Unicorn Pj's aka Kwik Sew 3510

So in my last post, I said I was going to start regularly blogging and then I disappeared again! It wasn't my intention at all, but I get busy with life, and then BAM three months goes by. I have been sewing, in fits and starts really, but I do get stuff done.

My latest make, is an extremely cute unicorn pj's set, that I made for my beautiful niece CBB, who turned one in late March. As my twin sister has relocated to Auckland for the next few years, I really feel the need to have special reminders of our family, and this where my sewing skills comes in.

I used my tried and trusty kids pj pattern Kwik Sew 3510, which I am certain I could now sew in my sleep, with this being my 13th set!

I made size 1, and the only changes I made, were to lengthen the neckband, as I was using jersey with 5% spandex, not ribbing. I cut the size 1 neckband originally but I couldn't get it to fit, and I knew if I over worked the neck area of the pj's I would end with a distorted pj top, so I cut a new piece and added just over a cm. Next time I'll add another .5cm if I don't do binding.  I did purchase a complimentary colour binding but it didn't arrive in time.

The back, more unicorns.

This is a great basic pattern, that goes to size 4, I highly recommend it and most Kwik sew patterns.


Project details: Kwik Sew 3510 size 1.
Fabric: Both champagne dots and unicorns organic cotton jersey are from W Collection Fabric.
Modification: Added 1cm to the neckband.

Last remarks: Don't follow the instructions for the elastic in the pants, do a casing instead.

See you in 3 months!

A new start

Greetings, it's been a while hasn't it? 

I fell off the blogging bandwagon when I was having a tough time with life and never really got back on board, thanks to instagram. I feel the focus has changed from blogging to instagram which is usually just one photo per make, and I for one don't find that it's that effective for me and my sewing journey.

I find myself sucked into a world of sewing via social media, looking at fabric, patterns, searching for reviews, without actually doing any sewing, and that isn't a hobby is it? In order to change that, I am going to try and limit social media time, tidy up my sewing area, and keep a project out, and do what I can with the free time I get. 

I am also going to think about what I need in my wardrobe, rather than get excited about the latest indie release that I *must* purchase. I have an excessive amount of fabric and patterns and I am not ashamed of it, in fact, I get disappointed in it when I meet someone else with a larger stash than mine! Silly but true. I am going to shop from it this year, and use the beautiful fabric I have. It's not to say I won't buy more fabric throughout the year, but I do want to wear some of the fabric instead of storing it in a box. 

So I'll be blogging again, haphazardly and mainly using this platform to record my makes as my brain is mush these days. 

Happy sewing! 

Kat x

Melbourne frocktails spring 2016

If your are interested in coming along to our spring Frocktails event, ticket sales start tomorrow. 

All the details are on our ticket sale site www.trybooking.com/MODN

Be warned tickets have sold out in less than an hour, so don't delay! 

Frocktails 2016

Well hello!

Life has certainly been interesting since the August frocktails and it's taken me a while to focus on the next event. 

So here are the details for the next Frocktails....You have spoken, and I have listened, so a summer Frocktails it will be! Don't stress if you don't like the heat, a winter event will also be held. 

Date: 16th of January, 2016

Time: 6pm 

Venue: Collins quarter 

Cost: TBA 

We're sticking to the cocktail and canapé format, with a slight bit of tweaking due to the feedback we received eg for the last event, more food and less alcohol. 

Tickets will be sold through the Sew Squirrel store in a first come, first served basis. There will be plenty of tickets available, and lots of publicity (blog, Instagram) on when tickets will be released. 

In the coming weeks we will be releasing more information such as FQA, ticketing and maybe I'll finally get around to recapping the August Frocktails!

One woman is not an island, so for the 2016 event, I have thankfully received offers of help! 

My main ladies are Renay and Libby, @windingbobbin and @liblib for all the Instagram lovers out there. We have more helpers, and will be shouting out love and thanks to them as the planning goes on.

I will also be sending out all the information on @melbournefrocktails account so you might like to follow it! 

Thanks for reading,

Kat x

Once it's gone, it's gone.

I wrote a lovely long post about frocktails, who was there, what people wore etc and unfortunately when I went to post it, instead of pressing publish, I pressed delete as I am an idiot. Oh well, life moves on. 

Look out for one when the tears have subsided (jokes). In all seriousness, it will be a few days...

Another sewaway make (kwik sew 3801)

Details:

Pattern: kwik sew 3801

Size: M

Fabric: wool blend knit from Gorman

Price: $4pm (the same fabric in blue is $8pm)

Alternations: 

Shaped the arm holes and side seams

Took off 3cm off the side seam
Narrowed the sleeves by 3.5cm - I hate loose sleeves.

