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T-shirt Project: Mokume shibori

Published on 24 March, 201623 June, 2020 by sewTreefog1 Comment

This project started off looking for a way to knock-off this Proenza Schouler t-shirt. It is a tie-dyed t-shirt retailing around AU$400 on ShopStyle. I just hope that most of the cost was involved in the labour to make the t-shirt, rather than the label.

My initial thoughts on how to replicate the patterning was to make horizontal accordion folds and then place rubber bands every 1- 1 .5”. The dye would need to be applied in stripes, with a couple of contrast stripes thrown in. My previous attempts at this type of tie-dye hadn’t worked very well, so I thought I’d have a look at a shibori technique called Mokume (woodgrain). It is a stitched resist form of dyeing and creates patterns like you find in ripples of sand at the beach. Continue reading “T-shirt Project: Mokume shibori” →

T-shirt Project: Iron-on transfers

Published on 3 February, 201623 June, 2020 by sewTreefog4 Comments

This year I’d like to have a play with different surface art and embellishment techniques. So each month, I’m challenging myself to make a t-shirt using a different technique. To kick off my January project, I thought I’d start with an easy one – iron on transfers.

The project for this was a new set winter pyjamas ( New Look 6216). Yes, I know it is the middle of summer here, but it is a good chance to have a play. The flannelette for the PJ bottoms has a really cute fox print and I was careful to cut the fabric so as to match the prints. I then scanned one of motifs using the flatbed scanner on my printer. Taking a photo would also have worked. Continue reading “T-shirt Project: Iron-on transfers” →

Designer Knock-off: Marmot Lobo’s shorts

Published on 29 January, 201623 June, 2020 by sewTreefog3 Comments

I have been snoop shopping for a good design for boardshorts and decided to adapt these Marmot Lobo’s shorts. My ideal boardshorts are short enough to swim in without a heap of baggy fabric, but long enough that I can stop off at the local cafe on my way to the lake and not feel too self conscious.

The Marmot Lobo’s have slant pockets on the front and welt pockets on the back. There is also a small side pocket with an exposed zipper to hold a car key in. I like the style of these, especially the curved lines around the pockets . The outside looks fairly plain with a neat line of top stitching showing the line of the internal pockets. Continue reading “Designer Knock-off: Marmot Lobo’s shorts” →

The swimsuit 2016: Part 2

Published on 22 January, 201623 June, 2020 by sewTreefog6 Comments

My togs are finished and road- swim- tested! Armed with the English instructions the pieces went together like a breeze. I’m really happy with how they have turned out. You can see part 1 here.
Continue reading “The swimsuit 2016: Part 2” →

The swimsuit 2016: Part 1

Published on 19 January, 201623 June, 2020 by sewTreefog4 Comments

Finally, I’m summoned up the courage to tackle this swimsuit (a.k.a. togs). It has only taken 4 years, but I think it will be worth the wait. The pattern is Merckwaerdigh BAD 24. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. It is very distinctive and I was particularly attracted to the version with the stripes on the band. So, way back then, I found some funky striped fabric in black and white and had it shipped across the pond.

I also ordered the pattern along with some other lingerie supplies from ELingeriA. They sent me the Dutch language version instead on the English. Normally this isn’t a problem, having used KnipMode patterns for many years, I was getting to understand enough of what I was reading to be able to put things together. The pattern pieces have different markings for the notches so it is very easy to work out how the pieces go together. But on this one, I was having trouble working out where and when the elastic is applied. Each year, I’d get the pattern out and then get nervous about doing the elastic wrong. Summer would pass by and nothing would have happened.

So while the temperatures here are hovering around 40°C and my boardshorts just finished, I’m determined to get the project off the ground. Continue reading “The swimsuit 2016: Part 1” →

Lekala 4305 (Jacket With Stand Collar) in Denim

Published on 19 September, 201523 June, 2020 by sewTreefogLeave a comment

Last year I made the pattern last year “as-is” in leather and have worn it a lot. I have used the pattern as a base to knock-off of the Kuhl Burr jacket. This post covers the design changes that I made. Please see the original post for more detail on the original pattern / instructions etc. Continue reading “Lekala 4305 (Jacket With Stand Collar) in Denim” →

Pattern Review: McCall 7199 in Printed Mesh

Published on 27 July, 201523 June, 2020 by sewTreefogLeave a comment

When this pattern was first released I was really excited. I had seen a similar style in RTW on Anthropology and more recently, the Style Arc Marie Jacket pattern. The different closures were appealing, especially view C with the toggle closure.

I made it up in a lightweight printed mesh. The fabric is gorgeous but doesn’t show up well in the photographs. I guess I had high hopes for this pattern. It is OK, but because it feels a little long on me, I’m not loving it as much as I hoped I would. Continue reading “Pattern Review: McCall 7199 in Printed Mesh” →

2015 Wardrobe–Waratahs & Wombats

Published on 12 May, 201523 June, 2020 by sewTreefog4 Comments

Autumn is giving way to winter so I wanted tops I could wear by themselves, or under a jacket. The pants I wanted to be suitable for winter wear. I also wanted the items to fit in with at least two of the jackets that I made last year, and all to work with the leather jacket as I wear it so often.
I started with a wishlist of possible choices from surfing Polyvore. If I found an item I liked, I looked at other sets using the same piece, slowly putting together a mix-and-match set of options. From there I went through my stash looking for fabrics that I could use to make one of the items. A few of these, like the black wool & rust cotton were high on the priority list. Unfortunately there was one in particular, a printed cotton sateen that did not go well with the rust cotton, that I couldn’t work into the mix. Continue reading “2015 Wardrobe–Waratahs & Wombats” →

Pattern Review: Patrones Magazine 339 #3 (Pantalon Lasserre) in heavy cotton twill

Published on 10 May, 201523 June, 2020 by sewTreefogLeave a comment

I made these pants in a very heavy, tightly woven cotton twill. The fabric is still a little stiff but should soften (I hope). The style lines of this pattern a great – a bit more detailed than most pant patterns. The princess seams make fitting much easier too.

I may sew this again in the future, possible in a summer weight stretch fabric. The construction, particularly with the pockets, is a little tricky and you will need to be able to grade between sizes. So I’d recommend it for advanced sewers only. Continue reading “Pattern Review: Patrones Magazine 339 #3 (Pantalon Lasserre) in heavy cotton twill” →

Pattern Review: KnipMode Magazine 03-2014 #108 (Blouse) in Raw Silk

Published on 6 May, 201523 June, 2020 by sewTreefogLeave a comment

Ever since this edition in the mail, I’ve had this pattern high on my wishlist. Love the deep V neckline and partial standup collar! Last year I made a test garment up, in long sleeves. For this version I, I made a few changes, especially to the neckline depth, and added bust darts.

The fabric is a hand-dyed silk noile. (Landscape dyes Pacific and 10% currawong). More about the dying process can be found in this post

I love the neckline on this top, especially the partial collar. The changes I made to make the top more fitted and adding the shirt-tail hem worked well. I’d like to sew this again with long sleeves and a plain yoke. Continue reading “Pattern Review: KnipMode Magazine 03-2014 #108 (Blouse) in Raw Silk” →