tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79927197058214423842024-03-24T16:31:50.655-07:00The Somnolent DachshundMaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-4795194221525993262019-12-22T20:47:00.000-08:002019-12-22T20:47:42.845-08:00Fabulous Falda <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's been a few years, I've been playing over on Instagram as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maciniccreates/">maciniccreates</a> and my hair is definitely longer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I had to make a special post here for my latest jacket, as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/faldajacket/">the Falda</a> is so very blog worthy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.patternfantastique.com/">Pattern Fantastique</a> have a small, well curated, selection of patterns, that until recently, I've admired, but not sewn. Lets just say that I get the hype now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They're very professionally drafted, with small details like the sizes inside notches, that are really helpful. And they're interesting. Perfectly distinctive and so very wearable, especially in linen or a statement fabric.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(and I have some amazing designer dead stock statement fabrics in stash)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Falda pattern is amazing, the attention to detail is appreciated and the finished jacket is worth the effort and extra time taken to think about several steps & relook at the illustrations with fresh eyes - they’re correct, and not initially instinctive.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I sewed the size 10 Falda jacket with no modifications, apart from the limitations of my fabric choice. I did try to extend the length at the final hem stages (and by cutting my facings longer to fit). Next time I'll make it longer before cutting out.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I first saw this fabric a very long time ago (it’s Nicholas from around 2015) and pictured it with the dramatic design of the Falda, but it took time to realise that it wasn’t such a strange idea.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmt1GuB63JkskEDt-PjjOO0u3RVrWxSwL0rNgGROlWFQeqbJ7-bvGW4UC5H1Dm1QB6VF7bxUJ3rDH7084hcEy8bMrcCZWZ_HAJ14QX0KOZ00dwUR0YjdRNHlRqIeya9S15ODsCdOgYQ4/s1600/IMG_1272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmt1GuB63JkskEDt-PjjOO0u3RVrWxSwL0rNgGROlWFQeqbJ7-bvGW4UC5H1Dm1QB6VF7bxUJ3rDH7084hcEy8bMrcCZWZ_HAJ14QX0KOZ00dwUR0YjdRNHlRqIeya9S15ODsCdOgYQ4/s400/IMG_1272.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Yes, keen eyes will notice I cut 2 pockets, not a mirrored pair</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">The fabric is very designer, clearly printed for a particular figure hugging dress, with abrupt colour changes and lines. Laying out the incredibly unique pattern pieces was an exercise in puzzle solving and trust and I’m rather chuffed that I interpreted the seams & folds as well as I did. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">Yes, I look forward to a solid version for winter and buying the rest of the </span><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><span style="line-height: inherit;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/patternfantastique/">#patternfantastique</a></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/patternfantastique/"> </a>Collection</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">All errors are mine, and/or the unforgiving nature of the fabric - it doesn’t like ironing or unpicking and layers tended to shift annoyingly when top stitching.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It’s bonkers, and I love it.</span>MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-71108736348885869492017-03-25T05:34:00.001-07:002017-03-25T05:34:28.734-07:00SEWN: Flying squirrel dress! V1482<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAwJS8GrTSJ_lNIOwQP7xfa-M_3-8sPaRXGaMCrbXjVdQ4scNTYagfJ-vVTHYFZ4uwlYDmQt9zqU87QuEB6bWmXrinEAPiQdfjMwPEZ1ioma0x4nqekcRv1fQOz9PuhUpEPqzdhNX7ik/s1600/2017+Brunswick+Nic+V1482+back+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAwJS8GrTSJ_lNIOwQP7xfa-M_3-8sPaRXGaMCrbXjVdQ4scNTYagfJ-vVTHYFZ4uwlYDmQt9zqU87QuEB6bWmXrinEAPiQdfjMwPEZ1ioma0x4nqekcRv1fQOz9PuhUpEPqzdhNX7ik/s640/2017+Brunswick+Nic+V1482+back+crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I love this dress. I really do. <a href="https://upsewlate.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/vogue-1482-antidote-dress.html">Gabrielle's antipodean flying squirrel dress</a>, the aquatic sugar glider is one of my most loved inspirations. Everything about it, the amazing abstract seaside creature fabric and it's sheer statementness is perfect. I have an equally loved piece of silk, with an abstract leopard image from Prada's 2009 resort collection, that's been waiting patiently for it's time to shine.<br />
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I asked Gabrielle for her thoughts as we browsed The Fabric Store in Sydney, which is where I bought it several years ago. It's a weighty silk, not as compact and drapey as the recommended crepe de chine or silk jersey, but I do like a structured drape... Might V1482 be the pattern for it?<br />
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I decided to test V1482 with some rather lovely weight tencel from Darn Cheap Fabrics. I'm rather glad the staff warned me that it would bleed a lot for it's first wash, it did, but has been very well behaved since. I'm still a tad scarred by the dark denim I used for my Genoa tote - it's still bleeding onto pale shorts (and this is after synthrapol, and in desperation, boiling it with vinegar and salt), it's one of those things... ;(<br />
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I did my research and as well as Gabrielle's, I took particular note of <a href="https://thornberry.wordpress.com/2016/06/16/vogue-1482/">Lara's version</a>. I fit a size M (14) by the envelope measurement, and didn't hesitate to sew the S (8-10). I do wish I'd paid extra attention to her GOMI source who outlined some excellent steps, that I incorporated after the fact.<br />
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Ok, since I made this straight from the envelope (without the sleeve bands), let's outline my thoughts:<br />
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#1 I adore the length. I was tempted to shorten it, but when pinned up, I lost the pegging that makes it work.<br />
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#2 Size - I chose well - Thank you my fellow seamstresses who made this before me and blogged about it. The hip is perfectly snug when getting in and out of it, I couldn't have gone any narrower on the hem. The neck opening was wide enough, that cutting the back with a CB seam was never an option.<br />
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#3 I hate the neck. There, I've said it. I do like a straight boat neck, and I do like a scooped V or U neck, but this is not quite one or the other and it simply doesn't work for me in this solid colour. I trialled every chunky necklace and silk scarf in my wardrobe, they all look better than the naked neckline.<br />
I adapted the neckline by unpicking the facings (yes, I used ordinary facings in self fabric). I then resewed the neckline while taking an inch out of the shoulder seam at the neck, tapering to nothing on each side over 3 inches. It would have been much neater if I'd made the adjustment (as suggested on GOMI), at the time of cutting out.<br />
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#4. The denim tencel - it was absolutely gorgeous to sew. I was worried that I'd be a bit too shiny (cue an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93lrosBEW-Q">earworm from Jemaine the scary Moana crab</a>...) but that aspect is ok - well, apart from the moire effect in untouched photographs (sorry DH). I adore the colour and the drape - not quite silk crepe de chine or rayon, it's a substantial fabric after all - but the solid colour is a bit too solid for me and sometimes I feel the dress wears me.<br />
It's also rather warm. I find silk warm, and polyester sweaty, so that shouldn't be a surprise, but it was. On the plus side, I can see myself popping it on with bare legs through autumn and spring, and it should work well with boots for winter.<br />
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#5. I omitted the sleeve bands. If anything, I could have made the sleeves themselves more narrow/shorter, but I do like them at the end of the dolman extensions.<br />
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#6. I didn't french seam - quelle horreur!! I did french seam the pocket - and what a perfect sized pocket it is!, but there is extra bulk that isn't necessary with this heavier fabric. Being a solid and shiny fabric, every imperfection in my stitching feels accentuated and I wanted the seams to lie as flat as possible.<br />
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#7. I enjoyed using a gorgeous pale green as my top stitching thread - it matches my favourite Wonders heels and Elk bag.<br />
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Overall, DH isn't a fan, but I like it. It's big and loose and super comfy while being vaguely polished, especially with heels.<br />
and it has a proper sized pocket - and that's always a win.<br />
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I had the very best lunch and photo shoot with DH and Helen - the graffiti was brilliant and Helen's got some amazing examples over on her <a href="http://funkbunnysgarden.blogspot.com.au/">Funkbunny blog</a>!<br />
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MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-65267097013925701812017-02-14T22:06:00.000-08:002017-02-14T22:08:43.609-08:00Made: SHOES - Leather sandals for summerI made shoes! Ok, Sandals! I made Sandals!!<br />
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And best of all, they weren't difficult ;)<br />
I love leather shoes and sandals, I really do. Jenny is my main enabler, she does have excellent taste. Sometimes though, I can't buy all the shoes, or they've got straps that don't fit in the right spot, or the leather is pleather, or simply not comfortable.<br />
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Inspired by the gorgeous work of <a href="http://handmadebycarolyn.com.au/shoes">Handmade by Carolyn</a> and <a href="http://scaredstitchless.blogspot.com.au/p/shoemaking.html">Jodie of Scared Stitchless</a>, I've been watching with great interest, this shoe making caper. Then <a href="http://www.sewunravelled.com/2015/11/leatherwork-i-made-shoes.html">Jillian</a> introduced me to <a href="http://www.atelierlouise.com.au/">Atelier Louise,</a> an Adelaide based designer who has kindly released some sandal patterns, aimed at the complete beginner. I wasn't interested in the <a href="https://gumroad.com/atelierlouise">Silver Sands</a> as I've worn the style in India and they're not my cup of tea, however when she released the <a href="https://gumroad.com/l/brighton">Brighton Sandal</a>, it was love at first sight!<br />
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The pattern by Atelier Louise is a downloaded .pdf, filled with images, tips and tricks, and there are even more <a href="http://www.atelierlouise.com.au/shoemaking/">fabulous tutorials and musings</a> on her blog - it was a one-stop resource for this novice!<br />
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I picked up most of my supplies at my local leather shop - Lefflers in Melbourne. They allocated me a lovely young cobbler to point me in the right direction, he was invaluable in navigating the different glues, soleings and leathers available.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My most loved leather sandals, I rasped off the old textured sole, now ready for the new one</td></tr>
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I practised with the glue and soleing, I resoled my most loved sandals, boots and some kids shoes - yes, it works well! The tutorials suggest cutting the solving larger than the sole and trimming it to size after it's adhered - this worked for me as when I tried applying a 'same size' sole, it didn't go well.<br />
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My glue is the highly toxic contact cement version; apply to both surfaces, let it dry and then apply heat, put them together and hammer them - now that was fun! I used both a diabolical little heat gun that threatened to bubble and melt everything it came in contact with, and a trusty old hairdryer. They both worked, so I think I'll stick to the hairdryer as it's not used on my hair. (it tends to be used to dry prints these days)<br />
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Next I made cardboard mockups of my sandals. I started with the size 10 and adjusted the slots and strap lengths until I found an arrangement that suits my feet. I do really like the way my heels are hugged by the straps, and the front straps don't rub on my joints.<br />
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The blue leather came from a rather fabulous shopping day with Gabrielle and Rosie at The Fabric Store Sydney, a remnant packet contained the perfect amount. Jenny very kindly let me raid her stash for the super soft purple inner leather.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sneaky Maci shot, the leathers, and the rather lovely woodworking chisel used to pierce the leather sole for the straps</td></tr>
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They are machine stitched together and as my vintage Necchi was having a hissy fit, I used my everyday Singer. I can see where the stitch length varies and it's not perfect, but the machine did handle the 2 layers of soft leather without too much difficulty. I tried both teflon and walking feet.<br />
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Trimming the excess sole and soleing could be done by paring them with a Stanley knife, if you are my DH. For me, I choose a safety parer, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief ;)<br />
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Lots of beeswax and elbow grease to burnish the edges, I could do more, but I can't see the edges while I'm wearing them ;)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">left has been burnished, right is waiting it's turn</td></tr>
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I've actually had these finished since early December! They are designed to have a cute button stud, but mine were a tad heavy for the leather. I wore them with D rings as closures, until I decided to trim off the messy strap ends, which made them too thick to pass through easily - cue headdesk.<br />
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The bridle buckle currently securing them is also from Lefflers, I think I'll add another hole for tightness and a keeper strap to tidy the strap end.<br />
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I've been wearing them everywhere, just not photographing them!<br />
Next time I'd like to try a single layer of a thicker leather, a lot like my fave RTW pair. And a metallic leather, surely I need a shiny pair!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Maci was an excellent assistant ;)</td></tr>
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<br />MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-84851966465605574262017-02-03T05:19:00.000-08:002017-02-03T05:37:00.360-08:00Machine Knit: new discoveries: meeting and rejuvenating mechanical machines: Singer Silver Reed 321 360<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh how I do love learning new things!<br />
One of the factors inherent in a craft that requires machines made around 40 years ago, is that they will require maintenance.<br />
I adore my Singer 321, the model came out in 1972 and I believe they are so numerous in Australia as they were sold with Singer sewing machines. My mum remembers her very talented crafting aunt creating many garments on her knitting machine back in their heyday.<br />
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I have made many a swatch on my trusty Singer 321, it's a lot like hand knitting for me, I simply enjoy the process of making. A finished object is nice, however it's the formation of stitches, discovering what can be done and discovering new techniques, that give me great enjoyment.<br />
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My next search was for a ribber, to double the size of my 200 metal stitch bed and allow me to venture into the world of circular knitting and ribbing. Did anyone say "SOCKS" ;)<br />
Of course, it never rains, but it pours, and after a few months of keeping my ear out, I spotted not one, but two machines with ribbers for the right prices. Of course I investigated them both ....<br />
One was another Singer 321, this one a smidge younger than mine and with a rather fetching red highlights.<br />
The other was my 'dare to hope for' machine, a Singer 360.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUGU_AgJ5TEK4D4jVGQBmMp7uLMf3Jx4Cl32BpZY_UB8q4lISlDq_z3dcUioDvua0oyHCcx5x_6Uid2GyNX_QUF_GUlHI2m6vLhiMUjZVV7kavM2zSQJHZ-JRhrbnl_LNhhR8ZspSGq0/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUGU_AgJ5TEK4D4jVGQBmMp7uLMf3Jx4Cl32BpZY_UB8q4lISlDq_z3dcUioDvua0oyHCcx5x_6Uid2GyNX_QUF_GUlHI2m6vLhiMUjZVV7kavM2zSQJHZ-JRhrbnl_LNhhR8ZspSGq0/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
She's plainer than her older cousin, having been released as the last fully mechanical model in 1980 before electronic machines came out around 1982.<br />
Both machines had spent quite a number of years sitting in garages, so they were in falling apart cardboard boxes, grimy, stiff and not looking their best.<br />
My 360 even had the main carriage stuck to the main bed with a deteriorated piece of plastic and none of it's cams' rotated.<br />
<br />
Did I mention my love for learning new things? I also adore cleaning - not tidying!, but removing grot and getting stuck things spinning again.<br />
<br />
Armed with the internet, paper towel, cloths, a stiff paintbrush (or two), a bottle of methylated spirits and white spirit, some 3 in 1 oil, a set of screwdrivers and a healthy dose of enthusiasm,<br />
I set to work.<br />
<br />
SPOILER ALERT - Yes, they both are restored and knit, tuck and slip beautifully. The 360 looks like living up to it's name to knit through 360 degrees, as it's ribbing is perfect.<br />
The 321 is now named Susie and has found a very happy home with Sew Jillian<br />
Photo heavy details now follow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM04yzNvFZpPjT9NTlV2b8TSmaLP76TpgEu0upEZPed5m7FoKaRWHky4PnAnWVnA6afxx7Dl4bxs15M0oBES77rY_Du94sbhF_NqXcEGDPnezcPKrvL_wn4ATsymiTzfagaNiXR19CFQY/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM04yzNvFZpPjT9NTlV2b8TSmaLP76TpgEu0upEZPed5m7FoKaRWHky4PnAnWVnA6afxx7Dl4bxs15M0oBES77rY_Du94sbhF_NqXcEGDPnezcPKrvL_wn4ATsymiTzfagaNiXR19CFQY/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't look too bad - but those cams didn't budge! <br />
The flat sponge bar and the edge pieces that were sticking the carriage to the main bed</td></tr>
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First thing that everyone will mention is the sponge bar.<br />
These long metal strips are meant to have a strip of foam on them that will press the needles down into the bed and allow them to hold their position. Without a sponge bar, they flop around and when in D position, they can dislodge and fall out. Sponge bars deteriorate over time, more rapidly when they've been in storage (or so I've heard), so in short, every machine that's not been used for a while will need a new one.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5P_jNlkQRHzJFh0r5MjsJg6vhnpNDCkjePybnXE0v_9nI-jyTya66g_zCXEVM0s-JeTeEiYEiuagA77kUbpKsO6nw2maHZ5oSQnNCsRzEu8GYeJ_CnmtEH7JvLwRekZLeQkdaC2rf5ZE/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5P_jNlkQRHzJFh0r5MjsJg6vhnpNDCkjePybnXE0v_9nI-jyTya66g_zCXEVM0s-JeTeEiYEiuagA77kUbpKsO6nw2maHZ5oSQnNCsRzEu8GYeJ_CnmtEH7JvLwRekZLeQkdaC2rf5ZE/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new functional spongebar in my 321<br />
aka what it 'should' look like</td></tr>
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You can see the piece that looks like a long narrow strip of cardboard in the photo of my 360 above? That's a flat sponge bar. Under the fabric layer was a mess of sticky gunk that crumbled and required a screwdriver to scrape out and goof off to completely remove.<br />
Obtaining a replacement sponge bar is, interesting. There are suppliers, however many of them would rather not ship to Australia (and postage isn't cheap for a 120cm long piece of metal). Fortunately both sponge bars had intact metal, although the 321's plastic end caps have deteriorated and will need replacing.<br />
<br />
The most common DIY replacement available is weatherstripping. I took the advice of experienced machine knitters and purchased the Raven brand RP14B extra thick 12mmx12mm self adhesive version. One packet was enough to do both sponge bars.<br />
The ribber has an original plastic (not sponge) bar, however the 360's is unstable in D position, so it may need one of these in the future.<br />
<br />
There are <a href="http://knittsings.com/knitting-machine-needle-retainer-sponge-bar-part-3/">tutorials online</a> for inserting the weather strip sponge. I then used iron on interfacing to provide the fabric topper which protects the sponge.<br />
I did try glue and ribbon first, but that was messy and I might still have some glue on some needles (don't ask...)<br />
Ta da!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXN0Z3lAFPm8B7PqwlEJeX-gzuVA5Io5DQvm0qj-SSoTYrmcKKLWT1-0yd6BUlYW7Ydw3Jh_xGtO0fsug8-TLdJ9pRHA0UvrZkKXraJ9tmNUTRwTDgYaHgHMnU-OVZfIsjIB7XY09WJ8/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXN0Z3lAFPm8B7PqwlEJeX-gzuVA5Io5DQvm0qj-SSoTYrmcKKLWT1-0yd6BUlYW7Ydw3Jh_xGtO0fsug8-TLdJ9pRHA0UvrZkKXraJ9tmNUTRwTDgYaHgHMnU-OVZfIsjIB7XY09WJ8/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty good for a first go. Weather strip, interfacing and tape</td></tr>
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Reinserting the sponge bar is quite straight forward, providing you don't try to put it in upside down.... The sponge goes down and the metal goes up.<br />
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Hold the needles down on the main bed as you slide the bar back into it's hole, you can see the orange tip in the main bed as it approaches the raised needles at 6.5.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarcWufPUXQkaGSAvvEOoJEufzEkJaRW5xyN2wu16oTCV6fZ7Imb8lES7iVTAS_-OrS_ftb8UHDBCq7mRHK6ZtrNqBCuKltXa2H5qsT2SfUMN_E1GMShtt6EV4IT-V6EqB_LchkXPycb8/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarcWufPUXQkaGSAvvEOoJEufzEkJaRW5xyN2wu16oTCV6fZ7Imb8lES7iVTAS_-OrS_ftb8UHDBCq7mRHK6ZtrNqBCuKltXa2H5qsT2SfUMN_E1GMShtt6EV4IT-V6EqB_LchkXPycb8/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaFkk63AgkNJDzRSD-Fa24F5fZRvM-OTJlBLeu7BDI7l2YZzNVuqppNyDa5mOxvwHU9fIFyjMLoxGGdpkfA8u__FivOyA1uCUjVbSuLEAhGrbi0PjBiQj2T9-sVEbIjDMT0bPa-ZxZaU/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaFkk63AgkNJDzRSD-Fa24F5fZRvM-OTJlBLeu7BDI7l2YZzNVuqppNyDa5mOxvwHU9fIFyjMLoxGGdpkfA8u__FivOyA1uCUjVbSuLEAhGrbi0PjBiQj2T9-sVEbIjDMT0bPa-ZxZaU/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
While the sponge bar was out of the machine, I removed all of the needles from the main bed and soaked them in methylated spirits. I soaked the needles from the centre separately from the two ends. this enabled me to replace the end needles in the centre and vice versa. I was fortunate in that only a few needles overall were bent and required replacing.<br />
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<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINh7YtloDkHNX6sdkFc3olv-ZzvRWNaezoTThG0qxk7gbV5GGavDCUxDq_OfGplxDEIHzZUH69zHseBBkAqxTI3VPwj9OUHVRKyPwaJydFroFpxH6B_eEccQi88ovoHoh6LpFeNiPmYU/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINh7YtloDkHNX6sdkFc3olv-ZzvRWNaezoTThG0qxk7gbV5GGavDCUxDq_OfGplxDEIHzZUH69zHseBBkAqxTI3VPwj9OUHVRKyPwaJydFroFpxH6B_eEccQi88ovoHoh6LpFeNiPmYU/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Needles, the bottom 2 have soaked in metho while I wrestled with the carriage</td></tr>
