Tag Archives: Daily Outfit

some blue things because why not

21/07/2023 9:09 pm \ 1 Comment \

First up; some navy blue suedette shorts!

I actually like wearing shorts in winter; it’s kinda the same as wearing a mini, in my opinion, and personally I think minis are absolutely great in winter.  So why not shorts in winter too?

Suedette is quite a wintery-feeling fabric too I think; this piece is actually leftover from when I made my Megan Nielsen Dove blouse, way back here.  I KNOW!  I surprise myself sometimes with my stashing capabilities.  Too silly for words.

I had just enough fabric to squeeze out the pieces for these shorts, which is awesome sauce.  The pattern is the FibreMood Dahlia shorts pattern, which is a beautifully feminine, roomy design, with a deep deep pleat at the top resulting in chic wide legs, also very deep and lovely cuffs.  These are my favourite part of the shorts actually.  It has pockets too, of course!  Oh, and lastly the waist was a little baggy on me, so I also added belt loops and made a short tie belt.  I really like how this looks on the shorts too!  You can probably see that I used a silver press stud for the shorts closure, it stands out ike a sore thumb in these pictures unfortunately; after I noticed this I went back and added another belt look over the press stud, hiding it.  Thus fixing the problem, yay.

I’m wearing them here with my ivory tee top, my handknitted hand warmers, and my black tights…

What else have I made… hmmm?  Well another maternity skirt for Cassie.  This is another Burda 7023, using navy blue cotton jersey.  I was asked in the comments where this can be bought, I’m afraid if it’s not in your local pattern store then I don’t know, sorry.  It’s kinda hard to get hold of older paper patterns nowadays, very sadly.  I think this particular pattern was from about three or four years ago.  I just gave it to her without taking a photo sorry; maybe I’ll get a photo and update here then  🙂   (later edit: Here ’tis!!)

And I finished another project, this beanie has been a veeeery long term one!  In 2018 we went to Canada and Alaska, blogged about here; and here; and I bought some yarn while there; including this ball of locally handspun and hand-dyed wool in Talkeetna, Alaska.  The label has Wild n’ Woolly on it, but they don’t seem to have an internet presence so I can’t link to them.  The colour is Berry Picking, and the design is my own, but pretty plain.  I started and unravelled it a few times, trying to get the perfect amount of head-hugging, which I think I got in the end.  It’s beautifully cosy!

I’m wearing  it here with my raspberry tee top, my raspberry Paprika Patterns Jade mini skirt, hand knit navy cardigan, navy corduroy jacket (originally made for Sam but he’s given it back to me) my yellow raincoat, black tights…

And that’s all for now!  Our new pattern is going to be ready very very soon, we’ve been working so hard on it, so please look forward to that coming soon!

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white top… ghost horses jumper… patchwork underthingies

30/06/2023 6:11 pm \ Leave a Comment \

Perth dress/blouse

Hello!  I have been so remiss in not posting this top, made months ago now… I wanted a new white shirt and if you’re feeling like a quick and easy shirt project then what better pattern to get out other than my own Perth pattern?!  #shamelessplug

The back pleat goes “out”; I really prefer pleats to go “in, the fact that this one does not was not intentional but a boo boo.  It’s, ok, I can live with it!  I used some white linen/cotton from my stash; leftover from my Charlie caftan that I made *checks blog stats* goodness me, about six years ago now!  And obviously made a few minor mods.

The length is about halfway between the top and the skirt cutting lines, and I lengthened the sleeves as much as I could to about three quarter length.  I really love this sleeve length on a shirt! and for visual interest I added buttoned cuffs.  I also added a little pointy-bottomed breast pocket, for almost the sole purpose of sporting a “circa 2023” label.

I also made the little black flecked white skirt.

Item 2; this (to my mind) absolutely beautiful jumper is also something I finished months ago, and have only just got around to wearing and photographing it for my blog here.

The pattern is Ghost Horses by Boyland knit works… I bought it through her blog site here but you can also get it through Ravelry…

The yarns are:

dark blue: Rowan felted tweed, col 170 Seafarer

variegated pink: Manos del Uruguay silk blend, col SB3317 Kilim

plain pink: Manos del Uruguay silk blend, col SB3236 Clafoutis

Le inside/backside

I bought the yarn from Morris and Sons in Melbourne, during our Harry Potter excursion over there, last March.  Actually, March 2022, hehe; so embarrassed to admit that.  I actually started knitting it straight away and got it to final ribbing stage within a few months.  Then took like forever to decide on the finishing bands.  I didn’t really like the slightly tight look of the finishing bands on the pattern envelope sample and tried multiple variations ie various k/P ribbing combos, stocking stitch, double yarn etc before finally settling on … well, these ones.  Mine is same needle size as body, single yarn, 2K 2P rib, very loosely finished.

