Sew: Sewaholic Hollyburn Skirt

 

Another pattern that I'm late to the party with. Never mind. This is the Sewaholic Hollyburn skirt which is a lovely pattern that is well drafted. I've made it in a stretch wool suiting but I'm dying to make it in a wool crepe with a lovely drape. It would also be fabulous in a linen for summer. The possibilities are endless!

Project Details
Pattern: Sewaholic Hollyburn Skirt, size 16
Fabric: Stretch wool suiting from The Fabric Store
Alterations: None
See also: Sewn By Elizabeth | Owl Laughing | The Long & Winding Bobbin

Sew: Vogue 1247 skirt

 

I finally jumped on the Vogue 1247 bandwagon. I like to make sure that it is thoroughly tested before I decide to join in! I made the skirt without all the bells and whistles (no pockets or binding). I also graded out from the hips down by 1cm each side and added 6cm length for a decent hem.

The fabric is a printed denim I found on the Tessuti remnant table when I popped in for some samples. It's nice and study and I love the print. Can't have enough animal print!

There's not much else to say about this skirt. It will fit in perfectly with my wardrobe of black and grey!

Project Details
Pattern: Vogue 1247, size 18
Fabric: Printed denim from Tessuti Fabrics Melbourne
Alterations: Added 6cm to length, used a 6cm hem, graded out 1cm from just above hip

Sew: Tessuti Kate top & By Hand London Flora skirt

My cousin got married last weekend on the beautiful Bellarine Peninsula. I picked up this amazing Max Mara cotton sateen from Tessuti Melbourne way back in October with good intentions to get cracking on this outfit. I knew I wanted to make a two piece outfit with a full A-line skirt and a cropped tank top. And that's as far as I got...

I finally bought the patterns on New Year's Eve. I also got the netting to underline the skirt. My plan was to crank it out while the boys were on holidays with my parents (hello, camping at the beach!). Instead I went out a few nights with my husband, as you do when you don't have the kids. I also spent a few nights stuck on the couch with Netflix, just because. I then got sick with some nasty virus which rendered me bed-ridden for a few days. And then the boys were back!

Once I did start, I encountered numerous problems with the skirt. I'd folded a good 20cm of width out of the skirt flare and didn't re-do the curve of the waistband. Rookie mistake. So when it came to attaching the waistband to the skirt, there were massive folds of fabric at the hip near the waistband. The fabric wanted to bunch up. I knew something was off in this area as the angle at the side seam - waistline corner was too sharp. So I unpicked the waistband, side seam invisible zip and re-drew the waistline curve. Removing 5cm off the top of the waist at the side seam and tapering it back to the existing centre front. I then re-inserted the zip and re-attached the waistband. Outfit saved!

I finished the outfit at 11am on the day of the wedding. We dropped the boys with friends at midday and drove to Geelong for the wedding. Close call! I'm pleased to report I wasn't hand stitching in the car on the way. My grandmother was famous for doing that!

The top was no trouble at all. I made quite a few alterations (see below) and hemmed it temporarily so I can unpick it to return it to a more everyday length.

I most likely won't wear this outfit again as a complete set but I really want to wear the individual pieces frequently. I've already worn the skirt to work this week, paired with a white t-shirt and black flats.

Project Details - Top
Pattern: Tessuti Kate Top, view B, size L
Fabric: Cotton sateen from Tessuti Melbourne
Alterations: Straightened and shortened hem by 12cm, removed 4cm from back neckline, omitted back opening and side splits, turned binding to the inside
See also: Boo Dogg & Me | Bombazine | Thornberry | Barbara Jane Made

Project Details - Skirt 
Pattern: By Hand London Flora Dress (skirt front pattern piece only), UK size 18
Fabric: Cotton sateen from Tessuti Melbourne
Alterations: Removed about 20cm from front and back width, reshaped waistline curve, added straight 4cm wide waistband, topstitched Mokuba ribbon to waistband
See also: Closet Case Files | By Hand London

Sew: S2215 skirt (again)

Happy new year friends! I'm really looking forward to 2016 and what it holds. I love turning over a new leaf.

I know it's been months since I last posted but I'm back with a new work skirt. Yes, another Simplicity 2215. Why change when you're a winner?

I used a crepe from Tessuti Melbourne instead of a cotton sateen this time. Complete game changer! The different fabric changes the whole look of the skirt. This fabric is soft and swishy but with a bit of weight.

I made this skirt exactly the same size as all the other versions and it turned out about 7cm too big on the waist. No I have definitely not lost weight (quite the opposite actually) and I'd only just made another version a few weeks earlier. I can only attribute this to the fabric, even though it has no stretch. All my other versions have been cotton sateen. This is a much lighter crepe. Once I'd completely finished it, I realised it was too big and that I wouldn't wear it as is. Rachel suggested I insert some elastic in to the back waist band to bring it in. It worked a treat and actually makes for a very comfortable skirt.

