Kittys Drawings

Hi Guys!
EEP – I am really behind on blog stuff! Lots of things I can’t even show you. And little time to take pics of what I can show.

Here’s another item from my wardrobe for the meantime….

I bought this dress from Small Earth Vintage quite a while ago now. It came from the estate of a lady who was a bit of a fashion fiend and she just so happened to be right about my size…at least, the same height and waist measurement. Her bust was bigger, so I’ve taken this in a bit to fit better there. I also have another dress from her collection as well as a shirt or two (I think). It’s from the 50′s by the way…..as if you can’t tell

(look at Boofy strut)

I’m almost certain this is hand made as there is no label and a lot of the stitching gives it away. It’s been well loved and I’ve had to mend it a couple of times but it’s just such a great dress. It’s 100% cotton so it’s light and airy for summer. Perfect for picnics!

In other news….Well there’s a lot of it right now:

I did some more testing for another blogger who has her own pattern line. I shan’t reveal what it was until testing is completed and the pattern is released. All I can say is the pattern is AMAZING….and I finished it in one single day. Wow.

Also, I’m signed up for The Dreamstress’ corset making class at Thread Den which happens next week. Super excited about that! I really can’t wait to learn how to make corsets – I’ve been obsessing over them so much lately.

And, this weekend I’m off to see the Grace Kelly exhibition in Bendigo.  Wow! I love country Victoria too. It’s going to be great fossicking around in little antique shops and checking out amazing dresses. Will be frocking up for that one and I’m hoping it will be cold enough to wear my Lilli Ann swing coat (even with the cat-clawed collar).

Hmm

There’s other news I think but I forget it all now. More later!

Ciao!

Hi All!
This week I don’t have any sewing projects for you. I’m just about finished with Suzy’s dress but also the camera I use for pics is on loan for now. Lucky that I took some backup pics a couple of weeks ago for such moments like these. Not that I was really in the mood at the time – these aren’t the best pics, I was feeling particularly meh that day.

So the story with this dress is…..I was reading Kondad-licious and saw that she had posted about a gorgeous dress that unfortunately didn’t fit. I offered to buy it off her if she was happy to sell it…..and she was YAY. The dress fits great and it’s pretty amazing. Love the print and the princess seaming. Plus all those cool folds around the bust line.

I do think I definitely need to get cracking and make a puffier petticoat. The one I have is just a bit sad and droopy now – it does nothing to puff out this skirt. I don’t really like those tiered ones either so I shall attempt to layer 3 circle skirt layers of tulle over one-another and secure with a ribbon for a waistband. With a layer of cotton voile underneath for comfort. That should be enough puff I think. This is all theoretical though – I’m hoping my idea works.

My hair is getting long again too. I’m at that point where I dont know if I should attempt to grow it longer and learn how to style it so it’s a bit vintage or just chop it.

A few other bits and bobs of news – I got some new RAM for my computer so it’s running a lot faster now. 8GB in total. Yeh! I was so excited about it I even started a new drawing. Yep, I’m slowly struggling over my annual new-year drawing slump. What’s with that? It’s like some sort of self fulfilling prophecy.

I get paid next week so my Lady Valet dress-form can be picked up from Clegs. Really excited about that one too! I can finally fit my sewing projects without the danger of having to pin myself into things. I’m sick of stabbing myself! I’m sure it won’t completely eliminate the excruciating pain that comes from jamming a pin under your fingernail but it will help. I’ll also be able to show you the insides and details of sewing projects as I’ll be able to get closer with the camera.

Well I best be off. Got an email to finish writing and then some sewing I think.

Have a good weekend peeps!

Hi All!!

Here’s the latest sewing project all finished. I’ve jumped ahead a couple cos this wasn’t the one I was intending to show you, but I was wearing this Saturday (and Friday haha) so I took pics of this instead. This is possibly the quickest dress I’ve ever made, and I even lined the bodice – so if you skipped that, it’s SUPER easy….That said, I think lining is quicker than facings.

