Fabric Addict

I’m still searching for my lost sewing mojo (or sew-jo, as I believe it is called), but I don’t seem to have lost my ability to buy fabric! I’ve just recieved the last parcel of fabric bought with my prize vouchers from the Carolyn Pyjama Party competition, so I thought I’d show off my delicious new aquisitions…

My first order was to Miss Matatabi in Japan. I love that shop! I bought the fabric for my first Alder dress there, so I knew there would be plenty there I would want. And shipping is pretty reasonable too, I suppose Japan and NZ aren’t too far apart. In the end, I decided on these two fabrics

Cotton and Steel Frock Rayon! I love navy blue, I love polka dots (or diamonds, in this case), and I love rayon dresses, so this was an obvious choice. I’m going to try to make a True Bias Southport Dress out of it, it’ll be lovely for summer. I say try, because I only have 1.5 yards of fabric, and the pattern calls for more, but I’ll try to squeeze it out of what I have…

I also chose this luscious Japanese brushed cotton double gauze. Its so soft! It feels like flannel, but lighter and more airy. I’m planning on making this into a Deer and Doe Bruyere shirt, sooner rather than later as it’ll be nice to wear this winter! Unfortunately, beeing a double gauze its just plain white on the wrong side, which I hadn’t thought about when I bought it. It’ll be fine, as the Bruyere has a neckline facing, so the white won’t show at the open collar, but it will show when I inevitably roll up the sleeves. Oh well!

Next up is my selection from By Hand London. I was very lucky to get some fabric before they stopped printing it!

I love this fabric! Its pretty whimsical for me, but I really do like it. Its a bit heavier than I thought, and quite crisp, but I think it’ll soften up after I wash it. I’m going to make this into a Named Florence dress, I think it’ll look awesome with pale pink straps and waistband to match the flamingos. Just the thing for summer cocktail parties!

Next up I put in my order to Tessuti Fabrics in Australia. I lurk on the Tessuti website fairly often, as they stock stunning fabric, but its all pretty expensive (especially with the kiwi/aussie dollar exchange rate). I managed to pick two gorgeous fabrics though!

This ponte is the only fabric I’ve actually sewn up so far, and it is lovely. Great stretch and recovery, it makes a very comfortable skirt!

This cotton lawn is called Monet, and I completely adore it. I love Monet’s paintings, and I love the gorgeous paint-like print of this fabric. The colours are no quite what I expected, it looked more turquoise on the site, but I love the actual Paris Green background to the flowers. I think this will become my first BHL Anna dress, though I think I’ll add a gathered skirt to it rather than sew a whole lot of straight seams through the print. I’m really excited about this fabric!

My final order was to the legendary Mood Fabrics in NYC. I took ages to come to a decision, weeks of agonising went into this decision! There was just so much to choose from, it was overwhelming. I can’t imagine how I could cope with trying to shop instore at Mood, I’d probably have a mini meltdown and leave empty handed and overstimulated…

I eventually managed to come to a decision though, and thats when the real trouble started. For some reason the Mood international checkout wouldn’t accept my voucher code, and no one at Mood could get it to work. After three weeks of emailling backwards and forwards, and multiple attempts, they told me they couldn’t do it, I would have to have it sent to an address in the States. Not helpful! Happily my friend said I could have it sent to her parents in Hawaii, and they would send it on, which was very good of them. After that series of frustrations though, I am happy with my decisions, thank god.

First up is this grey Theory denim for a pair of Ginger jeans. Its a really nice denim, I’m looking forward to sewing with it. Just need to get my muslin started first! The striped fabric is a rayon knit which I particularly like. You know how I feel about stripes! I have no real plan for this one to be honest, I have two yards of it so probably a dress of some sort. I have been admiring the multiple versions of Vogue 1395 which have popped up in my bloglovin’ feed lately, I wonder how it would work in a very drapey and fluid knit..?

Next up is this awesomely goth silk panel. It reminds me of my teenage years! I thought it would make an excelent shift dress. Something simple to show of those vertebrae… I don’t know when I’ll wear it, but it made me giggle so I thought I’d buy it.

