Gifted fabric sewn at last.

My sister sent me a length of fabric years and years ago. It sat mouldering maturing in my stash while I wondered what to make with it. Although I thought it was kind of her, it wasn't a colour that I would have chosen for myself. Not wanting to seem ungrateful I pulled it out every now and then, pondered briefly and put it back.

I discussed the matter with her several times by phone (she lives in Melbourne)  and eventually we settled on a shirt or blouse. I didn't want a collar, so Itch-to-Stitch Bonn shirt raised its hand and waved madly.  My first time making this pattern was a disaster to say the least, but I made the necessary alterations (forward shoulder and round back adjustments) and the second effort in black with white spots was a total success. No worries, then, you say. Wrong!

The neckband and I have a love hate relationship. I love the finished look - I hate putting it on. However after three attempts I succeeded.

I didn't want to buy buttons so I rummaged around in my button jar and selected a couple of possibles.

I had seven of the peachy ones but....

they didn't look quite right. Too pale.

The black with the gold rim were perfect, however I had only four. I  really needed five but I was determined to make four be enough so the bottom button is absent. If absolutely necessary I will put a press stud (snap fastener) there.

I am quite pleased with the finished blouse and relieved that my sister's fabric has been made up at last.

As a little light relief I made a couple of outfits for Barbie.

The blouse and capris are from a very old Vogue Barbie pattern now out of print. The jumper is modified from a free T-shirt pattern from  Pixie Faire, a little warm for our summer weather but I guess it's better than being starkers (stark naked).  I should make the original sleeveless version for her.

We are having a heatwave here in Perth. 40 degrees celsius expected for four days at least. I hope it will be a little cooler on Christmas Day.

I'm still here

It is now December 2019 and a full year since my last post. I seem to have dropped the blogging bundle somewhere along the way, but I have been sewing spasmodically during the last year.

My first garment in January 2019 was the Itch-to-stitch Nottingham top which was my prize for the Designing December challenge 2018.

 I used some purple knit for this top and had a little trouble getting the knot to sit properly but hey ho it's wearable.

Next up in March was Kwik Sew 2694 a cross-over top with short sleeves. I used a red poly-interlock for this top and haven't actually worn it yet but the hot weather has arrived so it will have an outing soon I'm sure.

 

I had some lovely grey ponte begging to be a dressy cardigan/jacket. A very very old pattern, Knitwit 7000 saw this come to fruition in May and I love it and have worn it heaps during the cooler months.

Since then I have done a few alterations and mended some things and recently joined a mini-quilt-a-long on Facebook which was a lot of fun. The finished quilt is only 14" square and foundation pieced on paper. It was quite fiddly at times but a good challenge for the brain.

Have also downloaded and sewn a couple of Barbie outfits which are delightfully fiddly and take very little fabric.

It's been a long while between posts but I haven't been completely idle and hope to have a few more items to display soon.

I enjoy reading other sewer's posts but I miss a lot of my favourites as I have never come to grips with Instagram and likely never will.

Merry Christmas from a very hot Western Australia and good wishes for the New Year.

KathyS