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Now, armed with copies of each machine's manual, it was time to get to work on the carriages...<br />
Manuals can be found as free downloads on this amazing site: <a href="http://machineknittingetc.com/silver-reed/machine-manuals.html">Machine knitting etc dot com</a><br />
Seriously, it's brilliant!<br />
<br />
Both (all) Singer/Silver Reed Japanese metal bed mechanical machines are essentially the same.<br />
Step one, remove the handle from the main carriage, it will be held on with screws in the side. Keep them together ;)<br />
Then remove the stitch selection dial. It will have a little clip holding it in place, this is important for when you need to clip it back in at the end. I found holding it under tension with a screwdriver when I reinserted the metal selector was necessary.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRvshcZXLYs-DV1TrT5YydigkNmAAziR5Cf4JLb5u9Rvoay6xwWuhyphenhyphenMJ6_W2-TMjQauvbsJJcBIjFxF3VvrlR1surCA_ONa-PhItoob3MNp_K_8I4hgFvBd75pgXLwq_BBMgyApA0adI/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDRvshcZXLYs-DV1TrT5YydigkNmAAziR5Cf4JLb5u9Rvoay6xwWuhyphenhyphenMJ6_W2-TMjQauvbsJJcBIjFxF3VvrlR1surCA_ONa-PhItoob3MNp_K_8I4hgFvBd75pgXLwq_BBMgyApA0adI/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">321 with cover dismantled. The grey plastic also comes off</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGoELq_oRivv14OpOsYQFMQ11Ws8DpX_JkBry2nVfhxX4Z2Qc_EKIVVDX8X2iNGIJvdZP4-_YAfl_zXor_XOn2025_dT0nQhsoyIAX3M_EEQtcH0kqKm7uXS2oOt208HWwOk3ua7Rmi8/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGoELq_oRivv14OpOsYQFMQ11Ws8DpX_JkBry2nVfhxX4Z2Qc_EKIVVDX8X2iNGIJvdZP4-_YAfl_zXor_XOn2025_dT0nQhsoyIAX3M_EEQtcH0kqKm7uXS2oOt208HWwOk3ua7Rmi8/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">360 with handle removed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouUEABhFZzdoueVSamRP_ghWqhGDjmimOwtuWh-PLXhKieAMWeVdD1hyLF3SumM1TfS2ViCeoM-YRzAUW1vWMACBsMSg7-67mL7ZspF1pfNLmrVEmP5H-dYuXnMsfoOhRTsCVrixRYc0/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouUEABhFZzdoueVSamRP_ghWqhGDjmimOwtuWh-PLXhKieAMWeVdD1hyLF3SumM1TfS2ViCeoM-YRzAUW1vWMACBsMSg7-67mL7ZspF1pfNLmrVEmP5H-dYuXnMsfoOhRTsCVrixRYc0/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">360 showing spring clip</td></tr>
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Now you can see the cams that are vital to the machine's function. Don't attempt to remove them, and most definitely don't attempt to dismantle them.<br />
(unless you know what you're doing, in which case, you're already familiar with this bit!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNB860Gl53XNRNr2n7CVBfw2THowi72UsajdY8h2Lmm0iM8vpDsf89Jin_4IzT2XrNDQnl-amI9iNYXRtreaUc78XmrO8bKbLcgf-TkU9vTXDKxTBOtRr-pj7QPWq1DnkZcDNv-lgTfM/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNB860Gl53XNRNr2n7CVBfw2THowi72UsajdY8h2Lmm0iM8vpDsf89Jin_4IzT2XrNDQnl-amI9iNYXRtreaUc78XmrO8bKbLcgf-TkU9vTXDKxTBOtRr-pj7QPWq1DnkZcDNv-lgTfM/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">321 ready to clean</td></tr>
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Look at the yellow gunk, this is old oil that we're about to remove with white spirit.<br />
If you spot any fluff or thread, remove it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5G1QiKtLB7AoXvSYGhM45-VZUSN1nAwQpnnCva4QRYuOS_DRB4vS7PpSJzvN4DPfA1Wrdr6N3-jtOpicerqFpKZ59jrDf1fwJn_VqJg91hxdR9ViSdKG3a5ULNBoQVnbqERn36lu94Wk/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5G1QiKtLB7AoXvSYGhM45-VZUSN1nAwQpnnCva4QRYuOS_DRB4vS7PpSJzvN4DPfA1Wrdr6N3-jtOpicerqFpKZ59jrDf1fwJn_VqJg91hxdR9ViSdKG3a5ULNBoQVnbqERn36lu94Wk/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">360 ready to clean</td></tr>
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I painted everything liberally with white spirit on a stiff paintbrush.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6D5ecKCaZcfxPCXgi8tSueuT5DVp1WJ2fEAkTVNPt2ffKZ-rblG50VKMSE3_IkGE0pVqJMUFripqlYyHafbWnu9Gm0pFt3II99f0VBHknlfhqy3AHhM6QBMBKUmnw5OiAOeFpdDE_KJI/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6D5ecKCaZcfxPCXgi8tSueuT5DVp1WJ2fEAkTVNPt2ffKZ-rblG50VKMSE3_IkGE0pVqJMUFripqlYyHafbWnu9Gm0pFt3II99f0VBHknlfhqy3AHhM6QBMBKUmnw5OiAOeFpdDE_KJI/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Well, all the metal bits anyway. It took less time than I thought before the cams began to start to budge, then more working the spirit into the mechanisms and attempting to spin the cams, until they spun freely, quite quickly and without resistance, yay!!<br />
<br />
I wiped off whatever excess I could see and did a little happy dance.<br />
Next I re-oiled anything that moved, white spirit is amazing, but very, very drying and if they're not re-oiled, the cams will seize again.<br />
Now its simply a matter of reversing the steps and putting all of the pairs of screws back into the holes from whence they came.<br />
<br />
And voila! All it needs is the regular maintenance steps as outlined in the manual. Vacuum or squirt air +/- a brush along the main bed to remove any dust and fluff, oil the main bed and set up to knit some test swatches!<br />
Job done!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91F2SkRkF0sLpVpa3eLq_HJ0eWuLi6_dSdw0jYC-kgoINRBsPUTME3NcNZAJ_3N5gz86JkrNW5cPqw_H9ay4uMjYX1ODD04LVZOa5JAgL83kUuuISXjAcQWdjMSA3gGvNTjNcp5mQW4s/s1600/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91F2SkRkF0sLpVpa3eLq_HJ0eWuLi6_dSdw0jYC-kgoINRBsPUTME3NcNZAJ_3N5gz86JkrNW5cPqw_H9ay4uMjYX1ODD04LVZOa5JAgL83kUuuISXjAcQWdjMSA3gGvNTjNcp5mQW4s/s640/2017+Singer+knitting+machine+clean+-+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 4099px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #bd081c; background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 4099px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-5391393576253956792016-12-31T03:12:00.000-08:002017-02-03T03:14:12.665-08:002016: Exhibitions: WARM and The Royal Melbourne Show<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sgq17vMsp3c0aCNE4R0vxl9qjFP20taep8ZDpOipfiYJMi_OsikFjfQLg3Ld-SpbPQm75P8SA_d1yjRx_f4jz4AbE9_35yGaRk7xgN65RYJ9GQaoBG3gzUYMDnuSF8v-mjTwpTmeE3I/s1600/2016+exhibits+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sgq17vMsp3c0aCNE4R0vxl9qjFP20taep8ZDpOipfiYJMi_OsikFjfQLg3Ld-SpbPQm75P8SA_d1yjRx_f4jz4AbE9_35yGaRk7xgN65RYJ9GQaoBG3gzUYMDnuSF8v-mjTwpTmeE3I/s640/2016+exhibits+-+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of these landscape squares were knit by me! 1000 pieces, 250 Victorian hand knitters<br />
SEAM's WARM community knitting project</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hasn't time flown!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've got a few things I'll share here so I remember what I did for next time, and some lovely things I've been part of that deserve to be remembered in this space.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qqAxRKD0f6YCIal-UGqlsOtsFWOzxh9_prWOQioP7zMygToUef3LFnyb7qG-1Tddh6bROvQQ6xv97MAWNTD9Mv9uIYREi8Pq26Rgg_yoAb8OID6d6etboKbYPQ348trQiJiTtPt8eqg/s1600/2016+exhibits+-+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qqAxRKD0f6YCIal-UGqlsOtsFWOzxh9_prWOQioP7zMygToUef3LFnyb7qG-1Tddh6bROvQQ6xv97MAWNTD9Mv9uIYREi8Pq26Rgg_yoAb8OID6d6etboKbYPQ348trQiJiTtPt8eqg/s320/2016+exhibits+-+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've continued to dabble in machine knitting, and emboldened by my Dairing 2/3/Four, I made the matching Two/3/4 top, a sideways knitted tank in the same thin cotton/stainless steel/silk mix, with neck, arm and hem edges left to roll. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I took my time joining the side seams by hand, and thoroughly enjoyed the process. I had difficulties with keeping my cast on edges loose, so I joined them to each other and the result is a modern asymmetrical top that I adore. I entered it into my local show, The Royal Melbourne and was rather chuffed to receive a third place against some rather talented, and very experienced competition - definite beginners luck!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-p6TBCAku6N2Mc65V8RSOBP3g_wBn2ieqtblnef52kvkarYJF7wYa0WB0RUf9FJ-9nZoS89HrwXVCA5Rm8RXf5zhenNMn0t8ihKwLPX60pnYvRpoGHlrTI_bpgBnySPyEVYKchVkrD4/s1600/2016+exhibits+-+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-p6TBCAku6N2Mc65V8RSOBP3g_wBn2ieqtblnef52kvkarYJF7wYa0WB0RUf9FJ-9nZoS89HrwXVCA5Rm8RXf5zhenNMn0t8ihKwLPX60pnYvRpoGHlrTI_bpgBnySPyEVYKchVkrD4/s640/2016+exhibits+-+9.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">No luck was involved in Mr MaciNic's results, he's a very talented artist over several mediums and was placed for some lovely woodworking and took the blue ribbon in the rather obscure printing technique, Intalagio.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN14PHlv8-Z499pNmYluj_IodtXdENgs5Zp0O6u047qPUqranKEDs_bAGpHFF_ahX49yj7Gi_QrhuihiXEcqg5_tTCBX7cRa1tDN88Ir2ISHcyywfnzJwW2DzimLMi5WeviX67soDyhwQ/s1600/2016+exhibits+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN14PHlv8-Z499pNmYluj_IodtXdENgs5Zp0O6u047qPUqranKEDs_bAGpHFF_ahX49yj7Gi_QrhuihiXEcqg5_tTCBX7cRa1tDN88Ir2ISHcyywfnzJwW2DzimLMi5WeviX67soDyhwQ/s320/2016+exhibits+-+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJhwTRdbZU7sWU8BIHt9egS2bei_rfF4KBKLHDc5zBOi_6TF1wr2_2kv4pN84UopuNjO7pYu2anZO5P8o_vWBjVYpIW0sdAT84SRG7tU-3qsRTuWQth4AT_rWoW7Qf_-Hy8fOoDvLf4E/s1600/2016+exhibits+-+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJhwTRdbZU7sWU8BIHt9egS2bei_rfF4KBKLHDc5zBOi_6TF1wr2_2kv4pN84UopuNjO7pYu2anZO5P8o_vWBjVYpIW0sdAT84SRG7tU-3qsRTuWQth4AT_rWoW7Qf_-Hy8fOoDvLf4E/s320/2016+exhibits+-+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Blyde River Butts image was taken by the equally talented Jenny Rennous_oh_Glennus in Africa and then printed:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kwe6J1-MFCIBFVuHHxZ0q-ozdPw6rVejPpzcJHEcO2LhBYSdK8oB6H5R5QQYdZrVJChVo17-ZxV1k0hm6w_xthmKyO2Ff-ODRGs5Lb83JywaSy5qdUm3o2F2wKyLAfA1sOj91HLM48Q/s1600/2016+exhibits+-+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kwe6J1-MFCIBFVuHHxZ0q-ozdPw6rVejPpzcJHEcO2LhBYSdK8oB6H5R5QQYdZrVJChVo17-ZxV1k0hm6w_xthmKyO2Ff-ODRGs5Lb83JywaSy5qdUm3o2F2wKyLAfA1sOj91HLM48Q/s640/2016+exhibits+-+8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<h1 style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Intaglio is a rather time-consuming technique using an etching press and plates.</span></span></h1>
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<span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">In detail, it involves converting an image to digital and then using p</span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: inherit;">hotopolymer plates. These have the image inkjet printed directly onto the plate and exposed to uv light. The plates are then washed with water to remove unhardened polymer, Inked and wiped, same as traditional Intaglio, and passed through an A3 sized benchtop press onto dampened cotton rag paper. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: inherit;">In September he wanted to try copper drypoint next, a</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: inherit;">nd he has. I have some rather fetching octopi etchings, hand coloured with watercolours, and a study of our somnolent dachshund.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wM0umdyj_gO_iu_YHkRyNoeKBiQkXIpM_02Um8XI50ZwzAhejl1Vnpi9HEohEOkdxuCUtdVj2VVgUHdMbsgptIMEiWlAov6ym-l-45W1CUqU4e2_W7-CdAQ9KjredlYtfARczy8MCCM/s1600/2016+exhibits+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wM0umdyj_gO_iu_YHkRyNoeKBiQkXIpM_02Um8XI50ZwzAhejl1Vnpi9HEohEOkdxuCUtdVj2VVgUHdMbsgptIMEiWlAov6ym-l-45W1CUqU4e2_W7-CdAQ9KjredlYtfARczy8MCCM/s640/2016+exhibits+-+1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit;">I was also fabulously fortunate to stumble across the WARM project, a community knitting project where Victorian hand knitters were asked to knit from designs, specific to the project, designed in Victoria by Georgie of Tikki. I contributed several pieces. A large scale image of a rejuvenated open cut mine was then created to open </span>conversation<span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit;"> on renewable </span></span></span>energy and the environment. Why? Because we've forgotten how to warm ourselves with wool.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
It was rather lovely to see the installation at the Art Gallery of Ballarat and to be able to take my grandma. She's an amazing crafter who is still knitting and crocheting for charity, at 93.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's currently touring, and I believe it has just left the Ararat Art Gallery after spending time at the Geelong Wool Museum. <a href="http://www.seam.org.au/warm">Details can be found on the SEAM page.</a></span></div>
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MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-57986518686687698802016-09-02T06:22:00.001-07:002016-09-02T22:03:25.265-07:00Couturier sewing class: Velvet Top<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBt6Ni5jpX0jUad_gori1IFmKhvTUJzhC48lOgvKJ9w51LMFMv0BxpK7oBYEBQTSuYIo9tIXL7H_6Nzo_C5lMy8I0Iy7qV4MlkA63zA2ySZntaM8uKIgdmb6qeU5XyN_i9FVg7SosJACM/s1600/velvet+top.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBt6Ni5jpX0jUad_gori1IFmKhvTUJzhC48lOgvKJ9w51LMFMv0BxpK7oBYEBQTSuYIo9tIXL7H_6Nzo_C5lMy8I0Iy7qV4MlkA63zA2ySZntaM8uKIgdmb6qeU5XyN_i9FVg7SosJACM/s640/velvet+top.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
My newest sewing book acquisition is the Japanese language Couturier Sewing Class, one of the Heart Warming Life Series publications. It was released in October 2015 and I've had it in an eBay cart ever since. <br />
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I love the green wide legged pants, the gorgeous mustard raglan dress as made in black by Justine (on <a href="https://www.bombazine.com.au/worktable/couturier-sewing-class-dress/">Bombazine</a>) recently, the draped cardigan and the sweet white top/green ruffled dress. My absolute favourite however, is the top on the cover, especially it's image in wool inside.<br />
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<i>There's a thorough review on the <a href="http://www.japanesesewingbooks.com/2016/02/16/book-review-couturier-sewing-class/">Japan Sewing Books</a> blog - it's what swayed my decision that I simply must have the book!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit19K56J6YkXO35OUtWq8TqvR-1d3WfFTxz_wt6MzQqcixx0RSAH-GhS2T3zkgtgYRjiy3PfUEcL-keSTqMpqeQg0b7FKbd2vlZW-h2tutqcytok2Zl_nSQyJlOgjvaPlK7ACqfIknSRE/s1600/Couturier+sewing+class+top+74+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit19K56J6YkXO35OUtWq8TqvR-1d3WfFTxz_wt6MzQqcixx0RSAH-GhS2T3zkgtgYRjiy3PfUEcL-keSTqMpqeQg0b7FKbd2vlZW-h2tutqcytok2Zl_nSQyJlOgjvaPlK7ACqfIknSRE/s640/Couturier+sewing+class+top+74+-+6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
So that's what I made first ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0vWaq9dUqO1amcmJcfpgY8S9yHfg1ebWXV_KLKu_9f7nifWm83ByvQknLJDyf-9ud6FS8Dv-VtZMs7DS8z_3AcMNKAbAqqqai2N3tYpwnmV0aUq5HPobeiQ8xud-bHYEhhiyOi101Bo/s1600/Couturier+sewing+class+top+74+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0vWaq9dUqO1amcmJcfpgY8S9yHfg1ebWXV_KLKu_9f7nifWm83ByvQknLJDyf-9ud6FS8Dv-VtZMs7DS8z_3AcMNKAbAqqqai2N3tYpwnmV0aUq5HPobeiQ8xud-bHYEhhiyOi101Bo/s640/Couturier+sewing+class+top+74+-+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it has a faced neckline and partially interfaced waist</td></tr>
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I was shopping with Helen and bought 2m of a stable black velvet for this very top, before the book arrived. I am very pleased to report that this top is exactly as I envisioned, was a pleasure to sew and has had lots of wear already - don't you love it when that happens!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSKSSYEHMcZx8FGwinrCRZu8EUnklQdyVOMiF0_Xpfgip_uyRF_ND9p_aNnc7lbVPuJR4xQnruym91L8KhUsOlw-bOxpmTkeb-hvyujiW8H138WWn9NyEtJddg7Pr8GL1bzO-mF1uvbo/s1600/Couturier+sewing+class+top+74+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSKSSYEHMcZx8FGwinrCRZu8EUnklQdyVOMiF0_Xpfgip_uyRF_ND9p_aNnc7lbVPuJR4xQnruym91L8KhUsOlw-bOxpmTkeb-hvyujiW8H138WWn9NyEtJddg7Pr8GL1bzO-mF1uvbo/s640/Couturier+sewing+class+top+74+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Velvet: so lovely to wear, so hard to photograph</td></tr>
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This is the LL, largest, size made without alteration.<br />
For body measurements: height 160-165cm, bust 94, waist 74, hips 98cm. The L would have been fine.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlfB9JFqZ4wV3fexGZ-AbWmvu3P6h1JrP1ZlWmYs5AI_iY_1wdYV8ngFtwjl8TKV6sFg5BksJxQbWouMuZKeRpr0HNvgfih15nuqRo0VFCFNU_qcARLAJAeYgbFzUgkD5NB75I5Xqslo/s1600/Couturier+sewing+class+top+74+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlfB9JFqZ4wV3fexGZ-AbWmvu3P6h1JrP1ZlWmYs5AI_iY_1wdYV8ngFtwjl8TKV6sFg5BksJxQbWouMuZKeRpr0HNvgfih15nuqRo0VFCFNU_qcARLAJAeYgbFzUgkD5NB75I5Xqslo/s640/Couturier+sewing+class+top+74+-+5.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
The round neckline is the front, it's shown reversible above, however when I wear the V to the front, it sits a little awkwardly.<br />
and besides, the V at the back is cute and shows the back of the neck ;)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e1yf_kcwAuVHfi9uZRcsuKR9myMAxSYjhu4N2OLuwmOtnjsNj0dcMne5Lo2QROqhzVEJFDZN0aLdQVp5QIPSwaun2iRWH8izTfIAJYvdQy_tDpIeMy58gkgchDAurVcBrZT9Rel64K4/s1600/Couturier+sewing+class+top+74+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e1yf_kcwAuVHfi9uZRcsuKR9myMAxSYjhu4N2OLuwmOtnjsNj0dcMne5Lo2QROqhzVEJFDZN0aLdQVp5QIPSwaun2iRWH8izTfIAJYvdQy_tDpIeMy58gkgchDAurVcBrZT9Rel64K4/s640/Couturier+sewing+class+top+74+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
It is a fabric hog. I bought my very first piece of nani-iro double gauze from <a href="http://shop.missmatatabi.com/collections/fabric/products/nani-iro-kokka-japanese-fabric-five-senses-fresh-air">Miss Matatabi</a> with this book and regrettably, it won't fit on the 1.5m (x106cm) piece without changes.<br />
I will be making a summery version, it's too lovely a pattern not to!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNSHIBO-FtBtUoyCqdyouHrHfo8hCngO_ALj3LSkQRhm-sPcHRMxAiYqgsoYZw_3_rwKJNcQef0L_fiO324sNocLQZ__cXsr6XyxvcPjkjlWrppPEkUT1Wlif9vabKcYYEIrsWLJ1_Uk/s1600/NGV+behind+the+scenes+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNSHIBO-FtBtUoyCqdyouHrHfo8hCngO_ALj3LSkQRhm-sPcHRMxAiYqgsoYZw_3_rwKJNcQef0L_fiO324sNocLQZ__cXsr6XyxvcPjkjlWrppPEkUT1Wlif9vabKcYYEIrsWLJ1_Uk/s640/NGV+behind+the+scenes+-+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I've been wearing it a lot, on date days with my beau, out to see <a href="http://www.theproductioncompany.com.au/curtains/">Curtains</a> at the Art Centre and again to the <a href="http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/program/behind-the-scenes-just-in-recent-acquisitions-at-the-ngv/#date0">NGV International</a> for the unpacking of their new acquisitions, all fabulous and fun times!<br />
And my emerald accessory - it's a hand knitted clutch in super bulky acrylic - very hard on the wrists, but it's all worth it for fashion? no? ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1Nres0K7TnPhrV5zayRvGtwt5ZBEdPRTkbZV4Xw1ZZj3znTgW3OLHpA7mzelNsHM-8V3Kv2xD-L5bzySO77sFVmzgkntvHT4tntCaqcs9eH1xcxsivuGePftvHcrbNAfjROObXlkBWQ/s1600/green+clutch+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1Nres0K7TnPhrV5zayRvGtwt5ZBEdPRTkbZV4Xw1ZZj3znTgW3OLHpA7mzelNsHM-8V3Kv2xD-L5bzySO77sFVmzgkntvHT4tntCaqcs9eH1xcxsivuGePftvHcrbNAfjROObXlkBWQ/s640/green+clutch+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knitted on 8mm needles, black 4mm for comparison</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 3992px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 3992px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-70886721081586645282016-08-23T03:26:00.000-07:002016-08-23T03:26:01.782-07:00KNIT: All the hats! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Facebook/Instagram has just notified me that exactly 104 weeks, or 2 years ago, I posted this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFDeKu3u5iEejU0Eb7z7hQANuLe4dA6BoCZAM1dWlJyo9KNHhIcXuh6mi19toZ_XEZmh4q2NICzy1rbVhZTE3toCvMvwbbGn2dU7p2qCvxhIEsS9-MubvGp4OoeC2JpjwjtR9q5MzlXA/s1600/IMG_20160722_233209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFDeKu3u5iEejU0Eb7z7hQANuLe4dA6BoCZAM1dWlJyo9KNHhIcXuh6mi19toZ_XEZmh4q2NICzy1rbVhZTE3toCvMvwbbGn2dU7p2qCvxhIEsS9-MubvGp4OoeC2JpjwjtR9q5MzlXA/s640/IMG_20160722_233209.JPG" width="450" /></a></div>
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It's still the best feeling! My mumma is still awesome, knitting and crocheting away for charity and new great grandchildren, inspiring all of us with her independence and enthusiasm.</div>
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My very first hat attempts are still works-in-progress. It was spring and I tried knitting hats in cotton and bamboo, on double pointed needles.... it wasn't pretty. Since then I've reached out to the knitters amongst you, fondled your MadTosh cowls, hand-knit socks and snuggly cardigans, soaked up your thoughts and opinions, passed my mistakes over to be ripped and learnt to put life-lines in. </div>
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My very first hat and my penultimate one (for this post).<br />
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<b><br /></b>I've moved from cloche style hats in 2015 to slouchy versions in 2016, I've even ventured back into the non-woollen with a self-drafted version that is simply perfect for days when it's a tad warm for wool.<br />
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<b>Hat #1.</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaciNic/escargot">Escargot</a> by Veronica Parsons May-June 2015<br />
Invigorated with my new found knitting experience on circular needles - the sleeves on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaciNic/liathite">Liathite cardigan</a> - I decided to try knitting a hat again, this time on circular needles.<br />
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It worked.<br />
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I had to draw/chart the instructions, as I couldn't visualise what I was knitting, the brim, or the snail. It otherwise came together easily enough in 8ply Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic (feltable Australian wool) with accents of my 12ply BWM Stellar (50:50 Australian wool:bamboo)<br />
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I'll always be proud of my first hat, even thought it came out a bit wide and far too shallow, I wanted it felted and in hindsight, should have left it alone - it sits a bit high over my curls, so I don't reach for it much.<br />
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<b>Hat #2.</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaciNic/sprig-cloche">Sprig Cloche</a> by Alana Dakos in Malabrigo Arroyo - 045 Circas colurway.<br />
Oh how I adore this hat! I love all of the Botanical Knits designs, proper foliage decorating hats, mitts, scarves, cardigans and jumpers. The leafy brim was delightfully addictive knitting, I couldn't put it down and had to knit 'just one more' leaf. I was attempting to make a set of mitts to match and got worried about yardage, so I ordered a 2nd ball online - those following along on Instagram may recall my bewilderment during my first introduction to widely different colours in the same colourway. I knit the body of the hat from the 2nd skein.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEiZmS4sDMrkcfG_s_yYGNhvs00y8JkjyUlaNEDlTkWib_1tq8sEgAJBeixg1ioWUrZ8xBz4LTPDkaw4PF67tfzdr53nN5yKBPmLLY66H328byMhVO-MBPBRlEtjtjV8s0MrmE5GcuEQ/s1600/DSC04946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEiZmS4sDMrkcfG_s_yYGNhvs00y8JkjyUlaNEDlTkWib_1tq8sEgAJBeixg1ioWUrZ8xBz4LTPDkaw4PF67tfzdr53nN5yKBPmLLY66H328byMhVO-MBPBRlEtjtjV8s0MrmE5GcuEQ/s200/DSC04946.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ND-uJW2OZvKoJ25FFJUmNeExjUlJW52S_CPqh08oYN9wCPg8ZCUn_JuEgdz4kEIt8GR_Srlyn1XAKX7bEuY09zQ0FNBRVArqtn5AmjrKw6qoMMJLmEVLHT8AjOm5ZHh4TAKDUBUQbRk/s1600/X100s_20150905_4524Web-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ND-uJW2OZvKoJ25FFJUmNeExjUlJW52S_CPqh08oYN9wCPg8ZCUn_JuEgdz4kEIt8GR_Srlyn1XAKX7bEuY09zQ0FNBRVArqtn5AmjrKw6qoMMJLmEVLHT8AjOm5ZHh4TAKDUBUQbRk/s200/X100s_20150905_4524Web-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Hat #3. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaciNic/betsy">Betsy</a> </b>by Jane Richmond in Malabrigo Twist in Grapes</div>
