StyleArc shirt and Butterick B6296 shorts for Lidia

Lids and Tilly  love  the Butterick pj bottoms as shorts. Really, they are a rather fancy pj bottom with the back yoke, the pockets, the separate waistband and the cuffs so I can see why.

Lidia has a pair I made in a gorgeous tartan fabric that my lovely friend, Ana-Sofia sent me from Portugal. She wears these as shorts all the time and requested another 'outdoor' pair.

The very popular pj/shorts in question!

The fabric she chose is an elegant Italian cotton shirting I purchased from the chetWynd fashion house before it closed down, I made Ben a Birthday Shirt and some rather snazzy pjs for a dear Med Student mentor, Taylor.

It is lovely to sew, very crisp and a lovely hand.

I piped all the seams with white piping and interfaced to cuffs and waistband front for a sleek look.

By smoothing the front waistband most of the gathers of the elastic are at the back for a neater finish.

I had a small piece of the most deliciously silky-but-firm  cotton shirting that was begging to be a Archie shirt

I like the Archie shirt, StyleArc make an elegant pattern but they do assume a degree of sewing knowledge . I sew Lekala regularly so don't really find them a problem. I previously made Zara two linen versions (black and taupe) and I believe she still wears them teaching.

The Archie has a two piece collar, lined back yoke, fold up cuffs and a gorgeous over sized chest pocket.

The shirt is cropped to sit a the waist, too cropped for me but rather fabulous for the young and fit of tummy.

A fresh and cute outfit.

For my gorgeous girl.

I love sewing for Lidia, she happily wears whatever I make.

I am so lucky, it's like sewing for life size Barbie dolls.

When I sew garments I like to put a wee watch of the fabric with some spare buttons in a tiny ziplock bag. I always add a pre-threaded needle (as I was given a box of thousands) so if they lose a button they have thread and needle to hand!

Thank you for reading..xxx Nicole 

Lekala #S4108 Dress with button placket for Matilda (and Lidia)

 

Trixie wearing Liddy's dress 

I picked up a pretty rayon remnant for Elsa but Tildy got in first!

Tildy knew the sort of dress she wanted and Lekala #S4180 was closest to the inspiration.

We omitted the collar and I drafted a collar stand. The back zipper wasn't needed and Tilly requested that I  add a sleeve ruffle and waist tie.

I do like sewing with rayon and it falls so nicely.

Mother of pearl button for the win!

The waist tie nips it in nicely but could also be tied loosely for a swingy dress.

I drafted the ruffle by measuring the sleeve cuff and making the ruffle 1 1/2 times width. I finished it with a narrow hem.

Lidia rather likes it too... 

She 'borrows' it all the time.

For some weird reason, my back ruffles and front ruffles did not line up. I am not sure if this is a flaw with the pattern or I put in incorrect measurements but something to be aware of.

Tilly is very hard to sew for so it is nice to have a win.

In conclusion, a pretty dress pattern but I don't know that I will sew it again. I think there are better dress patterns out there and the non matching ruffles is definitely problematic. 

Thank you for reading and have a lovely day xx

Lekala pants with elastic waistband #2222 for Lidia

 Please vote for me here , thank you!

I swear, Lidia is like my own sweet Barbie doll, she lets me sew whatever I wish for her. I am so lucky!

That said... Lidia has started placements at a GP clinic and had a special request. Trousers, groovy and cute but needed elastic back for comfort, pockets for a hanky and spare mask and long legs to cover her support socks. They also had to look good with her comfortable shoes, Not Nana!

Lekala #2222 looked great!

Please note, these photos were taken after a day at work

This pattern is lovely, it honestly looks like a neat trouser. If added belt loops, you could wear a belt and disguise the elastic completely.

A little trick I use on trousers is to press a centre pleat and then top stitch in place, looks tidy and with the correct fabric, the pant can almost become wash and wear.

The pockets are generous and Liddy says her phone stays put!

The back is a little baggy but Lids doesn't mind it, she was really after comfort with these. I chose to do a full elastic rather than partial for ultimate comfort.

Its not that noticeable from a distance...

Lidia likes an untucked shirt anyway.

Pretty bow shirt (my favourite sew) here

In conclusion, another lovely Lekala pattern. The sizing was spot on for Lids and I quite fancy a pair of these myself. They fall nicely in a fabric with a good hand but I do wonder if the leg is a bit straight for a flowy fabric? These will definitely be a tried and true for her.

Thank you for reading, stay safe and well, xx Nicole 

Kara dress by Patterncouture for Lidia, for Zara and Connor's Wedding

 More special wedding sewing...

It was a very special day and Lidia needed a very special posh frock.

I found the Kara dress on Etsy and loved the sleeve, the drama!!!!

We decided to sew a calico muslin as the fabric was quite expensive and it was a new to us pattern company. It is just as well we did as although Lidia's measurements put her in the size S the bottom did not fit at all!

I unpicked the back skirt and recut it adding width in increments up to 5cm on each side at the widest.

Lidia is rather small busted so we like to add padding to the lining. I didn't have any new ones left so I cut up an old bra and covered the foam with scraps of fabric and attached them to the lining. The original dress did not have a lining so I cut one same as main, sewed the two dresses right sides together and then treated them as one.

This worked okay but not great. I feel like you can see a subtle shape on the finished dress. Next time I will use a thin nude jersey or tricot.

The brocade was lovely to sew. It was a dead stock I purchased from an online store in Australia. I would have loved to tell you about them but the owner left me on read when I requested permission to share the website. I always check first and they were only people who have not responded to me in all my blogging.

I added a sleeve next, just basting it to check the fit. It was very snug but wearable as one doesn't exactly do manual labour in a posh frock.

The sleeves are left unlined. I chose to press a narrow, double hem and then hand sew that in place. It took an age but was well worth it. 

I attached the facing and understitched by machine but hand sewed the edges down, catching it mainly to the lining and only to the main every 10 cm or so. I also bound the sleeve seam, continuing that binding under the arm so it was neatly finished.

There was a lot of hand sewing on this dress. Luckily Jerry and I had an interstate trip and did 18 hours driving over two days so I was able to do that then. Car sewing has the best light.

I finished the lining with a nice deep hem. This dress is very, very short and I hoped the deeper hem would help the lining stay in place. I also sewed thread chains at each seam.

I thoroughly enjoyed sewing this dress. It was a challenge and the instructions were adequate but I did sew it my own way due to seam finishes and adding the lining. 

As I said before I adore the drama  of this frock, the backless style, the sleeves, the uber short hem.

The perfect sparkly button from my stash.

Lidia looked incredible.

The peach brocade set of her milky white skin and dark brown curls.

Lidia and Airlie, and up and coming designer with her own label here

Ben and Lidia made a striking couple.

It was a very special day.

Thank you so much for reading ... xx Nicole