Finished: Me Made May 2012

A month of me-made clothes is complete! I found it surprisingly easy to do.  I really do sew most of my clothes. I need to work on some non-work, non-mum, non-casual clothes. I struggled with "going out" clothes. Check out my Flickr Me Made May 2012 set. Not too bad, if I say so myself!!

Thanks to Zoe from 'So, Zo... What do you know?' for organising a fabulous Me-Made-May 2012!!

L x

MMM: Day 31

I made it! 31 days of me made clothes.

Mum: Vogue DKNY 1250

Check out my Mum's version of Vogue 1250!! How funky is that dress?

The fabric is from Clegs which we bought on Mum's last trip to Melbourne in March. She's whipped up another version in black wool knit which she's added sleeves to. I'll snap some photos on her next visit.

This pattern is at the top of my pattern shopping list!

L x

MMM: Day 29 & 30

Day 29: My birthday, so I took the day off MMM12. Here's photo of what I wore on a previous day.

Day 30: Vogue 8511 with Minoru Jacket

Sew: The Party Dress

Tomorrow I turn 30. I'm not sad about leaving my 20's. Not at all. I've achieved so much in my 30 years on this planet and I couldn't be happier. I've obtained a Bachelor degree plus a Masters degree, travelled the world, married a wonderful man I met at the pub, renovated the "Renovator's Delight" and become the mother to two loud and boisterous boys. I'm really looking forward to my 30's. I think it is time to slow down, smell the roses and enjoy life!

On the weekend we hosted my 30th Birthday Party at our local cafe. Friends and family gathered from near and far to spend the evening with us to celebrate my birthday. I had a fabulous night (and weekend) full of fun, wine, food, laughter and macarons.

Of course, I had to have an equally fabulous dress to wear. Allow me to introduce The Party Dress...

Project Details
Pattern: Tracy Reese Vogue 1086
Fabric: Bird Print Silk Crepe De Chine
Alterations: Lengthened by 10cm, lined skirt, raised neckline by 4cm, pinched out 5cm from centre front and took side seams in 6cm (!!)

Front

Front

 I fell in love with this fabric after seeing it on The Selfish Seamstress. It is a Marc Jacobs silk crepe de chine that I bought on Ebay for the bargain price of $15 per metre. I had no plans for it at the time but once it arrived I knew I wanted it for my party dress.

Back Detail

Back

I discovered Vogue 1086 and thought the fabric to pattern match was pretty good. I am super pleased with the end result but it took some time to get there.

Back - full length

Front - full length

Now, this dress was no walk in the park. All started relatively well and I thought I would be finished in no time. How wrong was I?! As outlined on Pattern Review, this pattern has major fitting issues. The front neckline is extremely low and wide. The shoulders are very wide and the pattern sizing runs extremely large. The fact that it is completely sewn with french seams or enclosed seams makes fitting extremely challenging.

I removed 6 cm from the side seams. Yes, that's right. 6cm!! Despite going down a size from my measurements, I still ended up with an indecent sack. I raised the centre front by 4cm and then removed an inch wedge once finished as it was very wide and gaping. I also raised the armholes and took an extra 1.5cm from the edge of the armholes when binding. Plus I extended the length by 10cm.

Despite all the fitting challenges, I am super pleased with the end result. It is a beautiful dress that is comfortable to wear. The fabric compliments the pattern perfectly.

L x

MMM: Day 28

Almost there!

Day 28 - McCalls blouse (OOP) with black capris and red accessories.

MMM: Day 26 & 27

Day 26: Burda cropped jacket with a new Vogue bird print dress (blog post to come). I wore this to my birthday party.

Day 27: The day after... My yellow wool Renfrew with black wool pared with black capris. We ventured into Fed Square to check out Markit which was fantastic. Amazing quality in the wares being sold. I picked up a lovely orchid art print.

MMM: Day 25

Day 25 of MMM and we headed to the museum to see the Mesopotamia exhibition and check out the dinosaur skeletons. I also stumbled upon the VCE Design Exhibit which featured some great garment designs and Lino stamps.

I wore my Autumn skirt with black linen Renfrew and even my Minoru. Triple whammy! Excuse the bad photo. I had to be super quick before I lost a child...

MMM: Day 24

A day at home with the boys - lots of washing, baking and sewing. I wore a modified Tessuti Fave top with Morrison capris.

MMM: Day 23

Another version of Simplicity 2444.

MMM: Day 22

It is getting cold in Melbourne!!

Day 22: yellow merino Renfrew, charcoal wool Clovers and a black wool Minoru.

MMM: Day 21

Long out of print Vogue tulip skirt that I made years ago. Not sure about this skirt, which is why I probably don't wear it much...

Sew: Burda Cropped Jacket

This is my second foray into the world of Burda Style patterns. My first was the Allison swimsuit which was a relative success. I am not a fan of these patterns for two reasons... The size range is not extensive which is not good when you are a generous size. Plus the instructions are horrific (if they exist at all)!! I threw the instructions out the window for this jacket and just put it together. The welt pockets in the front seams caused too much confusion so I just stitched them closed. I also seemed to miss the front bands and therefore couldn't do the snap closures so my jacket doesn't close. I'm ok with that.

