Travels and Travails of Belle

2012 sewing goals

2012-02-08T17:30:00.000-08:00

Goodness how time flies!

This year, inspired by The Unclutterrer blog, I've decided to make monthly sewing goals. Let's see how I went in January 2112:

muslin the Butterick dress - almost done, wiht assistance from ant_queen of Ant Country. Construction of a test run dress is scheduled for this coming weekend.
sew a garment for Rachel's daughter, Keira (9mo) - almost done. The pieces are cut with construction also scheduled for this weekend.
post some pre-loved garments for sale on gumtree - nopt done, but I have organised for a stall to sell off some vintage clohtes in Feb
have a refashioning/sewing day with ant_queen - done! We had a lovely day together durign my end-of-January holiday, including much tea and talk and watching Paper Giants, which she gave more for Christmas.

Photos to follow.

As for the next few weeks, here's what is planned:

sew a garment for Amber's baby, due in early March (sex unknown or at least undisclosed)
finish Butterick dress
hold a stall at the Nth Melbourne Markets to sell off vintage garments (19.2.12)

March

have that long-promised millinery day with ant_queen
Birthday outing 31.3.12.

Winter Holiday planning

2011-06-07T21:11:00.000-07:00

Once again we are departing Melbourne for 10 days warmth and relaxation in July. This year we are going to Timore Leste, where Hubby will have just finished a work project.
Hubby tells me that, in Timor Leste, women swim (or bathe perhaps) in t-shirts and shorts or similarly modest apparel over their swimsuits. To do otherwise will most likely attract unwanted attention. Now, I don't have any shorts that are suitable for swimming. In fact, I own very few pairs of shorts indeed.
I was just checking out the restylista's blog and saw this post
Perhaps the answer is a play suit in seersucker or similar light-weight but opaque fabric. Sewing out of season will be a challenge, but I have been tempted by the idea of a playsuit for some months now, although I could not imagine myself wearing one.
Now to see if I have/can find a suitable pattern.

Vintage Pattern Sale

2011-05-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

Out of the Ashes is having a 15% off sale. You can't have this pattern , though, it's mine :D

today I sewed!

2011-03-20T01:19:00.001-07:00

http://thegreatvintagesewalong.blogspot.com/2011/03/progress-at-last.html

A little bit of Shopping

2011-02-11T22:15:00.000-08:00

Today my lovely friend montjoye took me with her on a recce of this shop, which happened to be having a 50% off sale: The Fabric Store

A little like Tessuti, The Fabric Store stocks high quality, designer fabrics. I went in with a bit of a mission - fabrics for work clothes, and I am very pleased with what I bought. I have: purple cotton knit for a wrap jacket; teal merino knit for stretchy tops; sage linen and brown with orange floral print silk for blouses; a french navy and white striped cotton jersey with a faint grey/sage floral print background for a 'Friday' top; and I had to have a black and white printed linen that looks remarkably like this fabric about which Gertie has recently blogged: Vintage Roses

Oh and a little black and white spotty remnant for refashioning the bottom of that Beechworth skirt.

During the week I collected the shelves to go in my new sewing room storage units (I had ordered frames and tub/drawers, but forgot the shelves). Now, after a busy day's shopping I am trying to get up the motivation to go and re-arrange the sewing room.

I think I'll go and do 30 - 45 mins, then rest with an ep. of What Not To Wear that I have recorded.

Summer time Swap

2011-01-22T16:20:00.000-08:00

Next weekend I am going to the Rose St Market Swap.
During the Xmas/New Year break I had another sort and cull of my clothes and identified more garments that I have shrunk out of and/or don't wear. I think I have more than the 6 items permitted, so I will either store some for the next swap, donate them or perhaps sell them on eBay.
Last swap I came home with some very nice garments, which makes me optimistic about this one, and even if I only come away with one or two new garments, it will be well worth it, as all the left over garments go to charity.

Pic Spam - vintage dress muslin

2011-01-22T15:51:00.000-08:00

Muslin front

Muslin back

Black and White Beechworth skirt

2011-01-14T23:11:00.000-08:00

My family often holiday in Beechworth, a smallish town in North East Victoria. One of our traditions is to visit the local op-shops and spend a few dollars. I have recently found lots of great, vintage patterns in those shops, som eof whihc may feature here over the course of the year.

Over the New Year's weekend I picked up this skirt. I fell in love wiht the fabric, but the length was all wrong for me. I think this skirt was made by or for its former owner. It has no labels whatsover, and the navy blue zip has been shortened to size.

A quick and easy re-fashion, I shortened it to just above the knee and hemmed it. I have plans to use the bottom section, which has only one side seam (note the side split to teh knee of the original) as part of a wrap skirt.

As fir my hair, it is pulled up in a clip at the back, I haven't had a significant haircut. I did call my usual place, a hairdressing school in the CBD, for an appointment this week, but they are not longer open on weekends, and I can't take 2 hrs during a weekday for a cut, so I will have to find a new service provider.

Stay thrifty!

Pondering

2010-10-31T18:55:00.000-07:00

I have just found Syrena's blog via the Sew Retro blog today: http://balcsgirllovesvintage.blogspot.com/

What piqued my interest is that she describes herself thus: "a stay at home mom and housewife with traditional values that reflect those of the mid 20th century when women were homemakers & men were the breadwinners."

While I share Syrena's love of and fascination with sewing and vintage fashions, styling and sensibilities, I yet I also find myself the breadwinner, with a stay-at-home student and homemaker husband, and no desire to procreate.

I just thought this was interesting, the way people can share similar values on some things (modesty for example) and be so polar opposite on others.

Viva la diversite!

National Clothes Swap Day – only 6 more sleeps!

2010-10-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

Monday 25 October is National Clothes Swap day, and I will be heading to The Clothing Exchange’s Melbourne event at Federation Square. I am very excited about this, as I have shrunk out of some of my favourite clothes, and haven’t the cash to spend on new ones.

Friday night, while Hubby is on a boys’ night out, I will review and edit my wardrobe into the following categories:

keep;
swap;
sell;
refashion;
donate.

My wish list for the “buying” part of the swap event off the top of my head is:

Jeans (I have 2 pr, so one more would be good)
Capri pants or dress shorts
Dress (es)
Skinny belt(s)
A full skirt

After my wardrobe cull I will have a better idea of what’s missing in my wardrobe, and what colours, cuts and fabrics to look for. I am very excited. I hope I find some nice things to take home with me.

P.S. The Janeway Project was a huge success – watch this space for details, but here is a sneak peak. How handsome is my hubby!

The Janeway Project – that hair

2010-10-11T23:11:00.000-07:00

Over the course of the 7 seasons of Voyager, Janeway sport 3 distincy “everyday” hairstyles (there are others for specific scenarios, but as I am doing her day to day look, I will gloss over those for now). They are:

Victory rolls

The chignon

The bob

Since I am not prepared at this stage to cut my hair into a Janeway bob, that leaves chignon or victory rolls. Knowing that I like to have my hair off my neck when it gets warm, and knowing it is likely to get warm in the convention centre, this year I am opting for the chignon.

Luckily, I have very 1940’s hair, with a great deal of body and wave. I have been experimenting and practicing, and I am quietly confident that I will be able to pull off a convincing Janeway chignon – watch this space.

The Janeway Project - muslin update

2010-09-29T02:17:00.000-07:00

I have made some great progress with the Janeway Jacket pattern. Here you can see the muslin, modelled by my lovely assistant, Delores. The right side is more or less the original Burda jacket pattern, with a slight alteration to the sleeve. Clearly the neckline was too high and the head of the sleeve too 'high' or 'puffy'.
On the left side you can see the modifications I have made. First I re-shaped the front opening and neckline to better reflect the Janeway Jacket.

I also flattened the sleeve head to take out some of the bulk, which you can see here. It did also mean that the sleeve is a little snug around the bicep, so I have added a little more room at the back of the top sleeve piece which I hope will solve the problem. I have not yet muslined that sleeve, so I will probably do that before I cut the fashion fabric.

