Crazy dolls costume

I've been strapped to the machine this past week churning out dance costumes - comp season is only a few weeks away!

We bought the red dress for our annual concert last year, but we needed four more for this year, and of course they had sold out.  So I copied the original dress.  The bloomers and tulle petticoats are my design.

The body of the dress is a light knit fabric, the bodice, sleeves and skirt are a poly cotton gingham. I used my over locker (serger) to gather the skirt - this is SO much easier (& IMHO) much neater than pulling up a gathering stitch.

I used two rows of gathering with shirring elastic for the little ruffle on the sleeves. Just a note on this - it is best to have a separate bobbin case to use for shirring. Why you might ask? Because the elastic does something weird (stretched maybe) to the case. I know this because after doing those little ruffles my machine started leaving a loose bobbin thread. After rethreading my machine (about 10 times), changing the needle and checking everything else I made a panicked call to the machine service guy - who promptly told me I should have two bobbin cases - one for normal sewing and one for shirring! Aghhhhh! Lucky I have a backup plan - out came my daughters sewing machine! I'm still waiting for the new bobbin case to arrive - they don't come cheap down under - a nasty $75!

I used bemsilk lining for the bloomers and a stiff tulle for the petticoat.

This is Miss A at last year's concert!

Bra Making - Chapter 3

Finally!  Bra making - chapter 3 finshed (actually I finished this a couple of  weeks ago - and have just got to writing about it).

I really enjoy making these things - just wish I could get the fit right.  I took my time trying to make sure that everything was done as neatly as I can manage.  I made this bra a size bigger than my last one.  The band is now a little too big (I have to hook it onto the last hooks) but the cups are still a little too small.  The wonderful Amy from Cloth Habit has given me some tips to address this, so stay tuned for chapter 4!

I've now worn this bra a couple of times, and while the fit isn't perfect, it is very comfortable, so I think I'm getting closer to "the perfect" fit!

I used a stretch satin lined with tricot & Kwik Sew pattern 3594.

I apologize for the lack of links in this post - I'm using my IPad and can't work out how to do that!!

A new crochet project ......

Today I've started my next crochet project - I'm being brave and making a shrug!  I am using Crochet X-Stitch shrug pattern, which I found on Ravelry.  I'm using Bendigo Woollen Mills Serenade yarn - it is a mix of 40% bamboo and 60% wool in "Merlot".  So far I am loving this yarn and the pattern is easy, I think it will crochet up quite quickly.

The pattern does specify worsted wool, which I think is 10 ply in aussie terms.  I had purchased this yarn for another project which I started and didn't like, so I'm making a slight adaption.  To make up for the variation in thickness of yarn I'm using a 5.5 mm hook - this seems to be working well.

Ravelry

February Stash Busting - a very poor effort!

In January I pledged to participate in the Stash-busting Sew-along.  There is a different theme each month - "Love" being the inspiration for February.

I have to admit February has kind of slide past without me noticing!  I'm going to use the excuse of getting back into the daily routine that takes over our lives during school term - but in reality I think I've just been slack (& obsessed with bra making!) 

Anyhow - yesterday (the last day to  produce something) I headed into the sewing room with Not A Clue.  This is what resulted - all stitched with much love for the two little people in my house! 

• 2 new water bottle covers for Miss E (who is in year 4 - apparently not cool for those in Year 9!)
• some nifty little covers for the ice packs that I put in the lunchboxes to keep their food cool (it has been very hot here)
• a new cover for the "first aid" ice pack - something that seems to get daily use in our house.

 

This month will be much easier - the theme "Impending Seasonal Change" - I get to make something for myself!

Bra Making - Chapter Two

Tah dah - my first bra!  It looks quite pretty doesn't it?  I am very happy with how it turned out - I'd be ecstatic even .,.... if it fit!

Why doesn't this fit?  Probably because I didn't do enough research before making this bra.  My muslin (I thought) fit pretty well, it was a little short in the back, but I made adjustments for that.  The fabric I used for the muslin has more stretch than the fabrics I used for this one, so that accounts for a very small part of the fit.  The main problem is that I THOUGHT the muslin fit correctly - it doesn't! 

