skirt Archives - Page 4 of 34 - Handmade by Carolyn

brown

16/02/2022 8:52 pm \ 8 Comments \ Carolyn

Yes, it is still extremely hot here. And I am dying a little bit in these photos. But what can I say? I found all of these coordinating fabrics in my stash -mostly leftovers! – and each one was the perfect size to cut out the individual pieces for the skirt. Win! And I also had the acorn brown merino, that I’d bought last year during a sale from the Fabric Store. So I feel like this is a totally seasonally inappropriate outfit that was nevertheless just crying out to be 🙂

The skirt pattern is the new FibreMood Crystal skirt… with some alterations, of course! Let me explain… the pattern is very simple really; the front and back are the same except mirror images, and the waistband is straight. Very uncomplicated. I’ve made several skirts like this in the past and they’ve usually been fine. However, nowadays I have higher expectations of my skirts, and I really really want for all my skirts to have pockets. I know pockets can sometimes be a bit of a hot-button topic.. I’ve been seeing sewing peeps on instagram lately saying that they usually leave off pockets?! and that they hate them?! amazing! but well to each their own. This is why we make our own clothes, yes? not someone else’s. I personally, love to have pockets, so I set about plotting how I could add them to the skirt.

I cut my waistband at my regular size, but cut the skirt pieces a size bigger than I would normally go for to allow for hands in pockets. I also cut and put in slanted pockets, and added darts to the skirt front and back to bring in that extra width to the waistband. Instead of a zip, I made the skirt closure to be part of the pockets, as per this side-opening-over-a-pocket tutorial that I published previously here. It’s quite a good method for adding pockets to a skirt actually 🙂

Added bonus is that my skirt fits really well now too, thanks to the darts!

I bound the edges of the pockets with some other brown cotton from my stash, which appears mysteriously to be grey in these pictures, but honestly it’s a deep black/brown. I used the same brown cotton to bind the hemline.

My top is, of course, my usual modified Closet Core patterns Nettie. This time I used my twin needle to finish the sleeves and hem, instead of bands. I used thread from stash also rather than go shopping just for new thread, and the close-ups show how it doesn’t really match very perfectly… but honestly, the difference doesn’t show up quite that much! Actually, all the close-ups here make the different browns look shockingly different, far more so than they are in real life!

Of course I added some of my new date-stamp labels. Love these!

the caramel corduroy at the top of the skirt was leftover from these jeans, and the two middle cotton canvases were leftover from my Blanca flight dress and my Issey Miyake trousers… the dark brown, lightweight cotton corduroy that I used for the frill at the bottom was not a leftover, but one that Cassie had bought for me from Tessuti during a trip she took to Melbourne one year. And, as mentioned, I bought this acorn merino last year.

Taking into account that I do have some leftovers still; these two pieces used up about 3m of fabric from my stash… meaning this outfit brings me up to 13m for the year! 17m to go!

Posted in: sewing \ Tagged: Closet Core patterns, crystal, fibremood, Nettie, own design, pockets, skirt, top

Cassie’s work wardrobe; finished!

30/01/2022 4:41 pm \ 8 Comments \ Carolyn

Phew! I’ve finished the capsule work wardrobe that I’ve been making for Cassie over the past few months…! Most of these things have been previously blogged, and I’m just rounding up here with the last three pieces…

item 1; limoncello top; based upon NewLook 6483, with widened shoulder line, and slimmed down body. I did have a small amount of leftovers that I hoped would be enough to get a skirt out of, but actually it wasn’t… *sad face* but hey, the plan was just for a top and it is a pretty one after all! Fabric from Spotlight, button from stash.

