. I’ve been very busy this week….not only is work completely and utterly MAD at the moment, I’ve been doing both drawing and sewing most afternoons. I have a drawing that is about 80% done right now which I am really very pleased with at the moment. The majority of the hard stuff I usually hate doing is complete and now I’m just tidying up details and doing the hair (yay!). Hopefully that should be ready by the weekend.
I also have two dresses that are finished and ready to show you. Wow!

Sooo – all that’s left for YOU to do today is enter my competition - Get a wriggle on peeps! Two more days to enter.

Scratcha later!

Hey everyone!
Drawing time.

Another portrait study. This one took quite a few hours but the usual story, I got pretty sick of it by the end. I don’t really like this one. Its kind of harsh and overworked. And the colours are blah.

So I’m still fumbling my way around with the drawing. I think I need to do more of it to get more out of it. Hard to find the energy at the moment. Feeling drained. Literally! I gave blood today ….The girl had to jab two fingers to get an accurate hemoglobin measurement. Why is it that hurts more than the big needle going in?

But I am starting something new tonight….

And there’s still one piece that’s almost done which I am trying not to be disillusioned with.

Anyways….til later…

Hi Guys!
So I’ve finally got some piccies of the latest project. I used Butterick 2633 which is from the late 50′s/early 60′s. Here’s a pic of the pattern:

I’m much happier with this dress than anything I’ve made so far. There’s still a few niggling things I need to get the hang of, but overall everything worked out. The whole thing is lined and I actually tried it all on properly before sewing everything. I still needed to take a lot out of the bust area to make it fit. Also, I pinched a whole section out of the centre back as it was gaping. I must have narrow shoulders if all these dresses are gaping up there. Not sure how I will transfer that to the pattern when I trace it onto plastic.

The pleats are mega nifty and used a LOT of fabric! Woo! You wouldn’t believe how much is stuffed in that waistline

The biggest issue I had was the closures. I had originally planned to use all snap fasteners but the pattern instructions ended up being right in saying a zipper for the top half of the side opening would be best. It doesn’t bunch at all since the zip only goes to the waistline, and from the waist down it’s 4 snap fasteners. My issues are that I just can’t get them to look that tidy! The zip actually looks fine and is probably one of the neatest ones I’ve done – but the gap between the zip and the snaps where I’ve put a hook and eye thingy just looks blah. Lucky I can cover it with a belt.

It’s such a fun summer dress! Very comfy. Oh and the lining…. I didn’t want to use normal silky lining material (what is that stuff called?) cos I thought it would defeat the purpose of a breezy dress. Solution? A trip to the Salvos and a purchase of a queen size white bed sheet for $4! Perfect! It’s soft and cool and just what I wanted. Not to mention I’ve got tons left for other projects. The lining of the skirt is a really shoddy looking petticoat sorta thing. It doesn’t look that flash but it’s only there so my skirt isn’t see-through. I’m thinking of getting some tulle and stitching it to the bottom for a bit of extra puff.

The other day I popped into Savers just to have a look and found these few little things…since I’m missing a bit of green in my stash. The two on the left will become tops I think – there’s not too much of those but I could probably squeeze a dress out of the yellow one if I found the right pattern. It would work nicer as a top though don’t you think? They’re both amazingly soft.
The two green ones are bigger lengths, with quite a lot of the paler green one. I’m thinking quite a way into the future and considering possibly a crazy 50′s suit out of that one. How cool would that be!? All wasp-waisted with sharp angles and a slim fit skirt with killer kick-pleats up the back. Yeh!
The far right green one I just LOVE. Oh wow it’s so pretty. What a colour! Only enough to make a skirt out of that one I think. It’s a really heavy material too.

All this for $12.95. I love Savers.

Wow I’ve sure rambled! I’m almost finished my red button up dress. Should be done by the end of the weekend provided I can get my buttonholer making neat buttonholes.
Then what next!?

• A 40′s dress in the navy & white polka dot crepe

or

• 40′s shirt/blouse in cream?

Decisions decisions.

Til then!
Seeyas

(and yes I’m still workin on that drawing)

Hi!

Today I decided I wanted some fabric. I thought I would head out to Brunswick and hit up those fantastic little shops that sell great fabric for $3 a metre. I had plans to buy a couple of different sorts for some upcoming projects. Since Savers is on the way there it crossed my mind to pop in and check what they have first before I go elsewhere.