Didn't hem the sleeves or bottom hem

Add the sleeves from view A

Comments:

Would I make this again?  

Of course!! It's a great pattern that would look great in lots of sweater fabrics.

The fabric is wonderful, I'm not sure I would look good in orange, yet I wear it anyway, usually with a scarf to put some colour between my face and the top. 

The fabric doesn't fray so I didn't need to hem it.

I will however lengthen the top by 2.5cm and hem it on my next version. 

Shorten the sleeves by 4cm and hem. I just adjust this while I'm wearing it. 

As Liz pointed out, the is something you would see in witchery or the like, however I like my top better than their stuff! I really try not to be on trend. 😉

Notes for next time: 

Cut a small, it runs large. 

The best birthday ever!!

Today is my 30th birthday! 

One to most people which maybe depressing but I'm having such a good time so far that I think it's going to be a great year! 

Day wise

Coffee and cake with my toddler and sister and her toddler. 

Shopping

The afternoon spent at collingwood children's farm. 

Thai dinner with family. 

Present wise

I bought myself a coverstitch machine janome coverpro CPX1000 in January, new in box. I didn't use it until I needed it for my birthday dress. 

I received money so I bought two attachments, with a third on the way!! Thank you friends!!

A spotlight voucher and patterns. 

Nice underwear, I need new bras so I indulged myself on some special stuff. 

Sorbetto: Wildly Unflattering

I thought that this fit well and looked good.
I think not. I wore it out a lot before these photos. It's such a shame as I love the fabric, which was a remnant from the cloth shop, it's beautiful voile, purchased about 4.5 years ago.

What do I really need?

I need a new wardrobe, specifically tops, I've put on more weight, too much really, since the toddler was born, and my old clothes don't fit and my shape has changed dramatically because of it. Im struggling to get it off, so for now I'll live with it. Also I really struggle with what I find to be flattering theses days. My waist isn't as small as it use to be so now I'm not sure what does flatter me.

Taking stock of what I need in my winter wardrobe since it is getting so much colder I need warm layering clothing, specifically a few long sleeve knit tops and some cardigans, a few dresses would be nice but not neccassary. I don't wear dresses that much anymore.

Some patterns I'd love to use:

McCall's 6996

Kwik Sew 3801

Vogue 8952

Vogue 9056

I don't have much more than that planned but I think thats enough for now.

Ps all the drawings/ models are brunettes. Is it a sign? (joking)

What cost?

It's that dreaded time of year...insurance renewal! I hate it, as most  insurance companies won't be giving you a better deal unless you change providers. When I was shopping around for home and contents insurance, I did a very rough tally on our contents and came up with a value. I showed Ben and his first question was "does that include all your sewing stuff?"

I love that man! No it didn't, I didn't leave it out on purpose I just struggled to find a number that would reflect how much I think it's worth and the actual value.
I know what my machines would be worth if they need replacing, but what would the modern and vintage patterns, books, tools and fabric be worth? I think I would be in the low range of five digit! Writing it sounds overwhelming but as long as my stash is kept in storage containers its very managable. I hope to sell my vintage patterns soon.

I hope never to have my house and possesion destroyed as I'm not sure I could bring myself to buy my stash again!

Event: More Frocktail tickets

Frocktails: an update

Well who would of thought that little old Frocktails would garner so much attention! Not I that's for sure. 

Unfortunately Longrain can't accommodate the ladies on the waiting list and because I'm a nice person who obviously loves hard work, I'm now searching for a venue in the CBD for a venue for the same price and up to 40 people. 

So to all those who have a ticket, I'll send you an email once the details are changed (1-2 months max). It will still be on the same night just at a different venue. 

Waiting list ladies, I will aim to find a venue in the next few weeks. Once I have a venue we will release more tickets, to ensure we are fair to everyone I will advertise a date by Instagram, and my blog and this time when they are gone, they are gone. 

The cuisine is most likely to change and now I'm thinking of a cocktail style party to accommodate the extra numbers. I will try very hard to keep the price the same. 

If you want to be apart of Frocktails, and haven't already emailed me, please email me at allegravintage@gmail.com with "frocktail tickets" in the title. If you don't email but comment on Instagram or my blog etc, I'm afraid it won't count so please email me. It's really hard to keep track of everyone and I want the organising to run smoothly. 

Remember you only have 29 weeks and 4 days until the party starts. :)

Frocktails the third. Updated!!

Get your sewing machines to the ready, as Frocktails is back!

Details: Focktails 

When: 8th of August 2015 at 6pm sharp. 

