Colette Peony Photos

As promised here's some pics of me in the colour block Peony.  Insert moody shots...

Muslin (still not finished, got over excited and started the colour block)

Glass of fizz, don't mind if I do...

Hem, hem, hem!!  I will master hand stitching! And look what happens to the neck when I move!

No hook and eye yet!

Ta Da! Happy with my Peony (kinda!)

Colette Peony Colour Blocking

So I've had this marvellous piece of twill (that's some denim hiding underneath) for a couple of weeks and have been itching to colour block with!

I'm loving the colour block clothes around at the moment, I took some inspiration from this yellow dress I saw in a magazine.  I initially thought of trying another Burda Jamie Shift but, sorry Jamie, I still hate you *growls*.  So opted for the Peony.

Since making her I've spotted the same colour in Topshop! Get me I'm "on trend"!

Prepare for gasps...I did a muslin!  I've made a Peony before but had sizing issues, for some crazy reason I always insist on cutting at least 2 sizes too big.  This time I was true to myself and my real size.  The muslin worked out beautifully.  I had shortened the Peony as I am going for more of a foxy evening wear look rather than a cutesy tea dress.

                   

I love this muslin it's a little too short, so I lengthened the colour block Peony an inch to still keep the short length.  Making the muslin made me feel all superior and smug when I remembered the facing was too big for the colour block and it needed extra large gathers on the skirt.  Ha, in your face sewing errors-that-would-have-been-without-a-muslin!

The colour block is a twill that I got from a market.  Things I have learnt about twill

• finish seams as soon as they are cut, this is one fraying mother!
• pressing - what the...how the heck.. if I figure this one out I'll let you know! Perhaps I have a super naff iron!
• Hemming - hmm, I went for a slip stitch. Twill does not like hems!
• It's kinda a bit stretchy!

Here she is, what a beaut!  I love the weight of the fabric and the fit is great, yey!

A Word With Megan Nielsen...

A Word With Megan Nielsen

My little surprise for #kellyskirtfriday !

After the fantastic response to #kellyskirtfriday Megan Nielson (designer of the Kelly Skirt (and many others besides!)) kindly agreed to a little interview (thanks Megan!).  Here's what she had to say...

(I have read) you are a self taught sewer - do you have any background study wise for design/textiles etc?

"Funnily enough, I started my career as an Actuary. Actuaries analyse the financial impact of risk and uncertainty – it’s very nerdy (hangs head in shame). So my original background in study is quite technical – I have a degree in Mathematics and a degree in Corporate Finance minoring in Accounting."

Pattern design/sewing is your career, does it take the fun out of it?

"Sometimes J I adore sewing, and any time I have free time I want to sew and design something – but there are certainly a good many times I don’t’ want to. And that’s when its hard, because you are forcing yourself to do something that used to just be a hobby. These days I tend to sew almost exclusively for work – which is why I’m very careful to make sure I only design things I’m passionate about – that way I can keep the joy of making things I adore.

 Any top tips for those starting out with their own businesses?

"Make a plan, get some seed money, and go for it! I’m a real “go for it!” kind of girl – and sometimes I feel like less thinking and more jumping in is the way to go hehehe."

Where do you take your inspiration from when designing patterns?

"For me inspiration always comes from nature. I like to spend a lot of time out in the Australian bushland, parks etc. I really get my best ideas out in the sun and wind. And for me, a pattern always begin with the design first. I try and forget it will be a pattern, and I focus just on the fashion of it. Then after the idea is fully formed, I work on how it could be a pattern. I feel like that is my trick for making sure I keep things stylish and on trend."

What's your favourite season or occasion to design for? Any soft spots for particular fabrics?

"Oh summer J I really can’t help it. Summer is just so built into the Australian mind – and since over half the year is hot where I live, it just feels natural to design for hot weather as a default."

What sewing tool could you not live without?

"Oooo my iron. I think I could get rid of a lot of things – but that steam iron and I are inseparable. It’s amazing how much of an aid it is in creating professional looking garments"

 We all have our sewing technique nemesis, what's yours?

"Oh gosh that’s easy. Knife pleats. Those b*@%~$*s. I have tried and tried to make p-e-r-f-e-c-t knife pleats and one day I hope to conquer them"

Any patterns/projects currently in the pipeline?

"For sure! I have a new collection coming in a few months that I’m very excited about!"

Any thoughts on #kellyskirtfriday?

