StyleArc Martha shirt

When StyleArc released their Martha shirt a few months ago I was intrigued by the pattern seaming at the back.


Their website describes it as: "Designer shirt featuring a swing back, extended shoulder and a neat shirt collar"

I knew I had to make it in a classic white poplin/cotton.

The pattern is rated medium/challenging. I assume this rating is due to the collar and collar stand as it was really very simple to sew.  If you've done a collar and collar stand before then that isn't difficult.  The sleeves are cut on, so no sleeves to sew in. The button placket is folded over, so no facings to add in.

The shirt is everything I hoped it would be.  It took me around 4 hours to sew it and used 1.5m x 148cm of cotton poplin from Spotlight,which just cost me $7.19

Black Friday shopping

I have a board on Pinterest of dressmaking patterns and embroidery designs I'm wanting to buy  Some on the board are really, really want and others are I like these, maybe.  With the Black Friday sales I managed to cross off my really, really want items and also get some of the maybe.

Dressmaking patterns I bought were:
Closet Case patterns, Kelly anorak and lining expansion pack.

I wanted this pattern so badly, I already had the fabric, lining and snaps to make it.
The fabric is Cavalier Gabardine in charcoal,  this fabric feels and looks beautiful.  It is from Spotlight.


Lining is viscose tartan from Backstreet Bargains


Next up in the really, really want, is the Stella coat from StyleArc
Again, I already had the fabric.  This is a beautiful textured wool in a pale grey with a slight lavender hue. From Morelands fabrics

Next up is the Itch to Stitch Danube denim skirt. 
 This wasn't actually on my pinterest board.  However one day last week I was trying to decide what to wear and really wanted a denim skirt and don't have one.  I do already have some pinstriped denim that I could use, though I may use this for the next pattern I bought. This denim is non-stretch and from Backstreet Bargains.

So that denim could be used on the Danube skirt, or my next pattern buy, another StyleArc the Jodie pinafore.

The next dressmaking pattern was True Bias Southport dress.  This dress is very popular on Pattern Review.  I wanted something similar to the Anza dress but a bit more summery.  This can be made as regular length or maxi.

I could use this rayon/linen blend from Backstreet Bargains

I also bought a pants pattern from Ohhh Lulu, the Grace hipster.

Even though I have TNT pants patterns they need to be made from stretch fabrics.  I wanted these pants as they use a combination of woven and stretch fabrics.  This will allow me to use pretty scraps in the pants.

So in total I bought 6 new patterns.  Probably only one, the Danube skirt, was an impulse buy, but then I had already identified the need in my wardrobe.

Spotlight didn't have a Black Friday sale, however I did get 2 $40 off vouchers when you spend more than $100 in store.  So I visited twice and spent just over $100 each time and got
First buy
box of 42 gutermann 100m threads and a 24" quilting ruler.
Second buy
box of 42 gutermann 100m threads and 14 Flat Fats

The Gutermann threads were already reduced from $90 to $60.  With the discount it means I got 84 threads for around $72, less than a dollar each.  Having the 2 of each colour will be very convenient when using my coverseam machine.  The Flat Fats worked out around 14 for around $24, so less than $2 each.

Previously, at the quilt show I visited at the beginning of November I had bought some 1m lengths of fabric that were on special.

I have a very healthy stash, however most of my colours are very dark/bright or patterned.  I don't have very many in muted colours/patterns.  

So what do I want  to make with these?  Well there are a couple of patterns from SweetPea, who sadly didn't have Black Friday sales.  So, to the patterns.  They are running a 10 month mystery block of the month.  I really like the first block so decided to take part.

I want a new lounge suites, so what a great opportunity to make new cushions.  I really like Sweet Peas biscornu cushion, so the 1m lengths are to make 4 biscornu cushions.

And there was one big, non-sewing Black Friday purchase.  This will be my Xmas present to myself.

The Breville Barista Express espresso machine.  This was over $500 off the usual price. There is a coffee roasters just 10 minutes from home so I got some freshly roasted coffee.  This machine is brilliant, just like cafe coffee.  In fact, I usually get mochas from cafes because sometimes coffee can be a bit bitter, but with this machine I'm happy to drink just coffee.  It took a bit of adjusting to get it correct, but now I am so happy with this.

So I had a very happy Black Friday.  I haven't checked my bank account since, too scared!!

Shorts, vest and Christmas decor and cover for a coverseam

A few more projects under my belt.

Finished today were the Belize shorts from Itch to Stitch. These can also be made as a skort, but I went with just the shorts.

These have pockets and elastic in the back and sides.  There is also an option to make them with  front pleats.  I made the version without the pleats.