In these photos you can also see where Helpful Hubby has drawn on the seam lines for the colour division.
Next I unpicked the muslin and cut along those seam lines. Next I re-traced the now divided pattern pieces, remembering to add the 1.5 am seam allowance at each division.
So, this week I will buy the fashion fabric and over the weekend I hope to cut and pin the body pieces from the fashion fabric and then, if I have time, muslin the new sleeve before cutting it in the fashion fabric.

An answer to a wardrobe dilemma

2010-09-25T01:07:00.000-07:00

Although I don't mention it here very often, I am mid-way through my weight-loss journey. I have lost a little over a dress size since Christmas 09, and intend to lose one more over the (Southern) summer. While I am thrilled with my results thus far, I have shrunk faster than my sewing, or my wallet, can keep up with, which has left me with lots of lovely clothes that fit poorly, and a limited number that make me feel good in them. Nor do I want to spend a lot of time and money on garments that I plan to shrink out of within 6 - 12 months.This left me with a wardrobe dilemma. I do frequent my local Op Shops semi-regularly, but the sizes and styles available can be limited.

And then I stumbled upon a solution -

National Clothes Swap day!

The details of the Melbourne event are below. For other locations, check out the Clothing Exchange page: http://www.clothingexchange.com.au/Clothing_Exchange/Events.html

The Clothing Exchange’

A swapping event for the ladies

Admission $25

Check-in 6.30pm

Monday 25th October

BMW Edge, Federation Square

Melbourne

Partners Ethical Clothing Australia, Fitted for work and Frankie Magazine

The Janeway Project: Phase 1

2010-09-08T00:34:00.000-07:00

I plan to attend the Saturday of Armageddon Pop Culture Expo dressed as Capt Janeway from Star Trek Voyager. I have 5 weekends left to construct my costume (I ought to have started earlier, but there’s nothing like a deadline to motivate a seamstress).

Phase 1 is the distinctive jacket as seen here:

http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Kathryn_Janeway

I will be using a Burda Style magazine pattern. The first step is to do a ‘first draft’ or mock up so I can work out Burda’s at times mystifying instructions, tweak the pattern for fit, and then tweak the pattern to achieve the signature Star Trek parti-coloured finish.

Then I’ll be buying fabric and beginning construction. If I get the jacket completed I will look at an under-shirt; if I have insufficient time, I will use a grey marl round neck t-shirt I already own. I have already bought the communicator badge and captain's pips from an online store, and the red hair, well, that part is easy.

Wardrobe Refashion Spring 2010 Pledge

2010-09-03T02:31:00.000-07:00

I Melbourne Belle pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months.
I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract.
I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed

Melbourne Belle

My personal goals for Spring 2010 are:
1. sew from stash
2. work through my refashions-in-waiting collection, and
3. Tackle (or trash) some UFOs.

Back on the re-fashion Wagon

2010-08-28T23:19:00.000-07:00

I've signed up for another 2 months Wardrobe Refashion, kicking off on September 1, and to celebrate, here are some photos of me at a recent wedding. My dress is a navy blue with bone polka dots dress by Husk, which I found in a local second hand clothing boutique. The blue bolero has been in my collection for a while, and probably came from an op-shop. The necklace is a Fiji souvenir, and the brown boots are Target.

Wrap skirt

2010-07-23T23:40:00.000-07:00

The weekend before we left for Fiji I decided I needed one more garment, either a skirt or shorts. I had some light weight printed cotton in my collection that worked well with the palette of my Fiji wardrobe. After letting it sit on the couch amidst the rest of the Fiji wardrobe for a few days, I decided it was skirt fabric.

I chose New Look 6637. The envelope says "Easy 2 hours" and while the construction is easy, it seems to me that the "2 hours" refers to time spent on construction, exclusive of cutting the fabric etc.
Once I had cut out the skirt pieces I decided the fabric was too lightweight - I was worried about transparency - so I underlined it with scraps of poplin from other projects.

All in all the project took me about 7 1/2 hours, but I did stop for meals, laundry etc. I think its the first time I've started and finished a fashion garment in the same day.

I'm quite happy with the finished garment, and will probably make 1 or 2 more for the Aussie summer. Perhaps I'll even make one a tiny bit shorter. I might also alter the side seams to give it a slightly more A-line finish, if I remember.

I am glad I added the underlining, as I think it would have been not only transparent, but a little fly-away without the extra weight.

Vintage Butterick 6621 - skirt

2010-06-26T19:24:00.000-07:00

I may have mentioned here that I am currently on a weight-loss journey that has seen me drop at least a dress size since Christmas. I hope to drop one more before the end of the year. This, of course, means I am shrinking out of my clothes, in particular, skirts and trousers. Recently I realised that I have nothing suitable to wear in the events of external meetings or job interviews (my current contract expires early November).
My grey suit jacket still fits reasonably well, but the skirt that matches it is unflatteringly and uncomfortably large. Remembering that I had some grey patterned fabric that was gifted to me years ago, I turned to my pattern collection for inspiration and came up with this:

Notice how in each picture the model wears her jacket buttoned up? Now I know why - the skirts and pants all have gathered elasticised waists. Of course, had I bothered to read the garment descriptions when I bought the pattern I'd have know that all along. Gathered waists are not normally my style, but as it turns out, might be just the thing while I am "between sizes" as I can cinch in the the waists without having to significantly alter or unpick the garment.

And so, here is my first attempt at Butterick 6621:

Hmm, that invisible zipper in the back isn't as invisible as I thought.

I've styled it here with a belt to cover the gathered waist. This is how I wore it to work on Friday. I'll post pics of it styled with my suit jacket for a more formal look next week

I'm not sure I'm loving the centre front seam. Perhaps its just not the best fabric choice for this project. I might try it again with a more drapey fabric. And I'll also experiment with tweaking the pattern to cut the front as one panel. But its comfy, and based on this success, I will also try out the other garments in the wardrobe, perhaps for a spring capsule collection.

Coming soon - Travel wardrobe

2010-06-15T20:15:00.000-07:00

Inspired by (a) Gertie of Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing and (b) the mini wardrobe challenge I am starting to think about a capsule collection for my imminent Fiji holiday. We plan to leave in 2 ½ weeks, and instend to be away for ~10 days. It has rather snuck up on me; therefore, I am trying to tell myself I cannot possibly make an entire new holiday wardrobe in that time. Instead, I will compile a collection from my current closet, and perhaps expand and accent it with a few carefully chosen sewing projects.

Stay tuned for pics of the starter collection this weekend.

ALF supporter gear

2010-06-13T05:36:00.000-07:00

So I've been seeing (coveting) the official Essendon FC Earflap Beanie around the games. Attending outdoor football games in winter in Melbourne means lots of layers to keep warm. I always have trouble with drafts down the back of the neck and behind the ears. (Does anyone else get cold backs of ears in winter?)

I did have a(n unofficial, unlicensed) supporter beanie, but it did not have earflaps. I also had an old black t-shirt of Hubby's, and some red thread. Now I have this:

It probably took about 2 hours work all up.

It's not quite as sleek as the official one (I tried to post a pic but the cut and paste didn't work. It's over here if you are really interested http://www.essendonfc.com.au/bombershop/product.asp?bshop=2010061322143237&id=1349&scat_id=32 ), but it's unique and will do the job. Although I did just bust Hubby reclining on the lounge in it, so I might have to make a companion one for him.

Days 4 & 5

2010-06-11T02:19:00.000-07:00

So I have come to the end of the 5 day challenge, and still have not tried out all the combos I had in mind. Perhaps I'll wash everything and do another few days later in the month.
Day 4 was back to trousers, this time paired with the black knit top, watch pendent and ankle boots.

Day 5 - Friday - was red plaid skirt, white top, aqua cardi, watch pendent and scarf.
I tried to do a Grace Kelly head scarf.

I think we can agree it did not work. It is handy to have a scarf to put around my neck or shoulders in the office when it gets cool, so I was glad I stuck it in my handbag.
I have enjoyed wearing this red skirt this week, except that the lining is badly torn, and there is nothing like bending over at work to pick something up, and hearing it rip just a little bit more. I think I will remove it entirely, and instead invest in a few half slips/petticoats to wear under it.

Mini Wardrobe Challenge Day 3

2010-06-09T04:41:00.000-07:00

Today's outfit was: black dress - grey long sleeved t-shirt - black knee boots - vintage belt worn as necklace. I later added the scarf when it was cool in the office.

