tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33691229432887911732024-03-19T14:02:27.937+11:00thirtyninemarisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.comBlogger227125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-87857786754608296362018-01-25T17:24:00.000+11:002018-01-25T17:24:15.672+11:00Tiered skirt and too-big singlet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another summer outfit for R, inspired by a beautiful blue linen-cotton found at Darn Cheap. The skirt is a simple tiered skirt with an elastic waistband from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Labels-Clothes-Sewing-Lesson/dp/4529050769/ref=sr_1_28?ie=UTF8&qid=1414490242&sr=8-28&keywords=japanese+sewing+book" target="_blank">Kids Clothes Sewing Lesson Book</a>; it's the sort of style you could easily figure out yourself but from time to time it's nice to use a pattern. The one in the book has attached shorts underneath, but I didn't want those so I just left them off. There's really nothing much to say about this skirt except that you shouldn't make one of these if you don't like gathering!<br />
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The top is a free pattern from <a href="http://www.smalldreamfactory.com/">www.smalldreamfactory.com</a>, widened a bit (too much, as it turns out - this is one that will definitely still fit next year!) and gathered a bit at front and back. As with the last one I made, I crossed the straps at the back. They are a bit loose, so some further adjustment will be required. The fabric is cotton jersey leftover from a previous project.<br />
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With more super-hot days coming up in Melbourne, loose skirts and singlets are going to be the things to wear! marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-68599697544956183532018-01-13T16:50:00.000+11:002018-01-13T16:50:41.816+11:00The summer of short dresses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having coveted this dark green Nani IRO double gauze for several years, I decided it was time to buy some (a Miss Matatabi sale last year was the straw that broke the camel's back!). I used a pattern from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%91%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%81%AE%E5%AD%90%E4%BE%9B%E6%9C%8D%E3%82%BD%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0-LESSON-BOOK-%E7%89%87%E8%B2%9D%E5%A4%95%E8%B5%B7/dp/4529050769/ref=pd_sim_14_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8HRYSTZ0AN230WGADFH4" target="_blank">Kids Clothes Sewing Lesson Book</a>, modified to remove the ruffled sleeves and the front pintucks. The dress fastens at the back with long ties.<br />
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I've sewn this dress <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/chevron-dress.html" target="_blank">before</a> so it really should have been a straightforward exercise, but when I tried the finished bodice on R it was too wide, perhaps due to replacing the tucks with gathers. I had to redraft it - once I'd unpicked my beautiful armhole facings and french seams, that is. But it all worked out in the end and it's exactly as I'd imagined it: a simple, sleeveless short dress to show off the beautiful fabric with its neon spots (and the long, brown legs of its wearer!).<br />
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Now for the green dress - it's another one I've made <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/kcw-forest-friends-dress.html" target="_blank">before</a>. For this I used a fabulous bright green cotton jersey from Spotlight (all the more fabulous for having been found on the clearance table!).<br />
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It's a very simple pattern which is also from Kids Clothes Sewing Lesson Book - a great book which has loads of useful patterns and includes detailed photographic 'sewing lessons' for several of them. I made only one change: leaving off the pockets. The dress fastens with a press stud at the back, concealed by a little bow. R's new shorter hairstyle is perfect for dresses with a back detail - very pleasing!<br />
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I love the simple lines and short length of the dress, and R loves that it's easy to pull on and off. Win, win. <br />
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<br />marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-54189040765958858742017-12-10T20:15:00.003+11:002017-12-10T20:15:44.339+11:00Fairy tale dress for big brother's Bar Mitzvah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday was K's Bar Mitzvah. It was exhilarating and exhausting in equal measures, and after spending last night washing dishes and today rearranging furniture, I have no energy left even to write about it. I will say, though, that while I often worry about the aspects of parenting that I could have done better, I did look at my boy yesterday and feel a sense of pride that I had helped him reach that special day. It wasn't easy!<br />
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But enough about that - you're here for the sewing. No clothes were sewn for the Bar Mitzvah boy, although I did <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bceo4CGgZr3/?taken-by=marisathirtynine" target="_blank">post his tallit bag on Instagram</a>, but his sister demanded a special dress and chose the sleeveless version of the Oliver + S Fairy Tale dress, without the collar. She chose the fabric, too - a cotton lawn from Spotlight. Not the fanciest of fabrics, but in the end it was perfect for the occasion as we had a relatively informal afternoon tea for friends and family back at our house, complete with backyard cricket.<br />
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I was indecisive about whether to go for the sash tie or the sewn-on, lower-key bow, so I left the dress plain, then made a full sash (the one in the pattern is sewn in at the side seams and ties around the back) and tacked it on at the seams so it could be removed after. R laughed and laughed when she saw how giant the sash bow was - she looked like a present! It did give the dress a festive look, though.<br />
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Photos were a last-minute affair so they're not exactly great, but the Fairy Tale really is a lovely dress to sew, and once you've made your muslin to get the bodice size right (I made two, then sized up for a longer-lasting dress) it really isn't difficult, especially without sleeves and collar. The layer of tulle under the skirt gives it a bit of extra shape without being uncomfortable for the wearer and the invisible zipper instructions are excellent.<br />
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R had lots of compliments on her dress and she looked utterly angelic in synagogue - until she started viciously pelting her brother with sweets. Throwing sweets at the Bar Mitzvah boy is a traditional part of the service, but she was still going long after everyone else had stopped - and she put that bowling arm to good use! I had to drag her back to her seat so the service could continue!<br />
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Now that the big event is over and the house is - kind of - back to normal, I'm looking forward to my own fairy tale ending: putting my feet up and bingeing on leftover croquembouche. marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-34347254264307302912017-10-06T16:50:00.001+11:002017-10-06T16:50:17.274+11:00Summer dress in teal knit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'd been admiring this beautiful teal fabric in Spotlight for at least a year, so when it appeared on the clearance table recently, I pounced.<br />
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This is a simple little dress adapted from pattern O from <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Girls-Style-Book-Yoshiko-Tsukiori-H-H/9780804843270?ref=grid-view" target="_blank">Girls Style Book</a>. I improvised a front placket instead of having a slit at the back of the dress, and left off the patch pockets, but otherwise it's exactly as per the pattern. The Birch organic knit was nice and easy to sew with and I love the colour SO much. <br />
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White wall plus blazing sun plus strong wind doesn't make for the greatest photos (nor the most pleasant experience) but the dress really looks lovely on R. It's a little looser than I'd intended, so I hemmed it to be it just above the knee instead of shortening it further, which had been my plan. This way she can wear it again next summer and it won't be too mini.<br />
