Davie Dress

Hello lovely, beautiful Autumn! What a stunning time of year.

Davie Dress

There is something about the scent of the breeze and the sunlight though century old trees in the gardens which leaves me feeling positively giddy. It’s that, or a side effect of the antibiotics I’m on. Either way I’m deliriously happy and for the first time in a very long time feel an energy that has been misplaced for much too long.

Davie Dress

Whilst I’m currently not acquiring any new patterns/fabrics I did make a sly exception for the new Davie dress from Sewaholic. An unusually timed afternoon delivery of Art Gallery fabric from fabric.com and Sew Squirrel, had three boys running up to my room with a box unashamedly marked FABRIC in neon, and a sly comment from Bruce that perhaps my self imposed ban had been breached. I chose not to acknowledge directly, mentioned I hadn’t bought fabric since September last year (apart from the Liberty that was 1/3 funded by a gift voucher) and declared it a minor slip up ; ).

Davie Dress

Firstly, the fabric. I don’t often sew with knits, let alone drapey jerseys, so I was a little miffed (love that word) when laying it out that the grain line was in no way running the direction in which it was supposed to. No matter how I manipulated it, it was running off at at least 25%  off from the salvage line. I’ve not come across this before, but was reassured by a number of seamstresses on insta that it is not uncommon.

Davie Dress

I persisted, thinking that if it wasn’t wearable I could make it my new nighty, however it turns out that jersey is incredibly forgiving and I now have a beautiful Easter dress. I think if this was a woven it would have ended up in the quilting pile.

Davie Dress – Pools of Fabric

I cut a straight size 8, and didn’t add my usual 2.5cm at the waist. This was a) because the lengthen/shorten lines were not marked on the pattern and it would require some thinking and measuring on my part to place my line across the four pattern pieces and b) because there isn’t a seam across the waistline I thought the extra length would not be missed. Luckily with laziness and a little foresight (critical thinking and I have not the time to consider this!) it all worked out. I also omitted the key hole given the fabric was so busy (thanks for the advice Ms E!).

Davie Dress

Some notes on the pattern. I think I could definitely go down a size next time. The photos show excess fabric pooling at the back. I’ll most likely send it through the overlocker to bring in some of the seams. I sewed View A with the cap sleeve and additional length. It has a lovely flare at the bottom which picks up nicely in the breeze.The shaping as always is perfect for Pips.

Davie Dress

I overlocked all my seems and overlocked and turned once the hem and arm holes. I really liked the finish on the neck. Using a woven bias, it stops the neckline stretching out and gives it a really stable shape. I happened upon some Hello Kitty Liberty bias I made last year in my stash which was perfect. Total machine sewing time was about 40 minutes! And after I checked that the fabric was behaving itself in dress form, I even ventured out on Saturday to pick up some top stitching thread.

Davie Dress

So the verdict is I love it! I wore it today, and as Ned Flanders once put it so succinctly: “It’s like I’m wearing nothing at all”. He really does know his fashion speak.

Davie Dress

The dress also sits nicely over my Granville shirt, so next I plan to make View C in a stable black ponte. With the shorter sleeve and skirt length and some top stitching, it should replace my currentRTW winter dress.

Davie Dress – Out Takes!

I talked Bruce into dragging my favourite chair outside for the photos but I seemed to suffer from the sun glare. 5 minutes in the sun, and my skin starts to bubble (literally!). My recent drivers licence has me looking positively vampiric. I wish I had’ve dyed my hair, worn black lace and dark lipstick that day. The goth in me shall never move on!

Curtsey.

Pips xxx

Photos by Bruce. Tea cup gifted from Parjie and R from a deceased estate. Tights from Wolford. Shoes from Duck Feet. Locket from Den Supply Co. Hair pieces from Gardens of Whimsey.

Never one to waste an opportunity (or to embarrass my children), Bruce helped with shooting two outfits on Sunday at the botanical gardens.

Oakridge Blouse

A quick change at the fountain with a wiggle and a close call of a child falling into the water, I transformed into my new favourite shirt and jean combination. (This was done bottom first, then top, with squeals from children that they were horrified and scarred for life. I’ve made a note in their “things to talk to my doctor about when I’m older” which records all the information they will need for future discussions with their health professionals. The list gets longer every week…).

