Petal Pushers

This is my latest project which has been a learning process. I decided I wanted to draft my own pant/jean pattern as I haven't done a lot of drafting since I studied it about 15 years ago. All of my blocks were made to my measurements (pre kids) back then so I think my body shape has changed slightly.I love all of the floral printed jeans and pants that are around at the moment so I found some fabric at Spotlight which is a cotton with about 5% spandex.  I decided to get some cheapish fabric because I knew that I would have more than one attempt at them.  I also started collecting pictures on my Pinterest page.

                                                                                                                                                              The first pair that I mocked up in a similar fabric which I had lying around and they were a really bad fit. The crotch depth was about 6cm too long! I got my drafting bible out which is Pattern Making for fashion design by Helen Joseph Armstrong and got some tips on how to fit them properly. I also downloaded the lesson on craftsy by from Sandra Betzina which really helped alot.

So, to correct this I had to pin up the excess and measure. I drew a grainline starting from the first dart straight down the pant then squared a line from 1" below the crotch point across to this grainline. I also squared a line from the hip line. This then became my X section. I cut out the X section and moved it up by the adjustment needed. Does this make sense? Probably not but it does work.I added a yoke to the back and deleted the dart. I was going to add a little coin pocket and belt loops but thought I might leave that until my next pair after I get the fit exact. These are still not perfect. I need to adjust the outer leg seam as it is a bit off at the ankle and take some more off at the seat. I could probably add 1 or 2 cms to the waistline!! A bit on the tight side when I sit down. Although that could be the extra couple of sausages I had last night.

Sewing Music

Goyte

I love having the radio on when I'm sewing. I really find my concentration is better and I seem to make less mistakes as it gives me a sense of calmness.

I tune into PBS sometimes and really enjoyed last Sunday afternoons Flight 1067 to Africa. It's traditional and contemporary African music. 

Goyte's "Somebody that I used to know" came on a few days ago when I was sewing and I loved it. It's the perfect sewing song. 

I'd love to know what's your favorite tune or playlist to sew to?

Whats your Pinterest?

I wasn't sold on Pinterest when it was first introduced as I thought nothing could be better than magazine cuttings and a cork board, but lately it's become a very useful tool.
I still use the cork board because I think it looks cool and I am a very hands on type of person as all sewers are.

Lately I've had a few projects like Tessuti awards, a sewing project for a friend (tulle skirt photo to come) and my sons birthday party. It's so easy, just sit at your computer and google , check blogs, go to sites you love and pin. You end up with a fantastic looking story board which you can link back to very easily.

My partner Tony has fantastic taste in design and architecture. He got me onto Pinterest and I'm glad I listened to him this time...

Anyway, check out his boards if you are into design and architecture.

I'd love to see your Pinterest board. Leave a link in the comments.

                                                      
                                                        http://pinterest.com/anniemollison/
                                        

                                

http://pinterest.com/tonyprysten/

Skull Hoodie

It's always hard to find fun and funky stuff for boys.
There is plenty of great fabric but the patterns are very basic and daggy.
You need to use your imagination alot!

I picked up some polar fleece from Spotlight a while ago which I thought was kind of cute. It has a black background with different coloured skulls printed on it.

I used Kwik Sew pattern 2537 as the main body and drafted the hood using an old hoodie Ollie already has.

Spotlight also had some great stretch binding which I bound the hood, hem and sleeves with. I added a nice sized chunky zipper.

It turned out ok.  Lots of colour and fun.

funny

Pictures by Tony

Pattern for body

nooj's jeans

I decided (a while ago) I wanted to learn how to embroider. I found a great little book with some fun embroidery patterns from Sublime Stitching.  I found a couple of "space" theme patterns which seem like a lot of fun.

I had a heap of denim in the stash which I thought would be perfect as it has a fair bit of stability. The denim was from Darn Cheap fabrics as was cheap about $5 a meter and I barely needed half a meter.

I had fun learning. It wasn't that hard and quite relaxing actually. I've never really been keen on hand stitching but I think I've had a turn around.

Anyway, I decided to make them into pockets for a pair of jeans for my youngest son.
I already had a pattern from Tie Dye Diva  which I have already made up in a check and they turned out really nice.

The front seemed a bit boring so I added some bias binding which I'm not sure I really like now but too late for that. I top stitched in red and green to add some colour and fun.

These pics are of Nooj when we went for a little stroll to our local beach in St Kilda.
He loves them which is all you can ask for.

