Kittys Drawings

Hi everyone

Quickie post today to show you two patterns that arrived in the mail today.

The first – Advance 8064 from the 50′s. I was browsing Ebay a little while ago (as you do) and noticed a really cute skirt for sale by popular seller Violetville Vintage . She has an awesome range of really cute vintage clothes but I’d seen this one somewhere before…It was then I remembered a pattern I had put in my Etsy favourites only the week before. I quickly searched and there it was – the identical pattern. No doubt, the skirt was made from the very same pieces. It was exciting to see it made up and how awesome it looked so it didn’t take me long to put it in my shopping cart Just my size too!

And since I have a bad habit of trying to “save on shipping” by buying more than one thing from a seller, I had a look at what else SelvedgeShop had for sale This next skirt was a no-brainer….check out the quirky details: petal shaped waistline curving down to asymmetrical button closure…and a neatly pleated bustle type gathering on the back. How elegant! The blouse pattern comes with it too (like the one above too). I think this one must be from the very late 40′s or early 50′s. Totally amazing – one of the most unique skirts I’ve ever seen.

Now which one do I make first??

My sewing and drawing time has been cut down significantly with the new job. I’m getting home quite late in the evening and rather exhausted. I hope the tiredness is only a settling in phase and it will pass soon. With summer coming, I’m looking forward to more daylight hours too.

Is everyone else looking forward to the change of season?
Melbourne keeps playing games with us all – beautiful and sunny one week and the next its all horrible and cold again. Though I shouldn’t say horrible – because I truly love the cold better….but I’m in that in-between phase where I want warm days. It won’t last though – come mid December I’ll be moaning about the heat already. I predict a particularly long and hot summer too this year. Maybe not as crazy as the year we had the big fires but still hot.

Anyways, it’s late. I better get to bed.

Will post on the weekend if I get the time ))

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!!

Hi Everyone!

It’s sewing post time

I’m a bit behind as usual!

A few weeks ago I finished Mccall 7221 which is a square necked dress pattern from the 40′s. I won this through a sewing blog I read but for the life of me I can’t remember which one! If it was you, let me know and I’ll link you in this post The competition was months ago and I didn’t have plans on making this pattern straight away – but then I found this fabric at Savers not long after and deemed it perfect for the pattern. Not sure what the content is exactly, it feels like a cotton mix. It’s really opaque but also super light-weight which will make it good for summer.

I love how it’s casual and it came together really easily.

Some notes:

• I made a proper placket closure. Instead of inserting a side-zip (which I hate as they never sit nice and are a pain to put in), I used snaps and hook & eye. This takes a little more time than a zipper but it’s SO much neater and more comfortable!
• I didn’t need to change the size of the pattern much at all. It gapes a little in the bust still….I’ll have to learn how to fix that properly soon but it still looks okay
• The sleeve/yoke/whatever-you-call-it was a bit of a pain but I got there in the end.
• I pieced the front section because I didn’t have heaps of fabric.
• Shortened it by a LOT as usual

Overall, I’m really pleased with this dress. The fabric hides any boo-boos but I didn’t actually make any so yay! However, the pattern is pretty full on and the scale of it might swamp me a bit don’t you think?

It’s my petticoat hem that’s wonky not my dress

I still hate taking photos as well. I get really bored of posing but I’m still stuffing around with getting the light right so its like – pose pose pose pose – take memory card out of camera – put card into computer – download files onto Adobe Bridge – check, crop and edit some photos – delete stupid poses/expressions – take card out of computer – put card back in camera – set timer……pose….repeat until satisfied…Then edit properly. *groan*

Oh and do you like my bag?? I got it off Etsy a little while ago – Deadstock 60′s! Still had the tag attached. It’s so BRIGHT. I had to buy a belt to match….haha. The colour is right but it’s more of a hip belt not one for your waist so it’s kinda big and chunky. Does anyone know where I can get a good, thin, patent yellow waist belt? Without too much cost expenditure?

Also – These are some recent fabric purchases. All of them are from Savers except for the green flocked one. Isn’t it awesome! I got it from Unique Fabrics on Sydney Rd for $5 a metre (I bought 3m)….I have plans to make another full skirted 50′s dress with it – maybe a circle skirt this time…and underline it with bright yellow cotton lawn. Do you think yellow would work? Or some other colour? I dismissed white as an option because I want the flocking to stand out.
And how do you clean flocked fabrics? Gentle hand wash?

There’s another floral sheet in there – Spring wardrobe planning haha (more circle skirts)….and a huge pile of pink seersucker which I think I will make a ROBE out of. Once I find some really soft flannel/sheeting to line it with. The other patterned stuff feels like cotton – good for a little blouse I think. I don’t have enough blouse patterns….It’s something I always hesitate to buy. Silly huh.

Oh and and!! I want to make a petticoat for myself….a fluffy one…but I hate those tiered ones. I was thinking I would get some soft cotton and a heap of the softest tulle I can find and construct it like I was making 3 circle skirts on top of each other. Then make a tube of fabric for the waistband and fasten it with a ribbon because I also hate elastic as it always stretches. Do you think this would work??

Anyways I better go. I’ve got some drawing planned – One started and another planned. And some dresses to show still. Till soon!!

Hi Everyone!

New sewing post comin’ right at ya! I recently finished this vintage mail order pattern from the 50′s (possible early 60′s?).

