Conclude: Autumn & Winter Wardrobe 2012

Tomorrow it's Spring!! Finally! Except it is still very cold and windy here in Melbourne. But the blossoms are starting to show slightly, before they get blown away...

Way back in March I planned a wardrobe for Autumn and Winter. I even had a colour scheme! This planning worked really well and I actually sewed most items on my list plus some extras.


Completed

Sewaholic Minoru Jacket - Black Wool Coating with Liberty Lantana lining

Tessuti New York Cape - Marc Jacobs coating

Clover Pants - Charcoal Wool Suiting

Clover Pants -Navy Stretch Drill

Clover Pants -Black Wool Crepe

Renfrew Top View C (cowl neck) - Black Wool Interlock

Renfrew Top View C - Yellow Merino Wool Knit

Renfrew Top View B (plus 3/4 sleeves) - Charcoal Marc Jacobs Mesh Knit

Renfrew Top View B - black linen knit

Vogue 8028 Shirtdress - Suda Night Check

Infinity Scarf - leftover yellow merino knit

Simplicity 2451 skirts - lightweight denim (unblogged & unworn)

My favourites...

 

 

 

In Progress (various stages):

• Vogue 8560 Skirt - Black & White Doily Fabric
• Simplicity 4237 pants - lightweight denim (made too small - must run more!!)

Not Started:
Simplicity 2451 skirt - charcoal cord (never found charcoal cord)

Extra Items:
Pink Infinity Scarf
Print Simplicity 2215 Skirt
Abstract Simplicity 2215
Bird Vogue 1086 Dress
Emerging Spots Simplicity 2360
Burda Style Cropped Jacket
White Linen Knit Renfrew
Argo #4000 pencil skirt
Autumn Skirt - Simplicity 2343
Black Pencil Skirt - Vogue 8363
Black Merino Knit Renfrew
New Look 6000 abstract
Under Fire Vogue 1027
Simplicity 2250 Jacket
Animal Vogue 1250 Dress
Kwik Sew 3609 Bathers
Denim Simplicity 2215 Skirt (unworn and unblogged)

 

 

My unplanned favourites... 

 

 

 

 

 

I also sewed about 10 pairs of pants for the boys, a few skirts for my neice, a lunch bag and I am almost finished a Negroni!! My poor sewing machine needs a holiday.

I have started a list of things I want to sew for Spring & Summer using fabric from my well stocked stash. There is so much beautiful fabric in there that I want to use it. I'll share my plans soon!

 

Tomorrow, Rachel and I are doing the Freddie Vest class at Tessuti. Super excited.

 

L x

Update: Autumn Winter Wardrobe 2012

The leaves have fallen, the trees are bare and Winter is here! Time for a progress report on my 2012 Autumn Winter Wardrobe. Way back in March, I compiled an extreme sewing list and chose a colour palette that was full of reds, yellows, charcoal and cream.

Although I have not completed everything on the list yet, I have done really well. I also finished a few extra garments plus made a bucketload of kids pants and t-shirts. Plus, it is only just Winter...

 
Completed:

Sewaholic Minoru Jacket - Black Wool Coating with Liberty Lantana lining

Clover Pants - Charcoal Wool Suiting

Clover Pants -Navy Stretch Drill 

Renfrew Top View C (cowl neck) - Black Wool Interlock

Renfrew Top View C - Yellow Merino Wool Knit 

Renfrew Top View B (plus 3/4 sleeves) - Charcoal Marc Jacobs Mesh Knit

Renfrew Top View B - black linen knit

Vogue 8028 Shirtdress - Suda Night Check

Infinity Scarf - leftover yellow merino knit

Black Wool Interlock Renfrew

Mesh Renfrew with Merino Infinity Scarf

  

Black Wool Minoru with Liberty Lining

 

Yellow Merino Renfrew with Charcoal Wool Clovers

Navy Cotton Drill Clovers

Vogue 8028 Shirtdress

In Progress (various stages):

Vogue 8560 Skirt - Black & White Doily Fabric

Simplicity 4237 pants - lightweight denim

Simplicity 2451 skirts - lightweight denim

Clover Pants -Black Wool Crepe

Not Started:

Leggings - found the perfect ones instore...

Simplicity 2451 skirt - charcoal cord

Tessuti New York Cape - fabric just found!!

Extra Items:
Pink Infinity Scarf
Print Simplicity 2215 Skirt
Bird Vogue 1086 Dress
Emerging Spots Simplicity 2360
Burda Style Cropped Jacket
White Linen Knit Renfrew
Argo #4000 pencil skirt
Autumn Skirt - Simplicity 2343



Autumn Skirt - Simplicity 2343 

Simplicity 2215

Emerging Spots Dress and Burda Style Cropped Jacket

Pink Merino Infinity Scarf

White Linen Knit Renfrew

Party Dress - Vogue 1086

Argo #4000 Skirt

Phew! I'm exhausted after that lot. I'm resting this week after two weeks of madly making party dresses. Next week, I'll be back at the machines!

Check out what my little men gave me for my birthday...

I'm super excited about my upcoming Tessuti New York Cape!!

L x

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

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...

