bernie and i

annaharo: untitled by tuna bites on Flickr.

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:33:10 -0400

untitled by tuna bites on Flickr.

Completed Projects: Red Marimekko-Print Dress This 1960s...

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:58:00 -0400

Completed Projects: Red Marimekko-Print Dress

This 1960s Marimekko Print is probably my favorite textile print of ALL TIME so you can imagine how excited I was when I found a cotton-quilting fabric in this print.

This dress is made with a sun dress pattern I drafted myself (my most used pattern). I should probably mention the zip is a side zip.

Happiness is walking around in summer in this dress. I feel feminine, lively and just more “me”.

As you can see I am not too fussy when it comes to matching up my print. But I did want the red flower to be in the middle.

Fabric: About 2.60 meters of this glorious lightweight cotton with 1960s Marimekko design. The fabric was about $16.96 a meter.

Lining: lined the bodice with a red lightweight cotton.

Pattern: Self-drafted sun dress

Notions: 25-35cm white invisible around $1 (bought in bulk on ebay)

Time to complete: Around 4 hrs

Date Completed: mid-early 2011

Amount of times worn: 3

Fitting notes: Excellent fit. My favorite pattern.

Completed Projects: Sheena Leopard Print Skirt I love leopard...

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:37:00 -0400

Completed Projects: Sheena Leopard Print Skirt

I love leopard print! It adds some edge to any look and goes with so many things.

This print is more of a punky stylized Leopard Print.

I used the trusty Simplicity 2451 pattern which has an excellent fit and is super quick and easy to sew.

Fabric: 80 to 90cms of leopard print cotton drill. This one is so nice to wear and doesn’t crease a lot.

I also used a slightly thicker fabric for the waistband facing and a lightweight cotton for the pocket insides/lining.

I didn’t bother with interfacing

Pattern: Simplicity 2451

Notions: Black invisible zip

Time to complete: Perhaps 2 hrs

Date Completed: Earlier this year

Amount of times worn: 3 or 4 goes with a LOT of things in my wardrobe :)

Fitting notes: Excellent fit.

Completed Projects: Floral Sencha Blouse Yey for left-over...

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:05:00 -0400

Completed Projects: Floral Sencha Blouse

Yey for left-over fabric. Had enough to make a Colette Patterns Sencha Top.

Whilst I love the styles offered, the fit of Colette Patterns is never good on me!

I needed to make about 3 or 4 muslins just to get the fit right. The fit was overly curvy at the hips and gaping everywhere.

I lowered the neckline because the original high neckline was very unflattering on me.

I lined the top rather than adding facings because, well to be honest neckline facings are evil/highly annoying and I try avoid them.

Fabric: About 1.50 cms of the floral voile.

Lining: This off-white polyester stuff.

Pattern: Colette Patterns Sencha Blouse

Notions: 5 white buttons

Date Completed: Earlier this year

Amount of times worn: 4…It’s casual but feminine, perhaps thats why I have worn it a fair bit.

Fitting notes: Was overly curvy at the hips/waist gaping at the back neckline etc. I lowered the neckline. I Also lengthened the tucks and lowered the hemline so the top was longer.

I have already made another version of this and instead of buttons at the back I added a zipper and now there is a whole lot more gaping to deal with. Will have to alter and re-fit the back. Annoying :(.

Completed Projects: My Favourite Colour Tulip SkirtAnother skirt...

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:36:00 -0400

Completed Projects: My Favourite Colour Tulip Skirt

Another skirt made from a Burdastyle magazine pattern..can’t recall which issue…Will update when I have found it

Orange is my all time favourite colour and I love this shade. My bedroom curtains are made of the exact same fabric.

I made this skirt quite some time ago I would say it was a few years ago.

I remember I made this style first in a red fabric and it was my first time sewing pleats and the one on the front here is quite fancy :).

I would not wear the red version because in red with that front pleat it reminds me of a certain part of the female anatomy. Perhaps I am reaching but now it’s all I think of when I see this skirt made up in red.

This orange one is made from a drill so it creases very easily. I should wear this more often

Fabric: Orange cotton drill from spotlight. They No longer sell this colour :(

Facing: Same fabric

Pattern: Burda style Magazine pattern -issue and style forgotten

Notions: Orange invisible zip.

