Sewing Retro

Taking a step right outside my comfort zone and for that matter my style zone!  I have completed my very first vintage sewing project - which I would never have attempted if it wasn't for the online sewing community.  Earlier in the month I revealed the pattern and fabric (read here) as my Fall for Cotton project.

I am really smitten by the bodice of this dress and in particular the neckline, which was really easy to sew BTW, just had to make a triangle when sewing the facing on to the dress and cut it out!

Don't you just love the stand-up collar!

Side Tracked by underwear

This month I'm sewing along with The Monthly Stitch and Fall for Cotton, and if this wasn't enough to keep me busy I've been easily side tracked into what is worn under these lovely dresses!

Gosh, I don't event know how I got side-tracked but next thing I know I've ordered two bra patterns on Esty, and purchased a panties pattern from a local store so I can have a matching set!  (That's my obsessive compulsive behaviour at it's best!!!)

Hello Chloe

Chloe is a semi-fitted, mid length A-line dress that hints towards a 60's mod style - a pattern by Canadian company Victory Patterns.  I purchased the pattern from Dresses and Me together with the Lola pattern - you can read about my Lola here.

I really like the capped sleeve and contrast effect of version 2 and I chose a wool with a very fine red pinstripe which runs vertically.

Spring calls for Group Sewing

Today is the first day of spring and to kick it off I am participating in a couple of group sewing activities.  Luckily I can sew one garment for both - oh year love that!

I love sewing dresses and who doesn't like a good cotton fabric, but I don't usually sew vintage!  Athough now vintage includes the 1980s I probably have a few patterns from that era in my statsh!  Anyway my intuition must have known something I didn't, because about three months ago when sewingpatterns.com had a Butterick sale I acquired this Butterick Retro '51 pattern.  The dress to the left particularly caught my eye.

This pattern wasn't even on my sewing 'to do' list, then all of a sudden it is first out of the box for September - don't you love how a good group activity changes things :-)

Last week I took a wee detour to The Fabric Store hoping to get some inspiration for fabric.  I was hoping to find a cotton voile or similar light weight cotton that would have a transparent nature.  Next thing I knew I was at the counter with this fabric!

The pin in the centre will give you a sense of the size of the pattern.

Now this is sooooo far removed from my comfort zone, but the purple and blue combination found a soft spot and intuition said 'BUY IT'.   So what is a girl to do ... follow her intuition of course!

To keep inspired and gain some confidence in my selection I joined the Fall for Cotton Flickr group - check it out there are some great patterns and amazing fabrics to google over.

Check out this fabric!   I ordered this from Spoonflower, not long after I discovered the awesomeness of custom made fabric. 

Two yards of cotton sateen - devine!  At the time I ordered it all I knew was that I wanted to make a dress with it, one with a fullish skirt.  Then along came this pattern from Kay Unger in the Vogue collection, the perfect combination. 

On my way past the Fabric Warehouse yesterday I called in to pick up some lining, 100% cotton batiste, which is lovely and soft to match the cotton sateen, knowing that this pattern would be at the top of my sewing list soon now that it is Spring ;-)

It feels like Spring is my permission to start sewing summer dresses - well that's what I'm telling myself anyway.  That's not to say that I've finished my winter sewing list yet - still two pairs of jeans to make and a nice wool blazer!  There is no doubt that they will get loads of wear before summer is truly here.

Circle Top Take 2

I just couldn't resist!  I had to have a second Circle Top by Papercut Patterns.  My first was a lovely rich red - view that one here.

Butterick for a change

Earlier in the year I took advantage of a Butterick pattern sale and bought about five or so patterns, two of which were for knit fabrics.

I had some purple double knit jersey in my stash that I had bought to make a hoodie, but never quite got there!  I figured that the purple would look better in a dress than a hoodie anyway.  Not that these photos do the colour any justice - see those clouds, need I say more!!!

Little Red Hood

I have been eyeing up the Papercut Patterns for a wee while and the other day I gave in.  I was looking for a cardie or similar to wear with my new hummingbird.

I headed off to The Fabric Store to their 40% sale, looking for some merino!  But what would you know the only fabric that wasn't on sale was the one I liked!  So what the hell, I got it anyway along with the Circle Top pattern.

Sweet Lola

Lola, la-la-la-la-la-la Lola - come you you can't help but sing along!  Don't tell me you don't know that song?!

Okay, okay I've finished singing now.  Let me talk about the Lola dress by Victory Patterns.  The dress is described as a comfortable slip on dress with raglan sleeves, ribbed hem bands, front neckline “V” detail, and oversized wrap around pockets.

I prefer to have a more fitted look so considered carefully the sizing.   I went with a size 4 for the top and a size 6 for the skirt.  I must say the sizing chart was spot on!  I like how the size of the finished garment is shown directly under the body measurement chart.

I really like the fit of the bust area, but I feel like the shoulder/sleeves could do with a bit more ease.

I was thinking about this on my drive home from work and had a bit of an epiphany!  SBA (small bust adjustment)!!  I still need to have the room for my shoulders, which I'll say are normal (haha, as if there is such a word).  If the shoulders fit, the bust is swimming - if the bust fits the shoulders are always too small, which is all good if the garment is sleeveless.  Now to Google SBA and get my method sussed.

Back to my Lola!  I don't often visit Spotlight, other then to buy haberdashery when I'm on that side of town.  I got side-tracked on my last visit and found some double knit jersey for just $10 p/m - it's more like a ponti than a sweat-shirting.  The weight of the fabric is perfect for the Lola the blue was irresistible, but the ribbing choice was a different story.  In the end I decided that I could use the same fabric for the bands a the dress.   I am really happy with how that turned out.

My favourite feature about this dress is the wrap-around pockets.  This is because there is no side seam to faf around with, 'cause next to my SBA I always have to faf with the hip shape.

This Lola is dressy enough that I can wear it to work - I omitted the neck "V" so it doesn't have that casual look.  I definitely plan on making another one that is more casual, a looser fit that can be worn over jeans - that one can have the wee neck "V" included.

Everyone needs a Lola for sure!

Winter Swap Goodies

I have recently participated in the INAUGURAL WINTER SWAP 2013  hosted by Penny at Dresses and Me.

I had never participated in a fabric swap before but Penny outlined really clearly how it would work.  I really like the idea of receiving a parcel that would be completely mysterious. 

After a really busy week at work I arrived home on Friday evening to find my parcel waiting for me :-)

My parcel was a treasure chest of sewing goodies ...

I love this wee purse size sewing kit - just perfect.

Hummingbird Cake

Well I'm finally here to share my Hummingbird after the sneek peek in my last post about the Cake sew-a-long.

The shape of the Hummingbird really appealed to me, although I have never really been a peplum fan!  After stalking the Hummingbird in the blogisphere I thought the nature of the knit fabric would mean that it would sit rather nicely rather than flaring out.  I don't like the thought of accentuating my hips!

I found this rather yummy striped merino at The Fabric Store sale.  As always it is a dream fabric to work with :)  I really love the way it fells, wears and falls.