Oh La La – hello Charlotte Skirt By Hand London

Posted on February 12, 2013 by sewbusylizzy

Simple is sometimes more sexy than complicated. Hello gorgeous pencil skirt simplicity in the form of Charlotte, from By Hand London.

Charlotte By Hand London Pattern Envelope

I think stitchers can be guilty of overwhelming ourselves with delicious pleats, tucks, darts, bias cut stripes and more – me included! Coco Chanel is quoted as having once said “before you leave the house take one thing off.” Without the time to trawl the internet for the exact quote, I like the essence of the thought. I’m not saying rip off your blouse by any means, although you might have some followers that works for (who knows!). There is a lot of value in taking a moment to simplify a little, whether it’s accessories, clothing details – or even life.

I have been TRYING to exist on a pattern & fabric diet due to the upcoming London trip in April/May (two months away today!). This has been semi-successful (there have been some major slip-ups but I’m vastly improved on 2012). I had a moment of weakness in January and when I saw Oonaballoona’s fabulous Elisalex, I weakened. Oh, it just looked like FUN! I went to Sew Squirrel to order ASAP. It was OUTTA STOCK. Ah, saved by self-indulgence of other stitchers! Bless you Aussie stitchers. Then I got a DM on Twitter from the By Hand London girls asking if I would like to try their patterns. Yes Ma’am. So here she is – Charlotte.

Charlotte By Hand London package

OMG this is the CUTEST packaging I’ve seen. It comes in an envelope – with this gorgeous little peek-a-boo print on the back of the envelope when you pull the sleeve out. The booklet is cute as a button…

AND you get this label.

By Hand London label

OK enough squeeing and let’s get back to the very serious business of sewing – cos it’s v.serious as we all know. No fun at all… ever… (OK I’ll let you squee just once more…. done yet?).

Do I like it? Yes. Do I love it? Yes.

Oh isn’t there like a million of pencil skirts out there Lizzy?

Well, yes there is. Some of them have tucks, pleats and all manner of wonderous frippery. I have several patterns in my stash and have not got around the making them up, they looked like a lot of work for a pencil skirt silhouette. I saw this and felt inspired.

I just love the simplicity. So simple yet it manages to pack a visual punch. I like the longer pegged length, the eight long shaping darts and I love love love the high high waist. Some have cut it shorter but the length appeals to me. I feel mighty fine. And in some cases sexy as hell. Yes it’s possible to feel this way without hanging my legs out for public viewing.

I’ll admit when Charlotte first popped onto the bloggin’ scene I was like ‘meh it’s a pencil skirt’, then I saw Rachel and Lladybird rockin’ the pencil skirt and I realised that hey Lizzy! Pencil skirts are actually one of your most beloved and worn wardrobe items – maybe you should make one. Durr.

I was once a huge tomboy, it was unusual to see me out of trouser/fitted shirts or jeans(I’m still addicted to jeans, I feel a million bucks in them). Over time I guess my confidence and self-acceptance has grown. I look the way I do and I’m OK with that. Along the road to physical self-acceptance (I think my personality is set in concrete, I fight it to no avail) I learnt to not take clothes too seriously (fabric yes, clothes no), to experiment and have some fun. I discovered dresses where not just ‘special occasion’ items, skirts were kinda cute and even accessories had a place in my life!

It was interesting that my eldest daughter – who is turning 10 next Monday… how did that happen – and she is just under my chin! She’s making me older and shorter every day she is alive!… anyway I digress. She asked me why the Charlotte skirt made me look so much taller than I really was. So we had a discussion about clothing styles, visual wardrobe tricks and more. She’s actually a really snappy little dresser. She’s got a sweet fey boho style which is perfectly appropriate for her age. I have no interest in her growing up too quickly but there is a place for a bit of sage advice. I often wish someone had taught me to master my curly hair…

Charlotte the First – my muslin. Not too shabby for a ‘chinese tablecloth’. No hemming this is an experiment and not wearable. It’s back in the sewing room being re-worked into another vision! The Sewaholic Alma doesn’t ‘go’ but it’s just what I was wearing while sewing!

