nzsewist

For a second there I was thinking… “Wow! We’ve got until May!!! I can go all out with this one!”

Then I realised it was just a dating convention difference.

2/5 is 2nd of May to a New Zealander. But 5th February is fine for an end date too. 🙂

I have been almost exactly where you are. I used pre-made binding as the armhole facing for an unlined dress for myself once and it was so scratchy and uncomfortable that I couldn’t wear it.

Could you cut some cotton lawn or silk on the bias (or some of the fabric you used for the blouse) and hand stitch it to the seam allowances of the piping? I…[Read more]

I think it would be a good idea to have an end date for the next challenge that is in January or February. We are coming to the end of the school year here in the Southern Hemisphere and there is always lots going on with that as well as Christmas preparation.

I’m happy to do whatever and whenever though. 🙂

Another discussion thread has just got me thinking that a pattern hack challenge could be fun. It could be as simple as adding pickets right through to merging designs together and drafting entirely new pattern pieces.

I’m a rule and instruction follower by nature so that kind of challenge would definitely stretch me in a good way! 🙂

Maybe the playtime tunic/dress pattern could work here too? The back yoke would need to be changed to be one piece and the front pieces adjusted to include the placket. And some fullness added to the sleeves to get the gathered effect.

The playtime pattern works great with knits too if you were thinking of making the dress in a knit instead of a…[Read more]

Oh yes I think we should definitely brainstorm lots of ideas @justsewit.

I love it when geometric (especially stripes) and floral prints are paired together. Maybe an unexpected pairs challenge? Kind of tricky to define ‘unexpected’ though.

@roundtheworldgirl and @sarvi… Did you see Todd’s comment on the blog post. The out of stock notification often just means that the stock is allocated to carts but not all of those purchases will be completed. I signed up for the email notification and was able to get the class picnic in the larger size range about half an hour ago.

I like the look of the see Kai run sandals @corlee. I found one supplier in NZ for those so I might look into them for next summer.

I was able to get a second hand pair for each of my girls. Pink size 10 for N and purple size 4 for L. They love them! They’ve been wearing them around the house most days and on sunny days they have been wearing…[Read more]

I am biased towards a plaid/check/gingham challenge since I suggested it. 😉 Especially since I love seeing how sewists can take these very traditional fabrics and put a modern spin on them.

Timtams are available at some walmarts in the US now so don’t know if that is an option for him from Canada? A friend of mine who travels from here in NZ to the US once a year always takes some for her friends over there but they’ve been able to get themselves now so that they don’t have to wait 12 months between their Timtam doses! 🙂

Timtams are available at some walmarts in the US now so don’t know if that is an option for him from Canada? A friend of mine who travels from here in NZ to the US once a year always takes some for her friends over there but they’ve been able to get themselves now so that they don’t have to wait 12 months between their Timtam doses! 🙂

Thank you for the advice ladies.

I am keen to use up my stash so will use the ribbing for the waistband but put some elastic in too. I want these to survive through kindy for both N and her little sister and neither of them are the kind of girls who just sit at the craft table or play inside for the entire session! 🙂

I remembered as well that…[Read more]

I hand wash mine in wool wash and dry flat (a trampoline sounds like a great idea!) before cutting and sewing. With whatever lining I’m using too, although sometimes I separate them if I’m worried about any colour coming out. If colour does come out of the wool then I keep washing until it stops shedding dye or add some white vinegar and salt to…[Read more]

I’m glad it was a fruitful trip @sarvi. What did you get?

Their store here in Wellington is my favourite place to go fabric shopping.

I always use tailor’s tacks for marking on wool. I have a spool of vintage thread from my late grandmother’s haberdashery stash that is quite thick but also very silky and it is my go to option for this task.

Here are a few different coat patterns from burda style that could be a good starting point. None of them are exactly like your photos but with some collar and button placement changes a couple of them could come close.

Coat with mandarin collar

Babydoll style double breasted coat

Short coat with front buttons and pockets

3/4 length sleeve mod…[Read more]

I think I’ve seen some patterns like that on the burda style website. I will have a look for you later once the evening madness is over in my house.