OOP New Look 6472 Hoodie, Lekala #5657 Polo and True Bias Hudson Pants for Zara

Zara has started her second teaching placement and I received an SOS for a few new things.

Namely, a PE kit, stat!

First up, a new polo top.

Luckily her Lekala #5657 I made her last time still fits well so I knew I could sew another of those up.

I have cropped the pattern, as Zara requested, to just above the waistline.

It's a cute look, that is fabulous on Zara but she says it also works well under a sweater, for work wear.

This pattern is best sewn in a very stretchy fabric.

I used some thick, cotton/spandex, I had purchased from the BullRush factory when it was still in Adelaide.

I had a strip leftover from some other t-shirts I had sewn.

All these t-shirts are still better worn on heavy rotation, the fabric has washed really well.

And I had just enough left to cut Zara's polo and a little KwikSew tee (to be blogged) for Trixie.

Next, a hoodie.

OOP New Look 6472, given to me by a kindly neighbour.
Zara measured, and I cut, the size 12.

I didn't alter the pattern at all, the only difference was that I flat-felled the hood seam so it is still neat when worn down.

It's worth doing this step to achieve a nice finish.

The fabric is the last of three metres of unbrushed cotton fleece I purchased from Eliza's Fabrics (now sadly closed).
I was able to cut this hoodie, the track pants and two KwikSew jumpers for Lidia (to be blogged).
It was super wide.

Although very definitely over sized, it is not baggy, there is some very nice shaping in this pattern.

The hood tie is an old footy boot shoe lace (washed of course) and I caught it in the seam at the top of the hood to make sure it cannot be pulled out.

The bottoms are one of my favourite patterns the True Bias Hudson Pants

These bottoms are fabulous.

I cut Zara the size 12 (as per her hip measurement) but sewed them with a narrow (just overlocked) seam as I wanted just a little more wearing ease.

I think the extra ease works well with the hooded sweater and it more work appropriate.

~Zara's Verdict~
My mum is awesome, I requested a white polo top for my teacher placement after she made me a grey one.
 She made me the perfect one and then also made me a pair of joggers and a hoodie for placement after she heard I went for a 15km walking excursion with my students, in jeans. 
They are all so white, clean and fresh. I will try my best to keep them that way hehe. 
The fit is so comfortable and stylish. Thank you so much mum. 10 out of 10. Five stars. You rule.

Image from Pinterest

I plan on styling the white polo underneath my retro crewneck jumpers with either some Levi jeans or a black skirt. Chuck on my Dr Marten platforms and some white socks and it will be the cutest outfit!!

Image from Pinterest

 For placement however I will dress it far more neatly with a knitted crewneck over the top and nicely fitted black trousers. There are endless possibilities.

~My Verdict~

This was such a relaxing sew after finishing up Lidia's posh frock (to be blogged)

I was able to sew them all up in one day (which was super handy as Zara and Hugo were visiting the next).
I used to say I didn't like knits but I really think I may be changing my mind.
If I take care with my finishes, top stitching and pressing well, I get a lovely garment that is quite satisfying. 
The polo top is a very quick sew, less than two hours. I have found it best not to interface the collar or placket or the pieces don't sew together nicely.
I finished the hem with the wave stitch on my sewing machine. Zara quite likes the 'retro' look of it and it is very strong (just as strong as my cover-stitch, which was threaded with black and can be a sod to re-thread)
The sweater is lovely, Liddy tried it on and she liked it, I tried it on and it fit me too, so I think the size 12 could be very versatile.
I top stitched all the seams and taped the very back neck, to up the RTW feel.
The bottoms, the Hudson pants are awesome, they are such a snappy looking pair of track pants.
I do my waist bands a little differently, omitting the waist tie casing and usually just sew a shoe lace as a faux tie.
I hope Zara feels sporty and comfortable at her placement.

Thank you for reading....
                                          xx Nicole 

OOP Simplicity 5838 Dressing Gown for Beatrix

This is a complete love sew.

I.E. you would only sew it for someone you loved very, very much.

Beatrix was desperate for a dressing gown but she had very definite needs.

A hood was mandatory.

