{ VOGUE 8888 } Sleepwear…

Im notoriously bad at buying sleepwear. What I do have lasts me forever because to be honest, I dont wear that much sleepwear. Sounds weird I know but in the past its been too easy to throw on a t-shirt & shorts or sweats & be done with it but Ive come around to the thinking that some pretty sleepwear is not a bad thing. Ask the hubster, he’ll tell ya its a great thing.

So I decided to give V8888 a try. I chose the cami & the panties/shorts to start. I wanted to see what the fit was like before I made it with something expensive like charmeuse so I pulled out this really old stretch something or another that ive been hoarding for years. I never really loved this fabric so it seemed like the perfect option for  a muslin if you will… but as you know, I do not like that particular “m” word.

The first thing I noticed about the instructions is they fail to mention that pieces 12 & 14 are required! These pieces make up the cups of the cami & the yoke front so IMO, very important pieces. Anyway, now you know. Apart from that little error, instructions are good.

I did not use lace overlay to my cups because this was a (insert “m” word here) remember. I overlocked all my pieces and the cami came together remarkably quick. As it started to take shape I realised I actually liked how it was looking so I decided to add some lace trim to the bottom of the cami & the knickers once it was all finished. For the straps I used double organza ribbon in cream & brown with little bows on the ends. The little shorts are so easy to make. 2 seams, some elastic & lace trim & they done.

As much as I love you all, this quick iphone image is the most you’ll be getting out of me as far as finished garment is concerned.  

Its cute huh?!

Overall, a great pattern with additional length on the cami as well as another slip & gown options. I do love the Vogue patterns with multi-garments in one envelope – they are such good value for money. This pattern is still available in print so do check it out if you looking for sleepwear.

Keep sewin’ on xx

{ COMPLETED } Fiesta Denim shorts…

I called these the Fiesta shorts because they make me { SOOOOO } incredibly happy…& I think it has more to do with the peek-a-boo colour than anything else.

While I was sewing these shorts, I had an epiphany – Im pretty darn pleased with every single New Look pattern that I have ever used. I find their fit so spot on therefore minimizing fitting issues & baggy this or gaping that. I just love how true & tested these patterns seem to be. Sure, Ive sewn one or two that Ive had choice words for (& in hindsight the problems have probably been me making stupid decisions about fabric choice or short cuts etc), but in the big scheme of things, I seem to be far more pleased with this pattern company than some of the other big names.

The weather has been disappointing & rather chilly the past couple of days so I will have to wait for a good sunny day to wear these & photograph them in action. Will update pics when I do so. The Fiesta shorts did not disappoint….so here are the deets :

{ DESCRIPTION }  New Look 6100 from the WORKROOM / Project Runway collection. 2 styles of shorts – one straight leg with cuffs & one flared leg, both with waistbands, pockets & optional waist tie.

{ FABRIC USED } I blogged about my fabric choice but incase you missed that, I used a light-ish weight denim which I pre-washed before cutting. The denim has a geometric pattern which is not printed on, its actually a burnout…or at least thats what I think its called. For the pocket facings & waist facings, I used a burnt orange taffeta I had in my off-cuts stash.

{ SIZING } I cut my normal size & had no problems.

{ INSTRUCTIONS } I glossed over but did not refer to them too often. These shorts are pretty basic.

{ CHANGES } I omitted the waist tie so therefore by default omitted the carriers. I also wanted some colour so instead of using the denim for the pockets facings & waist facings, I used the burnt orange taffeta which worked really well & I love the peek-a-boo pop of colour. I had mentioned that I was thinking about using a white cotton embroidery anglaise or something similar for the edges but once I saw the indigo blue & burnt orange together, it just seemed like a match made in heaven. Instead of machine stitching the waist facing down after folding back, I hand stitched which took forever but I prefer it.