Mini Wardrobe Challenge Day 2

2010-06-08T04:07:00.000-07:00

Firstly, I was out and about this afternoon so thought I'd take an outfit shot 'on location'. But since I felt a bit goofy taking photos of myself in Magnation, I only took one, and it ain't my best work (I seem to be really sticking my tummy out. Note to self: poor posture = poor photos).
Today's outfit comprised: black knit top - red plaid wool skirt - black knee boots - vintage belt - pendant watch - outer layer

Mini Wardrobe Challenge - the collection

2010-06-07T02:18:00.000-07:00

Brain is too tired to figure out how to put words in the other post. I think I have to do words first then add photos. Anyway, I have made my decisions for this 5-day challenge.
My 10 "core items" (inclusding shoes) are:
Navy blue trousers - black dress with white detail - red/aqua check skirt (making its debut in my wardrobe having bene recently thrifted) - white long sleeved t-shirt - grey long sleeve t-shirt - black knit turtle neck top - black ankle boots - black knee boots - aqua cardi (also making its debut after being refashioned)
And I have decided that the last "item" is a collection of items I am calling my outer layer: brown vintage coat - black scarf - black beret - black leather gloves. Since I don these when I leave a building and remove them when I arrive at my destination, I have decided they can be one item, and will only be featured in today's outfit post.
My 5 accessories are:
one square scarf with martime themed prints (also on debut) - pendant watch - vintage metal belt - diamond earrings - every day brown leather bag.
I have also decided not to count my wedding/engagement/good wife rings as accessories as they are non-negotiable.

Mini Wardrobe Challenge Day 1

2010-06-07T02:04:00.000-07:00

Capsule Winter Wardobe Challenge

2010-05-30T02:02:00.000-07:00

I have recently discovered the blog 'The Small Fabric of My Life' here at blogspot. I found Small Fabric via wardrobe_remix over at flickr, in a disucssion of her recent Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge. Her next challenge kicks off 7 - 11 June. The author (who I assume lives in the Northern Hemisphere) has amended her 'traditional' rules for the summer challenge; however, since it's winter here in Oz, and it's my first attempt, I have decided to play along with the challenge, but using the old rules which are as follows:

Choose ten items of clothing from your wardrobe and mix and match them for five days. You can have any combination of shoes, dresses, skirts, tops and jackets as long as it adds up to ten individual items.
You are also allowed five accessories which include jewellery, scarves, bag, belts etc.
Underwear and hosiery do not come under the ten items and five accessories!

So, does anyone else want to play along?

Simplicity Easy Chic suit – skirt – finished

2010-05-29T00:12:00.000-07:00

I actually finished this some weeks ago and have worn it to work a few times. I am quite happy with it on the whole. That is to say, I am happy with my construction and finish. I still need to improve my zipper insertion, and the hemming of the flounce is a bit rough and ready in places. If make this skirt again, I will perhaps finish the flounce hem with my (recently acquired) overlocker, then turn press and stitch the hem.

Now on to fit – I think the fit was quite good when I finished it. Unfortunately, I have shrunk a little since I finished it, so it now seems a bit loose and at risk of slipping lower than is ideal. I fear that in another month or two it will be in the ‘too big’ pile, which is a nice problem to have.

I can’t be bothered taking it in, as it would require altering both the skirt and waist band facings, so unless anyone I know wants a green flounced skirt in approx. size 16, I might pack it up for charity along with a few other items I shrink out of.

Further on fit, I have determined that, while it fit the way it was designed to, I don’t particularly like skirts that sit so low on the hips. They cut across my tummy, which can be my least favourite feature, and make me feel rather self conscious about my appearance. I do like the idea of the flounced above-the-knee skirt, so if I were to make the garment again, I’d amend the pattern by keeping some or all of the length and bring the darts in so that the skirt sits higher and closer to my actual high hip line.

Sewing Sunday

2010-05-23T02:23:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I focussed on a copuple of UFOs.
First up, its the 'Make It Work!' t-shirt - Burda 12-2008-113. I chose this project specifically to try out my new overlocker. I used a white 'souffle jersey' remnant I bought 'in case it comes in useful' at Cleggs' remnant sale last year. I maanged to cut the pattern too big, made the seam allowances too small then lost weight, so it was far too big. A few tweaks and fudges later and it's ok - not a great fit but ok. The pattern calls for a self-fabric belt tie, but I didn't have enough left over (and can;t be bothered piecing bits together), so I will style it up with a belt from my collection.

Secondly is a pair of 3/4 length pj pants made from a flanalette-type fabric my sister gave me years ago (it has moved house with us at least once). They have been sitting in a bag, cut an dpinned, for months. I am particularly pleased, not only because its so much faster and easier to make them with the overlocker, but because I will be able to wear them tonight.

Thirdly I started on a pair of Vogue Very Easy stretch pants, but ran out of thread so I will have to either find or buy an additional spool before I can progress those.
Finally, I have decided to refashion an aqua top I got from a clothing swap party a few years ago, then promptly stained. Here is a before photo:

Fly-by post

2010-05-18T20:47:00.000-07:00

Goodness, it's half-past May already! I do have a couple of completed projects to showcase: the green skirt and the purple lace belated-birthday dress of FRUSTRATION.
I will do my best to photo and post them this weekend. Now that winter is closing in its harder to get good photos on weekdays - no daylight!
Also on the agenda this weekend I think are a few UFOs and some mending. And perhaps a refashion/renovation.
We will see!

Instant Gratification sewing

2010-03-14T00:46:00.000-08:00

Since my sewing time this weekend was re-allocated to other important activities like napping and hanging out with friends, and since we are in for a hot spell this week, - perhaps the last of autumn – I decided to spend my 2 sewing hours today renovating 2 pr of trousers into shorts for hubby (at his request). I am very happy with the results, as is hubby.
I then took one of the cut-off legs and turned it into a pouch to go in hubby’s book bag for his wallet and phone. Hopefully he won’t have to spend as much time fishing them out of the bottom of the bag now.

Simplicity easy chic suit skirt part 2

2010-02-27T22:31:00.000-08:00

Today’s Sewing Philosophy: stop, look, and listen (to yourself).

Today I have stitched the darts and side seams. The last time I made this skirt it turned out too big, and even though I’ve taken it in to sit properly on my hips, it still feels a bit ‘baggy’ and frumpy. So I made sure to stop and try on after I did the side seams this time. As you can see from the first 2 photos, it still looks a bit loose, especially around the hips. Before going any further, I thought I’d pin the flounce on to see how that affected the overall look. I am glad I did – look how frumpy this is!

Looking at the pattern envelope, the skirt is supposed to stop mid patella. I re-pinned a few times until I got the length right. This told me I needed to take out a (whopping) 7 cm of length. That was more than I thought I could manage by just pinning and cutting. So I unpicked the side seams, folded the pattern at the designated spot, pinned the darts in the pattern, laid the paper pattern over the fabric, and re-cut the pieces.

I then re-stitched the side seams, and have decided that is enough for today.

P.S. Photos apear to have uploaded in reverse order - opps!

Simplicity easy chic suit 4885: Part 1

2010-02-13T21:05:00.000-08:00

First things first – the pattern:

http://www.simplicity.com/Search.aspx?SearchTerm=4885&x=0&y=0

I have previously made the pants, quite successfully and the skirt, less successfully. I have a First Draft* of the jacket and a muslin of the top on the mannequin, and it’s my intention to make a complete 3 piece suit form this pattern together with a couple of the tops.
I decided to have another go at the skirt, using some mystery green suiting fabric that has matured nicely in my collection. I checked my measurements and decided that I fall between the 20 – 22 sizes on this pattern. Then I remembered something from Carolyn’s interview on Gertie’s blog, and took my waist, hip and thigh measurements while sitting down – after all, I want this to be a skirt for working, and I work sitting down. Based on the sitting measurements, I decided to cut the size 22. If it turned out too big (as the first one did) I could always cut it down half-a-size.
After cutting the pieces, I pinned together the main skirt part, leaving off the flounce. Looking in the mirror, standing, walking and sitting, it seems to be the right size.
Next I cut the interfacing and pinned it to the skirt facings. That’s enough work on the skirt today.
Next I returned to the top muslin. I had previously pinned it in where I thought it was a bit loose around the bust/back. Again keeping Carolyn’s advice in mind, I tried the top on sitting down. This helped me to decide that I had taken it in too much and it was a little bit too snug for sitting and typing in at work. So, I will be taking it in about 2 ¾ cm at each underarm seam, but only at the under arm for about 4 -5 cm; the rest seems right. Next I’ll sew up the new seams, and get Hubby to pin me in where the zip goes to double check.
Finally, I pinned in the shoulder pads I bought for the jacket. I had previously suspect the shoulders are too broad, and with the shoulder pads in pace, I am quite sure they need to be taken in by about 1.5 cm. SO I have unpicked the sleeves and will be fiddling with about resetting them in an effort to find the right fit.

