Monthly Archives: March 2023

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a green hat

29/03/2023 3:08 pm \ 1 Comment \ Carolyn

It’s a new season! and I wanted a new hat in a new and different colour from my current collection; something more “beachy” coloured. So I whipped one up. Ka-chhhhhh!

I used the ~~free~~ Sorrento bucket hat pattern by Elbe Textiles. Actually I’d originally written that it was free, which it was when I downloaded it; however now it is not. I’ve made this pattern up multiple times before for my family, as blogged here; and this is the first one I’ve made for myself. I was actually a little inspired by the one I’d made for Sam; he wore it while we were all setting up at the wedding together. I was like, hey that hat has a pretty nice shape. I want to try it for ME!

The fabric is the last leftovers from a pair of raw silk trousers that Mum tossed out quite a long time ago now. I’d originally used those same trousers to make a knitting bag for her, as blogged here. I also used it to cut some of the pieces for this dress; blogged here. So it’s produced quite a few good things in the end! And I lined it with some of the leftover silk crepe that I had used to make Mum’s dress, worn to Cassie and Daniel’s wedding; blogged here. Such pretty stuff.

I installed a hanging loop, and stitched on one of the circa 2023 labels. Still getting a kick out of these!

Bob’s your uncle! Simple and free, which is quite a nice thing 🙂

PS; yes I made the green dress above too; blogged here

Posted in: sewing, Uncategorized \ Tagged: accessories, elbe sewing patterns, sorrento bucket hat, Wardrobe Refashion

mother of the groom

19/03/2023 6:08 pm \ 11 Comments \ Carolyn

Hello!

Finally, I can share the outfit I made for myself for our son Sam’s wedding to the lovely Lainey…

I was too overwhelmed after making her dress to even think of trying out any new patterns for myself so just went with some tried-and-trues in the end…

the fabric pretty special though! It is a particularly luscious and silk velvet that I bought in Paris during a holiday many years ago; probably like about a decade ago, if I’m honest! It’s beautiful stuff, and I’ve been saving it for a special occasion. and what could be more special, than my child’s wedding?!

Patterns; the dress is V1351, and the little jacket is V2894, an old Oscar de la Renta for Vogue patterns that I’ve made once before. The dress pattern is one I’ve used quite a bit; four times, to be precise! it’s a real goodie! I made the jacket because I often feel cold in the evening, even during summer so thought it a good idea to have one just in case. As it turned out I wore it most of the time so thank goodness I had enough fabric!

Both jacket and dress are fully lined with a super pretty pink silk that I bought recently from Fabulous Fabrics. I did look at green lining fabrics but nothing looked right so went with a contrasting colour. Very happy that I did because I really love it.

I added a single welt pocket into the lining of the jacket, under the right sleeve, just big enough for my phone. The top of the pocket is stitched to the sleeve seam inside, so it’s well supported and stable. Even though I did take an evening bag, it was still really good having a pocket. Makes me feel illogically good when I have a pocket in my outfit 🙂

I have very little else to say about this outfit, other than I felt really good and comfortable in it on the day, and am so happy I finally found a good use for this ultra-beautiful fabric.

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: dress, jacket, Vogue 1351, Vogue 2894, wedding

some pretty leafy underthings

15/03/2023 12:32 pm \ 1 Comment \ Carolyn

I’ve made some pretty new lingerie for myself… how lovely is this sweet leafy lace? Sometime in 2020 I treated myself to a Black Beauty kit from Emerald Erin. I bought the Black Beauty bra pattern too; planning to use it with this kit … however. I ran up a muslin for the pattern first – I know! so unlike me!! – anyway, it just was not working out for me. I’ll give the pattern another go sometime, but in the meantime I wanted my pretty new set so just went with some tried and true patterns. Yes of course I’m taking about the MakeBra DL03 and the cloth habit Watson pattern for two pairs of matching undies. My good ol’ go to’s.

I roped in some foam lining from my original MakeBra basics kit, and some white cotton jersey and white lingerie elastic already in my stash to finish up the bra and to make two pairs of matching undies too…

Some making notes:

The Make Bra pattern is a wonderful pattern, but you do have to cut and piece your pretty lace to make the cup covers; and sometimes this just will not look good. In this case it didn’t; the seams in the tulle stood out too much visually, so I cut out some of the motifs from the lace and arranged and appliquéd them to disguise the more visible seams. I really love how this looks and am super happy with how organic it looks.

My two pairs of matching undies are similar but unidentical. I really like this sort of effect in a lingerie set. I actually have a tiny piece of lace leftover, so might even make up another thing with it sometime.

It’s funny; for the last two of my children’s weddings I have managed to make a new set of underwear to wear on the day, and this third wedding for my third child has turned out to be a continuation of the tradition! I shall really enjoy wearing my new set along with my brand new mother-of-the-groom outfit! It even matches! (hint hint!)

Posted in: sewing \ Tagged: cloth habit, lingerie, makeBra, makeBra DL03, watson

a simple little frock

01/03/2023 11:15 am \ 6 Comments \ Carolyn

It’s been a while, but rest assured I’m still making/sewing like mad! just that I can’t show anything at all for a little bit yet…

but I can show this! just a simple little summer dress but better than nothing eh

This pattern is the new Lennox dress from the latest fibremood collection; it’s a very simple and standard sort of a thing but the point of difference in this design is the pleated skirt as opposed to the ubiquitous gathered skirt of which we’re all becoming quite weary… or is that just me??! If so, sorry!

It has a buttoned up front, which I can wear backwards too actually, should the whim strike. In the pattern you’re supposed to use a snap tape, but I happened to have some pretty good buttons my stash. Actually; perfectly sized and perfectly colour-matched buttons… so rare! and so incredibly lucky!! I added inseam side pockets and a little cuff to gather in the sleeves. As is, the pattern has them just hanging loosely open, which I thought looked kinda unfinished. I really love this kinda of loose cuff finish on a half-length sleeve.

My fabric is a beautiful midweight linen that I bought in Tessuti last year, during our trip to Melbourne. One of the few pieces of fabric I bought last year! I think possibly the last before my self-imposed ban on any and all fabric shopping. I allowed myself a few purchases in Melbourne because it got the rather weak pass of being “souvenir shopping”, but honestly t’was a little naughty of me! I do really love the slightly blotchy pink background colour, and the equally blotchy navy blue polka dots. They’re slightly wonky, so pattern matching is kinda spotty; but well you know.

Ah, the good ol’ “circa 2023” label! I really enjoyed dating my creations last year so I bought some for this year as well. Not as many as last year, because wedding sewing has so totally dominated my life this year so far that I’m very aware my output will be considerably smaller too. But hopefully of higher quality!

Talk soon! I should have some VERY exciting things to share, very very soon too!