This is my muslin because I was a little nervous about the fit – needlessly. This fabric is a random shiny upholstery jacquard. No give whatsoever. The Ever-Lovin’ Husband (ELH) commented that while the skirt was nice… but I looked like I was wearing a Chinese tablecloth. Hmmmm! I didn’t put a walking slit in the back and I was walking like a little hobbled but shapely lady! Skirts without walking slits are akin to crippling me. I’m rather famed for my short stature which doesn’t seem to match my stride or walking pace – be warned London ladies – I travel at high speed!

Here is Charlotte The Second (with walking slit) – aka Racy Lacy (I can hear you laughing Boris)

Charlotte The Second: By Hand London

Love.

It kinda looks fancy. It’s just a bonded lace I picked up at Spotlight in a 40% off sale. I really liked the black/black version (much more conservative) but it had no stretch. This base fabric is stretch and perfect for a Charlotte experiment.

The lace was bonded slightly off kilter which made pattern matching the seams tricky. They are not perfect but they are OK. I still need to pull the waistband in a little. The fit is a little roomier than my muslin, I think due to the stretch in this fabric… something to keep in mind for next time. I think I will baste the side seams next time and nip them in as required before committing to ‘serious’ stitches.

Charlotte the Second – the junk trunk (I know it’s not a ladylike expression but it’s stuck with me ever since my Thurlow post…)

I decided to have a little fun with the hem. This stuff doesn’t fray so rather than doing a straight hem I trimmed around the lace motifs. This decision meant the skirt was either going to be long or around knee-length. I like the contrast of long and lacy – a little bit sexy and a little bit conservative.

Charlotte The Second – the hem. Please excuse the blue toenails I always forget I’ve let the kids paint my nails and suddenly remember on Monday morning as I walk out of the door to work…

I didn’t line it. I’m saving that ‘fancy stuff’ for my emerald-green wool crepe. Oh I can’t wait to sew it up! An op/charity shop purchase at $2 for 1.5m of New Zealand Merino Wool Crepe. To Grandma wherever you are – I love you for stashing it. Yes I’m still punching the air with glee… oh and I have the loveliest lace blouse to go with it…

Elisalex… I’m so curious to try this pattern, I’m just waiting on some fabric… I have a vision…

Note: I would love Charlotte even if I had paid for it. In fact I would be stoked I had purchased it. I’m not inclined to make something over and over but this one makes me feel that way. Easy, lovely fit, flattering. Love. Love. Love. Thank you By Hand London for asking me to have a try!

I’ve kinda been in love with the Charlotte version with the quirky hem frill in the floral. *sigh* I think we are meant to be… don’t think I’m a waist peplum girl. I’m old enough to remember it – so I’m not going back there… I’m leaving that for the youngsters…

Charlotte Floral – so cute! Image: By Hand London

Pattern: Charlotte, By Hand London. Available in Australia from Sew Squirrel (where I go to indulge – so much more fun than chocolate). Or the UK types can get it direct from By Hand London.
Top: Grace Hill from Ezibuy (years ago, rarely worn cos it’s too racy and low-cut for demure me)
Shoes: Jane Debster (on sale a few years ago cos I’m a cheapskate who resents full price)

Fashion Star Winner… London calling… vintage patterns…

Posted on February 8, 2013 by sewbusylizzy

Quadruple whammy post of extreme excitment!

The Fashion Star Draw

Yes I finally got around to drawing the McCalls 6611 Fashion Star jacket pattern. I admit some of the delay may be due to my sewing room transforming into a complete war zone (me vs the stash – we are currently negiotating a truce).

Shut up Lizzy we don’t care about your messy sewing room just tell us who the winner is… *sniff* OK I get the hint…

The winner is… (courtesy of good old random.org)

BLOGLESS ANNA

Blogless Anna wins the chance to become a FASHION STAR!

just goes to show that karma is real! Blogless Anna sent me the most amazing length of silk DKNY last month (that’s it in the background) what goes around comes around!

And in more exciting blogging news (well exciting for me)…

I’M COMING TO LONDON IN APRIL

The gorgeous Rachel of House of Pinheiro is organising a bloggers’ meet-up on 20 April at the V&A. We can pretend to be genteel while drinking tea (with some hugging, giggling and squee-ing thrown in). Then onto Goldhawk Road where I shall be happily led astray (really ELH they made me buy it).

