(Hearts on fire) Ava top

This little pretty is my new Ava top.

This time around I decided to make the top version with the cute little cap sleeves.

I made a few minor changes, I increased the FBA, and use bias binding for hem to give it a bit of a flounce, the biggest change I made to this version was to put a zip in the center back above the peplum, and for the upper back section I folded each side over twice and stitched the sides down (I forget the technical term for it), I made a little loop and added a button to the other side for easy access to get my head through.

It came together quite quickly, although again I had trouble with the sweetheart V, it took a few tries to get it right. In this photo, the sweethearts neckline it looks like it has folds, and looks rumply which isn't the case IRL.

Train sewing, a great way to pass the time.

The cap sleeves are super cute and as you can see from the photos, the upper bust section is dotted Swiss as well as the cap sleeves,I bought it from the Clegs remnant sale, one metre for $4, which is a bargain. The on the edge of the sleeves the dotted balls hang down slightly which makes for an interesting feature. The main fabric is satin back crepe I believe, purchased from Alannah Hill outlet.


I love this top and the style, but I have really struggled to find the appropriate bottom to go with the top, which my hold me back from wearing this more often, and from making about 10 more. If you have any suggestions, I greatly welcome them.

I'll post more photos when I get the chance as the last two was taken in my work's bathroom. I washed my hands, promise. Ewww. :)

I have plans to make the short dress version with liberty lawn and ecru lace but still trying to find the lace......then I think I'm done with this pattern, maybe I'll try one the new Victory patterns.

Where will you be this Saturday?

Christmas cross stitch.

I know where I'll be.........at Rachel's Melbourne Sewist meet up!

Just in case you didn't know about the meet up already, the lovely Rachel from Boo Dog and Me blog is organising a sewist meet up for all those people who love to sew and craft in the Melbourne Area.

We'll be meeting at Tessuti's at 1.30pm this Saturday the 18th and then going for coffees and cake at Time Out Cafe at 3pm. (Click on the Tessuti's link for the store address if you need it.)

I have plans to go to the Nicholas building before the meet up to see what new stock l'uccello and Button Mania have available, then walk my way up Little Collins to Tessuti's, I hoping to get there around noon, so if your early, come for a wander.

Just in case you don't know what I look like, I'll be the girl in the bright yellow dress!

Hope to see you there!!!

Thanks for reading,

Kat

WIP

Simplicity 2444

Simplicity 2444 is more than half way done, need some front skirt alterations.

I had Monday off due to an unfortunate car incident, luckily we've been really quiet at work, so it didn't cause any problems.

I cut out New Look 6130, the colour is a blend of teal and mint green fabric is from Darn Cheap in Heidelberg when we had our sewing class shopping day. I have enough left over to squeeze a Sorbetto top without the fold, it will be the original length which for me is to short, but it will be a good top to wear with skirts. The fabric has a cute woven Circe pattern running through it.

No photos to show but I'm so close to finishing my knit dress made of Ponte from the Clegs remnant sale, I'm calling it my $12 dress. I'll get some photos tonight.

What are you working on?




Coming together

McCall's 6350 bodice

McCall's 6350 skirt

McCall's 6350 is coming along nicely, I still have a long way to go, but I'm very happy my progress since I cut it out last Sunday night. I had a serious case of butterflies cutting the fabric out, but thankfully it went well, I started at 10.30 and was finished by 12.30am, cutting the fabric was a dream, but I realise I need my scissors sharpened now.

 My aim is to finish it on the 10th of March, it needs to be finished by the 10th or its not coming on the road trip, or to the wedding on the 17th. I'll keep you updated....

being cheap at spotlight for Simplicity 8233

Just a quick update on the simplicity 8233, I spent over an hour wandering around the fabric section at spotlight. I picked up many bolts of fabric but rejected them all due to being too ugly 70's,  too pretty, pastel colours that definitely weren't not 70s. I made my way over to the quilting section where I found a vast array of fabric that weren't too hideous but most were over priced at around $15 to $20. I was looking to pay under $10 p/m, cheap i know, but i am never going to wear it again so I'm not spending a fortune.

I found two I really liked one for $4 (hot pink to purple colour with a feather motif and small print)and the other $6 (its a light apple green with tear drop style) I'll post photos when my camera isn't having a fit. I think I'm set on cutting out the hot pink fabric. Is that 70's enough?

In real life news, not related to sewing at all: I am suffering from hay fever, this year has been the worst by far, I am seriously considering moving to the south pole as I'm sure they wouldn't get hay fever. 

The Grand Master Plan

As you know I've set myself a goal to not buy anymore patterns for a while, I plan to stick to that and try to start sewing some of the material I already have, to help reduce my stash. So I've decided to have a master/grand plan.

On Friday night, I went through all my fabric and  patterns and matched them up as best I could. Here is what I plan to do hopefully before the end of the year, I have 11 weeks.

1. Blue and White Polka dots with Vogue 6478 (Vintage)

two darts, the zipper and the hem to go
2. Cornflower Blue Cotton Sateen with McCall's 4870 view b (Vintage)

3.  Black, Pink and Cream silk ( from Tessuti's ) with Vogue 8556

4. Butterick 9265 in Michael Miller's "Midnight Mumms" or Cotton Sateen.
What do you think??

or

5. Vogue 8631 The "Betty dress"

I'm not sure about the fabric, I was going to use it to make an outfit for my niece, but I don't have enough for both.

6. Vogue 2958 (draft of dress only out of calico)

7. Soft Blue Linen with Chantilly

8. New Look 6904 maybe with the fabric from #5.

9. Dark Blue fabric with Vogue 1043. (I'm cheating on this one as I've started and almost finished this, but I'd rather have something ticked off my list sooner rather than later. )

Completed.I also have some fabric that I would love to use but I'm at a loss as with what to do with it, due to the little amount of the fabrics, mostly 2 metres or under.

Cotton Jacquard I bought from Singapore 2mts.





There is more I could show you but I'll keep you in suspense for know. I
 will post more later.



Meanwhile last week I bit the bullet and finally bought a cutting mat and rotary blade I can't being to tell you how wonderful they are! Defiantly a good investment. I don't know why I waited so long.

Do you think I've bitten off more that I can chew?

I'm excited to have such a plan but i don't want to "rush" my sewing experience. I know I'll start off on one of the vintage patterns, then move on to something a little easier. I like to have two projects on the go, to make life a little  more interesting. :p