The shift of seasons

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Gosh'o'golly is it cold here at the moment. Winter's really set in and my fingers are slightly numb as I type this from the non-heated room.

The start of winter's a great time to reflect back on your wardrobe and figure out the summer clothes that could possibly translate to winter - and if you actually have any winter clothes still around!

I've actually completed a fair few garments lately but the change in seasons has meant I haven't actually worn many of them. It took a bit of time to realise I should probably start sewing for winter!

A few months back I bought this gorgeous flowery black fabric from the Fabric Cave. There wasn't heaps, about 1.3 metres I think, and I wanted to make something that kept the pattern so settled on this Burdastyle Shift dress. 

I extended the darts slightly and then removed some of the width at the back neck when inserting the zipper. I also have a bit of a confession to make - I was in such a rush to wear this dress that I didn't really finish the seams properly. Naughty, naughty and I ended up paying for it later on when the fabric started badly fraying, so the other day I went back and overlocked all the edges. A lesson for all - finish your seams!

I took these pics in the backyard with a tripod and ran in and out of the house in various new dresses to photograph! Our neighbours have quite a clear view of the yard so here's an outtake of me trying to avoid being seen. Quick, duck!

Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows

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...everything that's wonderful is what I feel when we're together.

Continuing on with the winter wardrobe theme, I picked up this bright yellow knitted (but I think polyester) fabric from the Fabric Cave about two months back. There was only about 1.5 metres it in and I was so desperate to use it to make a dress. After a bit of time fiddling around with various patterns, placing on fabric, tilting fabric, re-moving fabric (this must work!) I discovered it fit almost perfectly with my McCalls 9526.

60s swing dress style -would it work with knit?

I eliminated the zipper because the fabric is stretchy enough to just slip over my head. I also follow Gertie's instructions for ease and measure all the pattern pieces before I started cutting. Although it says it will fit my bust (which normally means I need to add a bit at the waist) I ended up taking off the seam allowances on all the pieces (5/8 inch all around). To add a little spice to the mixture I embroidered these little houses on.
 

 This was actually incredibly easy to make and brightens up these cold winter days like nothing else! Thanks again to my little sister for helping me take photos. It was bloody freezing outside and I had no shoes!

One, two, three...remove jacket!

Thanks to Bodie dog who wanted to play while we took photos.

What are you doing off there? woof woof woof!

The Herringbone wrangler

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Evening!
I'm finally learning how to relax on a weekend and managed to fit in some good sewing time this weekend without worrying about what we were going to eat for dinner this week!

I'll post later in the week two finished projects (yes, you read right, two!) but I wanted to share with you this lovely herringbone scarf I made for Ben recently.

I've tried to branch out in my knitting a bit this season and I like to challenge myself with new patterns and techniques so decided to learn the herringbone stitch. I used this pattern from the Purl Bee, and although at first I had to refer to the pattern every two seconds (seriously, so confused at first!) I eventually got into the rhythm. Once you know the pattern it's actually quite easy because you can easily tell the right side from the wrong side so it's a bit harder to bugger up!

I used this really thick cream wool I got at The Fabric Cave which means it's a really toasty scarf.

Here's Ben wearing the scarf; he wouldn't allow a photoshoot so I draped it over him while he was fixing something. Hence the drill thingo.

This weekend we also had an impromptu BBQ with Ben, Megan and Pete. It was delicious and a lovely way to spend an evening.