(sew)everyday notions

Here's two bags I sewed up for gifts recently! When sewing garments as gifts often sizing/fitting can be an issue, so sewing bags is a great alternative!! The first is Taylor Tailor's Desmond Rolltop Backpack for my Brother.  I used a thick grey cotton in from my stash, almost a denim? The hardware is mostly repurposed from old bags. I would have loved to buy one of Taylor's hardware kits but shipping to Australia made it a bit prohibitive for this make (and I was sewing to a rather close deadline!) It was an pretty easy sew, just taking it step-by-step with the instructions.  Between the instructions & the great sewalong I definitely learnt a few new tricks for sewing bags. I really liked the specific notes and guidance for the reinforcing stitches - when and how to do it, to make for a strong & useable bag. I would highly recommend this pattern!  The result is great! It's definitely a pretty hipster looking bag, but so functi...

Two new makes in this post - the Emerson Shorts by True Bias & a Grainline Archer (fairly modified). I started the shirt about this time last year, trying to make it before an overseas trip. I got up to sewing on the sleeves (no plackets or collar) before I had to let it sit unfinished (I didn't want to rush this make! The fabric was too lush). Once we got home from our holiday it was summer so I left it until it cooled down again. I guess you could say it is definitely "slow fashion" and worth the wait! The shorts are the new Emerson Shorts pattern by True Bias , which just about jumped into my cart the second they were released, and made up pretty soon after that. So I guess these are more a "fast fashion" make! They are exactly what I wanted in a summer short- pockets and an elastic waist, but not too frumpy! I am envisioning many more in my future! Those True Bias patterns are totally my jam, I love the fit and the modern designing too (...

Hemlock, Mandy, Sorbetto, Plantain, Polly. There are some fab free sewing patterns available from some amazing indie pattern designers, aren't there? This is another one, the Tate Top by Workroom Social . I put this little beauty together pretty quickly for a recent wedding where I wanted something cute (check), nursing friendly (check) and dressy/casual enough for a country farm wedding (I wore it with black skinny jeans- so check check!!). Thanks Jennifer for a great pattern!  Some notes... The download is only for the pattern (no instructions) but the construction is pretty easy to figure out. I made a size 14, after checking the finished measurements and allowing for the ease I wanted.  I made the back of the top less "racer back" by eyeballing the armholes when cutting, to allow me to wear a nursing tank underneath without the straps peaking out. Fabric is a neon printed poly from Spotlight.  This is my first time using self bias! (True story!!) Not a...

I am definitely a Grainline Studio fan girl! I actually own every one of Jen's great patterns & am slowly working my way through actually sewing them. I was lucky enough to win the (paper-version!) Alder Shirtdress pattern through the lovely (Australian) online store Stitch 56 . Thanks Helene!! The shirtdress is a lovely pattern, it really is the perfect summer dress, and easy to feed the baby in... Oh yeah, my second little boy T made an arrival in early December and we couldn't be happier!  The best-ever accessory: a baby! :) If this make looks a bit familiar, it's because it's almost identical to the lovely one that Sew Busy Lizzy made it up here . I did wonder whether I could/should post this make, but I guess even though I used the same pattern & fabric, I still did the sewing & made my individual fitting changes.  I already had the same polka dot rayon (from Spotlight) but was a bit unsure if the polka dots were a bit too loud fo...

Here is the first of two easy makes to have come out of my dining table  sewing room lately! I'd love to give you modelled pics, but... I don't actually fit into either of these makes! My full-term pregnant belly is a bit in the way, but I know both of these will get a work out after bebe arrives. The first is a Grainline Studio Tiny Pocket Tank . I made a muslin of this about a year ago and it desperately needed an FBA which I have only just got around to doing. I cut the size 10 and added a decent 8cms (3in) to the chest (4cm either side). I also added an exposed zipper to the front, because I love the look, and it will make nursing a bit easier. I just drafted an easy zipper placket thingy. There's a few tutorials around the web for exposed zips and I used a mish-mash of them all really. The fabric is a printed viscose hacked out of a dress I picked up free at a swap meet. I love the fluidity of the fabric, and the zip breaks up the crazy print a bit. I used bo...

pattern: combination of rub-off of my favourite RTW Country Road blouse & Grainline Archer fabric: cotton navy/white gingham, spotlight this is the make that i bought the Grainline Archer pattern for many months ago (? I think i picked it up in last years thanksgiving sale!). I think it also started #thegreatsewingbinge - it was the creative challenge that really got me & my sewing machine reacquainted in a big way. And I've finally made it! My favourite RTW shirt is a few seasons old from Country Road (Australian). It's the perfect length for leggings or jeans, with rolled up sleeves & a small stand-up collar. I knew the Archer pattern would get me half-way there. There were just a few mods to make. the original  my version Here are some notes I used the pins/paper/cardboard rub-off method that seems to be a popular technique.  The modifications basically involve - a yoke which continues to the front of the shirt, using both collar pieces ...

a peachy tee pattern: grainline studio hemlock tee fabric: peachy merino knit, the fabric store (bris) my new fav tee. this really is a great little make, perfect & slouchy for our autumn days. Much has been said about the free, one-sized pattern (and it's pretty much all good!). The only changes I made were to slightly shorten the sleeves (10cm?) and I still roll them to elbow length. I also used more of a bias-binding sort of neck binding. I like the neater finish with this fabric. (i sort of followed this tutorial by Made By Rae ). the merino I think is an absolute match-made-in-sewing-heaven for this shirt. I'd made a muslin with a stretchier knit and it's just too big after awhile. this, though = perfection to sew & press, and gives a great drape. i kinda need one in every colour, yes?

fabric - loose weave denim, spotlight pattern - maritime shorts, grainline studio I'm trying to take the time to sew the things I wear on a daily basis. And with a little boy to follow around all day, these Maritime Shorts from Grainline fit the bill easily. Like a few other sewers,  I had to adjust the centre back seam. After making a wearable muslin, I sewed a size 10 & changed the back pieces accordingly: took in approximately 2cm from the centre back seam added 2 darts, both in the centre of the two back pieces (approximately in the middle of where the top of the pockets sit). I made sure I didn't sew on the pockets until I could try the shorts on to fit. Both darts take in about a 1.5cm each. I then adjusted the length of the waistband to fit the changes made.  Because of the loose weave of this denim, I knew these shorts would stretch & loosen during wear. I usually wear a belt but I wanted to do something to keep the fit snug al...