waiting......

Well,

       we are now packed and not much left to do until the removalist  comes to collect our stuff so here I am waiting and planning new sewing projects.

I will be living in a much warmer climate, the average temperature in in winter is 16 degrees hardly the coat and scarf weather I'm used to in winter here in melbourne, add being pregnant to the mix and it gets a little tricky.

I had no specific maternity clothes last time round, I was fortunate that empire waists and tunics had been in fashion ( do they ever really go out?) so I just wore my regular clothes and got some stretchy skirts.

I have just discovered Jenny Gordy's label Wikstenmade and after seeing a review of her Tova Tunic on the Tessuti's blog I think it would be the perfect top for a mild Gold Coast and pregnant winter.

(Jenny Gordy in Tova Tunic from www.wikstenmade.com)

I ordered myself some of the Suda Berry Check Japanese Cotton for Tessuti's and am hoping I can get a hold of one of the Tova Tunic patterns, otherwise there is a similar style on trusty Burdastyle that I think will do the trick.

So all thats left for me to do is wait and enjoy a cup of tea :-)

xxx Ruby Slippers

Ruby Slippers Vintage featured on Tessuti Fabric's Blog

Last week I had a surprising e-mail in my inbox from Colette of Tessuti Fabrics, which we all know is my favorite fabric store. She had seen pictures of my Black Eyelet Seersucker Maxidress and wanted to feature it on the Sew Tessuti blog. I love the store and always read the blog myself so I am delighted to be featured there so thanks Colette!

If you would like to take a look you can find the post here.

xxx Ruby Slippers

Quick Peplum Skirt

I haven't posted for longer than I would like and I still have a few older projects to share, but, I made up this cute little skirt yesterday and it was too fun not to share!

I made the pattern up myself (tutorial is coming) and the fabric I have had in the stash for a while and knew I wanted to make it into a skirt , just wasn't sure of the style.

Im going away tomorrow for a few days and it will be perfect for my trip!

I was hoping my hair would show up better in the photos but alas it looks brown, I dyed it red I swear! I think I need to go a slightly lighter shade next time as I wanted it a little more Joan Holloway, sigh.

xxx Ruby Slippers

Retro Style Swimwear

Here in Australia summer is just around the corner, which of course, gets me thinking about my summer wardrobe and top of the list is a new bathing suit.
I usually go for a bit of a 50's look, even though im small I have a waist and hips so the styles tend to work well for me and they are so feminine and a bit more glam than the old triangle top and those tie pants that give you muffin top regardless of size.

I have been trawling the net for ideas and inspirations as I think this year I will make my own.
Now I have never attempted lingerie or anything of this sort before and as I'm planning on a top with underwire and some padding it should be a nice little challenge and broaden my sewing skills.

Have any of you ever tried to find a vintage pattern for a swimsuit? It is like mission impossible! from what I have seen ( finding, something,anything was hard enough!) they are more like playsuits and I already have a few vintage shorts patterns. I was hoping for a one piece or bikini with a little skirt but no dice. I wonder why that is, If anyone knows please share I am very curious! I am doing a bit of research into girdle patterns where I am hoping to have some more luck, keep your fingers crossed for me!

I really love the print on this one from hotel bondi swim they do some gorgeous retro styles 

xxx Ruby Slippers

Black Eyelet Seersucker Maxi Dress

Hi everyone,

well it has been awhile since I have posted any completed projects, mostly due to my lack of sewing time, but this last week I have been able to make not one, not two but three projects.

The first is my maxi dress made using Tessuti's black eyelet seersucker and burdastyles maxidress #117.
The dress is fairly straight forward construction wise, I did add a little width (1.5cm each side) to the back bodice but that was the only alteration to the pattern. The pattern consists of 4 pieces and there was also one other random piece that was not pictured in the layout and for the life of me I couldn't figure out where it went, so when in doubt leave it out,lol.

The skirt is simply rectangle pieces gathered and tired, the pattern provides the measurements for these pieces and you mark and cut out yourself. I thought they could have made the pattern price a little cheaper considering you are really only getting a pattern for a basic bodice but no matter.

I lined it with a soft and breezy cotton voile as I really dislike the silky linings. For my straps I used black grosgrain ribbon for a bit of contrast.

