Day Tripper Top

A short post today.  I made a short sleeve jumper.  A useless garment really but I needed some short sleeve jumpers for my nursing tutorials.  

This is technically a wearable muslin, I bought this fabric from DarnCheap Fabrics a couple of years ago it has stamps from the manufacture on the right side which I was told would wash out! Yeah right lady.  Because of this I used the wrong side of the fabric for the body and the right side for the bands.  It sheds in the wash but it looks cute.  The BF enjoys teasing me that my clothes are inside out.

This is the Day Tripper pattern from Shrwin Patterns but I found it on the PatternAnthology. A simple shape with a high low hem, pockets and a wide neckline.

I made the largest size, and the longest length.  I added 4 inches to the hip because the sizing sounded very slim hipped to me but that may be the look.  There wasn't any markings for the pocket placement, I double checked the flat pattern.  I placed the pockets 2 inches from the hem seam but I think I put them to low.  When I put my phone in the pockets they hang to low below the edge of the binding.  I did purchase and download the pattern several months ago so that might have been fixed by now.

Very Hungry Caterpillar pants

Oh hey, long time no see.  I made some more Hudson pants and a Kimono top (a good friend named my pants, she was pretty horrified).

been having some photographer problems,

For the hudsons I used some crazy multicoloured painted stripy neoprene from Spotlight for the main fabric and some bright blue neoprene from Darn Cheap Fabrics for the contrast fabric. Spotlight have been getting a lot of really lovely neoprene prints that I have been tempted by but at $24.99 I have to avoid.  These are the fourth Hudsons I have made, and unless I cave and buy some more crazy neoprene that's all I am going to make this year.

The reality of renting in Melbourne suburbia, important stuff in pots.  Weeds everywhere.  Broken fence.

I used some mystery black poly for the Kimono top.  It was leftover from some Christmas gift sewing, several years back I made a top for the mother of my then BF.  I actually made this one just to take pictures with these pants !blogger trap I fell in you! but I have no regrets.  I have made so many of these tops that I have lost count but this one has quickly become a favourite. I lowered and narrowed the neckline by an inch because I am not a huge fan of exposed bra straps all of the time, a big fault of the unaltered pattern in my size.  Used bias binding instead of the facings and cuffs, the centre back seam was a fabric saving endeavor.  I feel casual and put together in this top.  I may have worn if several days in a row the week I finished it.  More neutrals in my sewing to do list I think.

I am finishing this post with some pictures of me trying to explain to the photographer/BF how to take pictures

You are welcome to stand closer.  I will not bite.

I need you to frame where my ...

... hands are

Why do I have to standing facing the sun photographer man. Curse my blue eyes.

Hudson Tracky Dacks

A post with not that many pictures.  I made some Hudson pants.  I don't know if you can tell from the pictures but I am very pleased with this make.  I needed something to wear with them to take pictures and grabbed this Tiny Pocket Tank from the drawer.  You can all live with the wrinkles.  I put lip gloss on,  That is effort.

I made these with some random honeycomb knit from Darn Cheap Fabrics. They are calling it "password" and offering it in about 10 colours.  I used some scuba knit stuff they are calling ponte. The password is $7.95 a metre and the ponte is $19.  I lengthened the pattern at the ankle by 4" just so the ankle wouldn't be that pegged.  I drafted a pattern piece for the hem which was 14 6/8" by 2". I think this makes them look more "I am out to the shops" instead of "I am staying home today".  I omitted the tie just because I didn't want to do button holes in a knit. 

I wore these out to Doncaster! A shopping centre here in Melbourne with designer shops and a fancy attitude.  If any non-Australian readers do not know what tracky dacks are look it up on google or look at this adorable kid wearing trackies for charity.

Yeah these are really cool trackies.......

Geometry and Madrid

I made some things! I even managed to take pictures.  I made the Madrid bag from Seamwork magazine from the team at Colette Patterns.  I used all stash stuff including leather that I think originally came from my high school textile room (It has been many years since I graduated), and an antler button from the UK.  The patterns from Seamwork magazine are supposed to be 2 hour patterns.  Yeah not so much for this bag.  Maybe 10 hours.  Lots of interfacing and poly organza in this bag to give it shape.  Pretty happy with it over all.

I made the Geometry top from Katy and Laney.  I used size 14 because it had the right bust size, but it came out super boxy.  

