Taking Stock - Week 19

 What I accomplished this week (Friday to Thursday)

* Nautical Outfit

* One Piece Kimono Tee

Finished Projects 2011

* Autumn leaf table runner Gifts (Tarof Family)

* Purple tea-with-the-debutantes dress Work Clothing

* Ruffle dress Work Clothing

* Olive dress Work Clothing

* Maroon Skirt Work Clothing

* White damask skirt Work Clothing

* White Damask blazer Work Clothing

* Magenta stretch dress Work Clothing

* Green stretch dress Work Clothing

* Apron for Nerilee Gifts

* Apron for Robyn Gifts

* Oopsie the Octopus Gifts (Tarof Family)

* Circles Table Runner Gifts (Tarof Family)

* A5 art book bag Gifts (Tarof Family)

* 1950s Apron Gifts (Tarof Family)

* 4 x Baby bibs Gifts (Tarof Family)

* Kyles’ art book messenger bag Gifts (Tarof Family)

* Adam’s art book messenger bag Christmas 2010

* Wild West dress for stomp Home Clothing

* Embroidery practice Gifts

* Pleated skirt with teal and black design Work Clothing

* 3 x blue cushion covers House Stuff

* little hearts pjs using Tara top patterns and collette mini bloomers pattern Home clothing

* 3 x olive cushion covers House Stuff

* Drafted A-Line Skirt Pattern

* Drafted red ruffle skirt pattern

* Navy swirl skirt Home / Work Clothing

* Lace underskirt Home / Work Clothing

* Beige button skirt Home / Work Clothing

* Teal dress (coffee date dress) Home / Work Clothing

* 4 x cream cushions (and now I’m all done with cushion covers) House Stuff

* Mum’s birthday book 

* jacket shell for CIT

* red lace look dress

Projects on the go

* Beaded Obi Belt

* Double Circle Skirt

* Stained Glass Window Quilt.

* Herringbone wool skirt Home / Work Clothing

* Blazer with teal and black design Work Clothing

* Red Ruffle Skirt Home / Work Clothing

Future Projects with fabric already purchased

* 52 weeks of quilt blocks quilt Christmas 2011

* Teal blazer to go with damask skirt Home Clothing

* Black damask dress Work Clothing

* Pink and black damask dress Work Clothing

* Hearts dress (fabric) Home Clothing

* Hearts dress (quilt cover) Home Clothing

* Tara top – floral quilting fabric Home Clothing

* Tara dress – pink quilting fabric, Home Clothing

* Ying Yang gathered top Home / Work Clothing

* Red ruffle skirt Home / Work Clothing

* Blue corset with quilting fabric Home Clothing

* Refashion of black patterned dress from Big W Home Clothing

* Refashion of purple patterned dresses from Big W Home Clothing

* Underskirts / petticoats for summer dresses Home / Work Clothing

* Hot pink drill dress Home Clothing

* Hot pink check dress with pleats to create pink waist Home Clothing

* Red and Black Wool Skirt Home / Work clothing

* Over skirt with buttons (inspired by pinterest skirt) leaf baby cord Home Clothing

* Hot pink and Aqua skirt with flower/ reverse applique design Home Clothing

Future Project Ideas

* Shorts for pole Home Clothing

* Olive jacket/ coat Home / Work Clothing

* Slips to keep me warm under summer dresses Home / Work Clothing

* Duro Dress / top Home / Work Clothing

* Over-The-Head 1950s reproduction pattern dress Home / Work Clothing

* Bag thing to cover and carry my baby sewing machine Sewing Gadgets

* bias tape skirt Home Clothing

UFO Projects - or, the sewing basket challenge

This is things that I know I have to do, but just haven't quite gotten to yet

* Hem red and orange long skirt

* Waistband on red satin circle skirt

* Waistband on can can underskirt

* Move debutantes dress zipper to side and lower neckline

* loose lace on stomp wedding dress

* redo waistband on wild west dress

* make red crepe wrap around skirt wearable

* pockets for mums red jacket

* polka dot ruffle skirt

Fabrics in my stash

As I slowly go through my stash, I will keep updating this list. Because honestly, I have no idea what is in my stash at the moment. These are just the things in the boxes I can get to.