It's a lovely, comfortable and breezy summer dress!

xxx Ruby Slippers

High Waist Trousers Inspiration

Well upon closer inspection of my pattern collection I realised I actually had not one not two but FOUR patterns featuring high waisted wider leg trousers, my mum liked this style in the 70's. I also did a little web trawling for inspiration and found it in some surprising places (you'll see lol).

I'm now leaning toward a flat front style as I have always found this really flattering, also not too much happening around my waist isn't my tiniest part and dont want bulk around this area.
I think I'll show you what I'm liking so far then let you in on my plan of attack :-)

these are two of my patterns, the other two kept photographing blurry so i decided not to picture, they are similar style minus front crease.

I also really liked these styles...

These pants worn by January Jones are the same style as my butterick pattern

Now I know, I know Heidi Montag but lets put that aside for a minute, these are great trousers, (I actually really like this whole outfit) the back detail is really cool

Kind of like a corset hey?

And of course I had to show something with Katherine Hepburn , the queen of the trousers lol

So I think I'll try the butterick pattern, I'm planning to get started on a muslin today and share the process with you.

xx Ruby Slippers

1970's Western Shirt

This shirt was made from one of my mum's vintage patterns from the 70's.
It was really simple to sew and I really like the yoke detail and wide collar.

The jeans are my trusty old J brand Lovestory flares the shoes and belt are oldies but goodies.

The flannel fabric (or brushed cotton) I used is super soft and cosy!

I'm really enjoying looking at what everyone's wearing for self stitched september and am finding that wearing something I've made every day is definietly showing me the gaps in my wardrobe. I am really in need of some trousers and maybe a few more top/blouses.

NO MORE DRESSES!! lol

xxx Ruby Slippers

The Red Bow Tie Dress

Well here it is, my Red Bow Tie Dress.

I am so pleased with finished product, one of the most rewarding things about sewing for me was when I finally started making things that could actually be worn, well in public without looking like a bag lady at least lol. Since I have mostly been teaching myself to sew I think I haven't done too bad of a job for someone who has really only been sewing for a bit over a year.

There were a few hiccups, for some reason the waistband was about two centimetres shorter than bodice and skirt widths, luckily I had a bit of room so i could bring in bodice and skirt without ending up with a dress too small or having to unpick and cut out and attach new waistband. I didnt bother doing a muslin as I had made up the other Rachel Comey pattern with the same skirt and waistband fit fine, oh well live and learn I guess.

The fabric is Japanese cotton and it is so light and soft and has a nice hand. Will be lovely and cool for summer.

                                                                   xxx Ruby Slippers

Bow Tie Dress Complete!!

Well  finished this dress up this morning, I was going to take some pictures wearing it but as its dark and gloomy here in Melbourne the lighting is terrible! I decided to just do a few shots of it hanging to give you a sneak peek :-)

The extended sleeves give it a bit of a 40's feel

I am loving this back cut-out and bow effect

The skirt of this dress is the same as the one in the two piece outfit I made here.

Its a gorgeous flippy hem, very feminine.

Now all I need is a little sunshine so I get wear this little number!

Enjoy your weekend everyone :-)

Sneak Peek - My New Project

I ordered some fabric from Tessuti's last week, my first purchase from them although I have drooled over many of their fabrics for some time. Anyways today it arrived, It's a beautiful japanese cotton with a bowtie print. I have a bit of a soft spot for bows I must admit :-)

I'm Planning to make it up in a Rachel Comey for Vogue Pattern that I have had for a while but haven't found the "right" fabric for it, but I think the back cut-out and flippy skirt will marry well with the fun print of the fabric.

I am cutting it out tonight and will hopefully start tomorrow, I'm putting the finishing touches on a 1960's floaty smock top that I'm planning on sharing with you all tomorrow :-)

xxx Ruby Slippers

Latest Tessuti Picks!

This is the fabric store that never dissapoints! Always a never ending array of droolworthy fabrics.
And if you dont live near a store they have their online store (and ship internationally!)

Here's a few new additions to their store that I'm eyeing off right now!

This pretty print is from Liberty Of London, wouldn't it make a pretty dress or little romper for summer?

This one is a cotton knit

I love this colourful print, so pretty!

This one is a Japanese cotton

I would love this in a little romper! Such a sweet print

xxx Ruby Slippers

Sequins on Sunday

Hi All,

I recently posted about my want for some winter shorts, well, here they are!

This is actually my second attempt, I made another pair yesterday which were.... WRONG!!