Oakridge Blouse

Again, this fabric was purchased in the fabric frenzy of September 2014 from The Drapery. It is the softest, silkiest cotton with autumnal colours and is an absolute delight to wear. Art Gallery design the most delightful prints that are playful and still suited to those over the age of 10. Although there is nothing wrong dressing like a 4-10 year old. I indulge all the time.

Oakridge Blouse – Hair in Motion

The Oakridge blouse is the second shirt pattern released by Sewaholic, with a simpler silhouette than the Granville and the option of a pussy bow or bias to finish the neck line. I didn’t quite have enough fabric so cut my sleeves shorter. Perfect length for this season.

Oakridge Blouse

It has the lovely shaping that defines the waist and flares out gently at the hips. Perfect Pipsie shape. Again, it came together with such ease. This one came together very quickly when compared to the Granville shirt due to no collar or plackets.

Oakridge Blouse – Pussies Bow

And the colours on the fabric. Just beautiful.

Oakridge Blouse

I was given the vintage parasol from my dear god mother, M. Perfect for an Autumn turn around the park. I might have to make a set of 1930’s beach pyjamas as beautifully created as Leimomi from the Dreamstress. Beach pyjama envy!

Botanical Gardens

I highly recommend this pattern (and the fabric). I feel as though I’m moving out of the “looks like me made” into the “higher end purchase” clothes. Admirers are now asking “Did you buy that at Tinky or make it?” which is lovely because they curate Australian and European fashion that I adore.

Curtsey.

Pips

Photos by Bruce. Bag by A Seated Craft. Jeans by Citizens of Humanity (Tinky). Vintage parasol gifted from favourite god mother.

My, it has been a hard week. Is anyone else out there feeling the same?

International Women’s Day

I’ve been going backwards, distinctively different from my normal sideways, so am in energy conservation mode to try and limit the impact my fatigue has. It means I focus on the things that give me most joy and I direct my little energy to where I’m most happy, which is with my three boys and sewing.

B1, B2 and Me (Bonus Frisbee)

Late yesterday afternoon we ventured out to the local botanical garden which was in full bloom. The weather held that beautiful autumnal feel that was light and breezy and mild, and the bees were busy going about their work.

Moss Skirt and Belcarra Blouse

I made another Belcarra blouse from the Sewaholic collection. Using vintage Liberty fabric that was generously handed down to me from a dear friends mother, I added in some chambray and then stitched a sashiko design using left over from thread in the shape of a tiny pocket.

Tiny Pocket, Belcarra Blouse

The Liberty cotton feels like silk and is so gorgeous. There is no sign of it’s age which I guesstimate is around 30 years. All the Liberty, all the time ladies (and gents)!

Moss Skirt and Belcarra Blouse

I also made my first Moss skirt from Grainline Studio. The fabric is a Japanese spotted linen purchased during the fabric frenzy of September 2014 from the Drapery. This skirt is quite the deviation from my normal long and flowing maxi skirts but I adore it!

Moss Skirt and Belcarra Blouse

My first ever full fly went in with some serious concentration, following this tutorial and instructions on the pattern. I’m not convinced I understood how it all fell into place, but it turned out perfectly. (I’ve no idea how one pocket went in sideways! Fear not it all appears well from the front view, and my hands are not disadvantaged. My sewing isn’t always perfect).

Moss Skirt and Belcarra Blouse – the Inside Story

I was a little cross with myself when the zip tab came off and I found myself stuck in the skirt with only an ungainly way out (over the head with lots of wiggles which provided much amusement to my family. Luckily no one had a camera readily available). The second time I made sure that the zip tab remained securely attached to the zip.

Moss Skirt and Belcarra Blouse

I lined the Moss skirt band and pockets with fabric from the blouse. Everyone should have insides as pretty as the outsides.

Moss Skirt and Belcarra Blouse

There is something special about the shift from dry, overwhelming heat to the gentle playfulness that I feel in Autumn. I feel a collective sigh of relief as the transition of seasons provides a cool change in the southern hemisphere and hints of spring in the north.

Moss Skirt and Belcarra Blouse

Curtsey, and may the bees continue their work without fear of extinction.

The Bee

Pips xxx

Photos by Bruce and Pips, photo bombing by B1 and b2. Shoes purchased from Duck Feet.