Connie Crawford Shirt Butterick 5300

Here is my finished Connie Crawford shirt made with Butterick 5300, view B.  I used a Japanese spot seersucker that I bought from the sale table at Spotlight last July.  I finished it in early January just in time for the extreme hot weather we have been having here.

According to Butterick's website, it is now out of print.



I like this pattern because it is more realistic sizing and it comes with different pattern pieces for the front to choose from, according to your bust size. The finished shirt was a little large across the front, so I will try the next size down next time I make this.

Cute round collar.

 The pattern has side slits:

Back view:

I have had some very busy weekends, so I haven't got any Crissy doll clothes to show you, but it is coming soon!

A huge thankyou to Maverika for following my blog!

Butterick 4685 Peasant Top - An Oldie, But A Goodie

 

I have made this Butterick top 3 times and really like it as it is a cool top to sew quickly for summer.  I raised the neckline about an inch as I didn't use lace and didn't want it to be too low. The fabric is Liberty's Tana Lawn and it is divine!

Here is a close-up of the fabric.  It is like a watercolour painting.

 

I finished the neckline with an overlock stich, folded it over and sewed it down leaving enough room for the elastic.  I think it is easier and neater than turning over a small hem and then turning over enough for the elastic casing.  I also sew in a marker for the back in red thread as it is hard to tell the front from the back.

 

This is the pattern. I made the white version on the top right, minus the sleeve ruffles and the lace around the neckline.

My next project will be clothes for these kinds of dolls.  I bet you know who she is. Leave your guess in the comments section for this little Mystery Doll!

Little Animals Fleecie Dressing Gown Butterick 5537, Finished!

I have been an absent blogger for a while, but here I am back with pics of my finished dressing gown, Butterick 5537. It is a hard colour to photograph, so these photos have been lightened slightly. I lengthened the gown by about 2 inches, and shortened the sleeves by lots! I am a smidge over 5 foot, so it is wonderful to get the sleeves the perfect length for me.

Back view with visiting celebrity model "Bootsie".

I had a little trouble with the front facing as it was loose all the way down the front. I stiched it by hand in three places, so it does not flop out while I am wearing it. I also top stitched the collar and the front.

I found a kind of overlocking/serger stitch on my Janome so I used it to sew the whole dressing gown (except of course the top stitching). It worked quite well and used up quite a bit of thread. I like this dressing gown pattern and would use it again.

Overlocker/serger stitch on my Janome

I think I am going to be a very intermittent blogger over the next couple of months but don't despair, it will be back to business as usual before you know it!

Happy sewing everyone!

Little Animals Fleecie Dressing Gown - Butterick 5537

Butterick 5537

Every couple of years or so, I buy a new winter fleece dressing gown, usually from Best & Less. When I saw their plush gowns in store this year, I was not impressed, so set out to make my own. When I told some non-sewers they were shocked and proceeded to tell me where I could get a great dressing gown. I had looked at all the catalogues that make their way into my letter box, and again, I was not impressed with what was on offer. Fleece seemed to have given way to Plush.  My house is too cold for a Plush gown, so I bought Butterick 5537 and set about making my own.

I went on the look of the dressing gown picture on the pattern cover (I am making view A) and did not stop to check whether it could be sewn up using fleece. They recommend single sided fleece but not double. I have never sewn with fleece and when I checked Sandra Betzina's book More Fabric Savy, she states that you simply cannot iron the stuff. So imagine the fun I had getting those patch pockets on the front. I had to hand baste the corners and then pin the blazes out of them so they stayed in place while I sewed them on. The result is not too bad, but it explains why my bought ones have in-seam pockets.

Shawl collar

I also got tempted at Spotlight and bought some fleece (also double-sided) to make another one. This fleece is anti-pill, and is designed for out-door wear, so it should make a cosy dressing gown. I gotted 'sucked in' by the cute animal pics on this brown fabric which I think is more suitable for my 6 year old niece, but I like it.

I cut out the same owl motif for each pocket.  I lightened the previous 2 photos so you could see the detail, but didn't for this photo.

Cute fox motif:

Despite the no-iron issue, it is coming together well, and I should have it finished soon.  Then I am planning to make a winter top for myself as those dolls have been getting so much, my wardrobe is looking decidedly patchy.