* Purple/red/blue knitted fabric

* Fan fabric

* Striped (white base) terry towelling – polycotton – 1.5m, 150cm wide

* Fish (white base) terry towelling – polycotton – scraps

* White/Cream stretch fabric – 100% cotton – 1m, 150cm wide

* Hearts in straight line (white base) stretch fabric – 100% cotton – 1.5m, 150cm wide

* Green leaves fabric – 100% cotton – 1m, 115 wide

* Green and white Michael miller dandy damask – 100% cotton – 3 yards, 150cm wide

* Red with blue and white whales fabric – 100% cotton – 1.5m, 150cm wide

* Navy blue acrylic felt – .6m, 80cm wide

* Rose pink stretch drill - Cotton lycra - 4.9m, 150cm wide

* Rose bed sheets

* Black satin bed sheets

* green micheal miller fabric

* Japanese leaf fabric

* More black sating than I know what to do with

* black shot with navy blue pleated/crinkled satin. - 100% manmade, 1m, 150cm wide

* lilac tulle knit, - 100% man made, 1m, 150cm wide

* hot pink tulle knit, - 100% man made, 1m, 150cm wide

* pink tshirt weight knit, unknown fibre, .5m, 150cm wide

* purple tshirt weight knit, unknown fibre, .5m, 150cm wide

* hot pink fleece (hoodie material), 1m, 150cm wide

* light pink fleece (hoodie material), 1m, 150cm wide

* grey knit with red design, 10m, 150cm wide

* red organza, 3m, 150cm wide (has flaws)

* white fabric with flowers, tshirt weight stretch, 1m, 150cm wide

* small pieces: purple striped t shirt weight knit (used for d of e skirts)

* small pieces: hearts on blue t shirt weight knit (used for d of e skirts)

* white with yellow polka dots t shirt weight knit, 1m, 150cm

* small pieces: black t shirt weight knit

* baby blue t shirt weight knit, 1 m, 150cm wide

* green paisley satin, 2m, 150cm wide

* yellow with butterflies, quilting weight cotton, 1m, 150cm wide

* small pieces: red with pink stars polar fleece

* small pieces: purple with sparkle quilting weight cotton

* with with stripes (d of e skirt and pants) t shirt weight knit, 1m, 150cm wide

* purple slinky lycra, 2m, 150cm wide

* baby yellow with small white spots t shirt wight knit, small piece

* small piece: plain lavender cotton

* small piece: green with flowers quilting weight cotton

* burnt orange flowers corduroy

* burnt orange cheese cloth

8 in 28 ideas

* Red Crepe Ruffle Skirt

* Green and black damask skirt (COMPLETED)

* Pink and black piped dress

* Tara Dress (pink fabric)

* Tara top (quilting fabric)

* Duro Dress

* 1950s Wrap Dress

* Button Skirt and Cream underskirts (COMPLETED)

* Black and red wool Skirt

* Blue Cushion Covers (COMPLETED)

* Baby cord leaf skirt

Stash Busting Ideas

* Top with purple/red/blue knitted fabric Home / Work Clothing

* 1950s inspired swim suit from purple lycra Home Clothing

Self-Stitched-September Item 1

As you remember, I have pledged to make (and wear) 6 new items for Self-Stitched-September this year. To give myself a bit of focus to do this, I have decided to use challenges set by the awesome Mena at Sew Weekly. I'm going to be doing a bit of picking and choosing, and although I want to get caught up with the challenges, I may not actually achieve that. And to get caught up, I may cheat and use things I have already sewn (although, I won't be counting them towards SSS '11).

The first thing I planned to make was a skirt inspired by the Piped Sailor Skirt from Anthropologie. It's been pinned to my pinterest style board for a while now. I love the contrast of the dark piping lines and warm skirt colour. The buttons add just that little bit of 'pop.'