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Close on it's heels was my first attempts at lace. Yes, this is supposed to be a lacy pattern. I've since realised that I was knitting into the back of my yarn overs and closing them up - I learn something new with every pattern. I had an absolute ball knitting this up as well, it took me 5 days in August 2015. It's been a surprise hit in my hat wardrobe, super snuggly and is long enough to pull down over my ears and forehead, perfect for this Melbourne winter.<br />
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I know I'm not alone when I declare that one of the most rewarding things to knit are hats.</div>
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Fortunately I wear hats. <span style="text-align: center;">I like a woollen hat in winter, they keep my ears warm and best of all, hide a mess of unruly curls during early morning school runs...</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><b>Hat #4. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaciNic/man-hat">Man Hat</a> </b>by Haven Ashley in RedRidingHood yarns Belle 8ply</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNTRLDNi_XBQzV8xfV1XfxrnnfPwtlO5NBDllYoKNa3ec33w36-wwYJ13yuCEJYmH6K8TnzqtkHYWddXUnK49nix7venJyUzjj5RTpoipMIhiKU8IdMAF3l3_ukWhZhhOXVHE4209f5I/s1600/DSC04970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNTRLDNi_XBQzV8xfV1XfxrnnfPwtlO5NBDllYoKNa3ec33w36-wwYJ13yuCEJYmH6K8TnzqtkHYWddXUnK49nix7venJyUzjj5RTpoipMIhiKU8IdMAF3l3_ukWhZhhOXVHE4209f5I/s320/DSC04970.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPk7UCRQ7u3tgNM0F-jzIAG4gJBzGVoEMJ7LLHsLNiGjmkH5hONb_uHiqEUCCbIuxF_y4tTa-YzwW9JJLgbmNr7cZlB9uLc4QxjVxlNF9n9EaumBa4kY8SzKpQNhMBXCr_yFWrmWg5ddU/s1600/DSC04969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPk7UCRQ7u3tgNM0F-jzIAG4gJBzGVoEMJ7LLHsLNiGjmkH5hONb_uHiqEUCCbIuxF_y4tTa-YzwW9JJLgbmNr7cZlB9uLc4QxjVxlNF9n9EaumBa4kY8SzKpQNhMBXCr_yFWrmWg5ddU/s320/DSC04969.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have a wonderful DH, who deserved a hat of his very own for those cold mornings and afternoons. He gave me ideas of what he liked, then I let him loose on Ravelry with a tailored search. He chose the free Man Hat by Haven Ashley and it only took me a few rounds to remember how much I detest 1:1 rib. Lucky I love him. It's a broken rib with rest knit rows, which made it go faster - and I enlisted his mum to knit a few rows. That was a fascinating study into tension, our gauges were several needle sizes off and his hat has a lovely demarcation row where I hadn't realised. It's visible if you look for it ;)<br />
The wool is lovely, and possibly started my fascination with shaded greys. It's the Incognito colourway in Red Riding Hood yarn's 8ply Belle Superwash and it was a gift from NZ by the lovely Stitchseekers who run the monthly <a href="http://www.stitchseekers.com/men-in-knitwear.html">Men in Knitwear calendar</a>, check it out if you're ever in need of some eye candy paired with masculine knitwear ;)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes Maci, it smells like him ;)</td></tr>
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Hat #5: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaciNic/houzuki-hat">My raspberry (non)beret</a>, the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/houzuki-hat">Houzuki Hat (free) by Yoko Johnston</a> in indie-dyed bluefaced leicester wool by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/little-dipper-yarns-lyra---bfl-dk">Little Dipper Yarns</a><br />
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I had a lovely morning at the Handknitters Guild market in Coburg in June. I carried a swatch of my <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/liberty-linden-love.html">pink Liberty</a> sweatshirting and held it up to the masses of gorgeous hand dyed yarns on offer - it actually made my choice easier by trying to complement it rather than being torn between so many desirable shades. That this Flamenco pink was on a non-merino base sealed the deal, I've been wanting to try different sheep breeds since I realised I could! <br />
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Needless to say, I converted my hank to a cake asap and cast on! The wool is a delight to knit with and the subtleties in the colour way are beautiful. The Houzuki hat pattern was clear and easy to follow, such a delight. I carried it around everywhere and found myself knitting 'just one more round' - simply the best feeling.<br />
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My modification was a rolled stockinette brim (as I was still scarred and couldn't face a ribbed band), as described on <a href="http://www.woollywormhead.com/blog/2010/7/21/warming-heads-in-knutsford-cheshire.html?rq=rolled%20brim">WoollyWormheads blog</a>.<br />
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Hat #6. Self drafted <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaciNic/rustic-summer-tam">Rustic Summer Tam</a> - aka, lets have some fun and see what I've learnt!<br />
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In the string-like <a href="http://www.shibuiknits.com/yarns/twig">Shibui Twig</a> - a blend of only 12% wool, with 46% linen and 42% recycled silk. I bought this at <a href="http://www.sunspun.com.au/">Sunspun</a> Fine Yarn's sale, a completely spontaneous purchase based on how unexpectedly soft Jenny's was when we wound it into cakes, and a little bit of fascination with it. It's described as a sport or DK weight to knit with, yet is clearly barely a 4ply/fingering in thickness. It's designed to be used for airy summer garments, so, it's perfect for this.<br />
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I held the sock yarn Acorny by <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=182_4_64">Blue moon fibre arts Socks that Rock lightweight</a> doubled with the Twig for the brim as I worried about the lack of intrinsic elasticity in the Twig. And yes, it's a 1:1 rib that I didn't mind knitting, phew! Aren't the colours gorgeous? I have matching pair of fingerless mitts that are almost complete.<br />
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I had an absolute blast knitting this and making it up as I went. I have rows of purl/garter ridges and rows of eyelets, and a really cute spiralling decrease for the crown. It's the perfect non-hot hat for warm messy hair days - I love it!<br />
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It's been a wild ride! I've had a delightful time, I've met so many fabulous people and patted so many glorious skeins, hanks and balls of wool. I do rather like this knitting caper.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KctxUT3nfTS0Ku0Cjo3IhPdsJykbAtf_ehLG4pLxsCms58-ZmPttxw5yhsqBDwVYqxBFHhKo1OfrfyYc-P-Ayw4CmcRpE73hvdItyYTLZda6Pbtu6QwDo_tLenRGJGbG_OVK3IxxUSo/s1600/DSC04964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KctxUT3nfTS0Ku0Cjo3IhPdsJykbAtf_ehLG4pLxsCms58-ZmPttxw5yhsqBDwVYqxBFHhKo1OfrfyYc-P-Ayw4CmcRpE73hvdItyYTLZda6Pbtu6QwDo_tLenRGJGbG_OVK3IxxUSo/s640/DSC04964.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">why yes, this is a gratuitous Maci photo!</td></tr>
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MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-28325819659162475022016-07-16T19:17:00.001-07:002016-07-16T23:46:10.496-07:00Listening to the fabric - Felted Wool Jacket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz0EIrS09BgL5qIlrO6A6DDnys7Y4gsSwzqv-zNXUfsX8JROsegdNe4d-8QxwIr7d3-H6WB5p-GhDCpN3ENK8Azpk5Sj5sB6dUQDR8-5NDSrgxf7SfDhXsVAkZ2ujD1gX05xHKyDoYII/s1600/X100s_20160702_5226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz0EIrS09BgL5qIlrO6A6DDnys7Y4gsSwzqv-zNXUfsX8JROsegdNe4d-8QxwIr7d3-H6WB5p-GhDCpN3ENK8Azpk5Sj5sB6dUQDR8-5NDSrgxf7SfDhXsVAkZ2ujD1gX05xHKyDoYII/s640/X100s_20160702_5226.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
I love this jacket.<br />
A couple of years ago, <a href="http://funkbunnysgarden.blogspot.com.au/">Helen </a>mentioned that a small local fabric store was closing down. I managed to go in during its final days and after chatting to the lovely proprietress, I left with some very lovely pieces of fabric.<br />
And every few months I pulled the fabric from my special stash, patted it, dreamt of what it would like to be, and tucked it away again in its tissue paper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfHVLAJ96-qmYWFSCWVfTNr25SbznjayQMK4AvmOskQvECrL4c185auZohioNtoNSxCMoOvZzkK5Eu5w_hlEsvaGcgzoILtX032Y9cb5bzyEoLdFUlGHHCr192Dm5LAcapydpruyt8Xo/s1600/X100s_20160702_5251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfHVLAJ96-qmYWFSCWVfTNr25SbznjayQMK4AvmOskQvECrL4c185auZohioNtoNSxCMoOvZzkK5Eu5w_hlEsvaGcgzoILtX032Y9cb5bzyEoLdFUlGHHCr192Dm5LAcapydpruyt8Xo/s640/X100s_20160702_5251.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
This amazing felted wool is part of that small collection.<br />
I finally settled on a cape last winter, and amped up my collection of all the cape patterns, vintage and contemporary, Japanese, French and English, jacket-cape styles, raglan or circle, arm slits or arms underneath, I have them all.<br />
None of them were 'just right' for this wool though.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_j1Fmr0mkCEmSWtoFicrh-LloudxAdqM0mf1oxnqeu5UJ_hW3pQLyPrHEvni_hFlefO5Y5w3TJzJEA-RC4SR5-aavhSeZovmCKqmci5nF7IzygEVAtfXGOpEJ1A6dafLpIqqgYTNESc/s1600/X100s_20160702_5242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_j1Fmr0mkCEmSWtoFicrh-LloudxAdqM0mf1oxnqeu5UJ_hW3pQLyPrHEvni_hFlefO5Y5w3TJzJEA-RC4SR5-aavhSeZovmCKqmci5nF7IzygEVAtfXGOpEJ1A6dafLpIqqgYTNESc/s640/X100s_20160702_5242.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
So I made my own.<br />
I love that I have raw edges wherever I could. I especially love that the entire jacket is cut from one piece, with zero waste and no interruption to the border print.<br />
Want to know what I did?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDnO3QekxdzYnd0jAwIaVCHvHuHupn9Bp_eTneAECqaG6-_n3WTy1cAFYvzgSAnl35OToTV3hKbvLhsPAlLUXn1Gv6Y6imGK5Y8zJyXZtKFqjpz1PuNohatIFWdMt4cpFSAVxaSZwq5g/s1600/X100s_20160702_5259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDnO3QekxdzYnd0jAwIaVCHvHuHupn9Bp_eTneAECqaG6-_n3WTy1cAFYvzgSAnl35OToTV3hKbvLhsPAlLUXn1Gv6Y6imGK5Y8zJyXZtKFqjpz1PuNohatIFWdMt4cpFSAVxaSZwq5g/s640/X100s_20160702_5259.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
It's simply a rectangle of fabric, with 2 slits vertically at my shoulders. I then inserted 4 triangles, cut from a rectangle along the non-border print edge, as raglan sleeves along this slit. I have considered inserting godets in the diamond shaped underarms, however the open diamonds are working very well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-dxGkTG_CqvOosTepCQUUgEct0UkfdSmMZpV4ZPOVF9gMR4cvwfrpitDfjbV6I4LrPNsAUra7TitaVxsC3ODyCwjhXvL56CB9jkwIS9-h3_2SJZCYObNB3U9aVtyykVOaMTiWNn4g3w/s1600/Wool+Coat+Cutting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-dxGkTG_CqvOosTepCQUUgEct0UkfdSmMZpV4ZPOVF9gMR4cvwfrpitDfjbV6I4LrPNsAUra7TitaVxsC3ODyCwjhXvL56CB9jkwIS9-h3_2SJZCYObNB3U9aVtyykVOaMTiWNn4g3w/s400/Wool+Coat+Cutting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, so I do have 2 spare triangles, but they aren't waste ;)</td></tr>
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The felted wool isn't perfect - although it's perfectly striking. I had to reinforce each seamline as it's not particularly strong. I started using rayon seam tape, then changed to strips of charcoal silk. The back neckline is faced with silk as well. Each seam is top stitched on each side for added stability.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jHjybZWW_Qq0tI0I4F6Vux2ZglOZls-QE0x5DBkXeE_wW9ZnfXdVZq-QjpKlsVoZud8REEbfXxfoQh86u21cPD-nm3DtBr5dpT3ylnJyrj5QI-hxuip7-6D_xplCsuWbSrLEjJu2Mks/s1600/X100s_20160702_5229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jHjybZWW_Qq0tI0I4F6Vux2ZglOZls-QE0x5DBkXeE_wW9ZnfXdVZq-QjpKlsVoZud8REEbfXxfoQh86u21cPD-nm3DtBr5dpT3ylnJyrj5QI-hxuip7-6D_xplCsuWbSrLEjJu2Mks/s640/X100s_20160702_5229.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
Apart from a rather high level of satisfaction that my concept worked (YAY!), what I adore and makes this a 'throw on every day' jacket is that it's perfectly versatile. It is delightfully snuggly when pinned closed high on my neck, perfectly warm when worn with a V-neck - with either a casual exposed facing collar, or with them tucked in for a neat version - or open and breezy when I only need my back and shoulders covered. I've not put any permanent closures on, my everyday bag style is a messenger bag/cross body satchel and it holds it in place perfectly when I'm not using a shawl pin.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQWcRZkk5-6aWUsBjU1qw6oc9mvRHGHZIyClxNhL40oaLReAkaUP9o0Fj9VRMeQ_XOn93nivbtSmnsFaUCGgM3IGkTmKB46fQsnRKoCffJxZ7SEsHoVsnKEcpu2H6ss2JuAwrn_m1Ot0/s1600/X100s_20160702_5225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQWcRZkk5-6aWUsBjU1qw6oc9mvRHGHZIyClxNhL40oaLReAkaUP9o0Fj9VRMeQ_XOn93nivbtSmnsFaUCGgM3IGkTmKB46fQsnRKoCffJxZ7SEsHoVsnKEcpu2H6ss2JuAwrn_m1Ot0/s640/X100s_20160702_5225.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
And the fabric, I am SO glad I took that deep breath and nabbed my 1.5m of felted grey wool with felted black foliage.<br />
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<b>2016 Dressmakers Do : Party time in Melbourne town</b></div>
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<b>Lace LBD</b></div>
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<b>Machine knit Dairing 2/3/Four</b></div>
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<b>Listening to the fabric : felted grey wool jacket</b></div>
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Another occasion to frock up and celebrate all things made by hand with some very talented sewists, this time at the #DressmakersDo organised by the lovely Nichola of the <a href="http://handmakersfactory.com.au/">Handmaker's Factory</a> and Leisl of <a href="http://jorth.blogspot.com.au/">Jorth</a>.<br />
I went for a textural, black and grey outfit; three separates that I know will get plenty of wear in my Melbourne wardrobe.<br />
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First up is my classic black lace sheath dress - some may recall that I made and wore this to the very first Frocktails in 2013. Yes, it's the same lace dress, and I still adore it. It has it's very own blog post here: <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/everyone-needs-lbd.html">Everyone needs an LBD 09/2013</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">still haunted by that flash, but what a delightful introduction it was to some lovely and talented sewing friends!</td></tr>
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To add some warmth for my travels, I made a grey coat with the most fabulous felted wool - it will have it's own post soon.<br />
For some interest, I thought an avant-garde top knitted in stainless steel, silk and cotton might be just the thing.<br />
Meet <a href="http://www.dairing.com.au/collections/kits/garments">Theresa Dair's Dairing top 2/3/Four.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxnYmxrI76S0zPMWhRPKQi83iboIXYT_MimnD479A73RHVl_qH22j_ptjJm7dEDyEx9dXU54D8hkgbzkYTyd1TqOuI7YssI5Uz9vFCQTDxzQQZqvYzR-v0tXVnmazHTxvGEt9w3gwiAU/s1600/DSC04576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxnYmxrI76S0zPMWhRPKQi83iboIXYT_MimnD479A73RHVl_qH22j_ptjJm7dEDyEx9dXU54D8hkgbzkYTyd1TqOuI7YssI5Uz9vFCQTDxzQQZqvYzR-v0tXVnmazHTxvGEt9w3gwiAU/s640/DSC04576.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As an overlay (also great with a black tank)</td></tr>
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I really like Teresa Dair's design aesthetic. Textural pieces, often knitted with non-traditional threads, in non-traditional gauges, which can be worn in a multitude of ways. It's very similar to my favourite Japanese pattern designers and when made in shades of black, perfectly me ;)<br />
And from the back in its shawl cardigan view:<br />
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<b>Crafting friends really are the best.</b><br />
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I found the Dairing 2/3/Four kit in a Raveller's destash, mentioned on Instagram that I was contemplating dabbling in machine knitting to make it and received the most generous offer of a loan of a knitting machine. (thank you again x)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8u50Aa7o9kY4OhSv6w-jJODMfdWkRxChMGMGnr70RcpWU138UUh5Xw9HK6dCR_P8F0yTn_-6B525sCRLwH_R49dVD8fm8og8z8dl7bD654HIkeVlAOOOYU1jPup66GI8ZcchX_f34-Y/s1600/DSC04393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8u50Aa7o9kY4OhSv6w-jJODMfdWkRxChMGMGnr70RcpWU138UUh5Xw9HK6dCR_P8F0yTn_-6B525sCRLwH_R49dVD8fm8og8z8dl7bD654HIkeVlAOOOYU1jPup66GI8ZcchX_f34-Y/s640/DSC04393.jpg" width="441" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gratuitous dachshund shot. Yes, he 'helped'...</td></tr>
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The hand knitters guild market gave me an opportunity to observe and meet some machine knitters, as well as to meet the talented Teresa Dair herself and get some hints on converting the pattern to being machine knit.<br />
The <a href="http://www.mkav.org.au/">machine knitters guild (MKAV)</a> in the form of the lovely Christine encouraged and guided me through the skills required and I set to work.<br />
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For anyone who, like me, has never dabbled before, it's both as easy, and much more time consuming than I had imagined. The actual processing of each row is very quick. The set up, double e-wrap cast on, troubleshooting and eventual cast off was a steep learning curve.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyKIHMkct0tJxrCOafocCStNUGeKI7Tl4_ilLpfBCpV1j-06wW0ZGENK7crpTkqAi_1ALSKj7H-9rNMLsheSveh_J0QqVgBIlMV0RrZM3oi5Tb0IZCqJWRpzWo1hEj9ynIB1T5eoM9i4/s1600/DSC04413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyKIHMkct0tJxrCOafocCStNUGeKI7Tl4_ilLpfBCpV1j-06wW0ZGENK7crpTkqAi_1ALSKj7H-9rNMLsheSveh_J0QqVgBIlMV0RrZM3oi5Tb0IZCqJWRpzWo1hEj9ynIB1T5eoM9i4/s400/DSC04413.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My swatch - used to determine the amount of stitches to cast on, and how many rows to knit.<br />I underestimated my sleeve length.</td></tr>
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The machine is not unlike my overlocker - adorable when behaving but a bugger to rethread and troubleshoot - I don't 'know' it intimately enough yet, so troubleshooting has been a lot of retracing of my steps and cursing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After 187 rows, the 2nd sleeve was done! So was the cone of thread....</td></tr>
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I then used my sewing machine to attach the 4 pieces (Four pieces is a direct reflection of it's name 2/3/Four. I also have Two/3/4 in the same yarn/threads).<br />
I finished it and wasn't sure if I liked it.<br />
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I then had to unpick the left sleeve, you may see it's tight in the photo. This was painful. It was necessary as my 'loose' cast off was still far too tight, exacerbated by the fact that I'd inserted it upside down. I couldn't move my left arm. The cuff on the left now stretches out horribly after 10min of wear, despite blocking ;( I might add a flared cuff extension to both arms, maybe...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5tMDx7GitqboKCRPKhPxBZc2V3PIyZFn_Hz70DQqir0C7S-eJ_tXysiXusFIYld6GMoYeqTcnhelsZ9KVT_mrk7ulQN5fjElj9X4ZXJuaPC-iWqBbYElvVwLhyphenhyphenWOEcGC5pNJidrO-VA/s1600/DSC04640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5tMDx7GitqboKCRPKhPxBZc2V3PIyZFn_Hz70DQqir0C7S-eJ_tXysiXusFIYld6GMoYeqTcnhelsZ9KVT_mrk7ulQN5fjElj9X4ZXJuaPC-iWqBbYElvVwLhyphenhyphenWOEcGC5pNJidrO-VA/s640/DSC04640.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new friends and old ;)</td></tr>
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Updated newsflash: I do like it ;) It's missing in most of my DressmakersDo photographs as the venue was warm, and as lightweight as it is, the silk & stainless steel is warm as well. What struck me by surprise is how very soft the fabric is! I really was anticipating it being more sculptural, however it's a delightful soft top.<br />
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Project page on Ravelry is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaciNic/2-3-four">here</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlqppeUMAIm6k3bjTH_Q3C3-hUYN4AfiYY-PtGfJqn-h5rcYHeqmhvAbleNiJqf19t4hbRy5sbqWjpEeV_hz7QE8mnKBvk5IRjf-NpzN97AKPRyOhxyRkF1DDKdbZNd53-uBJe_PVWRo/s1600/DSC04612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlqppeUMAIm6k3bjTH_Q3C3-hUYN4AfiYY-PtGfJqn-h5rcYHeqmhvAbleNiJqf19t4hbRy5sbqWjpEeV_hz7QE8mnKBvk5IRjf-NpzN97AKPRyOhxyRkF1DDKdbZNd53-uBJe_PVWRo/s640/DSC04612.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photowall props for the Win!</td></tr>
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<br />MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-80259343270576588202016-06-10T07:44:00.000-07:002016-06-10T05:34:11.386-07:00Liberty Linden Love<div style="text-align: center;">
Ok, so I wear, a lot, of Melbourne Black, </div>
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and navy....</div>
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and some other colours..... </div>
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which escape me at the moment...</div>
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One colour that's pretty much missing from my wardrobe is shocking pink.</div>
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Of course, it's the perfect colour to add a bit of brightness to my winter palette. Primarily as it can't clash with anything ;)<br />
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I'm not usually a huge Liberty print fan (sacrilege, I know), I adore the feel of their Tana lawn, but the prints don't often grab me. This is <a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/product/liberty/liberty-art-fabrics/kindle%20b%20tana%20lawn%20cotton/128248">Kindle</a>* a tonal print with subtle little florals and foliage, totally gorgeous, and, well, yes, very, very pink.<br />
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<i>*(from the Liberty of London website): Kindle Liberty print was sketched while listening to the Elysian singers perform at The Royal Festival Hall. The final hand drawn repeat has the design Elysian woven into its sound waves.</i></div>
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I actually had a shopping cart open on The Fabric Store's NZ site when the word went out that it had landed in the Melbourne store... I blame Instagram (you know who you are... yes ... you... and yes, you too....)<br />
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And yes, a family trip was made the next morning so I could feel it IRL and once patted, it came home with me.<br />
It's very perfectly fleecy, and even more so after a trip through the washing machine.<br />
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Essentially it is a woven though. I considered making another drop shouldered top, in the style of my <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/i-only-work-in-black-in-contrast-to.html">much adored black wool awesome thing</a>:<br />
And then my love for my new <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/autumn-2016-woven-linden-for-win.html">vintage wool woven Linden</a> won out and I made View A.<br />
This is the size 8, with 2cm taken out of the back raglan seams, reducing to nothing by 7cm.<br />
The sleeves are simply turned and stitched. I know much has been discussed of the long arms of the pattern as drafted and I didn't include the cuff. I do like warm hands however and would use the same arm length if I made it again (with added cuffs)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyO9RdkQCkOOYQd4Wiw2N6WSrbO0k-EFYXiUADbDeJlIVRcyDO9cln0aZliBe48YUrXBcHL8kR9bHSoM406iRVKg2fge734yjum1vr7kEsyH8rB7p4fxld_o7CfgB61qXWENuJjm-YIsw/s1600/X100s_20160609_46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyO9RdkQCkOOYQd4Wiw2N6WSrbO0k-EFYXiUADbDeJlIVRcyDO9cln0aZliBe48YUrXBcHL8kR9bHSoM406iRVKg2fge734yjum1vr7kEsyH8rB7p4fxld_o7CfgB61qXWENuJjm-YIsw/s320/X100s_20160609_46.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silliness prevails. The weather conspired against this photoshoot for nearly a month.</td></tr>
