52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: WEEK ELEVEN

Week Eleven

Even though it is still hot here in Brisbane, I thought it was time to start working on the boys winter wardrobes.

I had a big cutting out session one night, two pairs of pants each and two pairs of flannel pjs each. Jarvis again choose which fabric for each and every pair. He is certainly developing strong notions of what he does and does not like to wear.

I love how I can cut Chester's out of the tiniest of remnants. Even though Chester is still so tiny I thought I would go up to a size two, to last him through the winter. Jarvis requested "super, super long pjs". No worries, as I thought he would get two winters out of them.

As of today I finished two pairs of pj sarouels for Jarvis. He had so much fun modelling asked to wear them today. After half an hour of sweating in them, I finally convinced him to take them off.

Chester got a pair of corduroy sarouels, and a pair of deer old man pjs, which I cut from last year's remnants of Justin's. The cords are fine, if not super long on Chester, but the pjs at size two swim on Chester, think these will have to go away until next year.

I think that is why I love the sarouels design so much. Not only for style, and comfort, but for the fact worn 'too big' they look cute, and allow extra wear out of them.

52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: WEEKS NINE AND TEN

Week Nine

With so much travel, my machine has been unloved. All I managed was a quick pair of boxer shorts for Jarvis. He choose the two fabrics and I love how he has managed to match/contrast them.

Image is the reality of the boxer shorts. After wearing them to bed, in the morning they get dumped on the floor, sometimes in the bathroom, sometimes in his bedroom, mostly willy nilly around the house.

Week Ten

Last week I opted to make something for myself. Jarvis again picked the fabric, and I got it made in quick time. So much so, I have already worn this new skirt twice.

The skirt has been named Honor, after Honor Blackman, the actress who plays Pussy Galore in the James Bond film Goldfinger.

The fabric is 100% cotton, and as you can tell in me naming it, has cats all over it. As usual all seams were either given the Hong Kong seam treatment with yellow bias, or French seamed. 

Also to note, Jarvis's love of colour yet again influences my style, note only is the fabric pattern something I would not normally choose for myself, but the yellow is not a colour I have in my wardrobe. The posses were also directed by Jarvis. Yes, he makes my world fun.

52 ITEMS IN 52 WEEKS: WEEKS SEVEN AND EIGHT

Week Seven

I finished these last week before we went on holidays, however, since every day Chester came over it was so hot. I did not get around to doing a photoshoot of the boys.

Two pair of Monster Mash sarouels. Jarvis really loves monsters, plus he really loves have matching clothes to Chester. So these are a hit.

Week Eight.

After being away for the first part of the week, and then at work for the second half. I thought it would be a good week to catch up on repairs mending, and hemming curtains for my mother-in-law. A small week, of very boring sewing.

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".

MARCH MENDING

At the beginning of the year I set myself sewing goals. The post on this can be found here. For the first two months I achieved them with ease. However, for March I have deviated. Instead of following the list, I have found contentment in mending, in finishing all of those unfinished projects. Okay, I have not finished them all, yet I am finding a sense of growing happiness at the lessening of the "to do pile" and the growing of the 'done' pile.

Red Gingham Dress, is still there waiting to be finished, you can see her under a stash of fabrics that I am turning into baby wraps.

I have still managed to sew at least one, or more item per week, yet I have not posted about it. I have not practiced or learnt a new skill this month. Or sewn using my vintage patterns, yet I have been making for someone other. This last item is the thing that is bringing such happiness. That act of giving for no reason other than I want to. 

My boxer shorts are traveling around the globe for other people to wear. 

RED GINGHAM DRESS MISS 1970S BODICE

With me working pretty much every day last week, I had no time for blogging, and definitely no time for sewing. However, Saturday after I had spent the day paving, I snuck in some me time Saturday night once Jarvis was in bed. (Justin photographed Soundwave all day/night Saturday. So I had the house to myself.)

 Front

Last week I cut the dress out. First off I sat down and read the instructions... hmm not much help/instructions, so it all was a bit of a guess. Miss 1970 proved to be a tricky woman, not sure if it was over-tiredness or she is just a difficult woman? My biggest challenge was, once I  basted the pieces together to check the fit, I realised then a 1970s size 12 was massive on me and I needed to take at least five centimetres off both sides. Which then bought the challenge of re-working the darts.

Pinning on yourself is no easy task, especially after I had spent the day paving and my back and arms muscles felt like jelly. But now, it seems to fit really well. I am super excited for the next step of attaching the skirt and skirt underlay!

Two more naps and I may get this dress done. I just have to decide if I am going to use bias binding on the hem as well?

 Pieces before the five centimeters off both sides

Back

RED GINGHAM DRESS CUT OUT

In keeping with my sewing resolutions for this year I rummaged through my fabric stash and my vintage pattern stash and found this combination. It is going to be Miss 70s meets Miss 50s with a touch of my pattern drafting throwing in.

The skirt is all Miss 5os. The bodice, well the front is Miss 70s and the back is my drafting. The original Miss 70s had a high square back and I have altered it to a lower V shaped back. I also added an extra five centimetres to the bodice length as I am long waisted. 

I am using a red cotton gingham lined with a white poly cotton. One nap was drafting and cutting. Yes, I measure my sewing in nap times. I think I am going to need a few naps to get this finished.