*A First Draft is when I hope to both work out fit issues and that the garment turns out presentable and wearable, but use inexpensive fabric in case I have to bin it.

skirt + top = summer frock

2010-02-09T23:41:00.000-08:00

I bought the skirt part of this dress on sale at a Salvos that was closing down. It was the first thing I bought expressly to re-fashion. It was a size 12, i.e. 2 sizes too small for me, but I liked the colour, shape and nifty embroidery detail at the hem. I started by removing the waistband, leaving me with 3 tiers. I was going to combine it with a men's business shirt I bought at the same time to make a shirt-dress, but I couldn't figure out how to do it nicely.
The top was #3 in a series of 4 tops made from a Very Easy Vogue pattern. It was a bit gapey at the front and I was not very happy with it. Although it didn't photo so well, I quite liked the narrow stripes, and thought I'd keep it as a vest to wear over long sleeved tops in the winter. When the shirt-dress was obviously not coming together right, I thought of this top instead.
A quick finish of the skirt's raw edges, another quick hem around the waist/hip line and voila a new summer dress!

A new jacket at Salvos

2010-02-07T18:38:00.000-08:00

2 Saturdays ago, quite on a whim, Hubby and I stopped by our local Salvos shop. We found loads of things for him, as we always seem to do and a few for me too: 3 patterns, a length of fabric, and a brand new with tags on “Mechanical Jacket” from emerge brand.

A quick Google tells me that emerge is sold through ezibuy. The tag says RRP $49.95, and I got it for $15. I wonder if someone bought it, was not happy with it, and then never got around to returning it, so it ended up donated. So even though its form an op-shop, since it’s brand new I feel I ought to hand over my get-out-of-jail-free card (I lasted a month! But it’s my first pledge).

I have also been sewing and have a refashion semi-complete to show you all in the next week or so. My M-i-L has been visiting, so no sewing for me this weekend, but we did buy her a vintage dressing gown pattern.

A sheer adventure

2010-01-31T14:33:00.000-08:00

This blue blouse is a ‘first draft’ of Burda pattern ... Unlike a muslin, which is for working out pattern tweaks and is never intended to be worn outside the fitting room, when I make a first draft I use nice but inexpensive material, in the hope of ending up with a wearable garment, but prepared to bin it if it’s a disaster.
The fabric is a remnant of cornflower blue ‘soufflé georgette’ that I bought on sale at Cleggs specifically for this project. I decided to do a first draft for a few reasons. My old machine doesn’t like lightweight fabrics, so I haven’t really worked in sheers or light fabrics before, and the pattern calls for silk or cotton batiste, which I understand to be quite fine. Also I was not convinced that this shape was going to be flattering on me. Third, I am still figuring out my Burda size. According to my measurements I fall between sizes 46 and 48. In Burda world that puts me into the ‘plus’ size range; however, since I am smaller on top than on bottom, with a little tweaking I think I can make some of the size 46 tops work for me. This top, and my brown kit cardigan jacket, are both size 46, and are both loose and unstructured, which I think is why they work. For this one, I added about 1.5 cm at the entre fold front and back, resulting I suppose ion an additional 6 cm all around, as font and back were cut on the fold. (it was unclear from the instructions if I was supposed to add width here, but I could tell from the tissue fit that it would be too snug without it).
The pattern is quite simple and went together fairly easily. I trialled a few flashy finishing stitches on the cabbage, but given how light the fabric is, they didn’t really take, and rather than spend sewing time faffing about with tension and whatnot, I mostly stuck with straight and zig-zag stitches. I zig-zagged the seams to prevent fraying, then pressed them to the back as much as possible. The straight stitching caused a gathering effect, most noticeable on the shoulder/top of arms seams. I am not sure if that is supposed to happen, or typically happens, but the effect is quite nice.
I left it too late to research how to mitre the neck band, and consequently had applied it incorrectly,. The finish is no as neat as it could have been, but is probably only noticeable to me (and now to my readers).

My First Official Re-fashion

2010-01-23T22:21:00.001-08:00

Here is my first Wardrobe Re-fashion entry. Take one yellow promotional shirt, plus the cabbage from the orange knit top, to make a colour block skirt just like on the catwalks – well, maybe.
Next time I’ll remember t shape the waistband before attaching it to the skirt portion, making sure to include a sway back adjustment.

Wardrobe Refashion Pledge

2010-01-23T22:10:00.000-08:00

The Pledge

I Belle pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months, starting 1 Jan 2010. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!

Signed: Belle.

Taking a leaf from Botticelli Babe’s book

2010-01-10T22:46:00.000-08:00

Botticelli Babe has resolved to maintain her commitment to fine construction detail in 2010, following on from her commitment to take time to finish garments neatly in 2009. Go say hi to her - http://botticellicraft.blogspot.com/
I find myself inspired to do the same.
Monday I wore my new knit top (4th in a series of 4 made from the same pattern, in different fabrics, of which 2 fit really well, one is a bit loose and one turned out a bit big and gapes, which I blame on the fabric). The knit is a burnt orange colour and I did the construction seams using an orangey-gold coloured thread from an earlier project. I also tried out a couple of stitches for the first time – the stretch straight stitch and the single overcast stitch – which gave an extra neat and secure finish to my seams, without adding any bulk.

When it came to topstitching the neck and arm holes and the hem, I toyed with using the orangey-gold thread as an accent or design feature, but in the end wound some orange thread onto the bobbin that was a much closer match to the fabric. I am glad I did as I am very pleased with the finished garment. And as further proof that I made the right choice, a colleague told me that the top does not look like it is homemade – which I take to mean it looks RTW.

Christmas gift - pink dress

2009-12-19T23:33:00.000-08:00

Today I made this dress for the 1 1/2 y.o. daughter of some friends. Originally I put a deep hem in, but when I measured it, I realised the dress would be floor length - not really practical for a toddler. So I turned up the hem a second time. I hope that next summer her mum can let down the second hem, revelaing the froggies on the bottom of the dress. The out of focus photo at the bottom is a length of uncut fabric, taken before I cut it up for the straps. The gingham is in the first deep hem.

Re-fashions in green

2009-12-05T21:05:00.000-08:00

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These were both quick and easy refashions. The green knit top was not flattering, and not worth sending to an op-shop. Instead, I put it on over a favourite singlet top and traced the neckline of the singlet top onto the front of the knit. Then it was simply a matter of cutting off the neck, evening up the new neckline, and doing a roll-hem by hand. All up it probably took about 1 – 1 ½ hours (I’m a slow stitcher).

The sleeve of the woven shirt tore and was irreparable. Not wanting to toss it out, and knowing its only a matter of time until a similar tear appears in the body, I took off the sleeves and the collar, stitched the collar edges together, and finished the arm holes with bias binding. This was one of the first projects to come from the new machine, and with the 30+ days we had in Nov, I was very glad of it.