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Removing 4cm from the back neckline has brought it in nicely as well, as drafted, the Linden is a tad wider than I prefer in a rounded neckline. The boatneck on my black top is just a bit wide for many layering options and I wanted this top to be a non-drafty winter staple.<br />
I felt very indulgent as I cut my neckline on the bias - such an inefficient use of fabric! It was worth it though. I had previously stabilised the entire neckline with iron on stay tape (yes, I love it!) and after carefully stitching the bias on, it was 'sticky-uppery' ;( I nearly cried.<br />
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I do love the cross over of our fibre arts though, I channelled my inner knitter, went into blocking mode and ignored that I wasn't playing with wool . I simply saturated the neckline pieces and patted them back into shape. After some steaming with my iron, the neckline was perfectly snugged - yes, I'm rather chuffed with my neckline.<br />
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The hip hem is taken straight from my black jumper. It's a piece of straight grain fabric, the circumference of my hips, folded and sewn to a slightly gathered bottom edge of garment. It keeps out any winter breeze and allows the top to blouson over a belt or winter padding.<br />
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Silly poses aside, it's the first top in a while to have elicited random unsolicited compliments - although, they were mostly on how lovely it was to see me in pink....<br />
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<i>*For a hint on my previous (BL, Before Liberty) pink aversion, I mentioned a pink 80's windcheater with koalas in my <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/i-only-work-in-black-in-contrast-to.html">2014 black post.</a>..</i>MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-11911364778970105712016-06-09T06:31:00.001-07:002016-06-09T06:31:42.024-07:00Autumn 2016! : Woven Linden for the win<br />
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My most loved and frequently reached for winter top is <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/i-only-work-in-black-in-contrast-to.html">the black/grey boxy felted wool top with the cool tree design</a>.<br />
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This is a lighter weight and colour alternative to keep it company. It's also a test for me of the well loved <a href="http://shop.grainlinestudio.com/collections/linden/products/linden-sweatshirt-pdf-pattern">Grainline Linden</a> that took the sewing world by storm on <a href="http://grainlinestudio.com/2014/10/12/new-pattern-the-linden-sweatshirt/">it's release in 2014</a>.<br />
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<b>This is a straight size 8 Linden, view B in non-stretch woven fabric </b><br />
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Sewn with 70cm of opp shop sourced vintage wool, washed (read as mildly felted & pre-shrunk) & slightly itchy. It's all good though as I love the speckled wool and it's a layering piece, part of my armour against the winter winds that come straight off the Antarctic.<br />
<i>*Update after wearing this almost every day for the past 5 weeks - it's not itchy IRL! And the neckline lets everything layer well, I adore this SOOO much!!</i><br />
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I was pleasantly surprised at the swiftness of putting it together and of the fit straight from the pattern. I've knitted a raglan sleeve cardigan, but never sewn one, being of the belief that they 'don't work' with forward shoulders. News flash, they do, and I can't believe I've dismissed them for so long! The sleeves are 3cm shorter than the view B pattern to fit on my wool remnant, and in this woven fabric, they'd not have worked any longer without darts and shaping.<br />
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I did take in the back raglan seams by 2cm at the neckline, grading to nothing by 7cm. Amanda gave the heads up on her <a href="http://www.bimbleandpimble.com/amanda-vs-linden-sweatshirt/">rad quilted Linden</a> & back breeze from Antarctic wind is not welcomed down here anymore than it is in Canberra. It also has snugged the neckline nicely, so I'll continue with this for the next version.<br />
<i>*photographic evidence is in the pink version, up next!</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOg52r5MP225Hjy6ZYWrY-y8sHyBEeoOAVQfv-m87u1zTZNqFz6ZDql_6uFNtiQo2mDTcwwdADEaX1fwOZ57PqrB25n2dWuKCGIaCe-XV3PwDZ_T_eWJ24u5SNumuffwzDLOErv57_pbo/s1600/DSC04370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOg52r5MP225Hjy6ZYWrY-y8sHyBEeoOAVQfv-m87u1zTZNqFz6ZDql_6uFNtiQo2mDTcwwdADEaX1fwOZ57PqrB25n2dWuKCGIaCe-XV3PwDZ_T_eWJ24u5SNumuffwzDLOErv57_pbo/s320/DSC04370.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a gorgeous paisley match</td></tr>
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I used a lovely vintage Liberty to face the neckline, it came from my $10 bag at the first Phillips Shirtmaker sale.<br />
The sleeves and split hem are simply pinked, turned and hand stitched, invisibly in the wool, giving me the option to adjust them if I wish.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDejFLlod9cGRInSB8dQuT_u_ZbemqfNY1buRiA_KO0_Y0L3ntCw6nYaR2kbcvY10-GJ70XZYIzB1J3cbfaXTzk9HvmPdYULz-RWPAyG59NDk9Mr3MI6Gzv2P40vre67XvgNU-0BSU3KE/s1600/X100s_20160609_5170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDejFLlod9cGRInSB8dQuT_u_ZbemqfNY1buRiA_KO0_Y0L3ntCw6nYaR2kbcvY10-GJ70XZYIzB1J3cbfaXTzk9HvmPdYULz-RWPAyG59NDk9Mr3MI6Gzv2P40vre67XvgNU-0BSU3KE/s400/X100s_20160609_5170.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woven vintage wool = swing!</td></tr>
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A wildly pink Liberty in Kindle, view A, is up next to brighten my winter.<br />
Yes, you could say my sew-jo is back ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxfDNw_pyJmUcuoMAUS60YCAzY9KsKIBVFHXYH7Bz1Wcwt2UT8l_J_a-CEsjGNXundxpqiswEvy_yW_tGHuVJR1mIgxwThdmogqjX5-1n3aYRuLyPfWOJwPpOYOJf663fZJlem_eYnd4/s1600/X100s_20160609_32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxfDNw_pyJmUcuoMAUS60YCAzY9KsKIBVFHXYH7Bz1Wcwt2UT8l_J_a-CEsjGNXundxpqiswEvy_yW_tGHuVJR1mIgxwThdmogqjX5-1n3aYRuLyPfWOJwPpOYOJf663fZJlem_eYnd4/s640/X100s_20160609_32.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More mad and crazy antlers in the next Linden post!</td></tr>
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<br />MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-6927231689775008632016-05-08T19:20:00.000-07:002016-05-14T15:59:25.100-07:00SEWN: Hannah by the seaside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Victory Patterns' Hannah Dress</span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHeO5HLGCMDWS-6kXj-2azQWItUoBH7UGTyayLjyErqht-Apo00-1klVzmuM1pOHxs0yKiLC9pL5uIk5Qc4vwIlvZ_oNZiBbDgbgA51uOqxFl8WpY_Ls1n5Slp1B2bdiqN0xe5exkSqE/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHeO5HLGCMDWS-6kXj-2azQWItUoBH7UGTyayLjyErqht-Apo00-1klVzmuM1pOHxs0yKiLC9pL5uIk5Qc4vwIlvZ_oNZiBbDgbgA51uOqxFl8WpY_Ls1n5Slp1B2bdiqN0xe5exkSqE/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
I've really enjoyed being able to wear my latest summer dress so late into Autumn. Today was another perfect example, so we meandered down to Williamstown, chatted to some divers and fishermen and had a lovely lunch - and jumped at the chance to take a few snaps of Hannah, even though we only had a phone - I'm very appreciative that I have a very talented photographer.<br />
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<a href="http://www.victorypatterns.com/products/hannah/">Hannah</a>, of course, is <a href="http://www.victorypatterns.com/">Victory Pattern</a>s' newest dress and 'not a shift dress, shift dress'*<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP3d6fqbZt37yUmnScQbEbHwqBQlbV8NBrjaYa_hHBEJ6y9tAnG2HFyM0ak8wPDGQDHDoSzCjxWWDdm38xlThwEgLZ1gQJnNRiuY2rd5ACmOujKP78qnZg59p_mLXKhLZOl4JomZPTrk/s1600/Dandelion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP3d6fqbZt37yUmnScQbEbHwqBQlbV8NBrjaYa_hHBEJ6y9tAnG2HFyM0ak8wPDGQDHDoSzCjxWWDdm38xlThwEgLZ1gQJnNRiuY2rd5ACmOujKP78qnZg59p_mLXKhLZOl4JomZPTrk/s320/Dandelion.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><i>*yes, I am possibly the only one who makes such a strange comparison between straight +/- A-line shift dresses that I adore, but don't adore me, and ones with amazing seamlines and non-shift dress details. It reminds me of the <a href="http://seamsterpatterns.com/product/dandelion_dress_top_1401/">Dandelion dress</a> that <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/sew-grateful-week-2014-giveaway-and.html">I made twice</a> & loved to death.</i></span><br />
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Hannah is described as an intermediate pattern, and that's an accurate statement. Precision marking and sewing isn't my strongest point and there are 4 darts, and those fabulous angled side seams that flow into the generous pockets - ohh how I adore the proper sized pockets! </div>
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<b>Other makes: </b></div>
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<a href="https://applebymakes.wordpress.com/2016/05/01/the-hannah-dress/">Corrine Appleby</a> in a lovely herbaceous sketch print - definitely my kind of a floral. I can relate to her comments on precision sewing, it's not my strongest skill either and basting might be a very good idea. Her Hannah looks lovely in 2 fabrics, I especially love the exposed binding.</div>
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And of course the fabulous <a href="http://clevertinker.com/2016/04/hannah-dress-by-victory-patterns/">Christy of CleverTinker</a> who whipped up a gorgeous black rayon-linen-poly version the second Hannah was released, and swayed the world towards adding Hannah to our 'must make' queues ;) As always it's gorgeously styled and she sealed the 'sew Hannah now' deal for me.</div>
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All of our dresses are appropriately short. Mine feels fine while I'm walking, I think it's the faced shirt hem that holds it in place. Sitting however is another story, it's definitely a 'napkin on lap' length.<br />
For the record, I'm 5'5" 165cm and made the size 37, a 37 5/8" or 95.6cm length, measured (by the pattern info) from shoulder at base of neck along the front.<br />
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My bust measurement is size 6, (with hips of an 8), however I'm glad I didn't try to grade between sizes and just made the 8, as the front bodice is tight across my forward shoulders. I'll do my usual adjustments and cut away at the front armscye next time.<br />
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And the elephant in the room - yes, I stuffed up the concealed front placket. The instructions are detailed, full of images and take up 3.5 pages. I clearly didn't fold accurately enough as the front looked great, but the back was off by the time I reached column 9 of 11.<br />
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I had forgotten how wonderful Victory Pattern's instruction are, despite my placket troubles, they are illustrated, detailed and nicely laid out. The pattern booklet is 17 pages long.<br />
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I love the faced hem, I love the generous pockets and I love the side seamlines and the back detail.<br />
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I didn't have any difficulties sewing through the 6+ layers at the shoulders as my fabric was lightweight. I did have difficulties with seam finishing as my fabric frayed easily. All seams which are enclosed, aren't finished separately. This would be ok with almost any other fabric. Mine has wriggled and shifted and I've cursed as it threatens to fray through the seams. It's a slubby linen look poly blend in the most divine true blue (according to Dulux), from Kinki Gerlinki in Brunswick.<br />
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I'm now plotting how best to make a version suitable for winter layering - a light wool blend with a slip underneath I think ....<br />
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MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-88283861748207389572016-02-15T02:42:00.000-08:002016-02-21T02:50:38.941-08:00KNIT: Seaside Foundry in White Gum Wool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh how I have enjoyed knitting as part of a community. I've taken part in 2 KALS, or knit-alongs over on Ravelry since last I wrote. Both were shawls, and both were by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/shannon-sanchezs-ravelry-store">Shannon Sanchez Designs</a>.<br />
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Foundry is a steampunk inspired design, with rusting rivets, that I simply had to take to the beach.<br />
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I had the most fabulous time knitting Foundry, yes, at the beach, being inspired by the constant, reassuring crash of water, the golden sand and the continually changing colours of the waves.<br />
I've used two shades of White Gum Wool, from two talented indie dyers.<br />
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Rebecca of <a href="http://augustbird.com.au/">Augustbird</a> dyed the Orange Earl as part of her TeaTime club in November 2015 and it cleverly has subtle orange shades amongst it's green background.<br />
Jenna of Nunnaba released Herbs as part of her <a href="https://www.nunnaba.com.au/pastcolourways/">2015 Spiced collection</a> and the blend of blue-green is simply divine.<br />
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<a href="http://whitegumwool.com.au/">White Gum Wool</a>, the base that both dyed is simply the snuggliest, squishiest, most divine soft wool I've ever caressed. It does help that it comes from <a href="http://whitegumwool.com.au/wgw-story/">happy Tasmanian sheep, raised by Nan and processed sustainably in NZ</a>. I first heard of WGW when SewJillian posted her shade card on Instagram. I simply had to get one of my own, read all of Nan's blog posts, and when it arrived, promptly knitted up all of the swatch card and went searching for semi-solid colours, which led me to Augustbird and Nunnaba ;)<br />
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Knitting Foundry was a series of 4 clues over 4 weeks, and they were big! First was to cast on over 300 stitches, definitely a record for me, by about 200.... Jenny taught me the long-tail cast on & I used both ends of my ball of Nunnaba Herbs, very uneventful and took a bit over an hour, phew!<br />
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My first KAL? It was for the mystery ArtDeco inspired garter stitch short-row shawl <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaciNic/lucky-mystery-kal">Lucky</a> in September 2015. I knew what Foundry would look like when finished, for Lucky, it was a mystery until I'd finished clue 4. I learnt a lot knitting Lucky, especially different types of short rows (German suits me) and Judy's magic cast on (it's magical, I love it!).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stretching Lucky on the line</td></tr>
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I also learnt that I like BIG shawls and scarves, so that's why I chose to make the fingering/4ply Foundry in DK/8ply.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2.10m along the bottom edge, oh yeah!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaciNic/foundry">My Ravelry Notes</a> for Foundry:<br />
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I like the description of Foundry as a sampler, I learnt bobbles, i-cord cast-off edge, beading, lace, a long-tail cast-on of over 300 stitches and making a fingering shawl in DK ;) It was lots of fun.</div>
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Total size 82" across the top edge and 12"wide at the centre, perfect and as I hoped.</div>
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Total wool used 414m<br />
Herbs (Nunnaba blue-green) - 86g (200m) (14g left)<br />
Orange Earl (Augustbird Green) - 91g (214m) (9g left)</div>
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28/1/16: clue 3 done. Have 26g each of herbs and orange earl left. Used herbs for all of clues 1&2, orange earl for clue 3. I await clue 4…</div>
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27/1/16: mid way through the short rows of clue 3. Put on a double cable and I love the length!<br />
My lace is an organic interpretation, rather than the patterns gridded metal, I can only improve with each lace project. And my first beads were slow but not too fiddly… (used a piece of metal wire prethreaded in batches and bent through each bead as I placed them)</div>
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12/1/16: finished clue 1.<br />
Around 90” bottom edge length in Dk, perfect. 305 stitches. My first bobbles! Love it & am really happy I’ve opted for Dk. I didn’t do the beaded picot cast on, just a long-tail as I may find myself playing yarn chicken with the 2 green skeins. (used 50g) </div>
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And a huge Thank You to <a href="http://rennous-oh-glennus.tumblr.com/">Jenny</a> who hung out at the beach with me and took these shots on an awesome photo shoot day!</div>
<br />MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-47195033635115681512015-09-14T17:34:00.000-07:002015-09-15T00:55:30.769-07:00Achievement Unlocked : KNITTING : Liathite in Malachite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My very first 'BIG' knitted item!!<br />
Well, ok, I did start a white jumper back in the 80's, but mum finished it, I think I might have made it part way down the front...<br />
Yes, the only thing I'd ever finished knitting before casting on for this was <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/my-little-scarflett.html">my little scarflett</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBicWMukL9_e1qal5gDZFLXO-d8rhUIgGoq-H_NGrPIOkvJ-0TGeYNotCmJpMcX8GzGWnbILQVkj9c_55RXxnKxwTu3Q6QG8w_BM3Kg2AyhHPGuv6NjXUQVkazG2q3ZC5YHvvJIdGLcj4/s1600/X100s_20150905_4510Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBicWMukL9_e1qal5gDZFLXO-d8rhUIgGoq-H_NGrPIOkvJ-0TGeYNotCmJpMcX8GzGWnbILQVkj9c_55RXxnKxwTu3Q6QG8w_BM3Kg2AyhHPGuv6NjXUQVkazG2q3ZC5YHvvJIdGLcj4/s640/X100s_20150905_4510Web.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;">
Channelling my inner 30's self: Flat shoes. Wide legged pants. Cloche. Comfy woollens. </div>
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Grumpy expression = sun in eyes, give me back my sunglasses...</div>
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This is <a href="http://www.stolenstitches.com/books/among-stones/">Carol Feller's (Stolen Stitches) Liathite cardigan</a>. It's top down, and all in one, so there's no seaming which my 91 yr young grandma is very amazed at, but it got so heavy to lug around!! The attraction of <a href="http://nikkigabriel.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/triangle-knitting-construction-pattern.html">Nicky Gabriels's triangle jumper</a>, as <a href="http://handmadebycarolyn.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/jumper-of-triangles.html">made by Carolyn</a>, has never been so acute.<br />
The Stolen Stitches pattern was very explanatory and the cables were both charted and written out. I knitted the body, adjusting for length and width as needed (loved trying it on as I went!) and the cable pattern just kept marching down the CFs (well, so long as I remembered which row number they were up to).<br />
I dropped the underarm seams by doing a few (2cm worth) rows without increases before joining front & back - eternal thanks to my online knitting mentors, especially Gail & Jillian for their input.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBt9B_lSynmg4NQaCeTDJmcAY16TBl1cexqwGF-pCiIsnNw06dG8kW84ObjIbOd2nkfw4BfuwixesmrBq6rIhXq6lMCVRElUPDNHSRVonA8ZAOG78SG31IumAXR9AtfKwIN3pdhVoOtI/s1600/X100s_20150905_4501Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBt9B_lSynmg4NQaCeTDJmcAY16TBl1cexqwGF-pCiIsnNw06dG8kW84ObjIbOd2nkfw4BfuwixesmrBq6rIhXq6lMCVRElUPDNHSRVonA8ZAOG78SG31IumAXR9AtfKwIN3pdhVoOtI/s640/X100s_20150905_4501Web.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look Mumma, no set in sleeves!</td></tr>
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It's knit in Bendigo Woollen Mills' 12 ply Stellar, the same 50% bamboo & 50% wool blend of my little scarflett.<br />
All Ravelry details on my project page <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MaciNic/liathite">here</a>.<br />
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These photos were pre-blocking as I nabbed my photographer when I could. I was a little wary of soaking it, and having all sorts of trepidation about using the bamboo - it's so gorgeous to wear against my skin & keeps me a lovely temperature, but I was afraid of it stretching with the weight of the cardigan. I didn't need to worry as much, it dried in less than a day (much faster than my bamboo socks!), didn't stretch and the stitches have settled smoothly - I'm a convert ;0<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Sz_4vP3BejB3w0RMuJvAtpQfO2-3XCdSRhYdH0WX-J-qgQfIrsVycL7cm0dm0UCzf-VaB-TZnWykk5KNwCR__5fJJ4IvS9dbXZL6vxMAi4bvtTHPkvFfuvJnzYuscqwNuypZcM_qJTE/s1600/X100s_20150905_4497Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Sz_4vP3BejB3w0RMuJvAtpQfO2-3XCdSRhYdH0WX-J-qgQfIrsVycL7cm0dm0UCzf-VaB-TZnWykk5KNwCR__5fJJ4IvS9dbXZL6vxMAi4bvtTHPkvFfuvJnzYuscqwNuypZcM_qJTE/s640/X100s_20150905_4497Web.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fully Zipped</td></tr>
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The zip 'should' be blue. I had a perfect 2 way zip ready for it when I polled Instagram about how long to knit it. I haven't found another (longer) 2 way zip in blue, and I was a tad impatient to 'just wear it', so it has a cream zipper for now, I might swap it out, or not ;)<br />
I do like the crushed velvet ribbon I stitched to the zipper tape.<br />
The cardigan is significantly longer than the pattern, and I omitted the hood. Several other knitters have made a high ribbed collar that folds over, I've opted for a snug crew neck that doesn't get in the way of my extensive scarf collection ;)<br />
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I know it's not perfect, but, I finished it, I made a proper adult cardigan! I've also been throwing it on every evening as the temperature cools inside my home, it's so perfectly snuggly.<br />
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And now? I want to knit ALL the things!!!!<br />
Next up will be a post on my hats, such pretty, rewarding little hats ;)<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4719503363511568151%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-aU8R2oz27Hk%2FVfdhMnDVQ7I%2FAAAAAAAABlY%2FmqHqLz9sIE8%2Fs640%2FX100s_20150905_4506Web.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=dhh08oXPWeqj&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 140px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2634px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4719503363511568151%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-aU8R2oz27Hk%2FVfdhMnDVQ7I%2FAAAAAAAABlY%2FmqHqLz9sIE8%2Fs640%2FX100s_20150905_4506Web.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=dhh08oXPWeqj&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 140px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2634px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-65020611261206270342015-08-18T20:39:00.000-07:002015-08-19T15:44:01.821-07:0070's Splendour at Frocktails MelbourneYes, I do spend my life swanning about at all the most fashionable functions ;)<br />
No?<br />
Well, in my dreams I do...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://poppykettle.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/img_8438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://poppykettle.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/img_8438.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit Poppykettle</td></tr>