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R has grown out of so many of her clothes, which is wonderful as there's nothing I love more than sewing summer dresses. Time to start cutting out my next one... marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-14703366168638937662017-09-28T10:13:00.000+10:002017-09-28T10:13:59.181+10:00A tried-and-true dress with ruffled sleeves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dress J from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/355-0543458-2282707?__mk_ja_JP=%E3%82%AB%E3%82%BF%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=girly+style+wardrobe" target="_blank">Girly Style Wardrobe</a> - I have made it so many times, most recently in <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2017/07/merino-for-melbourne-winter.html" target="_blank">merino</a>. Although just about every Japanese sewing book I own has a similar pattern, this one suits R so well that I'm happy to forego being adventurous in favour of the tried-and-true. It's also quick and easy to sew, provided one doesn't make too many stupid mistakes - more about which, below!<br />
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Once again I ditched the back placket, substituting a slit with bias binding ties (the neck is bound anyway, so it's the obvious modification). I also shortened the sleeves and added large ruffles. Then I tried it on R and realised the ruffles were too low down on the sleeves - so I redid them. Then I tried it on R and realised the ruffles were... no this is not an editing mistake, but it sure was a sewing one. It took me THREE goes to get the ruffled sleeves to work, by which time this 'easy-to-sew' dress had turned into a bit of a nightmare, due entirely to my winging it rather than adapting the sleeve pattern piece properly. But I got there in the end! <br />
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The fabric is a denimy-coloured cotton from Kim Anh Fabric. I couldn't get R to take her (too small) leggings off - it wasn't quite warm enough for that - but I'm thinking it'll be a good trans-seasonal dress with or without leggings, cardigan etc (assuming she can get a cardigan sleeve over those ruffles!).<br />
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We went down to the local 'school' to take some photos - it's actually a former school that is now a massive green space full of grass and trees (the photo at the top of this post shows the 'secret entrance' to this garden paradise). Sad to think it will soon be turned into little boxes for people to live in. R is outraged at the thought that many of the trees will be chopped down, as am I. Not to mention the issue of the State government selling off our school sites to developers... <br />
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But on a more positive note, the weather is getting warmer, the air is full of jasmine and we have some special holiday activities planned. Bring on springtime!marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-47826643685441062102017-08-23T23:29:00.001+10:002017-08-23T23:29:18.393+10:00A silver skirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In my last post about the <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2017/08/burda-ottobre-sunny-spot-new-outfit.html" target="_blank">Burdastyle miniskirt</a> I mentioned that the <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/girls-metallic-skirt-112010" target="_blank">pattern</a> is actually for a metallic imitation leather skirt. Spotting a roll of silver stuff in Spotlight recently, I thought I'd try version 3 of this pattern with the fabric it was intended for. And I'm rather pleased with the result.<br />
Sewing this skirt was not the most pleasant experience, due to the tendency of the fabric to stick under the presser foot and the necessity to avoid using pins (which make holes that remain visible after sewing). Sewing with the wrong side up helped the fabric to move under the foot smoothly, but I found that wonder clips left indentations on the fabric and washi tape was less than ideal for holding things together. Still, I muddled my way through and managed to assemble the various pieces, even doing a bit of double-stitching on the front pockets and hem.<br />
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I modified the pattern in the same way I had done for <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2016/08/a-denim-skirt-and-terry-top.html#comment-form" target="_blank">version 1</a>: I sewed buttonholes at the sides of the inside waistand, then threaded buttonhole elastic through the back part of the skirt for a better fit. The fabric is surprisingly soft and comfy on the inside due to cotton backing, and the fit is really quite nice. R's eyes widened with excitement when she saw the silver skirt, and she insisted on wearing it into town today. I thought she had quite a 60s vibe in her mini and black top and leggings!<br />
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Sadly, modelling was cut short when R realised she'd left her new water bottle at the Japanese place where we'd had lunch, meaning we had to hike across town to get it. After that, things went downhill rapidly - her feet were sore, she was tired, she didn't want to be photographed etc etc. Still, the skirt is a huge success and I know she'll wear it often!marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-28975969548214288022017-08-06T12:36:00.000+10:002017-08-06T12:36:31.532+10:00Burda + Ottobre + A Sunny Spot = a new outfit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Three garments, made in bits and pieces over the past few weeks:<br />
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1. Ottobre (Autumn 4/2010) 'Montparnasse' hooded jacket<br />
2. Burda <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/girls-metallic-skirt-112010" target="_blank">miniskirt</a> revisited, and<br />
3. A Sunny Spot's 'Ribbon tie tunic'. <br />
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First, the jacket. Luckily for me, I noticed a <a href="http://ottobredesign.blogspot.com.au/2010/07/ottilia-sews-hooded-sweat-jacket.html#more" target="_blank">tutorial</a> for the jacket on the Ottobre blog - what a find! This made it super easy to sew, even though I mixed up elements from the two different jacket styles (I made the longer jacket with the gathered pockets and hood elastic of the shorter version) and ended up with a zip that was slightly too short (totally deliberate, naturally). The fabric is a midweight cotton French terry that I picked up at an op shop a while back, and the hood lining is a scrap from another op shop fabric, so all I had to buy was the too-short zip and a new double needle as my old one had disappeared. Love the fit of this jacket on R and will happily use this pattern again.<br />
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Next, the skirt. A <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2016/08/a-denim-skirt-and-terry-top.html#comment-form" target="_blank">while back</a> I made a denim mini for R using the same pattern, which is actually called 'Girl's metallic skirt' and is intended to be made in metallic faux leather. I loved the skirt but R wouldn't wear it because the zip and waistband fastening were scratchy - it needed a fly guard. So I remade the whole thing in a denim that R chose, adjusting the waistband so I wouldn't have to elasticise it like I did last time and - of course - adding an improvised fly guard. Although R is really happy with the new skirt, I don't like it as much as the old one. The denim isn't as nice a colour, the less A-line shape doesn't look as good and the waistband is still too big. Clearly I will have to have a third go at this one!<br />
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The top is a simple little pattern from <a href="http://www.yesasia.com/global/a-sunny-spot-cutie-kawaii-girls-colthes-with-paper-pattern/1023097445-0-0-0-en/info.html" target="_blank">A Sunny Spot</a> - you can see my previous version <a href="https://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/japanese-pattern-ensemble-and-improved.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I made this one the same way, lengthening the sleeves and omitting the hem facing. Although it is not what I would call tunic length, the 'tunic' cut gives it a nice flare at the bottom. For this one I used cotton jersey bought on clearance at Spotlight, so it was another cheapie.<br />
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Yesterday was freezing and windy (and today is even worse!) so I had to photograph quickly, but I predict the hoodie in particular is going to get a lot of wear.marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-27549528149108999712017-07-06T19:43:00.000+10:002017-07-06T19:43:16.700+10:00Merino for a Melbourne winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kU0MTZLHqjuItnWIL1YS2jMzaoFI1HRfkE_ieBV5epW0gOU_N771MQmtjbxmazvP2wMg2mSgUY_oIy-9F-5mjaGWK7tV6U9wk_ZoFktpv7ONb0y7VB0ghLgVVO049DSklBng_9CXOJu5/s1600/detail+merinodress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kU0MTZLHqjuItnWIL1YS2jMzaoFI1HRfkE_ieBV5epW0gOU_N771MQmtjbxmazvP2wMg2mSgUY_oIy-9F-5mjaGWK7tV6U9wk_ZoFktpv7ONb0y7VB0ghLgVVO049DSklBng_9CXOJu5/s1600/detail+merinodress.jpg" /></a></div>
