Kittys Drawings

Hello!
On Friday I finished this pattern:

I’ve had this one for a while but wasn’t sure what to make it up from – I didn’t have anything in my stash that would fit the bill – the bill being a lightweight fabric with a lot of drape….Rayon? Yes. I don’t have a lot of it and what I do have is already earmarked for other things.
But then I saw that Sew Retro Rose had recently been to Spotlight and found RAYON there – tropical print rayon at that. WITH BIRDS ON IT.
Omg!!
She was so kind as to purchase me some and send it my way, and this is what I made – also a wrap dress but from the 40s instead of 50s.

This pattern came together really easily – complete in two and a bit sessions – probably about three hours all up. There’s really not much to it – I can’t even say what was the hardest part. Even the hand sewing is quite minimal, just tacking down facings. I finished the seams with rayon Hug Snug binding – though there are two French seams on the back gores of the skirt. I did a narrow hem as I think this looks neater on wrap skirts where the sections can flip up more than in a regular skirt. It also makes this a very economical dress – I used about 2m of quite wide fabric.

You can’t see the details too well in these pics – it’s the curse of prints I guess – but it’s more apparent in real life The gathers at the front are awesome – there’s five rows there and also some at the shoulders.

The closures are just two sets of hook & eyes and a tiny snap at the bust to keep it from gaping open (learnt this the hard way *cough*).
It’s a very breezy, casual and comfortable dress that is perfect for any more 38°C+  days that may be thrust upon us this summer. Plus this amazing fabric works with a LOT of colours, most notably red which always makes me very happy.

The shoes are Miss L Fire of course – I just had these re-soled so they get to be worn again. They’re a smidgen big though so can be annoying to walk in for long distances. I’ve put little heel stickies in them which has helped a bit. They’re my standard EU size 37 – does anyone else have Miss L Fire’s that *dont* have straps and can tell me if they ALL run large? In case I want to buy another pair of pumps…(likeliness of this happening: 100%). This is why I usually buy shoes with straps because then, a tiny difference in size isn’t going to have your shoe falling off your foot every fifth step.

Any-whooo….I don’t know what to start next! How bad is that! I’ve got some odds and ends that need doing – patterns to trace and things to mend. Not sure if I should get stuck into those?
My green coat is still on my mind too – I’ve found a place on eBay that sells heavier weight silk charmeuse for either $20p/yard for 100% silk or $10p/yard for 60% silk, 40% rayon. I need at least 7 yards just to be safe. Thoughts on what I should get? Both are an investment and this coat already isn’t cheap so cost, while it is a factor, I know I just need to suck it up.

Ugh – and my pics are pretty grainy and out of focus today – the camera wasn’t behaving….

Well that ought to be it for today. Till soon…

Hiya!!

So today I have for you a whole bunch of separates I’ve made since I had my little (big) blog break.

The skirts are both from the same 40′s Hollywood pattern (red is further down!) – it’s a ten gore and very flattering, though time consuming to make with all those seams. It’s easy to fit though! The seafoam green one is a linen blend or something – it’s got a nice drape to it. The red is a fairly coarse linen that will take some time to soften up. It goes super soft when it’s wet! I wish it would stay that way dry too I’ve added a lapped side zipper and zig-zagged the seams.

Next is a chou neck blouse – a 40′s Vogue pattern most kindly traced for me by the ever so lovely Tamara of A New Ball of String. Made from some leftover poly stuff I originally bought for backing a photobooth for my friends wedding (hehee!)…the fabric is pretty blah to sew and to wear but this was really a wearable muslin. I botched the sleeves but you can’t really tell. Yay for prints! The buttons on the back are my winnings here from Vintage Neccessities on Etsy.

Then comes this little polkadot number that Tamara also traced for me. It also has a button back (this time it’s tiny shell buttons from the same winnings) and a purple polkadot cotton. There are pleats on the front under the collar if you can’t tell

And finally, my favourite top and my favourite outfit right now….This AMAZING Vogue blouse pattern I recently bought off eBay. Has all those exceptional 40′s details like gathering and 5 tiny darts to give each sleeve shape. There back is yoked and the shoulder seam is slightly offset so it sits about an inch forward of the very top of my shoulders. The collar is cut in one and folds down into a very deep V neck fastened with one feature button and a smaller one below that hides under the skirt. Pretty risque actually!