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After a wonderful weekend in our nations capital for <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/a-canberra-capsule-wardrobe.html" target="_blank">#cbrfrocktails</a>, I set about planning for '#Frocktails', here in my home city of Melbourne.<br />
Now, I knew Canberra would be frosty cold, but somehow the Antarctic winter that Melbourne was experiencing was more 'real' and caused more angst about 'what to wear to be warm'. Well, that and the reality that I was staying next to the venue in Canberra, but would be waiting on open platforms and catching trains in Melbourne.<br />
Jenny Rennous-Oh-Glennus had the most brilliant of solutions - <a href="http://rennous-oh-glennus.tumblr.com/post/126647210310/frocktails-extravaganza-plus-adventure-wardrobe" target="_blank">pop over to her post</a> to see not just the best full skirt ever made, but also, her hidden source of toasty warmth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmcjfcWX_ugAq9zs85lypYiAovTreEimLMu8YuA2EtKjd2IWmkKMPw_ixjFXLCwPPL_C3eRdakpCajrbREFIQvZN3gdG5xyuGEcLsJU2w1Og8CSb-Ndx-Klk9U5ORCfnQhjWe_R1dHg8/s1600/DSC_1512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmcjfcWX_ugAq9zs85lypYiAovTreEimLMu8YuA2EtKjd2IWmkKMPw_ixjFXLCwPPL_C3eRdakpCajrbREFIQvZN3gdG5xyuGEcLsJU2w1Og8CSb-Ndx-Klk9U5ORCfnQhjWe_R1dHg8/s320/DSC_1512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I accompanied her on the train to Frocktails in a full length wool coat, appropriated from my mum's "AFL games at the MCG" attending wardrobe - I felt very Sherlock Holmes. I will be making one for next winter. My headdress was the source of much fascination for a young girl also on the train, clearly we were going to a ball.<br />
And what a ball it was! 51 gorgeous ladies from as far afield as NZ & Brisbane, all in handcrafted magnificence. My photos of the evening aren't mine and all credit goes to Mel <a href="http://poppykettle.com/2015/08/09/v1247-romance-is-born/" target="_blank">Poppykettle</a>, Helen Funkbunny and Gabrielle <a href="http://upsewlate.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/melbourne-frocktails-frocks.html" target="_blank">UpSewLate</a>, they have many more in their posts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://poppykettle.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/img_8432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://poppykettle.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/img_8432.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit Poppykettle</td></tr>
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Keeping up <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/a-silk-sarong-for-sydney-v1310.html" target="_blank">my tradition of sewing my way through my silk stash</a>, I paired this very tactile, almost peach skin silk with a classic 1970's pattern. The Tuesday before Frocktails I was full of 'the flu' & my wonderful mum drove me around some opp shops, as we like to do. There were 5 perfectly 70's patterns in a little shop that simply said 'take me home' and this one then said 'make me, in silk, tonight'. I did mention my raging fever? Anyhow, I was sensible enough (for a change) to soak the silk in a gelatine mix before laying it out and cutting the dress as long as the crosswise width of my fabric allowed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT5Ij5w_GbKf2C6q9zmCrSei-AH50j0t7mOr07vZ3LUJdQjP9RSQsU9zt7eHoUXbIA0ftJWFb3NH8DiSc4uapdmnv3cIYxlweOYQISLgUS6dr0FFVW7E9_Tgb8IjB6vZm1hE_rFHyQxY/s1600/IMG_20150808_074625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT5Ij5w_GbKf2C6q9zmCrSei-AH50j0t7mOr07vZ3LUJdQjP9RSQsU9zt7eHoUXbIA0ftJWFb3NH8DiSc4uapdmnv3cIYxlweOYQISLgUS6dr0FFVW7E9_Tgb8IjB6vZm1hE_rFHyQxY/s400/IMG_20150808_074625.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I've reinforced the channels at the top and along the CB zip with <a href="http://www.sewsquirrel.com.au/haberdashery/" target="_blank">silk organza. SewSquirrel</a> is my online & local supplier. This silk is divine, but really doesn't like being unpicked and even with a new microtec needle, threatens to run on the stitch lines. That invisible zip, it's white, shhh, don't tell anyone ... A perfect excuse to buy a new summer shade of nail polish really ;)<br />
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DH had understandable reservations when he saw it in it's full 70's glory, it was quite Aline and made a strong 70's silhouette statement. My concerns were more along the undergarments line, its not an opaque fabric, and in it's original styling, bras were rather optional.<br />
Mel reassured me early on in the night that the paparazzi flash wasn't showing my undergarments, phew! (I'm still wary after my <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/everyone-needs-lbd.html" target="_blank">first Frocktails experience where my understated burgundy slip became the main event, rather than my black lace dress</a>). For those curious, this has a black halter neck slip ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSbfyer1iCQUoInBy5v9TVf6TG33tBZTDD4HwJRmmYfn-TpzGqOgd_klEl9EBKqC5tQi8mA_wCFANwdfIqSk008C17Iu8r2p68jIwcCxSj5ZDdeDrxKJcFXMFsH0eH_1dcBTBe-QFR28/s1600/Frocktails+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSbfyer1iCQUoInBy5v9TVf6TG33tBZTDD4HwJRmmYfn-TpzGqOgd_klEl9EBKqC5tQi8mA_wCFANwdfIqSk008C17Iu8r2p68jIwcCxSj5ZDdeDrxKJcFXMFsH0eH_1dcBTBe-QFR28/s640/Frocktails+group.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit Funkbunny</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">It was a truly magnificent night and I managed to escort the last ladies standing down Collins St to hot chips after 2am, so that's a definite achievement!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOk7wwzcvakVLjN1oy0xoRDoqbh4Lx9Ny2n0dH8ClgfZSXnxGAng2zXPYlWWGyXEqPQJ4V65pf9pZ8SSOjVHYOBiB0jBNexMCJCzahdmfH7P8FiBsP-_MuS6Yjc7xyIns2Gik3Cy9bagU/s1600/IMG_20150809_110424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOk7wwzcvakVLjN1oy0xoRDoqbh4Lx9Ny2n0dH8ClgfZSXnxGAng2zXPYlWWGyXEqPQJ4V65pf9pZ8SSOjVHYOBiB0jBNexMCJCzahdmfH7P8FiBsP-_MuS6Yjc7xyIns2Gik3Cy9bagU/s400/IMG_20150809_110424.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D6502061126120627034%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ulIitZGoMjU%2FVdP34wmcGwI%2FAAAAAAAABj8%2FOry9J0IiVsc%2Fs640%2FFrocktails%252Bgroup.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=dhh08oXPWeqj&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 33px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2413px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D6502061126120627034%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-ulIitZGoMjU%2FVdP34wmcGwI%2FAAAAAAAABj8%2FOry9J0IiVsc%2Fs640%2FFrocktails%252Bgroup.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=dhh08oXPWeqj&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 33px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2413px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-31509416187540242462015-07-12T05:42:00.000-07:002015-08-30T18:58:18.180-07:00A Canberra Capsule Wardrobe #CBRFrocktails<div style="text-align: center;">
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I recently flew up to Canberra for the inaugural #CBRFrocktails and after a few false starts landing through the fog, was warmly greeted by the local sewing spoolettes, coffee and a sunny sky. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seven items proudly made by me ;)</td></tr>
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Most importantly, what did I wear! Well, I took great delight in packing a small case with a co-ordinated selection of favourite RTW and new and favourite me-made items. Basing my daytime outfit around a pair of dark denim mid-waisted boot cuts (I found my 'perfect' RTW jean at the 11th hour before sewing a pair), I simply required a top each day to go under <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/named-saunio.html" target="_blank">my Named Patterns' Saunio</a> +/- layered with my <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/teal-waterfall-cardigan-swoon.html" target="_blank">teal Swoon cardigan</a>. Two perfect workhorses that, conveniently layer beautifully together.<br />
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I tried to recreate the magic of my snuggly teal Swoon with a purple merino, however I can report back that only having 1.5m isn't enough - I have a cropped version that fits, but isn't as fabulous. I managed to fail to sew the sleeves incorrectly, again, there seems to be an extra right angle of fabric at the back shoulder that I can't place. It didn't make it into the capsule wardrobe.<br />
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Oh, you mean for Frocktails, the gala event of Saturday night?! What did I wear to meet a room of beautiful and talented seamstresses?<br />
Following from my personal success at <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/a-silk-sarong-for-sydney-v1310.html" target="_blank">Sydney's Frocktails last year</a>, I again went with an outfit based around a silk maxi skirt.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching up over bubbles was perfect.</td></tr>
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I've loved this purple, grey, black and white geomentric print since I spotted, and nabbed, it at Rathdowne Remnants a few years ago. I had 3m, and used every last scrap.<br />
What maxi skirt would give no spare change from 3m? Well, the distinctive swooshy 7 panels of the skirt and the angular pieces of the yoke might give the game away; yes this is <a href="http://www.sewaholicpatterns.com/gabriola-skirt" target="_blank">Sewaholic's glorious Gabriola</a>.<br />
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I have always adored the glamour of the Gabriola, but feared she & I were not to be, she's for curvy pear and hourglass girls and well, I'm a rectangle. I shouldn't have ignored her for so long, <a href="http://sewaholic.net/gabriola-skirt-grading-between-sizes/" target="_blank">the sewalong over on the Sewaholic site had the answer all along</a>, how to grade from a size 12 waist to a size 8 hip - thank you.<br />
In hindsight, I wish I'd fussy cut the yoke pieces first and had the horizontal lies flowing vertically, but I was focussed on getting the maxi length from my yardage and the yokes came second. I didn't shorten it, however I omitted the straight waistband (very frumpy on me) and this pulled it higher onto my natural waist. In doing this I managed to remove an inch at CB, and a few cm from the side seams, so maybe I could have made a different size, although I'll consider a contoured waistband as well. My waist edge is enclosed and stabilised with black ribbon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Vn4IxNawfS4u297dUC7DdaC5rPToZ12cTyG_wx2s2k9U9qav5lPmRwJE_FndNKgVQl6OdMo2ERT2FK-FmBVe4MOygV04XQzjsDTUim9Pi2QXEQBK4S7HNmqSyWtox3CyG2KOFGeEkLI/s1600/X100s_20150612_4416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Vn4IxNawfS4u297dUC7DdaC5rPToZ12cTyG_wx2s2k9U9qav5lPmRwJE_FndNKgVQl6OdMo2ERT2FK-FmBVe4MOygV04XQzjsDTUim9Pi2QXEQBK4S7HNmqSyWtox3CyG2KOFGeEkLI/s320/X100s_20150612_4416.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The black ribbon before the excess was trimmed</td></tr>
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The lovely <a href="http://funkbunnysgarden.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Helen</a> brought her vintage "Helen Mirren" over to give me a neat narrow hem and I admit that I finished hand stitching the lining to the yoke while in Canberra.<br />
I do wish the <a href="http://sewaholic.net/tag/gabriola-sew-along/" target="_blank">Gabriola sewalong</a> had gone into a tad more detail about changing the waistband, using an invisible zipper, french seams and adding lining. I stabilised the yokes as I remembered reading many reports of the bias seams stretching, there's not a right angle to be seen!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was SO good to chat to these lovely ladies again</td></tr>
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To pair with my geometric skirt, I tried many silhouettes. In the end I settled on a classic, <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/a-tale-of-two-cowls-part-two-vogue-1250.html" target="_blank">my third V1250</a>, made with a slightly shiny grey/silver knit from Darn Cheap Fabrics, it's divine to wear and such a fabulous drape, look, I even have cleavage! ;)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Accessorised in hand crafted silver<br />
- necklace made by my talented DH</td></tr>
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I also made a zipped pouch in silver pleather from Spotlight, I'm not quite brave enough to cut into a hide for a proper leather clutch yet, although I've been taking notes from <a href="http://www.sewunravelled.com/2015/07/sewn-bronzed-leather.html" target="_blank">Jillian</a> and <a href="https://bloglessanna.wordpress.com/2015/07/11/canberra-frocktails-clutching-leather/" target="_blank">Anna</a> as theirs are very covetable!<br />
It's sized to fit my 10"tablet and to then fold over, fully lined and based on <a href="http://skirtastop.com/2012/11/12/foldover-doily-clutch-tutorial/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a>.<br />
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For our Sunday brunch, I 'whipped up' another DrapeDrape2 #4 Asymmetrical draped top, yes the same top I wore as part of OneWeekOnePattern, it was <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/search/label/%234" target="_blank">my 5th version</a>.<br />
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Two (Four) way stretch definitely helps with the comfort and fit, and with only 2 seams, a neckband and folded sleeve & hems, it took no time at all. This gorgeous navy viscose/spandex knit was snaffled for me by <a href="https://thornberry.wordpress.com/2015/01/25/sbcc-cosmi-skirt-and-tonic-tee/" target="_blank">Lara</a>, from Darn Cheap Fabrics, and it's really quite divine.<br />
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And with all of the craze about the Sydney jacket, I simply had to steal <a href="http://www.sewunravelled.com/2015/06/sewn-hometown-jacket.html" target="_blank">Jillian's</a> from her back, not unlike what I did with <a href="http://funkbunnysgarden.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/tessuti-sydney-jacket-so-good-it-made.html" target="_blank">Helen's</a>, hmm, I see a trend here ;)<br />
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and finally:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amanda is The Best Photobomber</td></tr>
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Thank you SO much for a fabulous weekend Canberra!</div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3150941618754024246%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-GXFLaroq990%2FVaJW294C2UI%2FAAAAAAAABdY%2F32277AwiJVQ%2Fs200%2Funtitled%252Bevent%252B-%252B40.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=dhh08oXPWeqj&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 546px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 965px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3150941618754024246%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-GXFLaroq990%2FVaJW294C2UI%2FAAAAAAAABdY%2F32277AwiJVQ%2Fs200%2Funtitled%252Bevent%252B-%252B40.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.36&xuid=dhh08oXPWeqj&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 546px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 965px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-31824119816039427362015-06-12T02:17:00.000-07:002015-08-30T18:58:35.775-07:00Named SaunioSuch an unassuming blog post title for such a little workhorse of a cardigan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWwqVD-FN5SaJdAgrJfJh5mn-2qNeZWTq9O70kgACBnUwN74Cxo_BgWNm41F7HQ1lKErEiIFYqupckPK5gMHZP0wtyBwE76zTBH1Ynp_PUP43Cu2JqvHSnS2FZhSYJmcaQrzc4Cr_BTI/s1600/X100s_20150612_4410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWwqVD-FN5SaJdAgrJfJh5mn-2qNeZWTq9O70kgACBnUwN74Cxo_BgWNm41F7HQ1lKErEiIFYqupckPK5gMHZP0wtyBwE76zTBH1Ynp_PUP43Cu2JqvHSnS2FZhSYJmcaQrzc4Cr_BTI/s640/X100s_20150612_4410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Named Patterns released the <a href="http://www.namedclothing.com/product/saunio-cardigan/?lang=en" target="_blank">Saunio cardigan in their SS14 All Things Nice Collection</a> well over a year ago. I've seen it made up, by the always on-trend and stylish <a href="http://kbfield.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/finished-chatter-saunio-iii.html" target="_blank">Kirsty of Top Notch, three times</a>, however I never really noticed it, until now. Her third version, <a href="https://bloglessanna.wordpress.com/2015/06/07/name-that-cardigan/" target="_blank">and Blogless Anna's</a>, combined with Named's discount code for <a href="https://themonthlystitch.wordpress.com/2015/05/31/indie-pattern-month-2015-is-here/" target="_blank">The Monthly Stitch's</a> separates competition, tipped me over the edge, I wanted one, and I wanted it now.<br />
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I was in Spotlight for some thread, when this furry wool blend caught my eye. I had the purple thread for my frocktails skirt in my hand and my eyes were drawn to it, so what was a girl to do but look up the fabric requirements on the Named website and buy 1.2m. Umm, yes.. the fabric requirements do state:<br />
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<em style="margin: 0px;">Materials & supplies:</em></div>
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<li style="list-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fabric 115 – 175 cm / 46 – 69”</li>
<li style="list-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Facing (if other than the main fabric) 70 cm / 28”</li>
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I played pattern Tetris and managed to get all the pieces on in a single layer. There are no scraps.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3g1P0CHozkl4kS4ovffT9hrqbcVQaI5YWBtjfxqKKBNjUC2iOeRDGWKMqYpKttabfcAAEdXvwELGFmJPr2zkYalqGxj-d5hTayASrRUFKWcIGo5QtUqGLpR0HBKve2hX8Y09bcA10BE/s1600/DSC_0925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3g1P0CHozkl4kS4ovffT9hrqbcVQaI5YWBtjfxqKKBNjUC2iOeRDGWKMqYpKttabfcAAEdXvwELGFmJPr2zkYalqGxj-d5hTayASrRUFKWcIGo5QtUqGLpR0HBKve2hX8Y09bcA10BE/s640/DSC_0925.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confession, this is a mock layout before I unfolded the fabric & made it work<br />
on a single layer - am quite glad there was no nap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I declared my love on Instagram and will do so again here - I adore the overlapping pieces of Named's .pdf layouts. There are 3 sizes nested, each with their own seam allowances and sewing lines charted, and only 12 pieces to tape together - my idea of heaven.<br />
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I'm a little bit sad to see that some of the current patterns are no longer overlapped, The cropped jacket Lourdes takes 28 A4 pages ;(, but 'everyone else' can rejoice and buy it with glee.<br />
(The Asaka kimono is still overlapped, at 24 pages... I'll be converting it to copy shop format I think!)<br />
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I traced out full pattern pieces (I really prefer to never cut 'on the fold'), and tracing paper is SO much easier to store than taped A4 pages.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KgXFNytDAbKXUgk_JqYZpgbC5VGGaRZwIfNtjYKhMb4Yk2PJEFdcJCP7fQPhd7E23M_PA3hGkD8NbIz6euxjlqQfp1XM2MEs9oul0Fa211oTYlsKKjVTVUL6hiUD6bv-dk5vvcJ6gQg/s1600/DSC_0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KgXFNytDAbKXUgk_JqYZpgbC5VGGaRZwIfNtjYKhMb4Yk2PJEFdcJCP7fQPhd7E23M_PA3hGkD8NbIz6euxjlqQfp1XM2MEs9oul0Fa211oTYlsKKjVTVUL6hiUD6bv-dk5vvcJ6gQg/s640/DSC_0917.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seam allowances and sewing lines printed for 3 sizes</td></tr>
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I also love that when you buy Named patterns now, you get .pdfs for ALL the sizes (in different files, 2 sizes per file), I've not ventured into the world of Marfy as buying only one size doesn't appeal to me. I'm happy to buy patterns, but I'd like them in all the sizes I may be & not one that I've guessed might be mine. And yes, trying to decide if I'm a 'big' Vogue or a 'small' Vogue annoys me no end - yes, I'm the size smack bang in the middle & have to guess how much ease is in each designers version.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4biwBSzDwogEb7afaz0gVhmis6dotfaxSCjmCwUXa6-wMC5zVYDDRjpHEYXyJqorSEUhsusAHY0MXku73NLwEjaDxbFBKO4h1Z5XWZk2jdgZwz-_4uo2IQEpiXnXFScbgMbS82Mjcis/s1600/X100s_20150612_4392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4biwBSzDwogEb7afaz0gVhmis6dotfaxSCjmCwUXa6-wMC5zVYDDRjpHEYXyJqorSEUhsusAHY0MXku73NLwEjaDxbFBKO4h1Z5XWZk2jdgZwz-_4uo2IQEpiXnXFScbgMbS82Mjcis/s640/X100s_20150612_4392.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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Saunio is a quick and easy little jacket which goes with everything, in fact, I've worn mine every day since making it, over dresses and with jeans and skirts. Yes, I will be making another, I've been quite impressed by how easy it is to wear.<br />
This is a the 'medium' size 38-42 and I'm right in the middle of that range. If you're bigger through the bust or have more muscular forearms, it might be worth leaving larger seam allowances.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVawkj8_SatSdKqY4huC-QyUNJRZBc-VomOjNnM4ZLQSOj2L6xpuEv8LQynpLxaXrBTPSaCLZ8tAanGMpCgAGDjuWc_NkqGI4SNwNNU3c2oEjqzHLtS4DQpr9Jb8nFqvKnLUgrj89PU4/s1600/X100s_20150612_4399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVawkj8_SatSdKqY4huC-QyUNJRZBc-VomOjNnM4ZLQSOj2L6xpuEv8LQynpLxaXrBTPSaCLZ8tAanGMpCgAGDjuWc_NkqGI4SNwNNU3c2oEjqzHLtS4DQpr9Jb8nFqvKnLUgrj89PU4/s640/X100s_20150612_4399.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I really love how it works both draped and closed. I wasn't sure how it looked closed until I made it, and it crosses both R-L and L-R equally easily. I haven't added any snaps to keep it closed as my fabric grips itself just enough, especially when I have my satchel slung across my body on windy days!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDE-r0xz5uuk_1ghgDR5jaB1NlyJeGNGRwzAlI3FbSkH8TXfWzEnKvn8AnJlUZsI6CB6QhNf-yU1X0I0-xd5drIYLCteOQYlctgsYwzvd8Uau70R9z6IBO61xi-JOaeoqf8-vwYIHuE8/s1600/X100s_20150612_4403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDE-r0xz5uuk_1ghgDR5jaB1NlyJeGNGRwzAlI3FbSkH8TXfWzEnKvn8AnJlUZsI6CB6QhNf-yU1X0I0-xd5drIYLCteOQYlctgsYwzvd8Uau70R9z6IBO61xi-JOaeoqf8-vwYIHuE8/s640/X100s_20150612_4403.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<http: aunio.jpg="" uploads="" woostore="" wp-content="" www.namedclothing.com=""><br /></http:>
<http: aunio.jpg="" uploads="" woostore="" wp-content="" www.namedclothing.com="">
This is a wool blend, it's got no mechanical stretch and has a tight, almost boucle weave to it. I omitted the facing's interfacing and added an extra line of topstitching 1cm from the front edge to give some structure to the edge but not the entire facing. It works well. </http:><br />
<http: aunio.jpg="" uploads="" woostore="" wp-content="" www.namedclothing.com="">I varied from the instructions when it came to hemming the facing and simply sewed it and the front together, then turned it to the inside before hemming the entire cardigan.</http:><br />
<http: aunio.jpg="" uploads="" woostore="" wp-content="" www.namedclothing.com=""><br /></http:>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDNOHjYkmDTaIN-ir82c-mjuJOT-esC6Nq2PXTgBZ-uksUAFO82tijTnZqwL0LmgZf0yfMupmejIcn8gCl7Vdl6sRT_FB7zkI0x3xF-rK71Og49u_fdTb-IKbPyMhHObJy9fGuGJ4pC8/s1600/X100s_20150612_4409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDNOHjYkmDTaIN-ir82c-mjuJOT-esC6Nq2PXTgBZ-uksUAFO82tijTnZqwL0LmgZf0yfMupmejIcn8gCl7Vdl6sRT_FB7zkI0x3xF-rK71Og49u_fdTb-IKbPyMhHObJy9fGuGJ4pC8/s640/X100s_20150612_4409.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<http: aunio.jpg="" uploads="" woostore="" wp-content="" www.namedclothing.com=""><br /></http:>
<http: aunio.jpg="" uploads="" woostore="" wp-content="" www.namedclothing.com="">All it needs to be perfect is a little welt or patch pocket, maybe next time...