Where: Longrain Melbourne

Dress code: this can be as fancy or as casual as you like. There is no pressure to wear your own creation, it's up to you!

Cost: one "ticket" is $72 per head, this includes all the food but be sure to bring cash for drinks. 

Food: Banquet style, see Longrain's website for the current banquet menu, however it will be a little different in August due to seasonability. 

We are doing things a little differently this time...back at Longrain but now you have to buy a "ticket" to secure your spot. Unfortunately this had to be the case as the Sydney Frocktails there were 4 ladies who didn't show on the night, it's not fair that others have to wear the cost on the evening. 

The ever lovely Sarah of Sew Squirrel will be selling the tickets through her website Sew Squirrel, there are 24 available at this stage with a few more to come pending table space. 

Want to buy a ticket? Well head to http://www.sewsquirrel.com.au/frocktails and purchase away. Please be sure to add any dietary requirements in the comments section. Longrain are excellent at catering for any requirements you may have. 

Just one further note, Sarah and I are not making any money out of the ticket, the price reflects the food, the group surcharge and the payment fees (eg PayPal) for Sarah to set up the ticket. :)

If you're going to talking about Frocktails on social media, can you please make it #frocktails so that everyone can get it to the spirit of the evening! 

Let me know if you're coming! It's going to be fabulous!

K x

Updated as of the 11th of January:

Due to the overwhelming amount of interest, the tickets have now sold out. I will be enquiring to see if we can have 10 more tickets (seats) available to us for the evening. If I am successful I will advertise the first date of purchase ( on my blog, social media etc) to ensure everyone gets a fair chance to purchase a ticket. Remember it's first in best dress and once they are gone they are gone. 

Email me your interest at allegravintage@gmail.com so I can keep you in the loop. 

A Piratey Art Museum Vest

The Baby turned 1 quite a while ago now!

To celebrate that we had kept him alive for so long, cause let's face it, you don't have a party to celebrate the baby, we gave him a pirate party as I can't throw a party without a theme it seems. 

I wanted to make something for his, I mean my special day but didn't want to go overboard! (Get it?) 

Details:

Pattern: Oliver and S 'art museum vest'

Size: 6-12m

Fabric: purchased from fabric.com

Alternations: used press studs instead of button holes, then sewed on 2 decorative  pirate ship buttons on top. 

Omitted the welt pockets, back band, and top stitched the vest around neckline and bottom section. 

Notes: he wore this to childcare a few times, however the button were quite popular and were damaged. The vest is away with his keepsake items. 

Versace in the middle of Africa

About a year ago I was gifted some beautiful Versace knit fabric from my lovely sewing teacher Liz. I had admired and tried on her version of Kwik Sew 3036 which is a sleeper pattern/brand in my opinion.

After some indecisiveness I decided to copy her combination of pattern and fabric, changing the neckline to the other version. I wanted the chain to sit below the bust to minimise my after birth stomach. Obviously from the photo that did not happen. So this top was not worn until 11.5 months after the toddler was born. 

My mum tried it on and in her opinion it looked better on her so I gave it to her begrudgingly. So now she has a Versace top while living in Africa. Shirley, you better bring it back with you. :)

Thankfully not all is lost, I picked up 1.7metres of the same fabric at the 2013 Boxing Day sale at Clegs. Now what to do with that?!

 

Details:

Pattern: Kwik Sew 3036

Size: 16 straight. Then taken in from the armpits by 2.5cm on each side. 

Fabric: Versace knit purchased from the cloth shop Ivanhoe. 

Alternations: 2.3cm sway back adjustment. 

One of many...

One of many applies to a lot of things in my life right now.

One of many piles of mess.

One of many paint brushes.

One of many big sloppy kisses.

One of many scout woven tees...this is my fourth version of this lovely pattern.

I have made it up in a knit, two rayons and now a double gauze.

 

As this was my fourth version it came together in about 4 hours, no joke. I spent more time worrying about pattern placement as no one wants a spotty boob. I bought the Nani Iro fabric and matching bias binding from an Etsy seller on a whim a month or two back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details:

Pattern: Scout woven tee by Grainline Studios

Size: 6 grading out to a 12 at the hips

Fabric: 1.1metres of Nani Iro Japanese Gauze, plus matching bias binding

Alternations: Added 3.1cms to the length and 2-3cm sway back adjustment (it wasn't enough see pooling in last photo)

 

Comments:

I'm hoping the fabric softens up a fair bit as its quite stiff in a way, which affects the style of the tee, I'm not sure its the most flattering of tops, but it is good sun protection and it fills a gap in my mummy lifestyle. First worn on our weekend trip to Sydney, I managed to leave all my accessories at home except my sunglasses!

