September (and October) are proving busy months at work, which severely impacts the amount of downtime I get at my sewing machines – WAH! I’ve also had a lot of performing on recently, and learning repertoire takes longer as my brain ages. But I did get a few things made in September, and they were all lots of fun to make!
FAB
FAB stands for Fetu – Alex – Bill, the name of the team who will be running the Media Studio at Tūranga (the new library, opening October 12!) where Alex works. He asked me to make them a mascot. Years ago I took a pattern off my beloved childhood teddy bear and have used it to make presents for various friends when they have children.
I think FAB is very cute. I tried to make FAB non-gender specific as well as appealing. Fetu’s Mum is going to make FAB some accessories apparently, so that will be fun!
More bears
One of my friends is currently pregnant with her first child. At the same time as making FAB I batch cut another bear for her. And then I couldn’t resist making a Joey Bear (if you don’t know what that means, a Joey is a baby Kangaroo).
I liked using the leftover corduroy I had in stash (see the skirt below!) as I know it’s nice for babies to have toys with tactile qualities.
She is a very creative, artistic person and when I gave it to her she loved it, and said “But you didn’t make this…did you?” And when I told her I had, she replied “Thank you for your generous creativity”. Isn’t that just the loveliest compliment?
Victoria Blazer
I had some leftover fabric from my recently made hacked Lander Pants and decided that my wardrobe really needed a pale green paisley pant suit – because why ever not?! I made the cropped version of the pattern this time, lining it with pink silk recycled from an old vintage dress.
I made all the same modifications I made from the last time I made up this pattern, but this time added a full facing. I’m really happy with how this turned out.
I haven’t yet worn both together, but have a few opportunities that might be beckoning soon. Stay tuned!
Perry Ellis Vogue 1161 Trousers – View A
So I finally found the Perry Ellis for Vogue pattern I’d been lusting after all year in Canada (at almost the same time Abbey DMd me to say she had found it too!) I made up View A as a wearable muslin to see how it all would go.
I definitely had to make some modifications:
- Replace the pleats on the back with darts – I always give the pleats the benefit of the doubt, and ALWAYS regret it. MENTAL NOTE: pleats do not suit my ass!
- I found there was quite a bit of pulling in the front of the pants – you can still see the top of the zip pulling. To try to mitigate this, I changed the front pleats to come in to the centre, rather than to go out to the sides.
- What I will do when I make the culottes is to make the front waist of the pants straighter by decreasing the waistband curve on the front of the pant, and decreasing the side seam curve on the front of the pant only c.f my waistband epiphany of last month.
The fascinating thing about this pattern was the shape of the waistband. If you’ve made anything with a curved waistband before you will know it usually sits like a smiley face on top of the garment. This did the opposite! The curve was like a sad face instead. This allows for the top of the very deep waistband to sit above your natural waist without cutting you in half. I’ve never seen this before and it did mess with my brain a bit!
While these pants aren’t perfect, I have worn them every week since I finished them and there is sort of an understated chic that I really like about them. I can’t wait to make the culottes!
Bits
I’ve also done some alterations on my lovely friend Rocio’s wedding dress. Just some small bits but Mrs Mole’s blog has proved a great resource! It was from her that I had the idea of sewing Rocio’s strapless bra inside her dress to prevent it from being visible above the lining of the dress.
I’ve also changed the way her sash does up which has meant adding a button which she chose from my stash. That’s now her something old!
Next month
I still have some corduroy to make into jeans for Alex, as well as making some Scrundlewear undies for my niece’s birthday. I’m hoping to get a few Perkin’s shirts made and of course the long-awaited culottes from V1161.
I’ve recently taken my spring wardrobe out of storage and I’m so looking forward to wearing some of the great things I made last year again soon.
I covet your green paisley pant suit!
.Lovely compliment and lovely bears :).
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That’s a hot contender for top compliment award Steph!
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🙂 You are so productive! Even in a busy month. I need some of your sew jo!
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And I need some of your contemplation! X
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Oh no… I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy! 🙂
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Yes the paisley pant suit is wonderful and definitely wearable as a suit. You have been so productive. And I love the teddies too!
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Thanks Kate! I plan to wear it this week for a trip to see our national orchestra play. Why not?!
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I LOVE your pant suit! I hope you find multiple occasions to wear it, because it looks so good on you! And the Perry Ellis pants are very cool. His designs were always fun to make and wear, way back when I was first learning to sew. Marvellous makes this month!
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Thanks! I do really like it. I also have visions of a silk pussy bow blouse underneath it… we’ll see. I love Perry Ellis patterns. I have 4 or 5 now and they are just so unique.
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Hi Naomi! I am glad to hear that you are busy is a good way. Creative output always has highs and lows depending on other things going on in our lives and jobs. I think you’ve done very well. The mascot is a great, timeless gift to the team and works as a toy for your friend’s children. I also commend you for letting your silver shine–your hair looks lovely and so does the style.
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Thanks Em. I am enjoying becoming a she-wolf!! And making the teddies was so much fun.
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Your bears are very cute and I’m sure will be well appreciated! I love your jacket and your skirt and even more love your jacket with its matching pants. The blue pants are a wonderful colour, unfortunately I am so short waisted I think the waistband would go all the way up to my ribs!!! 🙂
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Haha! Well i am certainly much shorter from waist up than waist down and it’s made choosing jackets interesting! Thanks for all your kind comments, I’m hopefully going to wear the pantsuit out this week.
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You’ve made so many gems this month! I particularly like the idea of Alex and co having a team mascot.
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Yeah, it’s super cute!
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Love the “suit”! You should definitely wear them together!
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Thanks Anne! It seems to be a very popular consensus!
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Gorgeous outfits and adorable bears and your friends comments cherry on cake. So beautifully done September/October
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Thanks! Yes, it really was just the best cherry on the cake!
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FAB is fab!
And your clothes are pretty cool too. Lovely post.
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Thanks Ruth x
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Hi Naomi and Season’s Greetings! It is good to be back and catching up. The new format is a geat way to keep us updated. Love all the pants and the denim skirt. I think the bear s came out great.
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Thanks Em. Season’s greetings to you to!
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