Summer wardrobe planning

To put my fashion flats drawings to the test, I’ve been using them to plan my summer sewing.  Two possible wardrobes are emerging with the colour scheme coming from the choice of swimsuit fabric.  One is a colourful ink-blotch print and the other is a striking digital print.

After doing the tech drawings, I’ve scanned them in so I have a digital copy that are all the same scale.  It was fairly easy to identify a few of the designs which didn’t suit me.  I also printed a reduced scale version that I cut up like playing cards to match with the fabrics I had in mind.  It made mixing and matching the patterns a lot easier as I could compare the proportions of a top with a bottom. Continue reading “Summer wardrobe planning”

Craftsy Class Review: Drawing fashion flats

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to watch and make use of the Craftsy classes I’ve accumulated.  I’ve also stuffed my ankle so I’m looking for more sedentary things to do at the moment (twiddling my thumbs for 3-4 months is going to test my patience).

Anyway, the first class I’ve watched has been Drawing Fashion Flats: Designing Construction Details   I often do sketches when I’m trying to knock off a garment I’ve seen or see how a pattern’s proportions work on my croquis, so I thought I’d give this class a go.   I have been working on plans for a summer wardrobe, so I could put the class to work by drawing out my plan. Continue reading “Craftsy Class Review: Drawing fashion flats”

Goretex Gloves and Gaiters: The next challenge

I think I probably did too good of a job on the hut boots.  He’s been showing them around and now I have orders.  Even saying that they have to BYO goose down wasn’t a deterrent.  Now DH has given a pair of 30 year old Goretex overmits and a manky pair of gaiters.  My next ‘challenge’ was to  create new ones. Continue reading “Goretex Gloves and Gaiters: The next challenge”

2016, the year in stitches

It is hard to believe that the year is almost over.  Time to have a quick look back at my original goals for the year and see how the year went.

I’d have to say that my 3 favourite things that I made this year was the swimsuit (Merckwaerdigh BAD24), the knit biker jacket (My Image M1459) and the pixel plaid wool shirt (Knipmode).  All three have had a lot of wear and I’m planning another version of the swimsuit very soon.  A close runner-up was a hand-dyed T-shirt – just love the colours.  Probably the most challenging has been the hut booties for DH.  I’m hoping the weather is a little cooler next week so I can finish off the second boot before I forget how it was done 🙂 Continue reading “2016, the year in stitches”

Hut boots: Final version

Tadahhh!  We have one left hut boot ready for Christmas.  He’ll have to wait for the second as we’ve just started the first heatwave of the summer.  As much as I love him, I’m not willing to be stuffing goose down into the liners when its above 400C.    Here is a pic of the final product. Continue reading “Hut boots: Final version”

You want me to make what???

For the past year or so DH has been asking me to make a pair of bivvy boots for snow camping.  Wha? Probably best described as a sleeping bag for your feet – aka. hut boots.  The ones he wanted were goose down filled and cost about $150.  He tells me the insulation is 1-2″ thick.  Can’t find a comercial pattern that would help much, especially as the insulation is so thick.  I was hoping he’d just buy them, but alas no.   Somehow these have turned into his Christmas present 😦 Continue reading “You want me to make what???”

4 patterns => 11 piece wardrobe

I’ve been following the speculation thread for the 2017 SWAP on Artisan’s square.  One of the suggestions was to use four patterns to make the 11 piece wardrobe.    This afternoon, I put a pen to paper and came up with a couple of quick options for a casual wardrobe and a sport one. My first impression was that four patterns would be fairly bland – but it is actually not too bad if you change collars, lengths of sleeves or add some colour blocking.  See what you think. Continue reading “4 patterns => 11 piece wardrobe”

Iro Jacket Knock-Off: Part 1

Iro jacket
Iro jacket

I’m working on a knock-off of this jacket by Iro.   Part of the appeal was the waffle fabric.  The fabric I am going to use is hand-woven, a honeycomb weave, to have a similar texture to the original, but not as bulky.
The first jacket I tried weaving fabric for, I ended throwing out because my weaving wasn’t even. It was an expensive mistake so I’m taking a lot more care with this one ( and using much cheaper yarn) Continue reading “Iro Jacket Knock-Off: Part 1”

Winter sewing – the complete 12 piece wardrobe

As today is the last official day of winter, it is time to checking on my progress with my Winter SWAP plans.  The format for the SWAP is the same for my previous swap.  This format helps me focus on the colour and the wildcards allow a bit of fun as the don’t have to be worn will ALL of the other pieces.

Some of my pieces are for work, some business-casual and others for the weekend.  Mostly I've used patterns I've used before which meant I didn't have to worry about fitting.  Two patterns, both from My Image magazine, have been on my stash for too long and I'm so glad I tried them.

Pack 1 Black silk knit shell,    bengaline pants,    denim jeans
Pack 2 Cream / Brown Knit blazer,     rayon knit shell,      stretch sateen pants
Combo All wrap front top,     colour-blocked top
Wildcard Red knit biker jacket,     utility jacket,     rayon knit shell,     canvas pants

 

What I wanted to achieve…

Main colours:   black, dark brown, cream and red.

Expand options for these jackets (black wool jacket  from 2015, brown leather jacket from 2014, Tosti jacket form earlier this year

Really need:

  • plain knit tops to wear under a jacket, esp cream and black
  • black jeans and dressy pants
  • red jeans to go with the Tosti jacket

Nice to have:

  • dressy knit jacket
  • hand-woven jacket - sadly I didn't finish this project.  I made the body section of a Chanel style jacket - complete with quilting.  But shelved the project because I accidentally cut one of the front pieces from the sampling section.  -> My check pattern was wider on one front than the other.  I may come back and re-cut the piece or re-dye the fabric

Overall I think it has been a success.  My favourite pieces are the biker jacket and utility jacket. The other solid tops and pants mean I have plenty of options to wear them.

Lekala 4466 Knit Blazer and other finish objects…

Lekala 4466 in a textured knit

lekala_knit_blazer_cream_frontI bought this gorgeous textured knit from my “local” indie fabric store at the same time I picked up the pixel plaid wool.  The pattern I had in mind was Lekala 4466  which is designed for knits and has a shawl collar, princess seams and two piece sleeves. Continue reading “Lekala 4466 Knit Blazer and other finish objects…”