Megan Nielsen 2102: banskia top

 I made this for my daughter, it's a trial run before I cut into the cat fabric from Melbourne for her. The top itself is nice and simple, I always struggle to fit my daughter in a woven fabric though, I think it's because she has opposite adjustments to what I need.

There's still some problems with the fit, the shoulders were way too narrow on her and therefore the sleeves were too high and tight so I cut them off.  This is a size small with the bust darts raised by 1" and the collar pointed. Next version I think I'll make a sz medium and attempt a SBA with a small sloping shoulder adjustment. If anyone can pick up any more fitting issues please say, any advice is welcome!

The fabric is cotton poly blend from Spotlight, it has a cute Kawaii type print on it, I kind of think it looks like pyjamas but Amber seems to like it. All I can ever imagine with cutesy prints like this is Michael Kors popping up and saying  it looks becky homecky! Buttons are from the stash, think they were from Spotlight as well.

 

And all I can say about the poses is I think I've showed her Amanda's blog too many times, lol!

 

We are headed up to Brisbane soon, if anyone has any tips on where to take the kids (on a budget) and what fabric shops are good please comment or email me! We are up there for 4 days, my daughter is competing in the Goju Ryu Karate Nationals on Sunday but we have a couple of days to fill in as well, would love to meet anyone at a decent fabric shop for a chat and a wander (sorry for the short notice though!)

Cake 0144: Tiramisu Dress

I was never that happy with the top that I made from this pattern, the underbust seam never sat right and it was too clingy. After seeing all the great versions at the Melbourne social shopping event though I figured it was worth another go.

This version is made from a cotton interlock from the clearance bin at The Fabric Store and the midriff band is black Ponte from the Alannah Hill outlet.
This fabric is a bit thicker and sits so much better! So I'll be using a plain interlock from now on, no more lightweight knits.

Pattern adjustments - the back is a 45, front is a 40D and the waistband/skirt is a 42.5". I extended the sleeves by 1.5" and widen them slightly by about .5". I find the pockets a bit floppy but not sure what can be done about that, plus just having pockets is worth it!

 

I am so glad I had another go at this pattern, it is just so comfortable and it skims the lumps and bumps so nicely. I actually jus cut out another one ready to sew up!

Melbourne Social Sewing trip

Also known as the stashbuilding exercise (because of course, the one thing I need is more fabric.......Ha!)

 

It was a great day, big thanks to Kat for organising it and driving me around the city. I got a huge kick out of recognising patterns walking around (a few Tiramisus, a hollyburn and a Surreau!), plus matching voices to faces and meeting some other sewists (especially anyone who can get a Simpsons Frogurt reference!). It was a huge day though and I was absolutely knackered by the end of it, the heat, a thumping headache and my usual ability to stress myself to pieces over new experiences/meeting people/new places means I was pretty haggard by the time we finished!

 

Got some great fabric though and discovered some new shops, I really loved Rathdowne Fabrics, GJ's Discount fabric, Darn cheap and the Alannah Hill outlet. I love the ones full of fabric rolls or remnant bins that you have to dig through to find a gem, the fancier ones intimidate the hell out of me quite honestly, not really sure what that says about me.......lol!

  

 

New fabric - Kitten approved!

 

The greys - bengalene from Alannah Hill (pants), stretch wool blend suiting from GJ's (more pants) and a pleated knit from Darn cheap (Renfrew)

 

Lace from Alannah Hill (eventually a lace macaron) and some Black ponte (skirt and jacket), Purpley knit from The Fabrc Store (I loved everyones Tiramisu dresses enough to give it another go out of the purple knit) and a linen/cotton blend from Darn Cheap (pants).

 

Denim!! Left is a remnant from GJ's discount fabric (jacket) and the right is Bettina Liano denim from Rathdowne Fabrics (topstitched Jeans) its got a beautiful weight to it and just a touch of stretch.

 

The prints - out of all of the fabric I think I love the cat print the most! Its been earmarked for a Banksia Blouse for my daughter. That and the stripes are from the Alannah Hill outlet (Renfrew again with a grey ribbing for the bands and maybe a front zipper). The dots are a Viscose from Darn Cheap for a Lekala wrap blouse.

 

We got home on Staurday night then I spent Sunday and Monday helping a friend move houses so all I've done is wash and fondle my fabric, I am just itching to start sewing it all up now!