52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: CATCH UP WEEKS THIRTEEN THROUGH TO WEEK TWENTY

I have been sewing, a little bit here and there. I just have not had the energy? Or motivation to photograph and blog about all of the items. I have felt a bit like the below photo of Jarvis.

Week Thirteen

I finished Chester's Avengers sarouels, and made him a pair of flannel sarouel pjs. The Pjs are huge on him. But, he looks adorable in them.

Week Fourteen

I thought it was time Tamika got a look in on the sewing, so I made her and Chester a pair of matching pjs. I call the fabric winter wonderland.

For Chester I actually used a pattern, rather than just winging it, yup an actual pattern. I cut, and sewed him a size one. But they swam on him. I took them in at the sides, but added an extra large cuffed hem. The flannel is from last years stash, and I found it to shrink a LOT in the first few washes. Tamika's was a guess (read no pattern), again I left them extra long to allow for shrinkage.

Week Fifteen

I finished off the yellow corduroy sarouels that Jarvis requested. Would not have been my first choice in colour, yet he loves them. I also made Oli a pair of winter wonderland pjs, I made them the same as Chester's, just slightly longer in the waist and leg.

Week Sixteen

This week Jarvis wanted to do some sewing, so I thought we would do something really basic. He selected the fabric, and we made a pencil case. Yes, It could have been better, yet, we made it with him on my lap (I did the sewing peddle) and he directing the fabric through the machines.  Jarvis loves it so that is all that matters.

I also made Jarvis a new pair of tartan flannel sarouels. The first pair of sarouels I ever made Jarvis were tartan, they were Jarvis favourites, so he requested a new pair when he gave his old pair to Chester.

Week Seventeen

I felt like doing some selfish sewing so I went through my stash and found enough of this material to make myself a skirt. Wizzed through it in two nights.  The colours are a bright orange and a plum on a white back ground. She is yet without a name. Any suggestions? 

Week Eighteen

No sewing, it was not a good week.

Week Nineteen

No sewing, but did struggle to the floor, and cut out a few items. Not ready to show these yet as the are for the Handmade Dress Swap. Like last year, I am making myself a matching dress. Yup, I am a dag like that. But in reality, I can also practice the dress on mine and hopefully get it right when I make it for my partner. 

Week Twenty

Holly Molly this is some serious catching up.

I made Chester dinosaur sarouels, and Jarvis robot sarouels.

Plus, I have made a big start on the two dresses for the Handmade dress swap. I am making myself one. Like last year, I practice on mine, if it works, then I do my partners.

I used New Look 6208. However, I adjusted the skirt, and the bodice. So not sure how much they are going to turn out like the images on the envelope.

On a side note, has anyone got/used a bias binding foot? 

Okay so massive catch up, and still heaps of finished projects to photograph and sew. Hope I will get these done in time for next week. 

IRIS, FROM THE REMNANT BIN TO MY WARDROBE

Meet Iris my latest skirt. She is a thrifty, yet fun loving skirt. My favourite style of skirt, I love how throwing this style on, with a vintage t-shirt, can look like I have made an effort. And yes, I will always be a fan of fun coloured cons.

I had one piece of remnant of the pink floral fabric in my stash for ages, but at only 60cm long, I was not sure what to do with it. Then a couple of weeks ago a second remnant came up, and I grabbed it. The fabric is a cotton blend from the furnishings department, at 160cm wide I knew that two pieces, combined with some pink cotton broadcloth from my stash, would be enough to make a skirt.

She got her name from Jen, at The Stitcher and Gatherer. Will have to ask Jen why Iris.

The photos were taken by Justin. The styling by Jarvis. Outfit combination, right down to the socks and poses was directed by Jarvis. I need to video him next time Justin takes my photos, so funny, him telling me the whole time "look better like this, and then shows off a pose I am meant to make".

COURTNEY

Meet Courtney, my latest 1950's inspired skirt. She is fun and friendly, a skirt that makes you feel happy.

Oh, but don't get me wrong, Miss Courtney had a level of tough bitch in her.

This waistband/zip that took three attempts, and even now the OCD in me is screaming, "not straight".

Main reason is the stripes/checks pattern of the fabric are not even, so pattern matching was a nightmare. When you lay the fabric flat, the right side of the fabric has the lines running about two centimetres higher than the left. I solved the problem of pattern matching in the skirt by the huge pocket placement. But no where to hide the waistband.

She was super comfy and fun to wear. Even after eating excessive amounts of wantons on Easter Sunday. I love this style of skirt, hides a multitude of sins, while making me feel 'dressed up', when in fact I am dagging it in my bunny t shirt and skirt.  

Customer orders welcome. I have enough fabric left over for two more skirts. Just send me an email: iliska_dreams@hotmail.com

TARGET LOGO SKIRT

I finished my “Target Skirt” last week, and it got its first outing to Buddha’s Birthday celebrations at South Bank. 

How gorgeous was my date for the evening. Oh and that is Jarvis's shovel growing out of my back.

Here is the original post on the skirt, when I debated if it looked too much like the Target logo. After finishing the skirt I asked Justin’s opinion and he said “it’s alright, just don’t ever wear it shopping". Hmm don’t think that was a positive answer.

My cute date and the fabric faults.

The fabric was filled with faults, colour runs and so many holes; I opted to line the skirt with raw calico. Not only to help hide the flaws but to give the skirt more weight. In typical me style of sewing I did not use a pattern, I just put the calico over the target fabric and cut the fabric to the length I wanted to wear it. Then it was a matter of just overlocking and gathering the two at the same time.

My no sewing pattern style of sewing. 

Then I cut a second rectangle for a waist band. Lucky for me this all worked and came together with ease. As usual I avoided button holes, by using a zip and hook and eyes for the skirt closure. What took the longest in the making of the skirt was all of the darning I needed to do to mend all of the holes. I also slip stitched the hem to help it sit soft and full. 

With the lining the skirt sits beautifully, it has a nice weight to it. I am very happy with the fit of it. But Justin's word ring in my head each time I go to wear it.... Target Logo Skirt!