Sew Debbie: 2014

Thursday, July 31, 2014

The Yaletown Dress

I was lucky enough to be chosen as a tester for Sewaholics newest pattern. The Yaletown dress and blouse.

The Yaletown is a loose fit dress or blouse with short sleeves. It is designed for soft drapey fabrics.

As with all Sewaholic patterns, this one had very detailed and easy to follow instructions.

I had great fun making this, I am not sure what the actual fabric is. It was some left over piece I found on sale at Fabricland a while ago, and when I saw this pattern, knew it would be ideal.

The pattern features a mock wrap top and pockets in the skirt. I love pockets! (I also love how it was moving in the breeze in this photo)

This is a very easy wearing dress, and I am also going to try the top as well as I can see that being a very useful addition to my wardrobe.

As with all Sewaholic patterns, this one is named for an area in the Vancouver region. I Googled it and apparently Yaletown has been revitalized over the years and is now one of Vancouver's hippest neighbourhoods. I am adding to my list of places to visits when I am in Vancouver at the end of August!

When these photos were taken it was spring and that is blossom on the ground behind me not snow! Although with the late start we had to spring in Southern Ontario, you would be forgiven for thinking it was snow!!

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

OAL 2014 - completed!

I have two items to share today. I finished a dress and a cardigan as part of the OAL hosted by Lauren from Lladybird and Andi from Untangling Knots.

First up is Simplicity 1803. I really enjoyed sewing this dress up. It was nice and easy and Lauren had a great tutorial going on her blog.

I am not sure what the fabric is, it is soft and drapey and a pleasure to sew with. It has a soft suede feel to it. As I mentioned previously, both the pattern and the fabric came from a Sewing Meet-up. So basically free!!

The waist is a little loose, but I think I will make a tie belt and that should help.

The cardigan is Andi's own design, the Myrna. It turned out bigger than I had anticipated, I know there was an issue with the test swatching of the pattern, so that could have been it. I am tempted to pop it in the dryer and see what happens, even though it is not unwearable as it is. It was a pleasure to knit up so I think I will make another one anyway in a different colour.

The hardest part of this cardigan was choosing the buttons! I needed up going with off-white one is the shape of a flower.

All in all I am happy with my creations!

Monday, July 14, 2014

Spring Sewing Swap 2014

I took part for the second year in a row in the Spring Sewing Swap hosted by Kestrel Finds And Makes.

I was so excited when I received my parcel from Claire at I WantTo Be A Turtle that I didn't take a photo of my parcel beautifully wrapped in tissue paper tied up with a big pink ribbon!

But here are the contents!!

Two lovely pieces of fabric. A black and white stripe and a beautiful patterned piece. Two Burda patterns, some buttons and some white lace. Spoilt girl!!

Thanks Claire!

Monday, June 30, 2014

Knitcation

My Knitcation is a vacation that we are planning at the end of August. To me part of the fun of a vacation, is the planning that leads up to it, so this Knitcation is exactly my type of pre-vacation planning!!!

The vacation is going to include Kelowna, Vancouver, Tofino and Victoria. My 7 day wardrobe is based around one Moneta and two Mabels.

Day 1 - Travel Day

Red Mabel, Black and white stripe tee, black and white spotted Keds and a white denim jacket.

Day 2 - Dinner out after a round of golf

Blue Moneta, Self made multi-coloured bead necklace, shoes and a white denim jacket in case it is chilly!

Day 3 - Wine tasting in the Okanagan valley

Beige Mabel, with a blue lace top, copper necklace from South Africa and my favourite beaded flat shoes.

Day 4 - Sightseeing in Vancouver

Red Mabel, White Sewaholic Pendrell, White denim jacket, Black and white shoes, Black and white beaded necklace.

Day 5 - Lunch at Butter Baked goods and Cafe in Vancouver. I was given the book, "Butter, Baked Goods" for my Birthday and I really want to go and try some of their goodies!

Blue Moneta, Multi coloured wrap, Copper necklace and bead shoes

Day 6 - Beach day in Tofino, Vancouver Island

Red Mabel, white cotton shirt, black straw sunhat. The bikini is self stitched and the beach bag was crocheted using plastic shopping bags by a very dear friend back in South Africa many, many years ago and still going strong!

Day 7 - Dinner out in Victoria

Beige Mabel, cream lace sleeveless top, cream close, Pearl multi strand necklace (self made) bead shoes and large handbag!

Monday, June 9, 2014

Mabel Skirt

I have finished my first Colette Patterns Mabel skirt.

Even though I am short, I added on a couple of inches to the length and am happy with it. I love red and haven't had a red skirt for a while.

I think it took me an hour to whip this up on Sunday afternoon. How nice to have such a quick and easy sew for a change!

I used a double knit and my over locker ( serger) for everything except the hem. I used a twin needle for that.

This is the first piece for my Knitcation challenge. Another mabel this week in a camel coloured knit and then one or two Monetas

I took the photos with my phone this evening, as I know i am going to be so busy the rest of the week, won't have time to do nice outside photos.

Monday, June 2, 2014

OAL 2014

I have joined the Outfit Along 2014 (OAL 2014) co-hosted by Lauren at Lladybird and Andi at Untangling Knots. It is a combined knit and sew along.

For the knitting side I have downloaded the Myrna cardigan pattern, found my yarn at my local store, The Woolbin, so just ready to cast on!

My yarn and fabric

For the sewing side, I had picked up both the pattern that is being used and the fabric at the last Toronto Sewing Meet-up in November last year. It was just waiting to be sewn!!

I haven't decided on which version yet. Let the fun begin!!

Sunday, June 1, 2014

MMM Week 5

The final week!

I have tried to take as many photos as possible outside in front of my Mulberry tree, to show how green it has got from the beginning of May to the end. (Thanks guys, all three of you, for taking most of the photos!!).

As always I have enjoyed Me Made May. This time I gave some serious thought as to what is in my me made wardrobe and I have found that there are things that I have do not wear often. So do I keep these items? I have decided to work my way through the Coletterie's Wardrobe Architect and hopefully refine my style and have less items that I sew on a whim and that I never or rarely wear because they are not my style.