Renfrewitis

I'm a little late to this party...

Lara had this illness a while back as did many other garment-sewing ladies, so much so that a term was coined for it... Renfrewi-itis!

It relates to the sewing of various versions of the Renfrew top from Sewaholic patterns, and I really did find you can't stop at just one...

After seeing this pic I removed the vertically striped band and replaced it with a horizontal one

So I didn't!

I tried it out in two styles - the round and the V-neck and they were equally easy to put together.

I can see myself wearing this one a lot, I have a thing for red, can you tell??!!

They are great 'basic' T's that fit well into my casual school-mum wardrobe.

They are comfortable and quick and easy to sew up and I can see that there will be many more Renfrew's in my future.

The only thing I regret is that it took me so long to get onto making this pattern.

I got mine from Sarah at Sew Squirrel - she's in Australia and so they got to me super-fast and she's lovely to deal with, so order one from her if you are going to buy it!

Finally....

getting into some sewing!!

For me, for me!

A light and summery top - come on sun!

I'm doing view B - the top on the right, in this 'wings' fabric that I got off the Spotty bargain table ages ago.
If I mess it up or hate it, well I've only blown $5 so that's a good thing.

Thanks for all the Billy love in my last post.

I also think it's hillarious that there were another three confessed 'Billy' lovers who have them in their craft rooms.
Cam, Lizzie and Shell; I think you all have great taste!!
And Carmel - go on, do it, you won't be disappointed!

'Our fave' is my fave

I'm linking up with Jodie over at The Haby Goddess today with 'Make, Grow, Thrift'.

Those who know me will realise that I am not so great at the second two things - though we are working on the 'grow' element with our vegetable garden and fruit trees, so I am joining in with a 'make' item.

I love the draped effect at the front.

I actually made this top a good month or so ago but hadn't had the chance to get a pic and blog it - so I got 'the guy who lives here' to snap a couple of shots for me today.

It's a free pattern - the 'Our Fave' top from the Tessuti blog.

Hmmm - wish he'd told me to turn that sleeve seam under a little...

Lara had made it before and I tried it on at NCB at least a year ago, then it just sat on my 'to do' list for ages, til I got all that lovely stretch fabric.

Ready for take off!

Here's the shape when your arms are out.

While being so big and loose it is probably not the most flattering of tops, it is such a comfortable top to throw on and wear.
Also, in my opinion, looks that bit more dressed up than a T-shirt with jeans.

I have a few more projects planned for this stretch fabric - hope you're not going to get sick of it!

Head on over to Jodie's to share the 'Make, Grow, Thrift' love.

Close up on Jasmine

You saw this shirt in the post from yesterday but I thought I'd share a few extra details with you.

To date I haven't done a lot of sewing for myself. 

Largely because I have had issues with fit. Or really me not knowing how to get a good fit and so not wearing the things I make, which puts me off making more.

I made this shirt straight off the pattern and it fits me perfectly.

It's bias cut which means there are no zips or buttons to contend with. (Pieces are not cut with the grain of the fabric but across it).

The down side of that is that you use a lot of fabric to get it all cut out and you need to take your time when positioning the front and back pieces to ensure the pattern will match when you sew the front and back seams.

This shirt has lovely details that are perhaps a little hard to see due to the pattern.

There is a little tie on the collar at the front, the two pieces are tucked through a small loop so you don't have to worry about how you tie them together, they just stay where they should.

The sleeves have a band on the end and there is a gently curved collar at the neckline, details that would be more evident if I made it with a contrasting collar and sleeve bands.
Which is what I think I will do next time - as there will definitely be a next time with this shirt.

Even the pattern itself is very sweet.

It's a booklet...

...with very clear step by step instructions and great illustrations...

...and a pocket at the back for the pattern and any notes you want to make for next time.

I'd highly recommend this pattern to a confident beginner sewist.
Make it easier on yourself for the first try and don't use a directional print - instead try it with something like a dot - or a solid.

If this pattern is anything to go by then I am looking forward to getting some time to cut into the Colette Clover pants I plan to make.