Muumuu Style Top : Butterick 5356

When I looked at the pattern drawings for Butterick tops 5356, I did not immediately think Muumuu. But once I got up to attaching those frilled sleeves, I started to wonder if I had chosen the right style for me. Once I attached them and tried the top on, I thought that it was a very muumuu style, but what the heck I am going to wear it anyway. It will be lovely and cool on one of our Australian summer days.

Here are some more views:

Back View

I made the top in some cotton fabric I purchased from Clegs during one of their sales last year. It is a lovely quality except when I washed the fabric before making it up, I had to rinse it 5 times as the red dye ran like crazy. I have never in all my years of sewing and pre-washing fabric had something that ran as much as this stuff did.

This last photo shows the pattern cover and the fabric that I am planning to use to make up another version of the top. As this is a light Japanese voile bought during the Christmas sales at Spotlight, it might not look so Muumuu when I sew it up. As my sewing time is more limited than ever due to my further certificate IV studies for work, when I am pleased with how something works out, I like to make it up again straight away while the pattern pieces are out of the packet and the sewing steps are clear in my mind. I might try wearing this muumuu top first before I make it up again just to make sure the muumuu style suits me.

Thankyou to Bama for becoming a follower to my blog and leaving a comment. Bama has the most beautiful doll collection, so you really should go and have a look at her blog. Also, read about how she found her stray dog Pickle at a drive thru takeaway recently! It is a wonderful story of kindness.

Dolls! Oops, I made my American Girl Doll into Holly Hobbie

I finished the hat and bloomers for my American Girl prairie outfit, and happened to turn her on her side, and thought that she looked very much like Holly Hobbie.



Holly Hobbie pose



Don't you love that bonnet?

It was an easy fun project to sew. Now I am working on some summer tops for myself - details to come soon.

Butterick Peasant Top 4685 and the Grace Kelly Exhibition

This is my latest project; a peasant style top made up in Liberty Tana Lawn. I think the fabric name is Bailando Swenos. This photo is terrible - I tried taking it in two different locations, but turned out quite dark in both. The fabric is a dark kind of design, but there are some beautiful blue highlights which you can just make out in this photo:

This is a 'tried and true' pattern that I have made up twice already. I left out the lace around the neckline and just raised it about 1 inch. I just have the curved hem to finish.

Here is the front cover of the book they were selling at the Grace Kelly exhibition on at the Bendigo Art Gallery in regional Victoria which I went to this weekend. The exhibition was excellent, her clothes were breath taking and they were in excellent condition. They also had some of her jewellery, shoes, bags and hats on show. There was even a replica of her wedding dress. She appeared to maintain her petite size right up until her unfortunate early death. She must have loved silk as a lot of the outfits were made from it. If you are thinking of going, it is well worth attending in my opinion.

Here is the back cover:

Finally, I have a new follower this week; Lauren from Books Fashion and Tea. She writes a beautiful and thoughtful blog which you should check out.

I should have my Liberty top finished next week, and then I am planning to make the overalls for my 1940's teddy bear. Mum has nearly finished his jacket, so he will have a splendid outfit to make up for his sparse fur.

Decisions, Decisions.

Butterick 5253, I am making view D

This week, I somehow managed to sign myself up for a choir and start my certificate IV qualification for work, and decide what to sew next.

After I finished the dolls, I knew I wanted to make something for myself, but just couldn't decide. Would I start one of the patterns that I had bought recently on sale? I just couldn't make up my mind, and as we are nearing the end of Summer, I had to decide whether to sew for this season or the next.

My slow sewing speed was the decider, and I have finally gone with Butterick 5253, view D.

This is the fabric I am planning to make it up in, although if the muslin turns out badly on me, I will not go ahead with this pattern. The fabric is a kind of crushed cord look that I bought from Lincraft 3 or so years ago. It is a great feeling to do a bit of stash bustin and and have a go at making this one up.

Don't Let Me Loose When It's Sale Time

Butterick 5467

Two of the big chain stores had 1/2 price pattern sales over the weekend. I came out with 6 patterns and 2 metres of linen mix fabric. Oh dear.

I am thinking of making Butterick jacket 5467 in the three quarter sleeve option in this linen print.

These were my other purchases:



Butterick 5223



Butterick 5496

I am thinking of using some of the polyester gabardine suiting fabric that I have in my stash (I made New Look 6619 out of some of it) in this pattern from McCalls:

I really like the tie belt with this one, but being short waisted, I might have to skip this idea.