Sew: Autumn Pencil Skirt

Welcome my new Autumn skirt! As soon as I saw it made up on Idle Fancy, I had to have Simplicity 2343. I even bought it from Simplicity.com as it is out of print and paid for international postage... And boy, I am glad I did! Perfect fit, shape and waistband. Plus a quick and simple sew. Lovely.

 I really like the interesting side panels in this skirt. They add shape and a bit of interest to an otherwise plain skirt. They are a bit hard to see in this print.

Side Panel

Side panel - close up

Lining

I lined my skirt with Bemberg Lining using the View C pattern piece (minus pockets). I gathered the front section instead of inserting the pleats and made it one size larger for ease of movement. Perfect.

I am already working on my next version in a black ponti knit from Tessuti.

Project Details
Pattern: Simplicity 2343 View D
Fabric: Printed cotton from Rathdowne Fabrics and Orange Bemberg Lining from Spotlight
Alterations: extended length by 5cm and added lining

This is my Day 7 Me Made May outfit. I am loving this challenge. I didn't realise how many items of clothing I have actually made and wear.

L x

Sew: Black Wool + Liberty Minoru

It is done... finally! I got a little sidetracked while making this jacket but the sudden onset of cold weather spurred me on. I am very pleased with the end result and have worn it every day since it's completion. A sign of good things!

Hidden pockets!

Side seam pockets!

I didn't make the hood this time as I find the collar a bit bulky with the hood folded in to it. I didn't think this would work with a wool coating and I am glad I made that call. Even though I chose a relatively lightweight wool for this jacket, it was still quite bulky to sew (especially the cuffs). I also inserted sideseam pockets made from the Liberty lining fabric using the template from Sew Well. Perfect for my keys and tissues. I omitted the velcro on the inside pockets and made them a little bit longer to fit my iPhone and Myki. I find that I can't get my phone out of my summer Minoru quickly enough.

The other change I made was to use a slippery lining fabric for the sleeves so that my cardigan and long sleeve tops didn't get stuck. This was a great decision and I highly recommend this.

Overall, a fantastic jacket that I am sure will get much wear over the coming months.

Project Details
Pattern: Sewaholic Minoru Jacket (size 16 - no alterations)
Fabric: Main - black wool coating from Tessuti Melbourne, Lining - Liberty Lantana from Shaukat (for body) and Black Bemberg Lining from Tessuti Melbourne (for sleeves)

L x

Sew: White Linen Renfrew

This is my 5th Renfrew top but my first v-neck version and the one I had the most trouble with. I'm not very happy with the fit. The v-neck is all floppy. I originally made it in a size 16, sewing the side seams with a 2cm seam but there was an excessive amount of ease across my chest and under my armpits which caused the v-neck to flop open and fall off my shoulders. I fixed this by removing another inch from the armpit tapering to the sleeve cuff and hip.

I'm still not 100% happy with the fit but I'll still wear it. A white t-shirt is perfect for layering and the knit linen is beautiful. I think my next Renfrew will be a size smaller. It is amazing how much the fit and style of this pattern changes according to the type of fabric you chose. Does anyone else notice that?

Project Details
Pattern: Sewaholic Renfrew Top
Fabric: Snow White Sake Linen Knit from Tessuti

So this is my Me Made May Day 6 outfit - a Renfrew & an Infinity Scarf. I did wear two handmade items (a knit skirt and leggings) on Day 5 but I was gardening so not in a fit state to have my photo taken...

L x

Crafternoon in the morning!

Hello friends! I have made the most amazing discovery. Now, I am quite keen on cafes, coffee and morning tea but this often doesn't mix well with two small kids. Male kids in particular. Add in the fact that Melbourne has given up on Autumn and plunged straight in to Winter. Cold, dark and miserable. I was pondering this morning what to do with the kids on a miserable day and I remembered reading a review of a cafe called Crafternoon. What a delight! Sausage rolls, a plastic cup and some crayons for Mr H to keep him happy whilst Mr N and I set about making a collage and a badge. Throw in some delicious coffee and fruit toast to make one happy lady (and two happy kids)!

Excuse the bad iPhone photo of my outfit (and the fact I have my eyes shut) but I had my hands full. On Day 3 of Me Made May I'm wearing a McCalls 5926 tunic with a black t-shirt and tights. If you want to see a review and pictures of the dress, check out this post the Lisa from Tessuti wrote last winter.

Me Made May 2012

This morning, the first morning of May, I decided I was going to do Me Made May. Zoe from So, Zo... What do you know? is coordinating a month long challenge where sewists have to challenge themselves to wear their own creations for the whole month of May. As this is my first Me Made Challenge I am going to do the Lite version where I only have to wear at least one item each day. So here goes...

'I, Leith from Sew Brunswick sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '12. I endeavour to wear at least one me-made clothing item (not just an accessory) each day for the duration of May 2012'.

To start it all off, here is my outfit for today.

My beloved old-faithful Vogue 1027 made up in a stretch knit from Tessuti Melbourne. I have an accrued day off work today (and the kids are at childcare) so I've been for a run, read the paper, drunk my coffee (while it's hot!!) and am now sitting down at my machines. Watch this space!

L x