Burdastyle 10/2009-121 Archives - Handmade by Carolyn

khaki suede top; 6 different ways

20/09/2019 5:22 pm \ 4 Comments \ Carolyn

Last week, on a whim; I randomly decided to mini-wardrobe-challenge myself to wear this khaki/olive suede tee for one whole week, styling it differently each day … I’d made it five years ago! back in 2014 and it’s been such a great versatile piece! It’s mostly a winter-y sort of a thing to wear, though it’s quite nice to pop on for a half-warm but not hot day. A transitional piece, is what the cool kids of fashion would say, yeah. Although, what am I talking about?? I’m the cool kid, well I can dub myself so here in the realm of my own funny little blog at least, anyway! #imtheONLYkid

So yeah, I made this 5 yrs ago, using Burda 10/2009;121 and a very realistic dark olive green suedette that I bought in Tokyo during a holiday there; original post is here. I remember Yoshimi bought the same stuff in pale pink at the same time, and made herself a top too. I’ve worn my own top lots over the past five years, ‘cos it pretty much went with everything I own, though I still did develop favourite ensembles with it. One of those I included in my previous 6-different ways post, with my terracotta skirt! but I decided it would be sorta cheating to include that outfit in with this six too. Although it totally should be here too really, because it still ranks amongst my favourites for this year.

Anyway! without further chitchat! I made every item of clothing I’m wearing in the following pictures, with the exception of my shoes. All items are linked to their original construction post.

Below left: worn with my over-dyed Nettie tee, sage green wool tweed skirt, and my self-designed chenille scarf and black tights; and my old black booties. I love love LOVE the olive green and raspberry colour combination together… Need to establish more opportunities for such in Ye Olde Wardrobe….

Below right; worn with an ivory wool Nettie tee, my purple Jade miniskirt, ivory hand knit möbius scarf, black tights, and my beloved motorcycle boots. I guess purple is basically a variation on raspberry, because the olive/purple colour combo similarly speaks to my soul too! Sadly this little skirt bit the dust last year too…

Below left; proving that chambray goes with everything. I wore this outfit on a warmish day during my recent Week of the Olive Suede Top. My blue chambray shirt is an oldie but a goodie, and the little blue denim skirt is another staple. Also wearing unseen sockettes made by moi.

Below right; with my over-dyed Nettie tee, my once yellow, over-dyed corduroy skirt, a scarf knitted by Mum – oh, ok, there is one item of clothing not made by me! – my over-dyed khaki leggings, and hand knit socks. And my favourite desert boots.

Below left; This is my outfit from just yesterday, an unexpectedly very wintery day. Worn with my mustard merino Nettie, my outback wife barkcloth skirt, hand knit mustard cowl, black tights, and my mustard raincoat. Did I mention that olive green and mustard is another favourite colour combination?! Maybe I should amend that to say, olive green and anything?

Below right; I paired the olive green top pretty frequently with white, black to black-and-white combinations; all of which it looked pretty good with, I thought, lending warmth and life to the general colourless-ness, however chic said colourless-ness may be! I picked this outfit for this post though, because it was one of the few times I tried belting the tunic. I actually like it a lot belted; slightly 80s-inspired in a look that makes me nostalgic, in a good way. I think I should have done this more often I think!

Worn with my Eve dress, black tights. and the lovely suede booties Craig bought for my last birthday…

So! Sadly, the tunic has pretty much done its dash now… while the fabric seemed reasonably sturdy it actually was not; and over years of use it eventually developed a few holes from rubbing and little tears, particular around the side splits and the underarm area. I haven’t actually tossed it out, but I may think about repurposing the fabric for something else sometime. Because I still really really love the fabric!

Posted in: fashion \ Tagged: 6 different ways, Burdastyle 10/2009-121, Sienna, top

a little bit of haute couture…

20/05/2017 7:24 pm \ 28 Comments \ Carolyn

…haha, just kidding. I’ve made some winter jammies for myself.

I bought this lovely, cosy, fluffy cotton flannelette from Spotlight months ago, actually during their 40% off everything sale in the height of summer, you know; when it’s so hot the thought of fluffy anything is too awful to contemplate… however it was rather fun to be able to choose from the full, pre-season range of prints and not just the end-of-season rejects like I normally do, ‘cos I shop at the beginning of winter when all the good stuff has all sold out … it really does pay to plan ahead! Who knew?! I chose this cutie cute-ums woodland animal print… too adorable for words, hmmm?… btw, cutesie little prints are not just for the kiddies. Old hags like me are allowed to wear them too, y’know. I almost bought a pink cupcake print, but this one does co-ordinate nicely with my fluffy slippers.

One’s sleepwear must always co-ordinate with one’s pussycats too, a mandate not often mentioned in fashion must-does even though it’s pretty darn IMPERATIVE

gratuitous pussycat pic

Patterns: well, in the past I’ve used the old pair of pyjama bottoms for all my new ones, and I almost did this time too then I was suddenly like, hold up… I actually have a lovely new pyjama pattern, and one that was named FOR MEEEE!! still pinching myself that Heather was so kind…! Obviously, the ol’ ego kicked in and held sway, and I made Carolyn pyjama bottoms. 🙂 I had to make them a little bit shorter due to not quite enough fabric … I didn’t take into account that my print was directional so I wouldn’t be able to flip the pattern pieces upside down! *kicking myself* I’ve previously made the shorts version of the pattern twice, here and here.

