Polka Dot Iris and a Jersey Banksia

Today I'd like to share with you a few of my recent sewing projects.

First up is my pair of Iris shorts from colette patterns made up in a polka dot stretch cotton from Tessuti which is sadly no longer available. I made up the size 4 with no pattern adjustments other than to omit the pockets. Because of the print i wanted a really clean line for these shorts. I am really happy with the finished product, they are comfortable, not too high in the waist ( a look i love but can get uncomfortable when driving around all day, or eating lol) or short in the leg. I will be making this one again.

I also had a go at making up the Banksia Blouse in a stretch fabric. I read Megan's post in the banksia sew-a-long and followed her super easy tutorial for modifying the pattern for stretch fabrics and followed her instructions for a stretchy neckband from the briar sewalong and drafted my own neckband. It turned out great a very professional finish that was super easy to do! if you haven't checked out Megan Nielsen's blog be sure to, she has so many fantastic tutorials and tips for making your sewing easier and getting a professional finish.

Like the Madewell Songbird Dress? Wanna make your own?

The Madewell "Songbird" dress is one of the brands most iconic styles and lucky for us girls who sew the classic style is super easy to replicate with minimal effort.

First grab yourself a copy of Colette Patterns Peony  dress. This style is nearly identical to the Songbird. The Peony features a bateau neckline rather than the round but this is easily altered should you wish ( if anyone would like me to do a tutorial please just ask!).

 

You can also alter the skirt to make it fuller if you wish, again this is a simple alteration. Put aside the skirt pattern piece and cut 2 rectangles both 2x waist measurement wide x desired length. Mark where you want your pockets to be ( you can use the pocket pattern piece from the peony dress) and attach as outlined in the peony instructions.

Stitch 3 rows of basting stitches along top of skirt piece, gather to fit bodice.

stitch skirt front and back together as outlined in peony pattern and voila you have your fuller skirt.

This dress is best made up in a mid weight cotton or wool. A chambray would look gorgeous and I love The striped version worn by Busy Phillips (pic below).

Pattern Spotlight ~ Banksia Bouse

Today I thought I show you The Banksia Blouse pattern from Megan Nielsen.

I'm sure many of you have already seen this beautiful little pattern. Whats so great about it is the multitude of ways you can alter the pattern.  You can easily change the style of the collar Megan Nielsen even has some great tutorials that show you how to do it, step by step which you can find here.  It also looks beautiful with a long sleeve and you can also lengthen it to make a banksia dress!

Don't be afraid to mix and match fabric for the shell and collar, I love the contrast of the print collar on Megan's shawl collar version pictured above.

The Banksia Blouse is available for purchase in the shop, you can find it here.
All pictures are courtesy of Megan Nielsen, visit her site here there are loads of awesome tutorials and tips and tricks, absolutely worth a look.

Vintage fabric and choosing a pattern

I recently purchased this lovely vintage striped seersucker on ebay and it arrived in yesterdays post.
Its a great weight, not sheer at all and not too puckery. I have a thing for stripes and I loved the colours in this fabric, it felt really light and fresh.

I know I want to sew it up in a pattern with buttons as a feature. I was inspired by this pictured Tracy Reese for Anthropologie dress.

I have narrowed it down to 3 patterns, Megan Nielsen's Darling Ranges Dress or Kelly Skirt or a vintage 60's pattern i recently picked up on Etsy (pic below).

What do you guys think? I would also love any suggestions for button, I intially thought I would use a simple white button but maybe I should play up one of the colours in the stripes? Maybe yellow??

New in The Shop

I have a couple of new patterns that have just been added to the shop. Both are from The Makers Journal we have The Little Truck Stop Top a mini version of the best selling big girls Truck Stop. An easy to sew pattern that any little girl is sure to love!

We are also now stocking The Tunic a beautiful basic short sleeved top that can be worn multiple ways

both styles are available in the shop now.

Recreate Hilly Holbrook's Dress

Hi Ladies,

Have you seen The Help? If your a vintage/retro lover you most likely have. I had read the book several times and loved it and I also loved the movie.  Sharen Davis the films costume designer did an awesome job of the costumes. There were 50 custom made costumes used, the rest being sourced from vintage stores and costume rental shops.
Sharen has designed for several other fims set in this period ( early to mid 1960's for those who arent familiar with the book/film) Dreamgirls and Ray. 

Early in the movie, Bryce Dallas Howards character ,Hilly Holbrook, comes out in a full skirted floral number and I instantly thought " Thats the Colette Patterns Chantilly Dress!".

 

Sharen has added pink bows at the neckline and waist

 (Colette Patterns Chantilly Dress, buy Here)

The only difference I could see was the back bodice which also feature the same gathering as the front. The Chantilly is a fitted back bodice.
This style of print is easy to pick up in a light to medium cotton ( best weight for the Chantilly) in either a new or vintage fabric. Keep your eye out on Etsy, I found these fabrics which would work well:

                                                                  (purchase here)

                                                               (purchase here)

                                                             (purchase here)

Part of the reason I started sewing was because of my love of vintage fashion and wanting to recreate the looks for myself I always get excited when I see a style like this come up. I wonder if Sharen used the Colette Pattern when she made the Hilly Holbrook dress?

Style Crush ~ Midi Skirts

The humble Midi Skirt, never really out of style. They are feminine and show a bit of leg without revealing too much.
I like my midi skirts full with a hem that falls just below the knee, preferably with pockets please.The style can be made up in a wide range of fabrics, from the sheerest chiffon, chambray/cottons or even wool for the colder months. The only requirement is that fabric has some drape.
They can be dressed up or down, worn with a simple t-shirt or tank and sandals for brunch or the school run or styled up with a strapless or embellished top or blouse for evening.

I have several beautiful Midi skirt pattern styles in the shop, there's the Kelly Skirt by Megan Nielsen, The Ginger from Colette Patterns, and last but not least the Lickety Split from The Makers Journal.

I'm currently cutting out a chambray version of the Kelly Skirt, I'm hoping it will become a staple piece in my wardrobe. In the meantime here's a few inspiration pic's

                                                          (A few ASOS versions)

                                    ( from Chicismo, Kelly pattern could re-create this perfectly!)

                                                          ( chiffon,pleats - perfection!)

What do you think of the Midi length skirt? How do you like to wear this style?