THE NITTY GRITTY

THE PATTERN: Jasmine by Colette. (View B)

THE FABRIC: Voile from Spotlight

Sweet Dreams

A not so sneaky look at what I was up to last week.

I was testing Toni's latest pattern - the Sweet Dreams cosmetics purse and ladies PJ pants.

I treated myself to some lovely Anna Maria Horner Little Folks Flannel to make up the pants and I can't rave enough about how soft the flannel is and how comfortable they are to wear.

As is the way with Toni's patterns, it came together really quickly and easily, so much so that I think these may be on the Christmas list for a few friends and family members.

The cosmetics purse is a great size, quite large - will certainly fit lots more than just your toothbrush for an overnight trip!

It has lovely pleated details that are well-explained in the instructions so if you've never sewn them before don't be put off, it's easy - I promise!

Pop over to Toni's blog to win yourself a copy of the pattern or find out where to get it, and make a little something just for you.

My Creative Space

Inspired by these ladies I am going to make something for myself.... soon....


I just need to finish off a few other items that are cut and ready to go...

And definitely decide what to do with the lovely Japanese cotton I picked up at The Cloth Shop this week...

And wash that other stuff I got at Lincraft...

Oh and fold the washing...

and put some more on...

There are lots of more decided folk over at Kirsty's place, maybe you should just check them out...

She's done it again...

I told you it wouldn't be long til I showed you all of this one...

Here it is - the Shearwater Kaftan, a brand new pattern just released by Toni at Make It Perfect.

I've never been one to sew much for me, but that is starting to change, with comfortable and easy to make up patterns such as this one.

This shirt is cool and comfortable and I plan to make another longer one to wear as a beach throwover.

It has little tabs inside the sleeves so they can be rolled up and worn short or left long.

I made it in voile from Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks range and it's a lovely soft fabric.

If you'd like to check out the pattern further have a look at Toni's great pics over here and you can also enter her giveaway to win yourself a copy at the same time.

PS - thanks for all thr birthday wishes, the party was last night and we all stayed up well past our regular bedtimes!

It must be love, love, love!

Nope it's not Valentine's Day, it's my birthday!

It's a 'significant' one this year, not to say all the others aren't.
But this one ends in a zero - yep, I'm 40.

The man of the house has been going on secret expeditions with the small people, and what can I say but Wow, they have great taste!

Three different coloured gold hearts to represent each of my babies and the chain holding them all together, my lovely husband.

Needless to say I love, love, love it! (and him of course).

Hope something in your day is making you smile.

My new favourite...

My new favourite item of clothing is one made by me, for me.

It felt very indulgent the other night to spend time cutting and sewing not for someone else, but just for me.

I love the result so much I wore it the next morning, and one other afternoon and now all I want is for it to be washed and dry, ready to wear again.

It's from a pattern I tested for Toni at Make It Perfect, but don't worry - the wait on this one won't be long.

The pattern release is imminent (that woman is amazing - how she does so much with three kids is beyond me!!),and as soon as it's out there I will show you the full item.

In the meantime, I might just think about what else to make for me, or maybe another of these...

Something for me

In among the Christmas crafting I volunteered for a friend at her local church to run a couple of crafty activities for people who were there attending a craft market.

We made fabric flower brooches and a few people also made stencilled/painted T-shirts as gifts.

It was lots of fun and got quite busy as people wearing their flowers made their way around the market, others saw them and came to make one for themselves.

I love it when someone who doesn't consider themselves capable of making something sits down and finds they can, and walks off proudly wearing their efforts.

I even managed to steal away for a minute or two and check out a few of the stalls, and make a little purchase just for me (for a change!).

Given my well known addiction to all-things-babushka there was no way this little lady was not coming home with me.

I've been looking for a brooch to wear with this plain white shirt and my new little friend is perfect.

She was made by Sarah - check out her blog for details of the market she will be at in Carlton this Monday.

Thanks Sarah - she's just what I needed, and my girls are already eyeing her off!