As usual with Itch to Stitch patterns I made size 8 waist and graded to 12 at hips.  They are a good fit, however they are a bit tight pulling on over my hips.  Once on though they are just right, if I made the waist any wider it would be too loose.  These are made from a cotton drill.   I lengthened the legs by a wopping 5" as I prefer a longer length.  The pockets are a good size, will be able to put my phone and keys in without worrying they'll fall out.

These took me 4 hours to sew.  However about 1/2 hour of that was spent unpicking a basting stitch on the waistband.  I've heard that using the coverseam to sew a  basting stitch is really easy to unpick.  Well some of it was, but the rest, well I obviously haven't got the hang of how to undo it yet.  Next time I'll stick to hand basting.

Up next is another Love Notions Oakley vest.  This time with a hood and princess seams

Didn't do a great job with patternmatching at the front. 
For the hood I added bias binding as a trim to hide the centre seam.  I used my coverseam to attach it, which gave a sporty look to the right side of the fabric, rather than 2 rows of parallel stitches that would have looked odd.

I made a cover for my coverseam machine.  This is a large applique design and wording from Kreative Kiwi.

Another Xmas decoration made.  This time a table runner, design from SweetPea

A vest, 4 T's and a tree

It sounds like I've been busy.  5 garments made and a Xmas tree since my last post.  But the t shirts were made while I was working on the machine embroidery Xmas tree and now I can make them very quickly.

First up is the Love Notions Oakley vest.

I bought the pattern in the Love Notions Friday specials.  Just $5 US for the pattern, very good buy.  The pattern comes in 3 views, one with simple side seams and patch pockets and zip front, one with princess seams and inseam pockets and zip front, both of these are finished with bias binding. The other view is lined and no zip.  Both views can be made either with a collar or  a hood.  I made this one with the simple side seams and a collar.  I have some more fleece cut out for the princess seams and a hood.  I'm keen to try the different views and see which I prefer.

This is made out of fleece and I made my own bias binding out of poplin.  Applying the binding took ages.  I think I'd like to try a lined version, but with a zip.  That would be very quick to make.  There are so many possibilities with this pattern. I'm also thinking a quilted version, possibly with waterproof nylon or a vinyl/pleather.  This will be great for throwing on when going for a walk when there's still a bit of a chill in the air but its too warm for long sleeves.
I didn't make any alterations to the pattern, though it could possibly do with my usual 1" added to the length.

Next up is another Love Notions pattern.  My TNT Laundry Day Tee (LDT).  Well actually 3 of them.

The first 2 may look identical, but look again at the sleeves.  I bought a 2.m length of cotton spandex with the intention of making a dress.  But knit dresses for some reason just aren't me.  After months of internet searches I hadn't found a pattern I really liked.  I have a shortage of T's in my wardrobe so decided to make lots of T's out of it.  However I didn't have quite enough for the sleeves on the second LDT so used some ponte out of my stash. 

The third one shown here is a sports pique and was on the specials table at SmartDress Fabrics for just $3.  This will be a good top to wear at the gym.

Finally, again made from the same cotton spandex as above is an Itch to Stitch Lago tank. Another TNT.

So while I was sewing all those T's on the embroidery machine I was making a Xmas tree from Kreative Kiwi.  On facebook someone had done a 3D one, joining 3 together.  I thought I could do that.

It is recommended to use vinyl for the baubles and star. I couldnt find any gold or silver vinyl, so I actually used gold dance lycra.  I wasn't sure how the stretch fabric would work, but it was perfect.

More of the garden, Quilt show and summer PJ's

I finished the squabs and also did some cushion covers for the benches.

Also got my vegetable garden planted.  Still a few more to go in but most of it is done.  From back to front  lettuce spinach and spring onions, cucumber and courgette, 2 tomatoes and capsicum.

I have one final area that needs some work.  This is sheltered at the back of the house and doesn't get much sun. The soil is terrible and with the lack of sun, nothing really grows there.  The last few years I've attempted growing things in pots, but they never thrive and they don't really look very good.  I had in mind some sort of statue.  However so many statues are buddha themes, cutesy, cutesy or remind me of graveyards - you know angels with wings, cute girls.  I found these 2 metal pukekos and thought they would be perfect.  I'll get some bark or mulch to cover the yukky soil.

Last week I went to the quilt show.  These were my two favourite quilts.  The cat won best of show, quite rightly in my opinion.

I made some more Carolyn pyjamas from Closet Case Patterns.  These are made from a very fine cotton lawn that wrinkles horribly.  The fabric is so fine I'm hoping they don't rip when I turn over in bed!  These are for summer so I wanted a short sleeve.  I had enough fabric to make some pj shorts as well as long pants.  There wasn't quite enough, so I used some pink fabric for the cuffs.