Finally, this amazing digitally printed scuba. How glorious is this?? I love it so much, its so pretty. Definitely asking to be made into a simple dress! I’d never handled scuba before buying this, the closest I’d seen was proper neoprene. This is much thinner and softer. I originally wondered about making it into a pencil skirt and a top which could be worn together or with other separates, bu I’m not sure I could pull off a two piece set…

So there we go, my beautiful collection of fabrics! Well done for getting through all of my gushing superlatives. It looks like this summer my wardrobe is going to be all dresses. If you have any pattern suggestions for the striped rayon knit or the scuba let me know! Massive thanks to everyone who donated prizes to the pyjama party, I’m feeling very lucky!

Planning for Autumn

Warning: list post ahead! Turn back now if you find planning posts dull!

I hate that summer is slowly coming to an end, but I love that the changing season gives me a chance to make plans for new sewing projects for cooler weather! I had a huge clear out of my wardrobe last week when we moved, so theres a few holes which need to be filled. My standard daily outfit is usually jeans, a tee shirt, and a cardigan, with extra layers of merino as it gets colder. Boring, but functional and easy to put on in the dark at 6am! This is the list I’ve put together of things I’d like to make over the next six weeks to see me through Autumn and into the start of Winter…

1) Another button down shirt. The Grainline Archer is a no brainer for the pattern, I know it already fits! I have some lovely polka dotted chambray set aside for it, so that I can match pretty much every other sewing blogger on the internet.

2) The Augusta Hoodie, from the new Named collection. I think if I make it up in a thick merino sweatshirting or double knit it will be perfect for wearing on cooler mornings, when it isn’t cold enough for a proper coat! I’d love to make the sleeves and hood out of a striped or plaid fabric, I’ll need to see what I can find!

3) Wool skirts. I have plans for another Moss Miniskirt in forest green wool for everyday wear, and also for a BHL Flora skirt made in wool crepe for fancy occasions!

(This is the gorgeous Flora skirt Elisalex made as part if the Flora Sewalong on the BHL blog)

4) Trousers! I still haven’t printed out my Ginger jeans pattern, I really should get onto that. There is also a casual trouser pattern in the latest Great British Sewing Bee book (which is awesome, by the way!), which I’m pretty interested in trying out in a lightweight wool.

5) Some extra wool layering pieces. I’d like a merino Linden Sweatshirt, and I’d like to try out the Jenna Cardigan from Muse Patterns. Both are nice basics, so I’ll try out some fancy embellishments! I want some merino Espresso leggings too, to wear under my new skirts!

(Linden on the left, Jenna on the right)
I think thats enough to keep me busy for the next wee while! I’m sure I’ll get distracted half way through by something new and shiny…

What are your seasonal sewing plans?

Impulse shopping

I was “window shopping” online a few nights ago, when I accidentally-on-purpose found myself on the Stitchbird website. Stitchbird sells seriously cute fabric, mostly for quilting (I assume, they sell by the metre but also do fat quarters and such). I saw this cat print Japanese cotton, and thought it was particularly awesome! Then I saw that they only had 2m left in stock, and had a bit of a brain explosion. Only 2m?! Free shipping!! I must buy it all before it is lost to me forever! So I did. Without having any real plans for it. So much for not buying fabric until I’ve used up some of what I already have!

Stitchbird have a stall at the Wellington Underground market on Saturdays, and I’ve bought fabric for scrub hats from there before, so I knew it would be lovely, mid-weight, good quality cotton, which it is. And they sent it to me all wrapped up in a cute little bundle with a card of swatches, which was nice. It was like getting a present!

I think I’ll make a skirt, possibly a BHL Charlotte, without the frills. I like the idea of such a grown up pencil skirt made up in cat fabric! I’ve seen some awesome versions of the Charlotte recently as well, it seems to be a really well fitted skirt. I probably won’t be making it up for a few months, I have such a backlog of projects! By the time its made, it might almost be skirt weather, can’t wait…