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Although R likes reading on her own, I still read to her most evenings, often from the books that I loved as a child. In this way we've read through several books that she would have found difficult on her own: <i>Little Women</i>, <i>What Katy Did</i> and the <i>Anne of Green Gables</i> series, among others. At the moment we're reading <i>The Endless Steppe</i> by Esther Hautzig, about a Polish Jewish family who are deported to Siberia in 1939 and spend the wartime years enduring hunger, isolation and extreme hardship. Of course there are plenty of descriptions of the harsh Siberian winter, which have left me feeling very, very lucky to have only our relatively mild Melbourne version to get through. But still, our winter is more than cold enough for us. A couple of weeks ago we happened to be near The Fabric Store and I dashed in and bought this beautiful olive green sweatshirt merino. It has a small amount of nylon in it which I imagine is what gives it a lovely soft fleecy underside - perfect for cosy winterwear. This fabric was a steal at $12 a (very wide) metre - I bought 1.4 metres and I think I have enough left for a long-sleeved top for R.<br />
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This is the fourth time I've made this pattern, from one of my all-time favourite Japanese pattern books <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/Girly-Style-Wardrobe-Yoshiko-Tsukiori/dp/1780674090/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499332880&sr=8-1&keywords=girly+style+wardrobe" target="_blank">Girly Style Wardrobe</a> (other examples are <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/the-short-story-of-long-nightie.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/first-nightie-now-dress.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/cosy-kids.html" target="_blank">here</a>). It's meant to have a back placket and a strip of lace around the waist, but I left out both of these; the merino is so stretchy it doesn't need any kind of opening. I made a long tie in the same fabric, sewed a couple of thread chains at the sides and threaded it through. I think it saves the dress from being too drab, and although you might think a nine-year-old wouldn't care for such a plain garment in such an un-girly colour, I'm pleased to report that R loves it!<br />
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This deliciously soft merino was a joy to sew with, and while it probably wouldn't keep you warm for five seconds in Siberia it's cosy enough for Melbourne, where winter still sucks, only a whole lot less than being on the steppe!marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-78552744021352410722017-06-02T22:52:00.001+10:002017-06-03T17:01:23.512+10:00A tic tac toe dress in shweshwe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here is my second version of <a href="http://www.sewpony.com/" target="_blank">Sewpony</a>'s wonderful <a href="http://shop.sewpony.com/product/tic-tac-toe-dress" target="_blank">Tic Tac Toe dress</a> (you can see the first one <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/pattern-testing-tic-tac-toe-dress.html" target="_blank">here</a>). This time I opted for the long sleeves, plain bodice, piped collar and piped pockets. It's not obvious at first glance, but the fabric has patches of bright blue in it, and I thought piping the collar in blue would bring that out nicely.<br />
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As I didn't make the pieced bodice this time, the dress should have been quite quick and easy to sew, but I made a monumental stuff-up: I cut the front neckline too high due to a late-night pattern-tracing error. Tragically, I didn't notice this until I tried the finished-except-for-hems dress on R and realised something was wrong. There was nothing for it but to unpick the sleeves, lining and collar so I could trim down the neckline and reassemble the bodice and sleeves. I can't begin to express how frustrating this was... and how disappointing, just when I thought I'd finished the dress! But it was all worth it, because with the correct neckline the dress looked so much better. So let my mistake be a lesson to anyone tracing off patterns in dim light, while watching a subtitled television series and being harassed relentlessly by a tissue-paper-loving cat: multitasking does not go with pattern tracing, and neither do cats. <br />
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The fabric is shweshwe, a traditional South African cotton fabric. A couple of years ago I asked my dad to bring me some Three Cats brand shweshwe from Cape Town and instead of the usual shades of indigo and brown, I received this green one. I must confess that initially I wasn't that excited about it, but the colour and pattern have really grown on me and I'll be looking out for more greens next time I put in an order. This particular shade has a lovely autumnal quality and goes beautifully with the fallen leaves in our garden.<br />
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The lovely deep pockets are one of the best features of this dress, and I love the centre gathers on the skirt. R and I are both really happy with this one.<br />
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To finish up, here are a couple of photos featuring a feline guest star - and it's NOT the one who mucked up my pattern tracing!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO757fhUfTYFfXnoOaT5KKAbH1MT2F8YdXGDl3pYOyJqP87ymj2L4WGWwLbBP_tG6IlWcHLuDRDIvUx3nRcYBj0gowc2c3NFMHTaQ8nNKJxqrMHSuLDJ4Vf1NB-ednrfJ23TpX9Cd6VHkH/s1600/cat+in+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO757fhUfTYFfXnoOaT5KKAbH1MT2F8YdXGDl3pYOyJqP87ymj2L4WGWwLbBP_tG6IlWcHLuDRDIvUx3nRcYBj0gowc2c3NFMHTaQ8nNKJxqrMHSuLDJ4Vf1NB-ednrfJ23TpX9Cd6VHkH/s1600/cat+in+tree.jpg" /></a> <br />
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<br />marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-21911811359197702132017-05-21T22:50:00.000+10:002017-05-21T22:50:17.690+10:00A drop-waist Laure and a cosy cardi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQHw1Tn722B1Weva7jNllm02sw9NztWSu4BAxL6pZxi495pt8iaTS1CoobcMxv058eefRezD5Ylo7kz1B9OJNO16ia73LFo3fC1k7xhsaNi9AdRXh6Lzm__M_jltg-3bRp0qNAZkcZ9iS/s1600/cardi+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQHw1Tn722B1Weva7jNllm02sw9NztWSu4BAxL6pZxi495pt8iaTS1CoobcMxv058eefRezD5Ylo7kz1B9OJNO16ia73LFo3fC1k7xhsaNi9AdRXh6Lzm__M_jltg-3bRp0qNAZkcZ9iS/s1600/cardi+front.jpg" /></a></div>
I was so thrilled with my <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/a-laure-qipao-dress.html" target="_blank">first Laure dress</a> that I could hardly wait to make another - but real life intervened and when things got tough I didn't feel like sewing. Now that things have taken a turn for the better, I'm back at the sewing machine and loving it!<br />
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So this is the drop-waist version of the <a href="http://www.straight-grain.com/?product=laure-qipao-dress-english#prettyPhoto" target="_blank">Laure</a>, made in Three Cats
shweshwe, a traditional South African cotton fabric. There's not much
to say about this dress except that it's a great pattern with a great fit and I
love it just as much as the qipao. R showed me a special spot in a local
park that's full of lovely trees and we had a nice little wander, with
her pointing out items of interest and me clicking away. <br />
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The red cardigan is from <span id="goog_1104656745"></span><a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%91%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%81%AE%E5%AD%90%E4%BE%9B%E6%9C%8D%E3%82%BD%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0-LESSON-BOOK-%E7%89%87%E8%B2%9D%E5%A4%95%E8%B5%B7/dp/4529050769/ref=pd_sim_14_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8HRYSTZ0AN230WGADFH4" target="_blank">this Japanese pattern book</a><span id="goog_1104656746"></span> and was a nice easy sew. I used the same beautiful wool jersey I used for R's <a href="https://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/the-arrietty-dress.html" target="_blank">Arrietty dress</a> and some scraps of red shweshwe for the facing. I think it goes perfectly with the Laure dress and it's also nice and cosy for autumn and winter. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjpOyU5zY9gzn_ddfmlSU4xPQH4x-qQhEL_cvcXpdPImV7STk7HJIyGw7-tU56z2xXAna-kcpsBOPTsFwFvhK_Fp-s_yfDqfCz8CwAvr3egFW0RyAPfv7HXQwT7BoUUPxCAwd1Kvw36DW/s1600/cardi+facing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjpOyU5zY9gzn_ddfmlSU4xPQH4x-qQhEL_cvcXpdPImV7STk7HJIyGw7-tU56z2xXAna-kcpsBOPTsFwFvhK_Fp-s_yfDqfCz8CwAvr3egFW0RyAPfv7HXQwT7BoUUPxCAwd1Kvw36DW/s1600/cardi+facing.jpg" /></a>I have a couple of other sewing projects on the go and I'm so looking forward to getting stuck into them. Pity it's Monday tomorrow... </div>
marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-84148528236277126192017-03-19T22:40:00.000+11:002017-03-19T22:40:07.637+11:00An overalls-dress and fancy-sleeve t-shirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVn8TGZLobsqeqcqYnhGzBtp5L691Q6uTNhXr0an_gQW1MasM-W94aRW1KZa-U7wNhKeHFMQMF5AYRPIzYpHUs7fJlIItWpCab5EAAMFHvm5KvpkcnpPxq33PqeRqo8C5fwiMAg3Nvp3yf/s1600/back+cu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVn8TGZLobsqeqcqYnhGzBtp5L691Q6uTNhXr0an_gQW1MasM-W94aRW1KZa-U7wNhKeHFMQMF5AYRPIzYpHUs7fJlIItWpCab5EAAMFHvm5KvpkcnpPxq33PqeRqo8C5fwiMAg3Nvp3yf/s1600/back+cu.jpg" /></a></div>
