Ginger skirt in navy linen.

Here is my first project for 2013. A Colette Patterns Ginger skirt in a beautiful navy linen.

One of my new years resolutions (I know I haven't posted about these yet - I will soon I promise!) is to sew at least five different patterns from the Colette Patterns range. I pledged this resolution on Karen's blog post "Put your money where your mouth is". This goal is motivated by the fact I own too many a number of patterns from the Colette Pattern's range, plus the book, and all I have made from the brand to date has been a bunch of Sorbetto tops, and some Nutmeg knickers. That's all! Which is just so silly when these patterns are so cute!

You see, I have a weakness for small scale floral prints, and let's be honest, any Tana Lawn fabric from Liberty of London (Twitter and Instagram peeps you have surely worked this out by now!?). I usually turn these fabrics into dresses or tops. Whilst having lots of floral garments is nice, and quite pretty to look at in my wardrobe, I am in dire need of some wardrobe staples. Classic garments in basic colours to complement my floral addiction. For this Ginger skirt I knew I wanted a plain navy fabric. I went to Spotlight and found the most incredible navy linen.

I cut this Ginger as a Version 1 in a size 8. I didn't take any length off the hem as I like a knee length skirt. I used an invisible zipper and added some top stitching to the waistband.

And I have a confession to make. I just couldn't help myself. I may have added some Liberty to this skirt... see if you can spot where :-)

What I learnt from sewing this pattern:
- Linen feels divine.
- Linen creases easily.
- Waistbands lined with Liberty "Fairford" make me smile :-)

Sam xox

Sorbetto top #2.

I've been meaning to blog this Sorbetto for a few months now. I made this top back in October as a gift for Mill for her birthday. I wanted to post her a handmade item that wouldn't weight too much (postage cost in Australia is exceptionally high), and the Sorbetto fitted the bill nicely.

As this was made for the purpose of 'sleepwear', I used a soft cotton fabric with small blue and white stripes. Some cream bias binding for the neck and arm holes matched the fabric perfectly and added a soft tough. I stayed true to the pattern and had this cut out and sewn up in under an hour.

I intend on making a few more tops from this pattern this year. Thanks again Colette patterns. Click here to print yourself off a copy of this charming pattern for free.

Sam xox

Sorbetto top #1.

I am now on the Sorbetto bandwagon! I have been wanting to sew this pattern for months now, but somehow during the move we managed to lose the cord that connected the printer to the computer. During a clean out of some boxes that had fish tank equipment in it, we found the cord (go figure). Which meant that I was finally able to print out this pattern. It is available for free from Colette Patterns here.

As we are quickly heading into the warmer months here, I wanted to start sewing summer clothes. Another motivating factor is that I desperately need new clothes for work. I have a combination of 8 tops and 5 bottoms that I have been mixing and matching for work for the past year. This means they are always in the weekly washing cycle and thus have really started to wear out. I want to make as much of my work wardrobe as I can, but as my work outfits need to be more on the practical side, I have been hesitant to sew clothes that require too much in the way of complicated technique - translation - I need clothes made quickly and cheaply so that when they get ruined I won't be too heart broken (my work can sometimes get messy!).

The Sorbetto fit the bill perfectly! For this top I used some of the fabric I purchased on the weekend. It is a simple cotton fabric, that I think is an imitation of Liberty of London prints. The pattern really didn't use a lot of fabric, and was a breeze to make. Seriously. Anyone could make this top. So if you've been thinking about beginning sewing, why not give this top a try?

~ In 'real life' the left side of the hem does not stick out like it does in the photo.

Perhaps my angle was skewed? ~

I only made a few small changes to this pattern. I added almost 2" to the length of the top, as I found that my muslin hem sat a bit to high for my liking! I also enlarged the arm holes slightly to make the top more comfortable in the hotter months.

I have a funny feeling this will be the first top of many from this pattern.

Have any of you given this pattern a try yet? What did you think of it?

Sam xox

The Madeline mini bloomers.

I finally whipped up my first pair of Colette Patterns bloomers this weekend. These are the Madeline mini bloomers and the pattern is available for free on the Colette Patterns website.

I used a soft pink quilting cotton and some burgundy ribbon. I followed the pattern pretty loyally until I came to the leg elastic bit. Instead of the pattern, I sewed a simple tube hem and gathered very thin elastic in each leg. I then sewed some lace over the top of the hem stitching line, and finished it off with some ribbon bows.

This is a very easy pattern to follow and the result is a very comfortable fit. The bloomers do not cover a lot of leg (hence I did not model these) but the pattern could be easily adapted by lengthening the legs to make a cute pair of shorts, or even three-quarter pajama pants.

A pattern I will definitely make again.

Sam xox

And the winner is.

Thanks to everyone who entered my 100th follower giveaway. I was really happy to hear so many of you wanted to enter, and that the pattern would surely be going to a loving home.

Drum roll please - random.org generated the number 8, which means Kate you're the winner!

This little beauty is now yours :-)

We had a very wet day in Sydney today, perfect for sewing. I made Jamie some pajama shorts (I am trying to convince him to let me take a photo of them on him... haven't had much luck yet) and I made myself some bloomers using Colette Patterns free download. When I have better light I will post some photos.

Sam xox

Sam xox

Nutmeg.

A large yellow envelope was inside my letter box this afternoon.

Inside it was Nutmeg.

My first ever Colette Pattern.

The pattern envelop, well, I had never seen anything like it! Gone was the traditional boring white envelope folded at the top. Instead, this Colette Pattern envelope was more like a folder, made from vintage-look cream card, with soft pink print and side stitching detail that I discovered held in place the instruction booklet.

I wouldn't normally go so silly over a pattern envelope, but the attention to detail that has gone in to creating this envelope, well, it deserves some applause :-) For those of you who have not yet purchased any Colette Patterns yet, here is a peak at mine...

I have printed out the Colette Pattern's lace tutorials for the Nutmeg pattern in preparation for sewing this. Now I just need to find the perfect fabric and lace combo...

Has anyone sewn this pattern before or something like it? Any suggestions on fabric choice?

Sam xox

Autumn palette challenge.

Since I finished my no-clothes project at the end of 2010, I have been wanting a sewing challenge. I like the structure of a challenge, I find it helps to keep me focused. So when Colette Patterns announced the Spring Palette Challenge I knew I had to be part of it. The only hick-up is that I live on the southern side of our world, meaning we are about to head into autumn, so my palette will be somewhat less bright than those of my northerly friends.

Never the less, I have spent hours planning my palette, and this is what I have decided on...

My challenge stats:

Palette: Navy, Wine, Grey, Olive.

Number of garments: Hopefully all of them, most probably five of them.

Commitments: Blouse, Cape, 2 Dresses on the left, and the Scalloped Jacket and Skirt combo.

If things go really well: I might have all of these finished by the end of Autumn.

To see other sewers palettes, visit the forum here. If you too are interested in being part of this challenge, upload your own palette and let me know. I would love to see what you make!

Sam xox