This is the first time I’ve done a sleeve set into a band for the cuff so it’s pretty dodgy! I found the smaller red buttons at an op-shop in Huonville, Tasmania. I suspect they might be quite old and possibly made of celluloid or even bakelite? They are plastic but make a clinky sound when knocked together, unlike other plastic buttons which I have. Hmmm….
Very keen to make some more of this pattern, even though this is quite time consuming too with all the attaching collars, top-stitching and a million darts.

Lots more to catch up on still! I’ve finished a stunning 40′s dress out of navy rayon. A total PITA to work with but it’s turned out good. And today I went fabric hunting and found quite a few goodies – have a look on my Facebook or Instagram for some sneak peeks!

Next – a 40′s wrap dress made of amazing parrot printed rayon – purchased from one of my favourite Melbourne sewists, Sew Retro Rose – seriously she is amazing! The gorgeous stuff she makes is out of this world! She is making a 50′s wrap dress out of the same fabric so I thought it would be great to do a compare and contrast of the decades! Stay tuned peeps!!

Hiya!

Jumping right on back into this blogging thing. Thanks so much for all the comments on my last post It’s good to have support!

This is not a very seasonally appropriate dress for the Melbourne summer. But then again it IS – because this is Melbourne, and hail and gale-force winds can come any time. It was cool enough to wear this today actually. It hasn’t even been washed since I finished it and if you look closely you might see a chalk line or two

Made out of an awesome drapey linen blend my Mum found in an op-shop in Tassie. She rang me quite urgently and sent photos asking if I wanted this and a blue shade of the same material. As if I was gonna say no!

Perfect for this pattern which I bought in winter but hadn’t made up yet because I didn’t have the right fabric.

The buttons are vintage – plastic flowers.
Hand stitched lines along the closure and the sleeves. It’s not as tidy as I would have liked as this cotton embroidery thread was the closest match to the green satin interior of the hood, and kept catching on the weave of the fabric as I was stitching it.

You know what I really love about so many 40′s patterns? So much emphasis on the shoulders, which draws attention away from the hips and so balances out my figure. Yay! This isn’t the case of ALL 40′s patterns (you know how much I love those hip swag type dresses too), but they’re always expertly crafted to flatter.

Ciao for now!

Hello Everyone!
Woowee am I excited to show you this latest creation!

EVERYTHING is awesome about it ;-P If I do say so myself! Haha.

Pattern: Butterick 3989 – from early to mid 40′s I think. From the amazing Evadress Patterns
Fabric: Awesome tropical print rayon WITH PINEAPPLES from eBay. This isn’t vintage as the selvedge mentions “Hoffman Internation Fabrics 2001″. How COOL is it!? I have another piece which has Plumerias and palm trees on it!

Notions: Just a heap of snaps and thread. Duh.

Cost: About $28 – The pattern was $20, the fabric I got three yards for $6 plus shipping, and snaps are cheapish. Still enough fabric left for a top
Changes Made: Made it knee length – easy! ZERO fit alterations – These patterns fit SO well straight outta the box! Yay!
Finishing: I used selvedge as best as I could, and rayon seam binding on most seams. The curve seam at the front I zigzagged.
Notes: I made a boo-boo with this! I don’t usually make any serious mistakes but here I did. I traced the front draped skirt piece to make a new piece, since I didn’t think I could do my usual trick of folding the pattern piece up to shorten it. It’s a bit of a weird shape and I didn’t want to hack at my pattern. Yes I am naughty and cut straight from precious pieces of paper that are older than my grandma (almost). Though this wasn’t the real reason I made a boo-boo, but it probably helped. See, this dress has quite a few pieces that are only cut once, so it’s important you’re cutting the right side of the fabric. Get where I’m going here? Yep! I cut this piece the wrong way round so I had two left facing skirt sections. Derpalina!
Easily fixed though and the rest of the make was easy….