These are a few of my favourite things

2009-11-27T22:50:00.000-08:00

About half-an-eon ago Villana asked me to post about some of my favourite sewing blogs. So here they are:

http://www.dressaday.com/dressaday.html
This is the one the probably started it all. I think I found it via mrsbrown’s f’list, but it may have been that someone else pointed it out to me (if it was you please do let me know, I like to give credit where its due.)
I think the next few came from Google reader’s recommendations.

http://nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/
I think I found this one via google reader, its one of the most recent additions to my reading list, and it has inspired me to look at my wardrobe off-casts in a whole new light. I think I will take up the pledge for 2 months.

http://missceliespants.com/
I really enjoy Miss Celie’s writing style. I enjoy the way she talks about selecting fabrics, patterns and notions, her thoughts about pattern alterations, and the way she rocks her finished garments. I think this is where I first read about Burda magazine http://www.burdafashion.com/en/index.html (formerly Burda World of Fasion or BWOF) and http://sewing.patternreview.com/news

http://sewingfantaticdiary.blogspot.com/
I love reading Carolyn’s blog. She has such a joie de vivre and a joie de sewing! Sewing is Carolyn’s one and only hobby, and her blog is full of tips and tricks, great ideas in inspiration. I love watching a garment develop from an idea – often inspired by catwalk fashion – to wearing it out in the world. She is happy to answer questions, is very encouraging of less-advanced sewers, does a weekly New Sewists post, and generally makes me feel really good about where I am at in my sewing journey – I want to be like Carolyn when I grow up!
Reading Celie’s and Carolyn’s blogs have also alerted me other sewing/fashion blogs, some of which I have enjoyed, others I have passed by after a few entries. Here are some examples that (I think) came from these ladies’ recommendations:
http://betweenlaundrydays.blogspot.com/ (I don’t think she sews, but she makes jewellery)
http://daddylikey.blogspot.com/ (check out her “Don’t Showcha your Chocha” entries. They will change the way you view the world, I promise)
http://www.lindsaytsews.com/ (Lindsay and I have completely different aesthetic, life stages and experiences. Some days I scroll right over her posts, other days I am intrigued by what’s going on in her world.)

http://twoontwooff.blogspot.com/
I’m not sure how I found Dawn’s blog, but I enjoy her writing. She lives in Alaska, has 3 kids (twin girls and a son), works as a teacher, runs something like 5 miles a day, and yet find time to sew more garments in a week than I finish in a month. She has been sewing for a relatively short time, sews from Burda quite often, and is at the level I;d like to reach in the next year or so. Her “courageous” sewing, i.e. experimenting with her sewing, is inspirational.

http://botticellicraft.blogspot.com/
This is my friend A. Although we’ve lost touch over the last year or so, both busy with our respective lives, I enjoy seeing what she’s been up to, and what she is producing in her sewing/craft room.

I hope that you enjoy reading some of my favourite blogs. Please feel free to comment leaving links to any of your must-read sewing/fashion blogs that you’d like to share.

Going about sewing the wrong way?

2009-09-29T23:32:00.000-07:00

As I came back to the office from my coffee run today I was struck by the notion hat I am going about my sewing preparation backwards. Inspired by Caroline of diaryofasewingfanatic, I have for some months been intending to use my week nights to prepare fabrics, patterns and so forth, so that on the weekends I can sit down and sew (or perhaps more accurately, construct). The problem has been that I often can’t be bothered with the ironing board, fold-out dining table, patterns and fabric on a weeknight, so inevitably I fall behind on my sewing plans.

This week I have been working on construction of SammyHubby’s robe for Armageddon. I am finding it quite easy to come home, have dinner, then sit at the machine for an hour to get a few seams done than I find it to start on project preparations. The added bonus being when its time to stop, I can just get up form the machine, throw the dust cover over everything and walk away, whereas if I am cutting, ironing etc, I feel I need to tidy up and put away at the end of the evening, especially if I have been working in the lounge room rather than the sewing room.

So perhaps I will try doing things the other way around – prepare for projects on weekends when I can dedicate several hours to it at once, then sew in fits and starts on weeknights.

BWOF & PatternReview

2009-05-04T19:20:00.000-07:00

I have recently discovered Burda World of Fashion Magazine (BWOF) thanks to some sewing blogs I have been following – which I have also added to my blogroll here, in case you are interested in who has been inspiring me.
I have just joined PatternReview.com, mainly because I wanted to read the 3 reviews of the pattern I am about to tackle: BWOF Aug 2008 Jacket #119A. Turns out you have to be a member to read reviews older than 6 mths old. So my username over there is Bellestar. Not sure if I’ll be active and posting or if I’ll just use it as an info resource. I may sew along with some of the competitions; whether I actually enter them is yet to be determined.

Wardrobe in Progress: Merovingian - coat

2009-03-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

I have almost finished the reconstruction of the brown wool/silk blend coat – or as I affectionately call it, Mervin. I removed the collar, pulled it apart at the side seams, took 15 cm off each side of the body panel, raised the gores to start in the underarm, added extra length and width to the gores, put it all back together and reattached the collar. All that remains now is to hem it.
In spite of the initial frustration of trying to get it figures out and the disappointment that many people looked at the first version and declared it unattractive or, worse yet, inaccurate, I am very proud of my work on this project, and with the finished product. Firstly, I took the research and had a go. I still stand by my initial interpretation of the construction. If I had made it up in a very light silk, as was the extant garment, I believe my original garment proportions would have been appropriate. However, I listened to and took on board people’s comments and observations, and decided to rework the garment, necessarily reinterpreting the research, to make it more practical, and more appealing to the modern aesthetic.
I showed the coat to (Mistress) Margie last night and we had a good chat about the difficulties of reproducing garments from early eras when there is so little surviving extant evidence. We also discussed the fact that, as modern people, we view things through our own filter, and make assumptions about how garments were made or looked in the period, based on our own aesthetic bias. Perhaps big, sack-like coats were how it was done, we will probably never know.
In any event, I will be warm, comfortable and dry at Festival in my woollen coat, although I worry a little about rain on the silk collar. On the other hand, the collar is easily detached and replaced, so I will try not to fret too much.

Still on the ‘to do’ list:
Re-hem the red tunic, taking about 10 – 15 cm off the length
Finish green linen tunic
Make 1 – 2 more pair of hose
Make red coat (maybe. I hope I get time, but it’s not essential)
Make 2 more under tunics, hem and alter current under tunic.
Buy 2nd pair of shoes – I wore my leather shoes with my hose last night. Not only were they comfy, but they also attracted compliments, so I will definitely buy a 2nd pair - Perhaps a red pair? Or black?
Have belt made to fit new buckle fittings from FC Pewter.

Birthday Dress – the beginning

2009-03-14T04:17:00.000-07:00

I really wanted a new dress to wear for my birthday outing at the end of the month. I don’t need a new dress - I have plenty of lovely things to wear, but I wanted one. I had thought of going to Fashion Incubator and splashing out on a designer dress (http://www.fashionincubator.com.au/), but I also want to save my pennies for my trip to Festival at Easter.

The other day I was running through my stash in my head, thinking about another project I suspect, when I remembered the purple crepe I bought earlier in the year. I had planned to make a Golden Age Cat Woman dress for a fancy dress party (http://www.goldenagebatman.com/catwoman.html), then realised the party clashed with a mate’s gig at the Espy. Since we was driving overnight from Wollongong to do the gig, the least we could do was attend – so the dress was never made.

With less than 3 weeks until my birthday, rather than trying a new pattern, I have decided to make a new version of a dress I made several years ago: Simplicity 9258. I chose the pattern size based on measurements Villana took of me in January – does anyone else find they take bigger sizes in patterns than in off-the-rack clothing? Perhaps it’s because the patterns are not Australian.

Last weekend I cut out all the pieces. I have realised that, for me, I need to break sewing from a commercial pattern down into small steps. First, I cut out the patterns pieces, then I leave it until the next day/weekend to construct – otherwise I suffer delusions of grandeur about the speed with which I sew, and get upset when the piece isn’t finished in a day.

Today, I constructed the bodice section. I am taking my time, reading the instructions carefully and following them precisely, not cutting corners or rushing. And as a result, I am not only enjoying the process, I am really happy with the results (so far). It means I haven’t finished my dress in a day, but I think I will end up with something of which I can be really proud.

So I am not a fast seamstress – I can live with that, as long as I look good doing it.

The Tim Gunn Challenge (1)

2009-03-08T22:15:00.000-07:00

In his make-over show, Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, Tim Gunn asks his subjects to select ten items from their closet that they cannot live without, and explain why they selected each item. These items, says our stylist, should be ‘soul stirring’. Inevitably the subject chooses practical, comfortable, “safe” garments that have been in high rotation in their wardrobe. Rarely are the items classic, inspirational or irreplaceable – and rarely do they meet with the approval of Tim and his co-host Greta.