Anyway, hop over to House of Pinheiro as Rachel is the fabulous organiser and needs numbers etc. So if you are in London or nearby (which is pretty much anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, after all I’m flying for 24 hours straight just to get to London, thank goodness they allow knitting needles these days) please come along, I’d love to meet you!

The gorgeous Rachel of House of Pinheiro (IRL I probably only come up to her kneecap)

So I must race off and start sewing a squillion things (I never exagerate) as I’m sure this will lead to a wardrobe crisis like no other!!

VINTAGE GOODNESS X 2

A delightful work collegue gave me the most beautiful vintage patterns this week. It was such a surprise – they were her grandmother’s. Her generosity is overwhelming. How precious are these??

Grandma’s patterns – too precious. She must have been a snappy dresser!

Grandma’s patterns – I’ve just realised what the blog accessories department is lacking! GLOVES!!

Grandma’s patterns – this one is a magazine pattern from Australian Home Journal. I just love that advert, who would have thought a rollette rolled on??

I’m so grateful to have them and can’t wait to try some of these vintage numbers out. I hope I do grandma proud.

And just before I left for Tasmania I receive the most awesome package from the Trouser Making Champion herself – Suzy Bee Sews! After my vintage Jiffy post, Suzy contacted me and asked if I would like her collection of vintage patterns that were not her size. I’m still in shock, awe and amazed. However I did pass on one of the patterns Suzy sent me to Pretty Grivenances… it was not my size and she was tweeting about making a jacket and it was just so it just seemed right to pop it into the koala canoe and send it over to her.

Patterns from Suzy Bee Sews: How cool is that skirt pattern!

Now I just adore that envelope that reads “the envelope contains ANOTHER RELIABLE DRESS PATTERN.

And what did I send to Anne?

A Coat for Anne

Can’t you just see her now, swanning about, gesturing grandly with the adorable German hounds?

As much as I loved and adored this coat… it was destined for another 🙂

And that’s what makes our sewing blogsphere so cool…

SewManCushions…

Posted on February 1, 2013 by sewbusylizzy

What the???

Has some random dude taken over the SewBusyLizzy blogging space??

Fear not! This is perhaps my most random and left-of-field project to date! Yes, weirder than my aprons (although no Harbour Bridge or Opera House). I’m OK with that (even if you are freaking out right now!). I swear there are pretty dresses just around the blogging corner, just bear with me.

Ages and ages ago I blogged that I had a huge pile of men’s shirts that were too good to throw out but I didn’t know what to do with them. Lots of people made great suggestions but I didn’t feel motivated. I just have plenty of gorgeous fabric in my stash!

I left the pile of shirts in the corner of the lounge room for… errrrr…. some time….
Then as I was cleaning up the loungeroom and moaning about the grotty cushion covers, I had the oddest idea.

No I didn’t think about WASHING the covers – that would have been boring and not involve sewing. Dur.

I looked at the shirts and I looked at the cushions. And THE MAN CUSHION was born.

MAN CUSHIONS!

It’s not a design masterpiece. It’s not even a sewing masterpiece. And I don’t care. Yes as outrageous as that is – I don’t. They are fun to make, cheap to make and hugely useful!

This is just DIY home decor for zilch expenditure.

As it turns out… they are rather cute set – in a checkered/manly kinda way and the kids love them. They have pockets which you can store all manner of things in. The remote control, your favourite toy, notes and more. I know, this is revolutionary! Home decor with pockets. I am a sewing rock star!! (Pause for the street parade, confetti, trumpets and presentation of the key to the city).

The best thing of all with this mindlessly simple project is the cushion cover has a built-in opening – you do not need to make a buttonhole, stitch on a button or insert a zip. Yes people, it’s already there! (More celebration and accolades). Are you sold yet?

Here goes the most obvious sewing tutorial in the history of sewing blogs…

SewBusyLizzy gives you THE MAN CUSHION…

Step 1: The Man Shirt. Iron it first (yes, painful but it makes life easier)

Step 2: Layout options. This is my plan for Man Cushion No. 5. Yes radical button placement.

