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

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

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: 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.

MMM Day 2

Day 2 of Me Made May and I'm sporting an old version of Simplicity 2922 made in a stretch cotton sateen from Rathdowne Fabrics. Paired with a pair of leggings and a wool cardi = perfect sewing attire!

L x

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