Until I got to the sleeves…

Yeh this confused me for a bit. I couldn’t figure out how the little tiny sleeve section was to join the cap sleeve, and still be finished on the outside. I decided to just follow the instructions and baste each piece in (instead of taking a shortcut and sewing straight away) – and what do you know? Patience won out and it made sense once I’d basted it all together. It’s a bit of an interesting way to finish a sleeve – and involves less hand sewing than Mccall 6006.

The gathers are so cool, as well as the asymmetrical neckline. These details might have been more visible using a plain fabric but I LOVE prints so much.

Next project and other things – My 1940′s trench coat is cut out. I also found some lining online for my green coat. Silk and rayon blend from Vietnam – the price was very good so I’m hoping it’s nice when I get it. It’s going to be a rich purple colour – a nice contrast to the apple green. *GRIN*
Also went to Brunswick the other day and found some very light white cotton for the underlining of a very special project (hints are on Facebook). Savers was picked clean of anything good – Just got some dark green cotton drill which would be good for a pencil skirt, and buttons to match. Coincidentally I found some Jeffrey Campbell shoes today in the SAME SHADE for $65. Bought. Yep. No more spending til next pay-day so dont let me! Hah.
I’m not usually that keen on the crazy Jeffrey Campbells I see around the parts…I like crazy shoes, but not ones that make your feet look like giant hooves. Errgh. Anyways, you’ll probably see them eventually.

I’m continuing on with hair experiments. This one is a bit blah but the roll is cool. I don’t think my face shape is suited to have two rolls on the top of my head so one will do for now. I’ve purchased some setting lotion and lots of pin-curl clips and currently have my hair setting. Fingers crossed for a nice result tomorrow!

Enough rambling – time to go!

Ciao!

Hi Everyone!
Been a bit long since I last posted huh?
The parents were up last weekend so I was running around too much to take photos. Though you might have seen some on Instagram. I have no idea how to link my profile tho. Usually I’m good with techy things too. If you go to my FB page there’s a few Instagram pics there and I guess you can follow from those.

Sooo – this dress. I’ll do a nice list of details kinda like the Sew Weekly posts because they are easier to read aren’t they?

Pattern: Simplicity 3835 from the 40′s – early in the decade I think, but can’t be sure.
Fabric: Pastel green sheer with white floral flocking – possibly nylon? New Japanese made fabric bought from one of the little shops on Sydney Rd Brunswick.
Notions: A heap of snaps and 3 tiny hook & eyes.
Cost: About $13 – $5 p/m for the fabric – I used just about 2m. Snaps were probably about $3 – they’re so expensive here and I use heaps of them. Need to buy them in bulk from somewhere!

Changes Made: Lowered the neckline a smidgen (just by hacking at the front piece where the bow sits) since it was super high. That’s all! The pattern pieces are for the long skirt so I wouldn’t count shortening them as an alteration.
Finishing: Snaps and hook & eyes at waist with an opening on both sides. One side is lapped and the other with just the seam folded over and stitched twice. Narrow hem on skirt and belt ties. Seams finished using a double stitch, about 1mm apart and then trimmed. I couldn’t be bothered with French seams for this. Lazy!

Verdict: Love it!! I’ve wanted to make something with this fabric for a while – and it’s been planned for many things but I settled on this pattern in the end. I love sheer dresses and want to make more! I’m only wearing a nude coloured slip under this but wearing a bright layer would be so cool – the possibilities are endless. It’s not really winter clothing but who cares? It’s not really colder than wearing any other dress in winter. Plus it WILL be awesome when the hot weather rolls around. It was really easy to make but there is quite a lot of hand finishing – I guess these earlier patterns don’t come with all the facings either. I was instructed to cut my own bias strip to finish the neck edges and to cut a piece for the bow.
The double side openings are interesting too, because it only says to lap one side. If I made this again, I’d do a lapped opening on both sides because it’s tidier. Even if it takes more work.

(look – seams! Hehe. And my hair is freshly ‘redded’ – yay!)