I finished the armholes and neckline with pink cotton voile cut on the bias, simply because I had no yellow or even yellow-ish fabric that would do… The same pink voile was used to make the little skinny button loop in each of these two tops.

item 2; pale pink top; same NewLook 6483 pattern, but a narrower shoulder line, same body as pattern. Fabric from Spotlight and the same pink cotton voile used to finish the armhole and neckline edges. btw, I did a tutorial on how to do a bias binding finish like these, here

item 3; pink “banksia” skirt; based upon my heavily modified Vogue 8363. I know I always cite this pattern, but I think I really shouldn’t because I really have modified it so extensively that you couldn’t make this skirt using the pattern, actually. Fabric is a beautiful Jocelyn Proust print from Spotlight, and it’s lined using a pink lining fabric from my stash.

We bought these fabrics together last year, back when we first started planning her back-to-work wardrobe as a new Mum, and I estimate that with the lining, and not including a small amount of leftovers that I *think* I can squeeze a little skirt out of, or maybe “something”: I used 2.5m to make these items; bringing my yearly total up to 4m at this point;

but in addition to that….!

Cassie and I are working on a new pattern right now, and I have used another extra 4m of some of my “junky” fabrics recently in sewing samples and testing garments. I may or may not actually wear some of these at some point, but I hope to wear them a few times, at least! Anyway; even though I haven’t blogged those things, my real “fabric used” total is actually up up to 8m and in my #use30from stash challenge: I have 22m to go!

Thoughts! I have some… this is more like a diary entry, more than anything else… so I know this is besides the point really; but I popped into Spotlight the other day to pick up a zip and was sorely tempted to buy some fabric! It was really hard to just walk out with my zip! but I’m determined to use 30m first. Ideally; I would love to get my stash down to a very small amount of beautiful fabrics that I’m really excited to use, rather than being full of donated fabrics that I didn’t choose for myself, or buy, and really don’t “want” to use at all, to be perfectly honest. I don’t want to just toss things out willy nilly though, and am really keen to use the 30m from my stash gainfully.

That’s it! See you soon!

Posted in: sewing \ Tagged: capsule wardrobe, Cassie, New Look 6483, skirt, top, use30, Vogue 8363

work outfit pt 2, blueberry crepe cake

11/11/2021 10:57 am \ 2 Comments \ Carolyn

Phew! I’m currently feeling like the Red Queen! in that I’m running as hard as I can just to stay in the same spot… anyway, a bit late, but here are some more random things I’ve made recently.

Items 1 and 2; new things for the little work capsule-wardrobe I’m making for Cassie… and btw, WHY am I making so many capsule wardrobes lately?! Actually it is kinda fun, so I’m not complaining 🙂

The pistachio green cowl neck top is similar to the previous, avocado green one that I made for her, with a few improvements… I made it from the leftover cotton jersey that I made Theo’s little panda romper from… so they have a matching mother/son ensemble, should they want to wear something like this!

The mint green skirt is from fabric that I inherited from Mum’s stash, when she cleaned it out… it’s a really lovely suiting fabric and we have enough leftover for a little top too, which I’m planning to make next #spoilers

The skirt is another heavily modified Vogue 8363, and lined with mint green lining fabric from my stash; this is an absolutely perfect colour match which is nice! It’s the exact same fabric that used to the blue skirt I made for her recently. Again, the only new thing I bought for this outfit is the invisible zip, yay!

Item 3; I rarely post cooking/baking projects here, but this one was kinda… out of my comfort zone, should I say! I recently came across the Cooking Tree on YouTube and quickly became slightly obsessed with her beautiful creations, her beautiful videos and was completely inspired to give it a go. I picked something super easy, haha; the Blueberry Crepe cake; and for my first crepe cake I’m quite pleased with how it turned out. The mixture was supposed to make 21 layers; my crepe cake has 20 layers because my first crepe was a fail which means there is absolutely zero excess for spares!

