My first Gertie

This face pretty much sums up how I feel about this top....
It's the new Butterick pattern by Gertie, B5895..
I'm just not really sure if it's me, or if it's something I would (should) make again.. Hmm.
Don't get me wrong, I love the style and the overall look of the top, just maybe not on me?
For one thing it is extremely short, I mean look at that guts.. ahh sorry guys (ps..that scar is from naked ironing, idiot)

I knew it would be on the shortish side, just didn't realise it would show my entire stomach.
Sorry I didn't get many pics of it actually on me, I was in a rush...and then to drunk...
On the plus side it made me realise I need more high waisted items, which I why this Gorgeous Skirt is next on my to make list :)
I think relating to the construction of the top I effed it up somehow, because the collar at the back didn't end up matching as it should have, which also made the facing sit weirdly, so I had to kind of wing it and try to fix it the best I could.. hmmm..

Again the buttonholes are a bit dodgy, due to the fact I haven't done many, and I blame my machine..
Speaking of machines, the hubby and I went sussing on Saturday and got a 40 minute tutorial on this little beauty that I have since been dreaming about every hour... *sigh*

Let me know what you think, about the top and/or the machine if you've heard any reviews ;)

My Mathilde

Hi All,


Well.. am I glad I attempted this gorgeous blouse pattern by the ever so talented Tilly..
So many cute details.. Vertical tucks (debatable on mine), Gorgeous puffed sleeves, and a cute little button feature (note: I suck at button related things)

  

Not only was the pattern relatively easy to put together, but Tilly's step-by-step tutorials really helped me a lot...brilliant Lady :) Ok so onto construction of the blouse..

(ps.it's totally hard to see the details when the top is on me.. but better in the below pics.. weirdness)
 

If when I make again I would use a lighter fabric.. I'm not 100% sure what this fabric is, as it was thrifted.. but it feels like a poly thicker linen blend.. Possibly definitely a little too thick for the French seams and the hem :/ oops..
But I plan mainly on wearing it with high waisted skirts anyway, so not that bothered about the hem ;)
I love Solvi's version, so may even make a black one next ;)

Here are some detailed pics.. note the previously mismatched hem which somehow turned out to be matching?... it's a mystery..

 



  


Ahhh the buttons...I used fabric covered buttons, which I love the look of :) But I think that is where the positives end on the button front...
I don't have a buttonhole foot, So I just kinda winged it with zigzag stitches.. eeepp. Doesn't look sooo bad (lies) but I don't want to buy a buttonhole foot yet (in hopes of a new sewing machine for my August Bday.. Hint Hint: ANYBODY)
The buttons aren't really that straight because I am terrible at handsewing... annnndd the top buttonhole was too small for the button to pass through (oops), so it is actually sewn down through the hole, so you can't actually unbutton it haha.. hmmm

Overall I love the design and the fit of the blouse, but I need to pick better material and work on my buttonhole/tuck/generally all skills before sewing again :)
What do you guys think??

Again thanks to Tilly's tutorials, I made a little bow belt to go with another version of a B748 dress which I wore to a 50's themed wedding:) Here I am wearing them right before the wedding with the hubby

Also my sewing room is FINALLY finished, So hoping to take pictures tonight and will put a post up real soon:) Looks super cute, and is exactly how I wanted it to turn out.. Weeeeeeeee

Worky Work, Marcy Marc and a Sorbetto

Firstly check my new lurverrrr Jacob. Isn't he adorable.. *sigh*

Anywhoo I've been meaning to make a Sorbetto for ages,
I mean LOOK how many there are out there EEEK!! Ahhh gotta luuuvv a free pattern :)
I wanted to make a simple one at first, so I found a plain fabric in my stash.
Decided I had enough to try match a skirt too.. I chose Butterick B5566 for the skirt pattern.

They were both fairly simple and straightforward to put together and I think I will make both again, maybe with nicer fabrics ;) Although I do need a bit of work on my fitting capabilities..
Their great simple items for work, which I haven't really made enough of yet. I think the sewing bloggers call them Cake? Rather than Frosting :) hehe

Anyway here they are..
 



Hhmm I kinda get the feeling that together they are a bit matchy matchy? What do you think?
Might be better as separates? Maybe a Belt.. or maybe a tan? Jeeeeez...

I dunno, but I do like how they turned out :)

Engagement Dress

So when I made my Birthday Dress, which was the Retro Butterick pattern B5748 one my good friends Alicia saw it and asked if I could make her a Engagement dress of similar design.
Of course I said yes, but was stricken with worry about the outcome, as I am definitely not a professional sewer haha...
But I gave it a crack..

She also happens to have a teeny waist and giant boobs so I knew it would be a little more tricky than mine to fit.. but the style would suit her to a tee..It wasn't so bad in the end, as I only had to slightly adjust the shoulders for the bodice to fit her correctly.

Alicia had a similar fabric choice to mine, as she liked the polka dots look:) She also wanted a more defined sweetheart cut for the neckline.
Here is a look at the dress not long before completion (just the hem/final fitting to go)
I also made her a clutch with some scraps whilst waiting to meet her in between fittings.
It was super cute and fairly easy to make, using this great tutorial from Elm Street Life.

 

 

...here are the final product pictures:) Alicia wore the dress with pearls, a satin sash belt with flower adornment and a cute little fascinator she had made by Ruby Mae Millinery

Don't they look cute together? Haha what a poser:)

 

 

Was a great night!!! :)

Birthday Dress

Weeeee it was my 26th Birthday and I wanted to try make something for myself that was a bit rockabilly:)

I bought some blue and white polka dot fabric to go with my newly coloured hair..and started looking for a pattern.
I found this adorable Retro Butterick pattern B5748, which I plan to use many many times..

I slightly adjusted the front of the dress and decided to leave the bow off the front of the dress.
The size i originally cut out was way too big, so I had to do a fair bit of adjusting to fit my bust and match the sides in order for the zip to fit.... you can kindaaaaa not really see how much I'm holding it here, but not really? hahah

I also got my makeup/hair done rockabilly, to match the dress :) 
(You can see the change in neckline here, was rounded....)

and here is a couple of the finished product..

 

 

 

 

I got a lot of compliments on the day, and a stranger at the races even told me she loved my dress. So that was a big confidence booster :)

 

Then my friend Alicia asked if I would make her a similar dress for her engagement party.. and I told her I would be honoured... So we shall see how that goes :) EEEPP!!!!

 

First actual sewing project

So after my first sewing attempt, I decided I needed some help..
So I joined up at The Sewing School. http://www.thesewingschool.net/

Run by Janet it is a great little place that has a positive attitude to learning, and a great group of girls with varied skill levels that love to sew and give advice :)

So after joining the first project I thought I would try was a Butterick Skirt, B5285.
I used a navy wool blend, as I wanted to wear this skirt fairly high waisted and for work.

So what the skirt taught me was this. People who have never sewn before don't realise how long it takes to sew one garment. Especially a new pattern.. even the cutting out of the pattern and material took me about 3 hours hahah.. but eventually I got around to the sewing of the skirt.

The skirt has pleats, which were easier than I first thought, but still a pain..
Also the zip was interesting to learn.. and difficult to remember.. The outcome to the skirt was below..

 

Not so bad, but not so good....
I think stitched the pleats too far down, so it sits a bit weird..

I think I have worn it once or twice, but have trouble pairing it with other items..What do you think?