A crazy-difficult-to-sew Ebony Dress

If anyone has ever skied moguls you'll know what I mean when I say that this fabric is the sewing equivalent of that! I've sewn with "textured" fabric before but this was something else. My overlocker did not like it at all and bumped its way over the speed-bump-like fabric...and the sewing machine I had borrowed from my sister-in-law whilst mine was being serviced didn't like it much either.  Looking at the fabric in My Hung I had no idea how...difficult it would be, but I didn't give up and now I have a new, rather badly sewn dress! I guess you call that a win? 

Would you look at that wonky zigzagging! Oh boy!

Yes, this is another Closet Case Patterns"Ebony Tee". I'm still in serious need of winter clothing (we're having a cold snap to see in the end of winter) and this dress is comfortable and cozy.  I've made two other dresses from this pattern recently (not blogged) that have been fails as the fabric hasn't had enough stretch so they've not fitted but this one is a winner. I'm ignoring the wonky zigzagging on the hem/sleeves as the fabric does a good job of hiding it...and unless you look really closely you can't tell things when a bit crazy with my sewing.

I wore this dress out on Saturday night for dinner with the Sydney Spoolettes and I felt great in it (though I did spill caramel sauce all over it but thankfully it's washed right out)!

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Pattern: Closet Case Files "Ebony Tee"
Size: 16
Modifications: 1" full bicep adjustment
Fabric: My Hung Fabrics in Parramatta - 27% Polyester / 68% Viscose  Rayon / 5% Spandex
Changes for next time: none

Leather Bag

Instagram tells me I bought this leather hide from an outing to Birdsall Leather back in May 2016. I had plans to make a tote from it but wasn't feeling brave enough to tackle it back then so it's been rolled up and hidden under my fabric cupboard ever since. That said I did use a very tiny piece of it to make a clutch about a year ago.

Over the last few months the Genoa Tote I made back in January 2017, and used daily, was starting to look a little worse for wear. It kinda also started to smell so I put it through the washing machine -- leather handles and all ! I NEEDED a new bag, and I needed it NOW!

I modeled this bag loosely on my Genoa Tote by including a key clip, internal (though zipperless) internal pocket and I also used a set of handles I'd bought for a Genoa Tote plus I added in a handy front pocket. The bag itself is just two A3 size pieces of leather sewn together with the seams on the outside. I've this type of seam treatment around and quite liked it. It took about 90 minutes from beginning to end - including cutting out the leather.

My machine handled the leather...sort of OK, but it wasn't all smooth sailing as the foot didn't really move along the leather very well so there are so very small stitches with the sewing stalled a bit. It was also really really hard to sew a straight line so things are a bit skewiff but I don't think it's very noticeable.

When  I first used the bag I found that it was too deep and not wide enough - it was annoying to try and find things in it so I ended up buying myself a work bag that has worked much better. This week I've been on annual leave between jobs and have started using the bag again and without all the cr@p I lug to the office it's proving to be nicer to use. I've even received a few unsolicited comments on it which is always the ultimate when your wearing your handmade stuff!

Peppermint Magazine Pleated Summer Dress + a class

All of a sudden I'm interested in sewing woven dresses (who am I?) After the success of my Papercut Sway Dress I decided it was time to upskill a little so I enrolled in the Intermediate Dress Class at my beloved Sew Make Create. The class takes place over three full Saturdays and in the end you end up with a dress...all overseen by the lovely Pepper pooch.

Real talk. I ended up with a dress that's too big for me BUT I learned a tonne of stuff so I'm pretty happy. The pattern does have a lot of ease but I was nervous about it not fitting so couldn't be talked down from the size I chose. It was a free pattern and the fabric was only $15 (in total) from Cambodia so nothing lost really. Plus Dave funded part of the class as a birthday gift so...

I chose this dress as it had quite a few "new to me things". A hidden button placket, buttonholes (I have even bought myself a buttonhole foot since the class), pleats plus we undertook a Full Bust Adjustment which involved a lot of maths but I could probably do it again on my own. 

I'm proud that I finished the dress and learned a lot in the process. That said, I'm considering now unpicking the skirt from the bodice and adding in an elastic waistband and still wearing the skirt. I'll see how I feel about actually doing that when the time comes though.

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Pattern: Peppermint Magazine Pleated Summer Dress
Size: H
Modifications: 1" FBA plus some changes on the fly to get the skirt & bodice to fit together
Fabric:  cotton chambray bought from the Russian Markets in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Changes for next time: none - this dress is WAY to involved for me to have a second go around. 

(another) Ebony Tee

Now that I've mastered the Full Bicep Adjustment for this pattern I was REALLY keen to remake my favourite #ebonyTee with a roomier sleeve and perhaps a bit more length so I could wear it with skinny pants and feel super comfortable. A quick dash to my local fabric store confirmed what I already knew deep in my heart...the fabric had long ago sold out *sad face*. So I left with this instead. Same same...but different. 

I sewed this up over the course of a few hours whilst I was home sick last week. It really took all day as I would do one step and then take a break on the couch to watch another episode of The Good Wife (a show which I'm thoroughly enjoying).  

I added an extra inch to the length of the top and think I have good coverage now for skinny pant wearing. The hem is finished with the rolled hem on my overlocker. 

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Pattern: Closet Case Files "Ebony Tee"
Size: 16, wristlet sleeves, jewel neckline
Modifications:  1" full bicep adjustment, added 8.5" to the length. Rolled hem.
Fabric: polyester elastaine from My Hung in Parramatta
Changes for next time: none for View B