Japanese Pattern Books

Jane, who comes along to one of my morning classes has been making garments from a few of the Japanese pattern books that are available online at Tessuti Fabrics. For the price of a book you get loads of patterns in a lovely book which is filled with nicely styled photos of the garments, written instructions and good diagrams of the construction steps.

You also need to make sure that the book you buy is in English and not Japanese, unless you are able to just follow the illustrations and don't need written instructions to complete your garments.

Jane, recently made this cute little pinnafore for her daughter using a pattern from the 'Girly Style Wardrobe Book' in a Red Riding Hood print fabric from Calico and Ivy at Balmain.

A nice detail is the contrasting fabric which was used on the shoulder tie facing and the pockets which are also trimmed with red ric rac braid.

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Party Anyone?

Just a little bit of froth in time for the party and festive season, a strapless bodice and tulle skirt with a bustle, roses and free motion embroidered trim.

I used Vogue pattern 5006 for the strapless, boned bodice which has rouleau loops and lacing at the back. The skirt is my pattern available to use in class.

The skirt is trimmed with satin circles that have been fused to the tulle and then decorated with a variegated thread using free motion embroidery.

A tulle bustle and five, soft fabric roses at the back.

Two of the roses are also trimmed with free motion embroidery.

A little look .......

at a few of the things that have been made in the studio recently.

A cute little tutu for a cute little daughter.

A little black dress for a school assignment - well done Morgan!

A gorgeous skirt for a teenage daughter - great work on your second sewing project Carolyn!

A very clever mum with a fun shirt for a young son to wear on Xmas day.

Bias cut cowl neck top in chiffon - not an easy task Sue, you have come a long way!

Sweet pinnafore with pretty yo yo flowers - you are so clever Jane!

 Transeasonal top and jacket in my favourite fabric - Orbit a viscose/spandex knit only available at Tessuti.

Good Luck Jess!

After two years of sewing at the Studio we were very sorry to say goodbye to the very talented and lovely Jess when she left this term to begin her HSC exams. Term Three was a hectic time as Jess worked hard completing her major work for Textile and Design, so it was nice when her work was handed in and she could just sew for the love of it.

Jess loves fashion and in this photo she is wearing a skirt she made in class a few weeks before the HSC started. We drafted a half circle skirt pattern and two lessons later she had completed the skirt - fabric from Lincraft, belt also made by Jess.

 

The design inspiration came from a Kirrily Johnston skirt that she loved but couldn't afford, the skirt was featured in an article in the Sunday Telegraph last week.

 

Good luck with your HSC results Jess and best wishes for the future, the afternoon girls and I will certainly miss you!!!

Surfing, Santa and Xmas Day

If you have a daughter, there is nothing more satisfying than making her something to wear on Xmas Day, pretty dresses in white with red and green trim or maybe a white dress with gold or silver trim. But what about the boys?

I made up this shirt to use as a sample for turnover collars, I couldn't resist the fabric from Craft Depot Pennant Hills.

Cute, don't you think. It just says Xmas Day in Australia, it's the beach, or the pool and kids running around in their swimmers playing with the presents that were left under the tree, usually one of them being the biggest water pistol Santa could fit in his sack.

So far it has been a hit with the girls in the studio and there will be a few little boys running around wearing surfing Santa shirts on 25th December.

Pattern Simplicity 3852