In the interests of investigative fashion reporting, I have decided to share with you some of the garments I cannot live without. For the purpose of this challenge, I define item as a garment of outer wear, excluding underwear, hosiery, shoes or accessories.

1. Black tulip skirt from Camden Markets, England – so called because of the embroidered tulips, not because of its shape. I love the drop waist with full skirt, which I think is flattering as well as comfortable; the flowers are beautifully done and the red border gives the piece interest and contrast; it moves well when I walk; it is appropriate for a variety of situations and weather conditions.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mskilian/2460355427/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mskilian/2461188744/in/photostream/

2. Brown vintage wool coat – well to start with it’s not black! Again, the shape is beautiful and flattering; the black velvet ribbon detail is elegant and glamorous; it works with pants or skirts; it’s practical for winter without being dull, bulky or ugly.

3. Light tan cotton coat from Cotton On – again I like the shape; it’s comfortable; the button detail adds interest; it goes with pants and skirts; it’s a good weight for trans-seasonal wear.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mskilian/3103625326/

4. Green vintage coat – again, shape is a big factor; the fabric and collar details are interesting and I love the colour; it’s another trans-seasonal piece; it’s a one-off (in fact I think it’s a bespoke garment); and I have altered it for fit and flattery, so it is now bespoke to me.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mskilian/3003797105/

5. Jeans from Sara
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mskilian/2571959405/

6. Brown Ojay wrap dress – although this is getting on a bit, it’s still one of my go to garments; it can be worn alone or over pants, with boots, sandals or heels, and works for a variety of occasions and weather conditions; the shape and fit I think are flattering; the colours are good for me (I think), and the pattern is interesting.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mskilian/2504933078/in/photostream/

As you can see, there are only 6 items on my list. I had listed more garments, but upon contemplation, realised they are not soul stirring, merely comforting and comfortable.
So, over to you – what 10 items can’t you live without? Do you have 10 in your wardrobe that are soul stirring? Can you limit it to only 10? Leave a comment here letting me know you’ve taken up the challenge including a link to your own Tim Gunn challenge results.

Yours in fashion,

Belle.

Quickie Update

2008-02-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

I am trying to finish some of my half complted projects, especially mending and alteration proijects, before we move. To that end, I have finished the mauve palla (photos may be posted eventually), mended a skirt and have ALMOST finished dolls clothes for my niece. Just need to buy some more press studs, because I was short by ONE. V annoying.
Since we move in just under 3 weeks, I think the rest of the projects will be packed in their partially completee stages. I hope to get a few hours in the sewing room on Sunday to sort them out, label and bag them.

Vikings and Favours

2008-01-20T18:06:00.000-08:00

I went to the Viking Games on the weekend, which was a really fun, low key event. I’d like to see more of this type of event. Baroness Aefled was wearing a lovely Viking style dress with appliqué figures around the hem. I would like to publicly denounce my former statements about Viking garb, and acknowledge that on some people it does look quite pretty.

I caught up with Maeve, who gave me my silver bell for coming equal second in the Roman Garb competition at 12th night. I am going to sew it onto my purse together with the butterfly token from the event so I know that’s where I won it.

I have done some reading and thinking about favours both in period and in game. It seems that, in period, love tokens did not tend to bear any symbol denoting the giver’s identity. In SCA, a favour typically bears the arms of the giver or other identifying image. So, my plan is to make a SCA-style favour for Finian to wear, in addition to a period-style favour. I hope to enter them both in the Kingdom comp at May Crown. This is a plan and not a core promise ;)

More Shiny Things

2008-01-13T19:07:00.000-08:00

As noted before Christmas, the Kingdom A&S Competitions at 12th Night Coronation this past weekend included a Roman Garb competition. I decided to enter my green Egypto-roman inspired outfit with my new burgundy palla and sash. Since the competition cam at the end of 3 weeks’ holidays one would think Belle had plenty of time to put together her supporting documents. On the contrary, Belle’s brain switched off completely and so the entry was accompanied by: an article from the internet; a few pictures printed out; and a piece of pink note paper listing the items that formed the entry, all of which I was wearing. Not surprisingly the 3 judges all said they’d have like to see details of what I had done, how I made the pieces and why I made the decisions I made. In spite of that I got marked in the high 20’s (out of 50) and the balance of the comments pleased me. I was also glad that I had entered, ensuring that the competition could run.

I wasn’t in Court on Sunday when the results were announced, however I was delighted to learn that Artemisia had won the garb competition and was declared overall Event Champion. I was very pleasantly surprised to learn that I had been awarded a highly commended for the garb competition, and that a token was on its way. I was also amused that my dear friend Blayney, who was relaying the news, hadn’t recognised my full SCA name when used in Court, he he he.

So, I have entered 2 competitions in the past few months, won the first and received highly commended in the second. I think I will enter a few more. Some Kingdom A&S Comps I might enter this year: Favours; Household items; Men’s clothes; Beauty treatments; Earrings. Stay tuned.

A Little bit of Roman, and little bit Irish

2007-12-10T14:59:00.000-08:00

It’s December, you are off to a feast in a hall in Sydney. Its been hot and humid all week, what to wear? Roman of course. In fact it seems that many ladies had similar ideas this year. The theme of the event was Elizabethan Toga Party, but quite a few people skipped the Elizabethan garb altogether and went straight to Peplos, Tunicas and Chintons. I think the fact that Blayney, a roman soldier of some notoriety, was Knighted that evening may have had an influence too.

So, my trusty green tunica-type creation was pulled out of the garb box and freshened up with new sash and palla (long, narrow wrap) in burgundy cotton. I wore my Egypto-roman style pearl earrings, the necklace I won at 4 Winds a few years ago, and a new necklace of pearls and citrine that I strung on the afternoon of the event. Apart from my left shoe coming undone repeatedly throughout the night, I was most pleased with the outfit. Unfortunately I didn’t get any photos of the night; however, I intend to enter the outfit in the 12th Night A&S Competition, so there will no doubt be photos in January.

My soon-to-be new home, The Barony of Stormhold, is focussing its A&S activities on persona development in 2008. I have decided to jump on board and get a better understanding of Aine Ruadh inghean Chillin, born in Ireland in the mid-late 14th C. I have always thought she ends up in service to a great Lady of some sort, but I plan to do some research into the hierarchy and Irish nobility of the era to see whether that is a realistic life story, or simply a convenient fiction.

Projects for 2008 so far include:
Green Wool Moy Gown
Pattern and experiment with Irish leine for women (huge, baggy sleeved shirt-dress of medieval Ireland)
Research and develop my persona – lifestyle and station; hobbies and leisure activities; wardrobe.
Learn to play a few tunes on the Irish whistle
Take up archery

and not forgetting:
move house
find a new job
make new friends
keep in touch with old friends

Shiny Things

2007-11-18T01:13:00.000-08:00

On Sat night I received a wonderful text message saying that I was the winner of this year’s Feast of the Four Winds Outfit competition! How exciting! The annual competition, run by THL Artemisia de Queitodarzenta, aims to encourage people to think beyond the garment to the entire outfit. As noted in my last post, I had 2 entries this year: I assume it was the Irish Outfit that was the winner. Artemisia is going to send me some notes on my entry, and I may post some or all of those comments here once I have had a chance to digest them.

I intended to make a new roman tunic to wear to Yule this year, but have decided against it for a few reasons. One the fabric I bought isn’t quite right - its not long enough and I can’t make it work. Second, I have come to the conclusion that I don’t actually like the way I look in roman garb. So instead I will wear my green roman tunic (for which I received a highly commended in the Four Winds Outfit Comp a few years ago) to Yule, together with the necklace given to me by Artemisa as my highly comended prize. I may make a new wrap out of some burgundy fabric I have in my collection, that would look very festive.

Ta Da

2007-11-14T15:01:00.000-08:00

I have just sent off not 1 but 2 entries to the Feast of the Four Winds Complete Outfit Compeition. I have entered Finian's Woolen Tunic and my Moy Gown with woolen hood ensemble.

