Kittys Drawings

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!

Hi!
As promised, here is my skirt.

The pattern is Simplicity 3461:

How cute is it! I scored it for about $6 off Etsy. It was pretty much uncut but it’s so old that it was falling apart at some of the folds. Not to worry! This is what I’ve been doing to preserve my patterns:
(excuse the blurry pic)

If you look carefully you can see I’ve laid over some clear plastic to trace them all. These photos were taken when I was using leftover plastic that comes off our digital plates at work. It has the consistency of stiff negative film (which is exactly what it is I think). This was awesome for tracing but I found that when I wanted to transfer the new pattern to fabric, it was just too stiff to pin properly. So I looked for an alternative. Silly me – why did I even bother looking to buy something more flexible? I work for a company that MAKES flexible plastic. DERP – why the heck do I need to pay for it when work throws out thousands of metres of scrap all the time!? So I asked around and sure enough, I got a heap of it for my next attempt at tracing. It’s the same stuff that you find in the dairy aisle, protecting your Tasty cheese Without the cheese ha! It may be a little stretchy in one direction but its a lot thinner and I can always retrace if the pattern get too warped.

So – Onto the skirt. I had reservations about the pattern being a little small – but it fits really good! I’m not sure if it’s the fabric I found which has a slight stretch to it or I really am that little? I tell you what, taking pot-shots with found fabric from charity stores can be a bit of a gamble. This stuff was slippery as all buggery for a novice like myself.
I wrangled it into shape in the end so I’m pleased.
However – the waistband of the skirt is a bit iffy. It’s not as tight as it should be. That’s either the give in the fabric again or just the pattern design.

Piccies:

I decided I’d use a contrast fabric (another op shop find) for the pocket and pleats. It really works well don’t you think! It’s kind of nautical 40′s kinda thing. LOVE the kick pleats – so awesome!

The navy linen is nice and flippy and drapey. Feels great! I reckon this would work nicely in a heavier wool or something for winter. I hope the next time I make it I can be more precise with cutting out the pattern and I’ll have to do something about that waistband. I could make it smaller so it sits higher and extend the hips a bit so it doesn’t bunch over my bum.
I also found some kind of white georgette to make the blouse out of. But that is INSANELY slippery and I’m kinda scared to make it yet.
The jacket for the pattern I’m not so sure about – its a bit boxy and probably won’t look that flash on me.

Ooookay! Next project…finish the button-front dress that is being made of the red cotton. Yay!
And I’m going to start a new drawing.
Oh I have some other design work to show you soon too.
Busy busy beeeeee

Ciao!

Sorry for the lack of arty posting lately. Been feeling in a bit of a slump. Still sketching daily but kinda not feelin it. However, I’ve got two client projects on the go which aren’t problematic at all which is excellent.
I think I have worked myself into a “MUST BUY NEW COMPUTER” mode and so trying to do anything on my clunky old laptop is getting me frustrated. I am entirely sure it’s just an excuse as I am known to do that. What for I know, it’s not like it’s benefiting me in any way to be always making excuses! TERRIBLE. But identifying the problem is only halfway (only a quarter even) there.
Soooo, even just writing this out is motivating me to get off my butt and back into it. Browsing the talent on ConceptArt always helps too.

But since I have nothing worth scanning at the moment, I shall show you some purchases instead. It was payday not long ago and of course I have a massive list of favourites on Etsy which I’m always itching to lay my hands on.
These are the items winging their way over to me from the US.

A stunning 50′s/60′s wool suit. Cos I don’t have a suit yet and this is so pretty and looks like a fabulous cut.

A navy vintage hat. I don’t wear hats generally and this is a good price and versatile colour so that I don’t feel too bad if it doesn’t look good on me. There are SO many beautiful hats on Etsy!

And finally, another dress….cos a girl can never have enough dresses. The colours are cute and summery and looks flattering. Thankfully I’ve gotten quite good at being able to judge what will fit me well without needing to try something on. There hasn’t been one online purchase I’ve made that doesn’t fit me.

I can’t wait til they all arrive! Cue postie stalking….NOW!

Ciao!

Teeehee.

Just a quick on cos its 6:04am and I gotta scoot off to work soon. I drew these yesterday and Tuesday. Some ideas for ConceptArt Character of the Week which I wont make on time but no matter – it was fun sketching. Bride of Frankenstein if you cant tell

Without and with reference in that order.

And possibly the most AMAZING vintage 40′s silk suit I have ever seen in my life. If only I could afford the $325USD it costs! Seriously. I am scheming and planning ways for me to lay my hands on it. Though I’m afraid it may show my shopping addiction way too much if I were to purchase it as for that amount of money I could get myself a kitty and all the things the kitty would need.

*sigh*