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3182411981603942736%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-vnCv1HFnkoM%2FVXqdGc3FrnI%2FAAAAAAAABaY%2FSWRxIkGZglI%2Fs640%2FDSC_0917.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 33px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1852px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3182411981603942736%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-vnCv1HFnkoM%2FVXqdGc3FrnI%2FAAAAAAAABaY%2FSWRxIkGZglI%2Fs640%2FDSC_0917.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 33px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1852px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-57710271844149366022015-04-20T04:28:00.000-07:002015-08-30T18:58:00.006-07:00Sea Change Sea Change One Two Three !!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoGup2LOLCkTPv-ccNLh5xsZVPKXbUwjvu4IqBqqTHQqYKn7c-Pagwweoq8X-p41TC3dBxEdrWZdEPjrAK0ldwcNycWTZhdh8rb59A-cOzxzZa5nZ7e2qvF8yEwVUyRJtAoRDZOqmT7g/s1600/X100s_20150420_4338Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoGup2LOLCkTPv-ccNLh5xsZVPKXbUwjvu4IqBqqTHQqYKn7c-Pagwweoq8X-p41TC3dBxEdrWZdEPjrAK0ldwcNycWTZhdh8rb59A-cOzxzZa5nZ7e2qvF8yEwVUyRJtAoRDZOqmT7g/s1600/X100s_20150420_4338Web.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
I do love a top with interesting details, especially one that has fabulous drape from big pattern pieces, fits me without headaches, and where I can move about freely without readjusting it over the day. Having bands to finish the hem and sleeves neatly and making it both woven and knit suitable ... I'm sold!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuL49TpU8jKL1ZmswhvBNYQuzOe8_tSyIy3-UdQRxpRTmvi-8wMuXA-yRRnyD8Vl31fFpp1n3lB8ncYN9-_veGA__E0cHS8DR1tdw_jQ_wjXfa3AX0zcNO58lMnOzIb7OeSavYVCrdJY4/s1600/X100s_20150420_4318Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuL49TpU8jKL1ZmswhvBNYQuzOe8_tSyIy3-UdQRxpRTmvi-8wMuXA-yRRnyD8Vl31fFpp1n3lB8ncYN9-_veGA__E0cHS8DR1tdw_jQ_wjXfa3AX0zcNO58lMnOzIb7OeSavYVCrdJY4/s1600/X100s_20150420_4318Web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Introducing Lily Sage & Co's Sea Change Top.<br />
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The Sea Change top is loosely fitted, with wide kimono sleeves. The hem is designed to fall just below the natural waist for a modest, cropped look that will both complement and showcase high waist pants and skirts.</div>
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The top length can easily be lengthened through the top. The armbands and bottom hem band can also be altered in length for different looks.</div>
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Recommended fabrics:</div>
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Light to medium weight, drapey fabrics will be the most flattering choices for this top.</div>
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Options include knit fabrics like jersey. Cotton, viscose, and rayon are fibres that will all work well. Woven fabrics like silk satin, silk crepe de chine, and habutai will also suit this pattern.</div>
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I volunteered to Pattern Test this top for Lily Sage & Co, so a copy of the pattern and instructions were given to me in exchange for my feedback and I've since received a copy of the released pattern.<br />
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I used an Opp shop sourced stable knit for my tester version (my displeasure with it's intolerance to the iron was made on Instagram), and have since re-worked this to become the striped top. I'm still unhappy with the amount of poly in this mystery knit as it meant that I couldn't use fusible web to line up my stripes and assist with my twin needling, however it's had a surprising amount of wear and I will finish it off properly.<br />
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My second and much worn version is the <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/dyeing-for-sea-change-1-my-experiment.html" target="_blank">yellow rayon that I dyed in the Arashi style</a>. This top is a size M, widened to L at the waist. I lengthened this version and it's 49cm in total down the CF. The unaltered M is 45.2cm in length. My wardrobe doesn't have enough high waisted items (yet), so this length works really well with my low-mid rise jeans and pants. The neck binding is purchased cotton bias binding from stash, a pattern piece for self-bias is included.<br />
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My grey (third) version is an XS in bust size and length and an M in waist circumference. It also has narrower sleeve and hem bands as I was eking the top from a length of silk-cotton from Darn Cheap. The bias neck binding was cut from a piece of 'koala' grey/brown rayon and it behaved beautifully, I can see more rayon binding in my future. This version is to wear with my high rise black pants & it works very well.<br />
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Sea Change is a perfect pattern to showcase an amazing piece of fabric, it has a front and a back, and I found that if I had 2 pieces of 50cm in length and 80cm across, I could make a version with contrast sleeves and hem band. If I only had one piece, I could use a contrasting back - with straight seam lines, those silk remnants in my stash are looking like they've found a project.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside 3 Sea Change Tops</td></tr>
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Lengthening at the body and adjusting the hem and sleeve bands was very simple. Instructions are clear, have diagrams and include useful reminders such as stay stitching necklines and stabilising shoulder seams. I found basting the long edges of the bands on my overlocker to be very efficient as they were then neat and I could use that row of stitching to line up my seam line as I attached them to the garment body.<br />
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From Saturday's post where I talk about dyeing the yellow version:<br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I adore the sleeves, both on their own with their perfect breeziness for summer, and as a layering piece over a fitted top for Melbourne's autumn. In regard to questions of potential visible side boobage, I've found that the volume of drapey fabric collapses onto itself in normal wear, so I feel quite secure. I do love these sleeves.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">SeaChange is available now at </span><a href="http://lilysageandco.com/2015/04/new-pattern-alert-the-sea-change-top-discount-code/" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lily Sage & Co</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">, with a discount this week</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0530DBxSMyDPegm4dz0UkLNjuGD5Rz58iIPkZIF7Bt03e0zcV9xT5TKuxInKYyEgo_1CR3zZKuA7A32l_dbyfEuLbIUjVC6XfO3XGFT0S-9e-JnX-e2O0bMBhZSOEwftD-PJPqOdSSuo/s1600/X100s_20150420_4307Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0530DBxSMyDPegm4dz0UkLNjuGD5Rz58iIPkZIF7Bt03e0zcV9xT5TKuxInKYyEgo_1CR3zZKuA7A32l_dbyfEuLbIUjVC6XfO3XGFT0S-9e-JnX-e2O0bMBhZSOEwftD-PJPqOdSSuo/s1600/X100s_20150420_4307Web.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Better learn balance. Balance is key. Balance good, karate good. Everything good. Balance bad, better pack up, go home.</span></span></td></tr>
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Oh those magnificent sleeves, how I adore them!<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5771027184414936602%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D5%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-M82atYGbs74%2FVTTZ5BAD_9I%2FAAAAAAAABVI%2F7ek6_guj_9U%2Fs1600%2FX100s_20150420_4318Web.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=dhh08oXPWeqj&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 730px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5771027184414936602%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D5%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-M82atYGbs74%2FVTTZ5BAD_9I%2FAAAAAAAABVI%2F7ek6_guj_9U%2Fs1600%2FX100s_20150420_4318Web.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=dhh08oXPWeqj&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 730px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-20898559275290765592015-04-18T07:24:00.000-07:002015-08-30T18:59:02.198-07:00Dyeing for a Sea Change 1 - my experiment in dyeing rayonI have just had my first experiments with procion dyes. (in contrast to hot water dyeing which I've never been terribly good at)<br />
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This glorious yellow rayon was the first solid rayon I found at Spotlight a year or 2 ago. I had great visions of a summery dress, however it is, rather, yellow-gold... Lovely to feel, nice and drapey, but, far to overwhelmingly yellow for a dress for me. So, inspired by all of the<a href="http://www.measuretwicecutonce.com.au/2014/08/shibori-workshop/" target="_blank"> indigo workshops</a> that have been filling my Pinterest feed, and Nicki's solar dyeing for<a href="https://thisismoonlight.wordpress.com/2014/12/27/one-year-one-outfit-2015/" target="_blank"> One Year One Outfit</a>, I set out to learn a little bit about dyeing.<br />
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Rayon is a cellulose fibre, like cotton and linen, so procion dyes with a Soda Ash pretreatment seemed to be the way forward. I found the <a href="https://shopfrontpro.s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/694/attachments/product/30234/PROCION_Dyebath_Instructions.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJGOV2HNCYKGORVPQ&Expires=1429277529&Signature=DQZuX5tdoGivBYtdK2AkGBVPYwg%3D" target="_blank">instruction sheets</a> on KraftKolours' website to be really useful, so I obtained Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash) from the supermarket, pre-soaked some linen and the rayon, then ventured out to <a href="http://www.kraftkolour.net.au/" target="_blank">KraftKolour, a local dyeing supplier</a>. <i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(This isn't an ad, I have no affiliations with anybody & my only other link to local dyeing suppliers has relocated to the country)</span></i><br />
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The staff at KraftKolour were fabulous - really knowledgeable and enthusiastic with sharing their knowledge, able to meet me where I was (theory rich with zero experience), and with no hard selling. I purchased the primary colours, and black, and a bottle of Dynazol rinse off. And 2 small sets of perspex resists, a circle and a hexagon.<br />
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That the <a href="http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/startingcolors.shtml" target="_blank">primary red was a pink</a> had perplexed me and I'm still not 100% sure on the chemistry involved, but I've got a better understanding of why; and more importantly, to mix it with yellow for a scarlet or 'paint primary' red.<br />
While looking up 'dyeing recipes', I found the visuals of the <a href="http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/dreamline_mixing_guide.shtml" target="_blank">Dreamline Textile Painting Recipes</a> to be very valuable as there were actual colours, and not just names of colours. (Memo to Bendigo Woollen Mills, Malachite is green, not blue, just saying...). My primary colours are closest to the first table (mine are in brackets)<br />
I was aiming for an oriental/eastern red (a brownish red), so I followed the directions for the colour described as "quartz" which were 40%yellow (KK MX8G), 40%ruby (KK MX8B) & 20%turquoise (KK MX4-GD).<br />
Reserving the right to add black (KK MX2R) if needed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assembling my supplies</td></tr>
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I adore Shibori, the Japanese word encompassing the art of manipulating fabric to resist the uptake of dye, often seen in stunning Indigo blues and white. I indulged, in a beginning manner, my love for all of the Japanese resist dyeing techniques, on my pieces of yellow rayon. Next time I hope to do some stitched resists as well. The tutorial at <a href="http://honestlywtf.com/diy/shibori-diy/" target="_blank">Honestly WTF: Shibori Dye</a> was invaluable for visualising the steps to take in folding my fabric for dyeing. In choosing which resist techniques I would try, I was particularly inspired by the textile artist <a href="http://kaizenjourney.blogspot.com.au/2008/01/itajime-shibori-process.html" target="_blank">Kaizen Journey</a>, such gorgeous patterns using three densities of dark blue, and I appreciated seeing the folded fabric before and after dyeing.<br />
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I adore the <a href="https://commonfold.wordpress.com/2013/08/08/arashi/" target="_blank">Arashi 'storm' pole wrapping</a> technique and attempted it on my largest piece. Tightly binding the rayon around the piece of pvc pipe on the bias did stretch it off grain however. It was the quickest and most relaxed of the techniques I sampled.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My test crease = yes I like the patterns created by wrapping it tightly around the pipe</td></tr>
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I concertina folded each of my other pieces, ironing each crease and attempting to get them fairly even. I wanted the 2 longest pieces to be near-identical and after concertina folding them again into a square, I clamped them with rectangular blocks of wood. These are the 2 in the most bottom left of the image below. The grey linen is also folded this way - the piece of linen is much smaller than the rayon, yet the finished parcel is about the same.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQiJSVFiP9sJ3EgoZCRzcYKZ9GlvyCAt9p86nlqkttTwuTlB55rc0lYRIGhlyx_aMU4-qDTnZ7begfPVXlOXDFxiiPK5Pt0riBrVpXl5LRfwgb5FNPjb6j-dRoCQAt-GuTXXtn7wYymM/s1600/DSC01701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQiJSVFiP9sJ3EgoZCRzcYKZ9GlvyCAt9p86nlqkttTwuTlB55rc0lYRIGhlyx_aMU4-qDTnZ7begfPVXlOXDFxiiPK5Pt0riBrVpXl5LRfwgb5FNPjb6j-dRoCQAt-GuTXXtn7wYymM/s1600/DSC01701.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all prepared and ready to be dyed</td></tr>
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For some variety, I used 2 circular perspex 'resists' under the wood blocks for the circles design (the red clamp). The 2nd concertina folds were doubled and it shows in the depth of colour on the finished pattern. I'll stick to folding one layer at a time in future.<br />
The final piece was folded into triangles and a hexagon resist was placed off centre, on one of the triangles' sides, this is the floral design (the triangles above).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN40B4y-zsJZ573nanTK2ay2SbW77EvT2IxqOgEFyoTp009QGKftg7SBWm5C-ZJSdLy6VElGaiSu7wSh7t-BrllRoVqgbIGq8QQOZW9fZIn0z0UQnXAIu3RLYWOPU1KGKxMxMBWuflZ8s/s1600/dye+bucket+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN40B4y-zsJZ573nanTK2ay2SbW77EvT2IxqOgEFyoTp009QGKftg7SBWm5C-ZJSdLy6VElGaiSu7wSh7t-BrllRoVqgbIGq8QQOZW9fZIn0z0UQnXAIu3RLYWOPU1KGKxMxMBWuflZ8s/s1600/dye+bucket+copy.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bucket! Awaiting the dye</td></tr>
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My dye bath musings led me to the following (possibly wildly inaccurate) concentrations. For a strong colour, 5g dye to 100g dry fabric, 20g dye to 400g dry fabric in 300g tepid water initial concentration, plus 4L. 8g dye needs 100g salt, diluted 1:20.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> (Yes, I was just thinking/typing aloud)</i></span><br />
I poured my dye bath down the wrapped pole and into the bucket where the other fabric was waiting.<br />
After 20min, I added tepid salty water and left them all for another 30min.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBYzJ4ybCcbHQRNOPlxSkhs4U016cpqvJ1Of-zq4lTceN0ibl58XBcUyMZxcqJhx-9iZmXiqd1fcYJ_UM4C1MTEo_MgtmwPYPmjHX1ZoaO82dARqNTjdB9P-er4neXxmxhWRrcckbuEY/s1600/dye+on+line+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBYzJ4ybCcbHQRNOPlxSkhs4U016cpqvJ1Of-zq4lTceN0ibl58XBcUyMZxcqJhx-9iZmXiqd1fcYJ_UM4C1MTEo_MgtmwPYPmjHX1ZoaO82dARqNTjdB9P-er4neXxmxhWRrcckbuEY/s1600/dye+on+line+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I could have left them in the dye bath for much longer, and had initially intended to wrap the pole in plastic overnight, however excitement got the better of me and I placed them in a solution of tepid water and Dyzanol rinse off (2mls/L) for 20min, unwrapping and releasing them from their bindings during this time. At the very centre of the rectangular resist, the rayon was still dry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGj2uv3YhpUiLpPx_FzmU7PRRvkuUtjge_ONkg67M2U911tYpTAfI1UNJ5MnXkWcwmylSpRJohEZC5QIpDzlA8IzFaIj2skIsADPA7H7DJRoqJYabuGo5yGMDNYzz-HRU5pdjdWVjXU8A/s1600/Dye+Rayon+on+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGj2uv3YhpUiLpPx_FzmU7PRRvkuUtjge_ONkg67M2U911tYpTAfI1UNJ5MnXkWcwmylSpRJohEZC5QIpDzlA8IzFaIj2skIsADPA7H7DJRoqJYabuGo5yGMDNYzz-HRU5pdjdWVjXU8A/s1600/Dye+Rayon+on+line.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-R: 2xRectangle wood resists, circular resist, Arashi, triangular hexagon & sample grey linen rectangle at back</td></tr>
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That I hadn't left them long enough can be seen in the blue/dark tinges of the burgundy dye, especially on the Arashi piece. The different aspects of the mixed dye hadn't finished progressing through the fabric. Fortunately I quite like the effect ;)<br />
I was nicely surprised that the washing machine rinse water (after the initial soaking in tepid water) was barely coloured, such a change from when I've played with dyes in the past!<br />
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There was a method to my madness in pre-cutting my rayon, each piece was the right size for a pattern piece for Lily Sage & Co's new pattern The Sea Change Top. In the end, I used the undyed yellow rayon for the top's bands and really like the effect.<br />
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Sewing the Sea Change Top was a pleasure, so much so that I did it twice ;) I was a pattern tester for this top as, besotted by <a href="http://lilysageandco.com/2015/03/stripes-ahoy/" target="_blank">Debbies two amazing versions</a>, I knew I really wanted some of them in my wardrobe and volunteered for testing. I've got third top just cut out, so I'll let Sea Change have a post all of it's own soon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fabulous sleeves and photobomber</td></tr>
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I adore the sleeves, both on their own with their perfect breeziness for summer, and as a layering piece over a fitted top for Melbourne's autumn. In regard to questions of potential visible side boobage, I've found that the volume of drapey fabric collapses onto itself in normal wear, so I feel quite secure. I do love these sleeves.<br />
SeaChange is available now at <a href="http://lilysageandco.com/2015/04/new-pattern-alert-the-sea-change-top-discount-code/" target="_blank">Lily Sage & Co</a>, with a discount this week.<br />
<br />