I’d originally made a black denim version of this but it doesn’t have any beading on it yet like I’d planned so I wont show it yet cos it’s not technically finished.
Straight after I put together the black one, I started this one in a grey wool blend from my original Savers stash. The fabric is a bit itchy so I lined it with some grey gauzy cotton.

The pattern is fantastic – very simple. Just two pieces with four darts for shaping on the back and front. It also has a kick pleat at the back and a centre-back zipper.

I made some changes to the pattern:

• Shortened it considerably!
• Made the bust much smaller
• Shaped it so it’s a more ‘wiggle’ fit – the skirt is normally very straight.
• Lined it – the patterns call for facings which I did on the black one and they’re annoying. Lining is so much neater!

This is the perfect work dress – and a very versatile pattern. I could easily make a scoop neck version in linen and embellish the neckline with fabric flowers. It would also work well with border prints or fabric that has a vertical or horizontal stripes. The possibilities are endless!
I really must trace this onto plastic (I’m very far behind in all that!!) so that’s more durable.
And it doesn’t even look too vintage – very timeless.

On another note – I found the navy belt at the Salvos recently. I’ve been looking for a good navy belt for ages and I’m so happy I found this one! I also picked up a cute pair of white cotton gloves from the same Salvos and a few metal zippers. For a measly total of $10.50!

Yay!

And I’m sorry for the supreme lack of drawing posts. It’s all in the works I swear. Its been mega busy here at home too. I may have a rather exciting announcement to make shortly – which is somehow related to this outfit…but until it’s all concrete, my lips are sealed.

Til soon!

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!!

Hiiii!
So this is the outfit that I envisioned to go with my Miss L Fire shoes….and luck was on my side when I found the exact top I wanted in Savers some time ago. All I had to do then was make a black skirt.

I scored some heavy black cotton from one of those little fabric stores on Sydney Rd and set to work. These kinds of skirts don’t really need a pattern – just cut a rectangle and gather it into a waistband. I got a bit overzealous with the size of my rectangle and ended up with way too much fabric in there. It turned out rather puffy and I had to pleat it to fit it all in. Now it’s an absolute nightmare to iron and I also made the mistake of sitting on the couch to do my hand-sewing so it got covered in cat fur. Oh Boofy! It doesn’t wash out that well either – maybe a few more rounds in the machine and some vigorous application of the sticky paper fur remover thingy and it should be right. Haha.

Well the outfit turned out rather – crazy – don’t you think? Not sure if I’m quite game enough to wear the stripy top out and the skirt makes me feel all frivolous and cutesy.

I may have just enough fabric left to make a pencil skirt, albeit a shorter one than usual.

Now I really must get back to drawing – The portrait I’m doing needs to be finished TODAY. So glad it’s a long weekend so I have the time to finish it. Even though it means chaining myself to the computer. Saturday though was spent shopping for the required things for Fiji. The BF was surprised that I actually invested in practical shoes…..I can be practical when I need to be ;-P I just don’t want to look fugly at the same time. Is that too much to ask? ;-P

Must run then!

Hi All

I finally have pics to show you of one of the two dresses I completed recently. This is Mccall’s 4322 from the 40′s.

I used a navy polka-dot crepe of some description. I think it’s crepe??? I don’t know! Pretty sure its poly but it feels nice, drapes well and feels cool to the touch. It’s got a slight lustre where it folds and it was an absolute slippery b**** to sew! Gee! I started it ages ago but it sat near my sewing machine for about a month with the buttons left to attach and the hem to finish. It was the victim of my fear of finishing things. So I’m glad it’s complete. And I’m not 100% sure I like it. There’s a lot I could have done better (as usual). I think this was only my 3rd dress that I started?

The bad:

• There’s a lot of top-stitching in this – and I really should have basted things more before using the machine. Like the pockets and the gathered sections around the bust, because the fabric is so slippery.
• The hem is not very nice at all! I couldn’t be bothered so I just folded it over.
• The seams aren’t nicely finished either. I hated sewing with this fabric even though it feels so nice.
• I still hate side zippers but with this style it’s unavoidable and it doesn’t look so bad.
• The sleeves are the same length really! I only just noticed, one must have folded up when taking the pics. Derp!
• What kind of buttons should I have used? Nothing I had really goes with the style. You can’t even see them.
• Yes the whole button-front section is dodgy.

(look at Puss all jealous cos Boofy is getting pats).

The good:

• This collar wasn’t too bad to make actually. I’m happy with it.
• Its very comfortable
• I love the length – I didn’t have to shorten this very much at all. Must be that 40′s rationing.
• I traced the pattern onto plastic so it’s nice and durable for next time (gee that took ages!)
• These types of 4-gore skirts are so flattering.
• It has pockets. Yay!
• I want to make this again now that my skills are a bit better. Consider it a wearable muslin.
• I finally have a dress that matches those shoes!

I think something that has an equal amount of drape would be good for this dress. But not a print next time round, a solid instead. Wouldn’t a really lovely lightweight wool in a jewel colour be amazing? Where the HECK would I find that here in Australia?? Argh! I’m sure I could pay $80 a metre at Clegs if I wanted hahaa. Nowai. Let’s hope my thrifting luck holds up!

Anyways – It’s time to harass The Boyfriend into helping me fit the black sheath dress.

Get your entries into my COMP by tonight peeps! Drawing the winners tomorrow

Til then, seeyas!