Tessuti Ruby Dress

I've had my eye on this pattern for quite some time, particularly after seeing versions by Rachel on Instagram. I also loved some of the variations posted on the Tessuti blog. Actually one of them, the Bondi Dress, has been made into a pattern in its own right and released today.

I made this a while ago and wore it on Christmas Day. It's made from an indigo-printed linen from Tessuti, which I've also seen in Potter Textiles. I bought the pattern and fabric with a gift voucher from a sewing friend and I'm so happy with both. I love indigo in all its variations, so this is perfect.

The pattern has slightly cut-away armholes and a high neck. I added pockets in the side seams and I think I added some length, but I can't remember now! The edges are bound with blue, ready-made bias binding.

The back neckline has a little opening and a button closure.

This is such an easy, comfortable dress and the bound neckline and armholes are very flattering. The skirt has just the right amount of flare. I love this dress so much. I can't believe I waited so long to buy the pattern!

Named Wyome Boyfriend Jeans and StyleArc Brooklyn Knit Top

About three years ago I made a couple of pairs of Named Wyome Boyfriend Jeans. Those were made in a size 38 and were quite close-fitting. This time I wanted a looser fit like the cool kids I see on Pinterest. So, for this pair I went up two sizes to a size 42.

Screenshot from Pinterest 'Boyfriend Jeans'

For my previous, tighter pairs I had altered the crotch curve for a better fit. This time I didn't make any alterations to see if the original cut would give that classic boyfriend look in the larger size. I think it did! The only changes I made this time were to enlarge the back pocket and use a zip, rather than a button fly.

To achieve that faded, worn-in look, I used a gorgeous enzyme washed denim from Tessuti, purchased with a gift voucher from the best internet sewing friend ever. This colour denim doesn't seem to be available any more. It is soft and gorgeous and perfect for these jeans. I topstitched with gold Rasant thread from Homecraft Textiles and added a leather tag. I managed to stamp the B on backwards, but you'd have to be looking way too closely to notice when I'm wearing them.

Jeans topstitching is one of my favourite things to do. So satisfying!

These photos were taken months ago when it was cold enough for snuggly jumpers. I don't know where the time has gone. This particular snuggly jumper is the Brooklyn Knit Top by StyleArc. I've made this one in a quilted knit fabric from Textile Traders. It's a simple pattern with pockets and a roll neck and the resulting jumper is cosy and slouchy. I wore this a lot over the winter.

Now I can slouch about with the best of them!

I love both these patterns and I am very happy with the looser fit on these jeans compared to the previous pair I made in my 'proper' size. I have worn these so much since making them as they always feel so comfortable and fashionable. The colour also goes with everything.

A new Amare Dress for a Melbourne Cup lunch

This week it was that time of year again when the ladies of Oz grab their finery and fascinators and sashay off to a fancy lunch for some horse race or other. These days the Melbourne Cup lunch is the fanciest event I attend all year, so I decided a new dress was in order.

Enter the Amare Dress by Naughty Bobbin Patterns!

I have made this dress before (back when Naughty Bobbin Patterns was Savage Coco Patterns) and I wore it to a Melbourne Cup lunch, but it's such a lovely pattern that it was my first choice for this year's do. The dress has a closely-fitting wrap style bodice and a tea length circle skirt. I had bought two metres of this floral fabric for $20 in a local designer's closing down sale. It was apparently Italian in origin and I loved the print and drape, which I thought was perfect for this dress.

The problem was (gasp) that two metres wasn't really enough fabric. After playing around with the pattern pieces I decided that I could make it work by cutting the dress from the opened-out fabric, rather than on the fold, and by slashing and squeezing the skirt pattern piece just enough to get it to fit. This involved making several evenly spaced cut lines fanning out from the waist to the hem and overlapping them just a bit at the hemline to bring in the hem without affecting the waist size. I also made a couple of minor fitting adjustments to the bodice based on my last version. The resulting skirt was less than completely circular but it's not noticeable.

I had happily spent a morning adjusting the pattern and laying it out for cutting. I took my time and enjoyed the process. Then, almost as my scissors were poised for the first cut, the doorbell rang. It was my bossy sister, who beetled in and told me she needed me to trim her hair. On her way to find a suitable hairdressing chair, she spotted my fabric on the table. I held my breath hoping she wouldn't ask about it. No such luck. "What are YOU making?" she demanded. I showed her the pattern hoping she wouldn't utter her famous words. "Nope, it's all wrong" she pronounced. "It's the wrong style, the wrong length and it won't look good on you. You should wear shorter dresses and show off your legs". She then held up the fabric, scattering pattern pieces in her wake, to demonstrate how wrong it all was. Feeling a bit crushed, I suggested that we do her hair. The haircut proceeded much as the fashion advice had done, with my sister instructing me on every cutting detail and airily waving away any suggestions from me. Against my better judgement, I dutifully cut some layers into her long hair, which turned out to be a bad idea. I offered to fix it but that was declined. Eventually, after perusing a few more dress patterns and making sure I had taken her advice on board, it was time for her to go. "Bugger off then" I called as I closed the gate. "I'm glad I ruined your hair!"*

As a result of this encounter I bundled the pattern and fabric into a ball and went back to the drawing board. I then spent countless hours looking through my patterns, pinterest and the Burdastyle website. Nothing appealed to me. After a couple of weeks of this I bravely decided to ignore my sister and continue with my original plan. My inner serenity began to return as I smoothed out my fabric and pressed the pedal to sew those first few stitches. Then, as I tried on the almost finished dress, I knew I'd made the right decision. Hooray for following your heart and ignoring bossy sisters!