Anyway, it was quite yummy and I really enjoyed the challenge of making it, so I’m definitely going to have a go at some other of the Cooking Tree’s recipes 🙂

Posted in: crafty stuff, sewing \ Tagged: cake, Cassie, own design, skirt, the cooking tree, top, Vogue 8363

some cute new work clothes

10/10/2021 6:20 pm \ 5 Comments \ Carolyn

I actually finished these things a little while ago but have only just now had the chance to photograph them… also I have a new policy with regard to making things. I’m planning to alternate making things for others in between making things for me from now on, well for a while at least! I’m really, really trying to get my stash down, and so I’m sewing like a madman lately! Hopefully my blogging will keep up with it all too!

So, a few months ago, Cassie and I helped each other go through our entire wardrobes and make brutal decisions with regards to what should stay and what should go. It was heaps of fun! and we also identified a few things that Cassie needed to go with her existing pieces and just generally refresh her working wardrobe. She selected a few pieces of fabric from my stash, and she also had a few of her own too… and this new skirt and top are the latest things.

The top is kinda selfdrafted, loosely based upon a bodice piece from a really old NewLook dress pattern that Cassie keeps as her “block”, and the cowl neckline is a hack, she got the idea for it from a Pattern Magic pattern book tutorial. The avocado green merino knit is leftover from a long sleeved tee I made for myself, originally bought from The Fabric Store. I did a binding finish on the back neckline, and the armscyes I did by rolling and invisible slip-stitching by hand, because you know; I’m a glutton for punishment.

The lower edge was done with my twin needle, and a not quite matching green thread. All inside raw edges are finished with navy blue overlocking thread, because I do not have matching thread and I’m really determined to buy the absolute minimum in my quest to use up my stash!

The skirt is a heavily modified V8363 – honestly, not even the same pattern by now – and I lined it with a beautiful sea green lining fabric (stash). The skirt hemline is bound with pale pink poplin, itself leftover from some mask lining fabric I bought at the beginning of the pandemic for such a purpose; pale blue button from my stash too. Cassie supplied the blue cotton fabric, I think it was given to her by a relative of D’s who was cleaning out their stash.

The pale blue invisible zip was the only thing I had to buy to complete this entire outfit!

I hope she likes wearing these things! I think she looks great in these colours and shapes!

Posted in: sewing \ Tagged: Cassie, Pattern Magic, skirt, top, Vogue 8363

made some stuff…

05/10/2021 3:05 pm \ Leave a Comment \ Carolyn

thank you so much everyone; all your kind words about Sophie mean so much more to me than I can say…

just a few more pictures:

Now:

I really should blog about these few things that got made, in some cases, weeks ago!… and just for something a little bit different I’m just going to go with short and sweet, bullet point kind of blogging. Ready set go!

Item 1!

a new raspberry pink skirt…
piece 9 in my #make12 capsule wardrobe from my stash challenge that I proposed at the beginning of the year, hurrah!
self-drafted
upholstery fabric from Spotlight stores, and the leftovers from my fibremood Heaven dress that I made previously here
I bought absolutely zero new things for this skirt!
huge pockets
fully lined!
added a nice bias bound finish to the bottom edge before hemming
used the same wine-coloured cotton to line the waistband
actually very pleased with the lining to invisible zip attachment this time
LOVE IT and already worn it several times
am thinking of making this into a pattern and writing an accompanying tute for how to do the zip this nicely!

Item 2!

new onesie for little Theo!

own design, the same one as this one
cute sloth cotton jersey from Piermont fabrics in San Francisco… I bought this when I was out shopping with Shams, Beth and Yoshimi, during Yoshimi’s and my joint trip to USA together. Wow, I wonder if we will EVER travel overseas, ever again?!
I did the back opening a little differently from the last time, and it is not as good. Definitely sticking to the way I previously from now on
nonetheless this is a HUGE success and both he and I (and Cassie) all love it!

Items 3 & 4

little T-shirt and pants for Arthur…

I used some of Tim’s old trousers for the pants… I actually love doing this recycling old clothes/fabrics sort of thing and really want to get back to doing this more again.

self-drafted pattern, using a pair of his rtw leggings to gauge the size needed
I added pockets! so cute …
to line the pockets and make a kind of facing for the faux fly, I cut pieces from an old purple shirt of Tims… recycling/reusing for the win, or what
T-shirt based on one of his currently well-fitting T-shirts.
white cotton jersey thrown out from Mum’s stash, when she did her big cleanout
I bought absolutely zero new things for this cute little outfit too!

