Vogue 8815 completed

I've finally finished my top V8815, for the plus size pattern fitting and design class from Craftsy.

I am absolutely in love with it. It fits a bit better on me than on the dummy. (affectionately named "dolly")
The lace was some I bought from work several months ago, and I underlined it with a similar purpley blue.

I used several new techniques on this top!
Underlining was a first, and my darling husband bought me a bias taper maker as a surprise (gotta love that man!) so I cut and made my own bias tape using the underlining fabric. I effectively faced the armholes and neckline with the bias tape, and then stitched that to the underlining so as there is no stitches on the lace.
The hem I overlocked and then hand stitched up, I'd tried the blind hem on the machine but with the lace, and the satin, it was a no go!

The zip caued me several issues, I had to unpick it 3 times. I think I finally got it as close as I will ever get it.

 The underlining.

 The back. The zip does do up fully but I didn't do that on Dolly.

Close up of the fabric. It's so gorgeous

Plus Size Pattern Fitting & Design - My Alterations

I got my Vogue 8815 in the mail the other day, and today was the first day I got to actually go through the pattern, and make my alterations.

So far so good!
I think I'll change the neckline to be a lower scoop neck as I don't think the jewel neckline will be very flattering on me.

And seriously, never put white carpet in a house, well, cream. It marks at the drop of a hat! Thankfully marks were not from us but the tenants before us. But still, don't put white carpet in a rental!

Gotta love this fabric.

Some new must have patterns

I just found more patterns I NEED!

Things are really inspiring me to sew at the moment, nice new jackets, blouses, and even a skirt!

Butterick 5891 is an awesome jacket, imagine that in a grey linen. Or lightweight wool. I love the color of this version as well, so am going to keep my eyes open.

 B5891

I adore this blouse too from Vogue, in the Today's Fit range. I've never made a blouse, so I'm looking forward to giving that one a go. Possibly from a silk. This working every day in a fabric store is a dangerous gig!

V1333 

The skirt doesn't do much justice on the model, but fellow blogger Communicating With Fabric made up a version that looks absolutely amazing and I really would like to try it after seeing what she did with it. Check out her version here

 

I also just purchased the circle top from Papercut Patterns. She is a NZ girl (local, originally from where I live) and creates patterns that are "workroom inspired" so they have their own "pattern hook" etc. Shes a great designer so check her out. She also ships worldwide, for FREE!
I thought I might make the circle top in Merino, it only goes up to a size L so I am hoping I can grade it up a bit more to accommodate the chubby arms

Craftsy Classes - worth it!

I discovered the joys of Craftsy.com a few months ago now, and love it.

Last week, they had a $9.99 first class offer, so I signed up for Plus Size Pattern Fitting and Design with Barbara Deckert.
What an amazing class. With the class itself you even get a free Vogue pattern , that alone in NZ is $30 value!

V8815

I spent every night lying in bed watching the videos, the pattern hasnt arrived yet, but it's so great seeing how things are done, and I cannot wait to get started on it. My boss made a top out of this same pattern last year and it looks fab. I didn't think this type of pattern would work for plus size, but all the examples I've seen look absolutely great.

And something that some people don't know, and I didn't know until today - is that when you buy classes etc from Craftsy, you get "points" and by filling out parts of your profile you get more points. 10 points gives you another free class (thats like $60nzd value!)
So today, I earned enough points, to get a whole new class.
This time it's Pant Fitting Techniques by Sandra Betzina and once again, you get another free pattern

V2948

I've just watched just a couple of the lessons so far on the pant fitting techniques, but just seeing the lines explained in a video makes total sense!

I realise I sound like I'm getting commission lol, but I'm truly not, just thought I'd share it for those who haven't been entirely convinced by the class details etc. I learn a lot by looking at pictures on blogs etc, but seeing them done in a video where you can rewind, ask questions to the tutor herself is just like classroom learning. I love it!

I took the plunge.

Not sewing related but I have to show what big step I took yesterday. I've wanted a tattoo for a long time, but it took ages for me to find one I was happy to have my entire life

Here it is. My love heart tattoo

A life update

I'm feeling very inspired lately... why is that?

Well as of late December, I started a new job. At the same store that I currently work at, but I am now a machinist doing alterations for customers! I'm actually really loving it and finding that it really inspires me.

So here is something on my to do list.

Vogue 1291

This is Sandra Betzinas own version of it. 

I adore it and we have some gorgeous fabric at work that will work really well for it.

There is also these pants, and I am unsure whether they will be a goer or not, but with Sewingpatterns.com having Vogues for $4.99 at the moment, it's not going to be a big loss if they don't work

Vogue 1334

We've been married for over 6 months now. Today is valentines day, and I got Roses from his nibs.

Albeit, Cadbury Roses. lol. I'll let him away with it though because it's rather cute! lol

My sewing buddy

We have a new addition to our wee family. She's a small 6 week old fluff ball who we have named bobbin. And guess who loves fabric scraps

A bit of fun

There's been a LOT happen in this past few weeks - new job, new house as of 29th December. All I will explain when I have time. But I wanted something cute to go in our new place. This is like a sewing glossary fabric. So awesome!

A sweet apron for a special girl

I got this pattern from Sew Liberated - Free Childs Apron.
It was so quick and easy to put together, even with a gammy hand.