Project Details
Pattern: Cynthia Rowley Simplicity 2215, view C, size 20
Fabric: Crepe from Tessuti Melbourne
Alterations: Lengthened by 10cm, inserted elastic in to the back waist band

As always, there will be more of these skirts. They are a perfect work skirt for me.

What's your perfect work skirt? Please do share, because I can't wear the same skirt every day!

Sew: Simplicity 2215 skirt

I am currently wearing this skirt. I thought if I don't blog it now, like right now, it will never make it to the blog.

My love for Simplicity 2215 is well documented. You can see my previous makes here and here. I also have an undocumented denim one. I made this skirt as per the pattern and just lengthened it by 7.5cm.

The sateen is really nice and crisp. It holds its shape and doesn't wrinkle much at all. The squares are actually blue and black which is a slight change from my standard black, charcoal and white work wardrobe. I would like to make a blue top to wear with this skirt. I'm wearing it with my black Mandy boat tee.

Project Details
Pattern: Cynthia Rowley Simplicity 2215, view C, size 20
Fabric: Cotton sateen from Tessuti Melbourne
Alterations: Lengthened by 7.5cm

L x

Sew: Vogue 8916 Pencil Skirt

My work wardrobe is seriously lacking of late. I made a lot of work clothes towards the end of 2012 and these beloved dresses are nearing the end of their life cycle. My favourite work dress has lining that is deteriorating rapidly. Every time I sit down at my desk, I hear a tiny rip. But I just can't bring myself to part with it yet... 

I do love a good work dress and sheath dresses are my favourite. The sheath dress is closely followed by a pencil skirt. I don't own many, a problem I'm hoping to rectify soon, but my favourite is the Autumn Pencil Skirt. I wear that skirt a lot. 

Sorry (not sorry!) for the dodgy early morning photos and "renovator's delight" backdrop. Sometimes I just need to snap a few photos when I first wear an item because if I don't, I know I won't ever take photos of it. Also, the basic items are the hardest to photograph. They're just a bit too boring.

The pattern is a relatively new Vogue Patterns Wardrobe pattern, Vogue 8916. There are very limited reviews of it on the web. It comes with a blouse, skirt, dress and jacket. I like the look of all items except the dress. It is a great basic work wardrobe pattern.

In terms of construction, it came together really quickly and easily. I made two slight changes to the pattern. Instead of putting darts in the lining pieces, I simply folded the fabric to create a pleat. This is my preferred way of doing linings. Also, the skirt pattern is missing a kick pleat. I added one in using another pattern. Who wears a pencil skirt without a kick pleat?! How can one walk?

The fabric is a lovely wool suiting from Tessuti that I grabbed from the remnant table. I'm not usually a remnant shopper but this was a wide piece and enough for a pencil skirt. The print is actually tiny white polka dots on a black background but looks like a charcoal grey from a distance. It has a lovely feel to it but does not keep a press. I swear I ironed this skirt excessively before taking these photos!

Project Details
Pattern: Vogue 8916, view D, size 18
Fabric: 100% wool suiting remnant from Tessuti Melbourne
Lining: Black goldliner lining from Clegs Brunswick
Alterations: Added a kick pleat

Overall, I'm really pleased with the basic addition to my work wardrobe. I will most definitely use this pattern again in the future but my next pencil skirt will be using Simplicity 2343 again. Probably in a thick black cotton with a waffle print.

Watch this space!

L x

Sew: Pleated Style Arc Ali Knit Skirt

I like to keep it real around here at Sew Brunswick. I really don't like this skirt I made last weekend but I decided to post the photos anyway so others can learn from my mistakes. The decision to use the pleats on both the front and back of the skirt was a very, very bad decision. The pattern is designed for a flat back piece with a pleated front. To spice it up, you can have a plain pencil skirt, like my floral scuba skirt, by using the back pattern piece in both the front and back. Or you can use the front pleated pattern piece twice and get pleats in the front and back. It's quite a versatile pattern for such a simple style. I do plan on using this pattern again, and again, as I think it's going to be a great wardrobe staple. Just without pleats in the back!

I thought putting the pleats on the back would avoid having the visible undie line and avoid showing all the lumps and bumps. It has just drawn even more attention to my backside, in addition to adding bulk! Lesson learnt.

Project Details
Pattern: Style Arc Ali Knit Skirt, size 16
Fabric: Medium weight black ponti from Tessuti

I'm planing on making this again with just the pleated front in a black ponti to replace this one and also a charcoal knit, maybe a wool knit, to wear with boots and tights during winter.

You live and you learn!