Life's been challenging lately - sick relatives, financial troubles and toothache. Desperate for some sewing therapy, I did something a little out of character: I made something for R just because I wanted to. After much flicking through my Japanese pattern books I settled on an overalls-dress from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%A5%B3%E3%81%AE%E5%AD%90%E3%81%AE%E3%82%B7%E3%83%B3%E3%83%97%E3%83%AB%E3%81%A7%E3%81%8B%E3%82%8F%E3%81%84%E3%81%84%E6%9C%8D-Heart-Warming-Life-%E6%9D%91%E7%94%B0%E7%B9%AD%E5%AD%90/dp/4529054608/ref=pd_sim_14_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QC8KNEEWBNYEQCM93N36" target="_blank">this book</a> (I have no idea if there's a 'proper' name for this style) and a t-shirt with decorative sleeve details from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%B3%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%B3%E3%83%95%E3%83%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89%E3%82%AD%E3%83%83%E3%82%BA-2016-Summer-%E3%83%AC%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%96%E3%83%86%E3%82%A3%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BAno-4215/dp/4834742156/ref=pd_sim_14_6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8P2CRS5R1TRMT7RD8TRY" target="_blank">this magazine</a>. I really can't pretend R needs another dress or another t-shirt, but since they served a therapeutic purpose I'm telling myself it's OK! What's more, both were made from stash fabric - even the buttons were from my little collection. <br />
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The dress is made from a lightweight black denim and was a pretty straightforward sew. I ran into a bit of trouble attaching the straps to the back waistband, but serendipitously my sewing friend <a href="http://jingandtonic.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Jing</a> had just made the <a href="http://jingandtonic.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/when-c-came-home-on-wednesday-i-was.html" target="_blank">pants version</a> of the same pattern and was able to set me straight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmuGV4Jvp-ox4e2Ckle_Geqa6VESEgpwx9Iwj0fCmQDD16Bde97TPI4_vNEfoTqtevGxAJAxvUiUWGwd3DvwgdQy-Xc1jczkL7DfH2UG1x6lmvapcrD1NvYMQ0G6FBgH-zHttz72lNJgB/s1600/full+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmuGV4Jvp-ox4e2Ckle_Geqa6VESEgpwx9Iwj0fCmQDD16Bde97TPI4_vNEfoTqtevGxAJAxvUiUWGwd3DvwgdQy-Xc1jczkL7DfH2UG1x6lmvapcrD1NvYMQ0G6FBgH-zHttz72lNJgB/s1600/full+dress.jpg" /></a></div>
The t-shirt is made from some interlock-ish jersey (previously used to make <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/kcw-japanese-culottes-and-japanese-top.html" target="_blank">this top</a>). It's a really nice, loose style with a pretty sleeve detail. I will use this pattern again I'm sure. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9qxGZx6wH6L_jwJfEG1ERFEDE5wxC9va5oG1NfYrtT10CWJls7HIA9F2CoChcfxE093SIhBDsap-CW83q2Zi2E8GOh3ovFyKWmI4TKwXMOgXiJh5SLgqltLtRFlEwPf4cENIkLTk5Zqj/s1600/spin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmuGV4Jvp-ox4e2Ckle_Geqa6VESEgpwx9Iwj0fCmQDD16Bde97TPI4_vNEfoTqtevGxAJAxvUiUWGwd3DvwgdQy-Xc1jczkL7DfH2UG1x6lmvapcrD1NvYMQ0G6FBgH-zHttz72lNJgB/s1600/full+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9qxGZx6wH6L_jwJfEG1ERFEDE5wxC9va5oG1NfYrtT10CWJls7HIA9F2CoChcfxE093SIhBDsap-CW83q2Zi2E8GOh3ovFyKWmI4TKwXMOgXiJh5SLgqltLtRFlEwPf4cENIkLTk5Zqj/s1600/spin.jpg" /></div>
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How annoying is that loose bit of hair??! R loves the dress and was pleased to find not only inseam pockets, but a pocket on the top section as well. It took me days to get her to model this outfit, but once she got it on it was clear that she really loved it. Turns out this dress is quite twirly, too!<br />
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<br />marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-75100172657430541522017-02-27T17:51:00.000+11:002017-02-27T17:51:54.158+11:00An ikatee top and two pairs of shorts<div style="text-align: left;">
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A while back I downloaded a lovely pattern from the French pattern company <a href="https://ikatee.com/" target="_blank">Ikatee</a>. They offer a free pattern when you join their mailing list, and I chose the <a href="https://ikatee.com/collections/t-shirts-blouses-shirts/products/ibiza-blouse" target="_blank">Ibiza</a> top, a voluminous swing top with shoestring straps. It's a sweet pattern and very easy to sew. Having made a new top it seemed right to add some bottoms, so I made two pairs: the 'Shorts with Back Pockets' from <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Happy-Homemade-Sew-Chic-Kids-Ruriko-Yamad/9784805312865?ref=grid-view" target="_blank">Happy Homemade</a>, and the fabulous (and free!) <a href="https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2014/07/24/corinnes-thread-city-gym-shorts-for-all-ages/" target="_blank">City Gym Shorts</a> from Purl Soho. </div>
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I made the Ibiza in a cotton-linen from Spotlight, with a bit of gold piping. It's a lovely, floaty top that's perfect for hot Melbourne days. The City Gym shorts are a Cloud 9 cotton with linen bias binding. This is a fun pattern to make - super easy, and the binding gives a really nice finish. I made size 6-7 for R but they're on the tight side so I suppose I'll be making another size before too long... </div>
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The Happy Homemade shorts are made from some leftover denim. I added decorative machine-stitching to the back pockets in the same hot pink as the top. Although she is still a huge fan of dresses, R is loving wearing shorts for cricket and bike-riding at the moment!</div>
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Do you have a go-to shorts pattern? R probably has enough to last her through summer and autumn, but I'm sure she'll be wanting more next year... </div>
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marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-3241639302255548532017-02-04T23:31:00.000+11:002017-02-04T23:31:21.613+11:00A Laure qipao dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy1vS9JtbVzY6uY00y65SOOH7aFGRTqaH2Ekzka8o7Sld6N9sjheDnLaKww86uKj0FppCpNBc-_88RNewtuS5VPIHJjf3nJthQrOfkN_gSPtdP4wLDZ59-XuV9Zk6zHCWXSDEK-nVSDf0/s1600/profile+cu+scrunchie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPy1vS9JtbVzY6uY00y65SOOH7aFGRTqaH2Ekzka8o7Sld6N9sjheDnLaKww86uKj0FppCpNBc-_88RNewtuS5VPIHJjf3nJthQrOfkN_gSPtdP4wLDZ59-XuV9Zk6zHCWXSDEK-nVSDf0/s1600/profile+cu+scrunchie.jpg" /></a></div>
Three years ago I made a <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/search/label/chinese%20new%20year" target="_blank">qipao</a> (also known as a cheongsam) for R in a brocade fabric. She loved the style and the shiny material, but it was poor quality and didn't wear too well. The front opening was also difficult for R to do up herself, and I remember thinking that next time I made a qipao I would try to redesign it with a back closure. When I saw that An of Straight Grain had released a <a href="http://www.straight-grain.com/?product=laure-qipao-dress-english#prettyPhoto" target="_blank">qipao pattern </a>with a back zipper I was super excited and bought it right away!<br />
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This dress was such a pleasure to sew. There are several different options for sleeves, neckline and even dress shape, but I went for the traditional qipao style and opted for the short sleeves. R is never a straight size, so based on her measurements I made size 5 width with size 8 length, and it proved to be spot-on for size (I sewed up the bodice lining to use as a muslin before cutting into my main dress fabric, and I really recommend doing this to check if the fit is right).<br />
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In her <a href="http://www.straight-grain.com/?p=13776" target="_blank">blog post</a> announcing the release of the Laure dress, An included a clip from the film <i>In the Mood for Love</i>, in which a woman in a qipao carries an enamel thermos. It just so happens that I have a small collection of Chinese enamel thermoses, so I decided to give a few of them a starring role in my photo shoot - it's not often that they get to actually be useful!<br />
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The fabric is from Birch Fabrics' organic 'Acorn Trail' range and I've been hoarding it for a couple of years, waiting for a special project. I adore the colours and the vintage-style rose design, and the cotton is so smooth and soft. For the piping and lining I used a coral-coloured cotton from Spotlight and I have to say, it was not easy finding this matching shade! R's scrunchie is made from a pattern from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%91%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%81%AE%E5%AD%90%E4%BE%9B%E6%9C%8D%E3%82%BD%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0Style-Book-Heart-Warming-Life/dp/4529055574/ref=pd_sim_14_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=B04JXRBK1Q0B9G1MZEES" target="_blank">Kids Clothes Style Book</a>.<br />
