Simplicity 2638

Take a pattern with a silhouette that works for you, make it up in a divine fabric, tweak the pattern to make the most of that fabric, and you have a gorgeous dress for the festive season.

This is exactly what Sue did for her lovely dress which was ready for Christmas. Luck had a bit to do with the fabric, but Sue's sewing skill had a lot to do with the great end result. The skirt pattern was redrafted to suit the fabric, it needed to be slimmer and shorter and is also now lined. Sue then learnt how to cut and spread a pattern to create the gathered drape for the midriff yoke.



The bodice fabric was found at 'The Fabric Store' in Surry Hills and is a Lisa Ho silk chiffon. Sue snapped up the end of the roll as soon as she saw it. Lovely fabrics like this never last long there and sell out almost as soon as they arrive.





As luck would have it, whilst shopping for fabric in Melbourne at 'Rathdowne Fabrics', she then came across a piece of aubergine, pleated, polyester chiffon that matches perfectly with the aubergine in the printed Lisa Ho silk. That truly is good luck!

Matching the print at the centre back, which has an invisible zipper opening, adds a nice touch. Invisible zippers not only look better but are actually a lot easier to insert than a traditional zip.

A lovely fit was achieved by making a calico toile first, then adjusting the pattern before cutting the fabric. Fit alterations are best done at the pattern stage, as there is a lot you can do to correct the fit of a pattern, that simply can't be done to a garment once it is cut in fabric.

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.

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