Simple A-Line dress

Not exciting, but nice nonetheless! A simple, A-line, princess seam dress made in a gorgeous cotton/silk from Fabric Vision. The pattern is modified from the Burdastyle Book - I've made it before, just made it a high neck rather than a keyhole. Also added cap sleeves. It's fully lined too.
 

Portside Travel Kit: part 1

I plan to make the whole Grainline Studio Portside Travel Set (especially the duffel bag) but thought I'd start with the 'dopp kit' for going on holiday next week (woohoo!). I was impressed with the pattern so far - clear instructions and pictures, and simple construction. And pretty happy with my little bag - couldn't go past the pink houndstooth!

Wedding dress

I used Vogue V1032 as a base for my dress because I really liked the design lines. I didn't want a massive train so I cut the back to be the same as the front. For the top bit, I drafted my own bodice part. That was then boned and sewn on to the waistband. I also drafted the top and the sleeves (just going off a few other patterns I had) to make an bodice top piece that was all joined. The back, instead of being open, I sewed on elastic loop tape and self fabric-covered buttons.

The fabric: satin backed crepe and lace from Grace & Lace in Christchurch. The colour is "oyster". I didn't want a white-white dress so that was perfect. I underlined the entire thing in silk organza to get some nice body to the main fabric. The lace was actually really strong and despite my fears, stayed together even around the arm and neck seams. The back of the bodice was also underlined to give it a bit of strength. The dress has clear bra straps sewed on under the lace to keep it up since it ended up being really heavy due to a {horrible} slippery lining I made the poor decision of using.

The whole thing was about four months in the making. I made a couple of muslins but ended up changing the dress as I went because I couldn't get the bodice right. After a few tries I was so close (about a week to go) to binning the entire thing and making a new one / buying one. But of course it ended up being pretty much perfect and I'm so happy and proud that I managed to make my wedding dress. Never again though!

FYI I made the bridesmaid dresses too. That was not the best experience. They ended up looking so good but I needed many a pep talk to get them finished. Having your two bridesmaids living in other countries and cities does not make for much fun. But hey, here we are!



PS. The veil is from circa 1920... it was my great-grandmother's, and my grandmother and my aunt both wore it to their weddings.. so special.

Burdastyle book dress

Simple princess seamed dress with neckline flounce and button closure, centre back invisible zip and ruffled hem. Plain printed cotton, one layer, no lining. Nice to make something easy for a change.

Lace peplum top

A family friend gifted me a big box of 1960s lace and other gorgeous fabrics. There was only a little of this aqua lace but I had to use it for something. I based it on Vogue 8815, everyone's favourite basic peplum top, but adding a cap sleeve, lowering the back, and adding an extra layer of peplum.

Vogue 8787

And I'm back! A long slog of wedding dress sewing and boring work clothes not worth posting has kept me busy... Anyway, Vogue 8787 is a lovely pattern, very easy to make up. The only adjustments I had to make were to let out the hips a tiny bit, as per usual. The fabric is a gorgeous 100% cotton from Global Fabrics, with a white acetate lining. Made a little fascinator to go with it, and ended up winning "Best Dressed Lady" at my work Cup Day event!

Wedding dress updates to come soon :-)

Tiered dress

Burdastyle 5/2010 Tiered Mini Dress. Not a lot to say about this one. Blue cotton fabric, gingham bias binding, silk lining (bodice only), wooden buttons.

Striped jacket

BurdaStyle Asymetric Jacket 03/2012. Really simple jacket. I used a striped cotton, white open-ended zip and white buttons on the wrist. I didn't make any alterations to the pattern apart from not lining it - just used the facing around the neck. Nice pattern, easy to sew... 

Baby jinbei

Made this from a Japanese pattern for a baby gift. It's nani IRO double gauze in 'Little Letter', and it's beautiful to sew with. Super happy with the way it turned out.