It also came out as very christmas-ie.  I used leftovers from my stash, and I think this military green always looks really nice with red.  Not sure if it worked this time.  The green is a silk/cotton blend with one shiny side and one dull side.  Ignore the wrinkles I had just come back from lunch with a friend from "out of town". 

I used all french seams for the top and bias binding as a facing.  Came together easy.  Either choose a really drapey, annoying to work with fabric or have smaller boobs than me.  Otherwise you will be adjusting your clothes all day long.

adjusting....

adjusting....

Measurements

I was walking with a friend of mine the other day and I realised something and blurted it out loud "My BF and Jacqui have the same bust measurement". My friend reacted in horror and asked "Why would you know that?". I wasn't trying to freak her out I just thought it was interesting. That two large but very different shaped people could have the same bust measurement. I thought it said something about how we perceive body shapes, our body and others.  That silhouette and shapes confuse our perception and we imagine things as smaller and larger than they really are.

My friend was horrified that I knew anyone's measurements. She doesn't sew and wouldn't know her own measurements. I am not even sure she would know her weight at the moment. This I understand. Unless I am actively dieting I prefer to not know.  But I know my measurements. Off by heart. And my bf's, my mothers, my fathers and Jacqui's.  I remember at least their bust measurements from the last time I took it.  Why is this odd? I sew things for myself and sometimes for other people. It is pretty hard to do that if I don't measure first. 

My Ideal skirt length is always 69cm. Just thought you would like to know.

It is interesting the different relationship people have with their bodies when they sew. I say people because I know of a few men who sew and I know a lot of men who have had an unhappy time shopping for clothes. 

When I go shopping if something doesn't fit when it usually would I leave the store blaming my body.  Even if it "fits" but isn't suited to my body shape it is still somehow my bodies fault.  The shop and manufacturer is never at fault.  My body is "wrong".  I know that really there is nothing wrong with my body.  It may be larger than the stores fit model but it is not wrong.  When I sew something and it doesn't fit it is still my fault.  My sewing skills have failed me.  A much better feeling but still frustrating.  That is my experience.

 

I will be sure to avoid IRONIZED YEAST

I have witnessed other people react differently when things do not fit.  They blame the manufacturer. Clothes from that brand are too short, or have weird hips, or never have enough room in the bust, they always cut the bodice too long in the back etc.  While I go home and sew something when I can't find anything that fits, people that don't sew just keep on shopping.  Searching for the perfect dress or pair of jeans.  Going from shop to shop where sizes can be wildly different, never knowing their own measurements. I imagine it can make the relationship with your own body very murky.

Shopping Instead of Sewing

And now it's the Easter holidays! The last 6 weeks for me have been crazy.  I have done a little bit of sewing but it's for someone else and not blog worthy.  I have been doing a lot of reading and trying to remember lots of long words.  That memorising thing isn't really working, something I will have to work on because exams start in 5 weeks, but the rest of uni has been great.  I'm understanding things that I have seen nurse's do before and baffled me and every time I go to work I feel like uni is making me better at my job.  I am still not doing any nursing care don't worry. 

One thing I did get to do recently was go to the Alannah Hill/Danger field/Gorman factory outlet after I read on sewnbyelizabeth that they sell fabric there! She forgot to mention buttons and notions! I bought some fabric but I am most excited about the buttons. The fabrics are up the stairs in the far right corner.  The rest of the store can be a bit full on but the woman who served me was lovely and made me feel at ease in an instant.  She cuts the fabric, makes small talk, does her calculations, sticks the bill to the front of your bag of fabric and you pay down stairs with everyone else. I spent about $120. 

Firstly some fabrics that were labelled Alannah Hill.  The spots I think is a lining.  It is very thin and slippery but the hand is crisp and I imagine easy to sew.  I think I will be using it as a lining one day.  The floral just looks like Alannah Hill to me, yes that's why I bought it, but it was labelled 100% silk and is so soft and fluid.  It was $12 a meter.  In my world that's a bargain. 

These fabrics were labelled Danger Field and they do look it.  They remind me of my misspent youth.  The outlet had a lot of really amazing wools, lots of different weights and textures, not that many colours though.  Lots of black and plaid, one brown and few "prints" that aren't really prints as the pattern is weaved in. All of the wools I saw were marked at $10 a meter.  This black was the cheapest at $7 and I think it is a blend of some kind. But all of the others were either to heavy and blanket like or too light and pashmere like for what I wanted. I don't think this plaid is a wool either but I liked it in the store.  