Here is a photo of me in my Moy Gown, taken by Katje at Flame Tree 07 and nicked from her flickr account (thanks lovely.

And this is my stripey woolen hood.

So proud of me.

And yet at the same time I am

2007-09-05T17:42:00.001-07:00

You scored as Sirius Black, You are a gifted wizard and very loyal to your allegiance. Whilst you have a big heart and care very much about those around you, you can be a little arrogant and reckless at times.

Sirius Black

65%

Ron Weasley

60%

Albus Dumbledore

60%

Hermione Granger

60%

Draco Malfoy

55%

Remus Lupin

55%

Harry Potter

50%

Ginny Weasley

50%

Lord Voldemort

40%

Severus Snape

35%

Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is...?
created with QuizFarm.com

Miss Bennet

2007-08-27T16:25:00.001-07:00

Take the Quiz here!

Finian on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

2007-08-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

Finian on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Ta da!
This is Finian on his way to Rowany Baronial Sucession in his new tunic.

Finian’s Wardrobe

2007-08-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

Finian now has a great kilt to wear to Rowany 25. When we were in Melbourne in June we bought 5 m of green wool plaid from the lovely fabric lady at Queen Vic markets. It’s incredibly wide – about 150 cm I think. I was sure that 2.5 m would be sufficient, but Finian was sure someone told him we needed 5, so 5 we got.

After only a few relatively hassle free hours, and Finian only having to lie on the floor to check fit once, 2.5 m of the lovely wool has now become a great kilt. We opted for fairly wide pleats for aesthetic reasons. I hope that he will wear it with the baggy sleeved leine style shirt I made him a few years ago using a commercial pattern, but knowing Finian, he will opt for a more form fitting shirt or tunic. I have hemmed the other 2.5 m to be used as a mantle for now until we decide to use it for something else. Next on my shopping list is one of those lovely circle cloak pins.

Finian’s stripy woollen tunic is also in one piece. He wore it to Rowany Baroinial Sucession – photos to follow. I ended up finishing the seams by hand, but I intend to go back over them with the machine now that it’s repaired and working as well as ever. I also have to finish the hem, cuffs and neck.

There is loads of the stripy wool left. I used some of it to make myself a hood, but the rest will join my fabric miscellany until inspiration strikes.

This week, while continuing the remodelling of the burgundy dress I learnt a valuable lesson: don’t snack and stich lest you drop your salsa on your sewing. Luckily the offending dip landed on the lining and not the outer layer of the bodice, and has left only the faintest of marks. I am sure it will come out when I wash the completed garment. I am aiming to wear the remodelled dress to Rowany 25 and thereafter start work on the Moy Gown 2.

Dementors Beware!

2007-08-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

What Form Would Your Patronus Take? (With 10 Excellent Results & Pictures)

Your Patronus would be an Otter!
Take this quiz!

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Link to Moy Gown article

2007-05-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/irish/moy.html

If you scroll down through this article you will come to the painting "The Birth of the Virgin Mary" by the Workshop of Michael Pacher (Austrian, d. 1498), to which I refered in my post the other day.

The Plan (Revised Edition)

2007-05-27T16:44:00.000-07:00

I made some progress yesterday with Finian’s tunic. It’s not quite at the one-piece stage, but I did get to fit it to him, and after a little bit of tweaking I think it’s looking quite good. The side gores are sewn in, the sleeves and underarm gorse are pinned in and the neckline has been cut out. He is quite set on his wide sleeves – he wants to put his hands inside the opposite sleeve in true Jedi style. For warmth, of course. I hope to have it all put together by the end of the week so it can hang in the bathroom for a week before I hem it.

I washed my wool yesterday and have struck a small hurdle – it’s not right for the Moy Gown Mark II. In my mind it was a lovely, buttery yellow medium weight wool blend. In reality its more like a beigey tan colour and quite light. It will make a wonderful underdress to something, and in summer I might wear it without a top layer. But for an event in winter, not quite right.

Having accepted that I am not going to buy any suitable wool in the next week or so, I have resigned myself to the fact I won’t have a new frock for Baronial change over. I do however have loads of the stripy wool left over from Sam’s tunic. I did consider making myself a tabard with side lacings to wear over one of my older frock, but I don’t want to look too matchy matchy. So I have decided to make myself a hood out of the wool, lined with left over burgundy from the cotehardie inspired, recently renovated frock. After making a pattern last night, I have cut out the wool and will cut out the lining tonight. Hopefully it will be together this week too.

I would like a new under dress for the Moy Mark I with nicer sleeves, in a slightly heavier cotton. We will see how the brain and the budget are doing after the Melbourne trip next week. Otherwise I might just go with 2 layers of underdress for warmth, the hood and a mantle on top.

Moy Gown Mark II

2007-05-24T21:59:00.000-07:00

So, what will Belle wear to the Ball? Well, the Baronial change over anyway.

As the Moy gown was such a success I have decided to make a long sleeved version with a higher neckline. The advantages of this include that I only have to re-pattern the front panel to get the new neck line right, and fiddle about with the sleeves a little.

So, here is my ‘inspiration’ picture of gowns very similar in style to the Moy gown…. Or at least it would be if the link to her page was working. Hmm, will have ot get back to you with the picture. Moy Mark I was based on the lady on the right, with the short sleeves. I made the neckline lower as that is how the extant article appears to have been made. This time I am aiming for something more like the lady on the left.

So, step 1 is to re-pattern the front panel.
Step 2 is to wash the wool blend fabric I bought for this dress over a year ago (and hope I still like it).
Step 3 cut, pin together and check fit. This lady: http://matildalazouche.livejournal.com/ (see the Moy Gown entry) likes a slightly more snug fit, but I like the way mine hangs away from the body. Still, snugger might be warmer… will see how it feel in the pinning stage.
Steps 4 – 6 sew sew sew.
Step 7 accessorise
Step 8 Look beautiful!

3 weeks until Baronial Changeover

2007-05-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

The Invest/Devest of the Rowany B&B is on 16 June. Note to self - I should book..

The plan is that Finian and I will each have a new garment for the event. Finian will have a new woollen tunic. He greatly admired one he saw at Festival. It is a T-tunic with gores, snug but not fitted, made of wool and worn with pants, possibly with those cross-hatching ties up the legs. The week after Festival I was op shopping and I happened across many metres of fabric that may have been wool. The colours are earthy browns, olives and tans, and the pattern is striped. I thought it would suit Finian’s new garb vision, and at $5 seemed bargain. When I got it home and washed it, that familiar wet dog scent confirmed it is at least partly wool. Score!

I have measured the now remarkably lithe Finian (he has lost about 7 or 8 kg since Xmas) and drew up a pattern. Feeling brave I cut it straight form the wool rather than make a fabric pattern. It more or less fitted him – I had made the body too long, but a quick hoick and re-pin fixed that. The gores give shape and movement but don’t look too feminine or bulky. The sleeves look too long to my eye (wrist length) but that’s what he wanted. I would have gone with elbow length and layered it over a long sleeved cotton tunic/shirt, but I figure we can always shorten the sleeves later if he wants to.

Poor Finian suffered a minor injury when I tried to peel the tunic off him and an ill-placed pin snagged his ear! Ouch! I don’t think he’s forgiven me yet.

So this weekend’s tasks include getting the Tunic to the one-piece stage, if not completed.

Becasue it's Friday

2007-05-24T16:47:00.000-07:00

I will update you on my sewing progress soon, I promise. In the meantime:

Your Lucky Underwear is Blue

You are caring and extroverted. You've made relationships your number one focus, and your lucky blue underwear can bring some balance to them.
You thrive in one-on-one situations. You are a good listener and a natural born therapist.

Sometimes you let the concerns of others become too important in your life, leading to stress and worry.
If you want more balance, put on your blue underpants. They'll help you take care of yourself first.

What Color Is Your Lucky Underwear?

More Meme

2007-05-03T16:44:00.000-07:00

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	7
Mind:	6.3
Body:	7.3
Spirit:	5.6
Friends/Family:	6
Love:	7.3
Finance:	8.1
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

I think my financial score is so high beause my wonderful husband is terrific at maintining our budget and I always know exactly how much I can splurge on eating out, going for coffe or buying shoes. So really, it's his high score not mine.

