The pants are High

These pants make me feel a little like a Spanish bull fighter and I like it.

The pattern used is Advance 7899, undated, but the graphics look 50's or early 60's to me.  The description is Misses Sports Separates.  This is the most glamorous sports attire I have every seen.

*Sigh*  If only the world of gym bunnies and the sporty look wannabes looked like this, rather than the sea of Lorna Jane active wear and ill fitting, inappropriate leggings.
These pants are made from a length of fabric my Uncle once used as a photographic back drop, polyester content here and a little shiny.  I will definitely being making these again in a well thought out fabric choice.
I didn't make any adjustments to this pattern and to my surprise they are pretty awesome.  The pattern called for 2, 12 inch zippers on both sides, I was only able to buy a longer zipper and only needed to use one.  I love the way the waist is defined, much like a Collete Beignet skirt, only higher.

It was worth the wait, I purchased this pattern off ebay in may and only received it at the end of July.  As you can see I also made the top.  The spotty version has been altered to accommodate my smaller bust, because as you can see from the bluebird version, it was just too big.  I need to play more with the sizing as it ended up a tad too small for wearing with anything but mega high waisted pants.
I am loving these pants.

Top Heavy

I have been on this blouse crusade lately.  I got a new pair of jeans (which fit like a glove) and which I needed tops to wear with. Winter just doesn't inspire me, but spring is just around the corner here in Bris Vegas and I will be ready!!!!  This is just the start my friends, of a bunch of fab tops.
I usually have a lot of trouble finding jeans to fit my booty and my waist consecutively, but not anymore.  Levi's has a Curve ID range and if like me you struggle to find jeans, then may I recommend you 'av a look. 
I have made this 1970's top, whose pattern details I just don't have with me (I lent this pattern to my sister).  It was very quick and is super comfy.   The bottom seam keeps on rolling up.  Anyone have any tips on how to fix this without an over locker??

70's style tshirt

I've made a couple of Sorbetto tops by Collette, and will definitely knock out a few more.  This first one, I omitted the plea,t as I just managed to squeeze my size onto the scrape of fabric. It is made from a vintage cotton, maybe from the late 50's.  I love the muted tones and muted flower pattern, I wish I had 4 metres of this.  And the second top is old fabric again, very synthetic, maybe 60's or 70's.  It is light and drapey and perfect for this top.

sorbetto

sorbetto

Here is the first 70's top again, this time spotty, and a  beignet skirt by Collette in red wool and a very hip denim skirt with welt piped pockets, made from Butterick 3751 from the 70's; all for a friend's birthday.  Lucky gal.

Beignet skirt

Butterick 3751

A little while back I won a fabulous print made by Esz from Kittys Drawings.  I finally had her framed and now she sits beautifully with my Trechikof and J.H.Lynch prints.  LOVE.

Print by Esz

three fab gal prints

And just because I am a proud Mummy.  Here is Alby, who started school this year; with a fabulous drawing that he has done of a dragon.  Last year Alby never drew, just wasn't confident.  Now he is using the whole page and it is amazing.  *Sigh* .

Alby's dragon

Oh and here is Ginger looking alot like Rosie the Riveter, while helping her mama do some painting recently. CUTE!!!

Ginger the Riveter

A Vogue Stunner

This here is a dress I made for a friend to wear to a formal event where the theme is  'A night at the races, French style.'  I immediately thought of Audrey Hepburn and did a mental scan of my most fabulous patterns and thought of Vogue 9264 from 1958.

Vogue 9426

Close up of bodice

It has been made in a gun metal grey satin, that is unlike any I've seen before, the inside of this fabric feels alot like cotton.
This dress is a sewing achievement for me, as I did a bunch of things I've never done before. Firstly a muslin of the bodice.
The lovely tie at the front is and the front sleeve is are both part of the front side piece, making a t shape.  It was tricky stopping and starting, above and below seams and clipping the curves in all the right places.  Eeek.
The sleeves have gussets, which totally blew my mind for a while.  I'm way too traumatised to go into details, but I got there in the end.
Because this a dress for a formal event, I didn't want any top stitching, so all my hems are hand stitched, including a horse hair braid in the skirt's hem.  I love the effect of the horse hair braid and can see myself using it alot.  I attempted to hand stitch the zip, but the satin looked bubbly and quite awful, so I did my first ever invisible zip.  I didn't get any pictures, but trust me, it looks invisible!

Dodgy hand stitched zip

I love it and so does Jo.  I will get more pictures of Jo all done up as she will look even more stunning with all the right accessories!!
I was keen to try the other version of this dress, so I did.  I have used a vintage linen with a Dalmatian spot and a contrasting tie in pink silk.  Only because I was a little short on spotty fabric, but I like the result.  Can you bear it when you don't have enough fabric?  I much preferred working in this fabric.  The dress is lovely to wear.  Love it also.

Vogue 9426

Close up of tie

Vogue 9426

Flannie and a V8

Here is my take on an Aussie Icon the "Flannie".  I found this awesome printed flannelette fabric and had to use it this winter.  I was limited by the length of the fabric and decided to use this 1970's Butterick 3714 A-line dress pattern. Totally cannot see them, but I'm wearing Japanese Tabby Boots, which always make me feel super fast.

Butterick 3714

The photos today were taken by the almost 3 year old ginger, which explains the angle.  Here is Gi Gi posing for me.  Such a doll.

On another note, I have been trying to be more organized and have sorted my patterns into their eras.  This is the result.  A newly moved tower of ports, filled with patterns.  Bar one, which has some fabric.

Playing Dress Ups with Libby's Frocks

I have Libby's Frocks.  They are mostly long 70's polyester numbers.  Some get it right and Jo had first dibs on most of them ( I will have to get some photos), and some are fun, but ghastly.
This is my favourite dress that typifies the style of the day.  Italian made, it looks as though it has never been worn.  The colours are amazing and the drop waist fit is very flattering.  The first few photos are keepers, some of the others are for the dress up box and others I may make into blouses or skirts.

Only polyester number that I will keep.

 

I love this skirt.

A two piece, I think I will shorten the hem.

A kaftan, to cover up at the beach.

I was disappointed these next frocks were mostly polyester, as I made a vow years ago to avoid the stuff.  In Queensland's heat it is not worth the sweat.  I'm all for suffering for style, polyester is a new level though.

Moon Child, 70's made in India, super high waisted skirt and a very blowsy blouse.

super split

Love the print,hate the style

In two minds about this, love the style

I wish this was cotton.

A new level of polyester, quilted like a dressing gown.

This is almost good, but polyester.

No good going on here.

A 3 piece.

India in the 70's, the embroidery is lovely.

Fun!  New favourite in the dress ups

I may wear this to do the school drop off.

There you have it folks.  I think I need to work on my poses.  Let me know if you see any potential.  And am I alone in my dislike of polyester?
Here is how I started the day.  I better go feign interest in the State of Origin!!!

Girl In a Floppy Hat

Earlier this week folks, I finished a screenprint.  Quite an achievement for moi, I have printed in dribs and drabs since having babies.  But now I have the taste for it.  I hope to crank out a number of prints and have a little exhibition in the near future.   I forgot how exciting it was to lay the colours, upon colours and watch the picture come alive.  Sigh.
I had the fore thought to document the process, all but one colour ( I think).
This print was screenprinted on wallpaper which proved to be quite annoying as it kept wanting to roll up upon itself, it shrunk a little after the first colour and I had to wait days between colours as the ink did not want to dry.  Anyhow, here is most of the colours, layer upon layer, for you viewing pleasure.

white

grey

flesh

pink

green

brown

missed red brown, key image in black.