Pattern Parcel #6 - The Julia Cardigan ... and a bump!

Ladies and Gents it's pattern parcel #6 time! This is my first use of 'Perfect Pattern Parcel' and once I heard what it was all about I HAD to get involved!

If you are like I was and are unfamiliar with what it's about, here's a run down:

"Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel it is our mission is to offer high-quality pdf sewing patterns written by independent designers while supporting charity. We go about this in a unique way, by allowing the customers to choose  their own price in supporting the designers included in the Parcel. In addition to determining the total sales price, each customer purchasing the  Parcel is able to allocate how much of their price goes to the designers, the company, and to the charity, DonorsChoose.org. As a company we cover the costs of web hosting, design and payment processing fees from our allocated position, then we donate our remaining earnings to the charity as well. "

So not only does this support independent pattern designers, it also raises money for a charity called Donor's Choose which helps students in need. So far Pattern Parcel has raised over $13,000! Amen to that!

Patterns:

Syrah Skirt by Selvage Designs

Bronte Top by Jennifer Lauren

Julia Cardigan by Mouse House Creations

Hudson Pant by True Bias

Zsalya Top & Dress by Kate & Rose

Odette Dress by BlueGingerDoll BONUS PATTERN ONLY

There are five awesome PDF patterns in this parcel, and you get to choose how much you want to spend, including the portion that goes to the designers and the portion that goes to charity.

If you spend over $32USD you also unlock the sixth PDF pattern the 'Odette Dress'  with your parcel.

If you're excited about this you can click on the button below to make your purchase:

You'll need to be quick as the parcel is only available until October 31st, 2014.

The Pattern

Out of the pattern parcel I chose to make the Julia Cardigan, because HOW COULD I NOT MAKE SOMETHING THAT SHARES MY NAME!?!!!

Breathe.

This is a pattern made for knit fabrics and it is versatile with three different sleeve lengths.

Fabric

I chose to make this cardigan with stretch sequins because: sparkly.

This pattern looks fabulous in a regular knit fabric. But if I'm going to make my name sake, I need to OVER INDULGE the HECK out of it!

And sequins make me happy.
Actually no, WEARING sequins makes me happy, sewing with them makes me HOMICIDAL.

Oh and did I mention it was my first time sewing with these carpet leeches? Tip; don't sew them over carpet. Or inside the house for that matter.

Luckily I had a STUH-nning sequinned fabric to work with from Tessuti Fabrics. This fabric actually made the sewing process a zillion times easier because I didn't unpick any sequins from the seam allowance (gasp!) and just went nuts. That is the difference between good quality and bad quality fabrics (and a reckless seamstress).

Ooo sparkly!

I made it in a small size, as I like my cardigans to fit closer to the body, seeing as there are no closures down the front.

It was a quick and easy pattern to make, even with the sequins and a very satisfying result. The instructions are fantastic and I love how my sparkly cardigan turned out! Yay for Pattern Parcels!

Speaking of parcels ...

I got my own little human parcel in the works. Yes that's right, I'm pregnant with baby bobbin number TWO! 

I'm currently 14 weeks pregnant with this cutesy pop and the time is already flying! My husband and I are super excited to be expanding our family. Our 21 month old doesn't quite know what's going on, but he thinks he has a baby in his belly too. I love that kid :)

Yay for babies, pattern parcels and sequins. Life is good :)

Which pattern do you want to make out of the parcel?

Brooch Give Away!!

Hello possums,

It's time for another fabulous giveaway!

The lovely store Ruemiraldi has kindly given me two brooches to give away to two lucky readers. Check out their ebay store for other beautiful vintage accessories.

As delicious as these brooches are, they are not actually edible so do not attempt to eat them.
As you may know I am a massive fan of brooches. They are the perfect accessory to a vintage garment, or to jazz up a casual outfit, as pictured here on my blazer.

Here are the details:

Two winners will receive one of the two lovely brooches

  

To WIN one of the two brooches simply comment on this post.

All people who leave a comment will be put into a hat (well your names will be any way - it’s logistically impossible to fit actual people into the hat) and two lucky people will be announced the winners.

Entries are open to everyone from anywhere in the world. 

Entries close on November 2nd, 2012 Australian EST

Two random winners will announced in a blog post on November 4th, 2012.

I am currently 27 weeks pregnant and as you can see from the photos, I have a belly that could knock down walls.

Even though I haven't been blog posting as much as before my pregnancy, I can tell you I have been busy sewing away. I have a few projects I'll be sharing with you soon, and a couple of tutorials too so stay tuned!

Here's a little picture to leave you with which I'm sure most of you can relate to ...

Pink Lace dress - McCall 6322

Fact: I am scared of spiders. Seriously.