Well.
Let me tell you, it was a good think I went there first.

Look at ALL THIS! I scored at least 20m of fabric for the measly sum of $63.84!!! I bought 16 different kinds all ranging from $2 – $5. The only thing missing is some GREEN but that doesn’t matter – I’ve got plenty to keep me going for a while.

The light grey one is really nice and drapey and would make a fabulous dress or skirt. It’s a bit stretchy though so I might save it for when I have more experience.

I’m loving the white linen (furthest on the left)..it’s really heavy and very bright white. Could either dye it or leave as is. The other two light ones would make fantastic blouses. I have some itty bitty olive green glass buttons that would make great accents on a cream 40′s blouse.

That navy polka dot is mega cute. Would have to become a full skirt 50′s dress with a big petticoat underneath. Also that pink and blue stripe will get the same treatment.

Check out that printed cotton on the bottom of this pile! It’s rather stiff and there’s a lot of it. Would make a great Alfred Shaheen style halter wrap dress.

*squee*!!
Yes I’ve been posting heaps lately. I don’t know if this frequency will continue. I considered scheduling my posts to spread them out a bit but meh, I’ve got that much on the go at the mo, you can all just get it at is arrives

I started a new drawing last night too. Planning it to be slightly more detailed than my last few but we’ll see how that goes huh – Inevitably I will get sick of it and do a rush job at the end. Maybe….just maybe…I could try starting something new when I get sick of one. And then see if I feel like going back to the other one later. Here’s hoping that doesn’t leave me with two unfinished projects instead of one rushed, finished one. Which is worse??

Anywaysss…..

Seeyas!

Hi!
So the zip is fixed and I can wear my new dress. Yay!
Here’s some gratuitous ME shots – with Puss getting in the way as usual.

Scuse my dumb head

Look at that regrowth! Arrrgh – gettin it FIXED on the 22nd – still way too far away!

Yay scallops

So there ya go. Overall I’m pretty pleased. It’s a bit shonky but hey it didn’t fall apart on me when I wore it today.

Bya!

Hi

So like, Happy New Year and stuff. Hope you all had a good one! I spent it down at the Yarra River for the most of the evening chilling with friends and some cool new peeps. Then came back home before 11pm cos the Mr was knocking off work. We watched the fireworks from just around the corner while eating icecream. Then home to movies and beer. Heh. Not much of a big do but I never place high expectations on NYE – that way, its always guaranteed to be good. This plan has worked nicely for some years now

I had high hopes of wearing my new dress – that I made all by myself but alas, it was not to be – due to dodgy cheap zipper and me being a bit too generous sewing my French seams, thus reducing the waistline of my dress by a good inch…which made things a bit tight…so the zipper broke when I tried it on…
I went through the whole rigmarole of picking apart the bodice and letting out the seams. THEN fixing the stupid busted zipper. But of course, it was beyond repair…tried it on a couple more times and then it went up and then it didn’t and the teeth kept popping out of alignment. GRR.
So now – I just need to get a new zip and then it’s all ready to go.
I couldn’t babble on about this without actually showing you my handiwork…so here it is – not looking that good on a hanger…I blame the print. There’s those nice glass buttons I got from my Vogue KK on there too. And it does fit great now I let the seams out a fraction.
All for $20 worth of fabric and thread. They had a sale on at Lincraft….not the best quality but hey this is still a “test” dress – So I don’t fuck up my pretty Tanya Whelan cotton that’s still making it’s way from the States (hoping my postie isn’t being dodgy AGAIN and not leaving a parcel collection slip in my letterbox).

Also…before the Xmas holidays I managed to score a pack of 10 macarons by Duncan (via Syrup & Tang). I can’t remember all the flavours – I know the purple was a violet one. And there was an extreme passionfruit with poprocks in it. Killer
They were all awesome

Oh and I did some drawing. Heh.
Same chick, different pose. Better execution. Shitty dodgy flowers though *ahem*. Probably about 8 hours total. No WIPS because I did most of it in the first session of about 5 hours. I really should save more progress shots of the initial stages so you can see how I start. No lines. Seriously!

Well – I best be off. Only tomorrow left before I have to go back to work. Blah. Seeyas!