Sew: Orange Colette Clovers

 

 

The second item that I sewed before we left on holidays were a pair of bright orange Clovers. I really like the style and comfort of these slim fit pants. I've used this pattern a few times before and feel that I'm making good progress with the fit. I am determined to perfect it. I've even signed up for a pants fitting course through Tessuti. There will definitely be more Clovers in the future!

 

 

 

 

Project Details
Pattern: Colette Clover Pants
Fabric: Bright orange stretch cotton drill from The Fabric Store
Alterations: Size 14!!, straightened the hip curve, raised back rise by 1cm, inserted tear-away Vilene to waistband

Unfortunately, the fabric does bag out a bit with wear and I plan to unpick the zip and take the side seams in another 1.5cm and possibly also take the inseam in another 0.5cm, particularly through the hip area in an attempt to eliminate some of that crutch bagginess.

 



I used some left over Liberty Wiltshire for the waistband facing and inserted tear-away Vilene to stabilise the waist. This worked a charm.

Happy Sewing!

L x

Sew: Grainline Scout Tee in Marc Jacobs

I'm back!! We just returned from an epic holiday touring Canberra, Sydney, the Blue Mountains & Jervis Bay. We had an awesome time. More on that later...

I made a few items in the week before we left and got my handy photographer (aka husband) to snap some photos while we were holidaying.

First up is a Grainline Scout Woven Tee in a lovely Marc Jacobs cotton that I picked up at The Fabric Store at our last sewists meet up. I really love this pattern, it is super easy and versatile. Perfect on summer days by itself or layered with a cardigan for cooler weather.

Project Details
Pattern: Grainline Scout Woven Tee
Fabric: Marc Jacobs cotton from The Fabric Store

Perfect with my new Clovers! I see many more Scout Tees in the future...

L x

Sew: Liberty Lonsdale Dress

I'm on a bit of a Liberty roll at the moment. This is my second Liberty dress this week! Plus I have a Liberty Grainline Scout tee cut out and waiting. Maybe I can make it three in a week...

This project has been on my list since the end of last Summer but Winter rolled in and it was put aside waiting for some warm weather. I pulled it out last week hoping to make it up for Mr H's birthday party. Thankfully it was a very simple and enjoyable project. That didn't stop me from hemming it two hours before the guests arrived!

Project Details
Pattern: Sewaholic Lonsdale Dress
Fabric: Liberty Amy Hurrell Blue from Shaukat
Alterations: Used 4cm seam allowance for centre back (will go down a size next time).

I am still getting used to Liberty prints. The patterns are lovely but some of the fine patterns look lighter from a distance.  The Amy Hurrell print looks quite dark and blue up close but when made in to a dress and from a distance the print looks quite pale. I am used to wearing dark prints and just need to keep this in mind.

 

 

Two of the party guests were also wearing handmade Liberty dresses. So we got a photo of the Liberty ladies. Unfortunately the light was not good.

 

 

 

We had a lovely afternoon with friends to celebrate Mr H's 2nd birthday. I feel a great sense of achievement to have made it sanely to 4 years of motherhood and 2 years of Mr H. Mr H has been trouble since his arrival with a stint in NICU with neonatal meningitis, two separate eye injuries and a partial thumb amputation. But we've made it. I did however recently do a paediatric first aid course...

 

Happy 2nd Birthday Mr H!! We love you to the moon and back. 

The last minute madness may have been associated more with the cake than the dress. Look at this masterpiece!! It was a Vanilla Bean Rainbow Layer Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting and it was awesome.

I hope you've all had a lovely weekend. We certainly did. I'm off to recover from that rainbow cake and to find out how to make a Lightning McQueen cake for a soon to be 4 year old...

Wish me luck!

L x

Sew: Simplicity 2215 Liberty Dress

 

 

Simplicity 2215, how I love thee?! I've made the skirt three times now so it was time for the dress version. I asked you all what to do with this Liberty way back in March. It was a choice between the Colette Peony dress and Simplicity 2215. The Simplicity won out.

 

 

 

Yet, it was almost not meant to be. I had great difficulty with the neckline gaping, both back and front, and was very tempted to cut the bodice off and turn it into a skirt. Wouldn't it be a great skirt with a red grosgrain ribbon as the waistband?!

 

 

Despite the temptation I persisted and make a few alterations to achieve the finished result. I inserted two small darts in the back neckline to remove the gaping. Thankfully Liberty prints are very forgiving. I couldn't use darts in the front so I asymmetrically overlapped the front by an extra 1cm at the top to remove the gaping. I then simply stitched the buttons on in a straight line. The bottom four buttons are non-functioning and stitched right through. The top button is also decorative with a snap to close the front. You need that to open so you can get your head out.

Project Details
Pattern: Simplicity 2215 Dress
Fabric: Liberty Tatum Dark Blue from Shaukat
Alterations: Inserted two small darts in back neckline and overlapped front top by an extra 1cm.

I really need to sort out this alteration for back and front neckline gaping. I have noticed it a lot in dresses I made last year which have high necklines. Fit for Real People has no helpful suggestions. Any suggestions?

 

 

I'm really pleased with my new Liberty dress. I do love a bit of Liberty. I'm actually sewing a Liberty Lonsdale dress for Mr H's birthday party tomorrow. It is coming together superbly.

 

I'm off to bake a rainbow cake!! Wish me luck.

 

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