Source: anthropologie.com via fyrefairee on Pinterest

I used the free Kasia pattern from BurdaStyle with some thrifted red corduroy, and black piping.

Extending the straight line down from the pockets, I added a line of piping. I also got rid of the pockets (I tend not to use pockets) and, the front bib, instead putting in a centre back zip. I had to resize the gathered front panel after getting rid of the pockets, and resized the yokes, so that the piping would line up properly.


I have, up until this point, tended to steer clear of high waisted skirts. The simple reason for this is that there are generally 4 sizes between my waist measurement and my hip measurement. For this pattern, my waist was a 36 and my hips were a 40. I decided not to do a muslin (really not sure why) and to just cur a straight size 40. Which, no surprises, was miles too big for me around the waistband. But the hips fit really well. So, I took a bit in from the side seams, and a bit in from the back seam. Most of the excess was taken in from the centre back seam, as the gathers on the hip accentuate the hips a bit, and I really didn't want to accentuate them any more. 

I even managed to get the piping to line up on the zip!

I really ummed and aahed about which challenge this should fit into. Should it be Rule, Britannia? Or Ahoy, Matey!? The piping gives it a nautical feel, but the red makes it feel more British... Part of my conundrum was that I don't like most of the 'sailor shirt' styles. I can do stripes, but those collars just put me off. I'm trying not to buy anything new, and I know that I don't have any striped knits in my stash, so that ruled making a striped T-Shirt to go with the skirt. Then I saw this.

Source: skins-fashion.livejournal.com via fyrefairee on Pinterest

Just enough of a stripe and detailing to make it feel nautical, but not so much that it has the costume-y collar look. So, that became my inspiration for the top. Although I usually go for a more fitted style, the high waist of the Kasia really lends itself to a less fitted style that gets tucked in. 


Using the free 1 piece Kimono Tee pattern, I redrafted the neckline and added a seam below the bustline to allow for the navy stripe. I also shortened it about 10cm. I made a plain version of this up (which I'm planning on counting towards another Sew Weekly challenge), and it came down to my hips. Which is fine, but leaves just a bit too much excess fabric to have ride up during the day when it's tucked into the high waisted skirt. Less length is less to ride up, and it's still long enough for me to tuck in.  I'm really happy with how this turned out, even if I did manage to (completely by accident) draft the line straight across my nipple line. Oh well. And, I'm really please with the look of the crepe scraps with the solid knit.

The Facts
Fabric: Thrifted Red Corduroy from stash; White Cotton knit from stash; Navy crepe fabric scraps

Pattern: Kasia pattern Free; 1 piece Kimono Tee Free

Year: 2011

Notions: invizible zipper $2.00; piping cord from stash; thrifted buttons $0.50

Time to complete: Kimono Tee: 1 1/2 hours, including redrafting neckline.

First worn: September 2011

Wear again? Yes! It's a super comfy outfit.

Total Cost: ~$ 2.50

Taking Stock - Week 17 & 18

 What I accomplished this week (Friday to Thursday)

Well, this fortnight, I didn't actually finish anything, but I did start a few things:
* Beaded Obi Belt
* Double Circle Skirt
* Stained Glass Window Quilt.

And, I pledged to join Self-Stitched-September 2011!

Spring has finally arrived here (thank goodness!) and I have been revelling in the sunshine and warmth I've been missing all winter. I went camping over the weekend, and it was just so gorgeous and blue (so I'm going to pretty up this post with some pictures of the weekend).