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I'm so, so happy with this beautiful dress. The simplified qipao design works really well and the shape of the dress retains the traditional fitted shape of the bodice without being too constricting in the lower part. R wore her qipao to a local lunar new year festival today and had no trouble climbing in the playground and doing some hula-hooping - check out this amazing performer! <br />
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Next I'm looking forward to trying out the drop-waisted Laure dress with the pussy bow. In the meantime I predict that R's new qipao is going to get a lot of love from her!marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-34892429331449649892017-01-15T23:26:00.003+11:002017-02-08T23:31:17.996+11:00More swimwear - a rash top and pants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love R's new<a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/a-seersucker-swimsuit.html" target="_blank"> Cosi swimsuit</a>, but Melbourne's extreme UV levels sometimes require a more sun-smart option. R's <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/sunsmart-bathers.html" target="_blank">previous rash top and pants</a> having been well and truly outgrown, I made a new one using the same patterns as last time: an Ottobre raglan-sleeved top and the Cosi swimsuit's pants.<br />
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The floral fabric comes from Joelle's fabric warehouse and is apparently a Sea Folly remnant. It's lovely quality and has quite a slinky feeling. I teamed it with some plain blue swim fabric for the fully lined bottoms, taking a couple of inches off the top of the high-waisted pants. The rash top is exactly as per the pattern with the exception of the neckband, which I widened for better neck coverage. <br />
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These bathers were really put through their paces on their first wear. Besides swimming, R spent lots of time rolling around in the (very hot) sand, digging pools and building castles. We had a few moments of excitement when my friend spotted a shark's fin above the water, prompting me to run along the beach screaming at people to get out of the water. I had just managed to clear the beach of swimmers when we realised that our 'shark' was in fact a dolphin. Rather embarrassing - but at least our kids ended up with a good story to tell!marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-17489438536604017502017-01-11T09:11:00.000+11:002017-01-11T09:11:15.556+11:00Another nightie in Japanese lawn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK5qyH9UyZkyX2sjjUnEWGvJVkxAv-8IIJVjiWsovwLQoys_fukLLEH4V-l7g-AMBzYftBMztJ0BmFPiBQOSOgLi6LZgb4mbQulDtXJqfCHTA6j25Meolj6H1zg9Oaa3897x39-jSwYv3/s1600/cu+profile.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZK5qyH9UyZkyX2sjjUnEWGvJVkxAv-8IIJVjiWsovwLQoys_fukLLEH4V-l7g-AMBzYftBMztJ0BmFPiBQOSOgLi6LZgb4mbQulDtXJqfCHTA6j25Meolj6H1zg9Oaa3897x39-jSwYv3/s1600/cu+profile.jpg" /></a></div>
R has been wearing the same much-loved <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/kcw-project-1-nightie-in-japanese-lawn.html" target="_blank">summer nightie</a> for the past three years, during which time it's gone from very long to way too short, and has become rather difficult to get into. When the fabric - thin from so much wear - started to tear in a couple of places, I knew I had to move quickly on a new version. And since the old pattern had proved so perfect, and the fabric was so light and soft, there seemed no need to reinvent the wheel; the same Japanese pattern and the same kind of fabric would do perfectly.<br />
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The pattern is from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Girly-Style-Wardrobe-Yoshiko-Tsukiori/dp/1780674090/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482926203&sr=8-1&keywords=girly+style+wardrobe" target="_blank">Girly Style Wardrobe</a>, and is intended as a slip to be worn under another dress, but its loose-fitting style with no closures makes it perfect for nightwear. The fabric is from Spotlight's Japanese lawn range and the trim is cotton lace (and plenty of it!). </div>
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R is thrilled with her long nightie and is now requesting a long dress - which won't be happening until she drops her demand for an off-the-shoulder style. I'm just happy she's no longer squeezing herself into a tiny torn nightie!</div>
<br />marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-32735936313592256552017-01-07T22:52:00.000+11:002017-01-07T22:52:44.249+11:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few weeks ago I saw a little girl in the playground wearing a cute dress with a shirred top and a double skirt and decided to copy it using pattern G from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%91%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%81%AE%E5%AD%90%E4%BE%9B%E6%9C%8D%E3%82%BD%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0Style-Book-Heart-Warming-Life/dp/4529055574/ref=pd_sim_14_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=B04JXRBK1Q0B9G1MZEES" target="_blank">Kids Clothes Style Book</a>. This pattern is for a simple sundress with five narrow elastic casings at the top, which were rather frustrating to sew and to fit to R's chest properly - shirring would have been a whole lot easier. I adapted the pattern by adding an elastic casing at the waist and an extra skirt section (with the fabric the wrong way around, if you look closely... I didn't have enough to cut a piece the right way). <br />
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One very pretty feature of this pattern is the straps, which tie in a bow at the back - R loves this detail! I do think the straps could be a little narrower, though, as they tend to gather up a bit at the front. <br />
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It's got a bit of a puffy look around the chest and I'm not sure if it's been a totally successful experiment, but R really, really adores this dress. The fabric is one of Spotlight's wonderful Japanese lawns - an old one from my stash - and it is very light and breezy to wear, which as just as well since Melbourne summer has arrived with a vengeance! marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-31941091850688207232016-12-29T18:04:00.000+11:002016-12-29T18:04:51.999+11:00A seersucker swimsuit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Looking through rolls of swimwear fabric the other day I found some fantastic neon-striped seersucker that took me back to circa 1983, when I'm pretty sure I had a bikini made of something virtually identical. But I'm not a fan of bikinis on little girls, so a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/267617423/the-cosi-swimsuit-pdf-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">Cosi Swimsuit</a> it had to be! I've used this pattern before (<a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/i-made-bathers.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/spotty-new-year.html" target="_blank">here</a>) so it's a tried-and-true one for me. I made R the size 8 length and altered the width to size 5.<br />
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This morning R was desperate to go to the beach. The boys weren't even out of bed yet, but I did a deal: I take her to the beach; she models her new bathers. Since the photos only took me about a minute, I think she got the better end of the deal, but I did enjoy getting into the cool water even if the beach was a bit too windy (hence the quick photoshoot, and my failure to notice that the bathers look all scrunched up at the bottom - they are actually a pretty perfect fit, provided one pulls them up properly...)<br />
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The awesome fabric is from Joelle's Fabric Warehouse in Dingley, which is my go-to place for swimwear material. This seersucker was only $7 a meter, making these bathers pleasingly inexpensive to sew. Due to ear problems R hasn't yet learned to swim, but her specialist has given her the all-clear, so this will probably be a year of intensive swimming lessons. These Cosis are going to get a lot of wear! They're probably not ideal for extreme UV days at the beach, though, which is why I'm now moving on to a more sunsmart swimsuit... coming up shortly!marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-78635594818422007682016-12-21T10:17:00.000+11:002016-12-21T10:17:26.058+11:00Jinbei PJs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicD14qkwwGhWN_A93BeZBr2mT1_NK5_Vohxnh9I_D_s0xhcC4uxHGeXoBQYN5d7mKE6DFtAxwlhuxLbv8nvZlzdNPyNU6B-EZhu1u8PrurWmTc1qCqb1l0u3vyMy1P-WUYpcDUTis9zn_D/s1600/jinbei+shorts_edited-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicD14qkwwGhWN_A93BeZBr2mT1_NK5_Vohxnh9I_D_s0xhcC4uxHGeXoBQYN5d7mKE6DFtAxwlhuxLbv8nvZlzdNPyNU6B-EZhu1u8PrurWmTc1qCqb1l0u3vyMy1P-WUYpcDUTis9zn_D/s1600/jinbei+shorts_edited-1.jpg" /></a></div>