and I am very excited about both Shibori resist dyeing and Indigo vat <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KraftKolour" target="_blank">workshops to be run by KraftKolour</a> later this year!<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2089855927529076559%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-9JqYjhrDLjs%252FVTEKF6XcrgI%252FAAAAAAAABTE%252F-925ikHUx4c%252Fs1600%252FDye%25252BRayon%25252Bon%25252Bline.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 33px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2878px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2089855927529076559%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-9JqYjhrDLjs%252FVTEKF6XcrgI%252FAAAAAAAABTE%252F-925ikHUx4c%252Fs1600%252FDye%25252BRayon%25252Bon%25252Bline.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 33px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2878px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2089855927529076559%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-9JqYjhrDLjs%252FVTEKF6XcrgI%252FAAAAAAAABTE%252F-925ikHUx4c%252Fs1600%252FDye%25252BRayon%25252Bon%25252Bline.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 33px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2878px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7992719705821442384%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2089855927529076559%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com%2Fgadgets%2Fproxy%3Furl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F3.bp.blogspot.com%252F-9JqYjhrDLjs%252FVTEKF6XcrgI%252FAAAAAAAABTE%252F-925ikHUx4c%252Fs1600%252FDye%25252BRayon%25252Bon%25252Bline.jpg%26container%3Dblogger%26gadget%3Da%26rewriteMime%3Dimage%252F*&xm=h&xv=sa1.35&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 33px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2878px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-9150327763026011942015-03-09T04:35:00.001-07:002015-08-30T18:59:33.175-07:00Sunny Summer in the SeventiesThis is a dress of my childhood, a vintage pattern, sewn in fabric possibly older than it is ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzCgtaTcE_tcZC1rHQyXyu3jNnOQdH01i7sGki9cocwxgd-s2NjGV7S96K1DY_aKcoPckFOfA2CESV84av-wlYiC7ZQpEy0TgbkD3VgXnmnmtjnMG5Yk-mmq-EcjeUYtHi6vCCAEmIZo/s1600/X100s_20150308_4090Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzCgtaTcE_tcZC1rHQyXyu3jNnOQdH01i7sGki9cocwxgd-s2NjGV7S96K1DY_aKcoPckFOfA2CESV84av-wlYiC7ZQpEy0TgbkD3VgXnmnmtjnMG5Yk-mmq-EcjeUYtHi6vCCAEmIZo/s1600/X100s_20150308_4090Web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I can imagine my mum, grandmas & aunts wearing lightweight loose dresses like this during summer in the 1970's. They're not common in family photographs as most pictures were taken during celebrations when everyone was more dressed up, but I'm sure I remember dresses like these as 'house dresses'.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi_7fTnMOdNiyQ3JpQ-w8ERkdrYnBvls0NPBBPPKcWHLoktcEcA8tQUdzNhScXK-FutMNCdiqqzI6-BfN6AHOeO8cKx2bl9NmuyxRWQWiaJKjkG3RvJf0iu_CTLDvj8BqBNS3Lpl1eys/s1600/X100s_20150308_4087Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi_7fTnMOdNiyQ3JpQ-w8ERkdrYnBvls0NPBBPPKcWHLoktcEcA8tQUdzNhScXK-FutMNCdiqqzI6-BfN6AHOeO8cKx2bl9NmuyxRWQWiaJKjkG3RvJf0iu_CTLDvj8BqBNS3Lpl1eys/s1600/X100s_20150308_4087Web.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I was given this lightweight yellow cotton from my lovely MILs stash. I think it's from when they were living in the tropics in the early 1970's. It's delightfully smooth and cool to touch, however it's been maturing for a while as I couldn't picture it as anything. Then, I was browsing my shirt dress collection, the sleeves on view 2 of Style1578 circa 1976 jumped out at me and declared, "our time has come again, make us now!" So I did.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPUBZHc_a5TevJTzslWQHRy_GVKq0T4zacKYiI7nQplw_TmXQ5fWpdzt0CZY-H80EcrQPZh0lajMP1drnds5WcGvysut1XfIOBEfN6UQWT2iD9-G7Ysv80UuGlQOLiFCKoMrf2I6uJls/s1600/vintage+pattern+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPUBZHc_a5TevJTzslWQHRy_GVKq0T4zacKYiI7nQplw_TmXQ5fWpdzt0CZY-H80EcrQPZh0lajMP1drnds5WcGvysut1XfIOBEfN6UQWT2iD9-G7Ysv80UuGlQOLiFCKoMrf2I6uJls/s1600/vintage+pattern+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made View 2 sleeveless, size 12, 34" bust</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>I wore this to a family birthday (it was summer and 40C) and mum took one look & knew the era I was unashamedly revisiting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhuYHWIYdMoaqft4uUXI8pgLRdzB7xhskRFLwdJUbv2W5q2fRztBaE-PVmI5Wu-rRh-8o6kSub3PNrkhyphenhyphen2IawGmsUpbrU283i8iO5ToQynim5zzflvIxERka2xLz1oyRF0Fpz__AQU0c/s1600/DSC01402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhuYHWIYdMoaqft4uUXI8pgLRdzB7xhskRFLwdJUbv2W5q2fRztBaE-PVmI5Wu-rRh-8o6kSub3PNrkhyphenhyphen2IawGmsUpbrU283i8iO5ToQynim5zzflvIxERka2xLz1oyRF0Fpz__AQU0c/s1600/DSC01402.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The collar in its full 1976 glory</td></tr>
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I did make a concession to current fashion by not including the 70's winged collar. Don't get me wrong, I only narrowed it 2cm before attaching it & polling IG - well, ok, I'd already researched 1940's collars & minimised one side before putting a pic up. I do love the 70's but I can't quite carry off the collar, not even in a print of the era.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJhQx7EeQ34lH3Rn3m9KQMzY3MF003mt8GHSpqOSI7bEM_dU1QWxMLXgg0gaGWPb2IXhlZZ990-1K7Pkh4gcBkzZugi4w5nCqgVUEpOSPvcdiX888KJ6nJ0gStoOk5ndc0lREPVutU-M/s1600/DSC01399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJhQx7EeQ34lH3Rn3m9KQMzY3MF003mt8GHSpqOSI7bEM_dU1QWxMLXgg0gaGWPb2IXhlZZ990-1K7Pkh4gcBkzZugi4w5nCqgVUEpOSPvcdiX888KJ6nJ0gStoOk5ndc0lREPVutU-M/s1600/DSC01399.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basted and pinned to check for fit</td></tr>
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This shirtdress has a yoke rather than shoulder seams and I wasn't sure how I should adjust it for my forward shoulders, so I didn't. I could have taken some width out of the bodice front, the gathers aren't quite right. And that 70's collar hid them better...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdG7NKlkMLIc1Lqx3qL7SBlqCWfqBwImxTySf1US5MhhxoVjMMbEG0bBaqzoJusLBIgTCyEzdSXAprhDFEy7pc5qOjDhoUxOn3pH1wfwBL6IN9sl66xpTtQpfaPlptBWcdf_3hoZm1tA/s1600/X100s_20150308_4102Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdG7NKlkMLIc1Lqx3qL7SBlqCWfqBwImxTySf1US5MhhxoVjMMbEG0bBaqzoJusLBIgTCyEzdSXAprhDFEy7pc5qOjDhoUxOn3pH1wfwBL6IN9sl66xpTtQpfaPlptBWcdf_3hoZm1tA/s1600/X100s_20150308_4102Web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I do love a single sized pattern for the it's clarity and beauty, this dress is size 12 for a 34" 87cm bust, 26 1/2" 67cm waist and 36" 92cm hips. I widened the CB by 2cm for the first 17cm under the back yoke, and again from 52cm for my hips.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3_CV_NJ_zyp0JRcLYzzLXnh0LrgmP-YW7kn7vHiw97pFQ7p0qC_MDAZhaIHaKn6w0wUvo4dsXHtwQYYfxIwq1wVHswCg23vOE2JNkeW9Q7uUn7CpgOi_RYOfAFHHb5Iyy9GOOt3UZQE/s1600/vintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3_CV_NJ_zyp0JRcLYzzLXnh0LrgmP-YW7kn7vHiw97pFQ7p0qC_MDAZhaIHaKn6w0wUvo4dsXHtwQYYfxIwq1wVHswCg23vOE2JNkeW9Q7uUn7CpgOi_RYOfAFHHb5Iyy9GOOt3UZQE/s1600/vintage.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a detail of the sleeves; <br />
I love the simplicity of the vintage single size pattern with its marked stitching line, anatomical and cutting details</td></tr>
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I also dropped the side seam pockets down 15cm to sit where they are most comfortable, and as they're making no effort to be inconspicuous with their top stitching, I increased their size as well. They're good pockets and very handy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XrwiEOqHjqI833xsJotM5ofwm4KHARfqRynLEUcG5NqOrCgAXIeBfKE6g-p_Qo1vHh1XhcNchx1IsljWanAu9YMlI4AvM-Z_V35dAo1lsRnBkUSSz1Jjij4VldwLCUaKQWEDOZRuLE4/s1600/DSC01419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XrwiEOqHjqI833xsJotM5ofwm4KHARfqRynLEUcG5NqOrCgAXIeBfKE6g-p_Qo1vHh1XhcNchx1IsljWanAu9YMlI4AvM-Z_V35dAo1lsRnBkUSSz1Jjij4VldwLCUaKQWEDOZRuLE4/s1600/DSC01419.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original pocket pattern piece, my extended piece, and at the top, the new placement</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also love vintage patterns for their illustrated instructions. Lots of basting.</td></tr>
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I took great delight in putting the buttons & buttonholes just where I wanted them. I also deliberately chose to place my buttonholes in the horizontal axis. I know there's often debate about strain and vertical versus horizontal buttonholes - I believe the conclusion is that horizontal are for coats, while are vertical for shirts as shirts are tucked in. I don't tuck shirts or shirt dresses in, so there's little vertical pulling, which allows me to choose horizontal placement.<br />
I also like horizontal as it gives me a smidge more stretch between different bras without gaping, and I dislike the bulge of strained vertical buttonholes.<br />
And in the instructions for this 1976 shirtdress pattern? it opts for horizontal "worked or machine" buttonholes as well ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnU0lMx9OYrtVlS0P5hKCbhKfW-30f3jVrzNHC9vIhrJUGBaATe-TTFs_SDyP9jiPUr_PfCP605MPx2bkWa_1-XuUCo0X6ZVJrbj-VmQs9cpYUFipA53h7tlNHogUJNOgeSRoMUiRustk/s1600/X100s_20150308_4086Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnU0lMx9OYrtVlS0P5hKCbhKfW-30f3jVrzNHC9vIhrJUGBaATe-TTFs_SDyP9jiPUr_PfCP605MPx2bkWa_1-XuUCo0X6ZVJrbj-VmQs9cpYUFipA53h7tlNHogUJNOgeSRoMUiRustk/s1600/X100s_20150308_4086Web.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The just-above knee hem transformed this from 'frumpy summer sack' to 'cute summer vintage dress' and it's a great length for ease of wear. The big, double folded 70's hem gives a nice weight too. - Jillian, I like a 38" length!<br />
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The front button placket is folded in three, mainly as I used the selvage and preferred to fold it twice rather than cut it off & finish the edges.<br />
My buttonholer preferred the three layers too ;)<br />
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I do love Japanese Pattern Books and Magazines, and I have quite the collection...<br />
So, joining the <a href="http://tanoshii-schneidern.blogspot.com.au/">Second Japan Sew Along over at Tanoshii</a> seems a natural fit ;)<br />
This post covers the first 3 weeks. I've been following along and chatting on Instagram, being inspired by the community's discussions and progress to date.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HfCMTHefmCfl8tEXFOlnEj8BfMNyAqrzva8B49wX43swCZ4ZCCH6y2Kh3WGLYRl75Bxq9e1ydG-UibOqK0qh4I4AiP-95TfGCftp0qtdDKskX3yJ8Rnd4ur7ZWU5i8rYCXQOzE1Kc2M/s1600/X100s_20150208_4052Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HfCMTHefmCfl8tEXFOlnEj8BfMNyAqrzva8B49wX43swCZ4ZCCH6y2Kh3WGLYRl75Bxq9e1ydG-UibOqK0qh4I4AiP-95TfGCftp0qtdDKskX3yJ8Rnd4ur7ZWU5i8rYCXQOzE1Kc2M/s1600/X100s_20150208_4052Web.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basic Black semifitted shirt bodice as a top</td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-small;">Japan Sew Along, schedule (january 26 – march 9, 2015)</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">The weekly meetings of the sew along will take place on Monday when I will publish my article here on <a href="http://xn--tanoshii-bq3dla./">„Tanoshii“.</a> </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><u><span lang="EN-US">Montag, january 26, 2015</span></u></i></b></span></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-small;"> Do you already have experiences with japanese sewing patterns, or is it the first time you are stepping into this field? Do you already have concrete plans, or are you still looking for inspiration? --- For all those who live in the northern hemisphere: What are your ideas for styling the light blouses and tunics to make them wearable in winter?</span></i></div>
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A photo posted by Nic (@maci_nic) on <time datetime="2015-02-02T00:52:29+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 1, 2015 at 4:52pm PST</time></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><i><u><span style="font-size: x-small;">Montag, february 2, 2015 </span></u></i></b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">Which pattern did you chose? </i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span lang="EN-US">Do you already know which fabric to use for it?</span></i></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22px;">I have many Japanese pattern books/magazines, mainly as I adore browsing through them for inspiration. I'm definitely most inspired by the more unusual designs, I adore the Drape Drape series by Hikato Sato and Shape Shape by Natsuno Hiraiwa. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22px;">I'm quite happy that I fit into the L/XL sizing of many of them. I did make my 2nd DD2#4 with the stretch running lengthwise and it required an additional 4cm of ease over my hips, so I'd say it's really drafted for hips of 38". </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><u>Montag, february 9, 2015 </u></i></b></span></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">The pattern is prepared. Are you planning alterations? </span></i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-small;">Do you already have the fabrics? Will it be necessary to make a muslin, or are you brave and cut “good” fabric?</span></i></div>
<span style="line-height: 22px;">To 'cleanse my palate' and remind myself why I adore Japanese sewing patterns, I made a quick DD2#4, <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/its-simple-things-in-life-dd24-3.html">my fourth version </a>of this pattern, and it was as delightful as my <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/sewing-from-japanese-pattern-books.html">previous versions</a>.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22px;">The grey striped fabric is so wonderfully soft, although those stripes have no relationship to the grain of the fabric in any way.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 22px;">I also used the semi-fitted bodice (K) from BasicBlack, which <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/search/label/BasicBlack">I've previously made up as a cotton shirt</a>, to make a 3/4 sleeve top in a stable cotton knit to check my fit. This is the size M bust (cut on a CF fold), graded out to XL at the waist & hips, with the darts unsewn.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The book is the Octonauts and the Sea of Shades, it matches my top!</td></tr>
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Both of these books are in English in my library, so I felt it would be prudent to revisit them before I tackled a pattern from one of my Japanese only books.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very familiar pattern piece ;) DD2#4</td></tr>
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I'm still undecided about which pattern I will choose next (does that take me back to Feb 2nd?)<br />
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#1: As it is finally warm here, I have thought about making Top a/1 from Shape Shape 1, in a divine blue Liberty that I've been procrastinating about sewing with. The attached contrast scarf will be in a well loved silk that is worthy of the Liberty.<br />
I'll use my Basic Black bodice overlaid on the Shape Shape #1 #1 top to confirm that the top will fit me and then cut it out.<br />
If I choose to also make a top from 'she has a mannish style' or 'I am cute dress book' (yes, I like #21 'I am shift into tunic'), I will use the same method of checking for pattern ease before cutting my fabric.<br />
Option #2 is #11 'square cut and sewn' from 'she has a mannish style' and I think there will be several versions of this sewn during this Sew Along. I have a Japanese cotton (very stable) knit earmarked for a light summery top.<br />
And #3 is from Drape Drape 1, top 12 'drawstring detail drape top'. I cut this out in a very stretchy knit at Sewaway last year and it was ridiculously large. I've tissue fitted the pattern and removed 2" of ease from each side seam and have a gorgeous reversible striped knit that is looking for a pattern to showcase both sides.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and one day I'll score a photo shoot without strong wind... one day...</td></tr>
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....more to come in a few Mondays... or on march 9 ;)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><u>Montag, february 16, 2015</u></i></b></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Have you started already? </i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Would you like to share your first experiences with the pattern and the fit?</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><u>Montag, february 23, 2015</u></i></b></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Current state I: Is your first project ready? </i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Are you planning another one? Or are you stuck and need some help and advice? </span>Do you like your garment and its fit? Or does it need alterations? </i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Are you satisfied with the fabric and pattern size you chose? How are you going to style and wear it? Will you need shirt/jacket/pants to combine?</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><i><u><span lang="EN-US">Montag, march 2, 2015</span></u></i></b><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span lang="EN-US"> Current state II: Share your progress! Do you like it more after making some alterations? --- Or did you sew another piece?</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><i><u>Montag, march 9, 2015</u></i></b><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span lang="EN-US"> Finale and conclusion: More japanese sewing?</span></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFEM-td1PWwL4jKS6CF-wsI9vG3TPvPV5nMxr6WZeXH3oAJGnDk6FHokMqWDYw0sHMcSL8lBxtyPCcgIaZ2Ke-TgCCNf7B-NEzbVQLccXQMroqAsBNzN8Wab0wjsBaTaTYqg4rWfw97Q/s1600/X100s_20150208_4069Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFEM-td1PWwL4jKS6CF-wsI9vG3TPvPV5nMxr6WZeXH3oAJGnDk6FHokMqWDYw0sHMcSL8lBxtyPCcgIaZ2Ke-TgCCNf7B-NEzbVQLccXQMroqAsBNzN8Wab0wjsBaTaTYqg4rWfw97Q/s1600/X100s_20150208_4069Web.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-small;">Some remarks for those who share their sewing projects on Instagram: Please use the hashtag #2015jsa so we can all find your contributions and tag <a href="http://instagram.com/stoffbuero" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">@stoffbuero</a> so I don’t miss any! Thanks!</span></i><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-43767462457251972872015-02-05T18:39:00.000-08:002015-08-30T19:00:50.417-07:00Jungle January 2015 - V1347 Rucci PJs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqNWfWetymZXW1oMsyz513nBYtVIXWdw4KR-WE0uNMLQ3kDGulRz-20wGO3D7IfijKxyrRTwQkbBcTi13yX95FOywE_4fbm13txofkw14FOfUSyNiFhI6WQ1okiDHbfJJKMJKp1WUbq8/s1600/DSC01384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqNWfWetymZXW1oMsyz513nBYtVIXWdw4KR-WE0uNMLQ3kDGulRz-20wGO3D7IfijKxyrRTwQkbBcTi13yX95FOywE_4fbm13txofkw14FOfUSyNiFhI6WQ1okiDHbfJJKMJKp1WUbq8/s1600/DSC01384.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
It's Jungle January again over at <a href="http://prttynpnk.com/category/jungle-january-2/">Safari central</a>!<br />
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Last year I sewed up my <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/its-jungle-out-there-in-water.html">snow leopard-ish surf top</a> and this year I was so busy frolicking on my Tiki beach that I completely forgot!<br />
Hmm.. or did I...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I went on a delightful safari, past the hippo's and into a pineapple grove where I donned the native vegetation for a hike amongst some towering palms and all the ingredients for a divine cocktail.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Feeling a little 'glow' (horses sweat, men perspire, ladies glow) I dived into the silver waves and basked among the pink sails until a lovely native lass brought me more drinks in coconuts and showed me to my beach hut where I could retire for a little siesta...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Clearly I needed something appropriate for my rest, so I whipped up this delightful pair of rayon PJs, Rucci of course, inspired by the tiny owls I could see fluttering around.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It was a tad chilly when I woke to find my hut gone and the stars twinkling overhead, so I grabbed the nearest furry thing I could find, kindly left by one of my jungle friends, and donned a top that they'd all clearly autographed, then dashed for home.</i></span></div>
All photographic evidence was on film that didn't survive the experience, so here's my sole pic ...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbHrOAlUmut-H6XBSanYJkfXxFHDNGqorOH4vhIH8GbnjWRQBN2QgAIYqgDaJdT_WeR-MYLa75PS0wMmtOiN14FWxMX1eOrOKoJmRH4ewPEofYtc-Igjeaqs4aIoxcUwbMHqXXvEJgyQ/s1600/DSC01393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbHrOAlUmut-H6XBSanYJkfXxFHDNGqorOH4vhIH8GbnjWRQBN2QgAIYqgDaJdT_WeR-MYLa75PS0wMmtOiN14FWxMX1eOrOKoJmRH4ewPEofYtc-Igjeaqs4aIoxcUwbMHqXXvEJgyQ/s1600/DSC01393.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/culottes-theyre-back.html">Pineapple Culottes</a>, <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/swimming-into-2015-with-tiki-tankini.html">Tiki Tankini</a>, Rucci Owl PJ bottoms, Basic Black Shadow print top, Furry wrap.<br />
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<a href="http://prttynpnk.com/2015/02/06/meanwhile-back-at-the-safari-base/">Thanks Anne for another magnificent Jungle January!</a></div>
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Owl Rayon, Furry wrap backing and Shadow top fabric all from Darn Cheap fabrics (<a href="http://www.darncheapfabrics.com.au/">DCF</a>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-_cuGcw5UWcsi1zhnRCHjVQvaJuA5fAHKwNZGqTzrRVV_5UWfJgGBuh0eN5noxd4Bt47BNDsFGsqc-fDAHr9Ejko65ixOBIUh0vFACKcKf8MUtbueAj_HhdKG5B-LBOQXsj-gCBWdJ8/s1600/DSC01367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-_cuGcw5UWcsi1zhnRCHjVQvaJuA5fAHKwNZGqTzrRVV_5UWfJgGBuh0eN5noxd4Bt47BNDsFGsqc-fDAHr9Ejko65ixOBIUh0vFACKcKf8MUtbueAj_HhdKG5B-LBOQXsj-gCBWdJ8/s1600/DSC01367.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
Pattern <a href="http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1347-products-44841.php?page_id=315">V1347 by Ralph Rucci</a>, size 16 modified: PJs, so I didn't line them or add the zipped fly. They're shortened by 10cm and have 1 inch hems. My pattern only goes to size 14, so they're sized up from there. Apart from being deliciously comfortable & soft rayon PJs, with pockets (v.important!), they were a muslin for my geometric purple silk - the jury's still out on which pattern I'll use for it.<br />
I finished the waist with elastic and ribbon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zbgHORmIbqdabSa2DrPofGXtCBh0_5706qU3SFn1_8gTZ0XjlkhychR-x_fLyZHzJoNWxVJLeAqjHVyK_a1DYZF9COSxBftuchMQgRe2Vu4X1yBt-nkJmTHR8UUCntzUEz7L6yXGEDc/s1600/DSC01369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zbgHORmIbqdabSa2DrPofGXtCBh0_5706qU3SFn1_8gTZ0XjlkhychR-x_fLyZHzJoNWxVJLeAqjHVyK_a1DYZF9COSxBftuchMQgRe2Vu4X1yBt-nkJmTHR8UUCntzUEz7L6yXGEDc/s1600/DSC01369.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pockets in the forward side seam, not on my hip.</td></tr>