5668



And finally, McCalls 5860. I have some pinwale corduroy in some beautiful prints that would look really good in this style.

Then to compound the problem, my copy of Vogue Patterns magazine arrived last week, and as usual they have a buy one get one free offer for subscribers. I have not made my selections yet but will do so soon.

Unfortunately, finding the time to sew these lovely patterns is going to be in short supply as I am starting a certificate IV qualification for my work shortly. This will slow down my sewing output down for the next four or so months. I might slip in a bit of sewing over that time, but I will have to see how I go.

Do you notice a common theme with these selections? There are mostly jackets. I still have a lack of jackets of all kinds in my wardrobe, so I think I am going to have to sneak some time away from my studies to do some sewing.

Kick Pleat Basting Madness and Purple Coat Butterick 5254

As we battle through the cold of the last remaining weeks of winter and early Spring here in Australia, I thought I would mention the kick pleat basting stitches that I have seen so many people leave in their RTW coats this winter. I think it reflects how few people have sewing skills as the dedicated home sewer would never leave the basting stitches in as we all know they are to preserve the pleat while you are making the garment. The RTW industry leaves these few stitches in so that their garments reach the wearer in good condition. I would really like to hear from anyone else who has noticed people wearing their RTW coats with the basting stitches still in. Anyway, how is a person meant to kick up their heels properly with these temporary basting stitches left in?

Having got my "rant" out of the way, I thought that I would show you the coat I am planning on making. First up is my "old faithful" of 10 or more years. I spent a lot of money on this coat, and it was truly worth it. Sadly, it is showing signs of old age with the fabric pilling in some areas and I am really sick of the grey colour. It is still as warm as toast to wear, so I am going to have to try hard with my new coat to make it as warm. Inter-lining with cotton flannel is an idea.

Old Faithful

Here is a photo of the wool mix fabric I got from Spotlight. As I have not made a coat before, I have not spent a lot of money on the fabric in case it all goes wrong. I have also included the lining I plan to use, but I might change it for some really bright printed or plain satin fabric if I can find one substantial enough. I don't like winter much, so I thought a bright lining might cheer me up.

And here is the pattern, Butterick 5254:

I am going to make the long version with long sleeves. My wonderful book by Connie Long about linings tells me that I can use fabrics usually reserved for making dresses and shirts as a lining. It is a fantastic book, and well worth adding to your collection. The pictures (and there are plenty) and the diagrams are really clear. There are chapters on lining trousers, making a pattern for a coat or jacket lining when you don't have one, lining skirts and how to line sheer fabrics and jumpers (sweaters).

I have a winter jacket to make before I embark on this coat and probably another summer top or two, but I really need to get it done before winter 2012. Here's hoping!

Day One - Introducing Me

I have been an avid reader (lurker?) of some wonderful blogs for a long time now and have decided to declare my presence and do my own. I will hopefully be blogging about dressmaking, making cloth dolls, my art work and anything else that is arty and crafty and takes my fancy.

I thought I would start with a bit of a 'show and tell' of what I have been doing, starting with my cloth doll that I made called Autumn. I will do a more detailed post about her at a later date, and I hope this will be of interest to other doll makers.

Autumn

Here is a close up view of her face which I did using artist quality marking pens and pencils (they are light sensitive which means there is less of a chance of them fading). I also used some glitter which I glued on with acid free glue. There is also a bit of 'needle sculpting' on her face.

Next are some summer tops that I made from Butterick 4685. That pattern has been in their catalogue since 2005, so I guess it is their version of a 'tried and true' pattern. They are cool when made up in a lightweight cotton and perfect for a 40+ degree day in Australia.

Now, here are my two versions of that pattern:

Here is a close up of the lovely flowery embroidered design on the fabric:

And here is the other version without the elastic on the sleeves and below the bust:

Finally, I just wanted to finish with a couple of pictures of a Peggy Nesbit ballerina doll called Nanette that I picked up for a song at a doll show recently. I got her as a set of three, and will do a post on these dolls at a later date. She was very grubby and I had to remove as much grime as I could with a cotton bud dipped in gentle detergent without wetting her dress. Hasn't she got a great set of legs!

Hope you will come back later for a look at more sewing, dolls, and the odd UFO. Oh, and I promise to model some of my creations myself.

Lizzie x x