Just Like Starting Over

Which also happens to be one of my favourite songs by John Lennon . . . . but in this case it relates to my sewing.  The title of this post could also have easily read 'Good News, Bad News, Good News', so let me explain!

The good news is - I have lost 30lbs in weight (woohoo!), the bad news is that this amount means that all my 'me made' clothes no longer fit - with the exception of a couple of skirts with elasticated waists that look rather neat still.  My gorgeous Sorbetto tops and cardigans are hanging off me.  In both cases the issue is my shoulders - which is interesting to note.  Oh, and because of my new sooper dooper bras, my bust point is about 1" - 1.5" higher.  I am quite the perky girl now!!  The final good news is that I can now plan a new wardrobe, using the knowledge that I have regarding what suits me/the colour combinations I like etc., so I plan on working on a small capsule wardrobe and expanding from there.  I think that I can eke out my clothes, including using some rather old RTW, to get me through the rest of summer, and my new wardrobe will feature Autumn/Winter clothing.  How exciting is that?!

I like the 6-piece Autumn Wardrobe on Artisan Square:

• 1 jacket or cardigan in a dark neutral that is great for you (black, navy, brown, charcoal...)
• 1 pair of great trousers in the same neutral
• 1 skirt in another neutral (olive, plum, grey, stone, tan...)
• 1 jacket or cardigan in the second neutral
• 1 top in an accent colour
• 1 top in either of the neutrals

As well as the four by four wardrobes on the Vivienne Files blog. I need to do some more planning and I can't wait to start!

In the meantime, I have made more socks:

More details on Ravelry.

A Fox Cowl:

This will be used to raise money for Galgos del Sol, a Spanish based charity that rescues galgos (Spanish greyhounds) once their owners have no further use for them.  They are often badly treated/injured/sick/abandoned etc.

And then I played around with a pattern called Princess and the Pea that uses old sweetie tins and scarps of fabric to make these gorgeous toys:

Did you see the tiny 'pea' glass bead on the bed on the third photo?  Too cute for words!

What have you been up to?  Are you easing into your Autumn sewing?

So, You Want to Make Bras?

Oh boy - I've been wanting to share this with you . . . . and now I can! The Fairy Bra Mother herself has been approached by Craftsy and has just returned from filming a bra making course.  Woooohoooo!

She has written about the upcoming course here and here.  So, although Beverly cannot release any further details (and I don't know anything else either) there will be a course later this year.

I am so excited about this news.  I don't know any class details, but I am guessing that you will be to learn all the tricks and secrets that I learned on my course in Hamilton - this is such a fabulous opportunity.  As soon as I hear anything else, I will make sure I post it!

If you have never heard of Craftsy - follow this link and take a look around.  I have subscribed to a number of courses - Sewing the Couture Dress, Plus Sized Sewing, Garment Industry Secrets etc., etc., as well as some quilting and jewellery making classes.  It is a crafting person's heaven!!

Another Weekend = More Bras!!!

Hey, step aside and let the addict have her fix!  Things are a little trying right now (we are having a deck built in the garden and that is causing us a little stress) - so I have retreated to my happy place to make pretty things - always a 'cheer me up'!!

Also, it turns out that the lovely lacey pink bra that I showed you last week . . . . .

Is somewhat uncomfortable to wear :(

That 'oh so pretty' gathered netting trim on the strap, runs along the armhole - and scratches like an 'I-don't-know-what'. Grr.  What a nightmare.  What is to be done?  I know, make a similar one with the trim where it should be - on the neckline!

So this is version two - I used the 'Classic Bra' pattern this time which used trim across the top of the cups, and some leftover netted lace from my moulded cup bra:

No more scratchiness!!

And then I made a couple of others.  I have been wanting to make a chocolate coloured bra for ages, well, at least since my course!  I paired up the fabric with some lovely coffee coloured lace that actually looks nude when I wear it:

And then I wanted to use up the leftover lace from my first turquoise bra.  Here is the original - using the finished edge of the lace to form the wings of the butterfly:

And on this bra the finished edge is on the top edge of the cups.

This means that when buying lace which is 5"/6" wide - there is a lot of leftover lace . . . . . so this is what I made!

I saved just a little lace with an edge attached to trim the bridge - I think it looks pretty good!

So there we have it - another three pretties to add to my collection . . . but still no knickers.  I really must concentrate on knickers!  And I will.  I promise!

How about you - are you easily sidetracked by projects that are quick and you know will turn out well, despite knowing you should be making something else??