I also inserted my zip on the right side. Just because! I did not have a navy zip or an invisible zip so I improvised with a regular black zip. Instead of fussing with making a lapped zip cover to accommodate the regular zip, I simply stitched the zip in the wrong way. Yes it means the zip opens from the inside but who cares. Its in, its invisible & it works. Ok, its not { 100% } invisible  but its not freakin’ bad.

Instead of machine stitching the leg facings (ie. the turn-ups) to the underside, I decided to hand stitch them to the understand thereby allowing me the flexibility to wear the shorts without turning up the bottoms if I wanted to without having the stitch lines showing…{ AH HUH }.

{ LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY } * Easy peasy!

{ TIME } I sewed this together in a couple of hours including screwing around with my trim choice. The handstitching added extra time to my clock but this was a personal preference that does not need to be done.

{ SUM IT UP } I really love these. They are comfie & depending on what fabric you use, they can be super casual or quite dressy. I can imagine these in a polka dot, I can see them in a stripe, the lovely Erica B made an awesome denim pair with stars, but sew them up in a black with gold trim perhaps & you have a chic pair of shorts to pair with a blazer. Im pretty sure this denim pair will not be my last & I love that the pockets open up so many opportunities for creativity – piping, lace trim, ribbon, ric-rac, funky bindings, fun fabrics – the possibilities are endless.

Perhaps its my choice in fabric but without the turn-ups they can look a little pajama-bottom-ish…it may also be because I left off the waist tie. But paired with a nice white cotton frilly tee-shirt, Im thinking PJ-ish or not, they are going to get lots of wear.

Highly recommended ! 

{ BTW } that nail colour Im wearing that happens to match the shorts so well is Catrice Squeeze Me. Its a really dark charcoal grey with a hint of blue but it has these beautiful gold shimmer undertones in natural light. Im finding it the perfect alternative to my usual black. 

{ STASH SORTING }

Happy Friday to you all –

A few days ago I was sorting some of my fabric stash because since we moved into our new house, I pretty much transferred fabrics straight from boxes to their storage without giving it much thought – in other words – I simply needed to have the boxes out of the way so I could think.

I use the Ikea 4-drawer Malm chests for my fabric storage.

{ source : Ikea }

I line the drawers with craft paper first and each drawer is dedicated to a specific type of fabric ie. on the bottom I have heavy winter fabrics (wools etc), next drawer up I store my cottons, then my lightweights ie chiffons, lace etc.  I do this because its easier for me to keep track  & I dont have to wade between heavy fabrics when Im looking for a silk…you get the idea right?! In the top drawers I keep my bits ‘n bobs for instance, buttons, ribbons, bindings, notions etc. As I mentioned in my NY resos post, I do plan on doing some shelves in the sewing room for books & I had thought of using the underside of the shelves for bottles of notions etc – we shall see.

Anyway, while I was sorting I realised that I have so much fabric that Ive bought on my travels and there are a few pieces I simply {CANNOT} even think of cutting. Its like Ive grown some attachment to them & its gotten all emotional & stuff…. {SERIOUSLY?} yes, seriously. Ive posted a few pics below so you can see which ones Im referring to :

I’ll admit, the majority of these fabrics are found on my travels to Canada, South Africa, Holland & UK so they all kinda hold sentimental memories of these travels. I guess cutting into them would still mean I have memories albeit in the form of a garment…Im pathetic with this {CANT CUT} thing but I feel like they are all too sentimental…..what can I do ?? Ive thought of going shopping for new pieces which might help to cure me because as soon as you have a new favourite, the old favourites seem to be demoted {HOWEVER} looking at how old some of these favourites are – it would appear Im not demoting anything. ever!!

Do any of you suffer from the same syndrome ? & if so, how have you overcome it?

Thanks for stopping by x

{ related posts }

• NY Resos and other things on my list of things to do in 2013

{ PATTERN HAUL } NewLook

Hey Look – My NewLook patterns have just arrived! {YAY}

Purchased them on sale recently, in fact, its the {ONLY} time I ever purchase patterns – on sale I mean.