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I was hoping for a 1920's or 1930's beachwear feel to<a href="http://gjeometry.com/2013/06/04/great-gatsby-make-the-cats-pajamas-one-giant-leap-for-womankind/"> my 'cats' pyjamas' (Thanks Catja)</a> and they are so soft and swishy to wear, completely different to the linen image on the pattern envelope. I do enjoy wearing them, although as DH remarked, they are 'quite wide' and I'm not sure that I have the height to wear them well. Don't be surprised if an 'out of the house' version appears at some stage :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I've made a Rucci sarong & now PJs.... not sure if it's his vision..</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnEZu0ndzFJFWKXkqYxyjE3sFCOSYNC_HG1RWVRXzVRfNyLijWGMpTXEL_YXies-HyRNw83GB6T9TMgPvbdLjepvgZC5r5SLeg3idvNxqPHP9LMA6XrxavA1DdhS3-i7E3B1xoo_jLRE/s1600/DSC01390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnEZu0ndzFJFWKXkqYxyjE3sFCOSYNC_HG1RWVRXzVRfNyLijWGMpTXEL_YXies-HyRNw83GB6T9TMgPvbdLjepvgZC5r5SLeg3idvNxqPHP9LMA6XrxavA1DdhS3-i7E3B1xoo_jLRE/s1600/DSC01390.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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My furry wrap is a 150x40cm rectangular piece of faux fur (so, so, so soft!) from a Clegs remnant sale, finally backed with a random textured fabric from DCF with ties. Pattern inspiration is from the Alabama Chanin knit wrap (<a href="http://alabamachanin.com/alabama-studio-sewing--design">in Alabama Studio Sewing + Design</a>)MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-13393494097107381242015-01-18T15:44:00.000-08:002015-08-30T19:01:10.568-07:00Swimming into 2015 with a Tiki Tankini (Mary & M6623)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9HWQRHFNENjoguRdJoyOlCQjIunllsZmZYT1G4E3aCWOPMmPd_azlnqFJ9fyP8acVdUSPVns2lFcBQkG9VysDlv6bPOuIFUqdYDevdmdg8V0Gbe75znlBNIfzKRoRAnJsnruJYM_0no/s1600/Tankini+Bra.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9HWQRHFNENjoguRdJoyOlCQjIunllsZmZYT1G4E3aCWOPMmPd_azlnqFJ9fyP8acVdUSPVns2lFcBQkG9VysDlv6bPOuIFUqdYDevdmdg8V0Gbe75znlBNIfzKRoRAnJsnruJYM_0no/s1600/Tankini+Bra.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tiki beach huts on my bikini bits</td></tr>
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Swimmers, bathers, togs... An essential part of an Australian summer, but how mine have changed in the past 10 years! I've always been more of the 'can I body surf in them' view rather than the 'urgh, tan lines, be gone' view, however the blissful weeks spent bush camping in no more than a bikini, sunscreen & hat have morphed into hats, rash vests & shade, and 'will it fall down/off if a toddler tugs too hard'.<br />
<a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/its-jungle-out-there-in-water.html">This time last year I used Cake's Cabarita top</a> pattern to sew a beach top in a spongy swimming knit and it's had almost constant beach use since ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-qQ8oGVrLrzYf-H2yRvT0IieiRdXcM-pQnW4K_wutw4NoOZqKY936VLBQED6jgesT1-Z2d73HpWa-PptIS57GY7MvMxF_5m9shhRhO40HzADzGzkAHSyv_Rg-WCbbbg2FQsjMfqTQow/s1600/OlyE30_20140125_1255883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-qQ8oGVrLrzYf-H2yRvT0IieiRdXcM-pQnW4K_wutw4NoOZqKY936VLBQED6jgesT1-Z2d73HpWa-PptIS57GY7MvMxF_5m9shhRhO40HzADzGzkAHSyv_Rg-WCbbbg2FQsjMfqTQow/s1600/OlyE30_20140125_1255883.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Casual swimming times at the local indoor pool require less spf (sun protection factor) friendly attire though, so I thought I'd best add some more traditional bathers to my wardrobe.<br />
I adore last season's Seafolly collections, tankinis, malliots, oh my! and the <a href="http://www.gormanshop.com.au/collections/summer-2014/summer-14-look-13.html">current Gorman range is so much fun & seems so comfy - chip anyone</a>?<br />
I was very excited to spot some <a href="http://www.seafolly.com.au/south-pacific-soft-cup-maillot.html">Seafolly</a> fabrics at <a href="http://www.rathdownefabrics.com.au/">Rathdowne Remnants</a>! They're lighter weight than my other stashed swimming fabric (orange stripes from The Fabric Store) and the designs are perfectly me ;) The tiki is 'South Pacific' & the navy ropes are 'Coastline in Indigo'<br />
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I realised as I browsed the pattern books in Clegs that swimwear isn't a staple of the Big 4's offerings and that it's not easy to find; is it sportswear (Simplicity)? accessories? lingerie (Burda)? intimates +/- sleepwear (really Butterick)? activewear (McCalls)? costume? womenswear/misses (then swimwear, thank you KwikSew). I still failed to find any Vogue or New Look...<br />
To the indies; I have the ClosetCaseFiles Bombshell. My Bombshell remains incomplete, I don't think the ruching is for me, and the solid navy I chose isn't quite me either, so I'm not really motivated to finish it ;)<br />
In the lingerie section, I can see the vintage potential of <a href="http://www.ohhhlulu.com/2013/04/five-new-patterns.html">OhhLouLou's Bambi</a> bra & <a href="http://www.measuretwicecutonce.com.au/product/the-mary-knickers/">MeasureTwiceCutOnce's Mary knickers</a>.<br />
To the pattern stash I went... Classics, all.<br />
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So I made a bikini, from my lingerie patterns.<br />
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The Mary bottoms are awesome, they're proper boy leg hipsters, stay put & are comfy. They've had almost constant wear since their first surf outing in December.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with my messy tilted pelvis/booty hack; it works though as the waist sits straight when on.</td></tr>
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I did have to add a 7cm CB height adjustment as a 'booty' fix and that works for me, I cut the size 14 & used 6mm seam allowances on my overlocker, reinforced with a narrow zigzag just inside the overlocked stitches.<br />
I sacrificed the Bambi bra strap for the Mary hack, so the top doesn't exist anymore as it needed tweaking anyway ;)<br />
I ventured into the treasure cave that is <a href="http://www.trimnrem.com.au/">Trimmings 'n' Remnants</a> for swimming bra cups, lining & elastic. There are crates of bra cups and my only hint to the next adventurer is to remember that holding each likely suspect up to check the fit while wearing a bra, is perhaps, not so helpful...<br />
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I brought 3 pairs home, all different shapes, and the ones that worked best when braless, were my 3rd choice...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSA0SHortlJ_PCH3iXoFyaA5MT4QkM0TQE5h_wE1RL1aICr3MIZ2kVuTqckdrOLSib5Z9UV-OmhX7vpg55OYaVyyiWhe92kJlDQ_MHE7nqNfw5frdrjOIvV2WEYg3YoAFSstwIB0ynVw4/s1600/BraCupSwim12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSA0SHortlJ_PCH3iXoFyaA5MT4QkM0TQE5h_wE1RL1aICr3MIZ2kVuTqckdrOLSib5Z9UV-OmhX7vpg55OYaVyyiWhe92kJlDQ_MHE7nqNfw5frdrjOIvV2WEYg3YoAFSstwIB0ynVw4/s1600/BraCupSwim12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cup stitched to lining, then sandwiched between lining & outer</td></tr>
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So, with my Mary knickers extended 10cm to sit on my waist, a feature that is invisible when worn as a set, yet looks cute as a retro bikini and has added tummy coverage for boogie boards, I chose a tankini pattern. Meet <a href="http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/McCall's_6623">McCall's 6623</a>, a Carefree <span style="font-size: xx-small;">TM</span> pattern, released in 1979.<br />
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I chose view A, adding the bra cups & widening the straps to a finished width of 2cm. My straps were 48cm long.</div>
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I sewed a size 14 (36" bust), narrowed the pattern at CB (by 6cm!) after a muslin of lining, & took the underarm seams in 2cm on each side after basting the side seams. I think swimwear fabric is a lot more stretchable now ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeT0s6f5tYdYgUjDzLJY5f7hQHucG8EbWbpN7Iy6Buv8wurg2vhR5ygw1cSWJw8B_62K4-GbIkEdSUBDjZt1hdTgj6eUk_e8LMKJ2tRfKn4ZmfMX9la8inKP-DteIAO8_yMwicd892nk/s1600/DSC_000001_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipeT0s6f5tYdYgUjDzLJY5f7hQHucG8EbWbpN7Iy6Buv8wurg2vhR5ygw1cSWJw8B_62K4-GbIkEdSUBDjZt1hdTgj6eUk_e8LMKJ2tRfKn4ZmfMX9la8inKP-DteIAO8_yMwicd892nk/s1600/DSC_000001_4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pattern placement was a hoot!! Ignore the pointy Mary waist, it wasn't required.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Construction was straightforward with both patterns' instructions. My only hiccup came at the 11th hour when, being over confident, I was finishing my seams on the overlocker and sliced off the bottom corner of the left bodice triangle, sigh... Required re-doing of the twin needle topstitching as well as a tuck to reattach bodice to front - sigh..</span><br />
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I initially toyed with fully lining the suit, however I followed both patterns' instructions & only the bra cups & crotch are lined.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">For my next pair of vintage high waist bottoms, I'll use a top waistband in the style of the tankini straps. I may still add one to these, however they sit smoother under the tankini without it. I've got enough fabric to make the Bambi top for a 'proper' vintage styled bikini, however I'm more tempted to make an updated 'rash vest' for the rest of this summer ;)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Just focus on the glorious beach at low tide</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes, it was very windy, blissful otherwise.<br />
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With my swimsuit fabric being 150cm wide, I can make a pair of high waisted bikinis, or a tankini with hipster bottoms from 60cm (depending on the pattern matching desired). This full tankini set took 1.1m. Less fabric is necessary for hipster Mary's with the Bambi bra.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuMu9m1x_Gm1UJUvxjrxExAyiRZ39Ngt00cwjdB7jDiWyjCGdOmHHAYm2zJ5CUJbI-iYledyOmuv7TWAQjXKhowVdf75RQYBCijgVTWdO9R01fRZ89mQIQ42a_ph8ExZ-OC3AVybog98/s1600/tikini+layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuMu9m1x_Gm1UJUvxjrxExAyiRZ39Ngt00cwjdB7jDiWyjCGdOmHHAYm2zJ5CUJbI-iYledyOmuv7TWAQjXKhowVdf75RQYBCijgVTWdO9R01fRZ89mQIQ42a_ph8ExZ-OC3AVybog98/s1600/tikini+layout.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layout: ignore the dodgy perspective & focus ;)</td></tr>
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MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-53948889425864544302015-01-06T03:10:00.000-08:002015-01-18T15:49:16.684-08:00Culottes - they're back.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love culottes, in all of their 70's, late 80's and early 90's magnificence. I really didn't think I'd live to see fashion turn around to notice them again, however since the decades I remember were simply reinterpreting the 30's and 40's, it's really of no surprise that they're baaack!<br />
Leading the culottes revival are the gorgeous <a href="http://lilysageandco.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/denim-culottes.html">Debbie</a> at <a href="http://lilysageandco.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/japanese-corduroy-culottes.html">Lily Sage & Co</a> and eternally stylish <a href="http://kbfield.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/finished-pineapples-are-so-hot-right.html">Kirsty B</a> at <a href="http://kbfield.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/finished-girl-friday-anna-and-boy-silk.html">Top Notch</a> who have both inspired me with every version that they've made.<br />
I can add Jillian of <a href="http://www.sewunravelled.com/2014/12/sewn-curious-case-of-covetted-culottes.html">Sew Unravelled</a> to that list now as well - I adore hers!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEd1F0AkyIFlxtI7YtHjCs-jmZkPBX6HxSMgXLah9JlIESQeDbiw_brX30ei0_NKur0cJFK5hlDTY0TVf3y8ywLRQZTWdKSkHuzOyBlaw5UFL6VkMerZyKEr3EarfS-GwOmBN3XJKIvM/s1600/DSC00902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEd1F0AkyIFlxtI7YtHjCs-jmZkPBX6HxSMgXLah9JlIESQeDbiw_brX30ei0_NKur0cJFK5hlDTY0TVf3y8ywLRQZTWdKSkHuzOyBlaw5UFL6VkMerZyKEr3EarfS-GwOmBN3XJKIvM/s1600/DSC00902.jpg" height="640" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Definitely Culottes.</td></tr>
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<br />
<a name='more'></a>I love a girly silhouette, maxi dresses definitely for the win, however my history of climbing all trees/random vertical surfaces and then sitting cross legged on the floor, does limit the practicality of many skirts.<br />
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In my professional life, I've worn pencil skirts and maxis (not so practical), daft fitted dresses (let's just not go there again, although the pockets were a good thing), tailored trousers with collared shirts (I can't shake the sensation that I'm styling myself after security guards), PJs (seriously, I just can't be comfortable in a drawstring waist), I even led a petition for tailored shorts (in 1994). However my absolute favourite, and the style I chose when I have a choice, is culottes (well, ok, I'm very partial to a skort too).<br />
I met my DH while wearing culottes and short or long, tailored or full, I wore them all.<br />
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I have some fabulous time-capsuled culotte patterns - These ones from Chloe even have buttoned sides... I sent a pattern overseas when Sew Grateful week was on, I so love the style and was convinced that the rest of the world must too...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjGu50LZPL2EnTvQBzreWolsH4i5zsRC1kqGNETK9lsHeIGJMRCh_aI5iu2paIN78pG0PeKMw74z2y060PTbkmDuJM5lUa1sj8PQNDPAOErRkLllTvJKStYOIWAuSiFke-SP2OrqqcDM/s1600/Culotte+patterns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifjGu50LZPL2EnTvQBzreWolsH4i5zsRC1kqGNETK9lsHeIGJMRCh_aI5iu2paIN78pG0PeKMw74z2y060PTbkmDuJM5lUa1sj8PQNDPAOErRkLllTvJKStYOIWAuSiFke-SP2OrqqcDM/s1600/Culotte+patterns.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorman inspiration, V2675 Carol Horn, V2855 Chloe, S9787 view 1 blue</td></tr>
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So, being so spoilt for choice, which pattern did I settle on for my first pair of me-sewn culottes.?..?...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWQGhmws_D34r0SAw8v2FcIa4lhyphenhyphenFRhsfChndBS9D5KTz_oxuMgoEpnXbPRuSPuFJvyBR7-9kTUqboIXfW5PHb4CKz0b4WpQ8I-7aRdYCaTM2gQzv9n0RJyxwrgDPUTeB0k7Oe-kSloY/s1600/DSC_0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWQGhmws_D34r0SAw8v2FcIa4lhyphenhyphenFRhsfChndBS9D5KTz_oxuMgoEpnXbPRuSPuFJvyBR7-9kTUqboIXfW5PHb4CKz0b4WpQ8I-7aRdYCaTM2gQzv9n0RJyxwrgDPUTeB0k7Oe-kSloY/s1600/DSC_0248.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vogue 2675 circa 1982</td></tr>
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I used my Vogue 2675 to cut the front and back as they fitted on my fabric and I prefer the tailored rear and full front. I then realised that my dislike for gathered or pleated skirts extends to gathered or pleated culottes (derrr...), so I converted them to box pleats in the style of the <a href="http://oliverands.com/community/blog/2014/09/introducing-the-liesl-co-girl-friday-culottes.html">Girl Friday Culotte by Liesl&Co</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZElxQ1hyphenhyphen_rMUsSlxdqpQQGTCc8esZ6SdegZWFxI8JupS3ErxmTvcH_qmIY4RKaGoBYg_7Rtp7Xum-8B6C3YHe4LYFGLlAuZGOHzRFLgCJCx8eLjtLG6ZgZw0amWdj5QAMiXQNTA6KucM/s1600/DSC00915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZElxQ1hyphenhyphen_rMUsSlxdqpQQGTCc8esZ6SdegZWFxI8JupS3ErxmTvcH_qmIY4RKaGoBYg_7Rtp7Xum-8B6C3YHe4LYFGLlAuZGOHzRFLgCJCx8eLjtLG6ZgZw0amWdj5QAMiXQNTA6KucM/s1600/DSC00915.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They have volume, perfect for sitting cross legged ;)</td></tr>
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Then I examined the pattern envelope of the Simplicity and sewed the pleats down as done in view 1, the blue version.... Both (ok, all 3) of my vintage patterns have a side pocket opening that isn't actually closed with a zip, just at the waistband. I then bought the Girl Friday pattern to see this side pocket zip magic (I admit to being too lazy to search Threads online for the tutorial), and ended up using a lapped zip & omitting the left pocket anyway... This wasn't due to the instructions - I'd chosen a co-ordinating yet contrasting lightweight cotton for the pockets & it was far too visible - if I'd made the pockets from the pineapple fabric, they would be much more hidden in this busy print.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0OcC9uvPFwWfgPn-O_WFyhDysZFmpRSGvZJmLPccQ2TuHD9rZpo4rXdL-TH7WEWaCPSM69fe3ggIt4JFX-UUVG6YnLlVqdLPRILUl2lh7VLwtO84opoy7WKuVQVtuv-jKYvGrBld0sY/s1600/Pineapple+culotte+inside+rough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0OcC9uvPFwWfgPn-O_WFyhDysZFmpRSGvZJmLPccQ2TuHD9rZpo4rXdL-TH7WEWaCPSM69fe3ggIt4JFX-UUVG6YnLlVqdLPRILUl2lh7VLwtO84opoy7WKuVQVtuv-jKYvGrBld0sY/s1600/Pineapple+culotte+inside+rough.jpg" height="161" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The difference in width between the back and front of each leg</td></tr>
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You can hide small puppies in my right pocket though...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCh-tRxX8JHTgM5InymTKoofb3HcyzCJDlXjvmSk0hxhSgONfR-21bTegAGVPJt0ZXRrW0BK4n_y2LLtKZscVIEq4THxJZ7Djg4UdxKDICLbKrxe4GDdAZdK5fzGf9jWms0pqAXMwSQ4/s1600/DSC_0252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCh-tRxX8JHTgM5InymTKoofb3HcyzCJDlXjvmSk0hxhSgONfR-21bTegAGVPJt0ZXRrW0BK4n_y2LLtKZscVIEq4THxJZ7Djg4UdxKDICLbKrxe4GDdAZdK5fzGf9jWms0pqAXMwSQ4/s1600/DSC_0252.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">playing with pleating #yespineapplesareathing</td></tr>
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Oh, and has anyone mentioned that <a href="http://square-pics.com/t/pineapplesaresohotrightnow">#PineapplesAreSoHotRightNow</a>? yes, this is the now infamous pineapple linen from <a href="http://www.darncheapfabrics.com.au/">DarnCheapFabrics</a>. I resisted buying any when Kirsty bought hers, then found myself back in DCF a week or so later & bought 1.5m thinking a pair of shorts for summer would be fun - well, there's a lot of fabric in 1.5m of 150cm and the pattern pieces fitted.... so culottes it was ;)<br />
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<br />MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7992719705821442384.post-58058891434104779682014-11-30T00:44:00.000-08:002015-01-06T03:32:17.331-08:00Ying Yang Phillippa Phillip: Mixing it up top<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZAb2Q9drSrs8WOusyMQDQAvAgd3fAN9lQ29vNeY-KpCmiN2LRS4mITodGApSrAPzWM5rcly63dzajITeh7ksR_bZ32AuCVIf9g8iFt9okt7jul5pJXUP6gNAC8pScG6DvQhizOffJ5o/s1600/X100s_20141116_3791Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZAb2Q9drSrs8WOusyMQDQAvAgd3fAN9lQ29vNeY-KpCmiN2LRS4mITodGApSrAPzWM5rcly63dzajITeh7ksR_bZ32AuCVIf9g8iFt9okt7jul5pJXUP6gNAC8pScG6DvQhizOffJ5o/s1600/X100s_20141116_3791Web.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
A little while ago I joined Helen <a href="http://funkbunnysgarden.blogspot.com.au/">Funkbunny</a> on an adventure into town. We visited the history filled <a href="http://www.phillipsshirts.com.au/heritage/">Phillips Shirtmakers</a> - a working factory, still sewing shirts, hidden upstairs in the middle of Melbourne's CBD. It was fascinating!<br />
I was completely overwhelmed by the bolts of dead stock shirting available - it was their first fabric sale in their 60 years of manufacture - and limited myself to filling a bag (well, ok, 2) with scraps for $5.<br />
Among my treasures are some decent little lengths, some vintage Liberty scraps, and 5 left sleeve plackets...<br />
One of my favourite scraps was a navy floral cotton, so light and soft. I didn't have enough to make a top, so I paired it with two rectangular shaped scraps in a more masculine striped shirting - and made a cute little summer tank top.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The pattern is reminiscent of Tessuti's newly released <a href="http://www.tessuti-shop.com/collections/digital-download-pattern-tops/products/ruby-dress-top-pattern">summer top Ruby</a> - it was quite validating to see Ruby pop up in my reader just after I'd finished this, it's such a fun shape to wear.<br />
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Mine is my sleeveless block from my <a href="http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/everyone-needs-lbd.html">black lace dress</a> with the front darts unsewn and extended in an A-line shape as far as the fabric width allowed. I was aiming for a masculine back view, so it's two rectangles joined under a button closure and a vaguely shirt tailed hem.<br />
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And Phillips? They're having their second sale this weekend - have fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6k_Sv2KEy3JukfHY8PRMutZFYqLO8tuhAI0luCkQ2VebtB-KQJOhWLXteT3LDBkpQQGHxbn77giIQto5IF2_onnUJvUhDbVQSZzKF1zik5R3AtphL_C8Fn_HwymC5E0LfVZo4qr83Vk/s1600/X100s_20141116_3795Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6k_Sv2KEy3JukfHY8PRMutZFYqLO8tuhAI0luCkQ2VebtB-KQJOhWLXteT3LDBkpQQGHxbn77giIQto5IF2_onnUJvUhDbVQSZzKF1zik5R3AtphL_C8Fn_HwymC5E0LfVZo4qr83Vk/s1600/X100s_20141116_3795Web.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ahh, photobombers ;)</td></tr>
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If anyone is in Melbourne this week, there are a few of us heading into the <a href="http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/jeanpaulgaultier/home">Jean Paul Gaultier Exhibition</a> on Wednesday morning - simply let us know & we'll pass on specific details & be delighted to see you ;)MaciNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07165307130447217668noreply@blogger.com32