Some Notes:

• It’s made from a sheet – Possibly! Nicole from Circa thinks it might not be as the cotton is fairly thick.
• I shortened it a bit
• I didn’t add the scallops on the bottom because I can’t figure out how to shorten the circle skirt without changing the circumference of the hem, thus needing to change the pattern piece for the scallops (hard to explain!)
• Only the bodice is lined
• This has a side zipper but it isn’t closed at the top so it’s really easy to get into.
• It’s the perfect, comfy summer dress!
• I didn’t need to change the pattern at all except the length

(look at the surge of kitties hehehee)

After reading Elyse’s post on her first Spring sewing project, I notice that I have wrinkles on the bodice of my dress too. I answered her question by saying it could be the lining competing for space…Which could also be the case for my dress as I used the same size lining as the outer pieces. I’m not sure? It doesn’t bother me too much though.

Guess what? I made the green belt I’m wearing too Using a kit from A Fashionable Stitch, I covered the belt backing in some green fabric and hand-sewed it all together. Covering the buckle was a bit fiddly though. It comes with a sticky piece of card that you attach your fabric to and then the other side sticks to the metal front of the buckle. Then you jam in the bottom of the buckle with some pliers. I botched it a little bit but you can’t really tell when I’m wearing it. Then I had to rush out and buy an awl and the Mr helped me bash in the eyelets.
I think I’ll be making simpler slide belts next – eyelets are a PITA.
I’m majorly in love with that green fabric I used. It’s such a perfect shade – and matches my dress so well. I have enough left to make a skirt…And the pattern is coming in the mail so it should hopefully arrive shortly.

After making this dress I think I’m going to hold off on all the DRESSES for a while. Need to make lots more separates – so skirts and tops for my new job (staring tomorrow!!! Eeeep)…but first the ROBE in pink seersucker – or plissé – I’m not sure which it is actually. Yes, there is a difference. More on that later ;-P

Okay so I better run!!

Hello Everyone!
Time to show you all a recent sewing project of mine. Or not so recent. Heh. I made this dress using part of Butterick 7653, which is an unprinted pattern from the early 50′s (rough guess) and the skirt section from THIS pattern.

I made this quite some time ago and it was such a drama that I didn’t wear it for months. Last week I decided to try it on again to see what I still thought about it and it turns out I’m rather happy with it now. I guess enough time has passed since I made it so the annoyance derived from its creation has been forgotten!

Some info:

• It’s made from what I’m sure is a nasty poly which has a slight sheen to it.
• However, it has a nice drape and is fairly soft and the pleats fall well.
• The fabric was an absolute headache to work with – slippery and catchy at the same time.
• I don’t know what possessed me to buy it – It was in my first ever Savers haul so I guess I got over-excited!
• The top stitching on the draping is dodgy as hell.

A few construction notes and what I changed/added:

• I underlined part of it with some of a white bed-sheet. The only section that isn’t underlined is where the draping is.
• The pattern originally calls for a side zipper to which I thought BAH! And made a center-back one instead. Makes more sense!
• I prefer the straight skirt pattern piece with pleats over the half circle like in the pattern.
• I used the edge of an embroidered sheet to create an attached petticoat. This gives the skirt body and prevents me flashing my knickers every time there’s a bit of breeze outside!
• The French darts are rather a cool touch.
• Fitting wasn’t much of an issue with this at all! I can’t remember if I adjusted the bust/shoulder area much though. I think I may have taken it in quite a bit. But it’s turned out well.
• The zipper is hand-picked and looked terrible until the dress got a wash and iron.

Phew! There’s lots happening with this one! I really am pleased with the little petticoat thing. You wouldn’t normally see that at all, even when I’m sitting down but it still makes me happy! Hehee I think I will make this again one day – probably in the slim skirt version and with a friendlier fabric.

Oh and do you like my shoes? They’re the Irregular Choice ones I talked about a few posts back. They’re fairly comfortable, though the first day was a little tough. They look better side on than they do looking at the front – Next time I will choose shoes that aren’t so chunky around the front of my foot.

Once again my photos are shoddy as hell. This time I can’t blame the camera but the light. Totally miserable and cloudy day in Melbourne today. Not to worry though, they’re still better than the pics taken with the Lumix. FYI I’m using The BF’s fancy-pants Canon 1Ds Mark II. But an awesome camera does not guarantee awesome photos – I still suck and I really don’t know what to do with Photoshop once it comes to editing. Anyways, just gotta practice huh!

I better scoot then – Have to finish some work for Mum and then get back into my drawing. I had plans to sew a little today but maybe I’ll do that next week. It’s been a very busy weekend!

Seeyas!!