Once you spend a little time researching the correct fit of your bra, the more you realise (well most of us - that's the 80% of women who are wearing an ill-fitting bra) that the old fav bra you think is comfortable and fits - doesn't!  Are you still comfortable in that bra at the end of the day?  Do you start fiddling with the straps, shoving things around or feel constrained?  Its because that bra you've got on doesn't fit.  After way too many years to count, I've discovered that I need a bigger cup size.  (Not happy with all the "professional" bra fittings I've had!).  I wear a 14D (36D).  I think I should probably be wearing a 12DD (34DD).

The main fitting issues are:

• the underwires do not allow my breasts to "fill" the cups.  This means the cups do not sit right up under my breast, there is a gap of about 1cm.  A wider cup should allow my breasts to sit into the cup correctly.
• the bridge is too wide and doesn't sit flat on my chest - so this needs to be altered
• back is a little too snug - I need to add a little more to this area.

This bra is wearable - but I'm not going to torture my poor misunderstood breasts any longer!  So it is back to the drawing board for me.  I think the adjustments required are only quite minor - so stay tuned for Part 3 of what is looking like a long story!

I just have to sing out to the world how wonderful Amy is from Cloth Habit is. I emailled her with a few photos and questions and she has been extremely generous with her time and advice - thanks so much Amy - you have given me the enthusiasm to keep trying!

Details

Pattern: Kwik Sew 3594

Fabric:  Tricot for lining, Stretch lace & some sort of jersey knit for band etc

Notions:  underwires, purchased straps, 2 hook bra closure

Cost:  $20 approx.  (that seems a lot, but I have heaps of the fabric left)

Bellflower Infinity Cowl

Presenting my first crochet project for 2013 - the gorgeous Bellflower Infinity Scarf.  I found this pattern on  Ravelry - which if you don't know - is a fantastic resource of patterns and inspiration for knitters and crocheters.

I used Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic Silver Twist 100% wool which I purchased when I was in Bendigo last September.  If you are ever in Bendigo their shop is definitely worth a visit - if not in the area you can shop on-line (apparently they are Australia's largest on-line yarn manufacturer).

This was a quick and easy make taking only two weeks of occassional crocheting daily - if you were serious you could probably knock it up over a weekend. 

I am looking forward to cooler weather so we can have an outing!

Details:

Yarn:  Bendigo Woollen Mills Classic Silver Twist - 100% 5 ply wool - 1 ball (approx 200 g)

Hook:  3.75 mm

Time taken:  2 weeks

Cost:  $12.00

Make your own bra?

 

Now I don't know about you - but I find it difficult enough to buy a comfortable bra, so the thought of making one just plain scared the heck out of me.  But one of my favourite bloggers Kazz the Spazz has been sewing up a lingerie storm recently and it got me quite envious of the gorgeous little numbers she's been making.  Kazz's blog led me to Amy from Cloth Habit's bra-making sewalong.  Amy is a very talented bra maker and has been kind enough to share her knowlege with the world.  I couldn't get organised to follow along with everyone else - but all the info is there and is a fantastic resource.

Amy from Cloth Habit

Amy from Cloth Habit

Kazz The Spazz

Handmade by Carolyn

Amy from Cloth Habit

All these clever girls make sewing your own bra look easy - so easy that I thought I could give it a go.  So off to Spotlight for supplies.  After finding a pattern and then reading what I needed and feeling totally confused I put the pattern back and left the store!  It took 2 more visits to finally get myself together, buy a pattern and find supplies (not easy when you don't know what your looking for).  After spending $50 I was really questioning my sanity - but that little inner voice kept assuring me that this was the right thing to do.

I decided to make a "muslin" before hacking into my lovely lace.  I used some quite firm stetch jersey for my "test" bra.  I have to admit - it was lots of fun and came together quite easily.  I'm using Kwik Sew 3594

I used yellow thread so I could see what I was doing.  I also used clear dance elastic as I didn't have any spare lingerie elastic.

 

 

I'm pretty excited at the result and confident to go ahead with a wearable bra (hopefully)!