Add caption

Pictures are by Tony

Snazzy Pants by Tie Dye Diva

Stop Staring replica dress (in Blue)

I joined sew weekly  a few weeks ago and the upcoming challenge was to sew something blue. I just so happen to have a gorgeous blue spot double knit which I have been wanting to sew into a 40's /50's style dress. I picked up the fabric from Tessuti who featured my dress on their blog here.

I made the dress fairly quickly as the kids had gone to the grandparents beach house for a few days. The ponti was really easy to sew and really forgiving to wear. Sucks you in in all the right places. Even gives a girl who is flat chested a (tiny) bit of cleavage. 

I used a Vogue pattern V1192 and deleted the zip as the Ponti is very stretchy. I  added bows which I tied onto the shoulder so I can remove them if I want to.

I'm happy with the result. 

side tucks

  The red polka dot dress is just gorgeous from Stop Staring. 

This is the fabric from Tessuti. It was on sale which is a bonus!  

Vogue V1192

Pictures by tony

Luka's Birthday Gift

A friends little boy celebrated his first birthday today.

Since getting my sewing mojo back and having the kids away for three days at Grandpa and Baba's I had the perfect opportunity to sew something for him.

Luka the Birthday Boy. Happy Birthday!

I had the fabric in my stash which was purchased at darn cheap fabrics. They always have a great selection of modern fabrics at really cheap prices.

I think it turned out really super and I know that his mummy loves it. Hip hip hooray!

Pink Tee Pee

This is the "girls" version of the tee pee I made previously for my boys. 

 I donated this one to the kindergarten and as you can see they love it.

  The kids made a card for me to thank me for it which is really special

Ava enjoying the tea party

Blouse with neck tie Vogue 1127 Badgley Mischka

I have purchased a few vogue patterns lately as Lincraft and Spotlight have had 50% off all Vogue patterns. Woo hoo. I do love Vogue patterns and I have started the blouse pictured, V1127. I really love the huge scarf attached to the neck line. Hopefully, it shouldn't be too difficult.

Here is my version. Easy to make, and is quite sophisticated. I dressed it down with jeans. I will definitely make this one again.

my necklace is perfect for this fabric

back of neck, buttons don't match as I sewed them on at night, must find replacements asap

scarf

Black Cat Satin Blouse

I made this blouse after seeing it on the Burdastyle website. The model in the blouse looks great in it. I knew that it was not possible to look as good as her, but I'll give it a go. Ha Ha!

Blouses seem to be in at the moment.

I bought this gorgeous silk satin from Tessuti which is called "Black Cat". Love that name!

The fabric was a little slippery to work with but has good body so not as bad as I thought it would be. I really took my time with it as the fabric was not cheap. I tailor tacked all the seam lines, darts and snap markings.  I was inspired to take my time after buying the the couture dress lesson from Craftsy.  Not that I've made the dress yet but the lesson is fantastic. It really brings back all of the stuff I have learned over the years. I have a new love for hand sewing which I have never had before.

I did make a few adjustments to the pattern as it was quite tight fitting across the back yoke and sleeve head. I would highly recommend sewing up a toile before going ahead with this one.

Anyway, I'm really happy with the blouse. The flounce is nice but I prefer to wear it open as it looks a bit "mummsy" done up. Can't have that!!

This is the pattern from burdastyle.

11/2011 Leopard satin blouse #106

   

entry for Tessuti Awards

I decided to design and make a dress for the Tessuti awards 2012.

I chose the fabric first which was easy but then I spent weeks trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do with it. I would drape it on my dress form, walk away , come back, drape again. I finally just started sewing and it evolved as I went. I really wanted it to look scarf like as the fabric feels like a scarf. It is so light and flowy. Terrible fabric to sew though! If you make one little mistake you pay for it. The fibres break very easily. Anyway, this is how it turned out. I hope you might give me a vote. http://www.tessutiawards.com.au/entry/353 

Pictures by Tony

cheeky checks

I found this great check fabric to make one of my little munchkins some pants from. They turned out really nice and managed to match the checks quite well which was more due to good luck than skill!

I used a pattern I bought from Tiedyediva on etsy. I have bought a few patterns from tiedyediva, she has some great kids stuff. 

cheeky

what a smile

very cheeky!

Patchwork tee pee

I made this Tee Pee from some quilting fabric I picked up on sale for $3 meter. You need 10 meters so the cheaper the better. When I bought the fabric I thought it was a bit boring but once it was finished I was quite happy with the way it turned out.  The poles are made from PVC poles which I spray painted (that was fun). 

Kids are loving it.

I've since made a girls one in pink with pony's on it which I donated to the Kindergarten. I must get a shot to show you as its very cute. I bought the pattern on ebay but I've seen it everywhere. 

Butterick 4251