L x

Sew: Style Arc Ali Knit Skirt

There's not much to say about this skirt. The fabric is a remnant from this dress I made last year for Mr Sew Brunswick's 40th birthday party. I only wore the dress twice before donating it to the school fete trash & treasure. I think I overheated way too much and was traumatised by the experience. I never wanted to wear it again. A skirt is a much better option for this fabulous floral scuba knit, that just doesn't breathe. It's a bit shorter than I would have liked, due to fabric restrictions, but I plan on wearing it with tights and boots during winter. An oversized black cardigan would be great too!

Project Details
Pattern: Style Arc Ali Knit Skirt, size 16
Fabric: Floral scuba knit from Lincraft (remnant from this dress)

L x

Sew: Stripe Ponti Pencil Skirt

This stripe knit pencil skirt has been on my sewing to do list for a very long time. I don't know why it took me so long to get around to it because the actual construction only took about half an hour. The project was rapidly pushed to the front of the queue one Friday afternoon when I was making a pair of black Suzy pants to wear to a work trivia night at the pub. I got a bit over confident and took the pants in too much. They looked good but I couldn't actually get them over my hips easily and if I did manage to get them on there was no way I could go to the bathroom while out! So I threw them aside in frustration while promising myself that I would just keep running until I could fit in to them. 

I then had a moment of sheer panic because I had nothing to wear to a casual work function at the pub. I have a lot of clothes but not a lot of cool funky clothes to wear out for drinks. I don't go out for drinks. At the age of 31, I am firmly in the "old" group of my work colleagues. It's not the age, it's the married with two kids and a mortgage, and being a senior level that puts me in that corner. What was I going to wear?!

I pulled out this fabric, some elastic and a Vogue pencil skirt pattern. I folded out the darts and cut around the pattern in a size smaller than my normal. I also pegged the skirt in an inch at the bottom. I almost got it finished in time for the 7 o'clock kick off. It is not hemmed in the top photo, which is the way I wore it out that night. I came back the following day and hemmed it with a twin needle and an inch hem.  

An extremely easy and satisfying make. Perfect for both the pub and a 3 year old birthday party at a play centre (bottom photo). The fabric was a random find at Spotlight last year. Unfortunately, it has started pilling already. I wish I knew which fabric were going to pill and which aren't. I can't stand pilling! It drives me nuts.

Project Details
Pattern: Any basic pencil skirt pattern.
Fabric: Black and white stripe ponti from Spotlight

I really need to work on a few items that I can wear out for dinner or to drinks. That is the major downfall of my wardrobe. I'm thinking a black dress could really help to fill this gap. Also a metallic Tokyo jacket, black Suzy pants and a few basic tanks.

I've been busy sewing and making Christmas presents lately. I also have quite a few finished items that are yet to be blogged. Unfortunately, I'm going through a bit of a blogging slump at the moment. I'm just going with the flow and hoping that it comes back soon.

How's everyone else going? Ever had nothing to wear despite a wardrobe full of beautiful clothes??

L x

Sew: Denim Grainline Moss Mini

A while ago, I identified that my wardrobe was seriously lacking in basics. Especially, solid colours and separates. I have a lot of printed dresses!

On my list of things to buy or make to resolve this issue were a denim skirt, denim pants, linen pants and a few solid tops. My linen Renfrew tank was first off the machines. I even went to Country Road one Saturday and tried really, really hard to buy some casual pants and linen trousers. No such luck. I did buy the top I'm wearing in the photo above. Mr N said it looked nice and I had to agree with him!

As the clothes shops weren't helping me, I hot footed it to Clegs around the corner and bought two pieces of linen. I then went home and bought a few Tessuti patterns. I then went through my stash and found this denim and my trusty Moss Mini pattern. I'm well on my way to fixing my wardrobe!

I bought this denim in Sydney for a pair of Juniper pants. I've made the Juniper pants (photos coming soon) and managed to get the Moss Mini out of the fabric as well. As the front and back have a seam down the middle, it is easy to make the pattern out of the bits left over.

The Liberty print is a scrap my mum gave me. Or I may have taken it...

Such a good and basic pattern. I did a sway back adjustment on this version which stops the back bunching up. The length is as per the pattern which is a touch short for me but I'm learning to show off my legs more. 

I did manage to buy some new black flats. Hooray for Ecco shoes! I have huge feet which makes shoe shopping extremely difficult. I discovered Ecco shoes have a decent size range and are well suited to my need for underfoot support (hello stress fracture). I just wish clothes shopping was less painful. It is so depressing trying to find clothes to fit. I think fabric shopping is so much better!

Project Details
Pattern: Grainline Studio Moss Mini Skirt, size 14-16
Fabric: Denim with 3% stretch from The Remnant Warehouse
Alterations: Sway back adjustment, graded down a size between hips and waist

My photography assistant was taking a rest.