And at least it finally is finished!

yea haw!  btw, I made my shirt, skirt and tights too…

Item 3:

I made a new underwear set… all from scraps and leftovers!  this kind of project is super fun for me, mostly because it is so crazy and silly.

The pattern is my favourite, the Cloth Habit Watson, and the fabric is all from projects in my previous post; the T-shirt for Arthur, itself an old T-shirt of Tim’s; and the red and navy stripe from the skirt I made for Cassie.  I had only small pieces, so it was fun to cut and join bits together to get enough for my set!  I know I know, silly and crazy.  But fun!

  

I’m belatedly a little annoyed that the white-fronted knickers are asymmetrically pieced so it looks a little lopsided, but at the time I was just happy to have enough to even cut a front! so I guess I can’t complain…

 

The strap elastic was also salvaged from an old, also me-made bra, the straps though were still in really good nick …  the knicker elastic I had in the stash already too.  In the last couple of years since we moved and I vowed to use entirely from the stash, I’m constantly amazed at HOW MUCH is in there…!

So that’s all for now.. until next time!

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💜 borahae! *

13/06/2023 9:02 pm \ 7 Comments \

Hello!  So, in the never-ending saga that is my making journey, blah blah blah; I want to try and make at least one thing per month for no reason other than it satisfies my creative desires.   This is kinda important since lately I actually seem to make a lot of things that don’t satisfy me creatively at all …   strange, huh?  anyway, it’s just something I want to make time for, for my own personal happiness.

It doesn’t have to necessarily be “useful” or practical either…  just something that I want to make, just because.  While also being entirely from the stash, the other important proviso of course!

Something that’s bothered me for a while is that I have practically zero purple clothing… and nothing purple in the stash either.  Also, today is the 10th anniversary of BTS debut, and being a reasonably recent fan (more on that later) I thought I could observe this milestone and fill the gaping purple hole in my wardrobe at the same time.

I had some cherry red cotton corduroy, originally from Mum’s stash… and I also have plenty of old jeans.  I think these ones were also Mum’s actually!  Thanks, Mum!

Plans were made, patterns were perused, discarded, dyes checked out.  I worked out I could cut out the Named Maisa jean jacket from my corduroy, and also get a little matching skirt out if I cut some of the pieces from the old jeans.  To make everything purple, I would dye the cherry red corduroy with navy blue dye, and the blue jeans would get a red dye bath,  This may or may not have been a disastrous adventure, but you know me, nothing ventured, nothing gained.  I was so excited to see how it was going to go!

Stuff cut out.  Here are the bits and bobs.  The leftovers (middle right) are, I’m proud to boast; practically nothing.  I did save some of them for another little project, yet to be realised…

I made up the body part of the Maisa jean jacket first, and overlocked the edges of the other red jacket bits, for dyeing.

I cut out a few extra pockets… I wasn’t sure where these would go exactly but I just cut and dyed them anyway, thinking I’d find the right spot for them eventually.

The second stage was to make the skirt.  The design is my own, that I’m planning to make into a pattern for mine and Cassie’s tiny little company this year, if possible!  It has deep pockets, and no zip, instead closing over a hip pocket.  I made this completely including lining, before dyeing it as a whole in the same dye bath as the jean jacket body, just with a little bit of extra blue added.  I used a green lining fabric  (why not, ’twas in the stash) and some leftover pink linen from my Lennox dress to line the waistband.  This is how they turned out after the dye job.  I’m really happy with how (to my mind) gorgeous the colours look together!

Last step was to construct the jacket sleeves and collar, and dye these and the rescued jeans pockets in a red dye bath.  I’d added a tiny bit of blue to this bath too, on a hunch; and am quite happy with the level of purple achieved.  Then I finished the jacket construction.   The two extra corduroy pockets got stitched onto the denim sleeves of the jacket, and the rescued denim jeans pockets got stitched to the body of the jacket.  Of course I’m thrilled to have some useful pockets on the jacket!

Some details:  I used copper jeans buttons, these were the only things bought new for the project.  For the most part, I used black thread or a dark khaki thread for the skirt lining and some other parts; and navy blue overlocking thread throughout.  For the skirt; I had two purple buttons already in my stash, which was handy.

