I am Ms. Frizzle

Lucy's dress has a neckband with piping and a ruffle. In a solid fabric it would look like a flight attendant's uniform, but I like it here. Millie's wrap blouse is unremarkable but the print is cute.

The return of the lacy blouse. God I hate that vest.

Millie's top could be made with the Lea dress from Style Arc or with McCall's 5314.

Check out the pattern on Lucy's dress here...

It was her dress all along. Millie just found her some accessories.

That is a snood. Snoods are slutty in this universe.

Snood!

Did everyone buy the same shade of blue wool?

It impresses me that her shoes match her coat. Maybe I need higher standards.

SO. MANY. HOLES in this damn show.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

The best show you're not watching: The Bletchley Circle 1.1

I've become obsessed with The Bletchley Circle. The fact that it was cancelled after 7 episodes is a travesty. It's the first show I've seen with a woman who is a capable mathematician, and here are four hunting down serial killers in post-war London. The luscious costumes don't hurt either.

I would absolutely buy that a 15-year-old hand-knit this cardigan. Well done to the costume designer.

God, this is a bleak time. Let's fast-forward to the fifties.

I am obsessed with this woman's hair. Doesn't she look just like a cameo pin?

I think this sweater is fantastic. The neckline seems super high for Millie.

We're in for a lot of twee little collars from Lucy. I wonder if that changes in season two.

I love the scalloped lapels on Millie's coat. The outerwear on this show is generally enviable.

I have no idea what is happening with this fabric, but it's the best thing ever.

I do wonder why they're all wearing coats inside. Coal rationing, maybe?

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Lady in Red

Another day, another revision to my raglan-sleeve bodice.

The sweater is a refashion that I didn't take a before picture of. It was just a big, boxy cardigan.

Monday, March 28, 2016

Apocalypse is Nigh

I recently discovered Disneybounding and it's basically the best thing ever. I was dying to make a costume for the X-men: Apocalypse premiere and I needed to muslin a new bodice, so here we are:

I traced a raglan-sleeve bodice and made it bigger to compensate for a stable knit. It didn't work too well, but I found the same dress two sizes up at the op shop so I can try again. The skirt is a circle, and the jacket is thrifted.

Three guesses who I am, and the first two don't count.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Cat Protection Society- op shop review

One of the other teachers is expecting his first child in June, so I went on a hunt for garments to cut up. I decided to stop by the Cat Protection Society shop in Newtown, and I'm so glad I did. It's a small shop, about 10 meters by 8 meters, and their garment section isn't terribly organized, but that doesn't matter. The main attraction was the baskets of clothing that were $5 for a bagful. I ended up with 26 pieces for $10, and I also bought 2 patterns for a dollar each. Apparently the bins are temporary, but they've been there for a few weeks so far.

Cat Protection Society NSW Inc
103 Enmore Road
Newtown 2042

(opposite the Enmore Theatre)

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Anglicare - op shop review

I went to the Anglicare warehouse recently- unfortunately, they've since moved. It was a good experience, though. They had huge bins of clothing, so I bought a carrier bag full. It was less than a kilo, so I got 6 things for $8. I'd definitely recommend it if you're near their new location.

Monday, February 9, 2015

Smith Family Shop- op shop review

I finally found an American-style op shop in the inner west. It looks like they rotate the oldest things to be half price, and there's a $2 rack. Things still aren't by size (WTF Australia?) but at least there's a fat girl rack so I don't have to scavenge through a million size sixes.

I ended up getting 4 men's t-shirts for $9.50, so there will be new underpants in my future.

Marrickville

Clothing & accessories147 Marrickville Road
Phone: (02) 9572 6065

Opening hours:
Mon to Fri: 9.00am to 4.45pm
Saturday: 9.00am to 1.45pm

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Sewists of Australia

Last updated: June 2015

This should also be helpful if you like to plan your projects six months out. Watch this space.

If you're FB-enabled, there are three groups: Sydney Spoolettes, Melbourne Spoolettes and Brisbane Spoolettes

Adelaide-

Elle

Gillian

Brisbane-

Demi

Jane

Judith

Julie

Lizzie

Mel

Natalie

Rebecca

Sofie

Sophie

Stephanie

Tigergirl

Vanessa

Canberra-

Amanda

Barbara

Bec

Jen

Kirsty

Michelle

Myra

Melbourne-

Abby

Accordion 3

Anna

Belinda

Claire

Dianne

Elizabeth

Emily

Helen

Jo

Karen

Lara

Leisl

Leith

Melanie

Neeno

Nichola

Rach

Rachel

Rachel C.

