Vogue 7303 Archives - Page 3 of 8

Smudgy colours on the beach

02/09/2010 6:07 am \ 9 Comments \ Carolyn

I often gravitate to the comfort of the drab families of colours like shades of olive, subdued purples, rusty browns and mustards and dirty greys, perhaps the drabber the colours the better they suit me… and yes, this favourite little skirt had to make an appearance before too long! It wouldn’t take much going back over this blog to find me wearing this olive corduroy skirt yet again, to see how I styled it in 6 different ways see here…
The top, however is getting its first outing today. This is the first version I made of the Pattern Magic, page 50 pattern, designed by Nakamichi Tomoko, made up in a very thin cotton jersey in a yummy drab berry or purply putty sort of a colour (I showed it first on Bessie here). It’s been too cold up until now to wear it at all but with the spring sunshine warming up this place fast fast fast I’m not concerned today about the need to reach for the trench coat to cover up… and maybe it’s time to think of shopping for bathers soon?? daring thought…
From a more depressing angle, the thought of that awful first sight of a pale post-winter self in a bathing suit in the harsh fluorescent light of the changing room … shudder… not looking forward to it…

Details:
Top; drafted from Pattern Magic, by Nakamichi Tomoko, grey/putty cotton jersey
Skirt; Vogue 7303, olive corduroy
Tights; Metalicus
Boots Francesco Morichetti, from Zomp shoes

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Pattern Magic, skirt, SSS10, top, Vogue 7303

First day of Spring!

01/09/2010 4:15 am \ 6 Comments \ Carolyn

Woke up thrilled at the first day of spring, and the first day of Self-Stitched September! Then looked hopelessly at all my handmade clothes and felt completely uninspired… blah blah blah, all horrible. Resisted the urge to throw on a completely store bought outfit, oh, I’m such a rebel. I wouldn’t last one second in the armed forces. Order me to do something and I’m very likely to do the complete opposite out of sheer obstinacy…
But I’m nothing if not self disciplined, and I have committed myself to do this and I generally do snap-to and obey my own randomly self-imposed crazy rules, so managed to get dressed after all…
This is a linen shirt I made for my husband and plucked surreptitiously from his side of the wardrobe (I know, tragic no?, stealing from one’s husband so early in the month, but it is stitched by me so I figure I can include it… and I have a dearth of self-stitched shirts) It is made using Burda 7767; with collar stand but no collar, a double welt single pocket with loop button closure, see here for the details. I rolled the sleeves up so I can actually use my hands while wearing it today…
My skirt is based on the basic shape of Vogue 7303, my old favourite. The fabric is handwoven by my mother, so a precious garment in my wardrobe indeed… for a close-up of the fabric see here.
This felt like a suitably semi-smart ensemble for my day’s activities of an appointment, some office errands and office work, and a supermarket visit…

Details:
Shirt; Burda 7767, custom fit to my husband, fine white linen
Skirt; based on Vogue 7303, fabric handwoven by my mother
Belt; Morrison
Boots; di Sempre, from Zomp shoes
Bag; Gucci

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Burda 7767, mens shirt, Sienna, skirt, SSS10, Vogue 7303

Moebius strip, in wearable form

20/08/2010 4:21 am \ 11 Comments \ Carolyn

Oh, I finished a new scarf. Or cowl, more accurately. A ginormous cowl. I finished it a coupla weeks back and put it in one of my photos yesterday, in the outfit that seemed to have been the most popular with my kind commenters. (and thanks all, for your comments! I do love comments!) But the cowl hasn’t been properly introduced here, so here it is in its own showcase post….

I used Patons Jet 100% wool, about six and a half balls.
Tension; 16 stitches to 10cm.

Cast on 50 stitches, K2 P2 ad infinitum until one reaches the required length. I knitted mine to 175cm long. Sew the ends together remembering to put one twist in the scarf before sewing up, so it’s really a giant Moebius strip rather than a loop.
Done!

I like it with two drapes around the neck, but it’s easily long enough for three drapes if I want. It becomes more of a big pseudo-turtleneck collar with three loops.
Seen on my walk this morning below: definitely signs of spring in the air, the arrival of the cygnets. I love watching the new batches of cygnets grow into adulthood.

