2001 Summer

Floral dress I used New Look 6550 to make a simple squared neck, knee length dress. It made it out of the John Kaldor black floral cotton that I had in my stash. This is one fabric that I didn't buy when it was on sale, though I did get my Lincraft member' s discount. I bought it because it looked absolutely beautiful on the bolt and it was a gift to myself for finishing my exams last semester. I have used this pattern before, but this time I spent quite a bit of time in pressing and fitting. This is a great dress for wearing in the Summer on it's own, or in the Spring/Autumn with my yellow lambswool cardigan.

Silver tank I made a simple tank top, using McCall’s 2034. I used a silver poly/rayon knit (has a beautiful shimmer) that I picked up for a steal at Lincraft last year. I omitted the elastic that makes gathers around the bust, only because I didn’t have a clear elastic source. I was later informed by a lady posting at Sewing World that she found some at Spotlight. Later I made a special trip in there and picked up some myself.

2001 Autumn

Orange top Again using New Look 6918 (but a different view), I made a sleeveless boatneck top from this bright orange stretch panne velvet that I bought this fabric last year. This time, the pattern was a bit of a flop. The neckline of the top looks really funny, not at all what I was expecting (and not like the drawing on the pattern sleeve). It doesn't look too bad just looking at it, but when I put it on, it looks terrible against my neck and shoulders. Anyway, everything I sew is a learning experience. This time, I used clear elastic for the first time, to stablize the neck and armholes. I found it a bit tricky to minipulate at first, seeing as I couldn't use pins. By the end though, I was doing a much better job.

Grey floral skirt I again used the pattern McCalls 2129 which is a simple A-line skirt with no waistband.The material itself is a silver/grey polyester with darker grey and black flowers, which has been in my stash for quite some time. I am making the long version to wear during the cooler months. Just about all of the clothes that I sew are really simple to create, but that is just how I dress

. White t-shirt
I made a white cotton lyrcra V-neck, long sleeved top using New Look 6918. This pattern has several variations of knit tops. You can choose from two necklines (Vee or boat) and three sleeve lengths (sleeveless, three-quarter or long). The pattern comes with instructions for adding such trims as rhinestone motifs; lace or braid around the hem, sleeves and/or neckline; and adding blanket stitching etc. I decided to keep it plain, because I needed a plain long sleeved t-shirt for the Winter. This was the first time I used a twin needle - the hem looks great. The needle that I used made the stitching too close together, so in the future I will buy the ones that are spaced out a bit more.

2001 Winter

White singlet top While still sewing the black pants and grey shell top and skirt I cut out this top and the blue one, simply because I wanted to work on something fresh. The material for this project is a white poly knit, which has purple chinese character prints over it from the Madam Butterfly range. The material was very expensive when I first saw it in the store, about $AU 24.95/m but when I bought it, I paid $3.99. Overall, this is a very cheap addition to the wardrobe, considering I required 0.7 m, and already had white thread. I am using New Look 6845, which I plan to use in the future for its cardigan patterns. This view features a scoop neck and back.

Blue tank top I have used my mid-blue poly rayon knit, the *shimmer rayon* I have plenty of in my stash.(It is actually much lighter in reality than in the picture.) Using New Look 6918 again, this time view H,a sleeveless top with a vee neck. Before cutting, I adjusted the neckline, which I felt was too wide. Thus I added about 2.5cm (1") to the front and back shoulder straps. This meant that I had to make up new facing pieces as well. I am so glad that I purchased a French Curve some months back. It is so useful for these types of alterations. I followed all the directions of the pattern this time, usually I do my own thing. What I mean is, I applied interfacing to the neck facing, and I turned and sewed down the armholes.

Black knit pants
I started on this project before I even finished the last, naughty me! On a recent shopping trip, I bought some black crushed panne knit to make some pants for wearing around the house. Originally I was going to make them for my *Body Balance* class, but they are so comfortable and warm, I haven't even worn them out. I used Vogue 1923. Very easy, whipped up in no time at all.

2001 Spring

Black tee
I used Simplicity 7692 to make a simple tee-shirt. The material I used was a black wide ribbed cotton (or possibly cotton/poly) jersey. I made view C, which has a vee neck and short sleeves. However, I really *stuffed up* the neckline. I spent 1 1/2 hours unpicking all my stitching and decided to scrap the neckband and turn the fabric twice under (in my frustration of trying to unpick the stretch stitch, I made some nice holes). I stabilised the area with clear elastic first. It ended up turning out all right, but it kind of lost it's sharp vee. I have used this pattern before, but I still don't like it. The sleeves are too big. Thus I am still searching for that perfect tee shirt pattern.