{ left to right }

NL6051 which is a great cover-all for hot summer beachy days

NL6003 is a skirt pattern with some lovely frilly variations

NL6100 is the shorts pattern I mentioned I wanted as a NY reso here

{ left to right }

NL6968 is 4 dress variations

NL6148 is some top variations. I particularly like the middle left with the “v” inset which Id like to attempt in a lace or netting & no sleeves – could be lovely

NL6067 is again a dress but I love the “V” tucks to the centre & I have a piece of fabric just waiting to be made up to this.

Last week I was sorting some of my stash & trying to decide what to make next. I know, I still have that V8550 hanging on Poppy – for some reason, Im just not that into it anymore. I know I have to push to get through it but I think I could take my mind off it for a while too – its going slow & I need some more instant gratification.

{ in other news }

I am into the last week with this {ANKLE SHACKLE}. Its been 5 extremely long weeks wearing this cast & Ive never been more ready to shed this bind. The last week I have been able to move around without crutches however I think I overdid things a little & now it feels like the cast has rubbed an area raw so its burning & Ive had to retreat back to the couch! I am in no way fooling myself to think that once the shackle has been removed I will be back to 100% normal. Firstly, drs will need to remove the large pin so I can get movement back & I realise I will need to go for physio & still use the crutch for weeks before returning to any sense of normality. I just want this thing off so I can de-scale & wash my leg & foot. The amount of nastiness going on under the yellow submarine makes the rest of my body quake. {YUK} 🙂

& on that fun note – I bid you a wonderful Tuesday. Thanks for stopping by x

{Vintage Butterick 503}

I made this lingerie slip some time ago – Ive just been a little behind on my new reviews.

A pattern given to me by my mother, handed down from my grandmother – this Butterick 503 Lingerie is perhaps the oldest pattern I own. The envelope was deteriorating badly when my mother owned it so she saved what she could & stuck the back & front to a regular A5 envelope. But the pattern pieces & instructions are original & better preserved in the new envelope.

I used a soft wine red crushed taffeta for the body & trimmed with black lace that I had in my stash for years. I realise a soft satin would be more in keeping with lingerie but I wanted to use the taffeta mostly because of the {VA VA VOOM} colour but also because its so different. If you wondering how I sleep in taffeta – I dont, I use this getup just to manipulate & control the hubsters…err…nevermind!! 🙂

I was not expecting to get such a great finished garment out of this so I was quite surprised at how well it really worked. Because the taffeta has no stretch, I needed to use a zip on the side, but it feels more fitted this way & support the boobies better thereby allowing me to put my best “foot” forward.

I cut mine on the straight but the instructions give a bias option as well if you feeling a little more adventurous and if using satin, probably a skimpier, clingier fit.

The pattern was easy to follow, really easy to construct & the fit is incredible.  The next one I make I think I might play around with the skirt making it a little less flared, with a side slit trimmed with lace….perhaps not as wide a lace as this one but I think it might look quite cute.

Have you sewed lingerie? Do you recommend any particular patterns, vintage or newer?

PS – Apologies for the mediocre pics of this project. Poppy {the dress form} is currently hosting the red V8550 project i blogged about before & I didnt want to disturb her. Since Ive never formally introduced Poppy, I will introduce  her real soon 😉

{UPDATE} : I meant to mention earlier on this post that there is no date on this pattern whatsoever. A date may have been printed on the envelope however its old & the edges are quite tatty and worn from use. My mother cut the envelope back & front apart to stick to a new envelope & cut through where its written something “Patented…” is all I can see. The bottom of the envelope reads “The Butterick Publishing Company Limited, London”. The instruction sheet on the inside (of which is 1 page printed both sides in square format) reveals no date either. The words “Printed in England” is printed at the bottom right corner. I might get in touch with Butterick for more info on this pattern & report back its age. Trust this helps for those that have asked.