Finished Projects 2011

* Autumn leaf table runner Gifts (Tarof Family)

* Purple tea-with-the-debutantes dress Work Clothing

* Ruffle dress Work Clothing

* Olive dress Work Clothing

* Maroon Skirt Work Clothing

* White damask skirt Work Clothing

* White Damask blazer Work Clothing

* Magenta stretch dress Work Clothing

* Green stretch dress Work Clothing

* Apron for Nerilee Gifts

* Apron for Robyn Gifts

* Oopsie the Octopus Gifts (Tarof Family)

* Circles Table Runner Gifts (Tarof Family)

* A5 art book bag Gifts (Tarof Family)

* 1950s Apron Gifts (Tarof Family)

* 4 x Baby bibs Gifts (Tarof Family)

* Kyles’ art book messenger bag Gifts (Tarof Family)

* Adam’s art book messenger bag Christmas 2010

* Wild West dress for stomp Home Clothing

* Embroidery practice Gifts

* Pleated skirt with teal and black design Work Clothing

* 3 x blue cushion covers House Stuff

* little hearts pjs using Tara top patterns and collette mini bloomers pattern Home clothing

* 3 x olive cushion covers House Stuff

* Drafted A-Line Skirt Pattern

* Drafted red ruffle skirt pattern

* Navy swirl skirt Home / Work Clothing

* Lace underskirt Home / Work Clothing

* Beige button skirt Home / Work Clothing

* Teal dress (coffee date dress) Home / Work Clothing

* 4 x cream cushions (and now I’m all done with cushion covers) House Stuff

* Mum’s birthday book 

* jacket shell for CIT

* red lace look dress

Projects on the go

* Herringbone wool skirt Home / Work Clothing

* Blazer with teal and black design Work Clothing

* Red Ruffle Skirt Home / Work Clothing

Future Projects with fabric already purchased

* 52 weeks of quilt blocks quilt Christmas 2011

* Teal blazer to go with damask skirt Home Clothing

* Black damask dress Work Clothing

* Pink and black damask dress Work Clothing

* Hearts dress (fabric) Home Clothing

* Hearts dress (quilt cover) Home Clothing

* Tara top – floral quilting fabric Home Clothing

* Tara dress – pink quilting fabric, Home Clothing

* Ying Yang gathered top Home / Work Clothing

* Red ruffle skirt Home / Work Clothing

* Blue corset with quilting fabric Home Clothing

* Refashion of black patterned dress from Big W Home Clothing

* Refashion of purple patterned dresses from Big W Home Clothing

* Underskirts / petticoats for summer dresses Home / Work Clothing

* Hot pink drill dress Home Clothing

* Hot pink check dress with pleats to create pink waist Home Clothing

* Red and Black Wool Skirt Home / Work clothing

* Over skirt with buttons (inspired by pinterest skirt) leaf baby cord Home Clothing

* Hot pink and Aqua skirt with flower/ reverse applique design Home Clothing

Future Project Ideas

* Shorts for pole Home Clothing

* Olive jacket/ coat Home / Work Clothing

* Slips to keep me warm under summer dresses Home / Work Clothing

* Duro Dress / top Home / Work Clothing

* Over-The-Head 1950s reproduction pattern dress Home / Work Clothing

* Bag thing to cover and carry my baby sewing machine Sewing Gadgets

* bias tape skirt Home Clothing

UFO Projects - or, the sewing basket challenge

This is things that I know I have to do, but just haven't quite gotten to yet

* Hem red and orange long skirt

* Waistband on red satin circle skirt

* Waistband on can can underskirt

* Move debutantes dress zipper to side and lower neckline

* loose lace on stomp wedding dress

* redo waistband on wild west dress

* make red crepe wrap around skirt wearable

* pockets for mums red jacket

* polka dot ruffle skirt

Fabrics in my stash

As I slowly go through my stash, I will keep updating this list. Because honestly, I have no idea what is in my stash at the moment. These are just the things in the boxes I can get to.