"I think it’s amazing! I’m thrilled Sarah came up with the idea and I was just so touched. My hope is always that people will enjoy my designs and feel joy in making and wearing them – and #kellyskirtfriday was such a wonderful confirmation of that. I love it!"

We can't wait to see your new collection Megan!

#kellyskirtfriday III

This week's #kellyskirtfriday...

I love waking up on a Friday morning to Sabs email of her Kelly, this week it's denim...!

Super cute buttons Sabs!

And the wonderful @Freddievonfred, ToTaLLy loving this colour...!

Fantastic winter fabrics (and rocking the snow boots ladies!)

I've been contemplating my next Kelly, thinking I might go for a touch shorter this time!  Once the snow has disappeared I'll be back in mine!  

Also this week I won The Sewing Directory's competition for Abakhan vouchers!  Super thrilled (I may have done a footballer style shirt-over-head lap around the living room to celebrate!).  I'll have to have a good think of what to buy with them *rubs hands together in glee*

Remember to go forth and Kelly Skirt!

Burda Jamie Shift Dress

The Burda Vintage Modern Jamie Shift Dress (my version)

Where to begin.  All was going well until I discovered this is a size too big (even after dropping the pattern size by one.  Why oh why do I always have sizing problems-particularly with dresses!).  I wanted to use my giant buttons for Gillian's sewing dare.

So decided to add tabs to create more of a pinafore (mmm pinafore love).  I managed to break one of the buttons (fear not, I don't do things by halves and still have a good half a dozen giant buttons leftover!) and a needle in the process so resorted to hand stitching.  I detest the hem (with a capital D!!).  Burda said slip stitch, Sarah said no way, and tried to machine stitch.  I realised that was a big mistake and reverted back to Burda's command.  It looks terrible, my hand stitching is just plain awful.

So much excess fabric, the tabs gathered more than I wanted really, oh well.

Big fat wobbly hem.  Invisible zipper wasn't too bad, still having the gaping problem as mentioned in my previous post.

I doubt I'll ever wear this but one has learnt from one's mistakes!

On a more successful note...

  

Some spots and stripes for a birthday prezzie for a friend.

I do have a little surprise for my next post, I'm still waiting on something but almost there.  Watch this space...!

#kellyskirtfriday II

This weeks #kellyskirtfriday.  

Good effort peeps!

The inventor herself, Megan Nielsen *whoop, whoop!*

The lovely Stephanie - snow or no snow!

Sabs - working some snow boots.  Can't wait for the denim one!!

And spotted...(by Amy!)

Suzy - rocking her Kelly Skirt- we hope you'll join us next week Suzy!?

I have a confession...I didn't partake this week due to snow.  Didn't fancy getting stuck in snow and having to walk home in a skirt, Kelly skirt or ordinary skirt!

Proof of snow (and my mum's snowman!)

Things I'm working on and a Little Surprise!

I'm working on this little baby for a friend's birthday.  It's a surprise so can't go spoiling birthday prezzies now can we!

Gillian's sewing dare to use my accidentally ordered giant buttons is still on my mind but think I may have a solution involving my Jamie shift dress!  Watch this space!

Having some invisible zipper installation problems with the Jamie.  I always end up with a gap here

as the footer gets stuck at the pully bit of the zipper.  Any advice most welcome?

My sister (who incidentally took these photos!) bought me this lovely notebook for Christmas to pop my sewing inspirations into.  Something about a good notebook...mmmm...notebook *dribbles*.  At the moment I'm randomly snapping pics when out shopping to gather my inspiration

              I love these fabrics and colours

      

I love these styles (I do so want a pinafore!).  I literally pushed a fellow shopper out of the way to snap these!

                       

  

I must apologise for the ever evolving style of my blog.  I'm still learning Blogger and developing my style.  I still can't get it to show me how many followers I have on the stats page.  I can see bimbleandpimble (hello Amanda!) the widget seems fine but I can't see anything else out there on the internet!  Be nice to know I'm not just posting to myself (perhaps I am!), anyone any advice?  

Hope you all have a good #kellyskirtfriday .  Can't wait to see your photos.  You can send them to me via twitter @notchesnnotions or email notchesandnotions@gmail.com

Finally, my next post I am very very excited about.  It's a surprise but involves this little lady...Oooooooo!      

(thanks Blogger for making me re-write (x 3!!) this whole post after you lost it!)