Pyjama Party (part two)

Today is exciting. It is the big reveal and we get to see everyone's PJs. Head over to Pyjama Party Goes Live to take a peek!

Sometimes I love to sew something quick and easy and these PJs were certainly that! And to know that there are over one hundred other people around the world sewing at the same time makes taking part in a Sew Along fun!

As mentioned in a previous blog post, my nighttime wear often leaves a lot to be desired!

Before

But look at me now……….

After

Pyjama Party

On whim I signed up last week to the Pyjama Party Sew Along on the Did You Make That Blog. I have to admit that much of my night wear consists of old running tee shirts and and baggy track pants often borrowed from one of my sons. Not the best look!

I thought I might have an old pattern in my stash, but then ended up going straight to the simplicity website and downloading a free pattern. Not something I will do often, I did not enjoy sticking all the pieces together. But it was free.........

My First (Self Stitched) Bra

Actually it is technically not my first one, but it is the first that has been worn!

For obvious reasons I am not modeling this particular creation! Although I was showing it off to girlfriends at a dinner party on Saturday night, while I was wearing it!!!

I had been reading an article a few months ago in Threads magazine and they had recommended a website where you could buy the supplies needed. Once I had decided that this was going to be my next project I was all set to order. Luckily before I finished my on-line purchase, I realized that the store Bra-Makers Supply was in Hamilton. About 30 minutes from my house!

So a friend and I took a drive out there one Saturday afternoon. I purchased a pattern, The Linda Partial Band bra and a  kit which contained basically all that I needed to complete a bra.

I have to say that it was harder than I had anticipated, lots of unpicking. But I am very happy with the result. So happy in fact that I was back at the store on the weekend and I have purchased all I need to make a white lace bra and a zebra striped bra. I also bought enough fabric so that I can make matching panties as well. Now that I know exactly how much fabric and elastic I needed, it was cheaper than buying a kit.

Renfrew Finished!

I have made my first Renfrew top and the second one is cut out on my sewing table ready to stitch up.

I have to admit I am not big on making muslins. I think with the little time that I have to sew, I want to create something I can wear. So what I tend to do, is purchase a cheaper fabric for my first go and still be able to wear it once finished.

A couple of months ago I was on Queen Street, in downtown Toronto and saw knit fabric on sale for $3/m, and it was a nice thickness, so I thought this would be good for my first attempt.

Spring Palette Challenge

I have signed up for the Colette Patterns Spring Palette Challenge. I took part in both the spring and fall ones last year and am happy to report that I did not finish all I planned to do in either of them. However I am not going to let that dampen my enthusiasm for this challenge! At least I get to do some of the items!!

I am way behind in the Sew Colette challenge, so I might as well combine catching up on that with this challenge!

So here is my colour palette for this challenge using ColourLovers

I have created a mood board on Pinterest.

My list of "musts" is as follows:
Green Sheath dress - Pastille dress
Yellow Sun dress - Truffle dress
White blouse - Taffy blouse
(All above from the Sew Colette book)
Dark Denim shorts - Colette patterns Iris shorts
Navy Blue skirt - Colette patterns Beignet skirt

Then, if I have time I will make up a couple of Renfrew Tee Shirts.

Now time to stop blogging and get sewing!!!

Sashay Scarf

In January I spotted these cute frilly scarves on several friends and colleagues. Imagine my surprise when I discovered they were knitted with one ball of Red Heart Sashay Yarn. And that the yarn was on sale at that moment!

Imagine my further surprise when I discover that all the stores in my area and beyond were out of stock. It was even out of stock on the website.

Me Made May

I have signed up for Me Made May and am really looking forward to it. I thoroughly enjoyed these challenges last year. Why?:

• It makes me finish things that I start and don't quite finish
• Makes me more aware of the clothes I sew
• Reminds me of the gaps in my self stitched wardrobe
• Makes me feel proud of the items I do make

Tilly, of Tilly and the Buttons did a good blog post the other day on the cost of sewing. Living in Canada, with all the big box stores I can buy clothes for half the price that it costs to make them sometimes. But what of the quality and thought that goes into that article? What person in some far off foreign country was paid minimum age to mass produce that item? I could go on, but I like to take care and produce something specifically for me.

I try and re-use fabrics and pop into Value Village often to see what fabric and cheap patterns I can pick up. I make the most of sales at my local fabric stores.

It's not as if I have all the time in the world either. Like many of us I have a more than a full time job and a family. I also run and play golf, so sewing is only a part of my life and these Me Made / Self Stitched months make me celebrate my little achievements.

Also, most my my real live friends don't sew and so it's nice to get feedback from the on-line sewing community on my self stitched articles.