OOP Butterick 3642 Top, McCall's M7843 Pants, Zara XMAS

 I like to make my chaps a sewn gift each for Christmas, but fittings and keeping something a surprise can be tricky so I have to rely on good measurement taking. (Not to mention them not being available for said fittings)

I wanted to make Zara some pretty, fun pieces. She changes her 'aesthetic' frequently so I chose fabrics that I thought she may like but Liddy liked as well so if Zara didn't want them, it was not a problem. I guess I considered the garments 'wearable muslins'.

I love this pattern so much!

It needs to be sewn in a very, stretchy knit. The neck is fully faced, with an interfaced piece and you are also instructed to apply interface to the main top. This keeps the neck from pulling out of shape and prevents tucks when sewing an interfaced knit to an un-interfaced knit.

The bottom of the top has a slightly gathered elastic casing and I decided to do the same to the sleeves hem (gather, rather than leave floaty).

For the bottoms I used McCall's M7843 view D.

I shortened the legs by a few inches (at the shorten line) and also tapered the legs in at the knee and kicked out a bit more at the hem to exaggerate the bell bottom.

The seperate waistband give a smart finish to an elastic waist pant.

I used the leftover fabric from Zara's 21st dress (to be blogged) a very soft and pretty knit from Spotlight.

For her second outfit I made her a blouse and skirt.

The blouse is a similar style to Matilda's top 

I used some pretty, apple green cotton gingham from deep stash.

I decided to gather the sleeve cuffs with elastic rather than leave flounced.

For the skirt I used Lekala #5984 in a stretch cotton drill from Massdestash on eBay 

I shortened the hem and raised the splits slightly.

Zara requested the next one a little shorter and the splits a bit higher but the fit was perfect!

~Zara's Verdict~

(Couldn't pin her down) 

~My Verdict~

I had a lot of fun sewing these pieces up for Zara. I doubt she will pair any of them as outfits (although I loved them on her) but I hope will wear them with other things.

As wearable muslins, they were a great success. I am so happy with the fit considering they were all sewn by measurement only.

Lidia was very taken with Zara's top too and has requested her own versions.

It's a reasonably complicated sew, very much a 'top' not a 'tee' but the results are worth it.

The pants were a very quick sew and now I have a pattern sorted I shall be able to sew them on demand. I think they could make a nice trouser look bottom in a ponte or heavy weight jersey too.

The blouse has won my heart! I could see it in eyelet, soft denim, lawn... the list in endless and as it ties, it is adjustable.

I nailed the skirt (If I do say so myself) and I think this will be very handy for Zara as a work skirt (as is) and a shorter version for fun!

Lekala rarely lets us down.

Thank you for reading .... xx Nicole 

Lekala blouse #4293 and Deer and Doe Chataigne shorts for Matilda

*Please note, I have a moving slideshow further down my blogpost, please be aware if you are photo sensitive*

 I am hoping to have family photos taken in June. After a group chat, we decided we would like something a little edgy similar to a cast photo.

Lidia was super helpful and started a Pinterest board tagging my Sister in law, who's business Adelaide Portrait Studios is taking them for us.

Image from Pinterest

Deciding on a colour 'scheme' was next. I felt very uncomfortable 'telling' my adult children (and their partners) what to wear so Elsa suggested choosing a palette, and working from that.

After much discussion in the Keller group chat we came up with the above.

Tilly was keen to wear Lidia's coat and asked for some new pieces to wear with it.

First, a blouse.

Tilly chose the flouncy Lekala #4293 made in a linen/cotton mixed leftover from Trixie's new dress. (To be blogged)

The fabric was from deep stash and I think I was given it from a dear neighbour when she retired from dressmaking.

Thank you Mrs Brady!

The blouse is lovely with lots of details.

It has a seperate front placket, collar stand, tulip sleeves and lots of lovely darts for a good fit.

I love a good shoulder dart!

The underarm seam is finished with binding which you could hand sew in place for a clean finish (Tilly will/is wearing this a lot so I wanted it sturdy so I machine sewed)

The pattern had a single layer for the tulip but I choose to self line rather then have an hemmed edge.

The flounces are supposed to be finished with a machine rolled hem but I just couldn't get it to work. My machine kept eating the flounce!

So I gave up, cut a new one and finished with a very narrow zigzag.

She loves it!

She has some growth room (which is great) but we are very happy with the fit.

For shorts we chose the Deer and Doe Chataigne 

Which I have sewn in the past for Elsa

Lidia wears them now so I had them for Tilly to try on. They were a bit big so I traced the size down.

I used the very last bits of the herringbone wool to make these!

That was one eBay bargain that went a long way!

I decided to line the shorts to make them warmer to wear and guard against any itchiness.

To add a lining I ...

#1 Cut the front lining up to waistband height, did not cut pocket opening.

#2 Under-stitch pocket openings rather than top stitch.

#3 Treat full short lining like a skirt, sew the tops together before the legs and pull shorts over one leg so they can still turn, then pull through and attach leg cuffs.

When sewing the faux flaps, I stitched with the seam allowance turned in and then hand sewed in place.

No visible raw edges.

They turned out so snappy!

These are a great shorts pattern for Tilly.

Liddy is a bit miffed they don't fit her!

Matilda is very happy with the look.

She also put together this outfit.

Which is pretty snappy too.

The waistcoat was made for Liddy

Sometimes hand me downs are good!

I look forward to sharing the other sews soon!

Thank you for reading xxx Nicole 

OOP Simplicity 7000 Dress for Matilda

 Matilda had a vision for her Christmas Day frock.

She wanted it long and swishy with ruffles and fancy sleeves. Matilda chose the linen/cotton fabric from Spotlight, herself, and spent quite some time choosing her pattern.

I quizzed whether she really wanted all those frills and the long length and she did!

I wasn't too sure how it would look (I was worried it would look terribly old fashioned) but it was actually quite pretty.

The ruffle is finished, separately, and then top stitched in place so it would be possible to remove it, if you wish.

The sleeves are deliciously full  at the cuff with a neat little sleeve placket. I used hessian knot buttons to close it.

I was concerned the dress may be a little scratchy but I didn't want to make is too warm, so I used a partial lining.

I laid the Bemsilk lining over the outer bodice fabric and then treated them as one. The skirt lining hangs separately at the sides but I incorporated the lining with the zipper at the back.

A very satisfying sew.

As you can see, a very straight forward sew.

I didn't get the chance to take proper photos, but Jed took some snaps in the lovely Japanese Gardens in Adelaide.

Which was just as well as Tildy has had a HUGE growth spurt and it doesn't fit anymore....

And guess what? She didn't wear it Christmas Day as it was too hot, she wore swimmers!

Matilda has grown out of ALL her recent sews and jumped size 12 straight into a 14!

My baby girls is growing up!

Thank you for reading... xxNicole