Kyoto shopping

So I went to Kyoto during Golden week, and found the most amazing fabric shop: ノムラテーラー (Nomura Tailor). 3 floors of gorgeous fabrics and notions, including an amazing range of Japanese cottons. I picked up a few things - striped cotton drill for this BurdaStyle jacket and some beautiful Nani Iro cotton to make my niece a baby jinbei (casual Japanese style clothing)... it's going to be sooo adorable!

Spring Macaron

I made this Colette Patterns Macaron in December but couldn't really wear it until now. I didn't mean for it too look so similar to the pattern picture, but I happened to have the light blue cotton in my stash. As for the top part, it's actually silk from the inside of an old kimono, I assume hand-dyed. I love ombre! Anyway, it's a really nice pattern. I didn't make any changes to the pattern and am really happy with the way it turned out. It could possibly have done with a lining on the skirt but I didn't have anything at the time and it's not a deal breaker.

Close up of the silk

And in other news... SPRiNG!!!!

Hanami picnic in the plum forest

and MORE crafting

A little bag/purse for my friend's birthday, containing cute Japanese goodies. I bought a little pack with the fabric and instructions from the craft shop, and added a zip instead of the "magic card holder" they suggest.

Crafting!

I've gotten way more into crafting in Japan, probably because I have less room and less equipment for sewing garments. Plus there are so many cute fabrics here. So here's what's been made lately:

A drawstring bag for my DSLR from this tutorial.

Using up my millions of colour scraps with some little coasters.

Using up more scraps and some felt with a needle book loosely based on this tutorial.

My Minoru: done!

It's finished! It took a while, due to the whole crappy sewing machine/sitting on the floor situation. The machine can't even reverse stitch without catching, so please forgive the sloppy sewing!

That said, I really love it. It's one of the best things I've made in ages.

Pattern: Minoru Jacket from Sewaholic Patterns. I definitely recommend this pattern!

Supplies: Fabric is all from Tomato, in Nippori, Tokyo. Fur and zips are from Okadaya in Tokyo. Buttons are from an old jacket, and happened to match the fabric perfectly.

Pattern adjustments: I lined the hood, added pockets with faux-flaps and buttons, added straps on the wrists and took a couple of centimetres width off the cuffs coz they looked too puffy with the thick fabric. I don't really like the exposed zip on a jacket look, so over the zip I sewed a placket on top, with button loops, and sewed buttons to the front left side. My zip goes right to the bottom, because Japan has bizarre sizing in zips and I could only get super long zips... and I like it better that way. Oh, and in regards to the lining, I wanted it to show on the neck lining so I used the lining fabric instead of the outer fabric on the inside collar piece.

I think that's all! It's super warm, and I love wearing it. Awesome pattern, good sizing, flattering cut.

My Minoru

I've been wanting a parka for ages now (something along the lines of this All Saints parka that retails at £395.00!), so once I discovered Sewaholic's new Minoru Jacket pattern, I thought it would be a good one to use and alter slightly to make my jacket, as the basic style is perfect.
I bought some great thick brushed cotton in Nippori fabric town, Tokyo, plus some red plaid brushed flannel for the lining, as well as some faux rabbit fur and chunky metal zippers from Okadaya Crafts in Shinjuku Tokyo (OMG, go there, it's 2 buildings with 6 floors each of sewing and crafting heaven). But I digress. The changes I plan to make are:

1. Add pockets. Easy, sew on top pockets with a decorative flap and button or metal snap, once I figure that one out. 
2. Faux fur (narrow) around the hood. 
3. Add wrist straps with buttons or metal snaps... I have no idea what those wrist bits are actually called, but I love the look and put them on my last coat. 
4. Add flap over lay to the front with buttons. I'm not a big fan of exposed zipper on jackets, and I want a bit more detail. 
5. Probably make the waist a little less cinched.

 The Minoru Sew-along starts tomorrow, so I better get myself sorted today. Can't wait to sew this thing!