(sew)everyday notions

pattern: anima pants, papercut patterns fabric: stretch denim & black double ponte (cuffs, waistband & pocket) here's my entry into the (amazing) #animapantcomp run by Papercut Patterns and The Fabric Store . Seriously, there are some amazing prizes and this was just the incentive I needed to get these made up quick-smart. The fabric recommendations suggest any type of fabric with a bit of stretch & I was happy to use up the rest of this denim left from my named jamie jeans make. I liked the idea of the contrast black cuffs, waistband & pocket & the double ponte is super comfy in these places. I cut a size up that what i measured (large??) because the denim isn't super stretchy, but in the end I should have stayed as is because i took a bit in on the side seams. They're a quick make & what could possibly be better than track pant jeans?? A bit more stylish, its easy to get down to kid-level to play and super easy to dress up or down. ...

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 ...

Jeans in June ! And they're the Jamie Jeans by Named Patterns . That's a lot of J's. Where to start? I think it was a previous season of Project Sewn and I kept seeing these jeans pop up in the competition. Prior to this my thoughts were "Jeans - why would I EVER sew them?". Suddenly, it was " Why WOULDN'T I sew Jeans?". Just like the first Archer shirt I made (collar! buttons!) I was a bit intimidated. But then I sat down at my machine, took it step by step and I'm so happy with the result. But the twist? Well, my waistline isn't quite as trim as it was. And won't be for the next 9 months (give or take). yep, that's a baby bump! I'd cut these jeans out earlier this year, but the weather was too hot in sunny Qld I just couldn't bring myself to sew them, let alone wear them. So they sat in the UFO pile. And then the weather chilled down, and all my other pants are beginning to... ahem... feel a bit tight. So what co...

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?

pattern / papercut patterns sloppy josephine tee fabric /  dark navy tissue knit , the fabric store, (bris) i'm kinda raglan everything at the moment. i love the look. This tee is the one I reach for everyday. with a cute skirt, shorts, jeans. It's pretty easy to do life in it. the first of many! a few notes i cut a size small tissue knits. yeah there were a few choice words. I found Jen's suggestions in her tissue knit hemlock tutorial great (especially for the neck band). I staystitched the neckline to avoid too much stretch. Next time I will take ?3cm out of the centre front & back seams. This top does start to fall off my shoulders (which is just a personal preference that I'd prefer it not to). I try & wear a sports bra underneath because bra straps are visible. (also, a bit see through?) the sleeves: I JUST LOVE THEM. they really are the perfect length & the band is a great touch. This was my first knit make with my new overlock...

My sleeveless Archer... Third version! This has a be a TNT now!? Pattern: Grainline Studio Archer shirt, View A, sleeveless mod. Fabric: 100% cotton navy/white gingham, spotlight. I have had this lovely 100% cotton gingham (plaid? What's the difference?). I have quite a bit of it, always planning for a winter long-sleeve archer, but then decided to sneak in a sleeveless version too.  Pretty similar to my previous makes , but this time Used view A- the straight back. Lengthened & curved the hem a bit more (this is a great top to throw on over leggings & I wanted the extra length. Stripe matching was... Mostly successful. I think next time ill do a bias button front just to give myself less of a headache! Viva la Archer!

Any day now, I'm going to become an Aunty for the first time! It's all pretty exciting and of course I had to make something for him or her. A baby quilt is always a winner, it looks like you spent a lot of time & effort on it (which I guess I did!) but it's also practical - something to throw on the ground for tummy time, take for play dates, and of course keep for always as a keepsake. I still have a few quilts my mum made when I was a baby and they are very precious to me. I tried to pick fairly neutral colours, although the peach colour probably makes it look a bit more girly than I originally had planned. I then found this cute rainclouds print for the backing (organic cotton on sale for a great price) and decided to add a small pop into the front of the quilt too. I did a very random strip quilt pattern, just chopping different lengths & using the width of the fabric.To break up the strips, I sliced one long edge off, then just inverted and sewed it a...