Sewing my way through 'Love at First Stitch' - The Lilou Dress

Welcome to my version of the Lilou Dress. I have so far made 2 - one in green and one in pink. These are very quick to sew and reasonable comfortable. The bodice pattern has a total of 6 darts. 

I made an alternate skirt - I just gathered up whatever fabric I had so that I could use the existing selvage on the fabric. 

I had to tweak this pattern quite a bit and still have more that needs doing. I took a lot out of the back bodice at a dramatic angle. The back darts don't sit as nicely as I would like and the front darts make me look a little like Madonna - but all in all with some alterations it is a fine dress for day wear and for work. I even can get away with wearing it bra-less as it is fully lined.

Sewing my way through 'Love at First Stitch' - The Clemence Skirt

For my Birthday this year I got a copy of Tilly and Buttons 'Love at First Stitch' (Available here). I have since decided to sew up a whole lot of work clothes for Summer from its provided patterns. I started with the Clemence Skirt, basically the book just tells you how to make the pattern. Very simple stuff and is identical to a skirt I made myself when I first started machine sewing nearly 2 years ago. 

You have your simple waistband (waist measurement + seam allowance), skirt length + desired width.... For me that is usually however much fabric I happen to have left. Sew it all together and add in a zipper and done. 

 For my second version I tested out the provided pocket pattern and love it. I made awesome in seam pockets. It really takes it from a 20 minute project to a 40 minute project BUT sometimes you just gotta put a bit of extra work into a garment you are going to wear a lot. My goal is to be a less lazy sewist.

 And... I need pockets!

Check back later on for my versions of other Love at First Stitch patterns.

September Holidays

 The holidays started with a visit from family from Darwin and the Philippines. After we picked them up at the airport at 5am we all headed off to the Sunshine Coast to spend a few days soaking up the sun.

We got to meet Ren and Amber's newest addition, Mahayla.  

 We went fishing (Moneth and I caught 3 each)

 It was good to just hang around with adults, kids and puppies alike. 

 Close up of Mahayla

 Count the kids! Sometimes it was a very full house...

Then Moneth took off on a big adventure, a study tour to Seoul. 

 Needless to say, Geo has been keeping me company... As best he an.

 But he often doesn't reply. 

 I mixed things up a bit and decided to see actual people by going to Underwater World with a big chunk of my family. There was my sister, her 2 girls, Dad, Anna and Grandma.

 Sofia got pretty tired out. 

 Well we all did. 

Ah ah ah jub jub jub. That is what is happening here. 

I have also done an amazing amount of sewing which I will blog over the next little while. Thanks for reading and holding on through so many photos. 

Waterslides, bungee runs and dress ups = the coolest wedding ever.

 This wedding was honestly the coolest, most unique wedding I have ever been too. 

There was so amazing live music including Mark Lowndes and the Fergies.

Hula Hooping for everyone - this one was massive and I may have been playing with it for too long because today my ribs are bruised!!

This craft tent was fantastic, jewellery ready made you could choose from OR hang in the shade and make something of your own. 

 The kids got to enjoy a full day of jumping caste while the adults battled on the 'Bungee Run.'

Did I mention this was a dress up wedding? 

Moneth and I dressed up as Robin Hood and 'Merry Man' or variations of Peter Pan  and lost boys... You decide. I made the costume as a simple A-Line construction, basic placket with a half dozen buttons and a variation collar/collar stand from the Archer. 

There was so many cute spots to sit and eat. 

I seem to have lost the photos of the other cool things... I will have to add them later! But there were also gorgeous woven baskets hanging from trees with snacks in them, a very long and very cool water slide set up down a hill and giant mushrooms. 


On the blog later this week: My Clemence Skirt (I am working my way through my Birthday gift of the book 'Love at First Stitch')

Bye for now!