Shop Update

We are now stocking these adorable peg doll kits from Pretty Ditty (aka Jamie Christina), just in time for christmas.

They are super fast and fun to make and would be the perfect gift either made up, or for a crafter to make themselves.

 The kit comes with supplies for 2 dolls, sewing pattern for a dolls dress and instructions on how to make your dolly.
You require a few materials like glue and acrylic paint to paint his/her face and attach arms etc.

The kits are priced at $13.95 each and I have limited stock available before Christmas so get in quick!

 (images via www.jamiechristina.com)

Shop Update!

Just a quick shop update, I am now stocking the Figgy's Patterns range in the shop.
This range is for the kiddies, there are 6 gorgeous styles and there's even a pattern for the boys which as a mum of 2 boy's I am very excited about.

The instructions are really detailed, and the style's are seriously cool! I wish the Zephyr romper was in big girl sizes lol.

SHOP SALE!!!

SELECTED PATTERNS NOW 30% OFF - FOR A LIMITED TIME!!

Brooklyn Tweed Knitting Patterns Now In Stock

I'm pleased to announce we are now stocking Brookly!n Tweed knitting patterns in the shop!

They are a small company and aside from designing their own patterns they also produce their own wool, which is grown and spun in Harrisville New Hampshire. A place where wool has been produced since way back in 1794!

They have some really beautiful designs, I found it hard to choose what to order. I have got a small selection for now but hope to add more styles in the very near future in the meantime here's a sneak peek:

Colette Patterns Anise and Juniper now available in the Shop

Just a quick update, The latest additions from Colette Patterns, The Juniper Trouser and Anise Jacket patterns are now available in the shop.

Two really beautiful classic styles, I cant wait to start seeing some finished versions!

New Patterns from Colette

Colette patterns have unveiled their two new patterns for Autumn, The Juniper and The Anise.

Juniper is a classic wide leg trouser, fitted through the hips and feature a wide tabbed waist.

Next up is The Anise jacket. The first thing I though of when I saw this jacket was Betty Draper and Jackie O.
Its a double breasted cropped jacket reminiscent of the 1960's styles. It's fully lined with single welt pockets and as there are no seams in front it's suitable for plaids and stripes.

Sarai from Colette Patterns had planned to do a sew-a-long for this pattern given the many steps involved, however she decided there was so much info it would be easier to put it together in a little guide - The Anise Companion. It's a pdf download and if you purchase today it's half price which comes to $5. I purchased it for myself this morning and it is well worth the $5, very informative with lots of pictures.

The Juniper and Anise will be arriving in the store in the next week or so, I will write a post to let everyone know when they are here :-)
Another couple of fantastic patterns from Colette. It's great to see more trouser patterns being released, as much as I love pretty dresses and love to wear them you cant beat a great pair of pants. I'll have to wait a while to try these patterns out as the weather is already pretty warm here, but maybe Juniper in white linen could be an option?

What fabric combos do you picture for these patterns?

Mission Maxi Dress - Finished project

I made up this midi version of the Jamie Christina Mission Maxi dress last week on a particularly sunny, summery morning.
I used this gorgeous tie dye jersey from my stash and used self fabric for the binding, which was a little tricky to make as the fabric was so slippery!

This dress is ridiculously comfy but still stylish, which when you have two little kiddies and work from home is a must. In my experience someone always come to the door those days when you haven't done your hair and are slobbing around in trackpants.

The racer back gives a nice sporty feel to it, I know I will get loads of wear out of this. Throwing on over swimsuit after the beach, out to lunch or just at home.
The pattern itself is super simple, front and back pieces cut on fold and neck and arm openings finished with bias binding, how easy can you get??

 

You can buy a copy of the pattern in my shop here.

also just a quick note the 10% off Megan Nielsen patterns will finish on Sunday 16/9/2012.

Christine Haynes Derby Dress - Finished Project

I recently made up the Christine Haynes Derby Dress pattern and what a treat it was to sew!
A simple a-line dress with princess seams which give a lovely shape. I made View B which features a bias cut ruffle at the neckline.

My fabric is an apple print crepe which made for a nice flowy dress. I couldn't fault anything as far as pattern goes, everything fit together nicely and instructions super easy to follow. When it came to choosing size I checked finished measurements of garment and cut size accordingly, which ended up being a size 2. I think it may have ended up slightly smaller than intended because I chose to use french seams to finish off but I am really happy with the overall fit of the dress. I opted to omit the fabric belt because the crepe fabric is quite slippery and I didn't want to be hiking up a belt all day.

I really loved this pattern and I will be making it again, perfect little dress for spring and summer :-)

Megan Nielsen Banksia Top Sew a Long and SALE!!

Megan Nielsen has announced the schedule for the Sew a Long she is hosting for The Banksia Blouse.

Here is a copy of the schedule that Megan has outline (this is NOT set in stone and may be subject to some changes)

• Sept 24th to 28th – Pattern Alterations
• Oct 1st – Darts
• Oct 2nd – Shoulder seams & placket preparation
• Oct 3rd – Collar
• Oct 4th – Collarless version
• Oct 5th, 8th to 10th – Placket (we’ll be covering 3 versions, and a placketless version)
• Oct 11th, 12th and 15th – Sleeves and sleeveless version
• Oct 16th – Hemming
• Oct 17th – Banksia dress
• Oct 18th – Jersey version

 Following a Sew a Long is a great way to get a helping hand if you are a fairly new sewer or just want some extra tips. Megan will be covering pattern alterations and showing you how to alter the pattern to make a Banksia Dress and also how to make a Banksia T-shirt.
Megan is also offering 10% off the Banksia pattern in her shop and I will of course match the discount in The Sew Knit Create Shop and I will also be applying the discount to the ENTIRE Megan Nielsen range, while the stocks last so if you want to try anything else in the range now's the time to do it! ( I have gone through and adjusted prices to reflect the discount so the displayed price is the discounted price)
Happy Friday!