Within two seconds of seeing a spider I go from being cool, calm and collected to a 'Price is Right' contestant on crack who's coming down from a bad trip.

I'm certain that spider is looking at me through it's eight dirty little eyes thinking 'Damn, that bitch is cray-cray.'

The other night I came home to discover a big huntsman spread eagled on the front door. I back flipped away from that front door so fast it was like I was Neo from 'The Matrix'.

I stared at that spider (from a safe distance) and started to analyse myself. I tried to think logically about my fear. I mean, the spider is not out to get me (or is it ...), it's smaller than me, why do I let this massive  small little monster creature freak me out so much?

And COME ON, can any one blame me for being scared of something that is called a 'Hunts-MAN'. For the love of all that's holy, it HUNTS ... MEN!  I don't think this is an irrational reaction!

After fruitlessly throwing leaves at the spider from 20 metres away like a crazy person, I did what all rational, mentally healthy women would do. I waited outside for twenty minutes, in the cold and dark for my husband to come home.

Turns out, we are hard wired to fear spiders according to a British Psychology professor.  People tend to dislike angular shapes and have bad associations with dark colours. We like curved shapes and bright colours. Hence, why we don't start shrieking at the sight of a lady-bug. Read the article at DailyMail

One of the places that I do like angular shapes and dark colours is sewing, though my recent dress is very 'anti-spider' with its many curves and friendly colours.

Introducing my latest number:

Look at my belly grow! It looks like a small family is growing in there.

My wonderful cousin Anthony married his beautiful bride Katherine in a moving ceremony three weeks ago.  I knew I wanted to make a dress for the occasion, and I thought it would be a great way to really break me back into my sewing rhythm. This is the dress that I made and wore to the wedding.

My husband took these photos of me in the dress a few days ago with my 23 week pregnant belly already bigger than it was three weeks ago at the wedding!

My inspiration for this dress came from the fabulous Betty from Mad Men who rocked a very pretty dress in Season 3 Episode 3 of Mad Men. Photos curtesy of Tom and Lorenzo.

I remember seeing this episode for the first time and falling in love with this dress. I thought Betty looked so fresh and innocent. Which is ironic as this is the occasion where she meets the man she would leave her husband for. Awkward.

I thought this would be exactly the sort of fancy pantsy dress I would like to wear when I was pregnant one day. One fertilised egg later and this dress jumped back into my consciousness. And you all know I have a wee soft spot for Mad Men fashion.

To make my version of this dress I used McCall pattern 6322

As you can see, my version looks quite a bit different from the picture on the packet, but the shape and silhouette has not been changed.

To compensate for my fast expanding stomach and, let's be honest, my ever growing bosom (sorry dad!) I cut the dress in a pattern size 16.

Pattern Alternations

I lowered the neckline by 1.5cm

And shortened the bodice at the shoulders by 2 cm.

I removed 4cm excess around the circumference of the empire waistline by enlarging the darts below the bust. I slightly gathered the top of the skirt so that the skirt fit the narrower bodice, while also giving extra room for the belly.

I made my own sleeves to go with the dress for a more evening look.

I purchased this stunning french lace at Stitches to Style and had to do some serious deep breathing before I cut into it at home.

I made the EPIC mistake of telling my husband how much the lace cost per metre. What.Was.I.Thinking??!!! I blame this lack of secrecy on my new pregnant brain. What woman, chooses to disclose the price of LACE fabric for Petes sake! Every good fabric-holic understands that what their partner doesn't know won't hurt them.
After my dear husband re-assembled his jaw (which has smashed unceremoniously as it had hit the floor) he recovered and was able to appreciate the beauty and value of the fabric, in an abstract sort of way. Look! It has shiny bits in it!

Detailing

I underlined the lace in a beautiful silk dupion from Clegs. See my blog post here on how to underline lace. The dress is also fully lined and closed down the centre back with an invisible zipper.

I spent hours matching up the patterns on the lace so that everything was centered and the scallop on the hem of the skirt and sleeves matched.

My apologies for the lack of hook-and-eye, it has been fixed since these photos!

Instead of putting a centre back seam in the skirt of the lace, I removed the seam allowance and cut it as one big piece. This meant that the pattern on the back of the lace wasn't interrupted by a big seam line. I made a placket at the top of the centre back seam on the skirt so that I'd still be able to get into the dress. I was really pleased with how it turned out, and my first ever placket!

  

I made a cute little belt with a bow out of left over silk dupion. I cut the belt fabric on the bias and interlined it to strengthen it. The belt closes with two hook-and-eyes.

My main accessory for the dress? Red lipstick (of course!) I had lots of lovely comments on the night, which made all my hard work worth it! Every time I sew with lace, I just want to make another ten more!

 Hope you're all having a fabulous sewing week xxx