The top; well I used my standby Burdastyle 10-2009; 121 modified a bit… this time to have a higher, wider neckline with no centre front slit. I’ve found in the past that having the low V-neckline in pyjamas, my chest actually gets quite cold in winter and I’ve resorted to wearing scarves over my pyjamas… ridiculous!! so I cut the neckline high so my chest is covered up. I’ve used this Burda pattern three times before… here, here, and here; twice for pyjama tops. It’s pretty plain and boring and the easiest thing in the world to make up since you don’t even have to set in any sleeves… it’s basically like a completely shapeless flat sack with cut-on sleeves, sewn up. I require very little by the way of fancy elegance in my pyjama tops, so boom, done! I overlocked all the raw edges and topstitched the seam allowances down, like faux-flatfelled seams.

You may be forgiven for wondering… why hasn’t Carolyn used the Carolyn top pattern too? well, I did think about it, however I currently have other plans for that top awaiting in the wings; Rosie, @artworkerprojects on instagram has made so many beautiful versions of the pattern including this amazing dress. This version is my favouritest of favourite Carolyns that I have ever EVER seen! and I have the devious intention of shamelessly copying her… very soon, hehehe.

In the meantime… sweet dreams!

Details:

Top; Burda 10/2009;121, white cotton flannelette
Bottoms; Closet Case patterns Carolyn pyjamas, cotton flannelette
Slippers; made by me from floor mops, details here

Also, nothing to do with sewing, so yes, this is a little bit random … recipes make a very rare appearance here on my blog since cooking is not really my thing, but I’ve developed the perfect muesli!! this is SO YUMMY that I just had to share.

I prefer a fruit-free muesli, and for years I’ve been a loyal fan of a commercial brand, until it suddenly and inexplicably changed the formula to have quite a noticeable and very strong vanilla flavour. This completely ruined it for me. I been searching for another one, unsuccessfully… all the ones on the market here either have too much fat or sugar, or contain very highly process components like puffed rice; eww! So I finally got proactive and made my own.

This recipe gives a very nutty and wholesome muesli, that is not sweet. I LOVE IT.

Muesli

1/2 c pecans, roughly chopped
1/2 c flaked almonds
1/4 c sesame seeds
1/2 c pumpkin seeds
1/2 c sunflower seeds
1/4 c linseeds
1/4 c black chia seeds (optional; I only included these because we happened to have some that needed using up)
3 c rolled oats

Dry toast each ingredient separately in a frying pan over low heat, using no oil. The only exception is linseeds, which I’ve discovered will fly all over the place like popcorn so I don’t toast these! Stir frequently while toasting to avoid burning, and tip each into the same bowl once toasted and before doing the next ingredient. Do the rolled oats in batches. Mix ’em all together and let the muesli cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

I like it best mixed with natural unsweetened yogurt… enjoy!

Posted in: sewing \ Tagged: Burdastyle 10/2009-121, Carolyn, Closet Case files, pyjamas, recipe

ziggyzag madness

05/08/2015 5:03 pm \ 30 Comments \ Carolyn

buzzy buzz
I’ve made some zigzaggy bumblebee pyjamas, but not for me. This was a request. It is nice to get a request! well, every now and again I mean. Not too frequently, hehe.
I know they look pretty baggy on me but I’m happy to report that they do fit their actual owner very nicely. 🙂
The cotton flannelette is from Spotlight, and the colour and print were the choice of the recipient. Fortunately I pretty much had design carte blanche; the only stipulation was the yellow zigzag for the bottoms and the black for the top. I was worried about it all being a bit bland and/or strange looking, so decided to insert some piping from the other colour onto each piece for a bit of interest and to tie them more to each other, make it look more like a “set”. And it’s funny, because the fabric didn’t turn me on much at first, but doing that piping detail really turned them from “meh” to “hmmm, I think I likey!” for me! Now they’re finished, I even think, ahem; maybe I love them, just a little?
Serendipitous discovery of the day; chevron makes a rather attractive piping insert.

The yellow cuffs might look like an interesting design decision but were really a necessity born of lack-of-fabric, because I barely had enough of the black to squeak out the pieces for the top, and the pyjama-recipient wanted lovely long sleeves. Much longer than I had enough fabric for! eeeek! One thing I’ve learnt to my cost is that the Spotlight range of flannelette is very narrow; annoyingly so… grrrrrrr!
Although once I put those yellow cuffs on I actually love them too. I was very worried they would look weird too. Miraculously I think they do not. The top actually looked rather blah without them.
So woot! New jammies to keep my loved one beautifully warm and cosy for these last nasty days of winter, and I can tick another item off my list.
Also, I discovered there’s nothing quite like a set of oversized pyjamas for bringing out the diva supermodel in one’s posing repertoire…

Patterns:
The pyjama pants are traced from off of a previous pair, and have a faux fly, elastic waistband, side seam pockets and a folded cuffs with piping insert. The top is based upon Burda magazine 10/2009, top 121, with a minor modification; namely for the neckline to have an almost grandpa-like buttoned placket, but made with a front and back inner facing. The buttons are navy blue, also as chosen by the recipient. They work surprisingly well with black and yellow!
I’ve used this same top pattern twice before, firstly for my very own winter jammie top here, and secondly for my olive faux suede top.