Final verdict; well of course all that strong red turned out more raspberry than purple; though the jacket sleeves are decidedly purple.  I still love it though! and am very excited to wear it a lot during winter.  Although I “wanted” purple; raspberry is of course one of my favourite colours; so how could I not be happy?!

* “borahae” actually kinda translates to “I purple you”, and is a BTS thing…  So I’ve been a low-key fan for a few years, but it wasn’t until I started making wedding dresses and spending a lot of time listening to youtube videos and bingeing on BTS Run while I hand stitched tiny lace motifs onto silk and tulle bodices that I really got into them a lot more.  Then during the making of Lainey’s wedding dress, I finally finished viewing the entirety of BTS Run and of course anyone who has watched the show knows you cannot help but eventually became hopelessly addicted!  Aaah!  I’m not going to say any more, because it’s a little bit embarrassing, at my age!  but anyway there it is.  I’ve said it now!   💜

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a simple little frock

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

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!

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have you ever made a dress from a sheet?

24/12/2022 5:34 pm \ 1 Comment \

… because some of them are really nice, that’s all.  I always secretly hankered for this one to be a dress.  Those extra wide stripes!

The design is my own, and I whipped this one up as a sample really, a way of checking my construction method for it as one of our future patterns and to aid in the process of writing it out accurately.  I’ve made two of them previously; this one in ochre linen, and this one in green sparkly cotton.

This is cotton too, a former doona cover, that we had as a spare for years.  It’s lovely and soft, and feels so beautiful against the skin.  During our move, I’d decided we had plenty of other spare sheets and this one was actually nice enough for fabric.

spectator…

Although it wasn’t a serious project I did finish it properly, and ultimately decided I liked it enough to give it bonafide wardrobe space.  I wore it during our holiday in the Maldives, and took these photos while there.  I love wearing this style, it’s a lovely and comfy dress to wear, and I really love the wide, beachy-coloured stripes too.

I hereby deem this dress: label worthy, hurrah!

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orange yoga girl

19/11/2022 2:37 pm \ Leave a Comment \

Remember my pink yoga girls dress? well I made an orange one too!  I used the Nerida Hanson smock dress pattern.. only this one is made (almost) exactly to the pattern with no variations!  shock horror, I know…  how often do I ever faithfully follow the pattern #notever

The “almost” up there? well, obviously it’s substantially shorter than the pattern!  And it is a bit shorter than the pink one too. Not much shorter in the scheme of things, only about 10cm or so; but this small amount has made quite a big difference, I think!  I’ve worn it bare-legged just once, and decided it was too short to be worn without tights from now on.  Am I getting … dare I say it… old?  I’ve never really worried about dresses being “too short” before and now I seem to worry about it quite a lot.

I’m also a touch worried about the sleeves.  I’ve never been a “big sleeve” sort of person, so I’ve passed this trend over, mostly.  This time I decided to take the chance.  I kind like them, they do balance out the skirt quite nicely.

But at the same time they make me a little nervous.  I’ve worn this dress a number of times over winter… always with tights! and because winter is cold I’ve always worn it with a jumper or hoodie or something over the top, for warmth.  That means the sleeves are hidden too.  With summer coming up, I’ll see how I feel wearing this big sleeves on show, as I shed those warm winter woollies…

really love that little burst of orange with my broderie top and my denim jacket!

Anyway, the fabric is so cheerful and fun, it really puts a smile on my face.  I’m going to enjoy wearing it for that reason alone!

have worn it multiple times with my terracotta corduroy hoodie; it just seems to really work well in this outfit combination

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oxen

13/11/2022 9:29 pm \ Leave a Comment \

How cute is this multicoloured “oxen” print?  I saw it on Spoonflower and immediately fell in love.  I bought a little of the cotton sateen last year.  Or maybe even the year before?  Yes, it has indeed been in the stash for a while; and my pledge to use up the stash is still a work in progress!

I used it to make up this unusual pattern; the FibreMood Jill dress.  I know it looks like a fairly featureless dress pattern from the front but from the back the more unique qualities become apparent… mainly a triangular “window” underneath a long opening.  This looks cute but in reality is a bit of a bra-revealer, even though there is a joining bar that is probably intended to be at bra level.  I’ve taken to wearing it over a simple little camisole to eliminate the risk.

The skirt “looks” gathered, but is actually not; in fact there is a casing at the top of the skirt, through which you thread a length of elastic.  At each end of the elastic you attach a skinny tie, which comes out at centre back.

