Sewn: Grey Pants

Finally I was able to get some photos to show off the item that I have been most proud of so far on my sewing journey.

The pattern is Burda Magazine 11/2012 no. 107C. After making 2 muslins, I was pretty sure that the fit on these would be ok. I've read so much about how trouser fitting and sewing can be scary, I honestly didnt have too much of a hard time with these. I could probably still make some adjustment to them, the back waistband is a little too low and I guess that's an easy fix by adding in a wedge to the pattern at centre back seam.

Looking at the pictures now, I would probably also like to take some width out of the legs so they are more slim fitting. I think a combo of losing a little weight and the fabric has made them stretch out a bit. The fabric is a lovely cotton sateen which was courtesy of Spotlight. It comes in a lovely range of colors, I spied a lovely green in there but I would love to do these in a printed version.

I added a few more sewing skills in construction of these. I tackled faux welt pockets and zip fly, I think next time I would also like to add some belt loops.

This was supposed to be for the Burda Sew Along which ran for the month of May, better late than never I guess. Here's a sneaky close up of the scarf I wore, it's got little butterflies all over it.

Wearing: Neutrals for the weekend

On the weekend we went to the Rocklea Markets to stock up on the essentials, also just happened on the Bagel Boys.

Pic courtesy of Bagel Boys website

I had a B.R.A.T. (Bacon, Rocket, Avacado & Tomato), I ate it so fast I didn't have time to take a picture. Suffice to say it was delicious! Go visit them if you're in the area, you wont be disappointed. 

If you havent already guessed, I do love my neutrals. I wore my new Black Country Road Coated Jeggings, Grey Mix Apparel Jumper, Witchery Black Studded Flats with a leopard print scarf.

The jumper was a lucky find hidden in the mens wear department at Mix Apparel, 100% wool as well so it  is nice and snuggly. 

Love these flats, they remind me of a starry night.

Sewing: Burda Sew Along Pants and Blouse

I would love to tell you that I have sewed up a storm for the Sew Along, truth is that I have had the last 3 weekends in May away from home so I have done almost nothing.

I did start a pair of pants in April which were from Burda Magazine 11/2012 107C. Thankfully these are now finished but the weather has been crappy this weekend so I have no good photos to show just yet. Anyway here is a sneak peak of my faux welt pocket which I am super proud for conquering. 

 I did also manage to start cutting out Burda 7188 which is a paper pattern, this one was on my planned list which you can see here. One of my wardrobe holes are tunics or shirts (who knows what the correct name is!), something that is of a nice enough fabric that can be worn during the day or dressed up for something more fancy. 

The fabric I am using is some poly rayon mystery fabric which came from Spotlight ages ago. It is sort of a zebra stripe with a border print on it, I am hoping it will be a wearable muslin. Here's hoping!

My sewing these days is all about getting maximum wear out of everything, it may not be as flashy or challenging as a cute little cocktail frock but the reality is that I don't have the occasion to wear these things. I want to be able to show things off that I have made and if that's by making the everyday kind of knit tops, shirts and casual pants then that's the way it has to be.

Burda Sew Along - Planning

It sometimes seems like an eternity that I have been learning to sew, the good part is that I am learning all the time by challenging myself which helps advance my skills. But there's nothing like a bit of group support to spur you along and to learn even more techniques, so I've joined up for my first ever Sew Along which is being hosted over here.

 

Lucky for me my local libraries have a fairly good stash of Burda Magazines. Some of them have never even been touched so I have the lucky honor of removing the lovely pattern sheets at the back and trying to re-fold them to fit back into their little envelope, oh the joys.

 

 

I haven't really settled on what I want to make yet, being a typical Gemini I change my mind every 5 minutes so maybe having too much to choose from isn't such a great idea. Burda patterns seem to have either pretty basic to more flamboyant and difficult pattern with little in between. I want to be able to make items that I am going to wear. These are some ideas that I have come up with so far

Cascade Jacket from 08/2011 No. 117

Simple Blouse from 12/2012 No. 119

Two Tone Tunic from 12/2012 No. 150

Collarless Jacket from  04/2012 No. 121

Paper Pattern 7188

I can see all of them taking a hard earned place in my wardrobe, it's so hard to decide! Watch this space for updates (or additions!)

The Black Zara Top

Lets face it, there is nothing more comfy than a knit top. I like comfy things and I like leather so why not combine the two.

This is one of the items I had on my Wardrobe Planning post back here. I love it, but it was not without it's troubles. I did use Burda 09/2012 Top No. 123, which has been quite popular around the traps. Fabric was a Japanese rayon knit blend from Spotlight, really nice fabric which I would use again. I didn't make up a muslin, I figured something made out of knit is pretty forgiving and shouldn't be too hard to get the right fit.

I made the pattern up based on the bust size, but those sides were super fitted so I re-drew to be a little wider. I also had a super amount of trouble with getting the neckline to fit properly. After inserting the leather shoulder panels the front neckline had quite a bit of drooping going on. I unpicked the panels and brought the front up some, re-sewed the neckline after hacking some off, re-attached the facing and it was still droopy. So I did what my impatient sewing brain told me to do, I cheated and put a pleat in the centre front to bring it all together. It worked, wasn't really what I wanted but it's quite a nice "design feature".

I used some left over pleather for the shoulder inserts, and followed my inspiration picture and ran some quilting lines on the panels. I think the weight of the pleather had something to do with the neckline drooping.

Then I was a smarty pants and thought all tops are made too long and proceeded to cut a few cm's off the hem and then realised it was too short. Lucky I kept it so the top has another design feature of a double hem with an added seam.

Even though with all the troubles, I still really like it. It ticks alot of boxes for me and something that can be zhooshed up or dressed down.

Lovely Links

I treated myself to a day off last Friday to make an extra long weekend following on from Anzac Day. That alone has led to more sewing, more planning and more browsing. 

How amazing is this, a Craftsy Course on how to Make Leather Bags. Like I need to obsess any more over all things leather. 

The lovely ladies from Curious Kiwi and Modern Vintage Cupcakes are holding a Burda Sew Along for May. I have already signed up for my first sew along. All you need is a pattern from either the Burda Style magazines or one of their paper patterns, come and join in the fun and sign up here.

A new pattern find, the Staple Dress by April Rhodes. This could be a good one for summer. 

Another new pattern and this one is free! It is the Odette Top by Fine Motor Skills. Found this one Burda Style website, looks like a great multi functional pattern. 

I have almost finished my pants from my earlier muslin, only waiting for the hem and closure and then they're done. Very excited about this one!

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!