Kat x

Vogue 1250 - it didn't work for me.

 

I made vogue 1250 for Frocktails (Melbourne 2013), its wasn't what I had in mind originally but the Burda dress I made just didn't do my 4 month post baby body justice. While I have seen some great versions of Vogue 1250, (see Sew Brunswick) I feel it didn't flatter me as well as the other reviews I have read and as a consequence I'll never be making this dress pattern again.

  

I cut a 14 in the top, a 16 in the cowl and waist and grading out to an 18 in the thigh area, as clingy was not something I wanted. I feel that my choice of animal print slinky knit from fabric.com which may of been part of the problem. I wasn't happy with the dress with my body shape so with the help of spanks, I wore the dress to frocktails and felt frumpy and comfortable but not glamorous. I think tiredness won the battle there.

 

I have no photos of the full length dress and everytime I pulled it on, I took it off again. Yes it looks good with leggings but I felt very self concious in it, so one day, I took the scissors to it and chopped  roughly 35 cms off it. I will admit that the front is shorter than the back. Whoops.

Since hacking at it, I never wore it again and it's now in the bin. 

Also one of the reasons I never blogged about frocktails was I hated my outfit and I was so bloody tired. It took me weeks to recover from that weekend and I didn't even drink!

 

 

 

Some time later, I picked up a remnant 1.2 metres of red jersey when I visited to Tessuti with Nic and Helen one Friday night. I needed breastfeeding friendly tops and I loved the fabric, great recovery, and it washes well. It sewed up well too, not a lot of curlying. This time I cut a straight 16 except for the cowl which was an 18 so it would be low enough. I fudged the side seams, and kept the darts and the lower back panel. 

I wear this top a lot!! If I ever have another baby then I will make it again as a top and not a dress. 

Frocktails

I'm currently chatting away while lying in bed across the way from Sew Busy Lizzy. It's hard to believe frocktails is finally here! 

 

Nicole, myself and Rachel flew in yesterday and had a great time wandering around Surry hills and china town. We visited the fabric store and tessuti, both of which had their remnant tables/bins plundered by myself and Liz. Sorry, not sorry to the ladies going shopping there today! And we're off to visit some more fabric shops of Sydney!

For those lucky ladies going to frocktails tonight remember it's 6pm for 6.30 start at China Republic. 

In advance I just want to thank everyone for coming and hope that we all have an amazing time! 

Kat

Frocktails an update.

Just a little update, as Frocktails is a little over a month away!

We have a venue booked, some of the interstaters have flights booked, things are a go!

I'm currently struck down with the nastiest bout of food poisoning I have ever had but I'm hoping to send out all the details in a day or two. 

I hope you're all sewing away! 

Exciting times

No, I'm not pregnant! It's even better than that! I suppose pregnancy isn't an enjoyable experience for everybody. 

Moving on, I'm getting a custom made sewing room! Now as some of you know I already have a sewing room, which I have in my house, however we have being planning for a while to knock down our absestos filled garage/shed, rebuild with a better garage/shed/ workshop area, carport and sewing room! I figure while we are spending thousands to build it, it won't cost that much more to add a sewing room. My reasoning is so intelligent eh?

We're doing the most of the work ourselves unless we don't have the skills of course, but with my husband's work and knowledge and the help of qualified friends we should be able to have it up in a 3-4 month or by December timeframe. Slow and steady wins the races in our household. 

Now onto the best bit, designing the sewing room! In the photo below, this was our first working plan, ignore the dimensions and the window length. To get it through council, it was suggested that we call it a workshop so that the council doesn't think it will become a bedroom, as that requires different regulations. 

My room will be 5550 long by 3500 wide.

 

Along one wall I'm having built in cupboards (600m) with doors. Not sure if they will be sliding or not. If they are sliding, 1-2 doors will be mirrored. 

I'm keeping my current desk, she's a massive beast. We will have to take her apart to be able to fit her through the door!

I'm having a small bathroom complete with a shower, 1000l by 3500w this gives us room for change in the later teenage year or if want to sell, it will help with marketing. 

What I want: 

Permanent wall spot for ironing board,

ideally one that slides down into position but I haven't seen this in Australia. It's important to me that my board has a permanent spot to live and won't take up a lot of space. 

Lots of power points. 

Bright lights. 

The cutting biggest table I can get or make. 

A space for friends to sew. 

A couch to sit & relax. 

Do you have any advice on sewing room setups or building your own?

Feel free to link to anyone's that you may have read about.

Ideally I want it be able to put all my plans down on paper, even my desk layout, so when the time comes to build, there won't be any miscommunication. 

I'll try to blog the experience but its been noted that I'm a terrible blogger. :)