Details:
Skirt; my own design variations, based on Vogue 7303, pale pink damask
Top; Country Road
Trench; Burda 7786, modified to be double breasted and with added tabs, beige cotton
Scarf; my own design, cream wool
Boots; Andrea and Joen, from Uggies

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Burda 7786, coat, Knitted, own design, scarf, skirt, Vogue 7303

Just blown in…

10/08/2010 5:55 am \ 3 Comments \ Carolyn

Scene 1:
A dilapidated hall. The monthly scheduled meeting of Shoe-aholics Anonymous. A circle of seated ladies, subdued and looking sheepish, but very well shod. All eyeing each others footwear covetously.
Convenor; Ladies, we have a new member, here to confess her sins. Please make her welcome.
Me; Hi, I’m Carolyn and I’m …. (gulps and takes a deep breathe, lower lip wobbling) addicted to shoes.
All in unison; Hi, Carolyn

Yes, it’s true. I stay away from shoe shops as much as possible, in order to avoid wear and tear on the credit card… but look at my New Shoes!! Cool, no? I bought them on a recent day out with my friend J, my enabler and partner in shopping crime… These are going to be worn and worn and worn… I think they are tres stylish and they are as comfy as. Perfect for my lifestyle. Welcome to my shoe shelf(ves) new friends, I hope the other shoes make you welcome and don’t get jealous of your fabulousness.
Oh, and if I look a bit wwwwwindswept here, it’s because I AM. Very. This morning was like being in a windtunnel.

Details:
Skirt; Vogue 7303, green cotton velveteen
Top; Cue
Cardigan; refashioned from old jumper
Tights; Metalicus
Boots; Francesco Morichetti, from Zomp shoes
Bag; Gucci

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: cardigan, own design, skirt, Spotlight, Vogue 7303, Wardrobe Refashion

Data Irretrievable

09/08/2010 6:39 am \ 4 Comments \ Carolyn

I hate technology. No, an exaggeration, I just don’t trust technology. Just when you come to depend upon it, wham! it lets you down. And when it happens, it’s always big-time.
Over the weekend my computer crashed. As my husband says; there are two types of hard drives, one that has crashed, and the other that is going to crash. When you least expect it. I’m a wee bit sad. I’ve probably lost a lot of stuff.
Actually, you know what? I confess, I’m a mite relieved too. It’s too easy to build up such a lot of “stuff” on your computer, info you can’t possibly delete voluntarily, but is actually pretty useless when you get down to it… Old letters I’d kept copies of “just in case”, funny emails, links to handy websites I’d discovered along the way, massive email address book of which I was only using about 5%… I had a lot of downloads sitting there, probably that I was never ever ever going to get around to doing anything at all about. Free downloadable patterns, both sewing and knitting. Inspirational ideas, photos from style.com of garments that had me all fired up at one point or another that I was going to try to re-create in some way… well now it’s clean slate time. Through no fault of my own (that I am aware of) I’ve lost a whole lot of … well, I won’t use as strong a word as junk, but certainly a whole heap of things that may have a certain burden-like nature to them.
I’m looking on the bright side.

This morning: on my way to morning tea with the gals…

Details:
Skirt; my own design, based on Vogue 7303, black lace
Top; Sexy Lady, second hand
Cardigan; Wheels and DollBaby, second hand and repaired to look like new
Tights; Kolotex
Booties; Django and Juliette
Bag; Gucci
Gloves; not sure now, from David Jones

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Fabulous fabrics, skirt, Vogue 7303

“Snow Bunny” beanie

21/07/2010 5:49 am \ 5 Comments \ Carolyn

I know, I know, the name I’ve given my new beanie is kind of ridiculous and inappropriate, given today’s weather you can see in my photo here; blazingly brilliant sunshine in clear periwinkle skies… it’s OK, I’m happy to have the irony in my life. I love the sunshine absolutely, but I can imagine those of you lucky enough to get snow in your winter must be hiding a chuckle at what our Perth winters are like… When we do finally get some grey miserable days with storm clouds overhead (which we will) my beanie will seem more fitting, but I wanted to show it off for today since I just finished it the night before last… and the truth be told I whipped it off for the rest of today because my head got too hot…
This beanie is a plain ordinary beanie, no bells or whistles, made with Patons Jet, a wool/alpaca mix. I bought ten balls of this at the beginning of winter, so expect to see some more projects in this yarn before winter’s out.

Thankyou ladies for the sweet comments you left about my Mum yesterday, she is a beautiful lady and I consider myself the lucky one to have her in my life.