*She knows I love her really!

As is customary for race attire, a hat or fascinator was in order. I decided upon the latter and set to work making a fabric peony with some scraps from the dress and other remnants that seemed to coordinate. I used a tutorial I found online with a free pattern that I used without adjusting the size. I added a couple of dried flower things from an arrangement in my lounge room, sewed on a hair clip and that was done. It turned out rather well I thought and a nice size for a fascinator.

 

Also, while on the subject of accessories, I made a matching Harriet Bra! Well, why not?

So, after my false start with the dress, I was off and racing to my lunch. It was lovely spending time with some great friends in a beautiful location and much fun was had admiring everyone's outfits. My dress got many compliments and the overwhelming verdict was that I was right and my sister was wrong. Ha!

Gaia Quilted Coat - Named 'Earth Science' Collection

 

The second pattern I tested for their new 'Earth Science' Collection was the Gaia Quilted Coat. This is a loose-fitting coat with panels perfect for playing with different fabrics. The Named sample coat uses quilted fabric for some of the panels. I thought I didn't have any suitable fabric in my stash until I checked my drawer of upholstery fabrics and found some offcuts that looked like they would work together. These are from Remida recycling centre and consist of a velvety olive green fabric, a velvety floral fabric and a textured blue fabric.

The panelling on the coat is very attractive. I particularly like the criss-cross junction of four panels at the shoulder. The olive velvet was very drapey and doesn't hold its shape quite as it should on the sleeve, but it is lovely to wear.

The coat is fully lined and closes with three large press studs. I found mine at Spotlight.

As always, the instructions were clear and included tips for creating a lovely finish on the coat, inside and out. Most sewers with some experience, and the willingness to be slow and accurate, could make this. I was also very pleased that the PDF printed on the pages in such a way that they did not require trimming. That was a very welcome surprise!

Named patterns have a modern, flattering and polished design and this is no exception. The seamlines, shape and finish of this coat make it very cool to look at and easy to wear. Those deep pockets are irresistable for warming cold hands.

Coat season doesn't last long in Perth, but I will be reaching for this whenever I get the chance.

Named Earth Science Collection - Beryl Bomber Dress

This was, without a doubt, my favourite pattern when I first saw the new Named Earth Science Collection. I was a pattern tester for this, the Beryl Bomber Dress, as well as for the Gaia Coat (review coming soon). I love how unique this dress is and the cool, casual vibe of the pattern. The lightened photo below shows some of the features including the bomber jacket style ribbed collar, the elasticated waistband and cuffs, big pockets, front zip and slit at the hem.

The sleeves are integrated into the front and back yoke, which is another lovely feature. I made a mistake on this version and cut the back yoke in two pieces instead of on the fold, so had to insert a 'design feature' to cover the error. I was already adding more topstitching than the pattern indicted, so I think I got away with it. The little tab on the back yoke is also a cute feature of this pattern.

I made this dress from non-stretch denim in a medium weight. I like to cut patterns out with absolute minimal fabric wastage and found the fabric requirements in the pattern to be spot on, which was great. Parts of this pattern were a bit tricky, but the instructions and diagrams were very good.

The denim was possibly slightly heavy for the style as the front doesn't sit quite flat below the front yoke. The layers of fabric in this area were quite thick as I used very sturdy ribbing for the collar in addition to the thick denim. I could also have done with wearing a more supportive bra, but I was in a hurry to get the pictures done! I think in a softer fabric, this would not be an issue. Otherwise I love this dress. It feels completely comfy, cosy and very stylish. It is so refreshing to see a completely different style of dress pattern and this one is right up my street. Definitely check out the new Named collection for some other unique designs.

Tessuti Yuki Dress

This is my first time making a Tessuti pattern, but I couldn't resist the Yuki Dress. It's just the sort of dress to wear when I want to eat a big lunch and feel completely comfortable! Having said that, I could probably have gone down a size from the Medium as it is a bit roomy. 

 

What drew me to this pattern was the neckline, which has a funnel style piece gathered in at the top with a drawstring. The dress itself is a simple cocoon shape with side seam pockets.

I made the dress with a thick, spongy, wool blend (I think) from the Morrison sale. I used blue and black printed knit from a $5 remnant bag from Potter Textiles for the neck and a twisty drawstring I found in my bag of strings. Since this is a winter dress, I made a Nettie Bodysuit to go underneath and added some of the remnant fabric to the sleeves. I also made black Virginia leggings to complete the outfit.

It was difficult to photograph this black outfit on a dull day, but you can just about see the details.

I really like the simplicity of this pattern and it was very quick and easy to sew. I thought the instructions were good too. The dress, although slightly big, is so lovely and cosy to wear and I love the overall effect of the contrasting neckline and matching bodysuit sleeves.