I enjoyed finishing the raw edges inside with pale pink muslin binding; this has been in my stash for YONKS.  An appropriately kindergarten-esque finishing touch is a garish apple-green button.  There’s actually not a skerrick of green anywhere in the print, but it has the same saturation level as the other colours so fits in quite well, I think.

Now, I have worn this dress a couple of times, including once in the Maldives even though it’s not in the “floordrobe” shot, whoops!  but actually the reason it got forgotten because it was by that time awaiting alterations in the rehabilitation ward already.  Yes, it had a few little problems which I knew had to be fixed asap if I wanted to wear it again.

A major problem was a strangling-ly high neckline.  I unpicked the white-on-white under stitching around the front part of the neckline and restitched a new scoop…  taking out a good 4cm in the process.  Re-understitched the facing and bammo!  the difference is subtle and no one would notice but the comfort level for me is stratospherically improved!

But most importantly it was a tad too short for summer wear.  Not scandalously so, but just a bit.  I’d worn it a smattering of times in winter with tights and boots…  voila below; for which the length was fine.

Compounding the problem, it was a little shortwaisted on me too.  Resulting in an almost babydoll look, which is not good on me at all.  So I cut a 20cm extension from the leftovers and stitched this underneath the skirt, at the hem stitching level.  This results in a two layered skirt look which fortunately I happen to like.  And the proportions of bodice and skirt are hugely improved, imo!  Begone, the babydoll look!

I’m gong to enjoy wearing this cute dress in summer!  And if I want the shorter length back for next winter it’s a quick and easy unpick to get the lower level back off again too.  And then maybe I can add it back on again the following summer?  Yes, hmmm maybe that sounds a little odd, but why not?  Updating the hemline to suit the season sounds like quite a good way of enhancing the wearability of my wardrobe, so maybe I should embrace this concept more often!

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pink and blue magnolias

02/11/2022 12:44 pm \ 2 Comments \

Hello!

 

Here is another little sundress I made more recently actually… just in late July if I recall correctly.  I was so excited and getting ready for spring and it seemed like the perfect little spring-time thing… little did I know that winter was going to continue to grip us in its icy cold claws for a further few months.

Even so, I happily managed to don it for a few random warmish days in there, hurrah!  I’m so excited to wear this lots and lots as the weather warms up more, because I absolutely love it!

Firstly, the fabric; is super lovely.  It’s a linen cotton, but feels a lot more linen-y than cotton-y; with a crisp hand that crinkles a little.  The print, Nerida Hanson “Magnolia” in the blue colour way, is really beautiful too, cool sea-blues and a big splashes of pink.

I based my design on the Nerida Hansen half-sleeve top pattern, but of course added some very wild modifications to make the most of the 2m I had… fortunately it’s a very wide 2m and I was able to cut out quite a voluminous and flouncy dress in the end!

 

I really love how my mods turned out and am seriously thinking I would love to make this style into a pattern one day! I know, I know; I have so many ideas for patterns but so little time.  It’s a little sad for me, because I honestly love designing and making patterns and would love to do it a lot more than I do at the moment.  My dream career, if you will  :/

It is actually two very wide and deeply “flouncy” flounces both cut on long curved, asymmetric angles across the body.

Hemming was fun of course  (sarcastic font) because of the bias… I left it to hang for quite a while before venturing to cut off the hemline evenly.  I had no room for error! partly because I had zero leftover fabric to play with, and I had only managed to get a fairly short version of my idea from the 2m.  I cut super super carefully, and got a pretty decent hem, I think.

I did start out with the eponymous “half sleeves” but for balance sake eventually cut them off quite short …   I think the very voluminous skirt looks much nice with the shorter sleeves.

My dress also has pockets, of course.

The flounces were just not possible with just 2m of fabric of course; so each is comprised of multiple smaller wedges, cut both up and down and joined around to make a multi-sectioned piece.  Basically using every single scrap of fabric possible.  The result is good, I think; for the randomness of pattern placement; the fact that you don’t get that slightly obnoxious pattern repeat that you do if you cut things out the normal way.  A little bit of every-which-way in pattern placement does wonders for the a visually pleasing aesthetic sometimes; if you have an obvious pattern repeat.  I often think when I’m checking out designs on Spoonflower actually; that designs could be improved so much if they had a larger scale repeat.  I mean; I’m no visual art expert by any means, but this is just an impression I get.

Probably explaining myself really badly here, sorry.  At least I know what I mean!

“winterised” … as worn on the plane home from Velassaru

Anyway, I guess the long and short is that I am really happy with my new dress.

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