Time to complete: no idea how long it took

Date Completed: 2008?

Amount of times worn: Maybe once. I have too many clothes.

Fitting notes: Good Fit!

Completed Projects: Must Have Black High-Waisted Skirt Another...

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:15:00 -0400

Completed Projects: Must Have Black High-Waisted Skirt

Another skirt made from Burdastyle magazine 2/2011 style 107. So quick to make :)!

If I worked in an office I would wear this high-waisted skirt all the time!

If you wear a blouse tucked into this you get a Joan-Holloway-like silhouette.

I’m more of a Peggy than a Joan though.

Unfortunately I didn’t grow up to be a graphic designer or a creative at an advertising agency so I’ll just wear this streamlined skirt one day in my downtime… when I am not wearing my work uniform :(.

This was my first time using the invisible hem foot/stitch. such a clean finish.

The invisible zipper pull broke and I was NOT going to install a new one. So I improvised and tied on a bit of knotted red elastic and that became my pull thing.

Fabric: About 80 cms of black fabric (looks a little purple in the image but is actually black) with some elastine/stretch was leftover from a jacket I made ages ago.

Facing: Same fabric did not use interfacing

Pattern: Burda style Magazine issue 2/2011 Style 107

Notions: black invisible zip.

Time to complete: 2 1/2 hrs is my guess

Date Completed: Earlier this year

Amount of times worn: None yet. If I EVER go somewhere fancy I will wear it.

Note to self stop making tight fitting formal attire. Whilst its lovely I wont wear it.

Fitting notes: Excellent fit. LOVE this pattern!

Completed Projects: Floral Overdose Dress You can probably tell...

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 02:33:00 -0400

Completed Projects: Floral Overdose Dress

You can probably tell that I am all about prints! I ADORE this printed fabric :) The colours and all fussy flowers are divine.

This is the second dress I made using the McCalls 6011 Pattern.

This dress is fully lined the sleeves are finished with bias binding made from the same fabric…unlike the Versatile Springtime Dress which I added the lining to, stitched the armholes and turned them inside out.

Fabric: About 2 meters of lightweight cotton voile $12 per meter from Lincraft during a sale.

Lining: 2 meters of cream polyester lining $5 per meter Tina’s Fabrics

Pattern: McCalls 6011 Pattern

Notions: 55cm off-white invisible zip around $5

Time to complete: About 4 hrs

Date Completed: mid 2011

Amount of times worn: 2

Fitting notes: Excellent fit.

Anything you would change? I’m pretty happy with this one :)

Completed Projects: Stripey Sun Dress I always wanted to make a...

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 01:42:00 -0400

Completed Projects: Stripey Sun Dress

I always wanted to make a dress using a boarder-print.

I really liked this fabric… to me the print had a kind of an 80s vibe to it that I thought was fun.

I made this dress using my most-used pattern. I think I have made about 7 dresses in this style.

It fits well, its flattering I really like the style of the dress.

But its getting ridiculous and repetitive I don’t want every dress in my wardrobe to be the same style. This style of dress also tends to suit the cotton types of fabric I usually buy.

I drafted this pattern myself by altering the bodice of an ill-fitting new look pattern.

Fabric: About 2.60 meters of $6 a meter Spotlight fabric. It is a medium weight cotton/poly blend woven fabric.

Lining: lined the bodice with a lightweight cotton voile

Pattern: Self-drafted sun dress

Notions: 25-35cm white invisable around $1 (bought in bulk on ebay)

Time to complete: Around 4 hrs

Date Completed: mid 2011

Amount of times worn: 2 or 3

Fitting notes: Excellent fit. My favorite pattern.

Anything you would change? I wish I did the stripes on the waistband horizontally rather than vertically. It would have looked better/been more flattering! I wear it with a belt which sort of fixes the problem

Completed Projects: Wild Print Pencil skirt This was the first...

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:33:00 -0400

Completed Projects: Wild Print Pencil skirt

This was the first time I worked with this pattern (Burdastyle magazine 2/2011 style 107) and It was a dream to work with! The fit was great and needed no adjustments.

I usually find burda patterns to be a MUCH better fit compared to other pattern companies!

I really like the panel lines in the back (you may not see them due to the print) because it means less darts to sew and I am not the biggest fan of darts especially when it comes to marking them all.

