Beige, bland...never!

My latest outfit is a vision of beige! This is not a bad thing I feel as it makes for two super versatile pieces.  I'm not too sure about wearing them together all the time, but for a classic summer look I think it works.

For the top I used the Megan Nielsen Banksia pattern, my TNT top pattern of late.  I really like the fit and it is easily modified.  As usual (for me) the armholes and neck are faced with bias binding.  I also modified the collar to reduce the depth, I ended up taking about 1.5" off the total depth, which with my narrow shoulders I feel works better, it's not so overwhelming on me.



The skirt is the Kelly skirt also by Megan Nielsen but with the button placket omitted. To do this I simply used the buttonhole markings as my centre seam and cut on the fold. I did not cut the back on the fold as instructed, instead I cut it with an extra seam allowance on the "fold" side so I would have room to put in a lapped zipper.  I am pleased with the end result although my fabric is stiffer than I expected and it creases like a mofo!  I will eventually make this in a gabardine or something that doesn't mind being sat on. 

I have noticed the weather starting to change so I have to start thinking about my autumn/winter wardrobe.  What are you working on for the new season? Do share, I am super nosy!!

Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the Wellington Pattern Pyramid is....drum roll please....

Marjorie, please contact me with your address details and I will post these to you!

Congratulations!!

Sneak Peek

Just thought I would share with you a little sneak peek of my Sewing for Victory dress:

So far so good.  It's a little big across the shoulders so I am working on that. Also it is blousier than current styles of course, so I need to get used to that. This is intended to be a wearable muslin.

Are you participating in this?  If so, how are you going?

PS - so far only three entrants into the Pattern Pyramid Giveway - enter now, your chances are great!!

Giveaway: Wellington Pattern Pyramid

Recently I was lucky to win a Wellington Pattern Pyramid, courtesy of the lovely Rachel of My Messings - the parcel arrived the same day I arrived home from overseas like a welcome home gift!



It was difficult to decide which one to keep for myself as many of the patterns have definite potential if you look past the dodgy cover art! Check out McCalls 3193, it's like a superhero outfit, or a Star Trek uniform!

I really just couldn't go past the cape pattern on the top right, I have always wanted to make one, I'm not sure where or when I would wear it, but it seems like a fun wardrobe item, so sorry, this one is gone. However, I couldn't resist adding some patterns of my own to make it a pyramid shape and to keep the fun going. The giveaway now looks like this:



The rules:

• Anyone, anywhere in the world, can enter by leaving a comment on this post by midnight Sunday 10 March, Brisbane time UTC+10:00)
• I will randomly select a winner, contact them via email and will and post them the collection of patterns.  Please make sure your email is included so I can contact you.
• The winner will then pick one pattern to keep for themselves, then host their own give-away.  (the addition of your own patterns is completely optional)

Let the giveaway begin!! Good luck!

The Victoria & Albert Museum

Whilst in London I had to check out the V&A Museum, bloggers seem to have meetups there all the time and I have always been super jealous.  I love old clothing particularly from the 18th and 19th centuries and the V&A does not disappoint.

The above dress dates back to the mid 1700s - can you believe this was all made by hand? It must have taken months - it really makes me think about my sewing and how easy we have it in comparison. I wonder what happened if you got sick of a garment half way through making it? I don't think they would have wadded garments!!

Look at the ruffling detail - just beautiful. I would love to make a garment like this, but I certainly wouldn't do it by hand. I just need an excuse to wear it!

I had to take a picture of the inside of this garment - if I made a garment entirely by hand, I don't think mine would be half as tidy!

And for you fellow knitters, check out these socks dated to around 300AD:



If you are ever in London, I thoroughly recommend checking this museum out, it has so many lovely items, not just fashion related too.

London Meet Up

I was lucky to be contacted by Rachel of House of Pinheiro last week, telling me she needed to go fabric shopping and would I like to meet up to go to Goldhawk Road - would I? Absolutely, yes!!  Not only is Rachel super supportive in the blogging and Twitter world, she makes fabulous clothes and I just knew we would get along.

We met at St Pancreas Station to take the tube to Goldhawk Rd and chatted the whole way, almost like we had known one another for years.

Once at Goldhawk Road we went in and out of almost all the stores, Rachel had a couple of specific projects in mind and I was just happy to see what was on offer, being my first time there.

The highlights for both of us were Toni Textiles at #51 and Classic Textiles across the road at #44.

Rachel was a little tall for downstairs at Classic Textiles

Classic Textiles in particular was an absolute find - I bought a beautiful black double wool crepe for £6/metre, I debated the cost of a Valentino double wool crepe for £16.50/m, but just had to have it as it feels divine and the colour is gorgeous. I also bought ponti knit for £4.50/m in a lovely teal blue.

Rachel is such an enabler - she said to me "you have to buy it, you need it!". Well who could argue with that ;)

Rachel bought some beautiful fabrics too, but I will leave it to her to share these with you!

We then went to the St Pancreas Renaissance Hotel to meet her lovely partner, have a spot of lunch and of course to chat some more. It is so nice to meet up with a fellow sewing blogger who knows what you are talking about when you mention various other bloggers, gets the sewalongs and shares my passion for fabrics and making garments. The day seemed to fly by, before we knew it, it was 4pm! 

Wearing my Hollyburn skirt and Coppelia cardigan (still to be blogged) - see how short I am, I am a step higher and still shorter than Rachel!



We had such a lovely day and left like old friends - my thanks go to Rachel for an fabulous day out!