That’s it for now! I’ll be more talkative next time, I promise! 🙂

Posted in: sewing, Uncategorized \ Tagged: arthur, baby clothes, babywear, own design, skirt, Theo, use 12, Wardrobe Refashion

check out the checks!

23/08/2021 8:05 pm \ 2 Comments \ Carolyn

Hello! I’ve made a cool new outfit! At least, I think it’s pretty cool, anyway. I think it’s got a strong 80’s vibe; it reminds me vaguely of what the dancers were wearing in Spandeau Ballet’s “To Cut a Long Story Short” video. Oh boy, that takes me back, it was such a favourite of mine.

The fabric is a beautiful wool mix boucle from Minerva…it’s lovely and soft, with a nice, slightly bubbly texture to it, and I love the strong red and green check on a black background. So cool! It did fray like mad, so my first step was to finish all the raw edges on my overlocker

For the skirt; I used an old pattern from the actual 80’s, Vogue 1834, and partially lined it with black silk, from my stash. I’ve made this skirt once before … it can be seen here

The top is the In The Folds Collins top pattern, which I’ve made twice before; here and here. I cut this from the scraps from the skirt, and only just managed to squeak out the pieces! thus the complete lack of pattern matching. This does annoy me a little bit, but actually I had no choice at the time.

When styling it, I decided I like the ensemble best when the top is tucked into the skirt, because otherwise the wide flared top overwhelmed the skirt, and you can’t see any details of it. And this is such a beautiful and unique skirt design! it really demands to be seen. I mean, the top is pretty cool too, but for me this outfit is all about the skirt.

Having said that, though; the top is still pretty cool too, and I really like it worn out over a mini skirt, like here. This is a simple little mini that I made a few years ago, using a tartan wool that I bought in Tokyo during our last holiday there… you know, back when we were allowed to travel *sob*

The beautiful wool fabric is stable and pliable, and was great to sew up but it did fray like mad, so my first step was to finish all the newly cut, raw edges on my overlocker… I also finished some of the raw edges inside the garments such as the bottom edge of the waistband, and the neckline of the top; using bright red, bias cut cotton… this was leftover from my own Yallingup dress that I made for myself here… Want to see a fun video on the making process of this ensemble? If so then that’s great! because I made one! and it can be seen here on my YouTube channel. 🙂 It also includes footage of me leaping about like a loon, so there’s that too…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOImcA5LnKQ&t=29s

Posted in: sewing, Uncategorized \ Tagged: Collins top, daily outfit, in the folds, skirt, top, Vogue 1384

my blue corduroy skirt

17/07/2021 5:38 pm \ 9 Comments \ Carolyn

ok sure, I’ve made a few blue skirts before, and I’ve made a few corduroy skirts before, and I’ve even made a few blue corduroy skirts before too… And now I’m welcoming a new one to my wardrobe! The best thing about this one? a totally awesome new pocket!! It’s almost more like a little bag than a pocket, and I could not love that idea more!

Cassie bought this very thin, lightweight, blue cotton corduroy from Tessuti fabrics for me, on my behalf, when she went over to Melbourne on a holiday with her now husband D… it’s quite lovely and it’s languished in my stash for way too long! I made it one of my “use 12” for this year as a way of forcing myself to finally make something with it. It’s crazy, but I often struggle with using my favourite fabrics, preferring somehow to make things with fabric I don’t like very much. It’s like I’m afraid of ruining my favourites… yes I’m trying to get over this…

The pattern is Vogue 1170 a pattern I’ve used several times before, and the ultra cool hip holster pocket is from the Anzu cargo skirt pattern by Waffle Patterns. I really love this pattern and basically bought it as soon as it was released! I would really like to make cargo skirt as per the pattern sometime, when I have the appropriate fabric. Mmm hmmm; as silly as this sounds, because I still feel like I have masses of fabric, I don’t actually have any appropriate fabric in my stash. AMAZING!! I’m really trying to use only stash fabric for the time being, as much as possible. Hey, if I change my mind about this restriction, then I change my mind.