If you wear this skirt with a tucked in tee it looks like a very curvy dress :)

This was the second time I used my invisible hem foot/stitch and I LOVE the effect. It looks so clean.

Fabric: About 80 cms of $3 a meter (150 wide) Spotlight fabric. It is medium weight woven fabric with a slight stretch which was ideal for this highly fitted style.

Facing: Same fabric did not use interfacing

Pattern: Burda style Magazine issue 2/2011 Style 107

Notions: 25-35cm white invisable around $1 (bought in bulk on ebay)

Time to complete: 2 1/2 hrs is my guess

Date Completed: Earlier this year

Amount of times worn: I dig this skirt but I live a pretty casual life (spend most of my time at home or at work in uniform) so I haven’t worn it yet

Fitting notes: Excellent fit. LOVE this pattern!

Completed Projects: Versatile Springtime Dress This is the third...

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:59:00 -0400

Completed Projects: Versatile Springtime Dress

This is the third time I have sewn with this pattern (McCalls 6011)!

It is such an underrated pattern, I really recommend it! For this dress I omitted the sleeves and added these little things near the neckline to give the neckline a sweetheart effect.

This style is so flattering on the curvy figure! Empathizes the bust and the skirt (which is cut on the bias) skims over the hips.

It is rare I ever sew with a pattern where I don’t need to alter the fit, but this is one such case.

Fabric: Not sure how you would categorize it perhaps is a viscose. Its really soft and drapey but it has some body to it. Actually I think it may be 100% cotton…

It was $3 a meter during last years sales at Spotlight. It was lovely to sew with.

Lining: aprox 50cm of Black Bahama voile about $6 per meter (I only lined the bodice)

I have started to line all my garments with lightweight cotton. Don’t know why I ever used that icky polyester lining!

Pattern: McCalls 6011

Notions: 45-50cm invisable around $4 from Lincraft

Time to complete: 4 hrs But I am just guessing again

Date Completed: Earlier this year

Amount of times worn: Once but thats because its been cold all spring up until now.

Fitting notes: Excellent fit. LOVE this pattern!

Anything you would change?: I would put those little loops near the neckline on BEFORE I sewed up the shoulder seam.

Completed Projects: Bright and happy skirt. When I saw this bold...

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:25:00 -0400

Completed Projects: Bright and happy skirt.

When I saw this bold retro print I instantly knew I wanted to make this skirt with it!

It’s actually a canvas furnishing fabric. I adore the print and warm colors are definitely my style.

Fabric: 90cms of Canvas fabric from Spotlight (147 wide around $12.00 to $16.95 per meter)

I also used a slightly thinner fabric for the waistband facing and a lightweight cotton for the pocket insides/lining.

I didn’t bother with interfacing because the canvas is pretty thick.

Pattern: Simplicity 2451 size 10

Notions: 25cm red invisible zip $1 from The Remnant Warehouse

Time to complete: 3 hrs? But thats a wild guess.

Date Completed: Earlier this year

Amount of times worn: None yet. It’s been cold…

Fitting notes: Excellent fit. Thats why I use this pattern so often. Sewing is so easy when there are no fit issues!

Anything you would change?: I did make an effort to get my favorite flower in the center of the skirt. Then I regret having the flower smack bang in the middle of the skirt. But now I have changed my mind again and I like it there.

Upcoming Project: Simple Tank (Burdastyle magazine 8/2011 style...

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 05:34:00 -0400

Upcoming Project: Simple Tank (Burdastyle magazine 8/2011 style 104)

I have been looking for a pattern for a simple woven tank for quite some time now.

It would be a great way to use those small 1 meter pieces of fabric. This top would be super comfy/nice in a voile fabric!

I would make the straps a bit wider and perhaps modify the curve of the neckline a bit.

Collette offered a Free pattern like this (Sorbetto) But I would have to remove the pleaty thing and the fit of Collette Patterns is not so good on me… Burda patterns always fit me better meaning less alterations which is always a huge plus!

Above image: how collar and neckline facings make me feel. They...

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 05:00:16 -0400

Above image: how collar and neckline facings make me feel.

They always flip up and never lie flat no matter how you clip them. This is why I line or finish with bias binding! Facings suck!

Am I missing some secret to them not being horrid?

How do enhance my skills as an amateur seamstress? Trail and...

