Tag: Tops

Pixel Plaid Shirt Finished

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Pixel Plaid shirt

The pixel plaid shirt is finally finished and I’m so relieved at how it looks.  Quite a few years ago, I made a plaid shirt.  Spent ages getting the stripes to match for it to look really awful on me.   The ghost of that project kept haunting me as cut and sewed this shirt.  To my relief, I like the way the finished shirt looks.  It feels so cosy on and I know it will get a lot of wear.

In my last post, I wrote about deciding on the pattern for the fabric.  This post is mainly about the layout choices. Continue reading “Pixel Plaid Shirt Finished” →

Pixel Plaid

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Last week I dropped into my favourite fabric store.  It is over 100km from home so I don’t get there that often.  In some ways that is a good thing as it is like being in a lolly shop – so many gorgeous fabrics that sometimes it is hard to choose.  On this trip three fabrics followed me home.  The first two are off-white solids – a silk cotton shirting and a textured knit for a jacket. Continue reading “Pixel Plaid” →

‘Start with a skein’ SWAP: Pack 4

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The last part of the new wardrobe is the “wildcard” pack.  The colours can be anything, as long as they match with some (not all) of the items in the previous packs.  I’ve used orange tones in my wildcards. Continue reading “‘Start with a skein’ SWAP: Pack 4” →

T-shirt Project: Mokume shibori

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Proenza Schouler tie dye t-shirt 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

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tp_2016_01aThis 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” →

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

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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” →

Pattern Review :Lekala 4177 ( Peplum blouse) in black silk

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This pattern is a 1 yard wonder!  The peplum takes up most of the fabric, but it is possible to lay the bodice and sleeve pieces around it.

With a number of peplum patterns coming out lately, I decided to give this a go.   I love the way the peplum sits.  It doesn’t have as much fullness as the BMV patterns I’ve looked at and this suits me much better – skims rather than flounces. I wasn’t sure how the hi-lo hem would go as side-on they can just look ill-fitting ( like the hem is being raised because you need an FBA) but it doesn’t look too bad. The length on the front and back is very flattering.  I also like the custom fit on this pattern, as I normally have to make a lot of adjustments for being short with narrow shoulders. It is so nice just to trace out the pattern and sew.

I may sew this again with a variation in the collar or sleeves. Continue reading “Pattern Review :Lekala 4177 ( Peplum blouse) in black silk” →

Lekala 4425 (Blouse with ruche) in raw silk

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I found a photo of this top somewhere on Polyvore last year. It can’t remember the designer, but I loved the top. I was going to try drafting it, but on a whim I submitted the photo into Lekala’s “Suggest new style”. It got the most number of votes that week and a couple of weeks later, the pattern was it up on their web site- made to your measurements – and only for a couple of dollars . The kind of thing you only dream about. Thanks Lekala!!! Continue reading “Lekala 4425 (Blouse with ruche) in raw silk” →