Finding joy in the everyday

Since I started sewing almost 2 years ago, I have been building my pattern collection so I have a range of different outfits I can try my hand at. With McCalls/Butterick's having a pattern sale this week, I thought I would spoil myself and buy 4 new patterns. Whilst it can be difficult to find feminine clothing in the store, there are plenty of modern patterns that are lovely and feminine and you can alter the hem length, neckline or add sleeves if you so wish.  I am still a novice at dressmaking but I am willing to trying things that perhaps are out of my comfort zone. A few months ago I lined a dress and was so pleased with the end result I will certainly do it again - in fact I surprised myself with how well it worked. Youtube is an excellent source for sewing tips and tutorials. My next sewing project will be one of the dressers below - they all look great for summer and very suitable for work. To help with my sewing and hopefully do away with the need to buy some...

I have to admit I love well made clothing but sadly, anything well made also comes with a hefty price tag and I don't have the budget for that sort of thing. Cheaper clothing in Australia is no longer cheap any more - an average winter weight lined business skirt (made in China) can cost anything from $60 upwards and that won't buy you anything well made or nicely fitted. So this winter I have decided to make my own. I can save money and get what I want. And thanks to Spotlight and their 40% discount on fabric, I can easily make a lined business skirt for around $20 that fits!!  So far I have made 3 skirts with another one cut out. I have also made one pinafore (jumper) and have plans (and the fabric) to make two more winter dresses. I am finding myself looking at "expensive outfits" and searching for patterns similar so I can make my own.  I have also discovered the importances of looking at sewing blogs and reading the reviews of patterns I am interested ...

I love it when my favourite fabric store "Spotlight" has it's Christmas sale and kindly reduces fabric by 40%. Off I raced to replenish my fabric supply. I didn't go quite as wild as I did last year, however I picked up 9 pieces of fabric (2 metres each) that I am looking forward to turning into "wonderful creative masterpieces" (I just fell off my chair laughing - a girl can dream!). Great for a little girl perhaps.  These three have a linen texture (an organic feel to them) but I believe they are 100% cotton. The top one is slightly more yellow, rather than mustard as you can see here. No hurry to make these up yet. The spotty fabric is a linen/cotton mix and has been turned into a very nice knee length summer skirt (it does crease a little too much though, but what do you except with linen!). The pale blue was going to be used for a top, have other ideas for it now. One skirt knee length skirt. However after completing the skirt ...

*** My elderly mother lives in a nursing home and to get about she needs to use a walker.  Attached to her walker is a bag (see below) that holds everything she needs when she is away from her room. However her current bag is looking a very sad and she asked me to make a replacement (2 bags in fact) when I was visiting her last week.  I could have just copied mum's old bag, but no . . . I decided to set myself another one of those  " sewing challenges " and do something that would push my skills a little!!  At this point I could tell you it all worked out well. But I will be completely honest . . . I made one that worked beautifully (for a beginner) and I made another that was my test and no it wasn't perfect. In fact it is a long way from being perfect which is why there is no photos of bag no. 1 But I learn a lot when I made the first bag so bag no. 2 was much easier - I learnt from my mistakes as we like to tell children!!  Mum wanted so...

Dear blogging friends, I have finally finished my very first little girls dress. No, I have never made one before and for that reason I decided to set myself the challenge and make one.  I perhaps could have selected an easier pattern, but life isn't mean't to be easy!! and nor are my challenges. It isn't perfect (far from it) and I have lots to improve but I am quite pleased with the end result nevertheless.  It might have been better if the machine I started making this dress on didn't play up so badly. But with my new baby it did make sewing so much less stressful. Each time I sew something I like to learn something new, this time it was all about add lace to the hemline and creating a neat finish.  I found a very useful tutorial that I followed and now I feel quite confident in doing this again, perhaps on one of my outfits, just need to find some gorgeous vintage lace. Link:  Did you make that blog: lace hem tutorial Simplicity pattern: 2...

I have just discovered a great blog (I think its pretty good). I have been on the hunt for sewing blogs, the sort that give practical advice on how to make basic garments, not those making couture that is way out of my league!   Shannon Sorensen Designs is one such blog and I have attached two really useful links for anyone wanting to draft their own patterns.  Drafting straight skirt pattern:   http://shannonsews.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/sewing-straight-skirt-first.html Drafting your own top:  http://shannonsews.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/sew-basic-cotton-top-round-or-scoop.html?showComment=1381129165834 And whilst I was wandering about I came across this nice top and its free pattern. I will certainly give this one a go - I have printed off my pattern, just need to assemble it!!:   http://www.colettepatterns.com/shop/sorbetto Check out the advice for "tummy bulge" in this old article - its worth a read!!!  

So far I have completed 2 skirts and the third one is half done. I am on a roll and enjoying myself.  Both skirts have been worn to work, one is quite good (for a beginner!), however the spotty one (below) needs the lining shortened (as it can be seen when I am sitting) and I am not overly happy with the shape. But regardless of these issues, no one else probably has a clue!! This one is just below the knee, very comfortable to wear and sits well. I am very pleased with the results. (sorry for the poor quality photo) The fabric is heavy cotton (?) and it doesn't crease which is great. The pattern is quirky! This skirt (mid-calf) was the first I ever attempted to add a lining, its ok - certainly not perfect and I learnt a thing or too about adding lining to a skirt. As no one is going to be peeking at the lining, it really doesn't matter that it isn't perfect.  I should have spent more time working on the fit around the hips as I'm not overly happy about the ...