Grey skirt and shell top
I used Vogue 9855 for the top and Style 2760 for the skirt. I used a grey crepe for both top and skirt. The crepe, though made from polyester, is extremely soft and has a nice drape. I considered buying more in a different shade because I found some on sale, but I thought that I would trial it first. The top that I am making (view C) has 5 buttons up the back and it fully lined. The skirt is knee length and straight, with a narrow waistband. The garments were made to be worn together as a two-piece dress. I can also wear the skirt with another top, and the top with another skirt.

I took a long time to make this...I started in June/July. I wasn't motivated to finish it as I was busy with uni, going out, working and being too lazy...too much pressing and I just wasn't motivated to finish it anytime soon. Usually my next project motivated me to finish the current one.

2000

Mum’s Christmas Pressie
For Christmas, Mum asked that I make her a top from her pattern - Simplicity 7844 (Tunic with long sleeves and front slit, skirt and pants). I planned to make the tunic top with the long sleeves and I also bought this pattern - Vogue 1923 (Semi-fitted, tapered skirt has elastic waistband and back split; easy jacket, shirt, dress and pants) as she wanted a skirt with an elastic waist. I made the tunic top and the skirt out of a lovely red crepe, as well as additional skirt in black. I had to make minor adjustments because Mum is not as tall as the patterns, but it seems to fit her fine. As for the colour, I personally couldn’t wear so much red, but I think it will suit her really well. (PS She received many compliments when she wore this to work for the first time. Plus, she thinks the material is great, because it sheds wrinkles.)

Formal dress With Vogue 9813 (Close-fitting, lined bias dress) I made option A for my formal dress. It finishes mid-calf and has cap sleeves. I made it out of a purple floral sheer material: it was love at first sight. I omitted the side zip, because I really didn’t have time to put on in though I managed to fit into it fine (I had another Vogue bias dress pattern where it doesn‘t have a side zip, so I tried it on and there was enough room to get into it, it wasn't tight that the seams were bursting). I was literally finishing the hem five minutes before the event. Next time, I would do I trial of it first, because of the features - hem flounces and French seams - were new to me. The pattern called for the use of a sheer fabric but I would have made some additional changes to the instructions. In the future, I would use underlining and lining, rather than just a lining. My interpretation of the instructions was that they wished to have the darts of the lining on the "outside" of the lining, a bit silly as you can see through the sheer. Alternatively, by using a opaque fabric, the problem would no longer exist.

Wendy's handbag
I made a handbag for my friend to take to the formal. When I went up to Toowoomba one weekend, we went fabric shopping. Wendy finally bought some emerald green satin back crepe. I had already bought Vogue 7189 (Rose accessories). This being my first time making a handbag, I followed all the directions. One problem I faced was the fact that the shop didn't specify the mm size of the cord and so I had to make a guess. I then had trouble sewing over the cording when I attached the straps to the bag. In the end, the handles went without cording.(In the future, I will cut the cording to the strap length minus the seam allowance, so that the cording is in the andle but I don't sew over it.)And I took out the lining.Instead, I used a bit of the material to make a little facing around the top. I can't wait to try and make the handbag covered in roses ...looks lovely, especially if I made it using a bright pink silk.

Pink print singlet I bought this gorgeous (and expensive) "Madam butterfly" material, hot pink with colourful writing and images printed on it. Not sure the content of the material, but it has a nice weight, not too thin. The pattern, McCalls 2034 calls for a knit fabric.The pattern turned out a little different than I expected - it was about 7 cm longer than any other tank top pattern that I worn, and it looks more like a tunic top than a tank top on me. It actually finishes at hip level and makes me feel "wide" and I can't really tuck it in because it is loose fitting. Still, I love having it in my wardrobe.

Black straight skirt I made a plain, straight knee length black skirt with Style 2760. Very slimming, this skirt is a change since I usually make A-line skirts. Also, only 80cm of material is required (both 115cm and 150cm wide material), so this was a cheap addition to my wardrobe. I plan to make a lot more of these in the future.

Top and skirt I made the top from pattern: McCalls 2181 (Dress in two lengths or top, hooded jacket, pants and skirt); along with a simple long skirt from another pattern: McCalls 2129 (Skirts in two lengths) out of some interesting purple floral crepe that I bought during the Christmas sales. The top did not come out the way I expected it to. Basically I just didn't like the way the hem went up at the side seams and it was too late in the sewing process to adjust it (read: I didn't do a muslim first.) I have taken the top apart and one day I might get around to re-styling it into a strapy top, perfect if I go out at night. The skirt came out fine, I just wear it with other tops.