Thsi was made using some fabric from my stash, and some fabric I recently bought from work (the pocket fabric. Seriously, isn't it gorgeous). It's for a friends Miss 4 for Christmas, we are going to make a wee baking set for her. So the apron was the perfect thing to go with it.

The dress for the dinner.

Here's the dress, I cropped my colleagues out of the photo, just because I don't have permission to post them as well.

It turned out really gorgeous and comfortable. I'll be wearing it to a friends wedding in December too.

And the best part is, we came SECOND, in the category we were entered in, which was customer service! We were so absolutely thrilled! First was the only 5 star hotel in our region, so we are all really proud.

A dress almost finished

I did a few wee bits on my dress yesterday. very slowly, getting movement back into my hand, so I'm doing bits and pieces as I can.

All that's left to do now is tack the facing down, hem the bottom and the underarms, as well as the back vent.
I'm not happy with the sleeves though so I am going to slash and spread the sleeve to give me more room for my fat arms lol.

I think the sides may need taking in a wee bit more too.

 See my wee helper? lol

Definitely need more room in the arms, and I may yet wear a jacket or such too as Im not comfortable with my fat arms

Need some help - how does this pattern work?

Ignore this, I worked it out in the end lol.
I'm perplexed.

This is the shoulder pattern piece

these are the armholes (there's also the back piece that works into the armhole. but there's no markings on that!)

 which way do you think the sleeve goes? Longer piece to the back?

And then problem two.

 to the left, the right front side facing piece.
the longer piece is the left front side facing piece.
Above that is the back facing.
Im absolutely puzzled as to which way the front facing piece attaches onto the back facing.
Very angled, to the back facing, or slight angled to the back facing.

Sneak peek

This was the dress pinned together. I really like it! Can't wait to keep going on it

A bit of sewing to be done

The store I work in on the weekend, is in a local competition for its customer service (obviously can't say much else about it) but we are going to a gala dinner, and need a formal dress.

I've got some stunning fabric

and am using a Lekala pattern, for the first time.
Did you know that you send your measurements when you buy the pattern and they email the pattern through as a PDF to your measurements. And also, only around $3NZD ($2.50ish USD)

http://www.lekala.co/dress-with-collar-from-relieve-part.html

I've cut the fabric out now, and have sewn the back princess seams together, but am waiting for the guide sheet to be sent to me as the pattern itself doesn't give much indication on which way things like pleats go etc.
And how to do the neckline.
I'm hoping it turns out well! 


Update. So far so good. I've pinned everything together now, figured the pleats. It looks stunning on. Can't wait to finish it!!

It's been far too long, and I'm a married woman!

Hi everyone!

Havent been here since February, as everyone knows planning a wedding takes an awful lot of time!
I didn't end up making my dress. There was too much happening and I just didn't have the time to really enjoy it, or take my time with it.
In June I think it was, I ordered my dress from DHGate. The total cost was $212nzd. It was made to fit my measurements. There was a couple of issues though. First one was the shoulders were too high, and kept slipping off. Small issue, which was easily fixed. Second was the hem was uneven. So I had a seamstress take it up to look a bit more "meant to be", especially as my shoes were a feature!

So on the 3rd of August, I said goodbye to my fiance for the last time as an unmarried woman! On the 4th of August, I woke up, and had a text message to go look out the front door. Here was an absolutely gorgeous bunch of flowers - including my favourite. A bird of paradise..

My bridesmaid arrived not long after (this is also a bit of a journal for me writing this.) and we made sure we had everything, I wolfed down breakfast, and off we left to have our makeup done at 8am.
My mother, and MIL came too, and had their makeup done. This in itself was a miracle to get my mother in makeup, let alone full on makeup!

Between the mothers, my bridesmaid and I got our hair up in rollers

Great look right?
The mothers left, my bridesmaid got her hair and makeup done, and then she left to pick up her daughter(flowergirl). It was my turn to get my makeup done. and then the hair. another great look!

Flower girls turn to get her hair done, while us girls got dressed. The photographer arrived just as we were about to get dressed.
Got some great pics of getting into the dress (but as they had my mother and bridesmaid in, I won't be posting them, as I havent got their permission) and then some lovely family photos, and bridal party photos.

Finally it was time to leave to the venue, dad picked us up in his 66 Mustang, and off we went. (me fair shitting myself most of the way LOL. I hadnt been nervous until we got into the car)
Then at the venue, had the ceremony, and then family photos. Then off to get our photos done at a local park.

After that, we came back to the venue for some nibbles, and catching up with everyone. We decided not to have a sit down reception, for a few reasons. So we just had finger food nibbles and it was absolutely divine. All the catering was done by us, and got a few of my mums workmates to help put all the food out.

Then we left, it was off to our hotel to have a lovely meal at the restaurant there, then I promptly fell asleep watching hotel inspector on TV. People don't tell you how exhausting the wedding day can be!!!!!

 From here they are low res photos. (we do have the high res but they are taking so long to load as each photo is like 8mb lol)

 We got this one put on an A2 size canvas on the wall. Looks gorgeous!

Me getting a touch up on my lips :)


So there you have it. lots of photos, and a bit of detail about the day. It was an amazing special day, and I wouldn't change a thing. Not one thing went wrong. It was just wonderful.
I'm now a Mrs! Scary thought! lol