Cheerfully Charmed

I really love retro style enamel and plastic costume jewellery. The bright cheery colours, flower shapes and statement pieces. I remember trying on my mothers ( who had a TON of costume jewellery) when I was a child watching her get ready to go out.

I just discovered Cheerfully Charmed who have some beautiful vintage style bib necklaces, earrings and bracelets on offer in fantastic range of colours and best of all they are well priced!

( photos taken from www.cheerfullycharmed.com )

Now I have to choose a colour!

Shop Update

We now have the Colette Patterns range in the shop so be sure to check it out!

Their 3 latest styles are perfect for our upcoming Spring/Summer season but theres no reason why you cant layer them up with tights and a cardi for those of you in the northern hemisphere heading into the cooler months.

The Lily Dress (buy here) great fabric flap detail at neckline and pockets, play this up with contrasting fabrics for an interesting look

The Hazel Dress ( buy here) The bodice features a beautiful front v-seam which can make for interesting look when using stripes,border prints or lace/trim detailing.

The Iris Shorts ( buy here )

These shorts are super fast to make a great project for a lazy afternoon. Pockets set into a front side seam and optional button detailing make these a little different to your run of the mill shorts. 

I loved the way these fit!

Winner of the Alma Blouse Sewing Pattern Giveaway

Thanks to the lovely ladies who entered!

I drew the winner the old fashioned way, name on a piece of paper in a cup gave it a bit of a shake and Voila!! our winner is.........


NJERI!!!!!

Congratulations! please send me an email at sewknitcreate[at]yahoo[dot]com with your postage details so I can post you your Alma Blouse Pattern asap.

Thanks again everyone for entering, Have a great day!

Sewaholic Patterns Alma Blouse View B

So this is my second Alma blouse, I chose view B for my second attempt simply because I love peter pan collars but did not own a single item of clothing with one?!? obviously this was a situation that needed to be remedied immediately.

I used a beautiful crepe de chine silk for the shell, which although a little slippery to work with is one of my favourite fabrics to wear, it's cool and feather light.

For the collar I used a dotted swiss from my stash.

 I opted for no sleeves because the weather is already quite warm here even though we are still not officially in spring and I'm anticipating a hot summer ahead and no sleeves is more wearable for me

The skirt is also me made, one of the first wearable garment i made, several years old now but still worn often.

 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for this pattern, all you need to do is start following the blog and leave a comment over here you can also get a double entry by adding a link to the giveaway on your own blog.

Fab Frock Friday

Happy Friday,
This weeks fab frock is from one of my favourite Aussie Designers Alice Mccall.

 

Pretty Hey?

The folk arty embroidery pattern is my favourite part, I'm a huge lover of the beautiful mexican embroidered blouses and dresses and this reminds me of those. It's incorporating the neon trend with the pop of orange on the bodice which i think add's a little edge to what could be a too sweet dress.

The cut out's at the waist are a pretty little detail and don't show too much skin.

Have a great weekend and remember to enter the giveaway for a copy of Sewaholic Patterns Alma Bouse, entries close monday AEST.

Good Luck!

Dainty Delicates

I have had this pattern for The Makers Journal Tie Side Knickers since Christmas and had half finished a few pairs and got side tracked with other projects.
Today I finally finished them.

 I used Liberty of London Tana lawn purchased at Tessuti and the elastic was purchased on etsy.
I made two pairs with the ribbon tie side, which is what the actual pattern calls for ( both the same so I haven't pictured both), and decided to make two regular bikini briefs.

 

Sewing the elastic can be a little fiddly I would recommend a practice run first. Also you dont need an overlocker for these as long as your machine has a zigzag stitch you are good to go.
I made the size 10 but I might make a size bigger next time, After having my baby I dont find hipster pants comfortable I like a higher waist and a bigger size would give me a little more coverage lol.

Pattern Giveaway

I have decided to giveaway a copy of the Sewaholic Patterns Alma Blouse Sewing Pattern.
Entering is easy, all you have to do is start following my blog and leave a comment at the bottom of this post letting me know, super easy right??
To get double the chance simply add a link on your own blog or facebook page to this post ( also let me know if you do this so I can accuratelt tally entries).
Giveaway closes Monday 20/8/2012 at 12am AEST and winner announced Tuesday 21/8/2012.
This giveaway is open for readers from all countries.

New Sewaholic Patterns Now Available

The two new Sewaholic Patterns, The Alma Blouse ( read my review and see my test version here ) and the Thurlow trouser/short pattern.

There are a multitude of ways you could make the Alma, and it has a long sleeve version so its perfect for anytime of year.

The Thurlow boasts a wide back seam allowance so you can easily fit as you sew and there is a shorts version included too.

Both of these great styles are excellent additions to the pattern collection, The Thurlow Shorts are on my spring/summer sewing list!