How cool are these buttons? Almost everything in the button box were things you wouldn't see at a fabric store.  None of these cost more the $1 each.  The huge black ones that are actually black fabric with metal rims were $1.  Pearl buttons that just scream Alannah Hill. Yes those are clasps covered in red satin, they had pink satin ones as well but I passed. And little metal looking textured buttons.  

I will be going back to this store again.  I'm still planning tops with sleeves but I am also obsessing about winter coat sewing.  My anniversary with the BF is coming up and he wants to get me either a stethoscope or a pair of heels but I am trying to convince him sewing patterns make good presents. I am thinking about the Rigel Bomber.

Awesome boob friendly bomber

I have a new sewing machine to show off too! I'll try and get good day time photos of it soon.

Window Shopping

A few details about my life before I get into the sewing talk...

A few years ago I emerged from University with a degree and not many job options. I looked around for a while and after several months of nothing but judgemental looks from the staff at centrelink I got a job working in a hospital. Not what I studied but I took it. Now on the first day at work the staff gave me a uniform and told me how to wash my hands and sent me on my way.  Don't worry I'm not actually responsible for nursing care.  

I've decided to go back to Uni this year and get my nursing degree. I've only just realised how much this decision is going to turn my life upside down more then any other time I have done tertiary study. Now putting aside all the reading and time management it seems my wardrobe is going change a lot. 

I have to wear short sleeves (at least 5 cm about the elbows) cleavage covering tops most days at Uni to be allowed into the practise labs.  I have avoided that shape for a long time.  My "uniform" is usually a knit tank top jeans and a cardigan or a woven tank top jeans and a cardigan.  Throw on a scarf and jacket for colder weather. So I have to make some things to wear.

Now to the fun part. Picking patterns...

kimono top

I already own a copy of this pattern and have made it up a handful of times.  It's an easy little top I can make in a day that doesn't have darts.  I usually only wear them on really hot days because wearing it with a cardigan is comical.  This is what I have been wearing most days at Uni.  I think I will have to make up again at least once.

Sinbad and Sailor Fitted Dove T

I have already bought this one as well. I half made it up once and then remembered I don't LIKE sleeves and boob covering tops.  It makes wearing cardigans difficult and makes me look like a barrel. I don't think my lecturers at Uni will appreciate my feelings on this so I guess I will try again.  Hopefully if I pick a really young and out there print it won't make me look that horrible. 

Sewaholic Renfrew

I "own" a copy of this one as well. I traced my Mum's copy. Never made it up.  Knits are a little scary I am not going to lie.  I can make a mean pair of panties or a singlet top but I use lace on all the raw edges and those are never going to be seen by anyone who isn't sleeping with me or doing my laundry. Wearing a knit top outside the house that's different.  But it's an option.

Megan Nielsen Briar Tshirt

Finally some window shopping! I don't think I could do the crop top version and that curved hem in a knit would give me nightmares but I love the versions I have seen around.  So flattering. 

SewChic Ehlen Blouse

This top looks adorable! I've never bought anything from Sew Chic Patterns or heard much about them. I found this pattern during a late night net lurking. It really tickles my vintage sensibilities. I would probably need to do an FBA and fiddle with the peplum to get it to fit. My instinct would be to deepen the V. Don't think my lectures would like that. 

Grainline Scout T

I live in Grainline's Tiny Pocket Tank so I should already own this one. But a few things have stopped me from buying.  I don't know if the relaxed, dartless, kinda short shape will suit me and I don't like sleeves. I would probably lower the neckline a tiny bit.

Vogue 1247

The fun one! I have been meaning to buy this one just because of all the great ones around the sewing blogs. So flattering once you get the size right.  She even looks like a nurse kinda.  A sexy sexy nurse that wants to take your blood pressure. Something about her expression, short skirt and horrible pocket placement.

Salme Cut Out the Shoulder Dress

A dress! I am tempted by this one.  I can overlook the fact that it's a shape and silhouette usually pushed on plus sized women by rtw clothing companies.  Hate your arms but look like a blob when you cover them up? Look we cut a hole for you! Don't really have a waist, especially when you indulge with a large meal? It's called elastic and we have some for you! If it was in a plus sized clothing store it would have a necklace sewn into the shoulder seams, or even worse a picture of a necklace printed onto the neckline. Gross. I do think it will look great with some boots and leggings in winter if I get the length right. Without a fake necklace.

Just have to finish a very special dress then I can get started on this project.  And you know do some Uni home work.