L'ucello Vintage Haberdashery - now available online

L'ucello a fantastic little store in Melbourne stocking beautiful vintage haberdashery, craft supplies and lovely fabrics has opened an online store YAY!

Vintage velvet ribbon

Even if vintage is not really your thing I guarantee you will find something you want there, they have a great range! I think using something vintage in your projects just adds that little something extra special.

 

 Bunny Buttons, how cute can you get?

Beautiful vintage trim

If you are in Melbourne and would like to visit the store you can find it at:

2nd Floor 37 Swanston Street Melbourne
On the corner of Flinders Lane, enter via Cathedral Arcade.

*all pictures used are from www.lucello.com.au

Interview with Abby Horskins the woman behind Bluegingerdoll Patterns

I am pleased to announce The Sew Knit Create shop will be stocking the first sewing pattern, The Billie Jean dress from a new pattern company Bluegingerdoll Patterns. Designed by the very talented and lovely Abby Horskins who was kind enough to answer a few questions for me about how her little company came about, inspirations and plans for the future. This is my first ever interview here on Sew Knit Create and I have to say I am very excited!!

1.  Tell me a little bit about yourself and how you became interested in sewing?

My mum was a great seamstress, making all of mine and my siblings clothes when we were little,but  high school was my first sewing experience of actually making something on my own, and to be honest i  didn't take to it at all - it may have been a combination of a boring teacher and the making of a felt football and pink tracksuit pants, really  weren't all that inspiring. I didn't really start addictivly  sewing until my mid  twenties,  and have been sewing at least something nearly every day since.  I became  totally inspired at the idea that sewing was much more than felt footballs and pink tracksuit pants, and there was a whole world of sewing for me to explore and to be totally creative.

2. What was your inspiration for the Billie Jean pattern?

     Billie Jean was inspired and influenced by the classic designs of the 50s. I  just really wanted to create a timeless dress pattern  that was relatively straight forward to sew, with  a classic and flattering bodice and skirt  design that were feminine and able to take you to weddings, parties, dinner etc as well as just being glamorous day to day.

3. Billie Jean  is definitely a vintage inspired style , is this what we can expect from future patterns?

Future Bluegingerdoll patterns will definitely  also be vintage inspired, with hints from the  40s and 50s.

4. Who/what/where do you look to for, for   style and design inspiration?

     Mainly my inspiration comes from the vintage eras of the  40s and  50s, but i also find inspiration  in fabrics  i come across, everyday life, old Hollywood movie stars such as  Marilyn Monroe, Katherine Hepburn, Ava Gardner and also an inspiration, for their  style, grace and femininity.

5. Where do you envisage Bluegingerdoll Patterns going in the future? World domination perhaps? 

   World domination would be awesome!!!  But i would be completely happy with  seeing Bluegingerdoll  sewing patterns  being enjoyed and  sewn up by talented seamstress around the world. And continuing on with designing classic and flattering vintage inspired sewing patterns, for the glamourous side in all us gals.

 So there you have it. The Billie Jean pattern will be instore mid to late June I will post when stock arrives so you can snap up your copy!

  Here are some more pics of the Billie Jean dress to inspire you

Burda #107 c aka The Audrey Trousers

I think that along with a white button down shirt black crop trousers are always on the list of items all women should have in their wardrobes and rightly so..

I used to have several pairs of black trousers that once I became a stay at home mum went in the bin, I was sick of the sight of them! However I always reserve the right to change my mind and simple black trousers have a place in my life once more! Pictures of the eternally chic Audrey Hepburn have re-inspired me.
I wanted something the had a bit of a nod to menswear and finally settled on the Burda #107c ankle trousers and made them up using a wool suiting that is awesome, doesn't crease at all!
I didnt make any alterations at all! not one! and the fit is pretty good! ( Please excuse the i-phone selfie my photograher was at work and I really wanted to post!)

It was also my first time with a fly zipper insertion and I couldn't have figured it out without the help of this awesome tutorial from lladybird which you can find here. The burda instructions were quite vague and not much help. I have done several fly zip insertions since and once you figure out what goes where its quite simple and a nice professional finish. I love the fit of these trousers and would like to make them again.

Colette Patterns sale extended

Just a quick update, I have decided to extend the 15% off sale on the Colette Pattern range for another week. So you have until this Sunday 19/5/13 to get your 15% off its while stocks last so get in quick!

Dont forget.... 15% off Colette Patterns

Dont forget 15% off the entire range of Colette Patterns, stock is selling fast so get in quick.
Sale ends this Sunday 13/5/13.

( Peony Dress )

( Ginger skirt and Violet Blouse )

( Parfait Dress )

15% OFF COLETTE PATTERNS

We are having a sale on ALL Colette Patterns over at the shop, dont walk RUN!
Sale ends this Sunday 12/5/13 aest.

Gorgeous version of Colette Patterns Peony Dress

Have you guys come across Ami's blog www.sewinglondon.co.uk? if not jump over and check it out she makes the most gorgeous things and is very clever with her pattern alterations. Today her beautiful version of Colette patterns Peony Dress popped up in my news feed.

( photo from www.sewinglondon.co.uk)

Seriously how beautiful is this dress??? I love the subtle nod to '60's style, without looking costumey.

This could even be a great option for a non-tradtional bride.

Ami made quite a few alterations, and after reading several pattern reviews this is not uncommon, so make a muslin for this one peeps. You can read Ami's full post here.