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:51:00 -0400

How do enhance my skills as an amateur seamstress?

Trail and bloody error thats how!

Do I read instructions? No.

Do I make sure I am doing things as suggested? Nope.

Do I fret about doing things correctly? Not so much…

I dive right in, make stupid mistakes and (hopefully) learn from them.

I don’t have a very logical/mathematical brain so the only way I can really learn something practical like sewing is to learn the hard way. Instructions seldom make much sense to me.

And often when you try to theorize and explain something practical it will not make any sense to me unless I have had some hands-on experience first.

So here are some notes to myself on my second semi-failed attempt at drafting a peter pan collar.

Sewing it/constructing it is a whole other problem…I detest facings and in this case they are unavoidable.

Tried and true pattern: Simplicity 2176 Dress Size: 10Required...

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:31:00 -0400

Tried and true pattern: Simplicity 2176 Dress

Size: 10

Required fabric:

112cm wide=1.80m (This includes bias cut neckline detail)

Without Bias-cut neckline detail= approx 1.35m

Required notions: 35-40cm zip. approx 80cm lining

Fitting notes: Fitted. Slightly too tight when bloated or sitting down. Alter the pattern for next time by adding 5 to 7mm only to side seams.

Fit was initally too big and not flattering had to take in under bust and near side seams.

Times sewn: 2

Tried and true patternsPattern: Self Drafted Sun dress...

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 22:58:00 -0400

Tried and true patterns

Pattern: Self Drafted Sun dress (Favourite pattern ever!)

Size: Made to fit my measurements. (bust 89cm waist 68cm hip 88cm)

Required fabric:
Aprox 2.50/2.60 mtrs (including lining the top of the bodice with the same fabric) This amount should allow for a lot of gathers as 220cm or 2x110cm width is used for the skirt alone

Prefered skirt length = 52-55cm long (boarder print dress had 55cm long skirt)

Required notions: 30cm zipper

Fitting notes: Exellent fit. Slightly tight but not unforgivingly tight.

Times made: 7 times

Sewing notes: Don’t over lock bottom band of bodice till lining and bodice are sewn together.

Don’t forget to mark width of where back straps go.

My Pintrest board: Dresses and sewing inspiration

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:06:00 -0400

My Pintrest board: Dresses and sewing inspiration

Tried and true patternsPattern: Modified version of Colette...

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:52:00 -0400

Tried and true patterns

Pattern: Modified version of Colette Sencha Blouse Pattern

Size: 4 (weird U.S vanity sizing. Cut out a 2 in a colette dress before and it was too small so I guess I’m a 4)

Required fabric:

90 wide fabric = 1.50cm of fabric (Not including bias binding or facings)

Required notions: Used 5 buttons but on the next version will use a 55/60cm zip because buttons/plackets are too tedious. Not sure if I would put the zip on the back on one of the side seams.

Also need either lining fabric and/or bias binding.

Fitting notes: Exellent fit…but only after toiles and a million little alterations to make it fit right.

The fit of Colette patterns doesn’t work well for me. Was overly curvy at the hips/waist gaping at the back neckline etc. I lowered the neckline and now its way more flattering and comfortable.

If I add a zip instead of the buttons at the back may need to let out side seams slightly as the shaping at the waist is very fitted now.

I tend to overfit a little.

Times sewn: 1

Tried and true patternsPattern: McCalls 6011 dress view C Size:...

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 06:54:00 -0400

Tried and true patterns

Pattern: McCalls 6011 dress view C

Size: 10

Required fabric:

115cm wide fabric= 1.75 cm
150cm wide fabric= 1.30 cm

Lining: 115cm wide fabric= 1.50cm

Required notions: 45-50cm zip

Fitting notes: Exellent fit.

Times sewn: 2

Tried and true patternsPattern: Simplicity 2451 Skirt view...

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 06:45:00 -0400

Tried and true patterns

Pattern: Simplicity 2451 Skirt view D

Size: 10

Required fabric:

150/146cm wide fabric = 50cm (Not including inner pockets and facings)

126cm wide= 80-90cm (only just fit on 73cm) (Not including inner pockets and facings)

Required notions: 18cm or 7 inch long zip and iron on interfacing (for waistband)

Fitting notes: Exellent fit. May want to take 7cm off hem.

Times sewn: 4