Having tackled a <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2016/10/japanese-day.html" target="_blank">yukata</a>
for R's school's Japan Day, I felt pretty confident about making a
jinbei - a Japanese two-piece outfit combining a yukata-style top with a
pair of shorts. This pattern came from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%B3%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%B3%E3%83%95%E3%83%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89%E3%82%AD%E3%83%83%E3%82%BA-2016-Summer-%E3%83%AC%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%96%E3%83%86%E3%82%A3%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BAno-4215/dp/4834742156/ref=pd_sim_14_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=RND8NWSMWCTEPVKJJ7AH" target="_blank">Cotton Friend Kids!</a>
Summer 2016 and was far easier to sew than my yukata pattern, with more
manageable-sized pieces and a simpler method of construction.<br />
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The
top part of the jinbei has a inside tie as well as an outside one, and
next time I make one of these I think I'll just use a button for this
part to reduce the not-so-pleasant feeling of a knot and bow inside the
top (not that R has complained, but it doesn't seem ideal). The shorts
have an elastic waist and are slightly lengthened in the hope that
they'll fit R for a while. I decided to go totally cutesy and use this
cotton strawberry fabric from Spotlight, which of course R loves - in
fact, she loves the whole outfit and has been wearing it constantly.<br />
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Here are the jinbeis shown in the magazine:<br />
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The boy version is identical, but doesn't have the ruffle at the bottom of the shorts.<br />
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Now to make R some less layered nightwear for the stinking hot summer nights that will no doubt be arriving soon...<br />
<br />marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-67064852519646304852016-12-10T23:13:00.002+11:002016-12-10T23:13:24.734+11:00Ribbon dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the 'ribbon-embellished dress' from <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Linen-Wool-Cotton-Kids-Akiko-Mano/9781611801583" target="_blank">Linen, Wool, Cotton: Kids</a>. I found the trim on clearance at Darn Cheap Fabrics and was excited to make this dress, which I'd long admired in the book. The dress itself is made in a lovely white linen from Kim Anh Fabrics.<br />
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I though this one would be an easy sew, but it proved quite complicated. The ribbon yoke is made from pieces of trim cut at various angles and assembled (I had to zigzag the edges as I went or it would have been a total fray-fest!). Then the dress sections are joined to the ribbon yoke, and finally you make an inner ribbon yoke in pretty much the same way. Having chosen white linen, though, I realised I'd have to make some kind of lining, so I basically wound up making two dresses - an inner and an outer, with the inner made from voile - and sewing them together at the neckline.<br />
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I really like the shape of this dress, and, of course, the super-bright trim. It makes me think of a cross between Hmong embroidery and Ethiopian traditional wear, with a modern neon twist. Totally impractical of course, and god knows how that trim's going to stand up in the wash, but I love it anyway!marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-25406052365460172942016-11-21T18:03:00.000+11:002016-11-21T18:03:29.095+11:00The four tops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today's post bundles together four tops, so I couldn't resist the musical reference to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Tops" target="_blank">Motown greats</a>! <br />
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Up first is a top from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%91%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%81%AE%E5%AD%90%E4%BE%9B%E6%9C%8D%E3%82%BD%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0Style-Book-Heart-Warming-Life/dp/4529055574/ref=pd_sim_14_12?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=B04JXRBK1Q0B9G1MZEES" target="_blank">this</a> Japanese sewing book, which I wanted to try as I was curious about the construction of the sleeves and the insert below them. It's a really nice, simple style with buttons down the back (I used snaps instead). The fabric is a light cotton from my stash with a seersucker-like wave to it. In the bottom set of photos you can see the side view of the sleeve and also the side slits - a lovely detail, I think. <br />
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Next up is a peplum top from the magazine <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%B3%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%B3%E3%83%95%E3%83%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89%E3%82%AD%E3%83%83%E3%82%BA-2016-Summer-%E3%83%AC%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%96%E3%83%86%E3%82%A3%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BAno-4215/dp/4834742156/ref=pd_sim_14_6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9Q5KG2PB4JFB13Q8WE3S" target="_blank">Cotton Friend: Kids</a>. This cute little number features an elasticised back with crossover straps. I used a linen-lookalike cotton from Spotlight. The pattern was really confusing and I still can't work out why I ended up with an extra (unused) pattern piece - most perplexing! In the end I just looked at the photos and figured it out from there.<br />
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This Oliver + S school bus t-shirt sat around my sewing space for some months due to indecision about which colour neckband to use. Finally guilt got the better of me and I just grabbed some grey ribbing and finished it. I made the stupid mistake of not shortening the neckband enough and consequently the fit around the neck isn't great. I should really re-do it - but will I ever get around to it, I wonder? The fabric is a knit from Spotlight.<br />
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Lastly, I couldn't resist this cute strawberry print - so summery! I really wish I could find something similar in a swimwear fabric. The pattern is the <a href="http://The pineapple is kind of a backpack with drawstrings; the strawberry is a little drawstring pouch. They were fun to sew and R pounced on them as soon as they were done, destroying my plan to give one away as a gift. I guess I might have to sew some more, then... " target="_blank">girl's singlet </a>from Small Dreamfactory - a lovely FREE pattern that goes from 9 months to size 14. As I did with the <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/kcw-summer-outfit.html" target="_blank">one I made last summer</a>, I crossed the straps at the back and added a little width to the front and gathered it. <br />
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But wait - that's not all! I put a photo of these up on Instagram on the weekend, but here they are in more detail: my two fruit bags from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%B3%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%B3%E3%83%95%E3%83%AC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%89%E3%82%AD%E3%83%83%E3%82%BA-2016-Summer-%E3%83%AC%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%96%E3%83%86%E3%82%A3%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BAno-4215/dp/4834742156/ref=pd_sim_14_6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9Q5KG2PB4JFB13Q8WE3S" target="_blank">Cotton Friend: Kids</a>. The pineapple is kind of a backpack with drawstrings; the strawberry is a
little drawstring pouch. They were fun to sew and R pounced on them as
soon as they were done, destroying my plan to give one away as a gift. I
guess I might have to sew some more, then... <br />