Hi Everyone!
Oh boy, I am sooo behind on my sewing updates!!
I made this skirt a few weeks ago as I was in a rush to make something that would go with my work shirt. The shirt is blue and striped (and is horrible) so I had nothing that matched. I needed to wear the shirt to go see a customer and while I did finish the skirt in time it wasn’t without some hiccups.

I used the base of a dress pattern and just made my own waistband to fit.
Everything was going swimmingly until I got to the waist! I had made it much too wide and it was mega squeezy to get it on. Ugh.

It was still wearable even though I could barely breathe and I used a cream coloured zipper because it was the only one that was the right length. I managed to make it through the day and just covered the dodgy zipper and waistband with a belt. When I got home I was fiddling with it trying to make it more comfortable and of course the zipper went *pop*! Derp!

By that time I was well and truly over it but funnily enough the next day I found I had the energy to fix it. I took the waistband off and removed the broken zipper. This time I made sure I tried it on after every new section was pinned and also managed to find a black zipper. It was too long but I sewed it in anyway and just trimmed and finished the end of it so it wouldn’t come undone.

Now I’m quite pleased with it as it fits fairly nicely and it’s super comfy. I’ve shown the insides of it too as they’re quite tidy if I do say so myself….The seams are finished with a zig-zag stitch and it’s all underlined with a soft grey gauzy fabric. I used satin sew-in hem tape for the hem.

Since this was made I’ve also used the same pattern to make another skirt (which I’ll show later). I made some modifications so that it fits slimmer and is more pencil shaped and I like the new version better.

However I have one question for the sewists out there – Since I am using a dress pattern for the skirt, should I be taking some off the top of the pattern to give more room for the waistband? I find that when I try these on without the waistband in, they fit really great. But as soon as it goes in, the skirt tends to bunch near my lower back as if there’s not enough room for all that fabric between waist and hip.
Hard to explain! But I’ll show you what I mean when I do my next sewing post.

(bwahahaha look at Boofy’s FACE – he looooooves the pats. He’s all like “gimmegimmegimmeMMMMOAR”)

That’s about all for today. Don’t forget the GIVEAWAY of course – being drawn on Saturday so get your entries in quick smart!

Oh and the shirt I’m wearing in these pics was a Savers find – Genuine vintage for $6!! The label inside the shirt still uses the old Australian sizing method – its a SSW ;-P Which I think equates to a modern size AU8-10 or so. And that’s my new hair – Freshly red!

Seeyas!

Hiiii!!

Today I have for you a little something different from the usual….But first some sketches.

Just a few things from the train. Nothing exciting. CHOW post for you all tomorrow though once again I’m severely underwhelmed by my effort. Meh.

Onto the fun stuff…..
Yesterday (being Sunday) I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with the finest of Melbourne’s vintage bloggers. We enjoyed a very fancy pants (my current favourite phrase so excuse me hehe) high tea at the Park Hyatt hotel. It was all very plush and the food on offer was scrumptious. There was plenty of it too, I didn’t leave feeling hungry that’s for sure. Everyone’s outfits were simply incredible – Almost all of us wore dresses and there was pretty much an entire rainbow of colours. Yay! I was in serious hair envy of the ladies who have the skillz to create wicked curls and whatnot. Awesome.
Since I am a pretty lame blogger when it comes to photos, only one pic is deemed worthy of showing to the public – and I didn’t even take it!

From left to right: Me, Marianne @ Esme and the Laneway, Carly (new employee at Circa Vintage and a teacher at the Lindy Charm School), Julie from Ballarat Vintage Style, Claire from HarbourMaster, Maria from Vintage Suburbia, Super Kawaii Mama, Nicole from Circa Vintage, Fiona (burlesque performer and employee at Circa) and Jules from Poppet Vintage.

A HUGE thanks to Nicole for organising the meet and Marianne who’s idea it was I think (though it could have been a joint effort). I have a whole heap of new blogs to add to my reader and I look forward to more meets in the future. Yay!

Signing off til tomorrow….Bye peeps!

Only a few small things for today. Waiting to hear back from my client about some art I submitted and then I will show you all

Some train sketches. Always seem to notice the hair and headwear a person has.

And a drawing of a vintage coat. Love the cut! If only I could find something like this for winter. Yes I am already thinking about the colder months. It doesn’t take me long to get bored of the season.

My new computer should hopefully arrive next week so you will ALL know about it when that gets here hehe.
Bya!