This dress was made in one day! Well, it was cut out on a Friday night, and then sewn from beginning to end on the Saturday, worn on the Sunday. It has neckline facings, French darts on the front bodice, standard darts on the back bodice, a hand picked side zipper, a 'hug snug' bound waist seam and a thread loop at the back neck also done by hand. All that aside.... LOOK AT HOW PRETTY IT IS. The fabric is a navy blue based Japanese cotton lawn from Spotlight (available here). It is a delight to wear, especially in the Australian summer. Or more specifically, the Sydney summer. We've had on and off heat waves of over 40ºC over the past few weeks. This dress is a dream in those temperatures. The high neckline is flattering and great for sun protection, same as the kimono sleeves. The tea length skirt keeps behind-the-knee sunburn at bay. Have a look at the beautiful back detail. The handmade thread loop is a delicate touch, and I was lucky enough to have a perfect green button hiding in my stash. Vogue 8811 is such a simple and stunning pattern. If it's languishing in your stash neglected and unused, then pull it out and get sewing! The only modification I made was to omit the kimono sleeve facings like I did last time. It adds extra bulk that isn't necessary. In fact, I did a narrow hem by folding up 1cm and pressing it, then folding the raw edge inside again so I have a 5mm narrow hem. It was fiddly but it's so light and delicate. I also did a small horizontal line of stitching just below the peek-a-boo keyhole at the back. It's to keep the facing down and sitting flat at the bottom of the keyhole. The neckline facings are kept in place by stitch-in-the-ditch at the shoulder seams. One more picture because the neckline is so pretty! Dress: Vogue 8811, size 12
Belt: eBay Earrings: Equip from years ago Shoes: Freelance Hair flower: Kmart
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The new year always brings new dreams of new projects. Something about last years ongoing projects gets pushed aside for the new and shiny ideas of the future. And boy, has that happened here. True-Lovers' Knots Jumper Look at how cute this jumper is! It's been fairly cold the last few Christmases here, and I believe it is high time I have a short sleeve jumper that will be suitable for 10-12ºC and mountain mist. This pattern will also work in non-Christmas seasons. My plan is for the lower half and the bows to be a gorgeous deep cherry red colour and the top to be an off white. I think I will lower the neckline slightly, perhaps only knit one row of the cream after the completion of the bows. Yarn Notes: Knit Picks Palette Yarn - Pimento and Cream One major 2018 goal is to sink my teeth into colourwork/fair isle. I have made a simple 2-colour cowl (which as gone missing) and it was pretty successful. This vest looks simple enough? I really like the peachy tones of this sample knit; will probably copy it. It looks suitable for autumn, winter and spring! Now I have more blouses in rotation, I will get a lot of wear out of a little vintage vest. Yarn Notes: Knit Picks Palette Yarn. Can't get Excelana 4ply in Australia. A peachy/beige, pale cream, deep red, mid green, grey and a tonal blue. This is mostly inspired by SquidneyKnit's version of the same jumper. It is a really simple design which would be great over work blouses or dresses in the cooler months. I think I will probably crop it and do slightly longer ribbing to make to suitably vintage. I would love to make it from a really bold colour. Something eye-catching and solid. My other plan is to make this same pattern for my Lovely. So far he as two 1940s made by m knits, both very chunky and textured. Time for something more simple. Yarn Notes: Me - Swish Worsted Yarn in Bordeaux, or perhaps a solid red. Him - Wool of the Andes Worsted in a green or solid blue. Surely I will make more than the above three patterns, but they are the ones I hope to complete this year... to complete with focus and planning. The last few years I have been doing a lot of cable and lace knitting. I feel like I have both of those skills pretty well handled. Time to move onto a new skill with the colourwork. Wish me luck! |
AuthorKnitter. Home seamstress. Dance Teacher. Archives
April 2023
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