Step 2: Layout options. I’ve decided to make the buttons off-centre for this Man Cushion. This saves unpicking the pocket and re-sewing it. If you centre the buttons, you will find that the pocket ends up in the seamline of the cushion. You also need to be mindful of the armhole seams, buttons and collar/neck when deciding your placement.

Step 3: Cutting out the cover. Use your old cushion cover as a guide. Remembering to add 5/8 inch all around for your seams.

Step 4: Now flip one of the pieces over and place the two pieces right sides together. Adding the tags into the seamline if you like, folding them inhalf and matching the raw edges.

Step 4: Now place the two pieces, right sides together and pin around the edges. If you like the tags, unpick them and sandwich them between the pieces with the raw edges matching.

Step 5: sewing it together. Don’t forget to remove the pins as you go. There is no need to pivot at the corners, just sew from end to end – you can even run off the end if you are feeling crazy. I don’t worry about pins when I make these cushions covers but if you are not an experienced stitcher you might feel more confident if you pin all around the edges of the cushion first. You can double stitch the seams if you think they need reinforcing.

Step 6: Finished! Now just undo the buttons and slip in your cushion insert….
Note: I used contrasting thread so you could see the stitching. I also ran this through the overlocker for the sake of neatness this is not necessary.

Man Cushion Complete! Some of the ‘finer’ details…

The Man Cushion Family. We have a brown leather couch. It’s boring but a heaven-sent when you have small messy children!

I have visions of these in a Hawaiian shirt series, cowboy-style with press studs, a lumberjack-style flannelette set and more. How cool would these be in a holiday house, a man cave or for your camping/picnic set?It’s perfect use for those old business shirts with slightly stained collars and cuffs because you just chop them off, beloved shirts that are really past wearing in public but can’t bear to part with – give them a new useful life!

You could get fancy and sew trim into the seams, put the buttons at the back – either way I just prefer the kookiness of these as they are. It’s quite hilarious when people sit down, stuff a cushion behind their back, pull it back out and go ‘hey… is this… like a shirt or something??‘.

Miss 9 loves these so much, I got a large female shirt from the charity/op shop and some old fancy serviettes (it had no chest pocket – outrageous, wardrobe discrimination!). I’m working on a girly version for her bed. Watch this space….

And I WILL draw that McCalls jacket pattern giveaway this weekend. I will!!

TooBusyLizzy… where did she go?

Posted on January 30, 2013 by sewbusylizzy

Argh, life has been so busy lately! We have just finished school holidays (six weeks). We have celebrated Christmas, New Year, birthdays, visited Tasmania & Tamworth, covered excessive amounts of school books and witnessed our country being consumed by heatwaves, floods and bushfires (the Australian Mother Nature is a crazy vengeful woman).

I’ve just returned from Tamworth – where the town was goin’ crazy with country music. I’m not actually a country music fan but it’s such a fun event it’s almost converting me! Noooooo! The town is packed with crazies and there is something to see or do practically everywhere. Loads of free gigs, buskers, street performers, free concerts, fireworks and more.

Wayne Rogers – check out that outfit! I swear I did not plan that backdrop. Still I giggle…

Troy Cassar Daley’s truck – my girls are on it!! This truck had Troy Cassar-Daley performing, a clothes line, an operating BBQ, a shed and a brolly. It was one of EIGHTY floats in the parade.

The 8 Ball Aiken Girls. Yes, they really are dancing with toy horses with wigs

Australia Day everywhere!

Love camels – cranky, smelly but kinda gorgeous anyway

My brother lives there, so we enjoy the human excesses without excessive accommodation fees (and it has more quilts in it made by me than my house!). The kids love it so much they asked their aunty if they can go up earlier next year and see more! I get that some of you are groaning – and I used to think that about this event too – loosen up a bit and just have a laugh. Life’s too short to be judgemental. Life is much more fun when you just roll with the punches and enjoy the quirky things life throws at you.

I even found some crafty sewing things to snap…

Note for 2014: hot pants, wig, croc hat & glitter chaps

Note to self for 2014: hot pants, wig, croc hat & glitter chaps

Whip Kits – a crafter’s delight!