Ros

Sew Love Red

Shelley

Sooz

The Perfect Nose

Zoe

Perth-

Carolyn

Jacquie

Josie

Lene

Liz

Meg

Meg

Sandra

Sue

Sydney-

Alex

Alison

Alysha Jane

Amy

Andrea

Anne

Annika

Beajay

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Warorot market

I was unimpressed. Lots of lovely cotton lawn, but only one shop had jersey. It was poly and expensive. I saw a trimmings shop, but it was closing when I got there.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Sewing Studio at The Ring

The Ring is up in Nimman, near the university. The sewing studio is on the second floor, tucked away down a hallway. I loved it! They're quilting-focused, so I just bought some good scissors and a marking pen. The owner is such a doll- she checked whether the pen worked by using it on her shirt! There's a sewing circle there, but I've never been.

They only have a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SewingStudioAtTheRing?fref=nf

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

80's does 40's

I prepared a bunch of clothes before moving, including some underpants from B6031 (these will remain unblogged) and this rayon number:

I picked it up for a fiver at a thrift in Myrtle Creek, hence my parents' house in the background. I just removed the shoulder pads and the center panel, overlapped the center sides by 1/4 inch, and hand stitched them together. Then I took some fullness out of the shoulder and shortened the hem.

But that's not the important news; I'm officially a college graduate.

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Talk About Your Blast from the Past

I recently shared a blog post on r/sewing, and the freakiest thing happened. A girl I knew in middle school recognized me (‽) and wrote me an e-mail. Long story short, she's still awesome and you should be reading her blog: Audie + Eloise.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Sewing Lovers' Club

There's a tiny quilting shop in Airport Plaza! It has rotary blades, stretch needles, and thread. There are also (shitty plastic) sewing machines and fat quarters. I'm considering going back for a portable ironing pad next month.

Sewing in Asia

Fabric:

Rakuten shops: Hideki, Fan-annex, how to (Japan)

Patterns:

Very Purple Person has a list of Japanese patterns

Misc:

There are lots of shops on Taobao, though I haven't bought from any yet.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Bra Sewing Bloggers by Size

In case you want to find your body double. Last updated July 2015.

26:

All's Fair in Love and Lingerie - 28 FF/26 G

28:

Lladybird - 28DD

Adventures of a Young Seamstress - 28E

All's Fair in Love and Lingerie - 28FF/26G

Hourglassy - 28 FF, 32 FF, 34 G

Rebel Angel -28H

30:

Shona Stitches - 30C

Cloth Habit - 30 D

Very Purple Person - 30D

Sewaholic- 36 E, 30 D

Seamstress in Training - 30E

Miss Maddy Sews - 30E/F

32:

Vivat Veritas - 32A

Dressing the Role - 32B

Made By Meg - 32B

Clothing Engineer - 32 C

Begonia Sews - 32 C/D

Craft Sanctuary - 32 E

Brown Paper Patterns - 32 E/F, 34DD

Sew Glamorous - 32 F/FF

Hourglassy - 28 FF, 32 FF, 34 G

Gin Pins - 32 G

34:

Lake Knit - 34AA

Handmade by Carolyn- 34 A

Fehr Trade - 34 B

Peneloping - 34C

Button and Needle - 34 D

Closet Case Files - 34 D

Brown Paper Patterns - 32 E/F, 34DD

Sew Your Boat - 34 DD

Sigrid - 34 DD

Starcross - 34 G

Hourglassy - 28 FF, 32 FF, 34 G

36:

A Few Threads Loose - 36 B

Emerald Erin - 36 C

Oonaballoona - 36 C

My Bratelier - 36 DD

Sewaholic- 36 E, 30 D

So-So Sewist - 36 H

38:

Kathy Sews - 38 B

Get My Stitch On - 38 D

Needles and Haystacks -38 DD

40:

Crabigail Adams - 40 D

It's Sew Suezyque - 40 DD

42:

Smoking Needles - 42 F

44:

Monseratt Lopez - 44F

Uncategorized:

Madalynne

Makes the Things

K-Line

Stitches and Seams

Dixie Diy

Merckwaerdigh

Michelle's Creations

Kazz the Spazz

Measure Twice

Sew Pretty in Pink

Is it Really Sew Strange?

Silver Lining Atelier

Lamona

Lingerie Molou

Live, Laugh and Sew

Two Random Words

Ilove2sew

The Sewing Lawyer

Tanit-Isis Sews

Handmade by Freya

Miss Celie's Pants

Sewing by Shirley

Sewing on the Edge

Sew Many Things

Blackberry Jamble

Rusty Bobbin

Bloom's Endless Summer

Laura After Midnight

The Lingerie Lesbian

L'il Miss Muffett's World of Sewing and Other Adventures

Adonizing

Living in Red

Satin Bird Designs

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Tiny pants pattern and tutorial

I couldn't find a free pattern for size 3m knit pants, so I bought a pair at the thrift and traced them off. You can find the pattern here. I bought a bunch of polo shirts on dollar day at the thrift and used them for fabric.