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And that's all from me for today, except for this one last pic: R was adamant that there had to be a photo of her eating the strawberry, so here it is! marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-63160385339067162562016-11-16T20:26:00.000+11:002016-11-16T20:26:34.478+11:00Pattern testing: the Tic Tac Toe Dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1LN-Rbm9iSRN7cfkNY23SCipY0LCUrxLWneKCmwkfQqDEeLh9H40803zZZRRWJBhC4Hd1ez8_lY0kd3qCbnAGsJfWRoogFPHrUe8dAQO6yzOeqgXwMNp0U3TTQm1qcmgFhyphenhyphenSdaB9tFsu/s1600/ttt+stand_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1LN-Rbm9iSRN7cfkNY23SCipY0LCUrxLWneKCmwkfQqDEeLh9H40803zZZRRWJBhC4Hd1ez8_lY0kd3qCbnAGsJfWRoogFPHrUe8dAQO6yzOeqgXwMNp0U3TTQm1qcmgFhyphenhyphenSdaB9tFsu/s1600/ttt+stand_edited-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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If you've been reading this blog over the past few months you'll know that I've sewn two versions of a self-drafted dress, <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2016/08/pretty-in-poppies.html" target="_blank">one</a> in a bambiblauw panel and <a href="https://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2016/10/living-in-70s-floral-dress.html?showComment=1476153496417#c4713764215929963864" target="_blank">one</a> in a 70s-style floral print. Well, my self-drafting days are over, because Suz of <a href="http://www.sewponyblog.com/" target="_blank">Sewpony</a> has released a new pattern that's exactly what I've been looking for: a vintage-style dress with a fitted bodice, gathered skirt, generous pockets and piping. Best of all, I got to test it!<br />
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The <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/475917808/tic-tac-toe-dress" target="_blank">Tic Tac Toe dress</a> comes with loads of options: simple bodice, pieced bodice or piped bodice; rounded back neckline or v-back; sleeveless, ruffle sleeves, puffed sleeves or long sleeves; full or half collar; epaulettes; optional ribbon tie. There's a blog tour going on at the moment, and today you can see some beautiful puffed-sleeved and collared versions over at <a href="http://amelieandatticus.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/tic-tac-toe-dress-pattern-by-sew-pony.html#more" target="_blank">Amelie and Atticus</a> and a gorgeous one with epaulettes at <a href="http://www.inspinration.nl/" target="_blank">Inspinration</a>. I made the sleeveless Tic Tac Toe with a v-back and a piped bodice and I really love the way the lines of piping extend into the curve of the pockets.<br />
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The pattern has been tweaked a bit since I made my tester version, but I have to say, the fit on R is superb. I had to blend sizes to suit R's proportions, so I made size 4 width with size 8 length. The bodice is lined and Suz has an ingenious way of sandwiching the invisible zipper edges between the lining and the outer, which makes for a very neat finish (why, oh why have I been hand-sewing the lining to the zipper all this time?). The dress is not a difficult sew, although obviously the more details you add, the more time it takes (but all that piping is well worth it in the end!). For my dress I used cotton drill from Spotlight, with gold spots to match R's gold summer sandals. <br />
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I adore the v-back, even if I didn't do the most brilliant job of photographing it. These pics were taken on a furiously windy day and poor R was freezing and windswept. If it hadn't been for the packet of tic tacs I bribed her with (because it's a tic tac dress, you know) there's no way I would have got her outdoors.<br />
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Ugh, so blurry! Here's one I took indoors. I really should use thicker lining next time, shouldn't I... but at least you can tell that I was a good girl and cut all my notches as instructed.<br />
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R adores her new dress, even if Melbourne's weather isn't cooperating by providing some springtime warmth and sunshine... good thing this girl will do anything for a packet of lollies!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyInYInOxiLhgSYZUu88TWTEDLGV8xrMRyWzA0y3HYM17CPNUSoQsW9QzwoHNQtHEzZgCZfCAU2Q_7992QM9j3QoA54NSOOy5lXUiw032mR5NCSMnPN_aVwBRL26AGjXc8R-jwFTREQI4E/s1600/ttt+wind_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyInYInOxiLhgSYZUu88TWTEDLGV8xrMRyWzA0y3HYM17CPNUSoQsW9QzwoHNQtHEzZgCZfCAU2Q_7992QM9j3QoA54NSOOy5lXUiw032mR5NCSMnPN_aVwBRL26AGjXc8R-jwFTREQI4E/s1600/ttt+wind_edited-1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVp-jKSPgHlD6L2VShsda_kLsiPWagpRzdwFRatzhXty1hQazWmblR-RXOfnsaislPudi8KajsG8fje5ZZJRFSu1peFUkeDTHFkk2b1y84YyX3zKgZFVHWd-e99U1djAffksfT9BmSEo35/s1600/ttt+tic+tac+face+2_edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVp-jKSPgHlD6L2VShsda_kLsiPWagpRzdwFRatzhXty1hQazWmblR-RXOfnsaislPudi8KajsG8fje5ZZJRFSu1peFUkeDTHFkk2b1y84YyX3zKgZFVHWd-e99U1djAffksfT9BmSEo35/s1600/ttt+tic+tac+face+2_edited-2.jpg" /></a> Want to see more Tic Tac Toe dresses? Here are the details of Suz's blog tour so you can check out the many variations of this very versatile pattern:<br />
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14 Nov: <a href="http://www.metoezie.blogspot.be/">Metoezie</a>//<a href="http://www.bravefabrics.com/blog">Bravefabrics</a>//<a href="http://aamore.wordpress.com/">Amore</a></div>
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16 Nov: <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com/">thirtynine</a>//<a href="http://www.inspinration.nl/">Inspinration</a>//<a href="http://www.amelieandatticus.blogspot.com/">Amelie+Atticus</a></div>
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18 Nov: <a href="https://www.maaidesign.com.au/blogs/news">MaaiDesign</a>//<a href="http://naadjesendraadjes.blogspot.com/">naadjesendraadjes</a>//<a href="http://www.gaafmachine.nl/">gaafmachine</a></div>
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21 Nov: <a href="http://www.littlecumquat.wordpress.com/">littlecumquat</a>//<a href="http://petrolandmint.blogspot.com/">Petrol&Mint</a>//<a href="http://www.idlesunshine.wordpress.com/">Idlesunshine</a></div>
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23 Nov: <a href="http://katewillknit.blogspot.com/">NeedlestoSay</a>//<a href="http://liiviundliivi.blogspot.de/">Liivi&Liivi</a>//<a href="https://www.blogger.com/">Soulfedonthread</a></div>
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25 Nov: <a href="http://www.kaatjenaaisels.org/">KaatjeNaaisels</a>//<a href="http://straight-grain.com/">StraightGrain</a>//<a href="http://made-by-sara.blogspot.com/">MadebySara</a></div>
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You can buy the Tic Tac Toe pattern <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/475917808/tic-tac-toe-dress" target="_blank">here</a>, with a 10% discount available throughout the blog tour using the code TICTACTOE10 on checkout. <br />
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<br />marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-15301012938578571672016-10-22T23:55:00.000+11:002016-10-22T23:55:06.668+11:00Japanese Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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R asked me to make her a special outfit for Japanese Day at school: a yukata (summer kimono). How tough could it be, I thought, as I ordered a cute-looking pattern from Amazon Japan. Sure, I had no idea what a yukata looked like close-up, nor how they were traditionally constructed, but given my years of sewing from Japanese patterns I didn't think it would be much of a challenge.<br />
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The <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B00JYNCZ2U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">pattern</a> arrived and I realised that a yukata is made from mega-long pattern pieces that form both front and back sections - there are no shoulder seams. This requires a good few metres of fabric, which immediately ruled out just about all the fabrics I liked due to budget constraints (because how much is it really reasonable to spend on a school fancy dress outfit?). Eventually I found some Japanese-themed voile on sale at Spotlight that worked quite nicely.<br />
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The Japanese teacher at my work lent me a yukata so I could see how it was made. This helped me make sense of the bizarro pattern pieces, although being an adult's yukata it was different from the one in my pattern, which had the tucks at the shoulders and waist which - I have since figured out - are there to allow the garment to be let out as the child grows.<br />
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So I sewed the yukata, which, once I'd got my head around it, was quite simple (<a href="http://craftymummyjapan.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/sewing-yukata-part-1.html" target="_blank">this</a> series of posts on sewing a child's yukata was helpful). I even changed things up a little and used French seams so it would look neater from the inside. Then came the obi. I found some dimensions from a shop selling them on Rakuten, and, using some soft voile from my stash, sewed a giant sash (basically a massive long rectangle). Things were so rushed in the lead-up to the 'big day' that I didn't have time to try the outfit on R in advance, but in the morning I used <a href="http://lesson.website/how-to-tie-hira-obi-for-yukata/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> to help me tie the obi.<br />