I would recommend a heavier fabric for this jacket. It needs some structure to hold up the neckline and keep it on your shoulders. A good simple unlined cropped jacket for those who know how to sew and don't require instructions!

Project Details
Pattern: Burda 5/2011 Three-quarter sleeve Jacket #121
Fabric: Metallic blend fabric from Tessuti Melbourne
Alterations: skipped the front bands and snap closures (not an intentional alteration but it worked), also stiched the welt pockets closed

I wouldn't mind making this again in a suitable fabric for work to avoid wearing cardigans all the time.

Can you see the two unfinished items under the jacket? One is the bodice of a dress for my party next weekend and the other is a black ponti knit pencil skirt. Fingers crossed I can finish the party dress in time!!


L x

MMM: Day 20

Day 20 - vogue 8028 shirtdress in japanese cotton. Breakfast at the local cafe with the crew before swimming lessons and grocery shopping.

Sew: Emerging Spots Dress

So I finished my dress for my girls night out to Movida. I stitched the final stitch, packed away the sewing paraphernalia and vacuumed the guest bedroom (aka my sewing room & study) just as the door bell rang. My dear friend J was taking me to Movida for my birthday. We had a lovely night, eating beautiful Spanish food, drinking wine and enjoying each others company.

The pattern is Simplicity 2360 which I've made twice before. The fabric is a lovely sheer cotton voile called Emerging Spots from Tessuti. As it was sheer, I lined it with a smokey blue silk cotton by making two dresses and stitching them together at the waist, neck and arms. I also did the top layer with french seams to avoid seeing the overlocking stitches through the sheer fabric.

I really like the dress. I think it will be quite versatile. Dressed up with opaque tights, heels and a dressy jacket for night or with sandals and bangles for day.

Project Details
Pattern: Simplicity 2360
Fabric: Emerging Spots Japanese cotton voile from Tessuti plus silk cotton lining
Alterations: lengthened the bodice by an inch

This is my Me Made May Day 19 outfit. The jacket was another recently finished project which I will blog later this week. 

L x
 

MMM: Day 18

Friday, Day 18 of MMM12, and we spent a very fresh morning at the Melbourne Zoo with our playgroup pals. I'm sporting my black interlock cowl neck Renfrew with tights, denim skirt, down puffer vest and boots. I must admit my arms were cold but I stuck with it for the sake of Me Made May 2012!! How's that for dedication?!

Do you like my idea of Friday afternoon drinks? Not quite what it used to be but still enjoyable. 

I'm going out with a dear friend tomorrow night for drinks and dinner at Movida. I am hoping to finish my outfit before then. It comprises of a cropped jacket and dress, so wish me luck!! 24 hours to go...

L x

MMM Day 16 & 17

Day 16 - charcoal merino knit skirt & leggings. I copied both of these patterns from well worn RTW garments from Country Road. Casual day, at home with sick kids.

Day 17 - simplicity 2444 dress made in a printed cotton sateen from Tessuti. Work day...

I made these items last year and you can find more detailed photos on my Flickr page.

How's everyone going with MMM12?? I'm really enjoying it. I didn't realize I make so many everyday wear items.

Here's better photos of the garments.



L x

MMM: Day 15

For all those fellow MMM12 fellow participants, we are half way there!

Autumn pencil skirt from Simplicity 2343 with a black singlet and red wool cardi. Plus my red Dinosaur Designs necklace!

Note the kid with attitude in the photo...

MMM: Day 14

No husband this week so I roped a friend in to take a photo in front of the fish tank at work. We were trying to get the mini sharks in the shot but no luck! I'm wearing Simplicity 2599 in a silk crepe de chine from Tessuti. 

Here are a few shots that I originally took when I finished the top last October. To avoid the narrow hem on a tight curve, I duplicated the ruffle pieces, sewing them together before turning them right side out and pressing. I sewed them down using a small hem and then pressed them to the other side and stitched another small hem to encase the raw edge. Does that make any sense at all?! This method, if you get my drift, takes a little more time but gives you a very clean and professional finish.

I adore the fabric and wish I had bought more. Beautiful quality. I have quite a few versions of this pattern in my wardrobe. Perfect for layering. I really want (and need) a plain black version to go with printed skirts.

L x

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the beautiful Mothers out there! You all deserve a medal and a day of sleep...

I received some lovely gifts from my two troublesome boys. They're not really sure about the idea of giving yet, as I had to give back the handmade gifts.

I ran in the Mother's Day Classic 8km early this morning. It is an event to raise money and awareness of breast cancer. One of my New Years Resolutions was to learn how to run (and to join Weight Watchers and to start a blog), and today I ran 8km for the first time in my life!! The hardest part was the first 2km, then I got in to a rhythm. 

Before the run...

After the run... A little worse for wear but very happy.

No MMM photo today but I'm wearing the same outfit as Day 1, a Vogue 1027.

L x

MMM: Day 12

Day 12 and I'm still going strong!! An early Mother's Day breakfast with my boys. I am running the Mother's Day Classic tomorrow morning in the rain and freezing temperatures. Sounded like a good idea at the time...

Black linen Renfrew and my Black Wool Minoru.