The black linen trousers are almost finished. I have a white cotton lace Kimono Tee waiting to be cut out and a pair of royal blue linen Tessuti Laura pants on the table. That should get me out of trouble!

L x

Sew: Simple Skirt

This style of skirt is becoming my go to present for a little girl. I made a few last year for my niece which I believe are still in high rotation. I'm planning on whipping up a few more for Christmas and to restock my present stash. They are so quick and easy as well as a great way to showcase lovely fabric.

This version is made from a remnant of Liberty Wiltshire I was saving for a special project. Miss A was the lucky girl who turns 3 this week. Happy Birthday Miss A!!

Project Details
Pattern: Made Simple Skirt 
Fabric: Liberty Wiltshire tana lawn

L x

Sew: Grainline Moss Mini Skirt

 

I've been thinking about this pattern for some time but once I saw Boo Dogg's and Poppykettle's versions, it jumped to the top of the list! I was too impatient to wait for my beautiful Italian denim from Tessuti to be pre-washed and dried that I went stash shopping and found this navy cotton drill from Spotlight. I bought 5 metres to make my Clover toiles but only used 1.5 metres after finding out the hard way that it does not contain 3% stretch. 

 

I made View B with the hem band. I simply hemmed the hem band with a 1.5cm hem instead of following the directions which direct you to fold the hem band in half and slip stitch it to the seam. I used some Liberty fabric left over from my Lonsdale dress for the pockets and facings.

I opted for a hook and slide instead of the jean button for a clean look. I will attempt the button for my next version.

I forgot to remove the basting stitches from the zip...

Project Details
Pattern: Grainline Moss Mini Skirt, View B
Fabric: Navy cotton drill from Spotlight
Alterations: Tapered in side seam from hip to waist by an extra 1cm each side, hemmed hem band with a 1.5cm hem (without folding back on itself)

 

I am ridiculously pleased with this skirt. I'm not in love with the fabric (cheap cotton drill) but can see so much potential in this pattern. The Italian denim is cut and waiting, including more Liberty lining. I just need to hem some neon green monkey boxer shorts for the boys...

 

L x



Sew: Floral Grainline Tiny Pocket Tank

 

I love this fabric. I loved it from the moment I set eyes on it in Tessuti. I made a beautiful dress out of it but it was short lived as it quickly became too big. The dress has sat in my sewing room scrunched up for well over a year waiting for a new lease of life. Thankfully the Tiny Pocket Tank came to the rescue!!

 

 

 

I simply cut the tank out of the skirt, placing the darts at the shoulder. I used purchased bias tape for the armholes and neckline.

 

I wore it yesterday with an unblogged Simplicity 2215 denim skirt. It was a bit of a colour explosion with a pink cardigan!!

Project Details - Tank
Pattern: Grainline Tiny Pocket Tank
Fabric: Floral cotton from Tessuti

Project Details - Skirt
Pattern: Simplicity 2215
Fabric: Lightweight denim from Kelani Fabrics

We'd better make that 91 garments this year...

L x

Sew: Denim Simplicity 2451

This is Mr N's first blog photo. I think he did very well! He even captured some new Liberty hanging on the line. And a rubber ducky...

I made this skirt way back in early June but it was too tight for Melbourne layering. So it's been sitting patiently waiting for the weather to warm up enough so I can wear it without leggings and an under singlet.

Project Details
Pattern: Simplicity 2451 View D
Fabric: Indy Dark Denim 6GSM Light Weight Denim from Kelani Fabrics

I have made this skirt previously but have since cut it up for my Freddie Vest as it wasn't a good fabric to pattern match. It's a great pattern but doesn't make an exceptionally versatile denim skirt as you have to tuck a shirt in to it. Next time I'm going to do a straight denim pencil skirt or even the new Grainline Moss miniskirt for a basic summer skirt.

All in all I'm pretty happy with my skirt. And my photographer!

L x

Sew: Butterick 3597 Pencil Skirt

The completion of Butterick 3597 in the remaining blueberry ponti creates the "Peplum Dress" that I was after. The top is Vogue 8815 that I made a few weeks ago. I thought that separates would be more versatile as I can wear the individual items separately. I plan on making a black top to go with the blue skirt and I wear the blue peplum with a black pair of capri pants with wedge heels.

This ponti is a dream to sew with. It is beautiful and soft. Plus I adore the colour. I'd love some orange ponti.

Project Details
Pattern: Butterick 3597
Fabric: Blueberry Ponti from Tessuti Fabrics
Alterations: tapered skirt in for a more pencil skirt effect, added a lining

 

I am slowly pulling my work wardrobe together.

L x