I added a lining, using my own personal skirt block… and some pretty aquamarine teal polyacetate fabric that was already in my stash too. The only thing I had to buy was the zip!

This is the latest thing in my proposed “use 12” for this year…

If you’d like to check out a quick and fun video of the making of this skirt, then please consider having a squizz at my video on my youtube channel… I even worked out how to add music this time, yay!

I’m wearing it here with two of my recently made merino Nettie tees, my self-drafted tights, and boots bought with a birthday voucher given to me by my friends.

https://youtu.be/YzN8_s3kbC4

Posted in: sewing \ Tagged: Anzu cargo skirt, daily outfit, skirt, use 12, Vogue 1170, waffle patterns

Tali Tali Sandhills

22/06/2021 1:18 pm \ 17 Comments \ Carolyn

I thought about holding off on posting anything about this ensemble until later on, like after the exhibition and I had some pictures of it actually IN the exhibition but … well obviously decided no!

I was thrilled to be invited to participate in FrockOn this year, a collaborative exhibition between Flying Fox fabrics and Ikuntji artists group; an event that aims to highlight and celebrate the work of indigenous artists in Australia … Essentially indigenous designed and printed fabrics were supplied to sewing peeps like myself and we were expected to turn it into an ensemble for the exhibition.

I received 2m of this print; “Tali Tali- Sandhills” by Alice Nampitjinpa. The design depicts the artist’s Tjukurrpa the Tali Tali Dreaming in reference to her country in Western Australia… you can read more here, and even purchase some of the fabric if you so choose…

The print is in khaki and cream on black linen and I really threw my all into making something truly worthy of this really beautiful print! I just wish I got to keep it! a few peeps on instagram suggested I buy more of the same fabric and make another set for myself, but honestly, I don’t know if I have the creative stamina to do that. But anyway! Here it is, in the spirit of continuing to document everything I make, sewing wise on this ol’ bloggeroo … 🙂

I made the top using V1486, a Nicola Finetti for Vogue design … (this pattern previously made here) I love the boxiness of this design and thought it went so well with the clean, very straight and fitted lines of the skirt… the back closes with an open ended zip and I was pretty determined to use a gold zip, the nickel colour did not look good at all… however the gold one came only in a 75cm length so it had to be shortened. This is always a far fiddly-er process than you imagine and I’m always terrified the zip pull is going to be on the wrong side or fly off the top! A solid wedge of hand stitched upholstery thread at the top provides a good thick stop though.

.
I cut all internal facings from plain black linen and made bias binding for edging throughout from khaki cotton batiste … I think this looks quite smart on the inside…

I made the skirt using V1693, an Issey Miyake for Vogue pattern that is sadly long out of print… (this pattern previously made here)

I really love how the asymmetric details of this design play up the jaggedly stripes against each other in such an interesting way, adding a bit of a visual twist to a print that is already quite dramatic!

I made bias binding of khaki batiste to bind inside edges and flat felled the side seams of the skirt inside… I found the perfect blotchy khaki buttons in my stash, and handstitched some “made by me” labels inside both pieces, these are cut from the same khaki cotton batiste and handwritten using a laundry marker…

I am SO EXCITED to see the exhibition virtually in July and to view all the art and textiles work by all the artists involved… it was an honour to be invited to contribute in just this small way … It was very scary to make that first cut but once I’d committed to my chosen designs it was a hugely enjoyable process to work with such special fabric. I posted it off back towards the beginning of the month and just hope it gets there ok! Still slightly terrified!