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Burdastyle 10/2009-121, own design, pyjamas

olive faux suede top

30/08/2014 1:46 pm \ 25 Comments \ Carolyn

I’ve made a new top 🙂
Yoshimi and I saw this very realistic faux suede while out shopping together in Tokyo last January and we both bought some to make tops. Yoshimi made her lovely pale pink top quite quickly. And now I’ve finally made mine too; at last! I’m embarrassed to be so slow!
I used Burda magazine 10/2009, pattern 121, a rather plain and unassuming little pattern that caught my eye from the first; a nothing-to-it kind of a pattern really but with an understated, relaxed, almost sporty chic that is quietly modern and urban. And sometimes very plain and basic is the best choice, especially when you just want the fabric to speak for itself.

And obviously, the fabric is everything in this bare-bones design! I trialled this same pattern recently to make my flannelette PJ top, which is comfy but about as un-chic as you can get! but hey, flannelette. This suede is only about a thousand times classier. When your fabric is really beautiful it’s hard to go wrong I reckon, so I was pretty sure it would turn out ok.
And fortunately, I think it did 🙂

The pattern is designed for real suede or leather, so it’s quite roomy and easy-fitting to suit a heavier and inflexible fabric like that. Thus why it works so beautifully as a PJ top, natch. It has a long centre front split, so you can just slip it over your head, and splits at the bottom edge of each side seam. I sewed it up like I would fabric, not suede except; I left the cut edges of the sleeve and lower hem edges and the neckline edges clean-cut and unfinished, like suede; since my fabric is quite stable and doesn’t fray.
I’m very happy with it and think it looks quite nice with my bootleg jeans! And I still have a little bit leftover, maybe enough for a skirt. But what should it be like, hmmm. I’m thinking something asymmetric and off-kilter, with a random feel to it. Possibly with some hardware. But too crazy, maybe? Something to ponder for a while 🙂

Details:
Top; Burdastyle magazine 10/2009-121, olive/grey suedette
Jeans, Burda 7863, burnt brown bengaline, details here
Socks, knitted by me, details here
Shoes; Francesco Morichetti, from Zomp shoes

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Burdastyle 10/2009-121, Sienna, top

Jim jams

26/06/2014 7:21 am \ 32 Comments \ Carolyn

Mundane, but oh so welcome and necessary. I’ve been absolutely freezing!!! at night lately and my old winter jammies were as thin as! so this was highest of high on my list of priorities. But it had to still sit waiting patiently in the wings for the all important Magicka robe to get made first, ahem.
Both top and bottom are made from nice and warm fluffy cotton flannel from Spotlight; the top is a modified version of pattern 121/122 from Burdastyle magazine 10/2009 and the bottoms are kinda self-drafted.

The top: actually I’ve been eyeing off this Burda magazine pattern for yonks and dreaming of making it up in a suedette and this new jammie top is sort of my “muslin”, if you like. I loathe wasting fabric on muslins and nearly always prefer to make something hopefully wearable, even when testing out a new pattern for the first time. So; this PJ top. It was a little bit hideous in its first, unmodified state; I ended up shortening it by about 12cm; slanted off the front neckline to be a V-neck and sewed the slit together at three spots which were covered up with three little buttons.
All the seams are sort of a faux version of flat felled seams. By this I mean I sewed all the seams normally, overlocked the raw edges cutting close to the seam stitching and then laid the seam allowances to one side and top-stitched them down 5mm (1/4″) away from the seam stitching.

at left, “looks” like a properly flat felled seam, but on the inside, o noes! it’s plain to see now that this is the cheat’s version…

I also added an interesting breast pocket; this was also a rough try-out for this pocket that I pinned a while ago.

The bottoms; standard regular baggy trouser bottoms with an elasticated waist. I made them the same way I’ve been making my PJ bottoms for yonks now: namely years ago I saved an OK-fitting RTW pair that had had it, and cut it up for a pattern. I’m saying “self-drafted” because I’ve made multiple minor modifications, in this case an added a faux fly front, narrowed the waist and raised the waist rise, made them wider in the leg and longer in the leg and added in-seam side pockets. My advice, PJ bottoms are like the easiest thing in the entire world, so when you are looking for a good pattern, just cut up an old pair for a pattern and make your own little modifications, do whatever you like, it’s almost impossible to stuff up PJ bottoms. Easy peasy, and you can spend that money saved on the fabric for your new pair instead!

Details:
Top, modified version of Burdastyle magazine 10/2009, 121-122, cotton flannelette,
Bottoms; self cobbled together, cotton flannelette
Socks; hand-knitted by me to a 60’s pattern, details here