My makeup – since I thought I’d show you….The lipstick was a gift from the always fabulous Super Kawaii Mama for when I helped her out with the vintage bridal talk she had at the Love Vintage fair. The colour is so rich and the actual lipstick smells like cinnamon – nice!

I don’t always wear the Laura Mercier powder – sometimes opting for Revlon Colorstay, but this one is really good. It has great coverage. I bought it off StrawberryNET so the colour is a shade too dark – will go lighter next time! Not that you can tell in the photos.
The concealer I always rave about to everyone who will listen – I’ve had it for ages and it’s the best concealer in the world – covers EVERYTHING. And you only need the tiniest smidgen.
I could rabbit on about the other things but I wont. Heh. If you have any questions, do ask!

Now onto other news: I’m making another dress – haha! Surprised? I went a bit mental this month and bought a shitload of different rayons. Some from Denver Fabrics and the rest from eBay. Dad also bought me some really amazing black and purple pure wool plaid from the Vic Markets. It will become a wiggle dress with an empire waist and black bow at the back. I’ve never matched plaids so wish me luck with that one!
The coat is still going nowhere – waiting for payday so I can get some lining for it. I’ve not found anything good online so I’m going to try my luck out at Brunswick or maybe hit up Tessuti.

Umm…what else – Work has been crazy-busy lately – 12 hour shifts in front of the computer are intense. It’s not going to let up for a while either. There will definitely be less time to sew next week. But I should finish my current project.

Bla blah – okay I think I’m done! This post has taken me ages….Time to go relax and watch a movie. I haven’t even done any sewing today – might leave that for Sunday.

Oh and thanks for all the comments on my shirt post I’m really behind on replying but I will get to it eventually!

Ciao for now!

Hi All
Ack! Mega late posting! To think I wanted to get this up on Saturday! Bah!
What did I DO with my weekend???
Well it was pretty busy in fact – if you count going out and drinking quite a bit on Friday, recovering Saturday, talking bridesmaid duties Saturday evening and theeeennnn….What DID I do Sunday? Oh that’s right – I made another version of last weeks Butterick top for a friend!
Isn’t it crazy how the days can get away from you?

So…To drawing…These were the last two weeks of The Drawing Salon. In week 7 we covered stripes and wool texture. As well as being taught how to draw your own croquis template. This was a really neat technique which I’ve actually done a tutorial for. If you want to see it let me know – and I’ll have to ask Angie if I’m allowed to divulge some secrets!

I’m not sure I’m too happy with this one …. Surprised? Haha. It’s a bit too – overworked. Meh. These watercolours will take a while to get used to.

Week 8 was lots of fun too. The topic was collage and we used fabric and paper to make our images. The 3D aspect was neat – My gown was much puffier but then I carried it home jammed into my sketchbook and proceeded to flatten it further with the scanner *cough*.

The flowers on her head are cut outs from some fabric.

Annnnnd that’s about all for now. Got a few things coming up next week so I’m hoping I’ll find time to take pics of more sewing stuff amongst it all.
My folks are coming to visit next weekend which will be ace! I haven’t seen them in a year almost (I think!).
Also, heading to Sydney for the day on Saturday, with a nice roadtrip back.
Busy busy.
Well, must run!
Till soon…

Hi All

Fly by post today. Cleaning the house duties mean I have no time to write much.

So – this week’s topic was watercolours, patterns and lace.

But first, some ‘extra curricular’ activity. Sketch done in low light so I couldn’t see my colours properly. Inspiration take from Julia Trotti’s amazing photography (new discovery – um, WOW!). Yes, I did some drawing without playing tricks on my brain to start it.

Anyways – class work. The original photo that we used as ref had a big green skirt but we had to make it leopard print instead. Watercolours are so versatile – and fun! I want to try more techniques with them! For these effects I wet the paper first and then washed over the paint. Then using a watercolour pencil I drew in the spots. The wet paper blurred the pencil and gave it that fuzzy, velvety effect.

The lace was done in a similar manner but with the pencil super sharp.

There’s still lots to learn, and the random and unpredictable nature of watercolour means you’re never quite 100% sure of what you’re going to get….Something I think you have to take advantage of instead of fight

Well – til soon! Next post should be sewing!