Details:
Beanie; knitted with Patons Jet, colour 100
Tops; both Metalicus
Skirt; Vogue 7303, bottle green cotton velveteen
Tights; Metalicus
Boots; Fornarina, from David Jones
Bag; Gucci

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: hat, Knitted, own design, skirt, Spotlight, Vogue 7303

Noro baggy beanie

14/07/2010 3:48 am \ 5 Comments \ Carolyn

So, here is the other baggy beanie I’ve made for this winter. This is made using one ball of Noro Kuryon? I think? I bought it a few months ago, and have lost the tag so colourway is unknown, sorry!… It’s my own design, but obviously there’s nothing tricky or difficult about making a beanie. The beauty in this beanie is in the lovely knobbly wool, and it’s woods-y shades of moss green, heather-y purple, a touch of fungal yellow, all shades of brown and deepest charcoal.

Tension: 12 sts and 20 rows to 1ocm square

Cast on 60 stitches.
k2, P2 rib to end
repeat for another 11 rows (12 rows rib in total)
Continue in stocking stitch (K 1 row, P 1 row) for another 24cm length, Decrease for crown as follows:
K4 K2 together, repeat to end of row (50 stitches)
P 1 row
K3, K2 together, repeat to end of row (40 stitches)
P 1 row
K2, K2 together, repeat until end of row (30 stitches)
P 1 row
K1, K 2 together, repeat until end of row (20 stitches)
P 2 together until end of row (10 stitches)

Cut thread leaving tail of 15cm, thread through wool needle, pass through stitches left on knitting needle, pull tight and tie off. Sew up seam of beanie… done!

Can be worn long and baggy, or the ribbing rolled up to make it a little shorter 🙂

Details:
Beanie; made by me to my own design, Noro Kureyon
Skirt; made by me, Vogue 7303, olive green corduroy
Top, tights and cardigan; all Metalicus
Boots; Andrea and Joen, from Uggies

Posted in: Uncategorized \ Tagged: Calico and Ivy, hat, Knitted, own design, Sienna, skirt, Vogue 7303

Adding a lining to a finished skirt

15/06/2010 4:16 am \ 4 Comments \ Carolyn

My bottle green basic skirt has had an update! Well, not one you’d see, but one that will make it tons more wearable in my winter repertoire; I’ve added a lining.
The first few times I wore this in autumn I wore it on its own (see left) and all was hunky-dory. Then as the weather turned brisker I started donning tights to keep the pegs warm and an immediate problem reared its ugly head… barely half a day had gone by before the skirt sticking to my textured tights as I walked and riding up in a most unladylike fashion became an issue… something had to be done and fast before I could decently wear this thing out in public again!! So the next time I visited my favourite fabric shop I bought 70cm bemsilk lining in emerald green.
The pattern I used for this skirt Vogue 7303 is ordinarily an unlined skirt with an internal waistline facing and a centre back zip, which is how I made it up for this skirt (this pattern has been used a multitude of ways as followers may have noticed!).
So to line it, this is what I did… I cut out a front (on the fold) and two backs (laid on the selvedge to get a ready-made finished edge for those centre back edges) from the lining fabric (here the skirt is inside out to show the turquoise facing band, this is invisible when the skirt is right way out);

I made up the lining skirt identical to the pattern, leaving the centre back seam un-sewn, and serged the side seams to finish;

Then the precision measuring bit (not being facetious here, it is pretty important to get these measurements as spot on as possible for a good fit). I laid the lining skirt onto the finished skirt, so the seam allowance (1.5cm) is overhanging the top of the skirt. In the picture the red pin is marking a point 1.5cm (5/8″) above the bottom edge of the facing, this will be the stitching line where your lining will be joined onto the facing of the skirt. The yellow pin is marking a spot 1.5cm (5/8″) above this point; this will be the cutting line for where you can cut away the top of the lining skirt. Mark both of these lines on your lining skirt all the way around with pins or tailors chalk. Carefully cut along the cutting line (yellow pin line) around the top of the lining skirt.

Unpick where you’ve previously joined the facing to the zip tape, and with right sides together and using a seam allowance of 1.5cm (5/8″), sew the lining skirt at the stitching line (red pin line) to the facing. Serge to finish and press down. Now sew the centre back seam of the lining skirt to finish at the base of your zip, iron down the seam allowances of the lining and pin to the zip tape. Hand stitch lining to your zip tape…