Carved cattle skulls – just what every home needs

No worries about pattern placement here.

Spotty dress – this one’s for you Scruffy Badger!

I admit I’ve got a soft spot for Tamworth, I spent two years there are boarding school and they really were some of the best years of my school life. I’ve lived all over the place. I was born in Sydney, we moved to Crescent Head (home to one of the best surfing breaks in Australia), then Tamworth, Wollongong, Sydney and finally Port Macquarie. Let me tell you country life is completely different to city life and also very very different to coastal life. I’m fortunate to have lived a little of them all. Tamworth is a pretty country town and I really enjoy my visits there. Country music or no … and I always swore I would never set foot in Tamworth during Country Music Festival – and now it’s an annual highlight in our family calendar.

: Tamworth Streetscapes

: Tamworth Streetscapes

: Tamworth – the post office

: Tamworth – the old bank

: Tamworth pub

: Tamworth pub

I’ve nearly finished knitting Langston for Miss 7’s 8th birthday in March. She’s quite besotted with it and wants to wear it asap – heavens knows why, our summer/autumn weather will mean it’s not required until at least April or May.

Langston from Ravelry

It’s a really delightful little pattern. I’m still having little struggles, more mistakes made from knitting when I am perhaps a little too tired. I’m a shocker at un-doing rows but getting better. Tonight I’m trying my first pick-up and knit for the button bands. I have a very clear idea on what to do (thanks YouTube) but sometimes reality is a little different.

My current WIP, I’m plodding along…

My little town was not consumed by floods, we had some very minor flooding (compared to other parts of the east coast of Australia) however our beaches have copped a pounding – courtesy of flood waters coming out of the river and also huge seas. What to do for blog pictures?? Check out the awesome images here…

The backyard is out for pictures – all the critters are coming out the play with the rain… I found this fellow at my front door on Friday….

Snake! Tree snake – not poisonous but scared me!!

I am so behind in my blog reading and blog posting… so many things to read, sew, write about and more… watch this space.

Made-by-Me in Tasmania

Posted on January 21, 2013 by sewbusylizzy

Great Lake, Miena Tasmania

I’ve been away for a week in Tasmania. Just a quiet week, not too much sightseeing as I’ve been to Tasmania five or six times now! The holiday house is located in the central highlands of Tasmania, it’s in a little town which is basically composed of little holiday houses and very few permanent residents, it’s trout fishing country so many are shacks more than houses – quite quirky and charming in their ramshackle way.

It was nice to have a slower holiday, it helps you stop and see the little things that you might otherwise zoom by…

Pretty little flowers in the park at Cressy

Little Australian bush flowers

Most of the clothes I wore on holidays were made-by-me. I’m never sure if it’s the novelty factor of wearing my made-by-me clothes or just that they are nicer than my RTW that means they are always my first choice in the morning. The nicest thing happened in Deloraine, Tasmania. I was wandering along the main street, wearing my Lonsdale with red flats and my Whole Wheat slung over my arm. A little elderly lady was sitting in her car, she flung open her car door and stopped me to tell me how gorgeous she thought my clothes were – that I was ‘quite the picture’. Once I explained I made my clothes, we then had a lovely chat about how much she adored making her own clothes too. That was a real holiday highlight for me!

Maria Denmark Day-to-Night Top and Whole Wheat Cardigan from Ravelry

My MariaDenmark and Sewaholic clothes got a lot of wear – and my Whole Wheat cardigan, my first knitted project in YEARS was in regular rotation.

Sewaholic Lonsdale and Whole Wheat cardigan – in King Solomon’s Cave, Mole Creek Tasmania. It’s 9 degrees down here all year round! I’m cold but not quite freezing in this picture…

We took some lovely pictures in the caves but WordPress keeps reverting them to the wrong orientation. *sigh* patience required.

Maria Denmark Birgitte Top and Yasmin Yoke Skirt. I made this top from a $1 skirt from a second-hand stall

You will notice a new little skirt has popped up. This is the Maria Denmark Yasmin Yoke skirt.. It’s a simple make and very easy to fit as you go along. I’m not thrilled with this fabric although I like the pattern. The fabric is a butter suede and while it looks and feels lovely from the outside, it’s a bit ‘sticky’ on my skin – it really needs to be linted (note to self: remember that when you use the blue butter suede in the stash!). I think I will try making this up in some lightweight demin, it’s very easy to wear as it doesn’t sit too high on your waist.

