NIKKI-SHELL

Ruffle tank

Flicking through some fashion mags on my lunch break at work last Saturday i came across a top i really like.  Of course i wouldn't be buying it so instead i sketched a drawing of it in my notebook and went home to search through my stash for something suitable.  This grey linen was perfect and there was just enough.

 

The pattern is an alteration of Colette's racer back tank which i widened and shortened at the hem.  I then added the ruffle and the neck and arm holes are bound with a self bias binding which i made using my new Clover bias maker, man that thing is good!  I want to make more variations of this for summer in different fabrics, i already have a few in Liberty prints that i'll show you later.  I'd like to add some pintucks to the front of my next linen version.

The linen i used is no longer available but there are many others to choose from in the online shop, i'm coveting this (but in the olive colourway) and this.  As for the pattern, it's not available yet but i'm sure Colette would be willing to share it if we ask her nicely :)

PS Did you notice i've gone even shorter with my hair?  I love it!  If you're looking for a hairdresser give Peter a try, you won't regret it.

Madly sewing

So i now have less than 2 weeks to go before our trip back home to the UK.  My brother tied the knot this Saturday gone at Lake Garda in Italy and i now have a new sister-in-law.  It's a shame we couldn't be there but they're having a big party when they get home which we will be there for.

So, as you may have noticed i have been sewing like mad recently.  I want to finish a few things for the trip and still have a list that is doable if i don't continue to add to it like i have been doing.  One thing added to the list was a decent sized bag to carry while traveling, something that's not too big but big enough that i can fit the essentials in and a few other bits and pieces.  I discovered after searching around and sketching ideas that i already knew of the perfect pattern, machen|machens's 'Wasp Bag'!  

 
I made this bag for my sister a few years ago which you can see here.  I'm currently on a fabric buying ban due to the fact that i just bought myself a new camera and i have a pile of unfinished projects and a good sized stash.  So i was forced to use what i have, shock horror!  It's torture going to work every day i tell you!  I do love how it turned out though, don't you?

Details

Pattern: Wasp Bag

Main Fabric: Striped cotton/elastane remnant from Tessuti Fabrics

Lining: Viscose/linen blend. Leftover fabric from my BurdaStyle book project from Tessuti Fabrics.

Notions: Metallic snap fastener and vintage buttons from the stash. 

Notes: 

• I stayed up late to sew this (ahem 2am) and discovered after i finished that i had sewn the handles on the same way instead of the petals being on opposite sides, not that it matters.
• I added a key clip inside the bag (which is part of the pattern instructions.
• I didn't add the inside pocket.  I want to make a bag organiser to fit inside instead.

Macaron makin'

I made macarons for the first time today using this recipe.  I'm impressed with how easy they were to make, even with the 'help' of 3 pairs of little hands.  The filling is rather sweet though.  I think some experimentation will be happening.

drape drape 2-dress 2...take 2

 

 

The same pattern as this one using another remnant.  I think it's viscose.

  

 

Drape Drape 2-top no.4......oh and a Burda skirt :)

I've become slightly obsessed  with this book (well ok, completely obsessed).  I've carried the thing around in my bag since i bought it, i flick through it on the train, traced patterns out during quiet times at work and it's even been my night time read on numerous occasions.  I want to make many of the patterns from it and so far have made a few.  One of the patterns i wanted to try first was top no.4, a simple t-shirt constructed from one piece of fabric and folded in a way that creates gentle drapes and alters the stripes of the fabric.

I made two identical tops because i had enough fabric to and i need more tops.

I love how the stripes change direction!  

Th skirt is another recently finished project.  I cut this out before Craft Camp in May and it sat in a pile on my desk until a few weeks ago.  It was so quick to put together, typical really.

Details

Top

• Drape Drape 2 Pattern 4
• Made in a wonderfully soft jersey from Tessuti Fabrics-no longer available (I like to buy the last of the roll!)
• Size s-m
• I didn't fold over and sew down the neck binding, just did a regular t-shirt neckline.
• I would make the neck hole smaller in my next one, it's just a little too big for my liking and was made as the pattern directed although looks bigger than the picture in the book.

Skirt

• Burda Style magazine-pattern 104
• Charcoal corduroy
• Liberty Wiltshire Tana Lawn for the waistband and pocket lining
• I made version A of the pattern but made it as long as version B (there's really only an added trim detail in difference otherwise)
• This was a great easy pattern that fits well without any alterations needing to be made and one i will use again.

These are the last photos i took on my camera which is pretty much dead now.  I've been noticing my photos becoming increasingly grainy recently and last week discovered my photos were now blank.  Luckily i now have a new camera! YAY!  So future photos will be much better and hopefully more frequent.  You know it's been a while between posts when the boss calls you at work to bust your chops about not posting!

I have two and a half weeks until our trip to the UK for my brothers wedding.   He's actually getting married this Saturday in Italy and we're going for the big knees up back home afterward.  I have some sewing to do before we leave, a party dress, some trousers and a quilt to finish hand sewing amongst other things.  The thing is though, i want to start sewing for summer!  The weather is changing, the nights are gradually getting lighter and i want to sew summer clothes for myself and my girls.  The latest issue of Burda style is fabulous, i want to make more from the Drape Drape 2 book, the new shipment of European designer fabrics is about to land in the shop, i have new Japanese kids books to sew clothes for my girls from and i can't get started on any of them.  

I wonder if they'll allow me to take my sewing machine on the plane as hand luggage?!?? 

drape drape 2-dress 2

In the last batch of Japanese books that arrived at work was the new drape drape 2 book.  I wasn't particularly taken by the first book, a lot of the garments seem too revealing for my taste.

 

My first project from the book was dress 2, this is how it looks in the book.

 

And here's my version.
 

Details

This dress was so easy to make.  The most difficult part was tracing out the pattern, only one piece, which really took no time at all.  The point of the dress (which i'm holding out in the last picture) is meant to be tucked in on itself, i seem to have pulled it out for the photo and forgot to push it back in.  It's too cold right now to wear on it's own but i think it's a good dress for layering.

I used a striped jersey remnant from Tessuti Fabrics.