Sail away with me honey*

I'm pretty sure I've expressed my love of novelty prints about a million times before on here. One of the best places to get vintage style novelty prints is in the children's section. Ages ago, I found some awesome sailboat printed fabric in the kids fabric section on Trademe for $7. I was going to use it to make a skirt but then I saw this sailboat print shirt by Milly (it costs US$230 which is like NZ$300!!!).

Image from here

I wanted a more 50s style than the Milly shirt so pulled out Butterick 9405. I've already made this pattern twice so it went together pretty quickly. I made view D.

What on earth is that woman at the front doing?

I did darts at the front instead of tucks but that's the only change I made. I did french seams where I could because I am obsessed with them.

I actually finished this a little while ago but the print made it a total nightmare to get an okay picture of it. I tried three times to take photos but the bright white background of the fabric made all the pictures blurry.

I used some vintage buttons that I love but haven't been able to use until now because there are only three of them. It closes with a snap at the top because there's not enough room for a button.



So my fabric + notions cost less than $10 vs the $300 Milly version. I think I win.

*Incidentally, I don't like sailing or going on boats because I get seasick. My face turns green and I think I'm going to die.

On Location

At the moment I'm on holiday at my parents place in the middle of nowhere. It's great because I can do lots of sewing and try and get some schoolwork done (it's also nice having someone to do my washing).

Yesterday, I finished Simplicity 1411, a short-sleeved jacket pattern from the 50s. Embarrassingly enough, I started this at the beginning of May but I abandoned it because it reminded me of doctor's scrubs. I'm glad I picked it up again because I'm actually quite pleased with the way it looks.
I made it using some sea foam green poplin and purple vintage buttons. The colour's actually greener than in the photo and the buttons are brighter. I didn't do the version with the detachable cuffs and collar so mine looks more like a blouse/jacket hybrid.

I'm also wearing my unfinished version of Burdastyle's Jenny skirt. It's still without a waistband and the suspender straps but I didn't bring any clothes with me that I could wear with the jacket. I will do another post on it when it's done.

Blueberry Bomb*

I finally jumped on the Sencha bandwagon and I'm so glad I did. I knew I'd love Colette Patterns as soon as I saw the cute pattern booklet. The instructions were so well written even I could understand them.
I made view 1 using some printed broderie anglaise type fabric I got at Stash Rehash. The print is of little blue berries. They look more like cherries than blueberries though.
I'm definitely going to be making a whole pile of these in anticipation of Self-Stitched-September

*Cherry Bomb by the Runaways is one of my favourite songs

Me-Made-May Day 14 and 15

Things I have learned so far during MMM: Updating every day is hard and I should really sew more separates.
I wore this to uni on Friday. I know lots of people dislike polka dots because they are 'too cutesy' but if you couldn't already tell I love them (on that note I don't even know why 'cutesy' is an insult).

I wore this on day 15 to Helga's blogger meet up where I was my usual shy, socially awkward self. Groups of people intimidate me. The theme was red/white so luckily I had a red dress that I had made. I know it doesn't look like it but I did actually iron it before I went out.

Me-Made-May Day Seven

For day seven I wore a me made back button blouse. After uni I went to Spotlight and the op shop. I was slightly embarassed at the op shop when I bought a back button blouse and blue vintage gloves while I was wearing um... a back button blouse and blue vintage gloves. I'm nothing if not predictable.
My thought process at the op shop went something like this: Look blue gloves. But I already have blue gloves. I'm actually wearing blue gloves right now. I don't have ones that are this exact shade of blue though. What if I need this exact shade to co-ordinate with an outfit? They are only $4. $4 is the same amount I paid for that horrible cheese scone I bought the other day. These are way better than a cheese scone. I must buy them.
I then found the blouse and repeated it again. This is how you end up with a drawer filled with gloves and too many cute vintage blouses.

Me-Made-May Day Two

For day two of Me-Made-May I wore a me made dress to the Shabby Chic Market. There was some great stuff there so I had to limit myself to only three things. I saw two lovely and really reasonably priced vintage swimsuits but I stopped myself from buying them because I already have a gorgeous one (and I hardly ever go swimming). I did buy a broderie anglaise back button blouse, some red shoes and a layered petticoat. I was quite surprised about how reasonable the prices were, these only cost me $23 altogether.

Mellow Yellow

I usually steer clear of yellow clothes because, as I am about as tanned as the Corpse Bride, they tend to make me look ill. I saw this yellow polka dot fabric at the op-shop a while ago but didn't buy it. When I went back the next week it was still there so it came home with me. I find it hard to resist anything that has polka dots on it.

It was only a small piece of fabric so I decided to make a short sleeved blouse even though we are heading into winter. I adapted a vintage blouse pattern I've made before and added a few tucks to the neckline because it was too wide. Even though it's completely inappropriate for the autumn weather I'm just going to wear it with a thermal and a cardigan and hope no one asks me if I'm feeling ill.