I also made up a black/white stripey top from Maria Denmark’s Birgette pattern. I cheated on this t-shirt. I made it from a $1 skirt I picked up at the school fete. It was a long tube skirt and too big for me. I cut the body pieces so the skirt hem was the t-shirt hem. I also have not bothered to hem the sleeves. I don’t think this sort of stark stripe is my thing, it’s a bit harsh. Anyway for $1 I’m not too perturbed – I love the t-shirt pattern, I like the negative ease.

We saw lots of little creatures in Tasmania. It really is the place to see Australian wildlife, once you get away from the towns and cities. On the way to house on the first night we saw four Tasmanian Devils, a Spotted Eastern Quoll, countless wallabies, two wombats and more – meaning we had to drive slowly to avoid hitting them! No doubt they were driven to the roadsides in search of food as much of the country we drove through once we got the to Great Western Tiers which has suffered in the recent bushfires.

A little echidna trying to mind his own business

Mother Nature can be harsh…

Maria Denmark day-to-night dress, take 2 – side view

Maria Denmark day-to-night dress – take 2

The above dress is my second Maria Denmark Day-to-night dress – I found this amazing knit at Lincraft, it’s a rayon knit, lovely and light (and it was half price in the recent sale). It was intended to be a Sewing Cake Tirsmisu – and while there are so many lovely Tiramisu’s out there in the blogsphere, I’ve yet to find a fabric that screams Tiramisu to me. SewImpatientLizzy!

I’ve worn this dress a lot, out and just around the house, it’s so comfortable and flattering. And yes, it really takes about 60 minutes to make!

Whole Wheat Cardigan was a star of the trip – thank you Rachel for your encouragement! My cardigan is not quite perfect, in fact I’ve nicknamed it my Amish Cardigan – I once read that the Amish always incorporated one mistake into their quilts as only God is perfect. I am very much not perfect so I incorporated many mistakes! 🙂

Sewaholic Cambie and Whole Wheat cardigan. This is waaay to early in the morning for me. PLus I didn’t take a hair dryer away – yes! A real holiday!!

I nearly finished a cardigan for my daughter – I’m knitting the sleeves now and then just the button bands to go. This pattern is Langston from Ravelry, a really sweet little cardigan. I knitting it with a Paton’s wool called Romance. It’s a yummy merino/cashmere blend and I picked it up at Lincraft just before I left for holidays. It was marked down from $9 a ball to $3.99 – like it’s meant to be. I started it once I got through airport security with my needles, I was worried some nasty airport man would make me rip the knitting off!

Langston from Ravelry

I’ve learnt so much about knitting in the last month. Thanks to YouTube and Google, I’ve mastered cables, SSK, the Magic Loop technique and more. If you can knit plain and purl stitches but think that knitting a cardigan or jumper is beyond you – it’s not true. I watched several YouTube videos and have vastly increased my knitting abilities. Don’t underestimate yourself. If you are determined you can do anything!

Ravelry has been a relevation to me. It’s like facebook for knitters and crocheters, an amazing source of inspiration, patterns (lots of free ones at that!) and more. It’s free to join so if you are curious go and have a look! And you can friend me – my name is SewBusyLizzy (yes I’m imaginative!).

I arrived home to the most amazing package from Blogless Anna (go and check out her adorable parrot blouse). I’m actually speechless – she sent me some fabric which she picked up at The Fabric Store’s recent sale. She said she got it home and realised it wasn’t her. So she sent it to me – it’s SoSewBusyLizzy that I’m refraining from wrapping myself up in it and rolling about on the floor. Thank you Anna – I adore it!! I have a couple of ideas how I’m going to use it… once I stop patting it.

More on that in my next blog post – along with a couple of sewing goodies I discovered at the Evandale Market in Tasmania. Plus I got a couple of really exciting emails while I was in Tasmania as well! Watch this space 🙂

Sew Busy Lizzy

she sews by the seashore…