The Creativity Gap

Found this somewhere, I don't even remember where but when I read it I was nodding along. It's all so true!

Pants

So I have finally started on my pants making journey. Borrowed some Burda magazines from my local library and decided on this pattern. Lucky for me one of the other Burda mag's I borrowed had one of their Sewing Courses in it for pants that are very similar.

Get ready with your sunglasses.....

So I did a muslin first as all good girls should but the major mistake I made was to make it out of not stretch fabric. I was pretty smug with myself and thought the fit was pretty excellent so dove straight into the stretch muslin version. What I did not even consider was the difference between the two fabrics so this version is about 2 sizes too big.

Luckily the fabric was super cheap (almost free thanks to a  gift card from from Spotty) so I was happy just to go through the process of putting it all together. Plus (cue drumroll) I inserted a fly front zipper.

Standback and admire the awesomeness. All in all I didnt find the process too painful and these came together well. I have now traced off 2 sizes smaller and have that ready to go to be hopefully my final version which is going to be in a dark grey. 

By the by, Spotlight has some lovely quality cotton sateen at the moment in some really cool colors and I also managed to some some lovely Japanese stretch jersey from there too. Slowly there are getting better choices, who would have thought!

Lovely Links

I have found some lovely inspiration this week, here are some things that have caught my eye

A newly discovered Aussie blogger Sew Amy Sew and her wonderful version of the Grainline Archer Shirt. I love the contrast green buttons with the fuschia background. 

Found these cute Polymer Clay earrings on Made It by Just Dot. So simple yet so beautiful.

One of my go to blogs for fashion advice is Elisha Casagrande. Her post about Principles & Elements of design is not only great advice for stylish dressing but also useful for making my handmade wardrobe a little more flattering and functional.

Take a look at this video on You Tube about how women perceive themselves compared to how others see us.

Wardrobe Planning

I am fully determined to get some hand made items churned out for the cooler weather, since last year was a bit of a flop. As usual, I have lots of wants running through my head. I'm starting to be hard on myself in what I would practically wear and what fits in with the rest of my wardrobe, so it takes alot more thought and planning. I had a short affair with prints over Summer but my heart really belongs to solids and neutrals, with a healthy dose of stripes to make my heart happy.

This is what I have in mind at the moment (notice I say at the moment because it will probably change tomorrow)

 Credit from here

 Credit from here

Credit from here

Credit from here

Credit from here

 

 

Well that's the plan but the truth is that I only have limited time that I can actually sew things. The priority would be on the Pants, Peplum Top & Leather Shoulder top. I am constantly saving things onto my Sewing Inspiration list on Pinterest, it's safe to say that Pinterest is a massive time suck for me. Maybe if I spent less time Pinning and more time sewing I might end up with more things I can wear rather than just dreaming about them. A girl's gotta have her vices.

 

Pretty things

Brought this lovely little open weave jumper from Witchery in their last sale for the bargain price of $24.85

Last worn with black shorts, white tank and zebra print sandals.

Never thought I would be a pink girly girl but it's really taking my fancy lately.

Around Here......

Just a taste of what has been filling up my time over the last few months.

 

Coral Skirt - Made at my Sewing Class. Too lazy to put the button on yet.

Black & White Dress - self drafted, in love!

Shirred waistline, zip front, pockets. 10 points on the comfort factor scale.

Pink Top - Cotton & Silk blend from Tessuti pattern by Burda. Needs to be lined and hemmed which probably wont happen until next Summer.

Leather Purse - Exploring my newfound passion for all things Leather.

Lovely little scallops

Leather Organizer - Don't look too closely at the stiches on this, my sewing machine is not too keen on sewing multiple leather layers. Time for a new machine!

Places for all my bits that I carry around in my handbag.

Love the look and feel of this leather. 

Take a look at my Pinterest Board for all things leather. It's a new obsession!

 

 

 

Shock horror, I worked from a pattern!

I'm not one for working from a pattern, as you might have guessed from previous posts. But I was cruising the op-shop in the hope of finding a white shirt to add into my wardrobe because they are such versatile little creatures. Instead I ventured into the sewing patterns basket, and found this treasure.

Ooh pretty 80's hair do! Not deterred by the dodgy front cover, I though this would be a perfect candidate for filling the wardrobe gap. A trip to Sir Spotlight and I came home with some lovely flowy Ivory rayon, is it just me or is Spotters getting just a touch groovier?

I am totally happy with the way this turned out! The fabric is light enough to wear in the steamy weather, and ticks all my boxes for what I want in a shirt.

Say hi to Sasha the Photo Bomber

It is a perfect match with my coral jeans, these babies are from Big W and I love them to death. Would wear them every day if I could get away with it.

I altered the pattern slightly after making a muslin. Took a little bit of width out of the sleeve cap as it was a tad too poofy, shortened the length by heaps, added roll sleeve tabs and a button fastening and also lowered the neckline.

I managed to tick a few more things off my "scaredy cat sewing" list. Buttonholes, Collars, french seaming on curves. Some things seem alot scarier just thinking about it, I just dive in and do it and it's hardly ever as bad as I thought it would be.

This one I have a feeling will be getting a repeat performance. 

In other news, I have signed myself up for a sewing class because I think I need a little help in some of the finer technical details of garment construction. I start next Saturday and I have a Burda skirt pattern to make up, also in material from the op-shop. I cant wait!

Till next time