* Purple/red/blue knitted fabric

* Fan fabric

* Striped (white base) terry towelling – polycotton – 1.5m, 150cm wide

* Fish (white base) terry towelling – polycotton – scraps

* White/Cream stretch fabric – 100% cotton – 1m, 150cm wide

* Hearts in straight line (white base) stretch fabric – 100% cotton – 1.5m, 150cm wide

* Green leaves fabric – 100% cotton – 1m, 115 wide

* Green and white Michael miller dandy damask – 100% cotton – 3 yards, 150cm wide

* Red with blue and white whales fabric – 100% cotton – 1.5m, 150cm wide

* Navy blue acrylic felt – .6m, 80cm wide

* Rose pink stretch drill - Cotton lycra - 4.9m, 150cm wide

* Rose bed sheets

* Black satin bed sheets

* green micheal miller fabric

* Japanese leaf fabric

* More black sating than I know what to do with

* black shot with navy blue pleated/crinkled satin. - 100% manmade, 1m, 150cm wide

* lilac tulle knit, - 100% man made, 1m, 150cm wide

* hot pink tulle knit, - 100% man made, 1m, 150cm wide

* pink tshirt weight knit, unknown fibre, .5m, 150cm wide

* purple tshirt weight knit, unknown fibre, .5m, 150cm wide

* hot pink fleece (hoodie material), 1m, 150cm wide

* light pink fleece (hoodie material), 1m, 150cm wide

* grey knit with red design, 10m, 150cm wide

* red organza, 3m, 150cm wide (has flaws)

* white fabric with flowers, tshirt weight stretch, 1m, 150cm wide

* small pieces: purple striped t shirt weight knit (used for d of e skirts)

* small pieces: hearts on blue t shirt weight knit (used for d of e skirts)

* white with yellow polka dots t shirt weight knit, 1m, 150cm

* small pieces: black t shirt weight knit

* baby blue t shirt weight knit, 1 m, 150cm wide

* green paisley satin, 2m, 150cm wide

* yellow with butterflies, quilting weight cotton, 1m, 150cm wide

* small pieces: red with pink stars polar fleece

* small pieces: purple with sparkle quilting weight cotton

* with with stripes (d of e skirt and pants) t shirt weight knit, 1m, 150cm wide

* purple slinky lycra, 2m, 150cm wide

* baby yellow with small white spots t shirt wight knit, small piece

* small piece: plain lavender cotton

* small piece: green with flowers quilting weight cotton

* burnt orange flowers corduroy

* burnt orange cheese cloth

8 in 28 ideas

* Red Crepe Ruffle Skirt

* Green and black damask skirt (COMPLETED)

* Pink and black piped dress

* Tara Dress (pink fabric)

* Tara top (quilting fabric)

* Duro Dress

* 1950s Wrap Dress

* Button Skirt and Cream underskirts (COMPLETED)

* Black and red wool Skirt

* Blue Cushion Covers (COMPLETED)

* Baby cord leaf skirt

Stash Busting Ideas

* Top with purple/red/blue knitted fabric Home / Work Clothing

* 1950s inspired swim suit from purple lycra Home Clothing

Stained Glass Window Quilt - Part 1

Months and months ago, I decided that for Christmas this year, I was going to make my parents a quilt. They were the recipients of the only other quilt I have ever made, which I have no photos of, so I can't show you. But it is still on their bed. It was squares wonkily sewn together, and big. My mum actually ended up doing all the quilting of it in the end. They still use it.

I'm planning that this quilt is going to be just as big - I'm aiming for 245x275cm when finished. And, my inspiration is some of the gorgeous stained glass windows I saw in churches and cathedrals in Europe. the design is still being worked out, but I had a spare half hour today, so I thought I'd try of the piecing technique I'm going to use. Now, I'm sure what I've done has a name somewhere in the quilting world, but I don't know it.

Basically, I took 6 squares of fabric, and cut them in half unevenly along 2 parallel sides. I then sewed them back together with a different design fabric. Then, I took those squares and cut them again, on the opposite sides. then I joined the squares up. Although, they aren't perfectly square - I'm going to have to decide if I like that look of off kilter squares, or if I am going to size each square before I sew them together. I'm leaning away from doing that, just a touch, because all up, this quilt is going to need about 2000 of those little squares. They're each about 5cmx5cm when finished.

I really love the vibrancy of the oranges - I'm also using a similar collection of blue fabrics, a red banding fabric, and a black based aboriginal-dot-painting-style fabric.