Who are you really?

2007-04-23T20:02:00.000-07:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Life explosion

2007-04-16T16:35:00.001-07:00

I know that there are entries outstanding re my birthday and Festival; however, the broken hearted KT/Derek is a jerk situation has taken over my spare brain space. (See KT Bell’s blog for more).

So for now further blog entries are on hold.

Gifts of chocolate and/or machetes much appreciated.

NZ Trip on hold

2007-03-26T16:48:00.000-07:00

Oh, in case I didn’t tell people, we can’t go to Midwinter Coronation any more. :( Sam and I both encountered difficulties when it came to getting our leave approved, so we have decided (after much deliberation) to give it a miss. We will try for Cantebury Faire next Feb instead. On the up side, we might be able to go to May Crown now as a sort of consolation prize.

Slight miscalculation

2007-03-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

Oh dear. I have realised this morning that of the (now) 9 evenings remaining before I go to Festival I am out on 5 of them, and fairly busy this weekend too. And yesterday I thought it might be a good idea to make Sam and I each a hood for keeping sun/rain/cold out. Eeeek, hope I can find enough time to at least hem and affix closures to my 2 frocks, otherwise I will be a site to behold.

Don't panic - 10 days til Festival

2007-03-25T23:26:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a productive weekend. In additional to the plentiful going out and socialising, I also got a reasonable amount of sewing done. First cab off the rank was the red wool roman cloak for Maximus to keep him protected from the elements at Festival. I had cut and pinned it last weekend so it just a matter of a few straight stitches, then cutting and attaching the hood. The cloak is now all in one piece and is hanging in the bathroom so it can ‘drop’ before I hem it. It’s looks really impressive, like there was a lot more involved than sewing 3 panels together.

Next project was the burgundy dress that is supposed to be a cotehardie. I made it for 1st Coronation and have worn it maybe once or twice since, I was never really happy with it, and it serves me right for trying to do it all myself instead of asking for help with the trick bits. Having come to the realisation that I don’t have time to make a new dress for festival (which is now literally 2 weeks away), and feeling anxious that I don’t have enough to wear, I decided that a remodel was in order.

I have unpicked the sleeves to the elbow, cut off the 2 ½ inches excess length, and was thinking about putting on buttons or lacings to close them again. However, when I put it on it it’s unpicked state, I quite liked the effect of the sleeves hanging open – sort of like over grown tippets. So now I think I will leave it this way.

It looks little bit like the pale blue dress to the left of this picture, taken from http://vieuxchamps.com/persona/wgarb2.php.

The description is “ 1338-44, French. From the Romance of Alexander; fol 138rLeft to right: 1) dark blue long-sleeved undergown, buttoned sleeves. Paler blue short-sleeved overgown with fichets and tippets. “

Next to address the overall fit and comfort. The front never fitted properly – I think I put the curve in the wrong place. And the back lacings were just impractical. So I unpicked the front seams to about navel level, and plan to fit lacing rings so that the dress laces up the front (meaning I can dress myself). Once I had opened up the front seams I then sewed up the back seam, relegating my beautiful ribbon loops for lacing to the inside back seam. I still know they are there, even if no-one else will see them. So all that is left is to finish the front opening with the lacing rings. I will re-shape the neckline at the same time. The current neckline is a bit high and awkward to wear. I have come to the conclusion that, unless I am wearing a tabard or surcoat, I look better in a lower cut dress. High cut dresses with no top layer tend to hide my shape and make me look too sack like – hardly the elegant lady about Festival look I am going for. Rather than cutting it and re-stitching it, I think I might just fold the excess fabric under and tack it down.

I have also cut and ½ sewn a basic smock/chemise for under the Moy, which is still waiting to be hemmed. The smock is cut from a white sheet bought at an op-shop, which means that is has been washed a number of times and is pre-softened and snuggley.

I am SO looking forward to Festival.

Moy Gown Update

2007-02-11T14:23:00.000-08:00

If I have done this properly you should be able to see a photo of Sam and I at 12th Night back in January. I am wearing my Moy Gown. At that stage it was pinned together in front, unhemmed and the bias strips around the neck and front opening were pressed but not stitched down. [And my hair looks rubbish, but you can't have everything]

In the last few weeks I have stitched down the bias strips, marked up where the buttons will go on the front and sewn the first of 8 buttons in place. I have also stitched down the excess fabric behind the tip of one of the gores by way of reinforcing. I will do the other 3 eventually also.

What’s left: sew on 7 buttons; construct and sew on 8 button loops; stitch down the reinforcing on 3 gores; hem.

I then need to figure out what will go under the dress. In this photo I am wearing an old cheesecloth chemise I made for festival years ago. When I decided to wear the Moy to 12th night I didn’t have enough time to make a new chemise so I re-cut the neckline of the cheesecloth to suit this gown (the neckline had been quite high before). I was quite pleased with my ingenuity, but as a long term solution it’s just not quite right. Some of the literature suggests that an Irish Leinte (also known as a saffron shirt) is appropriate, but I printed out a few more articles last week to read which might have different views. I will keep you posted.

TWO Blogs?!?!?

2007-01-29T19:34:00.000-08:00

Yes, well, clearly I am far more susceptible to peer pressure and bandwidth envy than I thought. I created this blog some months ago and quickly lost interest. Then KT created her blog on Yahoo and it looked so cool I wanted one too. Now there are a few people around with 2 separate blogs – one for general life stuff and one for specific projects or activities. And KT has discovered one can feed an outside blog through the Yahoo site – very nifty.

So, here it is, my SCA/sewing/looking pretty blog.

Now all I have to do is:
1. Remember to bring the disks with the photos to upload (or whatever it is); and
2. Keep making things in which to look pretty!

Overview of Our Trip

2006-07-05T20:26:00.000-07:00

As a test posting I am repeating here what I previously posted to the Ardorans email list and the Notebook: forum.

I will try and keep this brief, but how do you cram a month into a few lines?
Paris was fantastic. I am so glad we went there first. We found it overwhelming being surrounded by such beauty all the time, and if we had gone at the end of our trip we may have not appreciated it or just had a complete melt down. AS well as seeing (some of) the tourist attractions we spent lots of time eating pastries and drinking coffee and just walking around Paris. I managed in French most of the time, and found it exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. Being understood in a foreign language is just an amazing feeling, I was so proud of myself. Hubby thought I was amazing and kept telling me what a great job I did.
Belfast was great. We stayed with friends and hung out with their friends doing normal things. There is a lovely brewery just out of town, I think it's called Hill End or something, If you are ever near by do drop in for a meal and a beer. We will have to go back and spend more time in Dublin. By the time we got there we were worn out and although we visited lots of places I don't think we got the most out of it. It was also quite hot and I got sunburned walking around on the first day there which made me a bit cross at myself.
From there we went by Ferry to Liverpool. It was a great way to travel, far more relaxed and refined than flying or going by train – as long as you don't get the same rowdy neighbours we had! It's actually quite a funny story now, but when we only got 3 hour sleep because of them it wasn't so funny.
We spent a wonderful 32 hours in Liverpool doing the Beatles tour and museum, then watching the first few games of the World Cup at our youth hostel.
Then it was on to Manchester and – oh bliss – 5 days staying in a self-contained apartment. With a washer. Clean clothes are wonderful things. And after a few weeks travel it was great to cook meals in the flat for ourselves. The town we stayed in is called Cheadle and the locals are just lovely. We adopted a local pub within hours of arriving, and they took great joy in supporting the Japanese in their game v Australia! But we had the last laugh when the Aussies won in the dying minutes of the game.
Then it was London to stay with 2 sets of friends. Again we didn't do as many things as we would have liked, but catching up with friends and doing 'normal' things with them was great. If you ever get the chance to visit Camden markets, go. It's huge and full of sites, sound and smells I am sure are unique. I ended up buying a gorgeous skirt from an Aussie who is selling her designs at the market and via internet. She was so nice, and her designs so suited to my figure I plan to buy more off her and have her post them to me.
We were sad when it was time to come home, but I was also glad to be back in my own bed and not on such a tight schedule all the time. Next trip we will spend longer in each place, as the constant packing up and moving on was stressful for us both.
I will try and post some piccies in the next few days.