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I spent an embarrassing amount of time admiring <a href="http://www1.odn.ne.jp/maya/english/enknshop.htm" target="_blank">kanzashi</a> hair ornaments on the internet and ambitiously had a go at making my own, but after two ribbon flowers I'd had enough. Cutting and gluing tiny bits of ribbon is really not my forte, but luckily the two I managed to make before giving up looked quite nice when attached to a two-dollar shop headband, and R was thrilled with her new accessory.<br />
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At school I watched R walk around, smiling sweetly as people admired her outfit. She continued to be a sweet little Japanese girl even after she came home that day, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching her bow to me and pretend to be polite! Given the generous tucks in R's yukata (meaning that it is likely to fit her forever) I'm not expecting to have to make another, but since I've got a grip on the general construction principles I think I'll have a go at a jinbei, which has a very similar top section. I just have to find the right fabric and finish a few WIPs first... marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-388668005511171302016-10-08T22:59:00.001+11:002016-10-08T22:59:31.762+11:00Living in the 70s - a floral dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A roll of fabric on the clearance table at Spotlight caught my eye. I pulled it out and was immediately reminded of a 1970s curtain - or maybe a doona cover. So I put it back and went home, only to find that images of the blue, green and yellow vintage print kept popping into my head. Those who spend way too much time obsessing over fabric will understand that I was compelled to go back the following day and pick up a couple of metres. And yes, it does resemble a 1970s curtain, but in a really good way, right? And I just love the colours - perfect for spring.<br />
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My first thought was to use the fabric (a bargain at $4 a metre, by the way) for a dress in a similar style to the <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2016/08/pretty-in-poppies.html" target="_blank">poppy one</a> I made recently. I used a bodice from a Japanese pattern, lengthened it, and added a gathered skirt with piping at the waist. This time I made the skirt wider and included in-seam pockets. The bodice is lined with voile, closes with an invisible zip and has a little stamped cat tag on the inside (because our home is ruled by our cats). I didn't do quite as great a job with the zip this time round, but given the length of R's hair it's not likely anyone will ever see this little imperfection! And because I'm already lamenting the fact that the perfectly-fitted poppy dress will not fit R for long, I made this one a good few inches longer and a little wider. I don't think it looks too baggy, and it should be good for next summer too.<br />
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I gave R some 'punching balloons' to keep her amused during her brother's (very long) cricket match today. I must say, they are pretty irritating things, especially when they are being 'punched' right next to your head as you attempt to watch your son batting. They also make a terrifyingly loud bang when they pop, which, of course, occurs when the balloon is right next to your head.<br />
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So now I can stop thinking about blue and green flowers and swirls and move on to finishing R's yukata. But I'm not quite done with this fabric yet - I have just enough left to make a skirt for my little niece, who saw the fabric when she was here and pronounced it beautiful. Such good taste and only four years old! <br />
<br />marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-91182342317764947262016-09-19T23:47:00.000+10:002016-09-19T23:47:43.268+10:00Black and grey on a sunny day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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She asked for a black dress, so I made her one. I used the same silky, subtly-checked cotton that I used a couple of years ago for my disastrous <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/a-stuffed-up-skirt-and-sack-like-dress.html#comment-form" target="_blank">sack-like number</a>, and I'm so happy to have found a better use for it. This is one of those fabrics that's much lovelier in real life, because the pattern is really hard to photograph and the drape and feel of it are just stunning.<br />
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The pattern is from <a href="http://www.yesasia.com/global/a-sunny-spot-cutie-kawaii-girls-colthes-with-paper-pattern/1023097445-0-0-0-en/info.html" target="_blank">A Sunny Spot</a> and it's actually meant to be a top, but I lengthened it substantially and changed the back bodice design to make a neater opening - basically I cut the back as two pieces, then joined them only part of the way up, and finished the neck with bias binding and ties at the back instead of facing and a button.<br />
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The cardi is from the same book, and replaces a much-loved and much-worn <a href="http://thirtynineblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/kcw-jersey-cotton-dress-and-long.html" target="_blank">earlier version</a> which now has ridiculously short sleeves. Like my first one, I made it in French terry, having fortuitously picked up a half-metre cut from The Fabric Store's remnant bin during a rare visit there last month. I was careful to make the sleeves on this cardigan nice and long, and I added a few centimetres to the hemline as well. The buttons are lovely and sparkly; hard to see in the photos, unfortunately. Gathering the 'skirt' section of the cardigan was a bit of a challenge - I ended up sewing a thin strip of interfacing along the stitching line before my second attempt at it, and this really helped everything gather up beautifully.<br />
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Sewing this outfit has reminded me what a fabulous book this is - and it's all about layers, which is so perfect for Melbourne and its 'four seasons in a day' weather! marisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14715341254331190992noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3369122943288791173.post-51587763753610557282016-08-19T00:46:00.001+10:002016-08-19T00:46:57.556+10:00A denim skirt and a terry top<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few weeks ago I made the great trek across Melbourne to go the The Fabric Store's sale and walked out with the most stunning French terry in a magnificent, almost fluorescent, shade of orangey-red on the outside and yet another hard-to-describe shade of yellowy-orange on the inside. Not the sort of colours I usually go for, but I fell in love and had to have it.<br />
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I used it to make pattern Q from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%91%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B3%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%83%99%E3%83%AB%E3%81%AE%E5%AD%90%E4%BE%9B%E6%9C%8D%E3%82%BD%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0Style-Book-Heart-Warming-Life/dp/4529055574/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VRBC8M77VD7QWYYPFBFV" target="_blank">Kids' Clothes Style Book</a>: a loose-fitting raglan-sleeved top with three-quarter sleeves and a high-low hem. Of course I had to make the most of the beautiful inside of the fabric, so I used it to make flat piping for the raglan seams and rolled up the sleeves to make cuffs.<br />
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The skirt is BurdaStyle's <a href="http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/girls-metallic-skirt-112010" target="_blank">girls' metallic skirt,</a> which I made in denim. Simple enough to sew, provided you don't mind making up your own instructions as the ones provided are exceptionally brief (directions for sewing the fly were particularly unhelpful). I followed 'instructions' religiously when cutting the waistband but I'm sure it's meant to be significantly wider as it turned out too narrow for a decent-sized button, and it looks different from that shown in the pattern photograph. I would have redone it, but didn't have enough fabric as I was already using leftover scraps from a previous project. I wound up using a bar fastener in lieu of a button and also adding buttonhole elastic to the back section of the waist to ensure a good fit (a wise move, as it turned out).<br />
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R snatched the skirt from me the moment it was finished, which surprised me a bit, given that it lacks colour, glitter, decoration and cat motifs. The whole outfit looks quite grown-up compared to some most of her other clothes, but happily she's still a bubble-blowing little girl whose favourite food is fairy bread and who teaches a class of Beanie Boos in her bedroom every day after school.<br />
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