Blue A-line dress Using a linen-look (probably a polyester/linen blend) that I bought in 1998 at Spotlight after my last Home Ec. exam, I made a dress using Simplicity 7510 (the same one that I used for my formal dress in 1998, except I used a alternative neckline.) Basically it is an empire waist dress, with a v-neck and knee length flared skirt. In future, when (if) I use this fabric again, I would completely line it, not just the bodice, because the material is see through. I have to wear a slip for modesty's sake

Striped tee I made a t-shirt from this navy blue, light blue and white striped knit that my Mum bought for me back in 1998!! I used some white knit for the neck and arm bands, and this provides a nice contrast against the stripes. The pattern is the same as for the skorts. This is the first time I used my sewing machine to sew a knit - I used a special stretch stitch with the t-shirt. This stitch seems to create a slightly larger seam than I have it lined up to be but it is so minimal it doesn't really matter (for example, when I line the material up to sew a 1.5cm seam, it sews maybe a 1.6-1.7 cm seam, though I don't really think it is that important to the finished product).

Skorts Using pattern McCall's 8188 (Misses shirt, t-shirt, pants and skorts ) I made a pair of skorts using the mauve linen that I bought at the Christmas sales in the City (of Brisbane.) I didn’t make any adjustments to the pattern and they fit fine around the waist and the hip area, the only problem was they were way too baggy in the legs. I thought that I might be able to live with them like that but after wearing them out once, decided to make them a little less dork-like. I like sewing with linen, it is so easy to handle. If only it wouldn’t crease so readily and “set” in this unbearable heat. I have had this pattern for a while, having made the t-shirt, shirt and now the skorts. The pattern also includes pants but the pattern is now discontinued - it is several years old now.

1999

White tank top
With a cotton jersey material, I made a tank top. However, the results where not to my liking. The shoulder area was much wider than indicated on the pattern and it was more of a muscle top than a tnak. Plus I wan't careful when I was trimming away the excess fabric on the facing and I made a small hole (which I fixed with a zig zag stitch). I wear it as a PJ top now.

Purple t-shirt
Using a cotton jersey knit, I made another t-shirt. I made a silly mistake and cut the neck facing in half, but I couldn't be bother to fix it up by cutting a new one. In future, I will try not use this particular knit for close fitting t-shirt. The material doesn't have as much stretch as it would with lycra, and so it doesn't go on with as much ease.

A-line skirt
Simple yet elegant, I made a short black skirt made of micro-crepe from a tried and tested pattern McCalls 7526, a pattern which features five different skirts. I used view E minus the belt carriers here.

A-Line skirt
This time, using view A from McCalls 7526, I made up this skirt using a black and white floral faille. The skirt has a slight flare, giving it a nice drape, similar to if you cut it on the bias. I will use this view in the future, it is very comfortable and a good length.

Long skirt
I used a pattern traced from a Burda magazine. I used a black poly crepe and the skirt itself is long with a side split. Easy and classic. In the future, I would create my own facing. The instructions say to use lining but I was lazy and just folded down the allowance.

Boxer shorts
Made out of dark green satin, these boxer shorts were made to be worn to bed. They are the same pattern as the pair that I made in year eight Home Ec!

Formal dress
From Style 2959 and using a royal blue micro crepe, I made another formal dress. Featuring a boat neck front and a scooped cowl back, this fully lined dress made me feel so special, more so than my school formal dress. I was really happy with the way this dress turned out (it was supurb).

Knee Length skirt
I made my own pattern up: ended up with a straight skirt with side splits. I bought this really loud fuchsia, yellow, black and white rayon. On the cheap side from Spotlight, I have to wash it separately because the colour runs. At first I wore it for going out, but now I wear it around the house ( I became to small for it and it doesn't fit me anymore).

Shell Top
New Look 6483 looked good on the pattern (hey, it said easy) but boy, did it make up an ugly garment. I wore it a few time, but it was too big (It slips on over the head, and so it was very loose) Good for beginners, I should try something more advanced (read: fitted).

Long floral dress
I used New Look 6550 (View A) and a beautiful ivory and pink floral rayon to make this long dress to wear on Christmas day. It is only lined in the bodice area, as per instructions, but in the future I would fully line this material because it is semi-sheer. I love this dress and I can wear it all year round.