Pockets, (of course)!

A tie.

Absolutely no buttons.
But the kicker was.....

Oh yes, it was that bad.

It was thick, it was fluffy, it was impossible to pin the pattern too.
It snagged on my dry hands and it gave me electric shocks if I moved it too quickly.
I had to cut each piece right before I was sewing it.
Sewing the darts was a leap in faith that I sort of got them in the right position.
I think I may have sewn the sleeves in back to front but who can tell?
Who actually cares?
Not me, I was not unpicking this devil fabric.

The pattern was the only redeeming thing with this sew.
I do like a raglan sleeve, it give such a nice fit and good arm movement. A regular set in sleeve can feel restrictive.
My pattern was a size 4 but it was plenty roomy enough for Trixe although she measures a size 5.

(And, of course, Trixie's delight with it)

She absolutely loves it!

Tilly has been asking me to make some pods for her guinea pigs, so while my machine was full of pink fluff, I decided to sew some up.
I found a tutorial here and it was so helpful.

I didn't have any normal wadding but I was given a metre of thermal wadding (for making lunch bags, I think) so I used that.
It certainly adds to the coziness factor.

When I put it down the piggy ran straight in and snuggled up.

Tilly was best pleased.
And so was the guinea pig.

~My Verdict~
Horrible, awful fabric but a lovely pattern.
It wasn't a pleasant sew but it was quite quick. I basted the seams together and then ran them through the overlocker very carefully as I was nervous that I break a needle or clog up the feed dogs.

I self lined the hood so it was extra snuggly and that is neatly caught between the main and the facing.
I top stitched the facing down and edge stitched the front edge.

I also added belt loops to the sides.

Finally, I added the smallest Liberty swatch, just for me!

~Trixie's Verdict~
I love the fluff of it.
I love how it has a hoodie, because it's fluffy.
It feels really nice inside, because it is nice and warm.
I love the pockets, they have fluff in the them.
I love the colour, I love the fluff, I love the FLUFF!

~Tilly's Verdict~
The guinea pigs absolutely love it, Mum made a second one but they often snuggle up together in the same one.
They wrap up so quickly, due to the thermal wadding.
My guinea stole all the loose mats Mum made and hides them in her pod!
The thermal wadding works so well, you can feel it when you put your hand inside.
The second one has clips to hold it to the cage so they can't sit on it and squash it.

Thank you for reading....
                                         xx Nicole

PS Look at this darling little toy my dear, dear friend Katy knitted 

It is a knitted guinea pig, made exactly like hers!
(She snuck it in her school bag)

WIP OOP McCall's 3871 Dress for Lidia

I adore Pinterest   and love pursuing it for sewing inspiration.

In fact, many, many of my projects have started as an image on Pinterest. 

While looking at dresses for Lidia, some very pretty examples were being 'suggested' to me.

Image from Pinterest

Image from Pinterest.

Now, on Pinterest, when you save an image, it show your more with a similar look.

These images were originally pinned from here

I fell in love. 

Such pretty, pretty dresses but without being fussy.

I asked Lidia if I could make her something similar and she said yes!

Anyone that regularly reads me knows I have a 'thing' for sleeves.

Particularly puff sleeves.

When I found this pattern whilst googling I was enchanted and started searching for it.

My favourite vintage pattern seller had it listed!
Honestly, sometimes I think I have an eBay fairy who finds all the finds.

I knew just the fabric. I had had it sitting in my watch list just waiting for a 'tortoise'.
Due to my huge sewing stash, I only buy fabric for specific projects (i.e. a purpose, or 'tortoise' according to Trixie) now, except for remnants, remnants don't count. ;)

The same seller had the nude colour I was after, serendipitous!

To get the result I was after, I am cutting the nude and black georgette separately but then sewing them as one piece.
This involves over laying, carefully pinning, basting, pressing and then overlocking a seam.
Rinse, repeat.

This process is time consuming but it gives a great result with sheer fabrics.
I used this method when sewing my posh frock 

But, so far, so, so good!


I can't wait to finish it.

image from Pinterest

Thank you for reading...
                                        xx Nicole